Iceland is one of the European island countries and is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world, located specifically between the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavik. The total area of the country is approximately 103,000 km2. It is one of the low-population densely populated countries with a population of about 320,000 people, and there are several reasons for this, including its cold climate throughout the year, and because it is a relatively modern country that became inhabited only in the ninth century by Vikings from Norway. It is a truly special country as despite its weather, there are many things that make it worth visiting, including its amazing natural manifestations, you will find waterfalls, mountains, rivers, and best of all the amazing aurora lights that appear at specific times of the year and dazzle everyone who looks at them, and Iceland is also known by the fact that the sun sets most of the year after 12 am. It is the first country in the world to elect a female president, and the first European country to form a parliament, specifically in 930.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the biggest city of Iceland and also, its capital, located in the south of the country on the shores of Vaxavloy Bay, and it is very rich with picturesque natural spots, where you will be amazed by many fjords, archipelagos, mountains, waterfalls, forests, lakes, and others. It is also one of the few cities in the world where the Northern Lights can be seen, and one of the few cities where the sun sets in the summer after 12 a.m. Founded in 1786, the city is a relatively modern city, one of the safest cities in the world, and during your travels you will find many wonderful landmarks, including the parish church and the Icelandic National Museum, where you will learn about the history of the city and the country in detail.
Top 3 landmarks in reykjavik :
hallgrimskirkja
hallgrimskirkja is a 74.5-meter-high Lutheran parish church located in the city of Reykjavik, the largest church in Iceland and among the tallest buildings in the country. The church is named after the Icelandic poet and clergy Halgrimor Petersson, the author of the hymns of passion that are still hymned today in churches. The church was designed by one of Iceland’s most famous architects, who is said to have sought inspiration for his expressive design from elements of Icelandic nature, where glaciers, mountains and lava formations. Today, the church stands tall with its pointed head pointing high at the sky like a bull’s hammer, with the handle facing upwards as a sign of Iceland’s religious history.
Perlan Museum – Wonders of Iceland
An exhibition of the natural wonders in Iceland enables visitors to experience the meaning of being in this nature by displaying its beauty, volcanoes, glaciers and much more, and it is developed using advanced technology and surface cracking, as the visitor can see and feel these wonders, and all this is done through the best museum artists, scientists and technologists, and there is a circular platform on the fourth floor of the center with 360 degrees to be able to look through it to all parts of the city and the surrounding area With signals carrying information for important geological points.
Blue Lagoon Lake
Blue Lagoon is a lake with thermal waters characterized by a turquoise blue color, surrounded by the picturesque nature of the mountains, so it is one of the favorite destination for many tourists who are looking for a private space to get rid of stress and feel relaxed and comfy, next to the lake there are many dedicated resorts that offer many services to its visitors such as saunas, massages, and treatment programs. Be careful when entering the pool, they ask everyone to bathe naked and then wear a swimsuit cleanly to make sure that everyone who enters the pool is completely clean and free of any harmful bacteria.
Vik Village
Vik Village is a small rural Icelandic village located along the beach in the far south of Iceland, and its popularity comes from being a wonderful and convenient stopover especially for those adventurers who come to see and discover the picturesque surrounding nature. The village has a number of natural attractions worth seeing such as the Great Rock Arch in the west, as well as a range of stunning architectural landmarks such as a wooden church from the 1929.
Top 3 landmarks in vik
Black Sand Beach
Black sand beach is one of the most unique beaches not only in Iceland but around the world, as the sands of this beach are not yellow or even white, but pitch black, due to the presence of many hot water lava in the region, which results when they collide with the cold sea waves, so even the rocks surrounding the place are also black, and the site is a distinctive destination for tourists to enjoy nature and take souvenir photos.
