Switzerland, France, England etc - make the cut easily into your bucket list from Europe, right? And in fact, Norway and Sweden have today managed to wriggle into the same space, perhaps on account of the beautiful phenomenon called Northern Lights. But hardly does the other Nordic sister country named Iceland makes into the same list.
Well, may be it is time for you to put your cognisance into perspective. ‘Beautiful’ is quite insufficient a word or emotion to represent Iceland.
1. Dyrholaey
A peninsula to be spotted on the southern coast, it has attributes of volcanic origin. The beauty of the place is exceptional - on the north, there is a giant glacier named Mýrdalsjökull; the east provides the awing sight of columns of lava of the Reynisdrangar that stands in the sea as if rising grandly out of the sea; and the west offers a wide window to the entire coastline in the direction of the town of Selfoss.
Its significance hides in the meaning of its name - ‘Dyrholaey’ means ‘door hill island’. The naming draws has its foundation in the fact that the arch is really huge, so much so that small airplanes as well as ships can make their ways comfortably through the arch!
2. Landmannalaugar
Have you ever seen a mountain, as uncannily beautiful as this one?
In the famous Nature Reserve of Fjallabak, there is a stunning place called Landmannalaugar that is wonderment personified. This place is located in the highlands and is close to the lava field. As a result of this, one will come across several natural geothermal hot springs. The place is also a treat for the hiking enthusiasts; in keeping with this, certain organisations have established accommodations along with toilets that are facilitated with showers too.
3. Vatnajokull
Largest of glaciers in Iceland, the Vatnajokull is a national park. It is also the largest glacier mass in Europe. Meaning ‘The River Glacier’, the glacier is so huge that it takes up 8% of the country’s landmass. This place will be a treat to you as here you can hike. Yes you heard it right, you can hike inside this glacier There is also an active volcano underneath it.
The Vatnajokull glacier also holds the record of being "World’s Longest Sight Line” with the Guinness Book of World Records. In fact, the entire stretch of the national park is a thorough delight to eyes.
4. Gullfoss
Running through Olfusa river canyon, Gullfoss waterfall is one of the key attractions in Iceland and it means ‘Golden Waterfall’. The canyon has three conspicuous terrace-like steps over which the waters flow. This waterfall attains a majestic appearance around the summer months as this is the time when the plunge is stronger. Another very interesting fact is that often clear rainbows are spotted on the crown of this waterfall.
5. Reynisfjara
The presence of black sand coupled with pebbles form an unending expanse of the basalt sea stack, a geological landform, which is what makes Reynisfjara beautiful. Associated with plenty of legends, this black sand beach, Reynisfjara is home to a world of diverse bird species including seabirds such as fulmars, puffins, and guillemots. It is indubitably one of the most uncommon of beaches to set foot on, and in fact, the entire stretch of the beach has been created out of lava rocks.
6. Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is unassailably the most beautiful and the most coveted of all the waterfalls in Iceland. As high as 60 meters, the waterfall has a picturesque cave behind it that makes it look quite a sight to behold. It actually issues out of the river Seljalands, which originates from the volcanic glacier named Eyjafjallajökull.
So what are you waiting for? Simply book a ticket and get ready for the best holiday of your life!
Author : Satarupa Hajra