Where to go in Iceland

Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar can be reached by bus or by riding a 4×4 if you will be coming from Reykjavík.

There are many unique geological elements in the place that make this a popular attraction among tourists who love hiking. There are numerous mountains that display a variation of colors, such as black, white, brown, purple, green, blue, pink, and yellow.

Among the popular mountains for hikers are the Bláhnúkur, which translates to “blue peak,” and Brennisteinsalda, which means “sulfur wave.”

There is also a mountain lodge that is located near the natural geothermal hot springs. It is equipped with basic amenities and can accommodate up to 78 people.

Many tourists flock to Landmannalaugar in the months of June to September. After this period, the road going there is closed.

Jökulsárlón

The Jökulsárlón is a majestic glacial lagoon that is the largest of its type in the country. It can be found in the southeastern part of the country, near Höfn on Route 1.

This 190-meter-deep lagoon was formed when the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier receded from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean between1920 to 1965. There are icebergs in the lagoon throughout the year, as ice breaks off from the glacier.

Since the 1970s, the lagoon’s size has increased fourfold due to the melting of the Icelandic glaciers. It now covers an area of about 18 square kilometers.

It became better known after it was used as a location in the 2002 James Bond movie, “Die Another Day.” It was also used as a setting in other Hollywood films such as “Batman Begins” and “Tomb Raider.”

You can get a great view of the lagoon along Route 1 between Höfn and Skaftafell. To make the experience more memorable, it is recommended that you take a boat ride on the lagoon, where you will pass by small floating icebergs.

Geysir

The English word geyser, which means “a spring that emits steam or heated water,” was actually derived from Geysir. This is also sometimes referred to as “The Great Geysir.”

The place’s name was derived from geysa, an Icelandic verb from Old Norse, which means “to gush.” Geysir can be found on the slopes of the Laugarfjall hill, where the Strokkur geyser is also situated 50 meters south.

This popular geothermal hotspot is not as active as it was before, but it is still worth a visit because you can still experience the thrill of being so close to nature’s geothermic elements, as the nearby Strokkur goes off every five to ten minutes.

There was actually a time when eruptions on Geysir stopped for years, but when active, it can launch boiling water into the air up to 70 meters high! Needless to say, a visit to the place will leave you in awe of the power of Mother Nature.

Gullfoss

Gullfoss, or “The Golden Falls” in English, is a grand-looking waterfall which many people consider as one of the most beautiful in Iceland. It is situated in the southwest part of the country, at the canyon of the Hvítá river.

The waterfall attracts lots of tourists. As you go near it, while the crevice is still not visible, you will think that it is simply a big river that seems to suddenly disappear into the earth. The view becomes breathtaking as you get closer and begin to see the crevice.

The place is part of the famous day tour for tourists in the country, along with the geysers of Haukadalur and Þingvellir.

Mývatn

The special kind of volcanic craters that surround this lake region give Mývatn an unearthly appearance. The lake was formed after a huge basaltic lava eruption 2,300 years ago.

In this area, you will be able to see a desert with sulfuric steam that comes from the ground.

Mývatn mainly refers to the lake, but also sometimes refers to the surrounding inhabited area. It is a protected nature reserve, along with the surrounding wetlands and the River Laxá.

The lake and the wetlands that are near it have a rich fauna of water birds, the most prevalent of which are the ducks. There are actually 13 duck species found in the area, which is mainly due to the good supply of food available on the lake.

Since the year 2000, there has been an annual summer marathon held in the area.

Blue Lagoon

If you are after soothing relaxation during your trip, you should not miss the chance to experience one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country, the geothermal spa known as “The Blue Lagoon.”

This outdoor pool and health center is situated in the center of a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula, specifically in Grindavík in the southwest part of the country.

The blue color of its water gives this geothermal spa a surreal appeal. The spa’s warm water is rich with silica and sulfur, which are believed to contribute to the healing effects of bathing in the lagoon.

Understandably, there is a strict rule about hygiene in the place. Before and after bathing in the lagoon, you are required to take a shower at the communal shower. Take note though – you’ll have to remove all your clothing.

The place was featured in various media platforms, including the film “Hostel: Part II.” It was also used as the pit stop for the first phase of the reality TV series, “The Amazing Race 6.”

Þingvellir National Park

The Þingvellir National Park is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It is situated in the southwestern part of the country, specifically, in Bláskógabyggð. It is a popular tourist spot because of its geological importance and rich historical and cultural background.

The park’s name literally means “parliamentary fields.” It was where the Þingvellir Parliament, or Alþingi, was situated. Established in 930 and lasting up to 1789, It was the longest running parliament in the world.

Þingvellir was the first national park in the country. It was founded in 1930 with the original intention of protecting the remains of the parliament. Over time, this goal expanded to include caring for and protecting the nature that envelops the site.

The park houses a rift valley, which shows off the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is also where you can find the largest natural lake in the land, known as Þingvallavatn.

Snæfellsjökull National Park

Snæfellsjökull mountain was used as the setting in Jules Vernes’ classic tale “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” In the story, the passage that leads to the center of the earth was found in this mountain.

The place’s name translates to “snow-mountains glacier.” The Snæfellsjökull mountain is part of the national park. Its being a popular tourist attraction can be partly attributed to Vernes’ novel, which was released in 1864.

The park is unique in that it is the only national park in Iceland that extends to the seashore. In it can be seen prominent formations that correspond to the country’s different eras.

Askja

Askja is only accessible for a period of three to four months throughout the year. This time period usually starts at the latter part of June and ends early October.

This popular tourist destination is, in fact, a stratovolcano that can be found in a remote spot of the country’s central highlands. It has two mountain huts, with a campsite located at Dreki.

Visitors to the area can enjoy swimming at the bottom of its mountain’s crater, where the water is opaque blue-green in appearance and has a relaxingly warm temperature.

Lakagígar

Lakagígar means “Crater of Laki.” This volcanic fissure can be found in the southern part of the country, near the canyon of Eldgjá.

Lakagígar is part of a volcanic system that can be found in between the Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. The system erupted for eight months between the years of 1783 and 1784.

The eruption affected the Laki fissure and the Grímsvötn volcano, which is adjacent to it. It is said that it was one of the world’s deadliest recorded volcanic eruptions. It caused death, drought and famine not only in Iceland but also in other affected countries.

Despite its horrific past, Lakagígar is now considered a tourist attraction. The numerous craters that line the fissure invite special interest from the tourists. The bleak appearance of the spot is softened by the grey-green moss that covers the area.