The various natural wonders of Iceland have resulted in a tourist boom, with first-time visitors using the Golden Circle Route through the southwest. Geothermal spas, such as the mineral-rich Blue Lagoon, are well known.
List of 10 best places of interest in Iceland ->
- Whale Watching
- Blue Lagoon
- Mvatn
- Dettifoss Waterfall
- The Pearl Observatory
- Glacial Lagoon
- Hiking at Mount Esja
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Hallgrímskirkja
- Kirkjufell Mountain
- Whale watching
A trip from Reykjavik will allow you to experience the enchantment of whale viewing. Cruise the coast of Iceland with a professional guide to see humpback and orca whales in their natural environment. Examine the water for sightings of porpoises and dolphins while learning intriguing information about these magnificent species that call the Icelandic ocean home. Increase your chances of spotting whales on this excursion, which has a success record of 95% in July and 80% in January.
- Blue Lagoon
It’s no surprise that the Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most famous tourist attractions. The stunning milky-blue lake stands out against the nearby black lava fields and thick grey moss-like nothing else on the planet. The water is consistently 39°C (102°F) all year, making it ideal for bathing.
The lagoon is in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. It is known for its bleak sceneries and cone-shaped volcanoes. It is only a 15-minute drive from Keflavik International Airport and a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city.
- Mvatn
Mvatn, a lovely lake area in north Iceland, is a must-see. Mvatn is Iceland’s fourth-largest body of water, covering 36.5 square kilometers, yet its size is only one of the attractions that lure visitors all year. It also has some geological characteristics, diverse flora, and fauna.
In the Lake Mvatn region, there is just one small village named Reykjahl. Some services are available such as a petrol station, bank, micro grocery, health care center, school, and swimming pool.
4. Dettifoss Waterfall
Dettifoss is a waterfall in North Iceland that is to be Europe’s most Powerful. It is frequently visited on Diamond Circle excursions and is a must-see for anybody visiting the area. Two routes are there to connect the Ring Road and Dettifoss. Even with a four-wheel-drive car, navigating them in the winter could be not easy to ride.
The town of Akureyri, sometimes known as the “Capital of the North,” is the community near Dettifoss. It is the largest town outside of the Greater Reykjavik Area, with over ten thousand people. It’s a great spot to stop and rest whether you’re travelling to the north or around Iceland.
- The Pearl Observatory
Perlan is a museum and spinning glass domes on top of Skjuhl Hill in Reykjavik; this is one of the capital’s most recognizable sights, surrounded by woodland. The site is on top of six water tanks that hold 24 million liters of hot water from Reykjavik.
Perlan also has a model of the Látrabjarg cliffs in the Westfjords, known for being one of the greatest sites in the world for birding. The ten-meter-tall reproduction allows visitors to see lifelike representations of the bird’s nest here across the country.
6. Glacial Lagoon
A glacier lagoon is in Southeast Iceland. Because of its breathtaking beauty, this ice lagoon has become one of Iceland’s most famous tourist destinations. Jökulsárlón, or ‘Glacier’s-River-Lagoon,’ is the name of the lagoon. COVID-19 has not shut off nature, but it has influenced some tourism activities.
The lagoon is produced naturally from melting glacial water and grows indefinitely when large slabs of ice fall off the glacier’s ever-shrinking surface.
The melting glacier illustrates the impacts of global warming as Jökulsárlón grows in size, with visible receding year after year.
7. Hiking at Mount Esja
The Mount Esja path is perhaps Iceland’s most well-known and frequented hiking trail. The route goes to the Esjan volcanic mountain range, which is also known as Mount Esja. From Reykjavik, Mount Esja is easily accessible. A lovely small river runs down the mountain hill, making the trek even more enjoyable with the soothing sound of the water. This trail is fun, and once you’re up there, you’ll get a fantastic, never-ending view of the city and its environs.
8. Gullfoss Waterfall
The magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall could be seen during a trip along Iceland’s Golden Circle in the south. You go down a tiny walkway to get a close look at the two-tiered waterfall below. Because when a waterfall freezes over into rippling waves of dazzling ice in the winter, the scene is breathtaking. Thousands of rainbows appear on bright days as a natural response to the clouds of spray from falling falls.
9. Hallgrímskirkja
Hundreds of people visit the church’s tower every day to take in the panoramic views of the capital. An elevator takes you to the viewing tower. A modest fee is a must to climb above the clock, which goes toward the church’s upkeep and operations. It’s a helpful tool for navigating the streets as tourists stroll.
It also acts as a gathering center for cultural events, such as the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks viewing party. Thousands of people fired off hundreds of fireworks in an impromptu, chaotic, but stunning display on this night.
Many stores offer protective eyewear in the days leading up to the night, which is for all viewers, especially youngsters, due to a few cases of debris falling from poorly directed fireworks.
10. Kirkjufell Mountain
Kirkjufell is incredibly gorgeous and excellent for professional and amateur shooters alike, with many local beaches to choose from. If you’ve booked a professional hiking trip, be prepared for a strenuous trek to the summit, where you’ll see bird and fish fossils! Climbing to the summit is out of the question if you haven’t booked a tour with an expert guide. Many times, hiking it alone has been lethal. Instead of braving the hike up, enjoy a relaxing and family-friendly tour around the mountain’s walking route. You’ll even be able to see a lake that reflects the visual representation of the peak on calm and steady days, giving a magnificent picture opportunity.
Are any of the above-mentioned activities on your vacation itinerary? Come to Iceland and take part in all of these activities. So, are you ready for a different kind of vacation? What’s more, you have the option of creating your own trip itinerary. It’s time to go exploring with your loved ones in Iceland today!