Iceland is well known in travel guides for its epic landscapes and monuments. And maybe you also know that Iceland is one of the best countries to live in. But, not so many people know what unusual places they can visit while in Iceland. Many of these are the first things travelers head to on their first visit. Gullfoss, Geysir and Þingvellir, for example, are heavily visited every year. However, here are 5 incredible places that are a little less known, but are indeed part of the Icelandic heritage.
Dimmu Borgir
Located next to Lake Mývatn in the north, Dimmuborgir is a labyrinth of black lava formed into imposing caves and formations. Created over 2300 years ago by lava flowing over a swamp whose vapors pushed the lava into pillar shapes, the resulting landscape is remarkable.
Considered the place where earth connects to hell in Icelandic folklore, it is also the home of the 13 Christmas elves, or Yule Lads. Fascinated by Icelandic culture and monuments? Don’t hesitate to ask travel professionals for more information at https://karta.com.
Rauðasandur
This beautiful golden-red beach on the Látrabjarg peninsula in the Westfjörds is in a serene setting with magnificent views of Snæfellsjökull, a distant glacier to the south, when the weather is good. You can walk the 20 km along the beach to the cliffs of Látrabjarg to see spectacular birds and perhaps encounter wildlife such as seals along the way. The sand literally seems to glow on a sunny day.
Samúel Jónsson Art Museum
In the sparsely populated valley of Sélardalur in the Westfjörds, you can see this impressive collection of sculptures and paintings by the foreign artist Samúel Jónsson. The reclusive farmer turned to creating art in the mid-1950s until his death in 1969.
Scattered around a museum and a chapel that the artist built himself, the collection is now preserved by independent and governmental organizations. It is only open to visitors in summer, as the roads to it are inaccessible in winter.
The Tvísöngur Sound Sculpture
This site-specific sound sculpture was designed by the German artist Lukas Kühne near the artistic harbor Seyðisfjörður in eastern Iceland. Constructed of concrete, the five domes of different sizes are interconnected and correspond to the Icelandic musical tradition of five-tone harmony. The sculpture was built in 2012 and is still open to all. It is accessible just a few steps from the village and offers a beautiful view of the nearby fjord.
Glymur Waterfall
The second highest waterfall in Iceland with a height of 198 meters, Glymur is a majestic site that you must see in Iceland. Nestled in the crevasses of the Hvalfjörður fjord about an hour’s drive from Reykjavík, this waterfall and the inner parts of the fjord are often bypassed after a tunnel was built under the fjord.
The hike to Glymur can take up to 4 hours in total and is an experience in itself, especially when you walk through caves along the mossy canyon, offering a variety of angles to see this hidden waterfall.
