There is an amazing island in the north of the Atlantic Ocean, which contains so many natural attractions that it could be declared a UNESCO property. Ostrovnoye is spread over an area of just over 103 thousand km 2, some of which are occupied by volcanoes, geysers, lakes, forests and waterfalls.
Since this is a maritime country, the main industries that generate income for the state are the fishing and processing industries.
People live along the coast, so a trip to Iceland allows you to save time to fully explore it.
Capital of Iceland
Reykjavik is the country's northernmost capital in Europe and home to the majority of the country's population. The city was founded by the Viking Ingolf Anarson in 874, who, after appealing to the gods with a request to indicate where to build a new settlement, threw 2 sticks into the water. Where they washed ashore, the first farm grew up, which became the basis of Reykjavik.
The hot springs surrounding the town give it its name, which means “smoking bay” in Icelandic. There are several features of the capital that distinguish it from others:
- Firstly, the city is recognized as the cleanest on the planet, and this is due to the fact that there is not a single industry in it. As guests of the city note, the air there is so clean that people who come from large cities and industrial areas feel dizzy.
- Secondly, in 2000 it was recognized as the most cultural capital in the world according to UNESCO.
- Thirdly, city residents are so accustomed to each other’s honesty and decency that they do not lock the doors of their houses and cars.
- Fourthly, this is the only city on the planet where the parliament existed for more than 1000 years and was not disbanded during periods of war or crisis.
- Fifthly, the weather in Iceland, namely in Reykjavik, is conducive to sightseeing without fuss and fainting from heatstroke or freezing. On the hottest summer day, the temperature rarely rises above +15, and in winter the average is -6 degrees.
These are not all the distinctive features of the city. For example, its old architecture is often converted farmhouses with outbuildings that have been converted into shops, bars and museums. To experience its beauty, purity and originality, you can find out what tour operators offer to Iceland and purchase those that pay maximum attention to Reykjavik.
National parks of the country
Iceland has three national parks, one of which, Thingvellir, is included in the list of natural heritages of the world according to UNESCO. Although it is the oldest in the country, its area is only 5,000 hectares. Next to it, the youngest nature park, Vatnajökull, which was organized in 2008, seems like a giant. It occupies 12% of the island's area and is the largest in Europe.
Travelers who prefer eco-tourism to all other beauties of the world (Iceland has something to boast about in this regard) should definitely visit here. The most famous object of the park is its glacier of the same name. Its size is simply amazing. It covers an area of 8100 km2, and its thickness ranges from 400 m to 1 kilometer.
The most amazing thing is that 7 volcanoes are still active under it, which make it “cry”, resulting in the formation of stunningly beautiful caves with hot springs and lakes located on the surface. A trip to Iceland is unlikely to be forgotten if you take a swim in one of the underground springs, as the local population does.
The third national park is located in the west of the island and has the unpronounceable name Snæfellsjökull. This is also a glacier, but much smaller. Not only is it interesting, but also the villages that nestle near it. See a real fishing village where old traditions have been preserved, visit an open-air museum, go fishing with local fishermen, eat the freshest seafood in local restaurants - these are the types of tours to Iceland that active people choose.
Blue Lagoon
Another natural phenomenon that has no equal in Europe is the Blue Lagoon geothermal complex. The azure-colored water, steam smoking above it, equipped wooden platforms, bridges, stairs to the source and an emerald frame of moss growing along the shore - all this makes your vacation truly unforgettable.
The spring water has healing and antibacterial properties, has a good effect on the immune system, and contains silicon, quartz and microelements from algae. The resort operates all year round, as the temperature of the source is always +16 0 or higher.
It is important to remember that visiting many natural sites in the country requires a fee, so you should find out the prices in advance. Hundreds of thousands of people visit Iceland every year, and visiting the hot springs brings good income to the country. For example, entry to the Blue Lagoon for an adult will cost 30 euros. For children under 13 years old - free of charge, disabled people and teenagers from 14 to 18 years old are given a 50% discount.
Famous volcanoes
Often operators offering tours to Iceland advertise it as a land of ice and fire, and in general this is true. Part of the country is covered with glaciers, and the other with active and extinct volcanoes. There are some famous ones among them.
Another attraction with the unpronounceable name Eyjafjallajökull awaits guests in the southern part of the country. Its height is 1666 m, and the crater reaches 4 km in diameter.
This giant slept for 200 years. During this time, it was covered with a glacier until its activity began in 2009, which lasted until May 2010. Hundreds of thousands of tremors were recorded during the volcanic eruption. For example, in March, in just one day, 3,000 of them were counted with a force of 1-2 points.
