Iceland has a beautiful landscape shaped by the volcanoes and glaciers that decorate it. The stark contrast between the literal fire of the lava and ice sheets from the glacier gives the country an ethereal look that is hard to see anywhere else. In addition to these astounding glaciers and volcanoes, there are also hot springs, lagoons, and geysers, from which most of the country’s drinking water is derived. All the natural facets of this beautiful land turn into an ethereal landscape. To help you find your love of this mesmerizing country, here are some of my top must-see spots!
One of the most popular places to go in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal pool that is straddled by volcanic rock on all sides. It’s a beautiful place to swim and connect with the natural elements. In addition, the silica content in the water can be revitalizing for your body, but it can damage your hair, so tying it up or using a hair mask can help protect it. While the Blue Lagoon is a very popular tourist destination in Iceland, I personally believe it is still worth checking out.
A particularly remarkable experience was hiking the Fagradalsfjall Volcano. At this volcano, you can hike all the way to the crater, and if you’re lucky, you can even see lava flow. This volcano last erupted in 2021 after 8 centuries of inactivity. If you are interested in visiting, I highly recommend checking the Nordic visitor center website to keep track of the volcanic activity!
Thingvellir National Park: this national park is home to a rift valley where the North American and European tectonic plates divide, creating a path for you to walk right between. On either side of the valley is an expansive view of nearby lakes, natural landscapes. The park is also drivable with stopping points for observation and photo ops. This park has so many things to do, and stopping by the visitor’s center can give you a good idea of what you want to see!
Iceland is home to thousands of beautiful waterfalls such as Skogafoss, Gulfoss, Seljalandfoss, and many others. These are just a few of the incredible waterfalls that are naturally formed and are spread across the country. Skogafoss features a 187-foot drop and an 82-foot width, making it look like a wall of water. You can hike to the top of the waterfall and watch the water flow from there also.
These are just some of the few locations in the land of fire and ice. I hope this helps you on your next trip to Iceland!
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