Written by Matt Thomas
Iceland: the land of rugged natural beauty, ancient Norse legends, and… Björk? Clichés aside, Iceland is undoubtedly one of the rising stars of modern tourism. It seems everyone and their uncle is jetting off to Iceland for short breaks nowadays, and for good reason. Iceland, a windswept volcanic island in the far North Atlantic, boasts stunning natural vistas. But is that all Iceland has to offer? Find out as we take a look at the top things to see in Iceland.
Natural Beauty
Iceland is a land of extremes: high winds, raging seas and stinging winds have a breathtakingly alien landscape.
Geysir
Located in Southwestern Iceland, Geysir is the oldest natural geyser in the world. It is surrounded by stunning landscapes, and, if you’re lucky enough to visit it while it is active, you may see it gushing boiling water 70m into the air.
Find it on the Golden Circle in any of our Icelandic trips!
Gullfoss
An iconic waterfall, Gullfoss features water plummeting down a series of tiers, including a 21m drop. In any season, Gullfoss is a natural wonder not to be missed.
Find it on the Golden Circle in any of our Icelandic trips!
Detifoss
Another waterfall, Dettifoss is located in the rugged northeast of Iceland, and is known to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
Find it in the ‘Circuito de Islandia’ tour!
Þingvellir National Park
This national park is located to the north of Þingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland, at, together with Geysir and Gullfoss, form part of the ‘Golden Circle’ of tourist attractions. Þingvellir lies on the continental rift that bisects the length of the Atlantic ocean, and here it is possible to snorkel in crystal-clear waters in Silfra canyon and literally touch the edges of Europe and North America.
Find it on the Golden Circle in any of our Icelandic trips!
Reynisfjara
You might not visit Iceland for its beaches, but they certainly have them. At Reynisfjara, right by the town of Vík, the beach is a vast swathe of beautiful black sand, formed as a result of glacial processes. Stand here facing due South and there are no landmasses between you and the Antarctic, 15,000 km away.
Find it in the ‘Circuito de Islandia’ tour!
Eyjafjallajökull
If the tricky name rings a bell, there’s a good reason: this was the volcano that erupted in 2010, causing widespread travel disruption in Europe. Eyjafjallajökull features stunning geology and beautiful all year round, but especially so in the winter.
A rich history
Iceland has maintained a small but hardy population of people since at least the year 800, and so features several historical sites and museums of note.
National Museum of Iceland
Its all in the name, really. Visit the National Museum for a collection of artefacts that tell the story of Iceland’s rich history, such as the Valþjófsstaður door.
Árbæjarsafn
An open-air museum, Árbæjarsafn features a reconstruction an old Icelandic village, where actors live out the day-to-day activities of villagers. Come to see a living history of traditional Icelandic life.
Modern Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is a modern city, featuring brilliant examples of modern architecture.
Hallgrímskirkja
Located in central Reykjavik, Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church and an architectural marvel. From the front is resembles an alien temple more so than a church. A must-see, it symbolically bridges the gap between the importance of religion in Iceland’s past, and the country’s modern outlook in the present day.
Harpa
A concert hall and conference center, even if you are unable to go inside, Harpa is most memorable from the outside. Its jagged glass façade is a nod to Iceland’s extreme geological formations, which shows how Iceland’s ambitious modernisation has not severed the intrinsic relationship of the Icelandic people to their natural environment.
Perlan
Another example of modern Icelandic architecture, Perlan is features an exhibition space (which often features concerts, expositions and markets), and a revolving restaurant at the top. Upon seeing it, you’d be forgiven for thinking an extra-terrestrial craft had recently landed in the centre of Reykjavik.
Iceland should be top of the list for lovers of natural beauty, but also anyone who wants to discover a thoroughly modern city like Reykjavik or explore Iceland’s surprisingly complex history. But don’t just take it from us! These locations are ‘must see’ because you must see them for yourself to truly appreciate the rising star that is Iceland.
Feeling inspired? Check out our range of Iceland trips and turn your dreams into reality!
