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Attractions in South Iceland
Historical tourism is a very important part of the attraction of South Iceland. Some of the attractions include the Althingi where the first Icelandic parliament was held at Thingvellir over a thousand years ago. Viking age farms at Stong in Thorsardalur that were buried in the Hekla eruption of 1104, were only excavated in the 1939. A replica was built in the 1970’s and called Thjodveldisbaer. Skalholt was one of the most important places in Iceland for eight centuries. It was one of Iceland's two episcopal sees, making it a cultural and political center. In the Vestmannaeyjar is the Pompei of the North. The volcano on Heimaey erupted in 1973 and this eruption lasted for 5 months. Many of the houses were buried under pumice and are now being excavated. These are just four examples of a huge selection of historical tourist sights that you can visit on your trip through South Iceland.
Iceland is a world leader in its use of green energy and South Iceland has some of the largest hydro-electrical power plants in the country. These are usually open to the public during summer months. Thykkvabaer is the only farmer’s village in Iceland. Farmers farm mainly potatoes here and the area makes for an interesting tourist attraction. Jokulsarlon is the glacial lake that has been used in a number of Hollywood movies in recent years. Ice breaks off from Vatnajokull glacier and drifts down with the water run off from the glacier. Many different fresh water lakes are to be found in South Iceland. South Iceland is a stop off point for hundreds of different types of migratory birds on their flights to warmer climates.
Whether you are a nature buff that loves the wide openess of nature or prefer your attarctions to be built of brick and mortar, you will always be able to find someting of interest in the South of Iceland.