The Eyjafjallajökull volcano immediately became famous, as its 3 eruptions, which occurred with some interruption, threw ash to a height of 8 to 13 km, which meant it entered the stratosphere. All flights in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and parts of the UK were suspended; for example, on April 15, 2010 alone, a total of 6,000 flights were canceled in these countries.
Today, Eyjafjallajökull is a landmark that many tours to Iceland offer to visit. Particularly impressive above its crater.
No less popular among tourists is the Laki volcano, which consists of 115 craters running one after another for as much as 25 km. Some of them are active, others have been sleeping for hundreds of years. Its most famous eruption was the “explosion” of 1783-1784. He destroyed 20% of the country's population, almost all livestock. Due to emissions of gases and ash, famine occurred in Europe. Today it is visited by 8,000 people a year on a jeep tour. You can choose such tours to Iceland, although you should remember about safety when visiting such places and be sure to use the services of a guide or conductor. For the safety of both volcanoes and people, Icelanders have specially equipped paths with boardwalks, from which it is better not to leave.
Waterfalls
Tourism in Iceland is primarily associated with the natural attractions of this country, and waterfalls are one of their manifestations. There are so many of them that not all of them even have names. Iceland is at its best in the summer, when glaciers begin to melt and water flows increase significantly, which affects the power and beauty of the waterfalls.
The most famous of them, Gullfoss, consists of two steps, one of which is 21 meters high and the other 11 meters high. There is information that they once wanted to build a hydroelectric power station on it, and a legend that the daughter of engineer Thomas threatened to throw herself into its waters if her father destroyed this natural beauty.
It is not known what prevented people from disfiguring this natural object, but today thousands of people come to stand on the observation decks near this majestic miracle and enjoy its power.
For those traveling around Iceland by car, there is a unique opportunity to live near such a miracle. Skógafoss waterfall cascades down from a height of 60 meters, and very close to it there is a campsite where you can sit comfortably and admire the stunning view of this beauty.
Iceland's tourism is famous for its extreme sports, which people so often lack in everyday life. A visit to the 196-meter Glymoor waterfall is a prime example. This natural wonder has a natural arch on one of its steps, and nearby there are caves that are included in some Iceland travel packages. A trip to this natural beauty will cost an average of 70 euros, which also includes visits to extinct volcanoes.
Rivers of Iceland
Since there are waterfalls in this country, it means that there are rivers that give birth to them. They are absolutely not suitable for navigation, as they have countless rapids, but they are a real joy and challenge for rafting enthusiasts. This sport is one of the most popular in Iceland.
The longest rivers in the country are the rivers with unpronounceable names - Tjoursau (230 km) and Jökulsau au Fjödlum (206 km). They originate in glaciers, and if the first flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the second flows into the Greenland Sea.
When tourists think about what to see in Iceland, one of the interesting activities will be a visit to the Elfusau River, which is famous for its width at the point where it flows into the Atlantic. It reaches 5 km, which makes it the deepest and richest salmon river in the country. Its spills are a truly majestic and often dangerous natural phenomenon.
Resorts in Iceland
Icelandic tourism has nothing to do with the understanding of the word “resort” to which travelers are accustomed. There are no beaches with hot sand and warm sea, but still thousands of people come here every year to spend time at local resorts and improve their health.
All of them are associated with thermal springs, which, like nothing else, have a wonderful effect on the human body, launching programs for self-healing and increasing immunity.
Western Iceland is the most popular due to its huge number of attractions. There are mountains here, the air of which has an invigorating effect on visitors, and geysers, and glaciers, and forests, and lakes full of fish, and bird colonies, and geothermal springs, and whales. The latter chose the western part of the country for recreation and food.
If the weather in Iceland allows, then travelers will find Langisandur - a golden beach. Located in the west, the country's oldest settlement, Reykholt, is famous for its outstanding sons. The most famous composers of the 13th century lived and worked here. Once upon a time, great Vikings lived in these parts, whose exploits are immortalized in the history of the Icelandic people. Here you can meet a diverse tourist crowd - climbers, fishing enthusiasts and those who like to explore the fjords and admire their beauty.
Customs of the country and people
To fully appreciate the beauty of this country and its traditions, you need to know when Iceland is most hospitable. The season for tourism here is from July to October. It is during this period that the island is warm, there is less moisture, and all the famous festivals and national holidays of the country take place.
What will help you get to know Icelanders better than participating in one of the festivals? Musical gatherings are especially popular. If earlier these were mainly folk groups, then since 1980, for example, rock (Iceland Airwaves) and jazz festivals Reykjavik Jazz Festival began to be held in Reykjavik.
By tradition, all Icelanders know how to knit, even men. Their traditional sheepskin sweaters and jumpers are still considered the warmest and are popular all over the world.
The peculiarity of the people of this country is their friendliness towards foreigners with complete internal closeness. Citizenship here is difficult to obtain, and expats must change their name to a traditional Icelandic one.
