Types of Tourism in Iceland
VOLCANOES
Iceland is part of the North Atlantic Ocean Ridge, which was formed at the junction of lithospheric plates. The movements of lithospheric plates led to the development of active volcanism on the island. Iceland ‘s volcanoes are of various types, but most of them are fissure type (chains of craters along fissures and faults). The Laki volcano belongs to this type. This is a giant crack in the earth’s crust, filled with solidified lava. Or, for example, the extinct Esya volcano looks like a long ridge with a flat top.
The most famous volcano in Iceland – Hekla – has a cone shape. It is considered the national symbol of the country.
In the western part of Iceland on the Snaefeldsnes peninsula there is a volcano Snaefellsjokull, whose height is almost 1500 m. Check top-medical-schools.org for travel information in Iceland.
In the north of the island there is a whole volcanically active region Krafla. The heart of its activity is the central volcano Krafla, which is a multi-level system of cracks. Krafla’s activity so far is manifested only in the form of changes in the local relief.
In the east of the country, the extinct volcano Snayfell is interesting for climbing, it reaches a height of 1833 meters. The active volcano Grimsvetn is located in the Skaftafell National Park. He is known for throwing out a column of steam 10 kilometers high in 1998.
ECOTOURISM
On the territory of the island, many natural parks have been organized, visiting which is very popular among tourists.
The most famous National Park is Thingvellir, which was founded in 1928. It is located east of Reykjavik. It was in this place that many centuries ago, representatives of the tribal nobility gathered annually for advice. In the area of the park there is a junction of lithospheric plates – American and Eurasian, which are moving to this day. The entire surface of Thingvellir is indented with numerous cracks, caves and canyons, the most popular of which is Peningagya Canyon. The country’s largest natural lake, Thingvalavatn Lake, is also located here. Its area is 84 sq. km., and the maximum depth is 114 m.
In the north-west of Iceland is the Husafell Natural Park. Birch groves grow on the territory of the park, lava fields stretch, the Kalda River flows, and there are also geothermal springs. Four kilometers from Husafetl is a cascade of Hreynfossar waterfalls, which flow directly from under the frozen lava fields. Also interesting are the Barnafossar waterfall and caves, among which is the longest cave in Iceland, Vidgelmir.
In the Jokulsaargljufur Nature Park in the north of the island, the second longest Icelandic river, Jokulsaa a Fjodlum, flows. In the south of the park, it is worth looking at the Dechtifoss waterfall. Its height is 44 m, it is considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Visit the horseshoe-shaped Aasbirgi canyon with Icelandic birches growing in it, which reaches a depth of 100 m.
The Skaftafell National Park offers hikes up to the nearby Skaftafellsjokull Glacier. The glacier is gradually decreasing in size and has lost about 1 km in diameter over the past 50 years. On the territory of the park there is a volcano Grimsvetn, which in 1998 threw out a column of steam 10 km high.
HIKING
Iceland is considered a great place for hiking. Tourists are offered hiking in National Parks, glaciers and climbing volcanoes, since there are a lot of them here. Travel can take from 1 hour to several days.
STUDYING BIRDS
An ideal place for bird watching in Iceland the ridge of the Laatrabjarga cliffs at the westernmost point of the island of Bjargtangar is considered. Here, on sheer cliffs, you can see puffins, which the Icelanders call “flying fish”, and which have long become a symbol of Iceland. About 60 species of birds live on the northernmost island of Iceland, Grimsey, the southern Westman Islands have the largest colony of puffins in Iceland, the largest number of ducks in all of Europe live on Lake Myvatn, and the largest colony of skuas is located in the south of the island of Iceland.
WHALES
off Iceland blue whales, minke whales, humpback whales, sei whales and dolphins live. You can watch them by going on a boat trip. The best place to watch whales is in the vicinity of the city of Husavik, which is located in the north of the country. The first and only Whale Museum in the world was opened in this city. Specialized whale watching excursions are also offered in Reykjavík, Snaefeldsnes, Olafsvik and the Cape Hodn area.
FISHING
IN ICELAND every year fishermen come to go in for sports fishing or fishing “for the soul”. Fishing for trout and salmon is very popular. Fishing for salmon is best from mid-June to mid-September, and trout from April to October. Caught fish can be prepared for you in the restaurant of your choice.
SKIING
There are several ski resorts in Iceland. The best time to ski in Iceland is from mid-November to May. The largest ski area is Blafiol. It is located near Reykjavik.. Holidays at this resort are suitable for beginners and families. There are 11 lifts, of which 2 are cable. Tourists are offered trails of various difficulty levels with opportunities for night skiing. There are flat trails for cross-country skiing with a length of 3.5 and 10 km.
Not far from Akureyri is the resort of Hydarfjall. Its height is 1016 m above sea level, the height difference within the resort is 500 m. 4 lifts deliver tourists to the slopes. All trails are illuminated at night. There is a school for beginner skiers.
DIVING
Even though Iceland located in high latitudes, there are opportunities for diving. The water temperature near the main dive sites ranges from +1 to +5 degrees, so you have to swim here in dry wetsuits. The best visibility is observed in winter, it reaches 15 meters. The most popular place among divers is the Silfrav lava gorge in the Thingvellir region. This place is located at the junction of lithospheric plates in a fault in the earth’s crust, which is filled with water, so there are many caves here. The immersion depth reaches 50 m, the water temperature is 1-3 degrees Celsius all year round. Another place interesting for diving is the underwater volcano Strithan near Akureyri . , which is a cone, its top is at a depth of 15 m. At its base, at a depth of 70 m, a hot spring beats. In the east of Iceland, in the Seydisfjordur area, you can dive to the sunken ship El Grillo. This is a 147-meter tanker that sank in 1944 as a result of German bombing. Defensive guns were preserved on the tanker. Also, for diving, you should go to the southern Westman Islands, where you can see frozen lava flows and even octopuses underwater.
EXCURSIONS
Excursion program of Iceland includes boat trips along the coast of the island, whale watching, bird watching, hikes to glaciers and volcanoes, trips to National Parks and sightseeing of local towns and villages.
