On Europe’s second largest island, tourism flirts with the surreal […]
On an island where, they say, there are more elves than humans and the roads are diverted so as not to disturb the elves, there is nothing more normal than tourism that also flirts with the surreal.
On the second largest island in Europe you can take baths in centuries-old lava fields, SPA treatments in bathtubs with beer and even a descent into the crater of a volcano, aboard a crane. In fact, all it takes is an impromptu tour of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, to see that everything is different from what you’ve seen in foreign lands.
Whatever your itinerary, through more cosmopolitan cities or isolated destinations, just don’t throw even a stone, because you never know if there is a huldufolk nearby, as “hidden people” are called in Icelandic folklore. In 2013, construction of a highway on the outskirts of Reykjavík was stopped because it passed through an area where elves lived.
Of volcanic origin, the island has made its geography its best attraction.
5 surreal experiences in Iceland
blue Lagoon
It is the most popular and, consequently, the busiest attraction in all of Iceland.
Less than an hour from Reykjavik, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, this hot-water spa operates in bluish lagoons and is considered one of the “25 Wonders of the World” by National Geographic, its waters reaching the surface through volcanic drainage basins and geothermal.
In other words, it involves being in water at a temperature of 38 degrees, among the fumaroles that decorate the external landscape, due to the shock of the cold air.
In a surreal-looking lava field, this artificial lagoon measures 8,700 m² and has an impressive structure, which includes a hotel, restaurant and spa, where drinks are served.
Arctic whales
Considered the capital of North Iceland, Akureyri is also known for its humpback whale watching tours, between April and October.
Every year these giants migrate from the Gulf of Mexico, seven thousand kilometers away, to feed in the North Atlantic, whose tourist experience you can also see in the video below.
Beer spa
It could be another one of those energizing treatments at any spa. But the wooden tubs are full of hops, yeast, hot water and… beer.
This curious beer spa in Árskógssandur, a village 30 kilometers from Akureyri, offers treatments in beer-filled bathtubs, along with a tap for free consumption of Czech beer.
You cannot exceed the 25 minutes available per person, in one of the seven pool options that can be used by a maximum of two people each. After almost half an hour immersed in the young beer, the visitor is invited to leave the room for another relaxation session on the loungers upstairs.
Inside the crater of a volcano
Near the capital Reykjavík, Þríhnúkar (“Three Peaks,” in Portuguese) is a dormant volcano, dormant for about 4,500 years when it last erupted. Its crater is 212 meters deep (tall enough to fit more than two Statues of Liberty inside).
It’s huge, but it’s not impossible.
The experience, in fact, is considered the only one in the world where it is possible to safely enter a dormant volcano. To do this, a local company offers visits inside a crater, starting from a funnel-shaped crack, approximately 4×4 m wide.
The descent of the next 120 metres, the depth to which the visitor has access, is carried out with one of those cranes used by construction window cleaners, which here functions as a sort of volcanic lift, lifted by cables and with a capacity of up to eight people . people.
Between two continents
Formed about 25 million years ago, Iceland is one of the peaks of an underwater mountain chain between the Arctic and the Atlantic, whose movements gave rise to the fractures that divide the country.
The most famous of these is Silfra, a natural opening between tectonic plates that marks the meeting point between Europe and North America.
Its waters come from the Langjökull glacier, the second largest ice cap in Iceland, they follow their course at 4°C and their visibility can reach 100 meters in radius. And despite this, there are those who look out, with a snorkel or tank, into that icy crystalline world, where narrower sections allow you to touch both points of the tectonic plates.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
