12 Iceland Instagrammers Who Will Have You Planning a Vacation, Stat
If it seems like everyone is planning a trip to Iceland, it's because they are. Unofficially the hottest destination of this and last year, the country has seen its fair share of tourists. In fact, it has more American tourists visit every year than it has people who live there.
With its otherworldly landscape, Northern Lights spotting, midnight sun, and great adventure travel opportunities, it truly is no surprise so many people pay it a visit. And the airlines make it cheaper than ever with programs like Icelandair's "Stopover Buddy" service—a local will show you Iceland's hidden gems while you're in the area, free of charge.
With so many things to do, planning your trip can get overwhelming. Sure, the "Travel Planner" outline on Google Sheets will get you so far. But if you're looking to do Iceland like a local, head to Instagram.
Related: Iceland Travel Guide
Not only are there plenty of accounts whose sole purpose seems to be dishing out insane amounts of wanderlust, but you'll also find Instagram accounts that can help you learn the language, familiarize yourself with the regional architecture, and plan some adventure tours (ATV drive, anyone?).
Ahead: an Iceland fanatic's (guilty as charged) guide to the best Iceland Instagrammers out there.
Bucket List Photo Opps: @Asasteiners
This blogger also makes some stops in other spots around the world—she's visited 52 different countries already—but her home base is Iceland. Follow to find some of the most beautiful spots for 'gramming on your next trip.
Related: The Best Places to See the Southern Lights
Follow her at @asasteinars.
Icelandic Design: @IcelandDesignCentre
From homes to jewelry makers to Reykjavík's annual design festival, this account is always shedding light on Iceland-based designers who are doing really, really cool things.
Follow them at @icelanddesigncentre.
A Local's View: @Stacey.Katz.Photography
This Instagram account tells the story of an ex-New Yorker living in Reykjavík. You'll find her sharing photos of other destinations around the world, but you can always tell when she lands back home—her vibrant photos of Iceland are a refreshing break from snow-covered landscapes and idyllic waterfall scenes.
Follow her at @stacey.katz.photography
Learning the Language: @EverySingleWordInIcelandic
This account is run by a New Yorker with a true love for the Icelandic language. It pairs cute illustrations depicting phonetic scenes with an audio track speaking the word. If I had to give an award for the most creative use of an Instagram account, this would hands-down be the winner.
Follow them at @everywordinicelandic.
Architecture: @Solavander
This architect finds the most stunning design details in Iceland and shares them on his account. You'll never look at another staircase or shadow against a building the same way after following him.
Follow him at @solvander.
Landscape: @Icelandair????
This airline has perfected the art of crowdsourced photos with its #MyStopover community. You'll find photos from locals, travelers, and Icelandair employees proving that Iceland is just as gorgeous thousands of feet in the air as it is from the ground.
Follow them at @Icelandair.
Local Blogger: @IHeartReykjavik
This local had one purpose for her blog: prove to everyone just how awesome Iceland really is. This is a great one for planning places to visit on your next trip. Also, the I Heart Reykjavik site is a wealth of tourist information.
Follow her at @iheartreykjavik.
Moody Iceland Scenes: @Swetans
This Instagram account turns all of the images you conjure in your mind upon hearing the word "Iceland" into real, actual scenes. The vibe is certainly moody—perfect for that midday mental vacation you've been looking for.
Follow him at @swetans.
Wildlife: @Icelandic_Explorer
Despite its cold temperatures, Iceland has its own fair share of incredible wildlife. This account is exactly what it sounds like: one photographer exploring the country for the best shots of natural wonder and animals.
Follow him at @icelandic_explorer.
Northern Lights: @Simona_br_Photography
One of the most popular reasons people flock to Iceland during the wintertime is to check out the Northern Lights. Head out of Reykjavík in ay direction, and you'll find yourself faced with an outstanding view. Or, you know, check out this Instagram.
Follow her at @simona_br_photography.
Tour Operator Adventures: @MidgardAdventure
Since 2010, Midgard Adventures has been bringing people out on tours of the Icelandic countryside. Its Instagram account is a great look into the tours offered, and how beautiful some of the lesser-visited spots of the country are.
Follow them at @midgardadventures.
Trip Planners: @WhenInIceland
This Instagram account not only delivers stunning Iceland photos on a daily basis, but they'll help you plan your next trip (for free). Expect lots of Northern Lights shots, waterfalls, and glaciers.
Follow them at @wheniniceland.
If it seems like everyone is planning a trip to Iceland, it's because they are. Unofficially the hottest destination of this and last year, the country has seen its fair share of tourists. In fact, it has more American tourists visit every year than it has people who live there.
With its otherworldly landscape, Northern Lights spotting, midnight sun, and great adventure travel opportunities, it truly is no surprise so many people pay it a visit. And the airlines make it cheaper than ever with programs like Icelandair's "Stopover Buddy" service—a local will show you Iceland's hidden gems while you're in the area, free of charge.
With so many things to do, planning your trip can get overwhelming. Sure, the "Travel Planner" outline on Google Sheets will get you so far. But if you're looking to do Iceland like a local, head to Instagram.
