Only a three hour flight from London and available as a stopover on transatlantic flights, Iceland’s popularity as a holiday destination is booming. Although the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010 brought Iceland into the headlines, it heightened global interest in this Nordic island - the most sparsely populated country in Europe - and 2019 is expected to see 2.5 million new arrivals to the country. Tourism is certainly a growing business in this safe and friendly beauty spot.
Iceland has plenty to offer for those who love the outdoors. Not only does it have excellent conditions for skiing, fishing, snowboarding, ice and rock climbing, and hiking, it has world-famous geothermal pools for bathing in naturally heated waters. The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most well-known spa, but this outdoor luxury is available all over the country, off the beaten track.
Nauthólsvík geothermal beach has white sands, two hot tubs at 38°C, and a long shallow pool of heated seawater - perfect in any season. If you’re visiting in winter to see the northern lights, head to Jarðböðinn Nature Baths in Mývatn; it’s miles from any large settlements and the accompanying light pollution, plus it has the added attraction of boiling mud pits, volcanic cones, steaming lava, and an underground bakery heated by the natural steam from the earth. In summer, try Seljavallalaug on the south coast; a man-made pool built into the mountainside with lukewarm water, situated in a stunning narrow valley between two waterfalls.
Those preferring to stay closer to the capital on a short break may like to find out more about the local history, at the National Museum of Iceland. It’s great for families and has artifacts from the Viking age. The Árbær Open Air Museum will give visitors a sense of the old Icelandic way of life; this one is popular with the locals too. Of course, Iceland has its shops and bars, with Laugavegur being the place to go for nightlife. But with so much on offer in the open air, why not take a self-drive holiday and explore the remote the magnificent landscapes of Iceland?
Title Image Credit: Anna & Michal (Image Cropped)