Iceland is an amazing place for a tourist. First, dont miss riding an Icelandic Pony, even if you are not a rider. You may go on a trail ride with ponies that simply follow behind the leader. Mostly you will walk but they will make the pony do the famous trot. Typically horses have four gaits: walk, trot, cantor and gallop. In Iceland they have a fourth. This is a lot of fun because it is faster than walking but slower than running. The country is full of beautiful waterfalls, rivers and even geysers. The best way to see all this is by taking a road trip all the way around Iceland. Easily achievable in a week, but even better for a fortnight trip if you want to take in every stop along the way. It is simple to rent a car at the airport or in the capital after a night or 2 to take in the sights there- then hit the road! A good place to look to get you on the right track is this short but very informative guide about taking a road trip around Iceland. The thermal activity is quite high so visiting a few sites with steamy water coming out of the ground is a must! They even heat their homes with this! Rent a car a go on a drive to visit several sites like this in a day. Two continental plates meet in Iceland creating a spectacular crack in the earth. You may walk along it for miles as it is not too deep. It is almost like walking in a small canyon. In Reykjavik the capital you should spend an evening at the Volcano Show where you can learn about the volcanic activity underground and see how recently some of the island was formed! You are able to attend folklore shows with people of all ages dressed in typical historic outfits dancing for your entertainment. The live music scene in Reykjavik is popular as well. You may see live music any night of the week. Before you go, read a few Icelandic sagas. These are the legends of the early days of the country and speak about the people. It will give you some true insight into the culture.
What is Iceland known for?
-
Iceland
- Iceland, island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean.
- Lying on the constantly active geologic border between North America and Europe, Iceland is a land of vivid contrasts of climate, geography, and culture.
- Sparkling glaciers, such as Vatna Glacier ( Vatnajökull), Europe’s largest, lie across its ruggedly beautiful mountain ranges; abundant hot geysers provide heat for many of the country’s homes and buildings and allow for hothouse agriculture year-round; and the offshore Gulf Stream provides a surprisingly mild climate for what is one of the northernmost inhabited places on the planet.
Iceland has so much to offer, here are some of the things Iceland is known for.
Getting into Hot Water
Iceland’s unofficial pastime is splashing around in its surplus of geothermal water. You'll find ‘hot-pots’ everywhere, from downtown Reykjavík to the isolated peninsular tips of the Westfjords. Not only are they incredibly relaxing, they're the perfect antidote to a hangover and a great way to meet the locals (this is their social hub, the equivalent of the local pub or town square). The Blue Lagoon: is the big cheese: its steaming lagoon full of silica deposits sits conveniently close to Keflavík airport, making it the perfect send-off before flying home.
Westfjords
Iceland’s sweeping spectrum of superlative nature comes to a dramatic climax in the Westfjords: – the island’s off-the-beaten-path adventure par excellence. Broad, multi-hued beaches flank the southern coast, roaring bird colonies abound, fjordheads tower above and then plunge into the deep, and a network of ruddy roads twists throughout, adding an extra edge of adventure. The region’s uppermost peninsula, Hornstrandir, is the final frontier; its sea cliffs are perilous, the Arctic foxes are foxier, and hiking trails forge through pristine patches of wilderness that practically kiss the Arctic Circle.
Jökulsárlón
A ghostly procession of luminous-blue icebergs drifts serenely through the 25-sq-km Jökulsárlón: lagoon before floating out to sea. This surreal scene (handily, right next to the Ring Road) is a natural film set; in fact, you might have seen it in Batman Begins and the James Bond film Die Another Day. The ice calves come from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, an offshoot of the mighty Vatnajökull ice cap. Boat trips and kayaking among the bergs are popular, or you can simply wander the lakeshore, scout for seals and exhaust your camera’s memory card.
Reykjavík’s Cafe Culture and Beer Bars
Petite Reykjavík boasts all the treats you’d expect of a European capital – such as excellent museums and great shopping – but the city’s ratio of coffee houses to citizens is nothing short of staggering. In fact, the local social culture is built around such low-key hang-outs: that crank up the intensity after hours, when tea is swapped for tipples and the dance moves are broken out. Handcrafted caffeine hits and designer microbrews are prepared with the utmost seriousness for accidental hipsters sporting well-worn lopapeysur (Icelandic woollen sweaters).
Northern Lights
Everyone longs to glimpse the Northern Lights:, the celestial kaleidoscope known for transforming long winter nights into natural lava lamps. The lights, also known as aurora borealis, form when solar flares are drawn by the earth’s magnetic field towards the North Pole. What results are ethereal veils of green, white, violet or red light, shimmering and dancing in a display not unlike silent fireworks. A good deal of luck is involved in seeing them, but look for the lights in clear, dark skies anytime between mid-September and mid-April.
