This Otherworldly Island Is Europe’s Fastest Growing Destination

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We at Travel Off Path have reported on dozens of new European hotspots — some more recognizable than others.

While most agree that places like Paris are never a bad idea, no-name cities are popping up left and right on travelers’ radars, such as the gorgeous Latvian capital of Riga, for example.

Then there are others that seem far-flung but far easier to reach than expected — and those destinations are Europe’s sweet spot right now, including Europe’s incomparable otherworldly island.

That’s right — it’s not Barcelona, Athens, or aforementioned Paris seeing the biggest rise in visitors.

More travelers are skipping global icons for what they see on TikTok, and this Lord of the Rings-esque stunner just so happens to be my favorite country out of all 44 I’ve traversed.

In fact, it’s one of the few countries I’ve obtained multiple passport stamps (besides Mexico, of course).

Seeing a 29% spike In passenger traffic according to United Nations data, despite being equally quirky as it is beautiful, Iceland is Europe’s fastest-growing tourist destination.

Is Iceland Still Worth The Hype?

If I’m being 100% honest, I flirt with going back to Iceland every year.

My hesitation is that it’s become a full-fledged vacation spot, so I’m afraid I won’t have the same experiences as years prior.

My first visit came right before this wondrous island exploded not just literally with a disastrous volcano, but with an influx of worldwide tourists, so I’d like to think I hit it just in time.

Yes, it was still expensive pre-pandemic. That’s just something travelers just have to swallow, as the days of scoring a decent hotel with double-digit rates seem to have come and gone.

Let’s face it — Iceland is no longer a hidden gem. That’s not to say it’s Athens either.

But with more connections from Icelandair (and 2 failed budget airlines that served as a loophole for many Americans), the days of visiting staggering waterfalls and black-sand beaches with virtually no crowds seem to be a distant experience too.

There are very few ways to skirt Iceland’s high prices unless you go strictly on an Icelandic hot dog diet and sacrifice modern comforts for a hostel bunk bed.

That said, Iceland I just as beautiful as its ever been. The difference is that so many more people know about it, so there’s basically no chance of snapping a Blue Lagoon photo without unintentional photo-bombers.

Furthermore, Iceland has run numerous tourism campaigns showcasing its otherworldly landscapes and quirky culture, such as its odd fascination with elves (and not just in December).

But the good news is even as places like the Blue Lagoon are both pricey and crowded, the usual itinerary has shifted toward discovering Iceland’s lesser-known rather than exploring the charming capital Reykjavik and the immediate outskirts.

Sustainability with this level of growth is always a question too, but that’s for someone above our pay grade to sort out.

Tourists Are Branching Out: The ‘Ring Road’ Is No Longer A Circle

Okay, the popular Ring Road is indeed still around, but it’s become clear visitors are doing more than sticking to the script.

While the Blue Lagoon will always be a huge draw given its household recognition, natural lagoons without the sight-for-sore-eyes locker rooms are breaking visitor records in their own right.

Take Jökulsárlón Lagoon, for example. This practically unknown natural wonder with astounding glaciers and scenic seaside kept park rangers busy last summer with a record 100,000+ visitors in July alone.

But perhaps the trendiest destination is the island nation’s second-largest city, Akureyri.

Boasting a colorful townscape reminiscent of more notable Reykjavik, you can squeeze out an extra few dollars here and enjoy attractions with fewer crowds.

This northern city along the Ring Road feels more authentic too (as in there’s no Hard Rock).

Plus, there are arguably even better spas rivaling the famous Blue Lagoon – and more affordable too.

But no promises on the locker rooms. Europe gonna Europe sometimes…

Iceland Is Continuously The World’s Safest Country

Year after year, Iceland has continuously been considered the world’s safest country — and this goes back to when I first visited roughly a decade ago.

The legend of Iceland’s safety may be alarming to Americans because we just don’t relate, but parents really do leave babies in strollers outside of cafes (not in the blistering cold, of course).

You can freely walk around any city or town at all hours and not have to keep your head on a swivel.

The only real dangers are winter road conditions, volcanoes potentially erupting, and an occasional bar patron having one too many — and yes, Reykjavik in particular does know how to party.

Let’s just say I had such a good time in the capital, I named by dog Reyka after the island’s signature vodka…

According to the U.S. State Department, Iceland is obviously designated as ‘Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions’, the lowest possible category.

Of course, travelers should always be aware of their surroundings. For sample size, Copenhagen is largely deemed safe too, but actually felt sketchier than Marseille, a notoriously edgy French city, on my recent trip.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.