Thermal springs and millennial glaciers, fjords and icebergs, black beaches and waterfalls – the fantastic landscapes of Iceland captivate at first sight, give peace and help to feel unity with nature.
As soon as you step on Icelandic soil, you immediately feel the extraordinary energy of this place. The island, which was born about 20 million years ago, is still changing and seething. Volcanoes erupt, geysers give out fountains 20-30 meters high, waterfalls spray from head to toe, sulfur smells from the ground. Sometimes you can literally feel the ground trembling and slipping away from under your feet. On the way to natural beauties, there are green signs with a warning: “You are here at your own risk” (“You are here at your own peril and risk”). Tourists joke that it would be more correct to place this inscription right at the airport or even make it the first line in the constitution.
northern relax
However, it is also easy to feel full zen here. Just walk through the magma fields, imagining that you are on the Moon or Mars. Relax in the Blue Lagoon, a huge geothermal pool. Admire tear-stained lakes, centuries-old glaciers and winding fjords. Watch seals basking on the shore or meditatively chewing sheep. If you’re lucky, you can see the northern lights. If not, enjoy the colors of the northern sunset. In Iceland, it is impossible to rush and fuss. Subdued natural halftones and the absence of bright colors (except for local houses) set you in a contemplative mood.
Hiking route
To explore the island in a few days, it is most reasonable to rent a car. Roads are free, except for one tunnel. There are no traffic jams. Paid parking too. It makes sense to visit the capital – Reykjavik – or any other city only for an overnight stay. The main attractions are outside. But even if you have a car, you will have to walk for a long time to many picturesque places. On the other hand, a couple of kilometers to a waterfall or lake in the crater of an extinct volcano is a great opportunity to reflect on life. The inhabitant of the metropolis simply should not miss this opportunity. So take a backpack, comfortable hiking shoes and a waterproof jacket. The weather here is usually unpredictable. Rain and sun can change each other several times a day. But it also has its own charm.
Need to know
Iceland has a high standard of living. In other words, it’s expensive. But it’s safe. You don’t have to lock the door at night.
National cuisine is specific. It is worth trying whale meat, dried cod, salmon and herring in different forms. An option for the brave is hakarl: rotten giant shark meat.
The locals seriously believe in elves and trolls. So, if there are many accidents on the road, then it means that it interferes with these creatures and it is better to lay it in another place.
Climate control
Despite the fact that Iceland is close to the Arctic Circle, the winter here is moderately severe and not the snowiest. For this we must thank the warm current of the Gulf Stream. And still, from the beginning of November to the end of January, it can be cold and dank. And in the summer (from May to August) it is crowded. Iceland has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. People come here from Asia and Australia. So it is more correct to plan an expedition for the off-season: March-April or September-October.