When we hear of Iceland, the very first thing that comes in our mind is images of stunning natural beauty, hauntingly quiet lakes, lost castles and delicious fish dishes. But there is plenty more to discover in Iceland. It is a Nordic island nation, which is defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and Lava fields. Most of the population of Iceland lives in the capital city of Reykjavik. Let’s have a look at some of the special places that you can visit and some interesting activities that you may resort to, while in Iceland.

Gaze in Wonder at the many waterfalls

Iceland is known for its vistas of astounding beauty and over 10,000 of these sites include waterfalls. A trip to Iceland is not complete without gazing at these waterfalls. You may visit the best of the best waterfalls such as Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Gullfoss.  Skogafoss may be recognized by its bright green banks, while Gullfoss is a traditional two-tiered waterfall. You may find waterfalls with varied heights such as Bruarfoss (which is just 3 metres ) to Morsi Waterfalls that has a captivating height of over 240 meters.

Head to the Hot Springs

Iceland is known for geothermal waters. There is plenty of hot springs across the country. One of the most famous is the Blue Lagoon.

As you step into Blue lagoon, you will feel as if you have entered into a fairy land. It is so mesmerizing to watch the bright blue waters lapping against the jet black volcanic rocks. Some of the other attractive hot water places are Myvatn Water Baths, Landmannalaugar or even the oldest man made hot spring Seljavallalaug. There is perhaps no other country in the world with so much of natural hot water options as Iceland.

Catch the glimpse of Northern Lights

These lights are still one of the wonders of the world. You need good planning and luck to see them. These are caused by solar particles entering the Earth’s magnetic field and are drawn towards the North Pole. These lights are visible in Iceland for 8 months with peak visibility is from December to February. To get better visibility, you can move to a remote part. There are guided tours for seeing these lights. This is a lifetime experience and never misses out on these, when you are in Iceland or Europe.

Ice Caves in Vatnajokull Glacier

In the depth of the glacier, there is an ever-shifting, ever-changing colorful world, that’s waits to be discovered. This Europe’s largest glacier and covers around 8% of the country’s land area. You can best explore the place under a guided tour. Ever year deep maze like formations are created. The Ice cave season is from November to March, when the weather is cold enough for the cave to be stable. You should have a keen eye to ensure your safety inside the caves. This is surely a must see.

Dyrholaey

This dramatic coastline offers a majestic glimpse. As the sea gushes below, you can stand atop this 120 m high coastline and enjoy the beauty. You can enjoy the incredible view in all the directions. The place will make you feel on the top of this world. The area has other points of interest too. It is a designated bird sanctuary, primarily for puffins and artic terns. It is part closed during the nesting season of May and June. Though the exact dates vary from year to year. Surely Dyrholaey attracts a huge number of tourists each year from every part of the globe.

Hallgrimskirkja

This white concrete church can be seen from anywhere in the capital. The design is inspired from the Volcanic Basalt Pillars that are dotted across Iceland’s country side. You can get a panoramic view of the capital from the top of the building. From mid-June to mid – August, there is a roaster of activities in the church, like Choir concerts, organ recitals etc. Some of the activities may be charged, so check online before you proceed. This is one of the historical buildings in Europe and a must see in Iceland. Just make it to the list of your itineraries.

Landmannalaugar

Iceland is home to many magical landscapes such as multicolored mountains, meandering Lava trails, crystal clear lakes and calming hot springs. There is one place wherein you can find all of these in just one place. The answer is Landmannalaugar. This is a challenging 55km hike where the landscapes morph into streaming and bubbling hot springs and the colors run wild through the mountain peaks. The place is accessible only in summer months from June to September. The roads are closed for the rest of the year. You can plan your trip accordingly so that you don’t miss out.

Geysers

Geysers are not only a great fun but they are a very rare natural phenomenon and only 1000 of them are known to exist on the planet. Geysers are natural springs, when the water meets super-heated magma below our feet. It forces the water to bubble and gush upwards until it explodes in to the air with unbelievable speed. The ancient Great Geysir is located Haukadalur valley, 90 minutes’ drive from the capital. Though it is dormant now, but still you can visit the place. You can also see Strokkur Geysir, which erupts every few minutes.

Whale Watching

Iceland could be one of the best places for whale watching. There are about eleven species of Whales including killer whales that are regularly sighted. Husavik, Reykjavik and Eyjafjoraur are the best destinations in Iceland for Whale Watching. The best time to see Whales is during the summer between June – September, when the warm seas are full of fish and krill.

Iceland is really a magical land filled with beauty and excitement. You just can’t ignore this beautiful country, if you are planning a trip to Europe. Iceland is really a dream destination for tourists all over the world.