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Americans Hot on Iceland

by Samantha Brown, AARP The Magazine, July 24, 2017

  • Cars, Tents, Camping, Skogafoss Waterfall, Iceland, Americans Hot on Iceland
    Westend61/Andreas Pacek/Gallery Stock

    Growth Is Exponential

    En español | Iceland is attracting tourists in record numbers, many of them American. Last year's total was 1.8 million visitors, more than 415,000 of them from the U.S, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board. 

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  • Ice Cave, Svinafellsjokull Outlet Glacier, Americans Hot on Iceland
    Christopher Lund/Gallery Stock

    What’s the Attraction?

    Americans say big draws are the country’s abundant natural wonders, low crime rate and multitude of residents who speak English — not to mention the strong dollar and that the country’s capital, Reykjavík, is about a five-hour hop from the East Coast.

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  • Explore Your World, A A R P Real Possibilities, Colorful sunset reflected in still water. wooden row boat with oars in foreground center

    AARP Offer: Explore Your World

    Explore the ends of the earth with expert advice, tips for vacations and fantastic images.
    Sign up for the Travel Newsletter today. Help save for your next dream trip by joining AARP.

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  • Blue Lagoon Thermal Spa, Iceland, Americans Hot on Iceland
    Vincent Fournier/Gallery Stock

    Areas to See

    If you want to go, remember that popular spots such as the steaming Blue Lagoon grow increasingly crowded during the peak summertime season.

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  • Godafoss Waterfall, Iceland, Americans Hot on Iceland
    Alongkot Sumritjearapol/Getty Images

    Beat the Crowds

    We recommend the less traveled Diamond Circle, a 161-mile circuit in northeast Iceland that includes lava fields, canyons and the magnificent semicircular Waterfall of the Gods (Goðafoss).

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  • Natural Wonder
    Christopher Lund/Gallery Stock

    Also of Interest

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