Just like hundreds of years ago, they lead a quiet lifestyle, rarely leave the borders of their country, and are rather indifferent to their own attractions.
Hotels and cuisine of Iceland
You should be aware that prices in Iceland are high compared to other European routes. There are excursions, souvenirs, food, and accommodation - everything is quite expensive. If you choose hotels in Iceland, the cost of living in them depends on the location. In the capital, it will range from 3,000 to 12,000 rubles. per day, in other cities - from 2000 to 11600 rubles. per day. A room from the locals that can be rented online will be cheaper.
Traditional Icelandic cuisine can be tasted in any cafe and restaurant, as they prefer to treat guests to hearty and simple food, but if you wish, you can also find Asian food and fast food here. The most popular dishes are shark and whale meat, lamb, dried fish with special sauces, and sweets - buns.
Amazing facts about Iceland
This country can surprise even experienced travelers:
- Many tourists mistakenly think that Iceland “dies” from the cold in winter, but in fact in the inhabited part of the country the temperature rarely drops below -6 degrees.
- Residents of the country do not have surnames, but simply add the father’s name with the ending son in boys or daughter for girl.
- Every Icelander, in addition to his main profession, also masters a creative specialty, for example, a designer or an artist.
- has not changed for more than 1000 years.
This country was created to amaze, so it’s worth exchanging another warm shore for its cold and unique beauty.
Akureyri is the northern capital of Iceland and the second largest city (15 thousand inhabitants). From here it is convenient to travel around the picturesque surroundings - to Húsavík, Godafoss waterfall and to the island of Grímsi - the only piece of Iceland beyond the Arctic Circle, where a plane flies from Akureyri. Akureyri's nightlife can't compare to Reykjavik, but it does offer some excellent whale meat. City...
Western Iceland is a kingdom of fjords, geothermal activity and stunningly beautiful and unusual lava landforms. This is a treasure trove of nature, history and culture of Iceland. Here you can see glaciers, mountains and forested valleys, rivers and lakes, bird colonies, and geothermal springs. Tourists can enjoy excursions to ancient settlements and a unique encounter with whales. In the waters of this coast, whales appear very...
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The Thorsmörk Valley (translated from Icelandic as “Forest of Thor”) is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Iceland. It is surrounded on all sides by high mountains and glaciers, narrow gorges and fast mountain rivers. The valley is decorated with low-growing birch forest and pierced with silver threads of numerous calmly flowing streams. Local residents often come here at different times of the year to enjoy the beauty of wildlife and...
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Reykjavik (Il. Reykjavík; literally means “smoking bay”) is the capital and largest city of Iceland. Population - 118,861 inhabitants (2008), and including satellite cities - about 200,000, which is about 65% of the total population of the country (316,000). It is the world's northernmost capital city. Iceland was settled by Norse and Celtic immigrants during the late 9th and early 10th centuries. According to the medieval Book of the Taking...
4.7k (48 per week)
When most European ski centers close for the summer, Iceland's ski resorts remain open. This is especially true in the north of the country, where the bulk of winter resorts are located. By paying only 120 euros for a single ski pass, you can compare the quality of the slopes in 5 different ski centers. The excellent snow conditions in this northern country significantly extend the ski season. In addition, the length of daylight here increases every day, so the ride can be longer and longer. Although local resorts also provide excellent artificial lighting.
Resort Blaufell
Once you land in Reykjavik, take the Ring Road towards the north until you reach the fishing villages. Already near Reykjavik there is the Blaufell ski resort, which is more suitable for families with children. It is equipped with 11 lifts, two of which are cable cars. For skiers, trails of varying difficulty are laid out here, and the lighting allows you to ride at night. For lovers of cross-country skiing, there are flat trails: a short one of 3.5 kilometers and a long one of 10 kilometers. In addition, in the Kedlingadalur valley there is a 7 km long track with difficult terrain.
Saudarkrokur-Tindastoll Resort
A few kilometers west of the famous Icelandic city of Akureyri The Saudarkrokur-Tindastoll resort is located. It uses modern snow cannons when necessary. There is expanse here for a family ski holiday, but the resort can also satisfy the requirements of seasoned skiers its comprehensive Snowcat program, which allows you to fully exploit all the delights of the valley. There are specially equipped snowparks for freestylers and snowboarders.
Siglufjörður resort
The resort of Siglufjörður has become part of a fishing village, which is lost in one of the narrow fjords of the northern coast of Iceland. And his the slopes are considered the best on the island. On the lifts you can reach 650 meters (for Iceland this is a very decent height). Skiing down from here, you can simultaneously admire the breathtaking views of the Siglufjord.
