10 best attractions in Iceland – description and photos, what to see in Iceland
Against the backdrop of bewitching landscapes, tourists can find many attractions in Iceland that were created by man or nature itself. Today we will take a walk through the most famous places, look into its remote corners and try to make an approximate route for the most interesting trip to this European country.
Blue Lagoon
It is not for nothing that we chose this natural object as the starting point of our route. The geothermal complex, unique for Europe, with sky-blue water attracts all lovers of first-class outdoor recreation and relaxation. It turns out that the secret to the success of this Scandinavian resort lies in the unique properties of water, which effectively kill all bacteria and strengthen the immune system. Well, an additional aesthetic effect to the landscapes is given by the frozen volcanic lava that encircles the lagoon and has been covered with a motley carpet of moss for hundreds of years.
To personally enjoy this amazing place, tourists need to make an easy way to the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is located in the southwestern part of Iceland. It will not be difficult, because the lagoon is only 20 minutes from Keflavik Airport. The time of year doesn't matter either. The resort is waiting for its guests all year round, although certain opening hours are set (from 9 am to 9 pm in summer and from 10 am to 8 pm in winter). By the way, tourists will also have to pay a purely symbolic price for entry – 30 euros. For children under 13 years old, admission is free, and for disabled people and children aged 14-18 there is a 50% discount.
It is worth saying a little about the healing properties of water. It turns out that its composition kills almost all types of bacteria and prevents them from developing. For the first time, visitors to the resort were able to experience all the delights of a local holiday in 1999. The water is generously saturated with quartz, silicon, seaweed of various kinds. Do not deny yourself the pleasure of enjoying cosmetic procedures based on healing mud.
Tower Imagine the world
Another interesting place to visit in Iceland is the unique tower called Imagine the World. According to official information, the building was erected by Yoko Ono in memory of one member of the legendary Liverpool Four, J. Lennon. Despite the fact that the tower receives tourists all year round, you can appreciate the scale and beauty of the tower only on certain days of the year. For example, on the birthday of a singer, huge searchlights “shoot out” from the tower into the sky. This is an incredible spectacle, which cannot be compared with any natural phenomenon!
The tower owes its name to John's song “Imagine”, in which the author talks about a fictional world in which there is no hunger, no poverty, no heaven, no hell. On certain days of the year, six beams of huge searchlights rush from the heart of the tower into the sky.
It is believed that the rays rush 4 km up! If you want to witness this unique phenomenon, we advise you to plan your trip in such a way that you will be near the tower during such periods:
Finding Yoko Ono's creation is easy. It is located on the island of Videy. Shuttle ferries will help you get to the place, which will ferry everyone through the 400-meter strait within a few minutes.
Geyser Strokkur
Visitors to Iceland are highly recommended to include in their itinerary a visit to one of the most spectacular geysers on our planet. Strokkur is located on the Hvitau River, about 80 kilometers from Reykjavik. And although there is a whole system of geysers here, it is this seething gutter that deserves the closest attention.
If you are lucky, you will witness how a jet of boiling water is ejected from the bowels of the Earth to a height of 20-22 meters, after which a small lake forms on the site of the geyser, and water slowly begins to fill the free space under the upper layer of the earth in order to rush with renewed vigor towards the sky. The secret of such a natural phenomenon lies in the effect of magma on water, which causes it to boil and fly out in the form of a fountain jet.
At the time of the discharge of the geyser, tourists are not recommended to come close to the epicenter if they do not want to be pumped with hot water. But don't worry: you can take great shots of the fountain's ejection at a decent distance!
Waterfall Gullfoss
In Iceland there are not only thermal springs, medical resorts, but also grandiose waterfalls. One of such magnificent natural phenomena, which deserves close attention from tourists, is the Gullfoss waterfall, which consists of two steep steps. It is also located on the Khvitau river mentioned above, closer to the south of the country.
Just imagine, every second from 109 to 130 cubic meters of water falls down from the steep rapids of the waterfall! And during the period of large floods, this figure increases tenfold!
The total depth of the waterfall in the pestle of falling water reaches 70 meters! The first step has a height of 21 meters, and the second is almost half as much. They are arranged so that they form right angles with respect to each other.
It is worth noting that there are several dark pages in the history of Iceland that could lead to the destruction of this magnificent waterfall. For example, in the 20s and 70s of the last century, attempts were made to build a hydroelectric power station on the site of Gullfoss. The territory even ended up being leased by one of the supporters of such a development of the situation. But the lack of money and other problems led to the fact that investors were forced to abandon the construction.
Thanks to activists and conservationists, tourists can enjoy the amazing scenery of one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing waterfalls in Western Europe.
Sun Voyager Monument
Under such an unusual name, there is a rather futuristic-looking monument dedicated to a certain fictional “solar wanderer”. The sculpture appeared in 1990, and the brilliant artist YG Arnason acted as the author of the idea. The monument is located on the embankment of the Icelandic capital and presented in honor of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the country's main city. According to official information, the author of the sketch did not have time to see the finished sculpture due to illness. But it was this creation that brought him real fame!
At first glance at the monument, it is not easy to understand what it means and what main idea its author was trying to convey. Maybe this is a kind of tribute to the heroic achievements of the country? Or is the sculpture dedicated to the famous “sons of Iceland” – the Vikings? No wonder that Voyager conjures up thoughts of the glorious ships of these barbarian conquerors!
But none of these assumptions are correct. According to the creators of the sculpture, it carries a deeper meaning, makes you think about what is not yet known to man, about the fact that somewhere else there are undiscovered lands and unexplored mysteries.