Driving the Ring Road
There’s no better way to explore Iceland than to hire a set of wheels and road-trip Rte 1, affectionately known as the Ring Road:. This 1340km tarmac trail loops around the island, passing through verdant dales decked with waterfalls, glacier tongues dripping from ice caps like frosting from a cake, desert-like plains of grey outwash sands, and velvety, moss-covered lava fields. It's supremely spectacular – but don’t forget to detour. Use the Ring Road as your main artery and follow the veins as they splinter off into the wilderness.
Vatnajökull National Park
Europe’s largest national park covers around 14% of Iceland and safeguards mighty Vatnajökull:, the largest ice cap outside the poles (it's three times the size of Luxembourg). Scores of outlet glaciers flow down from its frosty bulk, while underneath it are active volcanoes and mountain peaks. Yes, this is ground zero for those ‘fire and ice’ clichés. You’ll be spellbound by the diversity of landscapes, walking trails and activities inside this supersized park. Given its dimensions, access points are numerous – start at Skaftafell in the south or Ásbyrgi in the north.
Borgarfjörður Eystri and Seyðisfjörður
A tale of two east-side fjords. Stunning, art-fuelled Seyðisfjörður garners most of the attention – it's only 27 (sealed) kilometres from the Ring Road, and it welcomes the weekly ferry from Europe into its mountain-lined, waterfall-studded embrace. Beautiful Borgarfjörður Eystri:, on the other hand, is 70km from the Ring Road, and much of that stretch is bumpy and unsealed. Its selling points are understated: puffins, mythical elves, rugged rhyolite peaks. Both fjords have natural splendour and bumper hiking trails in spades, and many peopl can’t help but love ’em equally.
Fimmvörðuháls
If you haven’t time to complete one of Iceland’s multiday treks, the 23km, day-long Fimmvörðuháls trek: will quench your wanderer's thirst. Start at the shimmering cascades of Skógafoss; hike up into the hinterland to discover a veritable parade of waterfalls; gingerly tiptoe over the steaming remnants of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption; and hike along the stone terraces of a flower-filled kingdom that ends in silent Þórsmörk, a haven for campers, hemmed by a crown of glacial ridges.
Tröllaskagi Peninsula
Touring Tröllaskagi: is a joy, especially now that road tunnels link the spectacularly sited townships of Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður, once end-of-the-road settlements. The peninsula’s dramatic scenery contrasts with the gentle hills that roll through most of northern Iceland. Pit stops with pulling power include Hofsós’ perfect fjord-side swimming pool, Lónkot’s plates of fine local produce and Siglufjörður’s outstanding herring museum. Plus you'll find glorious panoramas, quality hiking, ski fields (including a growing trade in heliskiing), microbreweries and beer baths, whale-watching tours, and ferries to offshore islands Grímsey and Hrísey.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
With its cache of wild beaches, bird sanctuaries, horse farms and lava fields, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula: is one of Iceland’s best escapes – either as a day trip from the capital or as a relaxing long weekend. It's little wonder it's called 'Iceland in miniature' – it even hosts a national park and glacier-topped stratovolcano. Jules Verne was definitely onto something when he used Snæfellsjökull's icy crown as his magical doorway to the centre of the earth.
Vestmannaeyjar
An offshore archipelago of craggy peaks, Vestmannaeyjar: is a mere 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland, but feels miles away in sentiment. A boat tour of the scattered islets unveils squawking seabirds, towering cliffs and postcard-worthy vistas of lonely hunting cabins perched atop rocky outcrops. The islands’ 4000-plus population is focused on Heimaey, a small town of windswept bungalows with a scarring curl of lava that flows straight through its centre – a poignant reminder of Iceland’s volatile landscape.
Askja and Surrounds
Accessible for only a few months each year, storied Askja: is a mammoth caldera ringed by mountains and enclosing a sapphire-blue lake. To access this glorious, otherworldly place, you'll need a robust 4WD, a few days for hiking, or passage on a super-Jeep tour. Highlands excursions generally incorporate river crossings, impossibly vast lava fields, regal mountain vistas and outlaw hideouts – and possibly a naked soak in geothermal waters. Added bonus: head south from Askja to visit Iceland's freshest lava field at Holuhraun.
Puffins and Whales
Iceland’s two biggest wildlife drawcards are its most charismatic creatures: the twee puffin, which flits around like an anxious bumblebee, and the mighty whale, a number of species of which, including the immense blue whale, glide through the frigid blue ringing Iceland's coast. Opportunities to see both abound on land and sea. Whale-watching heartland is Húsavík:, and other northern towns and Reykjavík also offer cruises. Colonies of puffins are poised and ready for their close-up at numerous coastal cliffs and offshore isles, including Heimaey, Grímsey, Drangey, Látrabjarg and Borgarfjörður Eystri.
Where is it?
Browse By Countries
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cabo Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Romania
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe
© DiscussPlaces. All rights reserved