Icy and fiery, Iceland may be found in the North Atlantic. Geysers spewing boiling steam and volcanoes spewing strange lava fields will put Earth’s natural phenomena and geological beauty on full display as you travel across Iceland. Iceland is famous for many things, not the least of which are its stunning landscapes, which include glaciers that creep over the ground and waterfalls that tower over the landscape. While it may only have a population of 330,000, tiny Iceland is throwing up its doors to the world and putting its hidden treasures on show.

With over 130 active volcanoes, Iceland is much more than its name implies. The most recent eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 caused significant interruption to air traffic for 6 days, although being modest in comparison to other volcanic eruptions. Travelers from all over the world are drawn to Iceland by the country’s stunning natural beauty. A leisurely stroll or ice trekking across a glittering glacier at Sólheimajökull; a soak in an azure geothermal lagoon believed to have healing powers in Grindavk on the Reykjanes Peninsula; and a quiet night of camping during which the aurora borealis may display curtains of light changing hues while waiting for the sun to rise are all possible in Iceland. These are just a few of the things you absolutely must do during a trip to Iceland.

In contrast to other nations, the optimal time to visit Iceland depends on your specific goals. A popular tourist activity in Iceland is seeing the aurora borealis, and the optimum time to do it is between late September and late March, when the nights are very dark, the sky is clear, and solar activity is high. Hot spring seekers should go in September or, even better, the first half of October, when the springs can still be reached by mountain road but the number of visitors has decreased noticeably. Due to its low crime rate, Iceland is often regarded as one of the world’s safest countries to visit. It’s essential to keep in mind the potential impact of weather and natural disasters on travel plans.