Iceland is famous for its breathtaking landscapes:from its volcanoes to hot water lakes, passing by its geysers and its aurora borealis. Iceland is nature in its purest form and a taste of adventure on this island close to the Arctic Circle. One of the most exotic trips in Europe.
Iceland is truly an enchanting country that offers a very wide variety of landscapes as impressive and unique as each other. Difficult to make a choice in its visits on the spot. To help and delight the visitor, a famous excursion called "The Golden Circle" allows in a single day to cover three typical sites of the country:the geysers of Geysir, the waterfall of Gulfoss, known as "the fall of or" and Thingvellir National Park located on Iceland's largest lake. If you have more time, here are the places not to miss in Iceland.
Iceland is known for its many volcanoes. That of Askja, located in the center-east of the country at 1,515 meters above sea level, is one of the most magical places in Iceland with its lunar landscapes. The volcano's caldera is filled with clear, warm blue water that forms Lake Öskjuvatn, the deepest in the country at 217 meters.
40 kilometers from the capital Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon, nestled in the heart of lava and lichen fields, is a unique tourist hotspot, also popular with Icelanders themselves. It is a place of relaxation where it is possible to swim in an artificial lake over 200 meters long with milky turquoise waters whose temperature varies from 30 to 40 degrees day and night. These waters are composed of mineral salts, silicates and algae which can treat certain skin diseases.
Iceland is the country of the most beautiful waterfalls, most often very accessible to tourists. But, 44 meters high and more than 100 meters wide, Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe with its flow rate of 500 m3 per second, is the one not to be missed. Located in the North of Iceland, this impressive waterfall, which is more easily accessible by 4x4 vehicle, is particularly visible by hiking trails which allow you to get as close as possible to the falls and to realize their power.
If there are landscapes that immediately make you think of Iceland, it is those of the fjords that this country abounds in. The fjords are valleys eroded by a glacier which offer landscapes of sea and mountain mixed. The "Vestfirðir", fjords located in the northwest of Iceland, very close to the polar circle, are the most remarkable. Accessible by winding roads, these magical landscapes are worth the detour. The cliffs of the fjords, where many colonies of birds nest, plunge very steeply into the sea where you can discover charming little fishing villages.
Geysir is one of the most famous natural sites in Iceland. Accessible very easily and very quickly from the capital, you can admire geysers in action, including the Grand Geysir, one of the most powerful geysers in the world and also the best known. It now only gushes two or three times a day, but another, the Strokkur, is just as impressive with its sprays of water expelled every 5-8 minutes at more than 20 meters in height.
The best time to go to Iceland is in July. It is at this time of the year that the night is almost non-existent, a unique experience to live. On the other hand, it is also the most touristic month.
To enter Iceland, a passport or identity card is required for European Union nationals and Swiss nationals, as well as for minors.
On the other hand, for hygienic reasons, fishing equipment entering Iceland must be disinfected and certified by a certificate from a veterinarian. Likewise, it is forbidden to bring fresh and smoked products into Iceland.
From Paris, it takes 3 hours of flight to reach Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Three airlines serve Iceland from France.
There are many means of transport to visit the interior of Iceland. The bus first which connects the most touristic sites. The car is also one of the means to discover this island. Beware, however, of the many roads that are inaccessible to standard vehicles. The plane is the safest and fastest way to get around the country, especially in winter when the roads are closed due to snow. There are also ferries to reach the small islands bordering Iceland.
Contrary to what we often imagine, it is not very cold all year round in Iceland. The average temperature is 12.5 degrees in summer and 1 degree in Reykjavik in winter. It is above all the rain and the wind that characterize the Icelandic climate.
