Iceland is often called the “land of fire and ice,” due to the wide variety of local landscapes that include ancient volcanoes, rumbling waterfalls, creeping glaciers, and amazing black sand beaches. High mountains stretch toward the clouds, surrounded by hilly valleys. The sky, burning with magical northern lights, is reflected in the clear water of glacial lakes.
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to this unique North Atlantic country to see its harsh landscapes, and take photographs against the backdrop of breathtaking northern beauty. In this article we will tell you about the most interesting places in the country that are worth visiting.
1
Hroynefossar
The Hvitau River is famous for its many small waterfalls, two of which are located just a couple of steps from each other, near the town of Borgarfjordur in the western part of Iceland. The most famous of this couple is Hrujnfossar. This, in turn, is a series of waterfalls that stretch along the river for 900 meters and make their way through the rocky deposits of ancient lava. Upstream there is the more powerful Barnafoss, which rushes through the narrow cliffs with a noise, carrying tons of crystal clear water.
Legend says that two boys drowned here after they tried to cross the natural bridge, which is located above the river. Hrojnfossar, is less powerful than Barnafoss, but much more beautiful. It is beautiful at any time of the year: in autumn, the gold and copper of the surrounding trees harmoniously combine with milky blue water, and in spring and summer the bright green color of the foliage creates a strong contrast with the dark rocks around.
2
Sunsets in Westfjords
Although the country best known for its fjords is Norway, the picturesque Westfjords of the Iceland peninsula is certainly no worse. Located in the Danish Strait opposite the eastern coast of Greenland, the peninsula is connected to the Icelandic mainland by a narrow isthmus. The mountainous area is covered with rather steep hills and dozens of beautiful fjords.
The Lautrabjarg cliffs, at the westernmost point of Iceland, are the largest bird nesting on the cliffs in the North Atlantic. Entire bird populations live here, such as puffins, the national bird of Iceland.
Westfjords also has dozens of natural harbors, where in the evenings the last rays of sunlight highlight the sheer cliffs, and a red sunset is reflected in clear blue water surrounded by lush vegetation.
3
Misty Skogafoss
Skogafoss is perhaps the most fabulous waterfall in Iceland: water cascades over steep cliffs covered with mosses and lichens plunge into a green valley far below. White clouds of water spray rise from the thundering water, and if you are lucky, on sunny days you can see a huge rainbow in the air, right at the base of the waterfall. Although Skogafoss is not the tallest or largest waterfall in the world, and even in Iceland, there is something magical about it.
The magnificent landscape as if with a magnet attracts the eye. The misty waterfall creates a mysterious atmosphere enveloping the nearby lush hills of green moss and a clear bright sky above your head. It seems that everything around is saturated with magic, and magical creatures from ancient legends gathered somewhere nearby to enjoy the beauty of this place with you.
4
Askya Volcanic Lakes
Askya is a volcanic caldera located in the Dyngjufoll mountains in the central part of Iceland. There are two lakes in the calderas: the large Esquivat and the small, geothermal Viti. The milky blue color of Viti is characteristic of the volcanic waters of Iceland, this color acquires water due to the increased content of silicone in the water. Both lakes are popular tourist destinations, although they are accessible to tourists only about four months a year, from June to October.
In winter, ice and snow make it difficult to drive to Askya, and the road is closed until next summer. The volcano in the town of Askya erupted for the last time in 1961 and, according to seismologists, has recently been in a state close to the active phase. Tourists can visit the legendary canyon of dragons, as well as the volcanoes Herdyubreyd and Querkfjödl.
At most-beauty.ru you can also admire other no less beautiful volcanic lakes of the Earth.
5
Enduring Reynisdragnar
After driving about 180 km south of Reykjavik, you will find yourself in a small Icelandic village called Vic. Vic is famous for several unique natural phenomena, including black sandy beaches, the Mirdalsjokull glacier and a series of basaltic sea cliffs located under Mount Reinisfjal.
