Iceland is a fabulous route for those who want to break out of their routine

Iceland – fabulous routes for those who want to break out of routine

Iceland is one of the most mysterious countries in Europe. It is far from most other countries, so tourists do not often visit it. Many people know about it only thanks to the famous volcano with an unpronounceable name, which paralyzed air traffic for a long time. However, Iceland is much more interesting than it initially seems. One visit to its territory will be enough to fall in love with this country and become its fan for the rest of your life.

How to get to Iceland?

Iceland is an island country, which can be pretty challenging to enter. The main problem is that only one airport actively receives planes from other countries. This is the international airport in Keflavik, where you should fly if you choose air transport. There are three different international airports in Iceland, but they mainly receive flights from nearby countries.

The next problem may be choosing an airline. Only a few operate flights to Iceland, which significantly limits travelers. And finally, direct flights to the island are possible only from a few countries worldwide. If you are not in their territory, you must get to a suitable airport and then go to Iceland. Sometimes, you will have to spend several days on the road, but all this will be forgotten immediately after you take a few steps to your destination.

An alternative option to get to Iceland is to use a ferry. It regularly departs from Denmark and carries quite a lot of passengers. This method is optimal for people who travel in their car, purchased at a car dealership or at an online auction where they offer salvage vehicles for sale. The ferry can be used two times a week. This must be taken into account when planning your trip. Another good way to get to Iceland is to fly from your country of residence to Denmark. From there, planes often fly to the neighboring island, which not one but four airports serve.

Car rent

Once you reach Iceland, you must immediately rent a car. It is necessary to travel around the entire island quickly and not miss a famous attraction. You will have many offers and a vast selection of vehicles throughout the country. Before choosing one of them, you need to check all the information about the rental car on the website with vin check. This can be done by indicating only the vehicle's VIN code.

When traveling around Iceland, it is best to choose an SUV. He is the only one who can cope with local roads, which often freeze, become impassable due to heavy rainfall, or are significantly polluted by the wind, the speed of which is usually relatively high. An alternative option could be a campervan. It should be taken in cases where you are planning an extended stay in Iceland. Of course, it will not overcome various obstacles as quickly as an SUV, but if you drive carefully, there should be no serious problems. The main advantage of a camper will be the absence of the need to book rooms in local hotels, which are always very expensive. You can choose a small car if you are traveling alone or together. However, before doing this, ensure there will be no sudden deterioration in weather conditions shortly. Otherwise, such a vehicle can ruin your vacation.

When renting a car, it is essential to obtain insurance. In Iceland, minor accidents are standard, so it is better to play it safely and drive safely around the island. It is essential to consider that in Iceland, insurance only compensates for damage if it was incurred on permitted roads. You should also check the location of the nearest gas station. In Iceland, they are far from each other, so there is always a risk of being left with an empty tank.

Route selection

Before setting off in a rented car, choose the best route. This should be done considering your vehicle's characteristics, time of year, current weather conditions, and personal preferences. Travelers often explore the island along the famous ring road called Hringvegur. It is the main highway of Iceland, which passes through all regions and connects the largest cities in the country. Its length is 1,322 km, one of the longest ring roads worldwide.

Hringvegur has a high-quality asphalt surface. However, occasionally, it becomes covered with ice, filled with water and mud flows, and clogged with small stones, tree branches, leaves and other similar debris. Therefore, driving as carefully as possible and obeying the speed limit is essential. Also, having chosen this route, you must take care of food and water supplies. Of course, you will find restaurants and shops along the way, but their prices will be very high. Therefore, you need to make purchases before your trip in small towns through which the main tourist route of the country does not pass.

If you want to see the whole island, there are a few alternatives to Hringvegur. All other routes are connected in one way or another to the main road in Iceland, so you will have to visit it periodically. You can move in different directions, but remember that leaving officially existing roads risks being left without insurance and increases the likelihood of various troubles.

Places to visit

Iceland is a natural paradise. There are many places on its territory where you can see the island's natural beauty. The main all-natural attraction is the Gullfoss waterfall. He is tall, noisy and incredibly handsome. Everyone who comes to Iceland dreams of visiting it and taking memorable photos. Besides this, there are many other waterfalls on the island. The must-sees include Dettifoss, Skogafoss and Svartifoss.

The next thing to see is Iceland's volcanoes and the landscape they create. For example, Askja will give you a fantastic spectacle of endless lava fields, Laki will show you how menacing a volcano can look, and the legendary Eyjafjallajökull will make you remember the events of 2010 when its ejected ash paralyzed air traffic throughout Europe.

If you want to see many natural attractions in one place, go to Thingvellir National Park. This park's territory includes canyons, lakes, valleys, volcanic faults and much more. We also recommend visiting Skaftafell. This national park is famous for its waterfalls and birch forests. Everyone must see the Geysir geyser and Cape Dyrholaey, among other natural wonders.

Of the man-made attractions, special attention should be paid to Hallgrimskirkja. This Lutheran church is one of the top 4 tallest buildings in Iceland. It is not used for its intended purpose, but it is an excellent observation tower from which you can see the beauty of Reykjavik. Another interesting object is the Blue Lagoon. It is an artificial lake with milky blue water. The latter is rich in various valuable minerals, so there are always many people swimming here. Also, all travelers to Iceland should not miss Perlan. This simple city boiler house is famous because its building has a hemispherical roof, on top of which there is an observation tower. Also, the site has a natural winter garden and several tourist shops. The last must-see in Iceland is Harpa Blue Hour. This concert hall looks perfect from all sides, so it often becomes the subject of photography. Various festive events and music concerts are regularly held inside.

Iceland is a beautiful country that deserves the attention of anyone who loves travel. Most often, getting into its territory will be pretty tricky. You will also have to cope with windy weather and cold, which can happen even in summer. If you pass all the tests, Iceland will reveal its secrets to you and force you to return to these places many times.