Included in the list of the world's top travel destinations is the geographic wonder of Iceland. Iceland is not just about the Northern Lights; its attractions have their own identity and unique features to give and show to every tourist. It has many strange yet beautiful attractions. From mountain ranges, volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs to ice fields, glaciers, waterfalls, and picturesque backdrops in every angle of Iceland. The country has much to offer and has a lot of places that are worth visiting. Comprehensively summarized below are the must-visit wonders of Iceland.
10 Arctic Botanical Garden, Akureyri
Aside from the most visited waters of Iceland, it is also home to an ice-free harbor and the important fishing ports of Akureyri. Arctic Botanical Garden is the most visited place in the town where tourists can find almost every plant that grows in Iceland. Known as the capital of the north, it is popular with its restaurants and bars that are celebrated by locals and tourists. Akureyri also hosts annual festivals and activities during summer that are great for extra adventures.
9 Vatnajökull National Park
Located in Klapparstígur, Iceland is the wilderness of Vatnajökull National Park. The park was established and became a protected area in 2008. In terms of hiking, the trail in National Park varies its difficulty to the surface of the tracks. Thus, smooth surfaces have accessible routes, and obstacles and slopes are considered challenging courses. popular attractions nearby are glaciers, waterfalls, and summits. Accordingly, things to do here aside from hiking are ice climbing, helicopter tour, glacier adventures, and exploring the ice cave of Skaftafell.
8 Askja Caldera, Dyngjufjöll Mountains
Askja Caldera is a geothermal pool located in the mountains of Dyngjufjöll. This haven in the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park resulted from volcanic activity in 1875. It is better to book a day tour to Iceland's wilderness lake Asjka Caldera. Other privileges when taking the time include seeing numerous geological sites, the landscape where renowned astronauts trained before going to the moon, and the Herðubreiðarlindir.
7 Kirkjufell Mountain, Grundarfjörður
The Kirkjufell Mountain of Grundarfjördur is almost a three-hour drive from the capital of Iceland. It surrounds the fishing village, and waterfalls and streams are located just a foot away from the mountain. It is the most popular mountain in Iceland and is a crowd's favorite in terms of photography. Moreover, this gem is included in the list of the most beautiful mountains around the world. The hill is also known for its layers which are the result of several volcanic activities.
6 Staying In Hotels For Northern Light Viewing
One of the most popular attractions in Iceland is the Aurora Borealis. Tourists who have visited Iceland have never left this phenomenal destination on their bucket list. The Northern Lights' appearance is unpredictable, but many hotel accommodations let the guests know once the mesmerizing attraction appears by calling their guest's room. The best time to have a view of this wonder is during April and October, once the skies get darker and the temperature reaches 65 to 75 degrees.
5 Gullfoss Waterfall
Another popular attraction in Iceland is the postcard-perfect Gullfoss Waterfall, located in the Golden Circle tour. The waterfall is about 105 ft. in height and was also featured in the popular series Game of Thrones. On summer days, a rainbow often appears above the waterfall, making it more jaw-dropping. Visiting this wonder is very practical as it offers free viewing to the public. There are also other amenities such as café's, shops, and parking lots.
4 Mount Esja, Esja Mountain Range
Mount Esja is popularly known for its trails and is a favorite spot for hikers when visiting Iceland. It is viewed anywhere around the capital as it is about 914 meters high, and once hikers reach the peak, they will get to see Reykjanes, Snaefellsnes, and Snaefellsjokull. A restaurant operating at the foot of the mountain is a perfect place to stop by after the hike. A fun fact for the rivers flowing in the mountain is that it is safe to drink.
3 Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Vatnajökull
The most favored lagoon in Iceland is the one in Jökulsárlón, and it features crystal clear icebergs and the lagoon's light blue colors that make the attraction more scenic. The icebergs from this area go to the black beach nearby, so the beach has been named Diamond Beach for the crystallized rocks twinkles in the coast of the black sand. Things to do here are kayaking and taking boat tours. Through these activities, tourists get a chance to touch and have a closer look at the glaciers.
2 Black Beaches In Iceland
Never leave Iceland without visiting one of its Black Sand Beaches. The southern coast of the country features the exotic black sand beach of Reyjnisfjara. The place has been a location for various films such as Star Wars and Game of Thrones. Aside from the black sand, Reyjnisfjara has the iconic stacks of basalt where tourists can climb not too far to take amazing photos. However, tourists must be vigilant when visiting the Black Beach as it gets dangerous, especially during bad weather.
1 Museums In Iceland
Unravel Iceland’s history and culture by visiting numerous museums within the country. First on the list is the National Museum of Iceland, located in its capital city. It provides information on the history of Iceland. Other museums include The Saga Museum, The Punk Museum, The Árbær Open Air Museum, Viking World Museum, Sigurgeir’s Bird Museum at Myvatn, The Museum of Icelandic Witchcraft and Sorcery, and the Library of Water in Stykkisholmur.