The Story Behind Iceland's Most Photogenic Crashed Plane

If you’re driving along the south coast of Iceland, you have probably been told to keep your eyes open for a very photogenic crashed plane lying very close to the sea. The famous plane in question, a US Navy DC plane, crash-landed on the black beach of Sólheimasandur in 1973 with no fatalities. The pilot had accidentally switched over to using the wrong fuel tank, which caused the plane to run out of fuel.

The scene of the crash site is already an otherworldly vision in itself; now, the white wreckage sprawls on the expanse of black sand that has so many color nuances within it. A popular attraction with photographers, and for good reason, the surreal site is definitely worth the effort it takes to get there. Adventurers can even climb inside the plane for more epic shots, and you can even hire a tour guide to help you explore the site.

To get there, you have to take about a one-hour trek, one way, from the main road – cars are not allowed to drive on the black sand as it can be very soft in places and very easy to get stuck in, which is dangerous, as the location is quite isolated. The flora of the sand is also very fragile, so cars are banned to help protect them. The trek from the main road is not very clearly marked, so it can be a challenge and is definitely not recommended in winter, as snowstorms and adverse weather conditions can make visibility extremely difficult. On a flat beach in Iceland, where the wind can be ferocious, the likelihood of a sandstorm is even higher, and an Icelandic sandstorm is definitely not something you want to be caught in.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.