Tourism in Iceland: travel, attractions, popular places for recreation

There is an amazing island in the north of the Atlantic Ocean, on which such a number of natural attractions are collected, that it could be fully declared the property of UNESCO. The island state of Iceland stretches over an area of just over 103 thousand km ² , some of which are occupied by volcanoes, geysers, lakes, forests and waterfalls.

Since it is a maritime country, the main industries that generate revenue for the state are the fishing and processing industry.

People live along the coast, thanks to which a trip to Iceland allows to save time for its full study.

The capital of Iceland

Reykjavik is the most northern capital of the country in Europe and home to most of the country's population. The city was founded by Vikings Ingolf Anarsson in 874, who, after appealing to the gods with a request to indicate where to build a new settlement, threw 2 sticks into the water. Where they got to the shore, the first farm that became the base of Reykjavik grew there.

The hot springs that surround the city became the reason for its name, which in translation from Icelandic means "smoking bay". There are several features of the capital, which distinguish it among others:

• First, the city is recognized as the cleanest on the planet, and this is due to the fact that there is not a single production in it. As the guests of the city note, the air there is so clean that people who have come from large megacities and industrial regions are dizzy.
• Secondly, in 2000 it was recognized as the most cultural capital in the world by definition of UNESCO.
• Thirdly, the residents of the city are so used to honesty and honesty of each other that they do not close the doors of houses and cars.
• Fourthly, this is the only city on the planet where the parliament existed for more than 1000 years and did not disband during periods of wars or crises.
• Fifth, the weather in Iceland, namely in Reykjavik, has a sightseeing experience without fuss and fainting from heat strokes or freezing. In the hottest summer day, the temperature rarely rises above +15, and in winter the average is -6 degrees.

This is not all the distinctive features of the city. For example, its old architecture - it's often converted farmhouses with household buildings, of which made shops, bars and museums. To feel its beauty, purity and originality, you can find out what tours to Iceland tour operators offer, and buy those where Reykjavik is given maximum attention.

National parks of the country

In Iceland, three national parks, one of which - Tingvetlir - is on the list of natural treasures of the world recognized by UNESCO. Although it is the oldest in the country, its area is only 5000 hectares. Next to it - the youngest natural park of Vatnayöküld, which was organized in 2008, seems to be a giant. It occupies 12% of the island's area and is the largest in Europe.

Travelers who prefer ecotourism to all other beauties of the world (Iceland has something to boast about in this regard), it is necessary to visit here. The most famous object of the park is its eponymous glacier. Its dimensions are amazing. It covers an area of 8100 km ² , and its thickness varies from 400 m to 1 km.

The most amazing thing is that 7 volcanoes still work under it, which make it "cry", as a result of which amazing caves with hot springs and lakes located on the surface are formed. A trip to Iceland is unlikely to be forgotten if you swim in one of the underground sources, as the local population does.

The third national park is in the west of the island and has a difficult-to-pronounce name Sneifeldsjöküldl. This is also a glacier, but much smaller. Not only he is interesting, but also the villages that are near him sheltered. To see the real fishing village, which has preserved the old traditions, visit the open-air museum, go fishing together with local fishermen, eat dishes from the freshest seafood in local restaurants - these are the kinds of tours Iceland choose active people.

Blue Lagoon

Another natural phenomenon that has no equal in Europe is the Blue Lagoon geothermal complex. Water of azure color, smoking steam over it, equipped wooden platforms, bridges, stairs to the source and emerald frame from the growing moss on the bank - all this makes the rest truly unforgettable.

The source water has medicinal and antibacterial properties, it has a good effect on immunity, it contains silicon, quartz and microelements from algae. The resort is open all year round, as the source temperature is always +16 ⁰ or higher.

It is important to remember that visiting many natural objects of the country is paid, so you should know the prices in advance. In Iceland, there are hundreds of thousands of people every year, and visiting hot springs brings a good income to the country. For example, the entrance to the Blue Lagoon for an adult costs 30 euros. For children under 13 years - free of charge, for the disabled and teenagers from 14 to 18 years, a 50% discount is given.

Famous volcanoes

Often operators, offering tours to Iceland, advertise it as a country of ice and fire, and in general it's true. Part of the country is covered by glaciers, and the other - by active and extinct volcanoes. There are some famous people among them.

Eyyafyadlyayukudl awaits visitors in the southern part of the country with an unpronounceable name. Its height is 1666 m, and the crater in diameter reaches 4 km.

For 200 years this giant slept. During this time, it was covered with a glacier, until its activities began in 2009, which lasted until May 2010. During the eruption of the volcano, hundreds of thousands of tremors were noted. For example, in March, only one day they counted 3000 with a power of 1-2 points.

The Eyjafjallajökull volcano immediately became famous, as its 3 eruptions, which occurred with some interruption, threw ash at a height of 8 to 13 km, which meant that it hit the stratosphere. All flights in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and parts of the UK were suspended, for example, only on April 15, 2010, in total, 6000 flights were canceled in these countries.

Today Eyyafyadlyayukudl is a tourist attraction, which is offered to visit many tours to Iceland. Particularly impressive is the helicopter flight over its crater.

No less popular with tourists is the volcano Lucky, which consists of 115 one after another for as many as 25 km of craters. Some of them are active, others have been sleeping for more than one hundred years. The most famous of his eruptions was the "explosion" of 1783-1784. He destroyed 20% of the country's population, almost all livestock. Due to the release of gases and ash in Europe, there was a famine. Today it is visited by 8000 people a year, making a jeep tour. You can choose such trips to Iceland, although you should remember the safety when visiting such places and be sure to use the services of a guide or guide. For the safety of both volcanoes and people, the Icelanders specially equipped the trails with decking, from which it is better not to go.

