TOURS IN ICELAND

TOURS IN ICELAND

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland with more than 113,000 inhabitants  or nearly 40% of the country’s total population. It is the seat of government, and most of the government agencies. The Parliament Althing , which is considered to be the oldest in the world, assembles in Reykjavik. Even though the city is spread over a vast area  the distances to reach natural surroundings are short. Ellidaar , one of the country’s best salmon rivers, runs right through town and anglers enjoy landing salmon from this clear and unpolluted river under the bridge of a busy motorway.  Iceland’s first settler, Ingolfur Arnarson, made his permanent residence in Reykjavik in the year 874 and the area has been inhabited ever since.  Upon arrival, Ingolfur saw steam rising from hot springs near a cove and consequently named the bay "Reykjavik" - The Steamy Cove.
Numerous wells have been sunk and the hot water is pumped directly from the ground into all houses in the greater capital area providing inexpensive central heating resulting in a smoke-free city.

Most of the country's popular tourist features are in the south of the island near the capital, Reykjavik, in the region known as 'The Golden Circle'. Top of the list for scenic splendor is the Gullfoss double-tiered waterfall, set off with a brilliant rainbow, and the spouting hot springs of Geysir.

Reykjavik means 'smoky', but in the case of Iceland's pristine capital the smoke is not smog, but rather steam from the underground springs that warm the city. Reykjavik has a well-deserved reputation for being the cleanest, most invigorating city in Europe, where the standard of living is one of the highest in the world. The city may be small, but it is full of interesting attractions from galleries and museums to thermal bathing spots, and the nightlife is second to none.

What else is there to do and see in Iceland? Well, how about whale-watching; chic fine dining; hiking the highlands; viewing Europe's largest glacier Vatnajokull; fishing the rivers; taming one of the great wild Icelandic horses, river-rafting; exploring on a snow-scooter; shopping for designer wear, souvenirs and gourmet foods; joining the descendants of the Vikings in the Summer Solstice Festival at Hafnarfjorour; visiting the northerly island of Grimsey to cross the Arctic Circle; visiting the recreated medieval farm at Stung.

Tourist places

Iceland Break

Buri in Leitahraun-lava field

Hveravellir

Vatnajokull icecap and Iceland's highest point

Landmannalaugar

The Golden Circle

Greater Reykjavik Area Sightseeing

South Coast & Jokulsarlon

The Blue Lagoon

Across the Wilderness

Glacier Fantasy and more...

Tourist Office
Reykjavik Tourist Information Center, Reykjavik: +354 562 3045

 or www.goiceland.org

Tourist Information

 

During the Middle Ages, Iceland was repeatedly ravaged by famine, plague, volcanic eruptions and pirates. The isolation of the country kept the Old Norse tongue and many of the customs associated with it, alive even after the dialect disappeared in Norway and Denmark .The population was virtually decimated several times, but managed to hang on each time and return from the brink to carry on.After years of Danish rule, Iceland developed its own independent movement and became a sovereign nation in 1918. Iceland is now one of the most liberal, open and developed nations in Europe and, up until the recent international economic crises, was also one of the richest. In the years that followed, Iceland experienced an economic and cultural boom as musicians, artists and thinkers gathered here and exported their ideas and works abroad.