Iceland, located in the Northern region of Europe. Spanned over 1,03,000 kms area, the country is registered as 107th largest which is comparable to size of Kentucky in US. The population of Iceland stands at 3.64,000 peoples based on United Nations Census. Iceland doesnt share borders with any country as it is surrounded by cold glaciers The nation is divided in 8 different regions administrated under the Capital Reykjavík. Interestingly, along with being beautiful capital of Iceland, it actually holds record of 60% Population residing there. Imagine how well the rest of the country could be indulged in to the nature with minimal to no human interruption.
Below we have made list of Best Places to visit in Iceland for all you outdoor explorers and landscape photographers.
Diamond Beach
There is nothing more relevant when you are in Iceland, specially if you are in Diamond Beach. When we were small children, we used to get jaw dropped and excited looking those little Ice cubes from the refrigerator. What if you hold the same, natural nature created Big Ice cubes or structures. Diamond Beach offer you exactly that, situated in the south eastern coast of Iceland. It is home to big glaciers mountains set right aside the shores.The Icebergs from the mountains typically drift to rough turf of beach and melt there in the salt water before getting immersed in to Ocean, which in itself is sight to admire.
Best Time to visit : During Winter November to March and In Summer July to August (Recommended)
Budget Accommodation : Skyrhúsid Guest House, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon.
Central Highlands
Central Highlands, is entirely comprised with Grand Canyons, waterfalls, Mountains and little rivers. Because the Central Highlands is located in the remote region with no accommodation or food facilities, it rarely is visited by the tourists. Also, the weather can be fierce sometimes so make sure to carry essential equipments before the visit. The Highlands can be explored either by car, which can be rented from the base or you can venture around by hiking.
Central Highlands is vast and enormous and can be tedious without proper planning. Central Highlands comprised of some of the best places such as Thorsmork Mountain Ridge, Kerlingarfjöll Reddish walking track, Landmannalaugar trekking mountains, Askja and Víti Craters (Volcanic Complex).
Best Time to visit : July to August
Budget Accommodation : None. Tourist usually prefer Rugged Survivable SUVs or Caravan.
Skogafoss
While Iceland is owe to many waterfalls, Skogafoss is definitely above all. The uniqueness of Skogafoss can be described because of its sheer massive height of the cliff through which the waterfall commence before hitting the ground. Once below the waterfall, you will realise the true power of water and the sprays sparkling on you. Additionally, you can also walk up the cliff to the clutched platform and see the Skogafoss waterfall from above.
Best Time to visit : July to August
Budget Accommodation : Hotel Skogar, Hotel Skogafoss, Guesthouse Skógafoss, Guesthouse Drangshlid.
Geysir
Geysir, in the southwestern region of Iceland, can be reached in almost hour drive from Capital Reykjavík. The name Geysir is actually derived from natural phenomenon that occurs in the place. Geysir is situated in the Haukadalur valley on the slopes of Laugarfjall hill, that is where you can spot spectacular splashing of hot boiling water as high as 70 metres (230 ft) from the surface. The eruptions can be observed in every 10 minutes.
Furthermore, you can also observe another nearby Strokkur geyser eruptions, which is much more frequent than Geysir. Additionally, if you find any of the above Geysers dormant, be rest assured the place is filled with thirty much smaller geysers and hot pools in the area, including the Litli Geysir (Little Geysir).
Best Time to visit : July to August
Budget Accommodation : Hotel Geysir, Úthlíd Cottages, Litli Geysir Hotel, Efstidalur Resort.
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull or in other other words "the river glacier", is the extensive and long span of glaciers almost covering 7,900 km of area. Vatnajökull is the second largest ice glaciers in Europe after the Severny Island ice cap of Novaya Zemlya. Vatnajökull National Park comprises of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, which is large water lake in Iceland formed by natually melted crystal glaciers. Take the adventure step further, we will strongly suggest you to visit Skaftaell Ice Cave Tour and take glimpse of inner beauty of naturally formed crystal blue glacier cave.
Best Time to visit : June to September
Budget Accommodation : Fosshotel Vatnajökull Restaurant, Lilja Guesthouse, Guesthouse Kálfafellsstadur, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon.
Eyjafjallajökull
Eyjafjallajökull, covered by mostly by glaciers is one of the smallest Ice Caps in Iceland. Eyjafjallajökull is located in the north of Skógar, which frequently observed many volcanic eruptions since ages. The height of Ice Caps is almost 5,466 feet (1,666 metres) above sea level. The name Eyjafjallajökull is derived from typical Iceland phrase meaning “the island mountain glacier,”. Pronunciation might be hard however, you can can enounce as (Ayy-yah-fyad-layer-kuh-tel). The place is famous and globally recognized after the eruption of volcano in the 2010 which abruptly grounded aviation in the northern hemisphere.
Best Time to visit : July to August
Budget Accommodation : Kennarabústaður Guesthouse, Volcano Huts Þórsmörk, Stóra-Mörk, The Garage Iceland.