Olafsfjörður resort
In the northwest of Iceland there is the town of Olafsfjörður, located near the mouth of the very beautiful Eyja fjord. The terrain here is mostly hilly, the slopes are gentle, suitable for different types of skiing. Since the local trails are not very long, they mostly practice slalom here. If such a terrain does not suit someone, then he can contact the local association, which organizes ski trips to places where it is possible to descend on virgin snow.
Dalvik Resort
Half an hour's drive from the city of Akureyri, a little further from other resorts, there is another ski resort, Dalvik. It contains trails of different difficulty levels. The most popular here is the main descent, which is 1200 meters long. Towards the end of the season, there is enough natural light here almost around the clock. In case of vagaries of weather, modern snow generators can be used on the slopes.
Hlidarfjall Resort
Another resort in the vicinity of Akureyri, part of a pool of five resorts and served by one ski pass, is Hlidarfjall. This is one of the oldest ski resorts in Iceland, which has been operating for over 40 years. The snow here is of excellent quality and there are very beautiful pistes on Mount Herdubreid, from where a beautiful panorama of the Eyja fjord opens up.
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Taking into account the small size of the island, Iceland tourism has an interesting feature. By staying in one of the many hotels, you can easily get to almost any corner of the country. Moreover, to implement this project it is not necessary to use tourist buses with a mandatory English-speaking guide; it is enough to rent a car.
Resorts in Iceland
Due to its small size Iceland resorts are represented by two main types of tourism businesses. The first part of such places includes large hotel complexes located in such large cities of the island as Reykjavik. In particular, the most popular hotels in the country include Reykjavik City Hostel, which is located near the center of the capital. This hotel complex meets all modern requirements of European level hotels.
While staying at the Reykjavik City Hostel, you can enjoy not only the historical sights of the capital, there are many places where a tourist should visit. For example, by boarding one of the tourist buses, you can take a wonderful walk through the protected corners of the island, and when you reach the coast, book an equally exciting sea voyage.
The second type of resort in Iceland includes small hotels located in close proximity to one or another attraction of the island. Moreover, the level of hotel service in these hotels will be no worse than in the same Reykjavik City Hostel.
Ski resorts in Iceland
It is difficult to even imagine that, characterized by mountainous terrain and the presence of heavy snowfalls in the winter, ski resorts in Iceland are only in their infancy. And among such attractions of Iceland, it is definitely worth noting such ski resorts in Iceland as Bláfjöll, located almost next to Reykjavik, and the same Skálafell, which, unlike the first, has only one chairlift and three drag lifts.
Medical resorts in Iceland
It has so happened since ancient times that almost any country that has mountain ranges on which snow and perennial ice accumulates has its own healing geothermal springs, and accordingly equips tourism and in this area. And in this regard, health resorts in Iceland representatively represented by the geothermal complex Blue Lagoon or Blue Lagoon. Such places are visited annually by more than 300 thousand foreign tourists; exotic swimming areas made in lava piles are open to them.
Iceland Tours
To date Iceland tours are widely represented in almost all travel agencies in Europe and the Russian Federation. Unlike previous years, in addition to group tours, there are also individual trips, which include not only the opportunity to admire the amazing nature of the island and other Iceland attractions, but also a fishing trip. Fishing can be organized near Hekla Crater and in other areas of the Atlantic Ocean where whales conduct their mating displays.
Holidays in Iceland
If you are going to holiday in Iceland and are willing not only to take a long flight or a short sea voyage across the Atlantic, but also to pay an almost exorbitant price for alcoholic drinks, then a holiday in Iceland is a pleasure for you.
At the same time, at the very beginning of the proposed trip, it is worth deciding what exactly you would like to see in this country. What attracted you to Iceland. And if you are more interested in alpine skiing or real fishing for Icelandic herring, then in this regard it is worth deciding on the time of year. In other seasons, the travel experience may be somewhat blurry.
Beaches of Iceland
Unlike numerous sea and river beaches located in different parts of the world, beaches covered not with white sand, but with black remnants of volcanic ash and lava, can only be seen in Iceland. This natural wonder is located near the small town of Vike, which is only 180 kilometers from Reykjavik.
It is worth noting that the “Black Beaches” of Iceland are not intended for swimming and sunbathing - these Iceland beaches mainly suitable for enthusiastic contemplation of their beauty. The best way to do this is to stand under the drops of Icelandic rain that never stops almost all year round.
Iceland Hotels
After this island state set a course for the comprehensive development of the tourism business, various hotels began to be built throughout the country, among which the Reykjavik City Hostel, located almost in the center of the capital Reykjavik, deserves special attention. At the same time, it is worth noting the fact that Iceland hotels are multilingual. So, regardless of the number of rooms of a particular hotel, all its staff can communicate with you in almost any language of the European continent.