Despite Iceland's small size, there are a lot of beautiful cities here. There's Vik, Seydisfjordur and Vestmannaeyjar to name a few. And, if you're looking for black sand beaches, there's Reynisfjara.
Seydisfjordur
Located in the East of Iceland, Seydisfjordur is a beautiful and scenic village that offers visitors a variety of interesting attractions. Seydisfjordur is surrounded by mountains and a fjord, which makes it the perfect place for hiking and outdoor activities.
The town is full of wooden houses that have been repurposed into local businesses. These quaint timber frame houses are lined along the base of towering mountains. This combination of new buildings and old structures gives Seydisfjordur a lively atmosphere. The town has a lot of arts and culture as well. The village is a favorite for artists to retreat to during the summer.
The town is home to the iconic Blue Church. It was built in Vestdalseyri, but moved to Seydisfjordur after a storm in 1894. The church is a beautiful architectural work of art. The building is painted blue and stands on a hill.
Seydisfjordur is ideally located to see puffin colonies. Whale watching is a fun activity to do as well. Seydisfjordur is also the ideal place to experience an aurora borealis show. You can plan an aurora borealis tour with outfitters in the area.
The town is also home to the Technical Museum of East Iceland. This museum displays local heritage and technology. The museum is open from June to September. It also hosts the Blacksmith Festival each year. The festival features courses on blacksmithing and knife making.
Akureyri
Located in the North-East of Iceland, the city of Akureyri is a popular tourist destination. With an estimated population of around 18,000. It's small enough to feel quaint and cozy, and big enough to have plenty of attractions.
The main street, Hafnarstraeti, is one of the more touristy streets in Akureyri. This area has traditional Icelandic architecture, as well as modern graffiti. There are also a number of restaurants and shops.
Another popular attraction is the Akureyri Art Museum. This museum features local artworks. It's also located on Kaupvangsstraeti, or Art Street.
Another impressive site is the Akureyri Church. This Lutheran church is considered the symbol of the town. It's a dazzling piece of architecture. It features a large organ with over 3,000 pipes. It also has a ship hanging from the ceiling.
If you want to go hiking in Akureyri, the Kjarnaskogur Forest is a good place to start. It has a small lake, as well as campsites. There are also several hiking trails.
You can also visit Akureyri's Arctic Botanical Garden. This garden is one of the most northerly in the world. The garden is open year-round, so it's a great spot to visit in the spring or summer. The garden also has a cafe.
One of the best things to do in Akureyri is to take a whale watching tour. It's a fun activity, but it can get expensive. Tours include a warm overall suit, a three-hour boat trip, and a chance to see whales.
Vestmannaeyjar
Located on the southern tip of Iceland, Vik i Myrdal is a beautiful coastal town that has fascinating sights to see. The town is surrounded by glaciers and mountains and has plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. It's a great place to visit if you're looking for something a little more adventurous than the more touristy sites in Iceland.
Vik is a beautiful town with a great community. The town's main street is full of charming homes, and it has an abundance of galleries to see local art. There are also museums that show off local wildlife and flora.
A short drive away is Snaefellsnes National Park, which features a spectacular volcano and glacier. The park is also home to unique rock formations and seaside views. It's a great place for hiking, photography and other outdoor activities.
Another popular attraction in the area is the Great Geysir, which has been in operation for over ten thousand years. It's one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. The geyser erupts every half hour.
If you're interested in the history of the town, you'll want to visit the Museum of Iceland. It's located on Kaupvangsstraeti, or Art Street. You'll also want to check out the Handknitting Association of Iceland, which sells handmade knitted goods.
There are also plenty of day trip opportunities in the area. For a short hike, try to visit Helgafell, which is the highest mountain in the town. The hill is 240 feet high and offers great views. It takes about fifteen minutes to hike up to the top.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Located near the village of Vik, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Iceland. Its black sand beach and rocky cliffs are perfect for taking photos.
During the summer, the beach is a great place to spot puffins. It is also a good location for photography during sunrise and sunset. However, Reynisfjara is not a safe place to swim. It is possible to get caught in sneaker waves, which are powerful and unpredictable. Several tourists have been swept away by the sea at Reynisfjara Beach, even when they weren't aware of the dangers.
During the winter, the beach is quieter and the sun is less intense. It is best to visit Reynisfjara Black Sand beach during the early morning or in the evening.
If you are an avid photographer, you may spend a couple of hours at Reynisfjara. This is one of the most photographed places in Iceland. The columns of basalt at Reynisfjara are a great photo opportunity, but you need to be careful.
Reynisfjara is located along the southern coast of Iceland. It is easy to reach. You can use the Vik bus stop, which is only a mile away from the beach. It takes about two and a half hours to reach Reynisfjara from Reykjavik.
If you plan to swim at Reynisfjara Black Sands Beach, be sure to arrive before 10 AM. There is a lot of traffic during the morning.
Thingvellir
Located in southwestern Iceland, Thingvellir is a unique site of historical, cultural and geological importance. It is a part of the world-famous Golden Circle tourist route. It is considered the birthplace of the Icelandic nation and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Thingvellir is home to several impressive waterfalls. Oxararfoss Waterfall is located near Thingvallavatn, one of Iceland's largest natural lakes. The falls drop over 13 meters and create atmospheric clouds of spray. You can also explore the Silfra Fissure, which is a popular destination for snorkeling.
Thingvellir is located in the rift valley, where two tectonic plates are drifting apart. It is one of the few places in the world where you can stand between two continental plates.
There are several hiking trails in Thingvellir. You can take a walk through Almannagja, which is a deep gorge in Thingvellir. The trail is lined with spectacular basalt rocks. You can also hike around the area to enjoy the solitude.
Thingvellir is also home to Europe's largest panoramic waterfall. Oxararfoss Waterfall flows from river Oxara and then enters the Almannagja gorge.
Thingvellir is also the site of the ancient parliament of the Viking commonwealth. It was the place where thousands of Icelanders flocked every year during the Commonwealth period. The parliament was known as Althingi. Althingi was an annual meeting of district chiefs, where new laws were created and news was shared. Althingi was the most important regional event of the year.
Vik
Located in the southern tip of Iceland, Vik is a small coastal village with some fascinating sites to explore. If you are planning a trip to this country, be sure to include Vik on your itinerary. Here are 10 things to do in Vik, Iceland.
The Great Geysir is one of the most famous natural elements of Iceland. It is located on the edge of the Geysir Valley. It has been erupting for over 10,000 years. It is a large geyser that reaches a height of 70 meters.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is one of the most famous attractions in Vik. The beach is known for its striking black sand, pebbles and rock formations. It is the result of a prior eruption of the Kalta volcano.
Vik is also a great place to view the northern lights. If you're lucky, you might get to see a spectacular display. You can also enjoy a lava show, which is a unique experience.
If you're looking for a place to stay in Vik, look no further than Puffin Hotel. This hotel offers comfortable accommodations, including a daily buffet breakfast. It also offers laundry service, free parking and wifi.
Another great activity to try while in Vik is paragliding. A well-trained instructor will jump off the plane with you and fly you through the air for about an hour or so. The thrill is unparalleled. You can also visit nearby beaches to watch the paragliders as they slowly land.