Iceland is one of the most beautiful places in the world. This Nordic island is filled with brilliant blue lagoons, red volcanic peaks and lush green forests. There’s also not a lot of people living there — the entire country only has about 325,000 people (comparable to Raleigh, NC or Glasgow, Scotland). Because of its small population, Iceland also doesn’t have a large tourism industry and it’s easy to find remote locations. The Blue Lagoon, Geysir Hot Springs and Northern Lights are some of the most well-known things to see in Iceland, but you won’t be able to see them until you get there. The best way to experience Iceland is by going beyond these popular destinations and challenging yourself in lesser known areas that are just as beautiful. Don’t believe us? Check out these 7 places you can visit in Iceland that are even more stunning than famous landmarks like the Golden Circle and Skógafoss waterfall.
Hofn – The Gateway To Iceland
Hornafjörður bay is an inlet on the eastern coastline of Iceland. After passing through this bay, ships will have entered the Eastfjords, a sparsely populated region that is one of the most beautiful in the country. Hornafjörður is home to the town of Hofn, the largest town in the Eastfjords. Hofn is the perfect place to start exploring the Eastfjords since it is the gateway to this stunning part of Iceland. Hofn has a small population of about 2,200 people, but it is a wonderful place to visit. There are many great hiking trails nearby, some of which are only accessible by foot. You can also hiking trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls, including Hundafoss and Dynjandafoss.
Dyrhólaey – The Edge of the World
Dyrhólaey is a large promontory located on the southern coast of Iceland. It is a large, stunning black sand beach that is home to an incredible sea arch. Dyrhólaey is most famous for its massive sea arch, which looks like it is going to fall into the ocean at any moment. The arch is 60 meters (200 feet) high and 90 meters (295 feet) long. It is believed to be one of the longest sea arches in the world. Dyrhólaey is also home to a large bird preserve, where you can see puffins, arctic terns, Arctic skuas, and black guillemots. The preserve is open all year round, but you will have the best chance of seeing birds during the summer. Dyrhólaey is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland and definitely worth a visit.
Svartifoss – Black Falls of Iceland
Svartifoss is a waterfall in Iceland’s Southern Peninsula, which is a part of the country that is rarely visited by tourists. This waterfall is very easy to get to and has a beautiful, serene setting. You can walk right up to the edge of the waterfall and stand right under it to feel the spray hitting your body. Strandarársandur, the black sand beach right next to the waterfall, is also worth checking out. It is a long, empty beach with black sand that is different from many other beaches in Iceland. It is easy to walk on the beach and see the nearby islands, including the island where the Svartifoss waterfall comes from.
Fjaðrárfoss – Rainbow Falls
If you are looking for another waterfall to add to your list, Fjaðrárfoss is a must see. This waterfall, located in the southern part of the country, is unlike any other waterfall in Iceland. It is also known as the “rainbow waterfall” because, in certain weather conditions, you can see a beautiful rainbow near the waterfall. This can only be seen between the months of May and August. The waterfall is set in a lush green valley and the surrounding area is very picturesque. There is also a nearby farm where you can go on tours, ride horses, and swim in the pools. Fjaðrárfoss is definitely worth a visit.
Þingvellir National Park – Cultural Centre Of Iceland
Þingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the southern part of Iceland. This park is home to the world’s longest Silfra fissure and the original location of the world’s first democratically elected parliament. This park is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland and a must-see for anyone visiting. There are walking trails all throughout the park, including one to the Silfra fissure and another to the original parliament location. It is also worth checking out the nearby Viking Culture Centre. This centre showcases the Viking history in the area and has many great exhibitions. Þingvellir National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland and a must-see for anyone visiting.
The Blue Lagoon (& Other Lagoons)
The Blue Lagoon is an iconic tourist destination near the country’s capital, Reykjavik. However, there are many other beautiful lagoons in Iceland that are definitely worth checking out. The best places to check out are the lagoons near the Golden Circle. There are two lagoons that are very easy to get to from the Golden Circle: Krafla and Myvatn. Krafla is a volcanic lake that is coloured green due to the minerals and gases in it. It is very easy to get to this lagoon from the Golden Circle and it is one of the most beautiful areas on the entire drive from Reykjavik to the southern parts of Iceland.
Lake Mývatn – A Proving Ground For Nature’s Biggest Weapons
Lake Mývatn is a large lake in the northern part of Iceland. It is surrounded by many interesting geological and biological phenomena, including the world’s most extensive lava field. This lake is a great place to see some of the biggest examples of Mother Nature’s biggest weapons: lava, water, and steam. The lake is surrounded by lava fields and craters that were created when a volcano erupted in the area. There are also many geothermal areas near the lake. Scientists have used Lake Mývatn as a proving ground to study how steam can disrupt nearby ecosystems. It is definitely worth a visit. If you have time, it is also worth visiting the nearby town of Akureyri. This northern town is a great place to see the night sky, particularly during the winter.
Conclusion
Iceland is a place that will leave you in awe. It is a remote island that is filled with brilliant blue lagoons, red volcanic peaks, and lush green forests. There are also not a lot of people living there — the entire country only has about 325,000 people (comparable to Raleigh, NC or Glasgow, Scotland). Because of its small population, Iceland also doesn’t have a large tourism industry and it’s easy to find remote locations. These 7 places are beyond the most popular destinations in Iceland. From the edge of the world to a lake that is a proving ground for Mother Nature’s biggest weapons, these 7 places are even more stunning than famous landmarks like the Golden Circle.
Pros/Cons
Pros:
- Beautiful scenery: With its blue lagoons, red volcanic peaks, and lush green forests, Iceland is a truly stunning country.
- Remote and uncrowded: Because of its small population and lack of a large tourism industry, Iceland offers visitors the chance to get away from it all and explore remote locations.
- Proving ground for Mother Nature’s biggest weapons: From the edge of the world to a lake that is a proving ground for Mother Nature’s biggest weapons, Iceland has it all.
- Friendly people: The people of Iceland are known for being friendly and welcoming to visitors from all over the world`
Cons:
- Isolation: One of the potential cons of living in Iceland is the isolation that comes with being on an island. While this can also be seen as a pro, depending on your perspective, it can be difficult to get off the island if you need to for work or other reasons. There are only a few flights that go in and out of Iceland each day, and they can be very expensive.
- Limited Resources: Another con of living in Iceland is that there are limited resources on the island. This includes things like food, clothing, and other necessary items. Because Iceland is so remote, it can be difficult to find everything you need unless you are willing to pay high prices for shipping costs.
- Harsh Weather Conditions: A third con of living in Iceland is the harsh weather conditions that come with being so far north. In winter , it is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit). This can make everyday tasks like going outside or driving very difficult. The summer months are better, but still cool compared to other parts of Europe or North America.
FAQ
Some of the unique features of Iceland include its dramatic landscapes, its diverse wildlife, and its interesting history and culture. Iceland is also renowned for its geothermal activity, with many hot springs and geysers to be found across the country.
One reason why it is easy to find remote locations in Iceland is because the country is so sparsely populated. With a population of just over 300,000 people, Iceland is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. This means that there are plenty of areas of wilderness to explore.
The seven places mentioned in the paragraph are: Reykjavik (the capital of Iceland), Thingvellir National Park, Vatnajökull National Park, Geysir, Hvítárvatn, Jökulsárlón, and Þingvellir.
Iceland’s population is relatively small when compared to other places. For example, the population of Iceland is less than 0.1% of the population of the United States.
The tourism industry is booming in Iceland. In 2017, the country welcomed a record number of visitors, with over 2 million people coming to experience its unique landscapes and culture.