Iceland is a spectacular country and one of the best outdoor destinations in the world. The scenery is breathtaking and there are so many amazing places to visit.
Iceland is a great country to visit all year round and whether you are planning a short break, or are lucky to have a longer trip planned, there lots of stunning locations which you need to add to your itinerary.
Iceland really is one of the most diverse travel destinations and if you enjoy the outdoors and adventure, you will really fall in love with the country.
There are opportunities for all interests from city sightseeing, overland adventure tours, glacier hiking, beaches to snorkelling and scuba diving.
Iceland Travel Essentials
If you are looking to plan a trip to Iceland check out these websites:
• Find cheap flights on Skyscanner
• Search hotels with Booking.com
• Book sightseeing tours & activities on GetYourGuide
• Find small group adventure tours of Iceland with G Adventures
Top Rated Places to Visit in Iceland
Check out our guide to where to go and the essential things you have to do in this amazing country.
1. Discover Reykjavik
Visit Iceland’s charming capital, where 349,000 people, one-third of the country, live.
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in Iceland and is likely to be the first place you visit when you fly to Iceland.
The city is a great base for exploring more of the country and there are lots of accommodation options available here. Reykjavik is a welcoming city with friendly people, shops, bars, restaurants, museums and more.
Reykjavik is a great city to visit in all seasons as the amazing views of the ocean and mountains change depending on the month and weather.
One of the popular local tourist sights to check out include the Hallgrimskirkja church which is the tallest and most iconic building in the country. You can pay a modest fee for amazing views from the top.
The Pearl Observatory (Perlan) is another must visit destination, located on the Öskjuhlíð hill, the observatory has stunning views over the city and there is a restaurant, observation deck and the option to learn more about Iceland’s nature.
For cuisine in Reykjavik, The Icelandic Gourmet Feast has spurred the appetite of both locals and tourists with Tapas Barinn, a seven- course meal. Starting with the puffin fish, followed by lamb and minke, this is a must-eat for tourists.
2. Relax at the Blue Lagoon
Due to Iceland’s volcanic activity the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa, located near the village of Grindavik, offers year round swimming opportunities even in freezing winter temperatures.
The Blue Lagoon is one of the best geothermal spas in the world featuring an outdoor lagoon which can be swam in all year round. This is one of the most visited locations in the country and it is easy to see why, you can’t leave Iceland without going here.
3. Witness the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is a really spectacular natural light display in Earth’s sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions.
The Northern Lights really is something you have to experience once in your life and Iceland is one of the best places in the world to witness this phenomena.
The best time of year in Iceland to see the Northern Lights is during winter (October and April) as the night skies are much darker and visibility is better. Although saying this, if you get lucky, you can also see the Northern Lights during summer.
You also need to be aware that no tour operators can guarantee for you to see the Northern Lights as sometimes weather conditions can make it difficult to experience this incredible phenomenon.
4. Get Awestruck at Skógafoss
Skógafoss is an awe-inspiring 60m tall waterfall located. on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland. This is one of the essential places to add to your Iceland travel itinerary, and looks even more impressive in real life.
6. Visit a Beach
Iceland has beaches? Yes! Well, they aren’t like Ibiza, beaches in Iceland are probably unlike anywhere you have ever been before, with the main striking feature being the sand is black. The locations of the beaches in Iceland make them look more like Mars than planet Earth.
7. Get Up Close to Gullfoss Falls
Gullfoss Falls is another amazing outdoor destination to add to your Iceland bucket list. This famous local attraction features a multi-section waterfall, like a miniature Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Gullfoss Falls looks completely different depending on the season you visit, in summer the landscape is lush green fields like seen in the photo above whilst in winter expect a white frozen setting.
8. Jökulsárlón
Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in the Vatnajökull National Park where you can see really amazing scenery.
This is where the glaciers flow through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving chunks of ice on a black sand beach.
If you visit during winter you can usually see hundreds of seals. We highly recommend booking a tour to the Skaftafell Ice Cave which is covered in spectacular blue icy light.
9. Snorkel between Continents at Thingvellir National Park
The Thingvellir National Park is located on the country’s Golden Circle route is a must stop off location. This is where two tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart at the rate of about two centimeters (0.8 inches) per year.
Some companies offer travellers the chance to snorkel or a unique place to go diving, the water is clear but freezing cold, and local dive companies offer trips for all levels, including complete beginners.
Getting an underwater photo touching two continents at the same time is something really unique.
10. Go Whale Watching
Seeing whales up close is a really majestic experience and several local tour operators offer trips.
The best time to see whales in Iceland and Greenland is from April to October, with June, July and August being peak season.
During this period it is an excellent chance to see minke and humpback whales, sei, fin, and blue whales – if you are lucky.
Related Article: Is whale watching ethical?
11. Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland’s most famous tourist destinations and when you visit in real life you will understand why.
This waterfall features a 60 metre (200 feet) drop and provides a real wow factor photo opportunity.
During summer there is a pathway where you can walk around the waterfalls and gain a real appreciation of the size and magnitude of it.
12. See the Strokkur Geyser
Strokkur is an active geyser and one of the most popular stop offs on Iceland’s famous Golden Circle.