Reynisfjara
During the winters, Iceland is covered with glaciers and the popular Black Sand Beach. Exactly, you heard it right, the Black Sand Beach located just short drive outside the small town of Veeck. One will find the lava beach filled with jet black sand where the cliff vertically plunges down to 500 metres to the ocean. Just in the forefront of the beach, in the distance the ocean holds menacing basalt columns similar to Giant's Causeway in Ireland. The total contrast of crystal glaciers and black sand is one of the reason you must visit Reynisfjara in Iceland.
Best Time to visit : June to November
Budget Accommodation : Black Beach Suites, Hótel Kría, The Barn, Guesthouse Carina.
Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is definitely the popular among tourists, specially for the aura lagoon offers to peoples. The pale blue hot water or hotspring is surrounded by black lava columns and smoulder of steam over shadowing the pools. Blue Lagoon features many different event places from miniature waterfalls, bridges and dedicated bar area. Furthermore, if you want proper relaxation in the hotspring then you can ask for massage therapy and natural silica mud mask to energize yourself. Not to mention, those silica mud mask have healing properties that could be beneficial for your skin. So make sure you must try it for once.
Best Time to visit : July to August and November to December
Budget Accommodation : Hotel Keflavik, Hotel Reykjavik Kópavogur, Frost and Fire Boutique Hotel, Moar Guesthouse
Stokksnes
The Stokksnes, also known as Vestrahorn is one of the few isolated places in Iceland. Stokksnes is situated in the distant 6 hours drive from the mainland Capital Reykjavík. The place is soothing and silent with just natural sound of the Atlantic Ocean water splashing the beach and cold wind passing through the Ice cladded mountains. For photographers Stokksnes is no less than treat with spectacular blend of different natural elements from beach in the front and sheer huge mountains in the background embellished with cloudy on the crest. The top of the mountain reaching to 454 metres, one can also opt for the hiking in the ranges.
Best Time to visit : July to August
Budget Accommodation : Sauðanes Guesthouse, Hotel Edda Höfn, Hótel Höfn, Apotek Guesthouse.
Arnastapi
Arnastapi is located in the southern side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in Iceland. Once fishing hamlet at the foot of the low Mount Stapafell, Arnastapi is now popular for Gatklettur ("Hellnar Arch") situated between the little villages Arnarstapi and Hellnar on the Peninsula. Gatklettur is almost 2 hours drive from capital Reykjavík. Once reached it can be explored from man made platform build on the side of the cliff over looking the natural basalt columns. Also, along the route to Gatklettur Arch near the bardur Snæfellsnes statue, you will find the Arnastapi Coast which is elevated high on the cliff with the sides made of basalt columns. The barely visited beautiful Arnastapi Coast look spectacular specially during the cold rainy season
Best Time to visit : June to September
Budget Accommodation : Arnarstapi Hotel, Bikers Paradise, Hotel Búdir, Við Hafið Guesthouse.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur is canyon in south eastern region of Iceland, near to Kirkjubæjarklaustur village. The Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is 100 metres in depth and spanned across 2 kms of area with little Fjaðrá river passing through the canyon. The canyon can be visited both from below the canyon alon with the Fjaðrá river or from the surface of the canyon. There are many smaller platoons peaking out from the surface over lookin the river, making you realise how small we are in this huge world. Interesting, the place was framed and recognized globally after Justin Bieber featured this beautiful landscape in his music video, also later known as Bieber Canyon.
Best Time to visit : June to October
Budget Accommodation : Hunkubakkar Guesthouse, Hotel Laki, Hrifunes Guesthouse, The holiday houses Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Reykjadalur
If Blue Lagoon Hotspring is crowded for you then Reykjadalur is somewhere you need to visit in Iceland. Reykjadalur located in the remote region filled with hotspring and mud pools. Certainly, it is not that easy to reach there because of rough terrain and little mountain saddles. However, you can rent car and drive to the spot then further climb to natural wonders surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Best Time to visit : November to February
Budget Accommodation : Hótel Örk, Eldhestar Hotel, Reykjadalur Guesthouse, Skyr Guesthouse.
Hengifoss
Hengifoss is popular waterfall in the eastern part of Iceland. Although, it is located in the remote region of Iceland, still the adventure trail and scenary it offer is eminent enough. Hengifoss is the third largest waterfall in Iceland, with height of 128 metres. Hengifoss is captivating mainly because of striking red clay in between the black basalt layers of the cliff facing the Hallormsstaðarskógur forest. The area around the Hengifoss waterfall is rough, famous for hiking among the tourists. Furthermore, you can also visit the little Litlanesfoss waterfall which is just distant walk from Hengifoss.
Best Time to visit : June to August
Budget Accommodation : Hengifoss Guesthouse, Grái Guesthouse, Hotel Hallormsstadur, Wilderness Center Hotel.
Asbyrgi Canyon
Asbyrgi Canyon is one of kind horse shoe shaped canyon, located in the north of Iceland. The cliff made of basalt columns of the Asbyrgi Canyon is 25-meter (82 ft) high, with green base spanned across 4 kms in length, which offer you with stunning landscape. The Asbyrgi Canyon is also part of Vatnajökull National Park, so you can be rest assured that you might observe many different species of creatures in the area.
Best Time to visit : June to October
Budget Accommodation : Nordic Natura, Dettifoss Guesthouse, Skúlagarður Hotel, Keldunes Hotel.
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