Iceland：Visit the Magical Land of Ice and Fire

Home to some of the world's most incredible landscape, Iceland is full of breathtaking natural beauty, rugged mountains and huge open-spaces. The country is sparsely populated which gives a strong feeling of freedom and easy connection to nature.

1. Gullfoss (Blaskogabyggd)

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One of the most incredible sights on this isle of geographical wonders, Gullfoss is a spectacular waterfall known for its unique double diagonal drop and picturesque backdrop. The waterfall is located a short drive away from the capital city of Reykjavik and part of Iceland's famous Golden Circle route. a loop around some of the top locations near the capital.

2. Strokkur (Geysir)

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One of the most famous of Iceland's numerous geysers, Strokkur erupts on average around every five minutes, meaning visitors are pretty much guaranteed to see the geyser erupt. The waters usually reach a height of between 20-30 meters but have been known to climb even higher up to 60 meters or so. One of the popular activities for visitors is to boil eggs in the waters there, as temperatures range between 60 and 100 degrees Celsius.

3. Jokulsarlon Lagoon (Hornafjörður)

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A photographers dream, Jokulsarlon Lagoon is a lagoon formed by crystal-clear water melted from the surrounding glaciers. The lake also fills up with icebergs that fall from the mountains and wash up in the area, creating a mesmerizing view. Be sure to check out Diamond Beach that borders the lagoon, the blue-tinged icebergs contrasting against the volcanic black sand is truly a sight to behold.

4. Black Sand Beach (Vik)

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Speaking of volcanic-sand beaches, it would be a crime not to mention Reynisfjara Beach, probably the most famous of all the black-sand beaches on the island. The sand here comes from nearby Katla, a large volcano that has frequent activity. Although you won't find the diamond-esque icebergs dotted around this beach, the stark, smooth black hue and backdrop of the surrounding scenery make up for it with an unforgettable view.

5. Hallgrimskirkja (Reykjavík)

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In a city devoid of skyscrapers, Hallgrimskirkja's towering presence stands out quite clearly among its surroundings. The impressive, unique church is a must-see for anyone visiting the capital and has become an iconic symbol for the city. The exterior of the church is inspired by the basalt rock formations found all over the island. Head to the top of the bell tower for the best views around the picturesque city of Reykjavik.

6. Seljalandsfoss

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One the most famous of the falls of Iceland, Seljalandsfoss is also the tallest with water plunging 65 meters down into the pool below. Visitors usually view the waterfall from the cave behind the falls, giving it a particularly picturesque setting. The area is also home to Skogafoss, another of the island's many famous waterfalls.

7. Blue Lagoon

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This geothermal spa in the south-west of the country is famous for its milky-blue waters rich in minerals which is said to do wonders for people's skin health. The first person to bathe in its waters suffered from a skin condition called Psoriasis and told others how bathing there helped alleviated his symptoms, quickly propelling the hot spring to popularity. Studies have since confirmed the amazing properties of the spa for treating Psoriasis and the Blue Lagoon Company have started making skin-care products containing minerals found in the waters there.

8. Dettifoss Waterfall (Hólsfjallavegur)

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As the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss is not to be missed off any trip in Iceland. Almost 100,000 gallons of water pour over the edge of Dettifoss every second. With a drop of 45 meters, the falls are higher than the Statue of Liberty and the width is around 100 meters long. Dettifoss is sometimes referred to as “The Beast” by the people of Iceland, while the nearby Godafoss waterfall is referred to as “The Beauty”.

9. Godafoss (Akureyri)

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Another of Iceland's beautiful and majestic waterfalls, Godafoss also has an important place in Icelandic history. Nearly 1000 years ago Iceland almost began a civil war over whether Christianity should be introduced as the state religion. A pagan priest named Ljósvetningagoði prevented the violence by proposing a compromise where pagans could still practice. He then converted to Christianity and threw his artifacts of Iceland’s pagan religion into the waterfall.

Conclusion

As the perfect escape for anyone wanting to get in touch with earth's natural side, Iceland is a haven of magical and picturesque landscape. Apart from the incredible natural wonders found here, the country is a famous destination to check out the spectacular Northern Lights which often grace the skies of Iceland throughout the winter period. Pictures of Iceland's stunning landscape really don't do it justice, you have to see it in person to understand how magical this country really is.

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