This is a huge fountain geyser located in a geothermal area close to the Hvítá River in the southwest of Iceland, east of Reykjavík.
It usually erupts every 6–10 minutes shooting huge steams up in the air and although this isn’t the only Geyser in Iceland, it is the best.
13. Myrdalsjokull Glacier Park
The Mýrdalsjökull Glacier is the fourth largest ice cap in Iceland covering a huge 232 sq. mi (600 sq. km) area.
This glacier is located in the southern part of Iceland and easy to visit from the popular Ring Road tourist route. Hiding underneath the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier is the Katla Volcano.
Lots of travel operators offer hiking tours in the Mýrdalsjökull glacier which is a fun activity for all levels.
14. Go for Dip in the Askja Volcano
Askja is an active volcano in the Dyngjufjöll Mountains in central Iceland. At the peak of Askja there is a 50sq km geothermal pool and if you are feeling brave you can go swimming here depending on the season and weather conditions. The water is usually around 30 degrees Celsius.
15. Dettifoss Waterfall
Another waterfall making our list of essential places to see in Iceland, Dettifoss is located in the north part of the Vatnajökull National Park, Dettifoss is a really breathtaking attraction with water plunging 45 meters down a 100 meter wide gauge. There are several trails around Dettifoss, where you can really get close to see this waterfall up close.
16. Lake Myvatn
Myvatn is the fourth largest lake in Iceland and is a stunning location due to the scenery, islands and wildlife.
Myvatn is a volcano lake and the area is rich in flora and fauna, this is a bird watchers dream with so many different specifies living here.
You might want to stay in the village of Reykjahlíð which is a great place to explore more of the area. Some other places to check out include the Mývatn Nature Baths, the Námafjall Mountain, and Hverir, a hot-springs area.
17. Go Skiing in Akureyri
Akureyri is a small isolated city located in northern Iceland which you might be thinking is a long way from anywhere around 40 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. But don’t be put off by the location of this city, there is a lot of culture, entertainment and shops.
The Akureyri Museum, Aviation Museum at Akureyri Airport, the Art Museum and the Botanical Gardens are all some of the most popular tourist attractions.
But the main reason we recommend visiting Akureyri is the amazing ski fields which are among the best in the country. Mt. Hlíðarfjall is highly recommend just north of Akureyri whilst other ski areas nearby include in Dalvík, Siglufjörður and Sauðárkrókur.
18. ATV & Buggy Tour
One of the most fun and adventurous ways to see Iceland is on an ATV. Lots of companies offer tours to places like lava fields, dormant volcanos, and rural Iceland. There are short and long duration trips which can be joined in places like Reykjavik and more regions of the country.
19. Landmannalaugar Nature Reserve
Iceland has some of the most amazing national parks in Europe and in the southern region of the country you can travel to visit the Landmannalaugar National Park, easily one of the best destinations in the country.
The landscape which includes the rhyolite mountains, Hekla volcano, and lava fields looks like something from a different planet. There are lots of tours available here including hiking and horse riding.
The park is only open during summer – June to late September and you might want to stay at the mountain lodge (Landmannalaugar Hut) which can host 75 people.
20. Mt. Kirkjufell & Kirkjufellsfoss in Grundarfjörður
Kirkjufell is located in Grundarfjörður and is a 463 m tall mountain which looks like something out of Lord of the Rings!
It is often described as the most beautiful mountain on the Snæfellsnes peninsula and is the perfect Instagram photo opportunity. Be sure to see the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall too.
Kirkjufell is located in Snaefellsnes, close to Grundarfjordur town, which is about two hour drive from Reykjavik.
Other
These are some more popular tourist destinations we recommend adding to your itinerary if you have more time and flexible schedule:
• Mount Esja
• Hafnarhólmi
• Husavik
• Westfjords
• Skaftafell National Park
• Fagradalsfjall Volcano
• Heimaey Island
When to Go
It starts snowing in Iceland as early as September and can continue to do so through May. Since it’s also quite dark in winter, summer may be the best time to visit Iceland.
If you are planning to drive around Iceland’s ring road, which circles the island, summer is the best time to ensure the road is passable along the country’s cold northern coastline.
Twenty-four hours of daylight may play havoc with your sleep cycle but, compared to the virtual darkness around the clock in winter, it’s the better option. Summer temperatures range between 41 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best Ways to Get Around
You can plan a break to Iceland and book all trips independently or you can also book tours online in-advance or on arrival. You could hire a car to see Iceland by yourself which can be a lot of fun although slightly more challenging than going on a tour.
Some of the most popular self drive routes include:
• The Ring Road (Route 1) – 832-mile (1340km) loop around Iceland
• The Golden Circle – 185 miles (300km)
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Lots of local and international travel operators offer day and longer duration tours which are a great way to see more of the country and visit places which are off the beaten track.
Some trips can last few hours whilst others can be joined for weeks taking in all the major highlights. Benefits include getting a local guide, meeting new people and experiencing a different local side to the country.
Plan a Trip to Iceland
Iceland really is one of the most spectacular countries in the world and somewhere you really need to visit once in your life. Hopefully our guide has given you some inspiration for places to visit and unmissable things to do. Start planning your trip today.
