Icelandic nature is truly unforgettable. It feels like one of those countries that God created for walks in nature and moments of self-reflection. After finally returning home from our magical Icelandic road trip, I found myself reflecting on all the experiences I had during that week and how the breathtaking natural beauty of Iceland has truly gotten under my skin.

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Unique Lessons of Icelandic Nature

Is Iceland Overrated?

Over the last decade, Iceland has become a trendy destination in the travel world. As a result, you may come across the opinion that the country is overrated, which I completely disagree with based on my week-long road trip across the country. If I had stayed in the southern part of the island, where most travelers go for a few days, I might have had mixed feelings though. The nature there is stunning, but it can be really packed with visitors, which kills the lonesome vibe Iceland is known for. Nevertheless, since we drove around the whole island, I was able to experience so many otherworldly landscapes of Icelandic nature all to myself. This trip has definitely become one of my favorite travel experiences ever.

Yet, I understand where the critics on Iceland are coming from; the accommodation prices are high for what you get, food can be overpriced, and there is a noticeable lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. Additionally, some areas in Southern Iceland have become very touristy. Not to mention that public transport in Iceland is almost nonexistent, with no trains and very few buses. So, yes, as a travel destination, you can certainly find drawbacks. But if your goal is to experience Icelandic nature, you won’t be disappointed.

7 Inspiring Lessons of Icelandic Nature

1. Symmetry is everything

The most beautiful and eye-catching symmetry is that of nature. I’ve never really thought about how sensitive the human eye is to symmetry. There’s no shortage of symmetrical things that we find visually pleasing: water reflections, the wings of a butterfly, vaulted ceilings in beautiful cathedrals… Well, the landscapes of Iceland will definitely not disappoint you in this regard, symmetry of Icelandic nature is everywhere!

East Fjords Icelandic Nature
The unmatched symmetry of Icelandic nature – East Fjords
Beautiful water reflection near East Fjords in Iceland
Driving around East Fjords in Iceland
Myvatn Lake Icelandic Nature
Myvatn Lake on the road

2. Always something good

The sun shines not on us but within us: no matter how bad the day looks, there is always something good to be found. The relentless Icelandic nature is a stark contrast to life in Spain: it had been raining since we woke up around 7 a.m., and the last thing I saw before falling asleep the night before was raindrops on my window. The conditions made driving, sightseeing, and taking pictures quite challenging. Nevertheless, we had an ambitious plan for our week in Iceland, and there was no time to waste. Somehow, when we arrived at the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon – one of the places I was most eager to see – the sun unexpectedly broke through for 10 minutes, illuminating the glaciers and making them shine bright like diamonds. One of the most beautiful moments of our trip unfolded during what I initially thought was our worst day in Iceland.

Visiting Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in Iceland
Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Nature in iceland glaciers
The glaciers are among the most stunning natural sights in Iceland

3. Living in harmony with nature is possible

Have you ever heard of the intriguing mystery surrounding Icelandic sheep? Many travelers have noticed that these sheep tend to roam in groups of three, always. But what impressed me the most was how free they looked. Unlike in most parts of the world, where animals often live confined to serve human needs, in Iceland, you can truly appreciate that there are still places where animals, humans, and nature coexist in harmony. As I observed these sheep grazing peacefully across the lush, green landscapes of Iceland, it struck me how this balance reflects the country’s deep respect for nature. The sheep are allowed to roam freely in the wild during the summer months, which not only contributes to their well-being but also enhances the ecological balance of the land. Moreover, the bond between the Icelandic people and their sheep is rooted in centuries of tradition. The sheep are not only a source of food and wool but also play a vital role in the cultural heritage of Iceland.

sheep in Iceland nature and landscapes
Sheep and Icelandic Nature
Landscape with Icelandic sheep
Icelandic sheep tend to roam in groups of three, always
Icelandic Nature and local Sheep
Iceland’s deep respect for nature

 4. The black and white world is more beautiful than we might expect

Iceland may not be globally famous for its paradise beaches, and with temperatures hovering around +10°C in August, you certainly won’t be soaking in warm waters, but what you’ll find instead is wild and dramatic beauty of Icelandic landscapes! Reynisfjara, one of the best beaches in Iceland, should be your ultimate stop if you’re in search of some black-and-white magic. To be completely honest, I was a bit skeptical at first. After visiting the black-sand beaches of Hawaii and the Canary Islands, I thought nothing could surprise me anymore. But once I laid my eyes on the Icelandic black sand coast, I simply couldn’t get enough. The white waves of the Atlantic provided a stunning backdrop for the volcanic rock formations.

Reinisfjara black sand beach in Iceland
The stunning natural wonders of Iceland
Reinisfjara black sand beach in Iceland nature lovers
Reynisfjara in Iceland
Reinisfjara black beach in Iceland rocks
The enchanting cold black stones of the Icelandic coast
Iceland black beach landscape
Black and white coast of Iceland

 5. There is no rainbow without rain

Another rainy day in Iceland was spent exploring its stunning waterfalls, and we were thrilled to spot a surprise rainbow at Dettifoss, one of the most powerful falls in Europe! Given that it rains frequently in Iceland, the chances of seeing a rainbow against the breathtaking landscape are quite high. The photo looks almost like a painting, don’t you think? If it weren’t for the rain on the road, would we have even captured this beautiful moment of a rainbow in action? It turns out that the rain does bring some lovely surprises on any journey!

Iceland rainbow rainy landscape
Spotting a surprise rainbow at Dettifoss
Dettifoss waterfall in Iceland wind
It was soooooo windy and I couldn’t properly brush my hair for a week lol but the moment was truly beautiful

6. This world is full of places that are completely out of this world

Despite all the fairy-tale places and magical castles that transport us through time across Europe, Iceland stands unmatched in terms of natural beauty. If you’ve ever watched inspiring travel documentaries and felt an urge to explore some of the planet’s wilderness, look no further than Iceland. This country is filled with incredible natural wonders that seem completely out of this world.

Namafjall Hverir Mud Pots moon landscape
Namafjall Hverir Mud Pots
Bruarfoss Waterfall blues water
Bruarfoss – one of my favorite waterfalls near Reykjavik
Iceland Fjadrargljufur Canyon magical place
Fjadrargljufur Canyon in Iceland

7. You never get tired of sunsets

Icelandic sunsets prove that endings can be beautiful too. This magical country offers some of the most stunning sunsets in the world. Icelandic sunsets are truly epic. Have you ever experienced a surreal, pinch-yourself moment? Get ready to have quite a few of them in Iceland, and make sure to savor every second. You’ll never find yourself in this exact moment again, so make it count – this is what the Icelandic nature teaches you.

sunset in Stykkishólmsbar Iceland
Sunset at Stykkisholmsbar
Sunset near East Fjords in Iceland
Sunset at East Fjords
Sunset near Hellnar Icelandic natural wonders
Sunset in the village of Hellnar

Let me know how do you feel about the Icelandic nature in the comments below.

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What Travel Teaches You: 7 Lessons I Learned in Iceland

For more Iceland travel inspiration check my Pinterest board Iceland.

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