Quite recently, a small island in the North Atlantic Ocean between Europe and America, Iceland has become extremely popular with tourists from both continents. It initially happened after the volcano’s eruption with a difficult-to-pronounce name Eyjafjallajokull. It drew the world’s attention to Iceland in 2010 when it disrupted air traffic over most of Europe. Today almost all travelers are inspired by the unspoiled nature of Iceland. The tiny country offers stunning landscapes of colorful hills, volcanoes, massive glaciers, spectacular icy blue lagoons, towering waterfalls, hot springs, outdoor adventures as whale and northern lights watching, etc. Below, Top Iceland Tours has prepared for you Top 5 Reasons to Visit Iceland.
1. Tour volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and more of Iceland
Get in touch with nature by exploring unique Icelandic highlights. Iceland is a land of contrasts. Here you’ll find places from barren landscapes with mighty cliffs to green hills and farmland, from black sand beaches along the ocean coast to massive glaciers in the central highlands. We can point five of the most famous routes:
- Of the day trips, many people like the 250 km/160 miles Golden Circle route because it has Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, a volcanic crater Kerid, and geysers.
- Other Icelandic attractions worth visiting are trips along the South Coast. They mainly include picturesque Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, Dyrholaey South Cape, and Reynisfjara black sand beach. Additionally, you can check at South Iceland the Fjadrargljufur canyon, Skaftafell National Park with its Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull, and fantastic Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
- If you get the chance to travel North Iceland, you will enjoy the Diamond Circle route to explore the Myvatn lake area, the mighty waterfall Dettifoss, and Asbyrgi Canyon.
- And of course, don’t forget the mysterious Snaefellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland with its majestic Snaefellsjokull volcano and glacier, ocean cliffs, black sand beaches, and steep Kirkjufell Mountain.
- Explore the best spots along the iconic Ring Road on your Iceland holiday. This one-week tour will ensure that you get the most out of your Icelandic experience and have an incredible view of natural sights and cultural highlights every day.
2. Watch gorgeous giant whales in Iceland
Have you ever dreamed of watching a whale breaching, twisting, and dramatically slapping the water with its tail? Iceland is one of the best countries to do it! During the warmer months, some Icelandic shores become a perfect habitat for more than 20 species of whales. Although nobody can guarantee 100% of finding whales, there are high chances to do it specifically in Iceland. You can find a giant humpback whale and a blue whale besides beaked whale dolphins, minke whales, harbor porpoises, orca, fin, and sperm whales.
3. Find out why the Blue Lagoon is one of the best spots in Iceland
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s top attraction for its geothermal seawater healing waters and unusually light turquoise color. This place is ideal for relaxing in a picturesque area and has many healing minerals for the skin. It is about a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik towards the international airport. You will be supposed to reserve entrance to the lagoon in advance as the Blue Lagoon is popular with travelers on the day they arrive or leave Iceland. You can also book an extended Golden Circle tour with a visit to the Blue Lagoon.
4. Visit Iceland to see the Northern Lights
The mesmerizing sight of green, white, and pink lights in the sky dancing through the night is hard to beat, and Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. However, there is no guarantee that you will be lucky enough to see it during your visit between October and April when the sky is dark enough at nighttime. But you take a chance of good luck hunting the northern lights. It also helps to stay in the country for more than a few days, as the Northern lights can be more intensive and shown for a couple of days and then disappear for the rest of the week.
5. Taste the best Icelandic cuisine
You can find many reviews on the Internet about the extraordinary dishes of traditional Icelandic cuisine. It puzzles tourists planning to visit the country for the first time. These are mainly the dishes used for food in the old days when food was less imported to Iceland and the local climate allowed growing only root vegetables. Some foods you can eat in Iceland might include horse meat, puffins, or a sheep’s head cut in half, which might sound odd for visitors. And, of course, the hákarl, a fermented shark that is called “the most disgusting food in the world.”
Deciding what to eat in Iceland is an experience but rest assured that you will find excellent local cuisine that you will love. First, this is Icelandic lamb and fresh seafood, abundant in the local diet. Reykjavik has many excellent restaurants with highly skilled chefs, and the menu also has vegetarian and vegan options.
So, are you still waiting? Explore unspoiled and picturesque landscapes, relax in a hot spring like never, watch unbelievable Northern Lights and whales, and taste authentic traditional Icelandic food. Ultimately, you will find out why visiting Iceland is a separate item on the wish list of many travelers.
