What was once a unique system of urban elevators is turning into a mechanical ruin.

A fantastical group of cliffside stairways, bridges, and twisting paths carved out of stone provide a surreal coastal hike.

This volcanic cave lake is essentially hard proof that Iceland is the most magical place on Earth.

Instead of solid circles, the stoplights in this northern Icelandic town have glowing red hearts.

Iceland's tribute to its thankless civil servants.

The picturesque birthplace of Icelandic democracy is drenched in the blood of its brutal past.

This stunning concert hall has become a symbol of Iceland's national recovery.

This tumultuous Icelandic lava field looks so alien European researchers want to use it as a stand-in for Mars.

Three columns of volcanic rock shoot out of the ocean.

The largest whale museum in Europe allows visitors to walk among life-size giants.

If a glacial river suddenly diving into a sheer chasm via a dramatic, multi-stage waterfall isn't peak Iceland, it's certainly close.

The most powerful waterfall in all of Europe.

This elegant arc of a waterfall marks a religious turning point.

This eye-popping Icelandic crater lake is surrounded by red volcanic rock.

One of the tallest buildings in Iceland, and perhaps, the most visually impressive.

Legend holds eating just one of these black eggs can add seven years to one's life.

Once the main gateway to Tokyo, sneaking through this checkpoint was a capital offense in feudal times.

This 14th-century temple is also known as the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" for its gorgeous gilded reliquary hall.

A shrine contains nearly 200 statues of the Buddhist deity Jizo, dressed in bibs by parents who have lost a child.

Crawl through the hole in the middle of this stone to break off a bad relationship or initiate a good one.

The quintessential Japanese rock garden has existed for more than 500 years.

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

An enormous pair of straw sandals woven in the traditional way—to keep demons at bay.

This enormous monument is one of the most iconic structures in Tokyo, rudely nicknamed "The Golden Turd."