National Parks

Iceland has a total of three national parks, Thingvellir National Park, Snaefellsjökull National Park and Vatnajökull National Park, the last one being the largest national park in the whole of Europe.

The National Parks are areas which have been declared as protected, in order to secure our and later generations' right to experience and enjoy unspoilt nature.

The agency of Environment and Food of Iceland mandates National Parks and other protected areas in Iceland. The agency emphasises on teaching and informing Park visitors about the nature and how important it is to respect the environment.

Vatnajokull National Park

Vatnajökull National Park, previously known as Skaftafell National Park, covers a total of ca. 12.000 km2 and boasts a wide range of natural phenomena. The park embraces glaciers, canyons, waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, flora, fauna and many other creatures of nature that are entirely unique.

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir is probably the most historic site in Iceland, located in a rift valley between the American and European geological plates. Lake Thingvallavatn contains species of fish found nowhere else. The area was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 2004. 

Snaefellsjökull National Park

Snaefellsjökull National Park is at the foot of the Snaefellsjokull glacier, which according to writer Jules Verne holds the entrance to the centre of the earth! The area is steeped in mystery and romance and the only Park that reaches from the seashore to the mountaintops.