Iceland has three big national parks, as well as numerous wiled escapes - both in and outside the big urban areas. Each of the locations around the country is reachable within a day tour, as long as there are no snowstorms and the driving conditions are good.
Elliðaárdalur Valley is located within the Reykjavik city limits and is a popular destination for long peaceful walks, cycling, salmon and arctic char fishing, and generally chilling out. The area is family-friendly, hosts two beautiful lakes, a river, and plenty of recreational sites.
ÞÚFA
ÞÚFA is a little green "island", located in the Grandi district of Reykjavik. According to Ólöf Nordal, who designed the place, this is a spot for quietness and meditation within the borders of the city. This is a small hill with a little sculpture on top, rounded by a small grass-covered area - this is where locals and tourists gather to gain a perfect view over the mountains and the Faxaflói Bay.
Vatnajökull National Park
Vatnajökull National Park is one of the three official natural protected areas in Iceland. It is located in the southern part of the country and is widely recognized for its various hiking trails that move between ice caves, glaciers, icy mountain peaks, iceberg lagoons, and waterfalls. The main natural wonders of the area include the Vatnajökull glacier, Svartifoss and Dettifosis waterfalls, the Jökulsárlón lagoon, and more.
Snaefellsjokull National Park
Snaefellsjokull National Park is one of the primary touristic spots in Western Iceland, as well as one of the three preserved natural areas throughout the country, along with Þingvellir National Park and Vatnajökull National Park. It is also referred to as a "miniature of Iceland" because it incorporates most of the land's essentials - volcanoes, lava tubs and plateaus, towering rocks, frozen glaciers, cave chambers, craters, black sands, and green moss.
