Iceland is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning natural landscapes, geothermal wonders, and unique cultural experiences. Here are the 10 most visited tourist destinations in Iceland:
1. Capital Region
Greater Reykjavk or the Capital Region refers to the city of Reykjavk and the six adjacent municipalities. It is the largest urban area in Iceland and functions as a gateway to most of the country’s major attractions, making it the most visited destination in Iceland. The city has all the modern conveniences required for urban living. It is renowned for its weekend nightlife, including its bars, clubs, cafés, restaurants, and shopping centers. These New Year’s Eve celebrations are world-renowned. The Blue Lagoon, a number of museums, historical buildings, and churches, among others, are readily accessible from Reykjavk.
2. Geysir/Gullfoss
Geysir and Gullfoss are two of Iceland’s most popular natural attractions. Geysir is a geyser in southwest Iceland’s Haukadalur region. The geyser’s eruptions can propel scalding water as high as 70 meters into the air. The Gullfoss waterfall is located in the canyon of the Hvtá river. Just one kilometer before the falls, the broad Hvtá river makes a sharp right turn and flows into a curved three-step “staircase” before plunging in two phases into a 32-meter-deep chasm. It is 20 meters broad and 2.5 kilometers long. Consequently, as one approaches the waterfall, the border is obscured. It appears to the observer that the river has vanished into the soil.
3. Þingvellir
ingvellir is a national park in the Bláskógabygg municipality in southwest Iceland. It is approximately 40 kilometers from the capital city, Reykjavk. ingvellir is a popular tourist destination in Iceland due to its historical, geological, and cultural significance. The park is part of a rift valley that represents the tectonic plate boundary between Eurasia and North America. In 2004, ingvellir was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park of ingvellir offers scuba diving at Silfra Lake and hiking and camping at designated locations. ingvellir National Park is home to a variety of cultural and historical attractions. These include the Gulating, one of the earliest legislative assemblies in Norway, as well as the Jamtamót, the Lgting, and the Tynwald, among others.
4. Vík
Vik is the most southern municipality in Iceland, located approximately 180 kilometers southeast of Reykjavik. “Islands Magazine” has ranked the shoreline at Vik as one of the world’s ten most beautiful. The cliffs to the west of the shoreline provide a habitat for numerous species of seabirds, including puffins. On the shore, there are memorials to sailors who drowned as a result of the violent and stormy sea conditions.
5. Skógar
Skógar, a small Icelandic town with a population of about 25, is one of the most visited locations in Iceland. The settlement is situated in the Rangáring eystra, south of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier. The village is best known for the 60-meter-high Skógafoss waterfall on the Skógá river, which plunges from the summit of an eroded cliff. The village also houses a folk museum that is accessible daily throughout the year, as well as a museum dedicated to Icelandic transportation. The magnificent Kvernufoss waterfall is also located close to the Icelandic village.
6. Jökulsárlón (glacier lagoon)
Jokulsárlón is an enormous glacial lake on the southeastern Icelandic border of Vatnajokull National Park. Before the retreat of the Breiamerkurjokull glacier, the lake was a portion of its snout. The lake is located 1.5 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean and has an area of 18 square kilometers. At the Jokulsárlón, scenes from several Hollywood blockbusters, including Die Another Day, A View to a Kill, Batman Begins, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, were filmed. The lagoon is teeming with fish that drift in during high tides. A significant number of seals and seabirds can be observed here. Jokulsárlón boat excursions are extremely popular among tourists visiting the location.
7. Skaftafell
Skaftafell is a protected territory within Vatnajokull National Park in southeastern Iceland. The region is renowned for its moderate climate and sunny summer days. Skaftafell is home to a visitor center, a campground, and numerous hiking pathways. Here, the Svartifoss (Black Fall) is a well-known waterfall. The region’s landscape is characterized by dramatic contrasts, including jagged mountains, glacier tongues, rivers, valleys, and forests. Skaftafell is home to numerous species of birds, including the redwing, golden plover, meadow pipit, and wren. Only the arctic fox, the mink, and the field mouse are found here.
8. Akureyri
Akureyri, the second most populous urban district in Iceland, is a popular tourist destination. It became a significant port and fishing center in Iceland. Akureyri’s relatively temperate climate and ice-free harbor make it a suitable location for the Icelandic tourism industry. The city has a diverse culture, and it was here that the Icelandic folk dance “Vefarinn” originated. Folk culture is prevalent in this area, and numerous cultural festivals are conducted during the summer. Additionally, Akureyri is home to one of Iceland’s greatest libraries. There are numerous museums, churches, and a botanical garden in this area.
9. Mývatn
Mvatn is a shallow eutrophic lake located in a region of active volcanism close to the Krafla volcano in northern Iceland. The lake is renowned for its exceptional abundance of avifauna, particularly waterbirds. A basaltic volcanic eruption occurred about 2,300 years ago and resulted in the formation of the lake. Volcanic characteristics, such as rootless vents and lava columns, are prevalent in the surrounding landscape. Because the lake is nourished by nutrient-rich springwater, it has a large population of aquatic insects, which attracts a great number of waterbirds. The majority of animals are migratory by nature. The tufted duck, the red-breasted merganser, the mallard, the common scoter, the Barrow’s goldeneye, etc. can be found here.
10. Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is among the most renowned tourist destinations in Iceland. It is a geothermal spa located in the Reykjanes Peninsula’s Grindavk volcanic field. It is approximately 39 kilometers from the capital city of Reykjavik. The balmy waters of the Blue Lagoon contain a high concentration of sulfur and silica, and it is believed that bathing in these waters can cure skin conditions such as psoriasis. The water released from the Svartsengi geothermal power facility feeds the man-made lagoon. The authorities adhere to a stringent code of hygiene, and guests are required to shower prior to bathing. The underground geological strata contribute to the lagoon’s abundant mineral content.
What is the most visited place in Iceland?
Golden Ring. The so-called Golden Circle is by far the most popular tourist attraction in Iceland. The Golden Circle, formerly known as the Golden Triangle, is comprised of three primary locations: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and the Geysir area with the extremely active Strokkur geyser.
What attracts visitors to Iceland?
Iceland, the least populous country in Europe, is home to immense expanses of unspoiled wilderness and wide-open spaces. Abundant natural beauty abounds at every turn, with scenery unparalleled anywhere else. Also among the top reasons to visit Iceland are the extremely hospitable people and the peaceful nation.
How many tourists visited Iceland?
In 2022, there were just over 1,7 million foreign overnight visitors to Iceland, a 146% increase from 2021, when there were only about 700 thousand.