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Country Guide > Europe > Iceland | |
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Introduction Only the coastal regions of Iceland are inhabited. Probably the best way to enjoy the tourist attractions is to take one of the coach tours arranged all over the island and use the coastal towns as a base. The main fjord areas are in the far northwest and southeast while along the southern coastline are sandy beaches, farmlands, waterfalls and glaciers. The central region consists of spectacular highland plateaux, volcanoes, glaciers and mountains. Waterfalls abound in Iceland and, with the many glacial streams and rivers in the country, are among the largest in Europe. Gullfoss – the ‘Golden Waterfall’ – near Geysir, is one of the prime tourist destinations. Reykjavík is the world’s most northerly capital (although Nuuk in Greenland runs a close second). The city was named after a geothermal stream and actually means ‘Smoky Bay’. It is set on a broad bay, surrounded by mountains, and is in an area of geothermal hot springs providing it with a natural central heating system and pollution-free environment. The city has a wonderful mix of natural beauty and lively sophistication. There are plenty of parks and wild outdoor areas for hiking, walking and exploring, but enough nightlife, shopping and museums to keep the chic city-dweller happy. Reykjavík is a busy city of around 100,000 inhabitants, with a combination of old-fashioned wooden architecture and modern buildings. There are many nightclubs, cafes, art galleries and museums as well as numerous bookshops selling books in English, German and Icelandic. Icelanders are said to be among the most prolific readers and writers in the world, and literature plays an important part in Icelandic culture and history. The Icelandic Sagas, the oldest of which was written in AD 930 as a chronicle of Iceland’s history, are still very much alive in Iceland today. The language used over 1000 years ago in the sagas remains virtually unchanged. 50km outside Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon is a unique natural pool of mineral-rich geothermal water located in the middle of a lava field in the Icelandic wilderness. Known for its special properties and beneficial effect on the skin, the warm waters of the lagoon – approximately 35˚C (90˚F) all year round – are one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions. Another natural spring is Krysuvik. Flights can be booked to visit the Westmann Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) off the south coast, and Heimaey. This is a great place for birdwatchers (see Sport & Activities section). There are also trips to the hot springs and geysers close to the capital. Also to be found in the south of Iceland is þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss (Golden Falls) and Geysir, with its geothermal fields and views of the active volcano Mount Hekla. There are also charming villages in the south, such as Stokkseyri and Eyrarbakki, where visitors can see beautifully preserved old houses and the village of Vik, which is a base for cruises through Dyrholaey cliff. A number of companies operate daily excursions from Reykjavík throughout the southwestern part of Iceland as well as city sightseeing tours and special itineraries. For further details, contact the Icelandic Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). There are coach trips from Reykjavík to visit the small fishing villages and towns along the fjords in the northwest: Holmavik, Isafjördur, Kroksfardarnes, Korksfjaroarnes and Orlygshofn. This area of Iceland is full of lava formations and geothermal activity. There is some fine woodland, lakes and rivers, as well as breathtaking chasms and waterfalls, overlooked by glaciers. Iceland’s highest waterfall, Glymir, is found here. A replica Viking Age farmstead is located in Eiriksstaoir – birthplace of Leif the Lucky, who discovered America in AD 1000. Isafjörður is the region’s main town and it has plenty of social and cultural facilities, as well as being a starting point for tours of the region. Travelling around this area, the road takes you over mountain passes between each new fjord, stopping at Iceland’s only whaling station, the Museum of Farm Implements and Fishing Equipment between Orlygshofn and Isafjörður and the Dynjandi Waterfall. Accommodation on these trips is in community centres and schools for those with sleeping bags. A number of Icelandic tour companies operate ‘safaris’ in specially constructed overland buses into the mountainous interior. These are camping tours, and tents are provided. Sleeping bags can be bought or hired. Visitors are advised to take warm clothing, hiking shoes, rubber boots and swimsuits for bathing in the warm pools. The tours go through lava beds, sandy deserts and barren wilderness, passing glacial lakes with floating icebergs, glaciers, vast icefields, mountain ranges, crevasses and extinct volcanoes, and the Skaftafell National Park. Akureyri is the country’s second most important town and is the commercial centre of a mainly agricultural region. There are museums of folklore and natural history in the town itself and coach tours to visit Lake Myvatn, an important bird sanctuary with many rare species, surrounded by lava formations, volcanoes and craters. It has been designated as Iceland’s winter sports centre (see Sport & Activities section). Nordair offers a midnight sun trip flight to Grimsey, an offshore island which is within the Arctic Circle. Other places within easy reach of Akureyri include Dimmuborgir, the Dettifoss and Godafoss waterfalls and the Myvatn district, where there are hot pools for bathing. The temperature of some of these pools is now too high for bathing, but others are still usable. On Skjalfandi Bay lies the town of Husavik, which is becoming Europe’s main whale watching centre. The district of Skagafjorður is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with glacial rivers, highlands, lush green valleys and mountains. It is, not surprisingly, a very popular area for river rafting (see Sport & Activities section). The main town in this region is Sauðarkrokur. This is an area of increasing tourist development. From Höfn, a fishing village on the southeast coast, sightseeing trips leave for Jokullon, a river lake at the mouth of the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull. Höfn is the main starting point for trips to the nearby glacier and visitors can indulge in ice-climbing, skiing, riding snow scooters and hiking. Höfn’s multimedia Glacier Centre gives information about the geology, formation, history and potential of glaciers. Also on the edge of this region is the scenically stunning Skaftafell National Park (see Central Highlands section above). It is made up of woodlands and black mountains and a sheer white glacier lying in the shadow of Hvannadalshnukur, the country’s highest peak. |