Waterfalls

Tourism of Iceland is connected, first of all, with the natural attractions of this country, and waterfalls are one of their manifestations. There are so many of them that not all have names. Iceland is the most beautiful in summer when glaciers begin to melt, and the water flows increase significantly, which affects the power and beauty of the waterfalls.

The most famous of them - Güdlfoss - consists of two steps, one of which has a height of 21 m, and the other - 11 meters. There is evidence that once it wanted to build a hydroelectric power station, and the legend that the daughter of the engineer Toumas threatened to rush into his waters if his father destroys this natural beauty.

It is not known what prevented people from disfiguring this natural object, but today thousands of people come to stand on the viewing platforms near this majestic miracle and enjoy its power.

For those who travel in Iceland by car, there is a unique opportunity to live near such a miracle. Scougafoss waterfall overthrows its waters from a 60-meter height, and near it is a camping site where you can sit comfortably to admire the stunning views of this handsome man.

Tourism in Iceland is famous for its extreme, which is so often not enough for people in everyday life. Visiting the 196-meter Gliemur waterfall is a vivid example. This natural wonder has a natural arch on one of its steps, and next to it there are caves, which visit provide for some trips to Iceland. Travel to this natural beauty will cost an average of 70 euros, this amount also includes visiting extinct volcanoes.

The rivers of Iceland

Once in this country there are waterfalls, hence, there are rivers that give birth to them. They are absolutely unsuitable for navigation, since they have countless number of rapids, but are a real joy and a test for rafting enthusiasts. This sport is one of the most popular in Iceland.

The longest in the country are rivers with difficult-to-pronounce names - Tjoorsau (230 km) and Jökülsau-Au-Fjödlüm (206 km). Their origin they take in glaciers, and if the first enters the Atlantic Ocean, the second - in the Greenland Sea.

When tourists think about what to see in Iceland, one of the interesting events will be visiting the Elfusau River, which is famous for its width at the confluence of the Atlantic. It reaches 5 km, which makes it the most full-flowing and salmon-rich river in the country. Its spills are a truly majestic and often dangerous natural phenomenon.

Resorts in Iceland

Tourism in Iceland has nothing to do with the understanding of the word "resort", to which travelers have become accustomed. There are no beaches with hot sand and warm sea, but still thousands of people go here every year to spend time at local resorts and improve their health.

All of them are connected with thermal springs, which, like nothing else, perfectly influence the human body, launching programs for self-healing and enhancing immunity.

Western Iceland is most popular due to the huge number of attractions. Here there are mountains whose air has an invigorating effect on visitors, and geysers, and glaciers, and forests, and lakes full of fish, and bird markets, and geothermal springs, and whales. The latter is the western part of the country was chosen for rest and food.

If the weather in Iceland allows, then travelers are waiting for Langisandur - a golden beach. Located in the west, the most ancient settlement of the country Reykholt is famous for its outstanding sons. Here lived and created Snorri Sturluson, who in the 13th century wrote the most famous sagas of Iceland. Once in these parts lived the great Vikings, whose exploits are immortalized in the history of the Icelandic people. Here you can find a diverse tourist community - climbers, fishing enthusiasts and those who like to study the fjords and admire their beauty.

Customs of the country and people

To fully appreciate the beauty of this country and its traditions, it is required to know when Iceland is most hospitable. The season for tourism here is from July to October. It was during this period that the island is warm, less damp and pass all the famous festivals and national holidays of the country.

And what will help to better know Icelanders, how not to participate in one of the festivals? Musical meetings are especially popular. If earlier it was mainly folklore groups, then in 1980, for example, in Reykjavik, Iceland Airwaves and jazz festivals Reykjavik Jazz Festival began to be held.

Traditionally, all Icelanders know how to knit, even men. Their traditional sweaters and wool sweaters are still considered to be warm themselves and are popular all over the world.

The peculiarity of the people of this country is their friendliness to foreigners with complete internal closeness. It is difficult to obtain citizenship, and emigrants must change their name to the traditional Icelandic.

Like hundreds of years ago, they lead a quiet life, rarely leave their country, and even to their own sights are more indifferent.

Hotels and cuisine in Iceland

Follow to know that the prices in Iceland are high compared to other European routes. Here and excursions, and souvenirs, and food, and housing - everything is quite expensive. If you choose hotels in Iceland, the cost of living in them depends on the location. In the capital, it will be from 3000 to 12000 rubles. Per day, in other cities - from 2000 to 11,600 rubles. per day. Cheaper room will cost a local, which can be rented on the Internet.

Iceland's traditional cuisine can be tasted in any cafe and restaurant, as they prefer to treat guests with hearty and simple food, but if you want you can find here Asian food and fast food. The most popular dishes are from shark and whale meat, lamb, dried fish with special sauces, and from sweet - buns.

Amazing facts about Iceland

This country can surprise even experienced travelers:

• Many tourists mistakenly think that Iceland "dies out" in the winter from the cold, but in fact in the inhabited part of the country the temperature seldom falls below -6 degrees.
• Residents of the country have no surnames, but simply add the name of the father to the name with the end of the son of the boys or daughter for the girl.
• Each Icelander, except for the main profession, develops a creative specialty, such as a designer or an artist.
• The Icelandic language has not changed for more than 1000 years.

This country is created to surprise, therefore it is worth changing the next warm coast to its cold and unique beauty.