Halsanefshellir Cave
Halsanefshellir Cave is a huge marine cave located on the beach near the small town of Vik, this cave is exceptional due to the octagonal basalt columns that adorn the entrance, and the cave overlooks the famous black beach made up of eroded black basalt. The cave with its strange natural composition is one of Iceland’s most important landmarks, which ranks as one of the wonders of the whole country.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
An hour’s drive from the small village of Vik, the canyon of Fjaðrárgljúfur or as they call it the Valley of Tears, which is considered one of the natural wonders in southeastern Iceland, as the age of the geographical location of the valley is approximately two million years, as estimated by geologists, and its depth reaches 100 meters and a length of about 2 kilometers, and it is intended for nature lovers who enjoy charming views from the top of the river flowing through the valley, the rock composition of the valley, camping near it, and doing long walking paths.
Akureyri
Called the “capital of Northern Iceland”, Akureyri is the country’s fisheries hub and its port is the most important one in the region. Akureyri is Iceland’s second largest city after the greater Reykjavik region, and the fourth largest municipality after Reykjavik, Hafnarfjördur and Kóbavogur. The city’s climate is very cold in winter, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and temperate and warm climate in summer. Akureyri is a charming city in its own right, with plenty of activities to do in this small place, such as going to ancient museums, hiking with friends, horse riding, whale watching, visiting mesmerizing waterfalls, and skiing trips in winter. In addition, this city is a gateway to many amazing areas in the north, most notably the Mevaten region, the Ditivus Waterfall, the Godafos Waterfall, and the Besbergy Valley. If you’re passing through Akureyri, you should spend at least one day in the town itself before going out and exploring the nearby picturesque sites, it’s really worth a visit.
Top 2 landmarks in akureyri :
Akureyri Church
Akureyri Church is located near the city center, and it was built in 1940 and designed by the famous architect Gudjon Samuelsson, and is characterized by its ornate and colorful bas-reliefs, which is a Lutheran church and is the main church in the city, surrounded by the charming nature of Akureyri where you can visit the church and then enjoy a tour of the area around it as well.
Godafoss waterfalls
One of the most beautiful picturesque natural areas in Iceland and one of its largest waterfalls, it has been flowing for about 7000 years, its width is approximately 30 m, and its height varies due to the rock in the middle, as one of the parts is 9 m high, and the second is 17 m, its name is due to the waterfalls of the gods to how beautiful it is, as a large group of residents believe that the god showed the extent of his creativity by creating this place. Enjoy tranquility and relaxation in the middle of nature away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Hofn
Located near Europe’s largest glacier in southeastern Iceland, tourism in the last few decades has grown tremendously there and has actually become a major economic sector in this region. Various services are offered from hotels, camping sites, restaurants, shops, swimming pools, golf courses, hiking trails, various museums such as the Maritime Museum, in addition to two visitor centers for the National Park and the Center of the great writer Þórbergur Þórðarson; despite its smallness, it contains many distinctive and enjoyable tourist attractions at the same time, so do not miss it.
Top 3 landmarks in Hofn :
Diamonds Beach
In a remote spot in southern Iceland, lies one of the strangest natural beaches in the world, the Diamond Beach, which at first glance will seem to you covered with pieces of sparkling gemstones, which reflect the golden rays of the sun, creating a landscape you have never seen like it before, like a revelation of fantasy. actually, these stones are pieces of ice that fell down from big frozen mountains floating in the nearby icy lake. For such as view, you must visit the beach at sunset where the combination of golden rays and the reflective surface of the ice complements this absolute charming natural painting.
West vestrahorn Mountain
Just 10 minutes from the city of Höfen in Iceland, the Westrhhorn Mountain is 454 meters high and is a must visit when you are in the area, and it is an ideal place for photography or to contemplate the picturesque nature, as it rises from the sides of a beautiful lake with black sandy beaches, many tourists visit this mountain and the surrounding area with their families and friends to enjoy the charming beauty of nature and take some souvenir photos.
Bergarfoss Waterfall
The Bergarföss waterfall is about 40 meters high and can be very strong and is located in the city of Höfn in Iceland, and many people visit it while they are in or near this city, as it gives you a feeling of freshness and you will not get tired of watching it, and you can take your family or friends on an unforgettable adventure to go experience it and enjoy the sound of falling water and the surrounding nature.
