8 stunning photos that will make you want to visit Iceland
With bubbling geysers, vast volcanic landscapes and dramatic glaciers there’s brilliant adventures on every corner of this 100,000km2 island. Not convinced? Then just take a gander at these mind-blowing photos
1. Blue Lagoon
One of Iceland’s biggest attractions, Blue Lagoon is a mineral-rich spa 50 minutes from the capital, Reykjavík. Its waters are warmed by a nearby lava flow, making them a very bath-able 37°c.
2. Skógafoss Waterfall
This much-photographed waterfall is one of the biggest and most beautiful in Iceland. 25 metres wide, the waters plunge 60 metres into the river below, creating so much spray that single or double rainbows are a normal sight on sunny days.
3. Jökulsárlón
This lake is sat at the head of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, and at 248m, is the deepest lake in the country. Dotted with icebergs, the lake is a good place to spot seals and skuas (arctic seabirds).
4. Reynisdrangar
These eery-looking basalt sea stacks offer up drama in the bucket loads especially when the roaring Atlantic crashes against them. View them from Reynisfjara beach — its black sands (pictured) have earned it a reputation as one of the most beautiful in the world.
5. Strokkur Geyser
Blasting out 40m high jets of steaming hot water, Strokkur is one of the most famous geysers in the country. Eruptions happen every 8-10 minutes, and the surrounding region is filled with fascinating geothermal activity (think mudpools, fissures and fumaroles).
6. Sólheimajökull glacier
Riddled with crevasses, ice ridges and water cauldrons and often coated with volcanic ash, the Sólheimajökull glacier is fast-retreating (it’s shrunk a kilometre in the last decade alone) making it a stark reminder of our changing climate.
7. Thingvellir National Park
Home to the world’s oldest parliament (established in 930 AD) this park has UNESCO World Heritage Status, but is also a natural wonder, being situated on the Mid-Atlantic Rift and home to many a geological feature, including the Silfra fissure, a hotbed for scuba diving.
8. Vatnajokull Glacier
Iceland’s largest ice cap covers more than eight percent of the country, concealing several volcanoes and feeding around 30 outlet glaciers which flow into the sea.
