Iceland, which lies within the Arctic Circle, is among the most picturesque places on Earth. The country has stunning landscapes and breathtaking views. Besides, Iceland has countless natural wonders such as volatile volcanoes, huge glaciers, bubbling hot springs and amazing waterfalls.
Whether you visit during summer or winter, here are some stunning spots you should prioritize.
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon lies along the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 30 miles from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. Its closeness to the capital city makes it the perfect first stop. You need to add the Lagoon to your travel itinerary to experience the beautiful mountain views, the turquoise geothermal waters and the dazzling atmosphere. The Blue Lagoon’s water has skin-rejuvenating properties. Ensure you book before your visit to secure a spot. During your visit you can capture stunning photos at Blue Lagoon Iceland to post on your social media or to keep memories of your travel.
Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach, also Jökulsárlon Beach, is a black sand section from the vast Breiðamerkursandur glacial plain. The black sand is sprinkled with ice crystals pushed to the beach by sea waves. The surrounding landscape is even more stunning when you visit during sunrise or sunset, as the ice crystals and the black sand on the beach contrast with the orange in the sky. It is a perfect location for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Wildlife lovers will also enjoy spotting seals on the beach.
Lake Mývatn
It is a volcanic lake on the northern part of Iceland with scenic landscapes. During the summer, you can see stunning green landscapes; in the winter, you can see spectacular icy and snowy views. While in that area, consider visiting the Mývatn Nature Baths, they are manmade and have fascinating blue water sections. The waters here are cozy and warm and have healing properties.
Skógafoss Waterfall
Iceland boasts over 200 waterfalls, each depicting its beauty. Skógafoss Waterfall is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the Southern part of Iceland. It gets water and its powerful nature from the Myrdalsjokull and Eyjafjallajokull glaciers with active volcanoes. The Skógafoss Waterfall drops to a depth of 60 metres on top of cliffs previously part of the country’s coastline.
The waterfall produces a huge sound as it bangs on the black sand on its ground level. If you visit Skógafoss during summer, you can see the phenomenal double rainbows; during winter, you can witness the northern lights brighten the sky.
The Black Sands Beach
The Reynisfjara Beach on the south coast of Iceland is commonly known as the black sand beach. This world-famous black sand beach stretches from the Dyrhóleay stone to the Reynisfjara and finally to the small fishing village of Vik. The Reynisfjara Beach is captivating thanks to its caves, sea stacks and basalt columns. Although you cannot sunbathe on the black sand beach, it is the perfect destination for capturing scenic photos.
Apart from the scenic spots discussed above, you can also experience the magic of northern lights between September and April. Northern lights occur when solar particles enter the Earth’s magnetic field, and ionization occurs in the atmosphere. The northern lights appear due to the ionization, and they are usually green but can also be red, blue, orange, pink or purple.
