Touring Iceland

Established in the 870s, second largest European island after Great Britain and situated at the juncture of Arctic Oceans and North Atlantic at 63⁰ and 67⁰ N latitudes and 25⁰ and 13⁰ W longitudes, Iceland is a Nordic European nation that not only experiences regular volcanic and geological activities but also boasts as an ideal tourist destination. Reykjavik is the Iceland’s capital city. Iceland is endowed with diverse geography, long and rich Icelandic culture, varying extreme weather patterns and natural features such as glaciers, glacial rivers, mountains and sand fields that make for good tourism hotspots.

Lying on 40,000 square meter area with a population of over 320,000 people, Iceland is world’s 13^th most developed nation that operates on free market economy while sustaining Nordic welfare framework, which offer its population college education and universal health care. The enhanced infrastructure, low cost of living and numerous tourism activities available in Iceland makes the island undeniably an unmatched travel destination.

Iceland’s Tourist Hot Spots

1)     Thingvellir National Park

Situated in southwest of the island at Blaskogabyggo, thingvellir national park has cultural, political and geological significance hosting remains of Alpingi (Parliament) and pingvallavatn, which is Iceland’s largest natural lake. Within the national park, one can clearly see the faults of the continental drift that occurred between Eurasian and North American plates.

Some of the amazing features as a result of the drift include

·       Almannagja, which is   the largest fault

·       And Peningagja, which is a rift with clear waters filled with coins at its floor.

Other elements that are worth visiting within the thingvellir national park are

·       Oxara River that runs across the park to form Oxararfoss (waterfall),

·       Waterfall Gullfoss,

·       Silfra fissure that offers adventurous snorkel and diving expeditions,

·       Haukadalur geysers

·       And Golden Circle, which is a word heritage location.

2)     Snæfellsjökull National Park

Located at Snaefellsness peninsula and founded in 2001 is Snæfellsjökull National Park. The Snæfellsjökull National Park is a two hours’ drive from the capital city Reykjavik, which means the park has heavy tourist traffic. Popularly known as jewel of West Island, Snæfellsjökull National Park has cemented its position as a major travel destination in Iceland.

Snæfellsjökull National Park is home to various celebrated sites such as

·       Incredible Snaefellsjokull glacier- the center of the park that lies on a volcano

·       Sandy Djupalonssandur beach

·       Enchanting Saxholl Volcano Crater

·       Rolling Londrangar-two colossal lava boulders

·       The singing cave known as Songhelir

·       And the hidden waterfall Rauofeldargja

The park is also a conservation area for rare animal and plant species

3)     Vatnajokull

Debatably the most capacious Icelandic glacier, largest European glacier mass and the longest sight line globally, Vatnajokull also referred to as Vatna Glacier covers significant area, over 8% of Iceland and is affluent with sites to see from the bottomless volcanic lakes to the wowing numerous outlet glaciers that flows from the ice cap including

·       Breioamerkurjokull,

·       Flaajokull,

·       Holarjokull, 

·       Kviarjokull,

·       Eyjabakkajokull,

·       Dyngjujokull,

·       Sioujokull

·       And Tungnaarjokull among others

The glacier mass has about 500m average thickness with the ice cap covering highland plateau reaching over 700m altitude. Some of the volcanoes towered by the ice cap are

·       Oraefajokull that is 2111m

·       Brdarbunga

·       Grimsvotn

·       Hekla among others

Hvannadalshnjukur situated at Vatnajokull Glacier is the highest point in Iceland at 2110 meters. To cue out, visit Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, which is a breath taking sight worth your time at Vatnajokull Glacier.

4)     Dimmuborgir

Situated at Myvatn, Dimmuborgir is an exceptionally large area that is made up of extraordinary humongous lava fields, collapsed lava formations and volcanic caves that imitate ancient but collapsed cities.  Walking around Dimmuborgir is like walking within ancient city chambers as the lava pillars hang lazily over you.

5)     Vestman Islands

Vestman Islands also known as Vestmannaeyjar  or Westman Islands are Iceland’s  best kept secret of nature that have

·       Mountains standing guard around the islands

·        Islands sprawling from east to west,

·       Volcanoes boiling and groaning from within,

·       Eruptions that go off rhythmically

·       And sea birds that leave you speechless including adorable puffins.

6)     Geysir

Active for over ten thousand years, Geysir also reffered to as Great Geysir is geyser in Iceland’s Haukadalur valley.

The most amazing features of Geysir are the infrequent but seventy meters high hot water eruptions. In close proximity to the Geysir is a forest and extensive areas for geological excavation

7)     Blue Lagoon

The wonders of the Blue Lagoon is what makes this natural wonder a must-see place to visit in Iceland. The waters in the lagoon have over 40⁰C temperatures and they contain an array of minerals that have curative elements.

8)     Incredible Biodiversity

Iceland is home to over 1300 identified insect species and many more unknown. In addition, the island hosts Arctic Foxes that arrived into the island during ice age, bats, reindeer and polar bears among others. Although majority of Iceland’s land surface is barren of plant life, there are extensive portions of grassland that hosts Northern Birch, Aspen, Rowan, Common Juniper and willows.

With a thriving fishing industry that accounts for over 50% of Iceland’s total exports, Iceland has numerous varieties of fishes and animals that will interest you including whales and seabirds such as skuas and puffins among others.

9)     Hallgrimskirkja Church Tower

In the capital city Ra Reykjavik reigns supreme the Hallgrimskirkja Church Tower that has incredible architectural designs and has the highest tower that marks the city’s highest point. The Church tower took four decades to complete. The tower will offer you a bird’s view of the city.

10) Whale Watching

Whales are incredible animals; a mammal that live under-waters. If you fancy watching whales up close and personal, Iceland fits the bill as the ideal destination. The government of Iceland in collaboration with the private sector has been negotiating to reduce commercial whaling and instead, implement programs to conserve whales.

11) National Museum of Iceland

The national Museum of Iceland offers you an opportunity to not only see the cultural artifacts of Icelanders but also learn about their long winding history to the present.

As a travel and holiday destination, Iceland is not short of tourist hot spots and its rich culture makes it a place worth your while.