While talking about nature tourism, several places come to mind, and Iceland is one first. Hot springs, geysers, and active volcanoes attract millions of people to the land of ice. Those people know that they will find something unique and beautiful in Iceland. Some people prefer to visit the country and decide which places to visit only afterward. Of course, it can be adventurous, but preparing a travel itinerary is more beneficial. What are some tourist attractions in Iceland? If you want to travel to Iceland and look for top tourist attractions in Iceland, you are in the right place. So, take your seat and enjoy virtual travel to Iceland.
Iceland Visa
.jpg)
Before the tourist attractions in Iceland, we should learn some basics about the country's visa policy. Do I need a visa to travel to Iceland? If you are not from one of the visa-free countries, you should obtain a visa. Depending on the purpose of the visit, you can choose one of these types: • Schengen Visa. Iceland is a Schengen area country. So, you should apply for a Schengen Visa to visit the country for the short term. During the application, you will present some documents, pay the charge and wait for processing time. The application fee for Schengen Visas is 80 EURO (some nationalities and people with disabilities can benefit from discounts). You will be able to stay in Iceland for a maximum of 90 days per six months. • Long-term Visa Purposes like working, education, and family reunion give you a chance to stay in the country for more than 90 days. Unlike short-term visas, visa-waiver nationalities also need to apply for a long-term visa. It will make you a potential resident and create a chance for residency. You need to pay 80-100 USD and wait for almost two months to get this chance. • Transit Visa This visa permits you to stay in the international transit area during flights without access to the national territory. If you want to leave the international transit area, you should apply for a Schengen Visa. Go to the "Services" section on our website to get more detailed information about the visas to Iceland.
Reykjavik
While looking at Iceland tourist attractions map in detail, the first place that attracted my attention was Reykjavik because it is an area where people can observe giant whales. Several tours give you this opportunity. Thankfully, tour leaders say that the chance of seeing a whale is very high (80-95%). It means that there is no need to be lucky to see a whale. When is the best time to travel? Whales are there year-round. So, you can visit whenever you want. But most people agree that summer is the best season for visiting one of the top tourist attractions in Iceland. Besides, you can join other ocean tours to watch birds or visit islands.
Aurora Borealis (Iceland tourist attractions)
Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights (as most of you know) is one of the best tourist attractions in Iceland. Auroras are linked to the flow of ions coming from the sun, and Earth's magnetic field catches those particles. After that, those particles collide with atmospheric molecules, resulting in an energy burst. Where to watch the Northern Lights? There are several places to watch the Aurora Borealis. As millions of people travel here just because of watching the Northern lights, hotels, and hostels provide additional services. Hotels prepare specific lists and write names of customers who want to be awakened when the lights appear. So, you don't need to wait for lights for hours. On the other hand, some people think that it is much more fun to wait for them on your own.
Landmannalaugar National Park
What are some tourist attractions in Iceland? Another spot that we can add to the list is Landmannalaugar National Park. It is an excellent destination for hiking and horse riding experience in Iceland. The national park covers quite a vast area. So, your journey may last for several days. Some worth mentioning places on the route are fields of lava, rhyolite mountains, Hekla volcano, etc. When is the best time for hiking? The period between June and September is the best time for hiking. Also, there is a mountain lodge to stay in during the voyage, but it would be better to book your place in advance because there are just 75 available rooms.
Vatnajokull National Park
Travel to the South part of Iceland, and you will find a gate to another world. Mesmerizing ice caves, glaciers, and other features make the Vatnajokull National Park seem straight out of fairy tales. It is interesting to note that the travel itinerary varies depending on the travel season. Tourist attractions such as Skriouklaustur and Jokulsargljufur are not available in winter. On the other hand, Skaftafell Ice Cave and Hofn are open for guests year-round. Although Skaftafell Ice Cave is always available, most people advise visiting the cave after heavy rain in winter. If you feel ready enough and want some adventure, you can participate in glacial cracks and caves tours.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
An ancient story tells that the black sands on the beach are the remains of trolls that turned into ash when the sun rose. Thankfully, there is no troll now, and you can freely visit the beach. Of course, it is just a tale to make the beach more interesting. There are plenty of beaches in Iceland, but Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is unique. Thanks to its black sands, the beach has worldwide fame. Probably most of you saw it on the internet or in movies like Star Wars. Although there are not any trolls, you will see some animals, such as guillemots, fulmars, seabirds, and so on. How to travel to the area? There are two ways to reach the beach. You can rent a car to travel here on your own (it lasts 2.5 hours from Reykjavik). Another way is to join a tour and visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach as one of the trip's stops.
Myvatn Nature Reserve
One place on an Iceland tourist attractions map will make nature lovers have goosebumps. The name of that area is Myvatn Nature Reserve. The area was formed due to a gigantic lava eruption almost 2500 years ago. Even now, the area is volcanically active. If it is interesting for you, the name of the nature reserve originated from prolific midges, and the word "Myvatn" means "midge-water." Rich biodiversity and the famous Myvatn Lake are the main features of the spot. Most people come here to observe birds because the Myvatn Nature Reserve is a home for a wide range of bird kinds. It is not surprising that people call the area "the paradise of bird watchers."
Akureyri
Although it is small and has only an 18000 population (roughly), it is one of the country's most unique and exciting towns. The town of Akureyri is north of Iceland, 40 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. The weather is quite warm in summer and reaches 25 degrees. On the other hand, winters are extremely cold and dominated by snowfalls. The winter is the best time to travel to Akureyri because the town has one of the best skiing areas in the country. The town is quite isolated, but it doesn't mean it is boring here. The traditional lifestyle of people, local culture, and the cuisine will not let you feel bored for a second. Moreover, there are some museums that you can visit, such as Akureyri Museum and the Aviation Museum. After visiting it, you will understand Akureyri should be among Iceland tourist attractions.
Mount Esja
Another popular hiking trail among visitors of the country is Mount Esja. Hiking to 914 meters high mountain may seem challenging for inexperienced hikers, but there is no need to worry. The trail has suitable paths for all experience levels. So, you can join the journey without any fear. The only thing you need is to prepare your backpack and wear comfortable shoes. There are several routes to reach the mountain's peak, and you can prefer whichever you want. Keep in mind that some of them may require more energy and time.
Where to stay in Iceland for main tourist attractions?
Finally, I would like to answer this question: where to stay in Iceland for main tourist attractions? I can say that the country's capital, Reykjavik, is the best place to stay. First, finding an appropriate accommodation is effortless. Secondly, you can find transport to any part of the country from here. Thirdly, you can explore the most populated and largest city of Iceland. Several days will be enough to discover or worth-visiting spots of the city. After that, you can extend your travel route.