If you find yourself in these places, we recommend visiting the sculpture in the evening. They say that it is in the rays of the sun setting beyond the horizon that the sculpture appears in all its glory. The steel frame shimmers with crimson colors, making your photos an exquisite natural collage. You can get to the famous landmark on foot or by bus, getting off at the Regnboginn or Harpa stop.
Thingvellir park
The park is a huge valley that is located in the southwestern part of Iceland and occupies part of the territory of two lithospheric plates. In 2004, this place was included in the list of World Heritage Sites of the international UNESCO Fund. Believe it or not, it was here that over a thousand years ago a significant meeting of Parliament took place, which marked the beginning of a new historical era and laid the foundation for the emergence of a new people, who today are called Icelanders. A little later, on the territory of the modern national park, a decision was made to accept Christianity as the main religion of the young people.
Getting to Thingvellir is easy. The easiest way is to rent a car or use the services of scheduled buses. You need to leave the capital and in about an hour you will find yourself in this picturesque place. But be careful: buses run on this route only in the summer.
As expected, you need to have a bite to eat and restore your strength from the road. There are several cafes for tourists in the valley, there is also a bookstore. You can also book excursions here. Most often, excursions are chosen that provide an acquaintance with all the sights in the park.
The main attraction of the national reserve is the rift valley, which is actually a fault of two lithospheric plates. Tourists will be able to observe cracks, the remains of solidified lava, as well as canyons. It should be noted that the width of the valley increases annually by 7 mm, which indicates the ongoing process of movement of lithospheric plates.
The valley is also rich in flora. Over 150 species of plants grow here, and about 50 species of animals have found their refuge. Entrance to the park is free.
Other famous sights of the valley are Lake Thingvallavatn, which is more than 12 thousand years old (the maximum depth is 114 m), Peningagya canyons, in which the lake is located, where, according to legend, women were thrown that they were suspected of witchcraft. Also, do not forget about the Hengidl volcanic system, which includes two volcanoes.
Hyovdi's house
Around a small mansion standing in splendid isolation, the appearance of which did not fit into the then charters of the young state, there are many legends and conjectures. Tourists are attracted here by several facts at once: it was here (according to historical information) that an agreement was reached on the final cessation of the Cold War. In addition, local residents are convinced that a ghost nicknamed the White Lady still dominates the walls of the mansion. Perhaps that is why the house cannot find new owners for many years.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to get inside the house. Today, the Hövdi mansion is closed to tourists and all that remains for adventurers is to limit themselves to the traditional selfie shot against its background.
A bit of history. The mansion is located on the cape of the same name and at one time was considered the most luxurious building in the entire city. It is made in Art Nouveau style, that is, strict Scandinavian lines dominate. By the way, a house was built in Norway, and later it was dismantled and moved to Cape Hövdi. Initially, the house belonged to the French consul, who was delegated to cold Iceland to establish trade relations. Rumor has it that the mansion built without the permission of the municipality has become a real stumbling block between the countries.
After the French consul, the house passed into the hands of many times with a frequency of 3-4 years. Most of the owners talked about some kind of ghost in the form of a young lady who haunted them. Until, with the light hand of his next authoritative guest, the house was closed and forgotten.
Today, the building plays an important role. Important negotiations are taking place within its walls, and decisions that decide the fate of the country are made. You can get to the attraction by bus, getting off at Hutel Cabin station.
Perlan
The cultural center “Perlan” is located in the building of the former city boiler house. Today, this landmark is a bright decoration of the Oskulid Hill, and it owes its appearance to the ex-mayor of the capital D. Oddsson. The rather unusual building houses shops, cafes and even art galleries.
The first floor is reserved for a winter garden and galleries. The concert stage is also located here, where a lot of interesting things happen – progressive musical groups perform, fairs and exhibitions are held. But the delight of tourists is not at all this! They are happy to absorb the fountains of a real geyser rising from the ground with their eyes!
You can view the surroundings from the panoramic platform on the fourth floor. Well, if these impressions are not enough for you, we suggest taking you to the restaurant located on the next floor. Its feature is a smooth rotation, thanks to which each visitor will have a unique opportunity to see the surroundings of the capital without even turning his head! The attraction is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.
Folklore Museum Arbaeyarsafn
We invite all connoisseurs of unusual areas of art to visit the open-air museum called Arbaeyarsafn. It consists of 30 buildings and contains an impressive collection of original folklore exhibits. It is here that you can personally touch the history of the Icelanders, get acquainted with their way of life, traditions and see how the representatives of this nation lived in past centuries.
Opened in the 60s of the last century, the museum is replenished with new exhibits almost daily. Scientists and archaeologists tirelessly excavate and give history buffs more and more reasons to think and analyze past events.
You can get to the museum by buses number 12, 19 and 22. You need to get off at the Strengur stop. Entrance is paid, the ticket will cost 1300 ISK. Children go free.
Hallgrimskirkja
The Lutheran Church of Hallgrímskirkja still evokes controversy among Icelanders, many of whom are annoyed by the futuristic, sprawling building.
Due to its huge size, the building can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Outwardly, the church resembles a part of an alien ship that crashed and part of it is hidden underground. But this is a fully functioning temple, in the halls of which real services are held on Sundays. There is also an impressive organ weighing 25 tons, in which there are more than 5 thousand pipes!
The temple is open daily from 9:00 to 20:30. Entrance to services on weekdays is free. In addition to serving, various concerts are often held here. But to get to such events, you need to purchase tickets.