Local legend says that they are two trolls who tried to pull a 3-masted ship from the sea to the ground, but were caught by the rays of the sun at dawn and turned into stone. Surrounded by black sandy beaches and powerful surfs of the North Atlantic seas, Reynisdagnar rises majestically above the waves, not paying attention to the elements raging around.
6
Lava Fields in Landmannalauigara
Located in the mountains of Iceland, this popular tourist area is located on the edge of a lava field, and is famous for its natural geothermal hot springs and the surrounding landscape. Narrow trails lead tourists through the nearby mountains and volcanic deserts of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
The mountains are a collage of a variety of colors that reflect their composition: red tones, indicating iron deposits, bright spots of sulfur, and the black-gray color of volcanic lava and ash. The landscape is dotted with milky blue lakes, sharply contrasting with the dark shades of the mountain peaks. This is perhaps the most colorful mountains of Iceland and, of course, one of the most photographed in the country.
7
Sunset over the Jokulsadlon Ice Lagoon
Jokulsadlon is a glacial lake in southeastern Iceland, also known as the "glacial lagoon." The lake is located on top of the Breiamerkurkjokull glacier. The lake is home to many blue icebergs, pieces of ice that have broken off from the main glacier and are now slowly melting in the water.
Jokulsadlon is the deepest lake in Iceland and is considered one of the country's natural wonders. In the evenings, the setting sun is reflected in calm waters, and icebergs are painted in hot shades of sunset. The lake looks amazing during the aurora when the colorful sky, constantly changing, looks at us from the depths of the water, amazing the imagination with its indescribable beauty.
8
Northern lights over Kirkjufetl
Kirkufettle is one of the highest mountain peaks located on the Snsfallsnes peninsula in western Iceland. This area is sometimes called "Iceland in Miniature" because here you can find almost all of Iceland's most popular tourist attractions and natural wonders.
Kirkufethel looks stunning in any light, in any weather and season its magnificent appearance, perhaps, carries the whole essence of the harsh nature of Iceland. It is hard not to admire the beauty of this mountain when the aurora borealis illuminates the night velvet sky behind its peak. Most-beauty strongly advises every tourist to visit this place.
9
Winter Gulfoss
Gullfoss is one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls. The broad Hvitau River, heading south, turns sharply about a kilometer above the waterfall, and descends a curved, 3-step "staircase", breaking off into a 32-meter deep crevice. Gullfoss is part of the Golden Circle Icelandic tourist route, which is very popular among tourists and also includes visits to Heykadalur geysers.
Gullfoss rushes down, despite the low temperature, and the snowy landscape around. Fog rises from the fall of tons of cold water to the ground. Long winter nights, the powerful Gullfoss rushes through the snow and ice in the moonlight, as if cold blue blood boils in the icy heart of Iceland.
10
Colored Vatnaekul
Vatnaekul is a complex of 30 glaciers of Iceland and many small volcanoes hidden under an ice shell. The last time the eruption was here recently - in 2011. Vatnaekul ice contains many sedimentary impurities that give it a different color - from ghostly blue to deep blue.
The ice caves under the Vatnaekul glacier amaze tourists with a fabulous blue glow. Light falling on the surface of the glacier passes through a dense array of crystals of pure ice, and falling into the caves, makes their walls glow with a bright blue color. Depending on the weather and time of day, the color of the caves can vary from pale turquoise to deep purple.
11
Blue Lagoon
This is perhaps the most popular attraction in Iceland. So much has been written about her that it’s hard to say anything new about her. This is a geothermal lake, which is located 40 kilometers from Reykjavik and is open for tourists all year round. Here you can not only enjoy the beautiful views of the warm springs, but also swim in them, regardless of the time of year. Water there does not fall below +38 degrees.
Conclusion
Every tourist must visit at least some of these attractions of such a beautiful and unusual country as Iceland. We hope you find this article interesting.
Some more photos of the beautiful places of Iceland:
In the photo: Basalt rods at sunset.
In the photo: Northern Lights.
In the photo: Beautiful landscape of Iceland.
In the photo: Beautiful house in Bordafjordur.
In the photo: Beautiful girl among the Icelandic ice.
That's all! Thanks for your attention.