Geothermal plants among top tourist attractions in Iceland
Visitors at the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant (source: flickr/ Anette og Jan, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
12 Aug 2013
With more than 100,000 visitors a year, the geothermal power plants and related installations in Iceland are one of the top tourist destinations in Iceland.
Iceland is often described as “Geothermal Disneyland”, due to its natural geothermal activities, but also the different power plants and last but not least the geothermal spa of the Blue Lagoon or the Earth Bath in the North of the country.
While the Blue Lagoon remains the top tourist spot in Iceland, the power plants – all can be visited – are among the most visited tourist attractions in the country.
“For foreign visitors this is a great experience, especially to examine the geothermal plants. The hydro power plants are more known. But the geothermal energy is an experience for many people” said Gustaf Adolf of Samorka, the energy industry federation of Iceland.
Over 100.000 people visit the power plants and related constructions every year.
“The most popular power plant is Hellisheidarvirkjun geothermal power plant, and you can say that the power plant is part of Iceland’s most popular tour, The Golden Circle. That tour also includes Geysir geothermal area, Thingvellir national park and Gullfoss waterfall (The Golden Waterfall). The power plant attracts around half of this number.” said Gustaf.
Locations:
- Geothermal exhibition at Hellisheidi geothermal power plant
- Power plant earth, Reykjanes geothermal power plant
- Blue Lagoon, geothermal spa
- Myvatn Nature Bath, geothermal spa
- Other plants that are open to visitors, often only in the summer are: Krafla geothermal plant (north of Iceland), Svartsengi plant (near the Blue Lagoon) and Nesjavellir
Source: News of Iceland
