Why Iceland is the Best Country in the World
Iceland is a beautiful, peaceful country with delicious food, welcoming locals and many fantastic things to see and do. Whilst there are many reasons why Iceland is the best country in the world, here are our top 10.
1. It is home to the Icelandic Horse
The Icelandic horse first arrived in Iceland on a ship with the very first Norse settlers and over time, the breed has adapted to the country's extreme conditions. In an effort to ensure the breed remains pure, the law states that other breeds of horse are not permitted to enter Iceland, and whilst Icelandic horses can be exported, they may not return.
The horses are so popular and so well respected by the Icelandic people, that they are celebrated annually on the International Day of the Icelandic Horse.
2. You can bathe in natural hot springs
Iceland has many hot springs and geothermal pools, with the Blue Lagoon being the most famous. The mineral-rich water is perfect for soaking away your stress whilst taking in the surrounding ‘fire and ice’ scenery. Many are open at night for an even more immersive experience.
Whilst the steamy pools look inviting on a cold, snowy day, it is important to remember that not all of the springs are suitable for swimming in, some contain boiling water!
3. It is the best place to spot the Northern Lights
Iceland is one of the best countries in the world to see the Northern Lights, which tend to be visible between September and April (when the nights are at their darkest). Watch the colourful Aurora Borealis dance across the sky as you experience one of the wonders of the world.
4. It leads the way with its gender wage gap
The culture for gender equality is important in Iceland, where, as of 2021, they have managed to close 89.2% of the gender wage gap*. There are a number of policies that the government have implemented to address this even further.
5. Some of the landscapes are out of this world
The scenery in some areas of Iceland appears as though you could be stepping across the surface of the moon.
6. It is one of the happiest countries in the world
In 2022, Iceland was ranked the 3rd happiest country in the world. But why are the Icelandic people so happy? With equality, low levels of crime, beautiful landscapes, high-quality education and a strong sense of community - there's nothing not to be happy about.
7. No matter what time of year you visit, there is always something breathtaking to do
Whilst many people want to visit Iceland in winter for the Northern Lights, each season has something wonderful to offer! You can experience the midnight sun in the summer, hike glaciers in the spring and explore ice caves in the autumn.
8. You can admire icebergs from the edge of a lagoon
At Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon you can admire the blue icebergs that have tumbled down from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Chunks of icebergs slowly drift out to sea and are washed up onto the black sands of the ‘Diamond Beach’.
9. You can experience 3 of Iceland's greatest attractions all in one day
If you want to make the most of your time in Iceland, the 300km route around Golden Circle takes you past some of the most popular places in Iceland. Starting from Reykjavik, you can visit Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and the Gullfoss waterfall in just one day of your trip, and it doesn’t even feel rushed.
10. Geothermal energy
In Iceland, they take advantage of geothermal energy by using the hot water pumped directly from boreholes to heat 85%* of all the houses on the island, as well as the majority of hotels.
The smell of sulfur is a small price to pay for the high percentage of renewable energy used.
So, why not plan your visit now and find out for yourself why Iceland is the best country in the world?