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  • - [Narrator] Iceland is a true dream destination

  • for outdoor lovers and landscape photographers

  • due to its impressive, dramatic landscape.

  • It is a volcanically and geologically active

  • Nordic island country of Europe,

  • located in the North Atlantic Ocean.

  • Traveling Iceland's Ring Road

  • is the perfect way to get to know the country

  • on and off the tour's path,

  • but also if you have less time,

  • you are able to see some of the coolest spots on the island

  • with day tours, for example, the Golden Circle Route.

  • With this video I want to show you

  • my favorite places to visit in Iceland,

  • with tips for short term visitors

  • as well as Ring Road adventurers.

  • Are you ready?

  • Let's get started.

  • Of course we need to start this list with the foss

  • as there's no shortage of waterfalls in this country.

  • The Skogafoss makes this list due

  • to its powerful white water curtain you can get up

  • really close to and take some impressive photos.

  • On top of that, you can also walk up

  • to a platform to see it from above.

  • Located close to it, you could easily visit Skogafoss

  • as part of a day trip from Reykjavik.

  • Don't forget your rain jacket.

  • Located along the Golden Circle Route,

  • this attraction is one of the most popular ones.

  • Just one and a half hours out of Reykjavik.

  • Here you get to see some splashing geysers

  • as well as the original geyser,

  • the one where the word geyser is coming from

  • which is unfortunately dormant most of the time.

  • The Strokkur on the other hand

  • is very active and shoots water into the air

  • every six to 10 minutes.

  • After cold and hot water,

  • you also need to see of course, frozen water.

  • The Vatnajökull, also known as the water glacier in English

  • is the largest and most voluminous ice cap in Iceland

  • and one of the largest in area in Europe.

  • Seeing the glacier lagoons in the south,

  • is truly impressive, but if you want

  • to take it a step further, I would recommend

  • going on an ice cave tour where you also learn

  • more about the glacier itself.

  • (upbeat music)

  • An area which I wished I would've had more time for

  • were the Highlands, just a bit off the Golden Circle Route.

  • For this, you should come in summer

  • and you would need a four by four in order

  • to explore the many canyons, waterfalls,

  • and mountains up here,

  • or you go on a proper hiking trip.

  • The Highlands center, Hrauneyjar is a good base for that.

  • Because of the difficult pronunciation of the name

  • and due to the fact that Justin Bieber made

  • this place popular by filming a music video here

  • this canyon is mostly referred to as the Bieber canyon.

  • Located just one hour east of lake,

  • this canyon quickly became one

  • of my favorite places to visit in Iceland.

  • Once there, you should walk all the way

  • up to a platform which is shaped like a whale tail.

  • There, you can enjoy the best view into the canyon.

  • Next is Anarstapi, located on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

  • another possible day trip from Reykjavik.

  • Here you can see what happens

  • when hot lava meets the cold ocean.

  • Take your time and walk the trail

  • along the impressive coastline where you get

  • to see steep cliffs and columnar basalt

  • similar to the famous Giant's Causeway in Ireland.

  • Even though we spent two weeks driving around the island,

  • I totally love the part in the southeast

  • as it is incredibly picturesque.

  • One of my favorite spots was Stokksnes,

  • a headland near Hofn with white black beaches

  • in front of the dramatic mountain named Vestrahorn.

  • As a photographer, you can easily spend hours here.

  • Located in the north of Iceland,

  • the Asbyrgi canyon is a bit more off the beaten path

  • and way quieter than most of the sites

  • as it takes some time to get here.

  • The hike along the edge of the canyon

  • to the waterfall makes up for the efforts,

  • especially when you come in autumn.

  • Then the inside of the canyon

  • is dotted with colorful trees.

  • It's about time for another waterfall don't you think?

  • The Hengifoss is also located remotely,

  • but the east of the country

  • and it takes a little hike to get up

  • to the third highest waterfall in Iceland.

  • There's a rounding basaltic strata with thin red layers

  • of clay between the basaltic layers,

  • makes up for a beautiful composition.

  • What's missing in this list of places to visit in Iceland?

  • Right, hot springs.

  • For me, the Blue Lagoon was a bit too crowded.

  • My tip is to drive a bit out of Reykjavik to Reykjadalur

  • and hike up a valley filled with hot springs and mud pools.

  • Above the river, surrounded by beautiful landscape

  • is the best reward I ever had on a steep hike

  • and a great way to finish a trip in this beautiful country.

  • And that's a wrap.

  • If you want to get more tips and personal recommendations

  • make sure to check out my comprehensive Iceland

  • travel guides on the blog

  • with plenty of practical information.

  • The link can be found in the info box below.

  • For more videos of Iceland,

  • you could find a whole video series

  • named Circling Iceland on my channel,

  • where I take you to all the places I visited.

  • Finally, if you like this video, don't forget to subscribe

  • for new travel videos every Thursday.

  • Thanks for watching.

- [Narrator] Iceland is a true dream destination

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