Locations of Interest in Iceland
A clockwise trip around Iceland is a little bit shorter than the other way around. How so? Consider it before you look at the answer here.
Take a trip around Iceland and experience the diversity and natural beauty of the island.
Below is a list of some must-see places in Iceland and links to further readings. They are displayed in a counter clockwise manner, beginning and ending in Reykjavík. Of course you can take the other way around* and/or choose some other point of departure.
Should you have any questions about locations, please post them on our facebook page (Saga Car Rental in Iceland). And please, don’t be shy to share your experience on our facebook page and tell us about your favorite location in Iceland.
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Þingvellir (Thingvellir)
Þingvellir National Park is a site of historical, cultural and geological importance. The continental drift between North American and Eurasian plates can be clearly seen in the cracks or faults that traverse the region. Alþingi, Iceland’s legislative and judicial authority was established there in 930. It is also the home of Þingvalla-vatn the largest natural lake in Iceland.
Geysir
The Great Geysir is a spouting hot spring. The English word geysir is derived from this Geysir. Eruption at Geysir can hurl boiling water up to 70 m in the air. However, eruptions are infrequent, and have stopped altogether for years at a time. However, the area is worth visiting because of another smaller hot spring called Strokkur, just a few steps away from Geysir. It erupts every 5-10 minutes forcing 120°C hot water 15-20 m into the air.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is a beautiful waterfall located in the canyon of Hvítá river in south of Iceland. The waterfall is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland.
Vestmannaeyjar
Vestmannaeyjar is a group of small islands close to the south coast of Iceland. Heimaey is the largest island and the only habited. It is known for its natural beauty and the volcanic eruption in 1973 where all habitants were rescued over night in an historical event. It is also famous for its yearly festival held over three days during the bank holiday weekend in the beginning of August. The festival is called Þjóðhátíð (Thjodhatid) and was originally held in 1874 to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the settlement of Iceland.
Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar is located in the southern section of Iceland´s highlands near the volcano Hekla. The area contains natural geothermal hot springs very popular for bathing. The area displays a number of unusual geological elements, like multicolored rhyolite mountains and expansive lava fields. The road to Landmannalaugar is usually open from June to September and during that time it is very popular among hikers.
Eyjafjallajökull/Fimmvörðuháls
Eruptions are rather frequent in Iceland and although they can be disruptive of day to day life they are almost always accessible and fascinating. Iceland has more than 200 volcanoes and over the course of the last five hundred years these volcanoes have spewed out one third of the Earth‘s total lava! When a volcano in Iceland erupts it is a once in a lifetime experience for the thousands of tourists that use the opportunity to see one of the Earth’s greatest spectacles. Remember though to seek professional guidance as a volcanic eruption can obviously be dangerous if necessary precautions are not taken.
Skaftafell
Skaftafell is part of Vatnajökull National Park, an area of about 4807 km2. The landscape is formed by glacier, rivers and volcanic eruptions. The climate is agreeable and the number of sunny days is above average in south-Iceland. Natural birch wood thrives in the area as well as a rich fauna of birds and arctic foxes. An information center and camping ground is located in the park and many hiking trails can be found there.
Jökulsárlón (Jokulsarlon)
Jökulsárlón is the best known and accessible glacial lake in Iceland. It appeared first in 1934-1935 but now it is at least 18 km2 because of the heavy melting of the glacier. The lake is separated from the sea by only a very short distance and the short glacial river brings icebergs down to the shore to melt.
Þórshöfn (Thorshofn)
Þórshöfn (Thorshofn) is a small village in northeast Iceland, located on the northern coast of the Langanes peninsula on the Þistilfjörður bay. The village has a population of 400 to 500 people, who mainly base their livelihood on fishing, fish processing and commerce. The story goes that the God of thunder, Thor, put down his hammer there, and therefrom the town got its name. The first house was built in Thorshofn in 1902 and it is still standing at Fjarðarvegur 14.
Dettifoss
Dettifoss is a waterfall in northeastern Iceland and is a part of Jökulsár- gljúfur National Park. It is situated on the great Jökulsá á Fjöllum river. The waterfall is 100 m wide and has a drop of 44 m down to the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. It is the largest waterfall in Europe in terms of volume discharge, having an average water flow of 200 m3 per second.
Mývatn (Myvatn)
The Mývatn-Laxá Nature Conservation Area is a wetland protected as a nature reserve. Mývatn is a shallow eutophic lake exceptionally rich of water bird fauna, especially ducks. The effluent river Laxá is known for its fishing, especially of Brown Trout and Atlantic Salmon.The landscape is dominated by volcanic landforms, including lava pillars and rootless vents.
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest urban area in Iceland outside the capital area. The area has a relatively warm climate due to geographical factors. The town has the world´s northernmost botanical gardens and an 18-hole golf course. Akureyri has a robust cultural scene, with several bars and restaurants. During the summer, Akureyri and surroundings hosts many festivals, for example a mediaeval festival and International Music Festival.
Ísafjörður (Isafjordur)
Ísafjörður is the largest town in the peninsula of Vestfirðir. It contains the largest collection of old timber frame houses in Iceland dating from the 18th century. It is also known for its cultural atmosphere, annual music festivals and cultural centers.
Látrabjarg (Latrabjarg)
Látrabjarg is the western-most part of Europe. It is a great bird cliff, 14 km long and up to 440 m high. It is one of the most densely populated bird colonies in the world, occupied by millions of seabirds like Puffins and Razorbill.
Flatey
Flatey is the second largest island in Breiðafjörður located in western Iceland. The habitation is seasonal and mostly limited to the summer. Flatey has a small village from late 19th and early 20th century. Situated in Flatey is also the oldest and smallest library in Iceland. The library was once the home to the Flatey Book, the largest and most valuable mediaeval manuscript of the Icelandic sagas.
Snæfellsjökull (Snaefellsjokull)
Snæfellsjökull is situated on the most western part of the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It is a volcano covered with glacier. It is famous due to the novel A journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne and is also considered to be a source of supernatural energy. The mountain is included in the Snæfellsjökull National Park.
A clockwise trip around Iceland is a little bit shorter than the other way around. How so?
Answer:
Like most countries in Europe and North-America, Iceland has right-hand traffic. If you keep your vehicle on the right side of the road most of the time - as you should - you drive on the inner circle while driving clockwise around the country. Theoretically, the inner circle has a shorter radius and is therefore shorter. Sounds reasonable?
