The Vikings called it "the land of ice", the tourist brochures added fire: here, we will allow the wind to blow. This trio was needed to create these unique landscapes that attract travellers from all over the world to contemplate what can be seen nowhere else. The earth takes on multiple forms, unknown colours dress it up when powerful or discreet sounds animate it. And the sky changes at a crazy pace, lights up, darkens... This nature is a permanent source of wonder at a little over 3 hours from Paris. Especially since there are not yet too many tourists. If you are vaccinated, no more PCR test, no more quarantine, and you will have the feeling to have this land of ice and fire only for you!
Reykjavík, the little capital at the top of the globe
Reykjavík will be your first contact with Icelandic society and its particularities. The city can be explored on foot or by bike, on quiet streets or on bike paths in the middle of nature. The National Museum should be a priority during your visit. The two floors of the museum take you on a journey through time, from the first settlers to the present day. In the city centre, the beautiful Hallgrímskirkja church reaches up to the sky with its concrete organs, while small houses made of wood, stone and coloured corrugated iron surround Lake Tjörnin. Then, we go along the harbour where miraculous peaches are landed and where the flea market of Kólaportið is held, a concentrate of popular Iceland. In the evening, we recommend a dip in the naturally warm waters of the Laugardalur pool. Icelanders go there from 6am to 11pm, summer and winter, to swim, but also to chat, read the newspaper... And if you are lucky enough to be in the capital on a Friday or Saturday, experience the Rúntur, the name of the legendary Reykjavík nights. You can go from one pub to the next to drink (a lot), dance and listen to bands. For dinner, the capital's restaurants offer inventive cuisine using the best seafood available
Water and fire at Reykjavík's doorstep
There are many sights around the capital. Among the sights, the new Sky Lagoon, which has quickly become a must-see destination, is not to be missed. You can immerse yourself in warm water with an overflowing pool that springs from the bowels of the earth. Between black volcanic rocks, volutes of white smoke and a breathtaking view of the sea, the pleasure for the eyes and for the body is immense.
The other star of 2021 in Iceland is obviously the Fagradalsfjall volcano, which woke up on March 21 after 800 years of sleep. Since then, its activity has not stopped and it is in permanent eruption. To observe this grandiose lava spectacle, where the molten rock can sometimes spout out like a geyser (visible from Reykjavík), head for the Reykjanes peninsula, between Vogar and Grindavik
A visit to the Þingvellir valley national park will satisfy nature lovers, fishermen and history buffs alike. Here, between lakes, rivers, lichen, grass and the black, open plains of the rift is the oldest parliament in the world. Yes, this small house with five pointed roofs was the home of the first Icelandic Assembly, the Alfling, in the year 930.
The Geysir Geothermal Area, with its many fumaroles and bubbling pools, gave its name to the amazing natural phenomenon that is the geyser. The country's most famous geyser, Strokkur, gushes out here. Not far away, at Gullfoss, nature once again expresses itself in splendour. The water here takes the opposite route. It forcefully rolls down several levels and falls noisily between the black cliffs. The foam that rises into the sky borders on the rainbow that appears on sunny days.
The Vestmann Islands can be reached by plane or ferry. They offer a concentrate of Iceland: superb cliffs and populated with birds (gannets, puffins, guillemots), coloured village standing out on dark lava fields, important fishing port.
We like the setting of Surtsey Island, a piece of land perhaps younger than you, since it rose from the water in 1963. A boon for scientists who study its gradual colonization by plants and animals.
Up Route 1..
It is now time to leave the surroundings of the capital. You will follow the road n° 1, the only entirely asphalted axis. It forms a circuit around the island and takes you to some beautiful places from which there are many hiking opportunities
Before reaching Skógar, we visit the most interesting folk museum of the country, which is located near a beautiful waterfall. The road continues to Dyrhólaey, near Vik. This sheer promontory, the southernmost point of Iceland, is surrounded by ominous black sand beaches where terns defend their territory by brushing against the heads of walkers. After Kirkjubærjaklaustur, you cross the impressive landscape of the immense black plain of Skeiðarársandur
... to discover the ice caves
Hundreds of rivers meander through the landscape, formed by the melting ice of the majestic Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, which looms in the distance. Skaftafell lies at the foot of the glacier. This national park is criss-crossed by numerous paths that allow you to get close to the glacier, the Svartifoss waterfall and its basaltic organs, while contemplating the coast and the black and silver plain below. This area is ideal to discover the famous Icelandic ice caves. In winter, they form under the Vatnajökull glacier. This unique activity can only be done with a guide between November and March. Indeed, the caves are ephemeral, as they melt and disappear in spring. Discover this world of ice with its intense blue colours of incredible beauty, before stopping further east at Jökulsárlón, made famous by James Bond. In a glacial lagoon surrounded by black rocks, Vatnajökull breaks up into blue icebergs. The blocks of ice float on the opaline water that a tourist boat sails.
Then, after admiring the deep fjords of the east coast, where tiny villages are nestled, taking a sea kayak tour, cycling around Lake Mývatn, observing sulphurous fumaroles and tackling the Cascade Trail (where Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, is located), it's time to fly again. With only one desire: to return as soon as possible and continue exploring this incredible piece of land.
Useful information
When is the season? End of June to end of August is a good season, the whole country is accessible and the climate, although humid, remains mild. But Iceland can also be visited in winter. The land of ice takes on its full meaning then. Diving into the thermal baths is even more surprising.
Getting there. Count on 3h30 for a direct flight between Paris-CDG and Reykjavík
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