This immersive experience showcases the magic of Iceland in the best possible way.
Let’s face it, no one can see a country in all its glory in one visit. I mean really see it. It’s impossible, right? Well, not anymore. Thanks to incredible state-of-the-art technology, hundreds of hours’ worth of helicopter footage, dedication and downright cleverness, FlyOver Iceland can deliver just that.
Situated in a huge cylindrical building in Reykjavík’s uber cool Grandi Harbour District, FlyOver Iceland has become the area’s number one attraction and it’s easy to see why. The ride itself is 8.5 minutes long, but the full half-hour experience starts from the moment you arrive.
Folklore at its finest
The two-part pre-ride show explains the roles of nature, time and humankind on Iceland. See the Land of Fire and Ice as it was way back when, from volcanoes and glaciers to Vikings and trolls.
READ MORE: Explore Reykjavík, what to see, do and where to stay
First, you’re welcomed into The Longhouse, where an old man tells a tale of early Iceland and its people. Then, you enter The Well of Time. A multimedia story presented by SúVitra, a troll character created especially for this ride, allows you to be absorbed in the magic and mystery of this Nordic country’s fascinating folklore.
Ride on
When it's time to take your seat in one of the upper or lower pods of the ride and you’re strapped in, anticipation and excitement fill the air. Suddenly you’re propelled towards a 20-metre spherical screen, legs dangling below you as you soar, dip and turn through the sky. Some parts of the journey feel like you’re close enough to touch the canyons, icebergs, meadows and waterfalls as the spirit of Iceland is captured through scene upon scene of sheer majesty.
Special effects provide wind, mist and aromas, depending on which parts of the country you’re fully immersed in at the time. A spray from the waterfalls, the sweet fragrance of blossoming meadows and a cool breeze in your hair as you glide over the ocean, all add to the evocative experience.
READ MORE: Akureyri, Iceland's scenic second city
Behind the scenes
All the footage was taken from a helicopter fitted with a nose-mounted camera, except the final fireworks shot above Reykjavík’s main street leading up to the church, which was filmed by drone. The team originally covered 50 locations but it was cut down to 27 for the final film. You can see each one on a map in the visitor centre.
Focused on showcasing the places in Iceland you can’t get to easily, such as canyons and volcanoes, the team decided to omit the Golden Circle, since it’s one of the most popular visitor attractions in its own right.
Read more: Where to go in Iceland beyond the Golden Circle
FlyOver mascot
Every detail of FlyOver Iceland has been thought through carefully, from what areas to cover to its mascot, SúVitra. The 800-year-old troll is the brainchild of Liverpool-born illustrator Brian Pilkington, whose work is renowned in his adopted country.
“The idea was to make trolls in general less fierce than folklore suggests,” says his son Daniel (pictured above with SúVitra). Brian invented SúVitra, which is Icelandic for ‘wise one’, to incorporate this magical childhood creature that’s loved by everyone in Iceland with an attraction that locals are equally proud of.
Accessibility
The ride and its pre shows are extremely inclusive. There's Braille available, a script for the hearing impaired, access for wheelchair users (although visitors must be able to transfer from wheelchair to a seat for the ride) and even those who need oxygen tanks.
Getting there and ticket prices
FlyOver Iceland has only been open since the end of August 2019 (it closed during the pandemic, of course) but at least half a million people have visited the attraction, including 50,000 Icelanders, a testament to its success. There's a free shuttle to and from some hotels, making it easy to visit for tourists. Check out the times and pick-up points here.
Prices start from ISK 3,490 (£20) for children 12 years and younger, while it's ISK 5,800 (£34) for adults. A discounted online price for adults and children over 13 is ISK 5,490 (£32). The attraction is open daily, from 9.30am until 7pm.
Main image: FlyOverIceland/Facebook