þingvellir National Park is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historical significance, but it’s also one of the most stunning national parks in Iceland. It’s found just east of Reykjavik, the capital city, and features a stunning geyser area, and waterfalls await. This national park clearly shows where the North American tectonic plate and the Eurasian plate collided.
This park is often described as the place where you can walk in between two continents because the two continental plates found here are visible above sea level. Nowhere else in Iceland offers visitors this incredible view.
These tectonic plates can be accessed in multiple locations as you visit Thingvellir National Park. They meet in Rift Valley, where visitors can literally walk between the American and Eurasian continents during an Iceland trip. The tectonic plates shift slightly further away every year, creating a unique landscape as time continues. Because of this, visiting Thingvellir National Park offers a different experience every time.
This popular tourist destination typically sees around 700 thousand visitors annually, and for a good reason. It's one of the best places to view the northern lights in Iceland. With a lack of light fog and visible clear skies, and plenty of camping areas, Thingvellir is an ideal place for watching the lights dance across the sky in the winter.
Hiking trails stretch throughout Thingvellir Park, with multiple trails leading to historic farms and ruins. While hiking is a popular activity, it’s not uncommon for travelers to take a horseback riding tour through the park instead.
Thingvellir, a stop on the Golden Circle tour, provides ample opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving. Because of the shifting tectonic plates, the melting glaciers fill the cracks and ravines formed by the plates shifting. This water goes through a natural filtration process due to the lava rock present, providing divers and snorkelers with crystal clear water to explore.
This park is also famous for its appearance in Game of Thrones. Visitors may recognize Iceland’s largest national lake, Lake Þingvellirvatn, from different parts of the show.
Wildlife lovers can enjoy this park as well, with its many species of fish, ducks, Arctic foxes, and more visible throughout the park. As far as its history goes, Thingvellir was once considered the site for parliament. It held many important gatherings, and visitors continue coming to see spots like Law Rock.
Explore this incredible location via a 4k video that offers views of the rich landscapes, hiking trails, and clear lakes present in the park. As you view the park from drone-captured footage, relax to soothing music.
