UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iceland
The island nation of Iceland is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Iceland had its first site receive World Heritage recognition in 2004. One site was inscribed on the list based on its cultural heritage, with the other being designated a World Heritage Site under natural criteria. Both sites display outstanding universal value to mankind.
Click here to view the official UNESCO page for the World Heritage Sites in Iceland.
- Þingvellir National Park (2004)
- Surtsey (2008)
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park (2004)
The Official World Heritage Inscription
The first property in Iceland which had the honor of being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site is Þingvellir National Park. Also known as Thingvellir National Park, this World Heritage Site is located 40 km northeast of the capital city of Reykjavík, in the southwestern region of Iceland. Þingvellir National Park was once the original home of the world’s longest running parliament — Alþingi. Founded in 930 AD, the site of today’s Þingvellir National Park served as the cultural center of Iceland for many centuries.
Although Þingvellir National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List based on its cultural merits, the site is also home to some of the most fascinating and unique natural features found in Iceland. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs through the heart of Þingvellir National Park, which is where one can view the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates separating. Therefore, this creates an otherworldly landscape at Þingvellir, in the form of massive ridges lined with jagged boulders and fissures. Þingvellir National Park rests on the northern boundary of Þingvallavatn, which is the largest natural freshwater lake in Iceland.
In addition to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Þingvellir National Park is one of the primary attractions on the Golden Circle in Iceland, the most famous and popular tourist route in the country.
To read more about Þingvellir National Park and its World Heritage listing, click here.
Surtsey (2008)
Courtesy of Google Maps (2019)
The Official World Heritage Inscription
The second property to be declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iceland is the island of Surtsey. This property was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008 for its outstanding natural value. Surtsey is a volcanic island, which is located 32 km off of the southern coast of Iceland. In fact, Surtsey is one of the youngest and newest islands in the world.
Produced from volcanic eruptions that occurred between 1963 and 1967, Surtsey is unique in that it has had extremely minimal human interaction. The island is nationally protected from the interference of people, and these laws and regulations are strictly enforced. Surtsey is essentially a natural laboratory, which is periodically monitored by teams of scientists.
The island of Surtsey is strictly off-limits to travelers and tourists, which in turn, helps to preserve its pristine environment. Therefore, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is virtually impossible to visit — making it one of the most difficult World Heritage Sites to reach.