Why Travel to Iceland?

In this article, I will help you answer the question, "Why travel to Iceland?"  You may have never asked yourself this question before reading the title, but follow me to find out what you can experience in this northern adventure.

Iceland has become a destination for many tourists for many years. Despite its size, the island can make you feel tiny with its natural grandeur and get new things for your brain to witness.

It is one of the safest places in the world, with one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Not only that, but it has some of the purest water to drink and air to breathe!

Iceland, a Nordic island nation in the North Atlantic, offers a journey to an almost mythological land where nature reigns supreme and a striving culture weaves stories of its resilient people.

As soon as you step off the plane, the country welcomes you with its icy winds, and gradually you begin to feel a unique energy—a good fear mixed with happiness—that will accompany you throughout the trip.

Before I tell you more about it and why I think everyone should embark on their Icelandic adventure, here are the main themes, divided by what I consider to be the main points of the trip:

• 1. Nature
• 1.1 Fantasy Horizons
• 1.2 Skies Like No Where Else
• 2. Culture
• 2.1 Culinary Roller Coaster
• 2.2 People in the Land of Ice and Fire

The main reason that contributes to that good feeling I mentioned is the natural beauty, it really feels like someone thought, designed, and sculpted the landscape,

You can visit places like the narrow fjords of Mjóifjördur, which is home to Iceland's smallest village with only 35 inhabitants, or the out-of-a-movie black sand beach of Reynisfjara (pictured above).

Every corner of this island is adorned with something to admire.

The "Land of Ice and Fire" is not just a nickname, active volcanoes with 1,200°C magma like Grímsvötn are part of the same nation as the freezing glaciers of Svínafellsjökull.

One of the must-go places is the Golden Circle, a place that has a high concentration of beautiful landscapes to see.

One of them is the Gullfoss waterfall (pictured above), which cascades down a canyon that will gradually fill your ears with its roar. You might even see a rainbow glittering in the air and get a nice picture!

Another must-see is the ice caves beneath the Vatnajökull glacier (pictured above), where you will feel like you have entered another world, surrounded by shimmering blue ice that seems to glow from within.

The icing on the cake of Iceland's nature is the amazing celestial phenomena.

The most famous of the experiences you can have is to gaze at the Northern Lights. They paint the night sky with a very often green hue and fill the arctic atmosphere with an ethereal electricity.

If you catch a good day, it will change your life, I promise!

You can also see the midnight sun during the summer, when the sun doesn't set and the days become a "never-ending day".

This phenomenon occurs because the tilt of the Earth's axis causes the sun to not set below the horizon during this time.

It occurs from late May to mid-August, during which time you can see the sun bathe the land in a golden light in the middle of the night.

Icelandic culture is a tapestry woven with history, folklore, and a spark of imagination that sets it apart.

Explore Reykjavik, the capital, and you will find a city that blends modernity with a deep appreciation for the arts. Hallgrímskirkja Church, with its grand architecture, stands tall as a symbol of Icelandic culture.

Here, restaurants and cozy cafes provide a welcoming atmosphere for socializing with fellow travelers and locals alike.

Tributes to their Viking origins can be seen in many places, such as museums and preserved archaeological sites, and if you look hard enough, you can find them in art exhibitions, One of the most famous is the Sun Voyager (pictured above), in Faxaflói.

The culinary scene, though often overlooked, is a pleasant surprise for food lovers.

I suggest starting with local delicacies such as Icelandic lamb, fresh seafood, or Pylsa, the Icelandic hot dog, and finishing with dessert, Try Bragðarefur, a delicious ice cream, or Kleinur, something like a local donut.

But if you REALLY want to immerse yourself in Icelandic cuisine, you will have to dive deep into some dishes that are not for everyone, such as the famous fermented shark, known as Hákarl, or Svið, which is literally a sheep's head.

Don't discriminate, the strangest dishes can be just as good!

Finally, what makes Iceland truly special are its people. They are the third-happiest people in the world, according to the 2023 World Happiness Report.

You will encounter genuine warmth and kindness, despite living in a remote island nation with a relatively small population, Icelanders have developed a close-knit society that values inclusiveness and mutual support.

Known for their friendliness and welcoming nature, they make visitors feel right at home and are often described as open-minded and progressive, embracing diversity and equality.

Language can be a barrier from time to time, but that don't stop you from having an amazing trip with amazing people!

In conclusion, Iceland offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave a lasting impression on you.

The beautiful nature and the happiness of the country create a journey of discovery and connection.

It is the perfect trip to get to know a completely different place, isolated from everything and everyone else.

So with all that said, start planning this trip so that you too can enjoy the cold, fresh air of Iceland!