Kingdom of glaciers and waterfalls: Top 15 attractions in Iceland

Heikadalur Valley of Geysers

The Heikadalur Valley of Geysers is a paradise with hot springs that are the hallmark of Iceland. It is here that the famous Great Geyser (Geysir) is located, after which all other geysers of the world are named.

Nowadays Geyser has weakened, and another source - Strokkur - has come to the fore. Every few minutes it pleases tourists with a water column up to 20 meters high! In addition to geysers, the beautiful Lake Blesi and incredible views await you in the Heikadalur Valley.

Husovik

Interesting places of Iceland start from this small town, rich in museums, natural beauty and temples. You can visit the Ethnographic and City Museums, the Whale Museum and an ancient wooden church - a symbol of the faith of the indigenous people of the country. Adult tourists are invited to visit too unique museum... phalluses. Here is an exhibition of preserved genitals of different animals of the world.

Be sure to bathe here in geothermal pools, the healing waters of which cure many diseases.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Gudlfoss, meaning "golden waterfall", is one of the most famous and popular waterfalls not only in Iceland, but also in the whole world. It is located on the Hvitau River in the southwestern part of the country.

Water from the Laungjökull glacier enters the Hvitau River and then falls down two ledges from a height of 32 meters. This incomparable spectacle can be appreciated by most tourists in Iceland, because the waterfall is included in the most popular excursion route of the Golden Ring. No less interesting Laungjökull glacier is located quite nearby, where visitors are offered to enter ice caves and ride on snowmobiles.

Thingvellir National Park

Not far from the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, is Thingvellir National Park, which is considered a national shrine and one of the most beautiful places in the country.

The park occupies a total area of 237 square kilometers and includes the northern area of the water area of Lake Thingvadlavatn, as well as the lava plateau.

In translation, the name of Thingvellir Park means "parliament on the plains". It is here that one can see the tectonic movement of lithospheric plates. In general, there are only two such places on earth, another is the Great Rift Valley in Africa. In the process of unique movement of plates, their edges are clearly visible and tourists who come to see the miracle of nature, like to move from one continent to another. By the way, scientists found that every year the Reykjavik landmark expands by 7 millimeters.

Skaftafetl Ice Cave

This natural wonder is located in the national park of the same name in the south of Iceland and has long amazed tourists with its incredible beauty. If you get here at a good moment, it seems as if the cave is flooded with a special blue light, and it is incredibly beautiful!

The best time to visit the cave is in winter, when the ice will appear before you in all its cold beauty.

Hudlgrimskirkja Cathedral

Iceland's top attractions are not only natural, but also historical and architectural. Such as the masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture - the Lutheran Cathedral of Hadlgrimskirkja. The enormous height of the building allows you to see it from anywhere in Reykjavik.

But don't limit yourself to a superficial glance - visit the sanctuary in person and enjoy the amazing view of the church from inside. The interior of the building is decorated with a traditional nave and huge Gothic windows. If you are lucky, you can buy a ticket to plays, poetry evenings, concerts and other social events held in the church, except for Lutheran rituals.

You can book a hotel in Iceland with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Cape Dyrholaey

The southernmost point of mainland Iceland is Cape Dyrholaey, which means "doorway" in Icelandic. The natural arches and towers here were formed by the painstaking work of the sea and wind.

Over the centuries, water has eroded cliffs of 100-meter-high volcanic lava from an underwater eruption to create the incredibly beautiful shapes. The cliffs rise in the middle of a black sandy wasteland, with individual clusters running far into the ocean. It is said that any ship is capable of passing under this arch.

The palette of colors here is amazing: black sand, wet rocks, all shades of gray, constantly changing sky and ocean - the combination of colors is truly mesmerizing.

Blue Lagoon

Different attractions in Iceland have this name - and a popular geothermal resort that every tourist in the country has heard of. And a mineral-rich man-made lake, called a natural wonder.

The blue lagoon is nestled on the expanse of the Reykjanes Peninsula, the name of which translates from Icelandic as "cape of smoke". The peninsula is basically a formation of porous lava that allows water to pass through it, resulting in an empty space under the ground that is filled with geothermal seawater. The temperature of such water can rise up to 240°C.

Now the Blue Lagoon SPA complex is gaining popularity because of its healing properties. It is proved that local water has a good effect on the skin and human health in general.

Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara Beach with black sand is one of the most unusual beaches in the world with an out-of-this-world look. It is located on the southern coast of Iceland and looks a bit cloudy, but still incredibly beautiful.

The beach is particularly charming due to the stony sea cliffs protruding from the water - legend has it that these cliffs were once trolls sinking ships. Photographers love this place, as the fantastic views allow you to create real photographic masterpieces!

Northern Lights

To see the amazing spectacle and incredible cosmic phenomenon that thousands of travelers will flock to Iceland for, you should choose hotels in Iceland located near Hlemskalagardur Park, Perlan's house or Grotta Lighthouse. In addition, guides in Iceland can offer you a private ride, jeep or bus tour in pursuit of the Aurora Borealis.

It is believed that Iceland is one of the best places to see the northern lights.

Arctic Henge

Arctic Henge - Iceland's Stonehenge can be found in a remote village in the north of the country. If you love ancient myths and legends, you should definitely visit this place!

There are many stone arches and statues here, set up as a monument to Scandinavian pagan beliefs. The arches and buildings began to be erected in 1996, and today the construction is not finished yet. But its authors claim that this complex could become a Mecca for pagans and a great cultural treasure for our descendants.

The colored mountains of Landmannaloygar

Incredible landscapes and a unique riot of colors - all this is the colored valley of Landmannaloygar. Boiling and steaming puddles are juxtaposed with amazingly beautiful multicolored mountains - the valley takes an honorable place in the list of "the most beautiful and colorful natural attractions in Iceland".

And when combined with the colors of sky, water, snow and ice, the colored mountains of Iceland create a truly unforgettable picture!

Perlan

If you want a break from sightseeing, visit the city's Perlan Boiler House. It's a majestic building with a dome roof, its own conservatory and observation tower, and even stores.

Wouldn't you agree, you rarely see a boiler house in tourist guides?

Harp Concert Hall

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center, whose walls reflect the surrounding sky, harbor and Reykjavík, opened in May 2011 and is home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera. The building, constructed in collaboration with renowned artist Olafur Eliasson, has a glass facade consisting of small panels that change color depending on the ambient light.

Harpa houses four auditoriums, a 1,800-seat auditorium, a spacious conference hall, boutiques and catering businesses. The building also has a gourmet restaurant Kolabrautin and a bistro on the first floor. It offers beautiful views from its windows.

Jökulsárlón Lagoon

Jökulsárlón Lagoon rounds off our list of things to visit in Iceland.

The country's largest glacial lagoon is the calling card of the island. Be sure to visit this location, as unique northern landscapes, glacial lakes, ice and icebergs await you here.