Iceland May Not Be as Icy As You Might Think
When you think of Iceland, you would imagine it basically looks like it's name sake. But maybe surprisingly for some, It is not the Western European Siberia that many believe it to be. Sure Icelanders are out celebrating summer in 50-60 degree weather, but it is not just one massive ice covered rock. On the contrary, Iceland is literally a frozen chain of volcanoes. Underneath the surface, the high concentration of volcanoes created a huge well of untapped geothermal energy just waiting to be harnessed.
An oil crisis 50 years ago forced the Icelanders to realize that they needed to find an alternative. Today 99.96% of Iceland's energy is from renewable resources, with no other country coming close.
-
1
Cold - Exploring ice caves under glaciers
Every single cave is different, and there are countless options to choose from. It is a one of a kind experience to walk under and through a glacier and see the ice inside.
-
Advertisement
-
2
Hot - Geothermal lakes
Iceland sits on top of a bunch of volcanoes. But those Icelandic people are a smart and creative lot. They harnessed the geothermal energy under the ground to produce a quarter of their total electricity just from that heat energy. Hot water is basically free since it comes that way from under the ground, so energy bills for most households are extraordinarily low.
-
3
Cold - Checking out the Northern Lights overhead
The Northern Lights are one of the touristic highlights of any trip to Iceland, and though the hottest season for travel is in the Summer, you won't be seeing the display in the sky. Because it is sunny 24 hours a day from May into August, you won't be able to see it. Coming in the bitter cold months in the fall and winter however, will allow you to enjoy the site in all it's glory. You just might freeze to death beforehand.
-
4
Hot - The Icelandic Highlands
Consistently impassable in fall and winter, this area is absolutely stunning to explore during the perpetual light of the Icelandic summer. It is even so difficult to travel in winter in Iceland that the North and East are sometimes completely cut off due to terrible weather and heavy snow.
-
Advertisement
-
5
Cold - Hiking Through Glaciers
A large part of Iceland is definitely icy, one of the coolest past times is to traverse its vast landscape, with countless breathtaking photos, not to mention selfies, to take along the way.
-
6
Hot - Iceland is a bunch of volcanoes covered in ice
-
7
Cold - Godafoss Falls
Located in Northern Iceland, the falls are one of the natural highlights of the country, especially in winter. During the cold part of the year, the falls are covered in snow and ice, and when it is not completely impassable from blizzards, one of the places tourists can't miss, if they can get there.
-
Advertisement
-
8
Hot - Hot springs, hot springs everywhere
One of Iceland's most unforgettable and unmissable experiences, and located all over the country, the geothermic energy that has made heated pools. But more interestingly, they are seperated into three categories - those that are man made, those that naturally occurring, and sometimes beyond springs, can also be heated rivers. The third unfortunately is not for human use, as they are super-heated geysers like those found on the Golden Circle.
-
9
Cold - The Only Way to Take Iceland's Local Liquor
Literally translated as "burning wine", Brennnvin, more colloquially known as 'black death', is unsweetened schnapps that is flavored with caraway seeds, making it even more distinctly "tasting". Usually served (hopefully only) chilled, and accompanied with a number of popular Icelandic pickled foods, it is described in taste to be closest to anise or licorice, just sans any sweet flavor. Great for frigid winter nights, it is often the go to, with heavy markups on basically any other liquor in country, which is all imported.
Tags
Next on Home
Hot Today