Iceland is a place where culture, nature and historical heritage ideally complement each other, making it a destination that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. Here are just a couple of reasons to visit Iceland now;
Scenic Road Trip Opportunities
The Ring Road is Iceland’s most popular road trip that circles the whole country and offers some fantastic attractions. This main national road allows you to see the city of Reykjavik, hot springs, Vatnajokull National Park, the East Fjords, the Eyjafjallajokull volcano and much more. This is a great option for an active holiday as not only you’ll be able to admire amazing natural landscapes but also hike, relax in the Blue Lagoon’s thermal spa, explore the capital city etc. For all these reasons, Icelandic road trip is very high on my bucket list. If you plan to spend several days in the country and you’d love to do this scenic route, the first thing to do is to look for cheap car rentals in Iceland. If you don’t plan to spend too much time in Iceland another alternative is a Golden Circle which is a popular day trip for the visitors.
Interesting Culture and Customs
Iceland is rich in history and culture, therefore the country offers many museums especially in the south. Culture has always occupied an important place in the life of Icelanders. That explains so many art exhibits, concerts, folk dance groups etc. Choirs are especially important as one in three Icelanders is an active choir member. Also, reading seems to be the most popular activity as the country is a place where one in ten people will publish a book.
The Northern Lights
One of the best places to see this interesting natural phenomenon is Akureyri- a small town in Northern Iceland. Many companies specialize in Iceland trips, among them the Northern Lights. The north of the country also has a number of the historical sights and museums related to the Viking age. Traditional country architecture in a form of turf houses is well presented which makes an interesting ambiance.
Winter Adventures
This doesn’t come as a surprise but if you are a Winter type and into active holidays, Iceland offers some great opportunities, especially in the North. Besides skiing you can go whale watching or you can immerse yourself in a culture that blossoms during cold winter months. The country hosts a festival called the ‘Days of Darkness‘ that intends to brighten up dark and short days.
Amazing nature
Iceland’s north-west corner which is the westernmost point in Europe amazes with its unspoiled wilderness. There are great places for hiking and from here you could even see Greenland on a clear day. Natural hot springs are pretty common and this area is perfect for biking. West Iceland is home to the Snæfellsjökull National Park which is very famous primarily due to the novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth” in which the entrance to a passage leading to the center of the world is right here. The Reykjanes Peninsula which is a continuation of the mid-Atlantic Ridge is a famous geo park. Here you’ll be able to experience nature at its best with 100 different craters, lava fields and black sand beaches.
