To celebrate Icelandic National Day I thought I would list out the top ten reasons why I love Iceland.
Today, Iceland celebrates Icelandic National Day, the day the Republic of Iceland was formed in 1944 and the end of centuries-old ties with Danish rule.
To celebrate, I am listing the top ten reasons why I love Iceland (although there are many more than ten!). When I tell people I have traveled to Iceland seven times in just two years, the reaction is always, wow, you must love it there, and usually, they want to know why.
So here you go…or as they say in Icelandic, “gjordu svo vel!”
- Iceland is a safe country for female solo travelers. With a low crime rate, Iceland is ranked one of the safest countries in the world, especially for solo female travelers like myself!
- The otherwordly landscapes. Iceland is home to the some of the world’s most striking scenery and no two parts of the country are alike. You will find almost every kind of landscape in Iceland. In the south you will find vast lava fields, ice caves, and sparkling glaciers, while mystical waterfalls can be discovered all over the country. From the majestic black sand beaches of the southern shores to the colorful geo layers of the highlands, there is no shortage of natural beauty. It is a photographer’s paradise, and there is always something new to see!
- The Sagas. Icelandic Sagas are among the most impressive literary works in the world. Rich with passion, betrayal, family feuds, and drama, these stories are hard to put down and revolutionized fiction writing forever with unique styles such as kennings. Iceland has always had an impressive literary collection, and one of Scandinavia’s most well-known works, The Prose Edda, was written by an Icelander!
- The Nature. I will never forget the first time I saw a puffin; I was touring Dylhoraey cliffs when the first puffin flew whimsically through the air towards me, landing only several feet away. With its colorful face, it is clear why this lovable bird is called the “clown of the sea.” I fell so in love with this bird I am dedicated an entire multi day trip when I return just to photograph them! Another charming free spirit is the Icelandic horse and the only mammal indigenous to Iceland, the Arctic Fox. Iceland is home much sea life such as seals and sea birds, and I would highly suggest a whale-watching excursion with North Sailing during your visit! And don’t forget the sheep, Iceland’s only “road hazard!” One of my favorite memories in Iceland was a hike in Seyðisfjordur, part of Iceland’s East fjords, where a herd of mountain sheep decided to join me. It always takes me twice as long in the summer to tour anything in the country because I love photographing them and as you can see above, they love posing!
- The people. Icelanders are known for their resourcefulness, resilience, and dark humor, and one would have to be in order to thrive in such a rugged place ruled by the elements. Icelanders have a saying, “þetta reddest,” which means “everything will work out.” You will see this relaxed outlook on life if you are lucky enough to spend time with a few locals!
- The food. Iceland is known for unique dishes such as rye ice cream and Hakarl shark, but believe it or not, one of my favorite dishes in Iceland is the famous Icelandic lamb hot dog and the fish stew. They are a must-try when visiting this little country! I also love Ástarpungar, translation, “love ball,” which is a unique version of the icelandic donut. If you have a sweet tooth you will not be disppointed and my only purchased souvenir is almost always a generous portion of Freyja chocolate.
- Girl Power. Iceland is one of the few countries that recognizes women as equal. The country has already elected several female presidents, and once a year, Icelandic women go on “strike” to demand equal pay, known as “Women’s Day Off.” Founded on October 24, 1975, this day, all women, whether paid jobs or housework, take the day off to demand equal pay and rights in the workforce. If you read a Saga, you will see this feisty and strong willed spirit of Icelandic women shining through.
- Folktales and lore. Spend time in Iceland on a guided tour, and you will most likely hear tales of elves, also known as the Hidden Folk. There is no shortage of folktales, ranging from the peculiar to the downright strange, featuring all sorts of unseen beings, such as trolls, elves, and even women who change into seals. They also have what is known as land vættir, or the four guardians, who protect the shores of Iceland. Attested in the Heimskringla, these land spirits are Iceland’s Coat of Arms; a bull, a mountain giant, a bird, and a dragon. When you visit Iceland, be sure to maintain its natural beauty; you may never know who is watching! You can read more about elves in my blog here.
- The Northern Lights. This is obvious, although it took me three winter visits to finally catch a glimpse of the green lady! I am obsessed with watching this phenomenon, and every year, Iceland draws thousands of travelers in hopes of witnessing this captivating sky display. It is well worth the wait, but remember to be patient, look on dark, clear nights, dress warm, and stay up late. Some of the best times of the year to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland is September, October, and April. If you can, venture North for a better chance. As I once told myself, northern light hunting is not a day job!
- Sustainability and preservation. Iceland prides itself on the preservation of open space and respect for nature. Although some recent nonsustainable tour companies have popped up, there are many out there that promise environmentally friendly operations. When booking a tour in Iceland, always look for this statement on the website, and if you do not see it, ask. Do try to book with small group tour operators, as they usually have an easier time keeping their operations environmentally friendly! Some of the sustainable tour operators are Midgard Adventure, Borea Adventure, and North Sailing.
As stated, there are so many more reasons why I love Iceland. As I have said before, it is not so much what I see when I visit as what I feel. I hope that if you visit, you find something special about this little country, as I did.
Takk fyrir, og til hamingju med daginn, Ísland!