Related: Iceland Travel Guide
Not only are there plenty of accounts whose sole purpose seems to be dishing out insane amounts of wanderlust, but you'll also find Instagram accounts that can help you learn the language, familiarize yourself with the regional architecture, and plan some adventure tours (ATV drive, anyone?).
Ahead: an Iceland fanatic's (guilty as charged) guide to the best Iceland Instagrammers out there.
Bucket List Photo Opps: @Asasteiners
A post shared by Asa Steinars ??I C E L A N D (@asasteinars) on Jan 26, 2017 at 1:11pm PST
This blogger also makes some stops in other spots around the world—she's visited 52 different countries already—but her home base is Iceland. Follow to find some of the most beautiful spots for 'gramming on your next trip.
Related: The Best Places to See the Southern Lights
Follow her at @asasteinars.
Icelandic Design: @IcelandDesignCentre
A post shared by Iceland Design Centre (@icelanddesigncentre) on Feb 9, 2017 at 7:32am PST
From homes to jewelry makers to Reykjavík's annual design festival, this account is always shedding light on Iceland-based designers who are doing really, really cool things.
Follow them at @icelanddesigncentre.
A Local's View: @Stacey.Katz.Photography
A post shared by Stacey Katz ???? NY ???????? Iceland ???????? (@stacey.katz.photography) on Feb 15, 2017 at 12:32pm PST
This Instagram account tells the story of an ex-New Yorker living in Reykjavík. You'll find her sharing photos of other destinations around the world, but you can always tell when she lands back home—her vibrant photos of Iceland are a refreshing break from snow-covered landscapes and idyllic waterfall scenes.
Follow her at @stacey.katz.photography
Learning the Language: @EverySingleWordInIcelandic
Here in New York, we are having a big snjóstormur or snow storm ?? I hope everyone is staying warm!!
A post shared by Every Single Word In Icelandic (@everysinglewordinicelandic) on Feb 9, 2017 at 10:00am PST
This account is run by a New Yorker with a true love for the Icelandic language. It pairs cute illustrations depicting phonetic scenes with an audio track speaking the word. If I had to give an award for the most creative use of an Instagram account, this would hands-down be the winner.
Follow them at @everywordinicelandic.
Architecture: @Solavander
#lookingup #reykjavik #architecture #interior #theworldneedsmorespiralstaircases
A post shared by Hans-Olav, Reykjavik (@solavander) on Mar 5, 2017 at 2:48am PST
This architect finds the most stunning design details in Iceland and shares them on his account. You'll never look at another staircase or shadow against a building the same way after following him.
Follow him at @solvander.
Landscape: @Icelandair????
A post shared by Icelandair (@icelandair) on Mar 6, 2017 at 7:13am PST
This airline has perfected the art of crowdsourced photos with its #MyStopover community. You'll find photos from locals, travelers, and Icelandair employees proving that Iceland is just as gorgeous thousands of feet in the air as it is from the ground.
Follow them at @Icelandair.
Local Blogger: @IHeartReykjavik
A post shared by Auður - I heart Reykjavík (@iheartreykjavik) on Jan 13, 2017 at 3:11pm PST
This local had one purpose for her blog: prove to everyone just how awesome Iceland really is. This is a great one for planning places to visit on your next trip. Also, the I Heart Reykjavik site is a wealth of tourist information.
Follow her at @iheartreykjavik.
Moody Iceland Scenes: @Swetans
Hello cold days! #babyitscoldoutside
A post shared by T A N S U (@swetans) on Dec 17, 2016 at 9:31am PST
This Instagram account turns all of the images you conjure in your mind upon hearing the word "Iceland" into real, actual scenes. The vibe is certainly moody—perfect for that midday mental vacation you've been looking for.
Follow him at @swetans.
Wildlife: @Icelandic_Explorer
A post shared by GUNNAR FREYR (@icelandic_explorer) on Feb 17, 2017 at 11:07am PST
Despite its cold temperatures, Iceland has its own fair share of incredible wildlife. This account is exactly what it sounds like: one photographer exploring the country for the best shots of natural wonder and animals.
Follow him at @icelandic_explorer.
Northern Lights: @Simona_br_Photography
A post shared by S I M O N A | Iceland (@simona_br_photography) on Mar 1, 2017 at 11:33am PST
One of the most popular reasons people flock to Iceland during the wintertime is to check out the Northern Lights. Head out of Reykjavík in ay direction, and you'll find yourself faced with an outstanding view. Or, you know, check out this Instagram.
Follow her at @simona_br_photography.
Tour Operator Adventures: @MidgardAdventure
A post shared by Midgard Adventure Iceland (@midgardadventure) on Dec 1, 2016 at 2:05pm PST
Since 2010, Midgard Adventures has been bringing people out on tours of the Icelandic countryside. Its Instagram account is a great look into the tours offered, and how beautiful some of the lesser-visited spots of the country are.
Follow them at @midgardadventures.
Trip Planners: @WhenInIceland
Would you like to dip into that natural hot spring? ????: @matthewhahnel #iceland #wheniniceland
A post shared by When In Iceland (@wheniniceland) on Mar 6, 2017 at 3:51am PST
This Instagram account not only delivers stunning Iceland photos on a daily basis, but they'll help you plan your next trip (for free). Expect lots of Northern Lights shots, waterfalls, and glaciers.
Follow them at @wheniniceland.
