The land of ice & fire is home to incredible natural phenomena and breathtaking scenes. Indulging in one of the many Icelandic experiences is on the bucket list of many such travelers. And hence, this guide to Iceland travel will take you to some of the finest gems of the country.
Bold surreal landscapes, stunning backdrops, and geothermal spas – Iceland has everything to offer! Not only the activities, but the experiences also include witnessing the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun.
For many tourists, the mention of Iceland only evokes the images of the country being pervaded with ice or volcanic eruptions. But there’s much more to it! With so many attractions in Iceland, it’s hard to identify which one to include if you have a short visit itinerary. And the names might get a little tricky to pronounce apart from Reykjavik. In this guide, I’ve shortlisted my favorite attractions to visit when you’re in Iceland.
These attractions are of course the most popular ones in Iceland & hold great popularity amongst tourists. Although, there are tons of things to do & see, but you can always make some adjustments & include the below ones. If you’ve planned a six or seven-day itinerary, then definitely you can include it all.
Pro Tip – If you’ve decided on taking the Ring Road tour of Iceland, then it covers the majority of the highlights. The circuit tour is the best possible way to see everything the country has to offer. The itinerary may be long, but if you got days to spare off for your holiday, then why worry?
Check our amazing collection of newly designed Iceland itineraries, ranging from 3 days to 11+ days.
TOP ATTRACTIONS OF ICELAND
BLUE LAGOON
I’m sure you must’ve expected this name by now. And how should I even miss this? Blue Lagoon is one of the fantastic places to visit in Iceland. Not only famous because of the geothermal spas but also because of the relaxation & nourishment it offers. The minerals in the water do benefit your mind, body, and soul.
It’s preferable to include Blue Lagoon in your itinerary towards the end of the trip. The reason is – if you have had a long circuit tour of Iceland, you may need some sort of break. Some of your itineraries may be hectic, cramped with loads of destinations to visit. Thus, having the attraction added towards the end helps.
Now to get back to the main part – Why Blue Lagoon? What makes this place so special? And why do you need this included in your itinerary? Well, let me tell you – Iceland doesn’t have many monumental structures to depict the life, tradition, or specialty of the country. What makes Iceland so special is the indigenous land, the dormant volcanoes, mineral-rich hot springs, and other landscape features.
Blue Lagoon is a 42-minute drive away from the main capital center of Reykjavik and is only a 19-minute drive from the international airport of Iceland. So if you’ve rented a car or booked a guided tour, then the place is quite accessible. The water in the Blue Lagoon is rich in sulfur and silica and the average water temperature is quite comfortable (37-39-degree C). The place also has a spa facility called the Lagoon Spa and a few restaurants – the Blue Café and LAVA Restaurant. It is a little on the expensive side, and I suggest you take packed food if you can. But the tranquillity and the calmness have no limits here. You’ve got everything you need right from exotic cocktails to delicious meals and health treatments. And it is because of these reasons, tourists prefer traveling Blue Lagoon every time they visit Iceland.
To give you some brief details – Blue Lagoon is open throughout the year and you can almost travel anytime. Never much worry about the weather conditions here, the place is considered ideal to suit any weather type. More importantly, it’s advisable to book tickets for Blue Lagoon Iceland several months before blocking your space. The majority of the time, it may happen that you will be turned away from the offline reservation center.
Check our ‘Ultimate Guide to Blue Lagoon Iceland’ for more pricing & other details.
JÖKULSÁRLÓN
The next on the list is Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoon – Jökulsárlón. Located to the southeast of Iceland, the place conveniently sits by Route 1 along the Ring Road of the country. It is considered to be one of the most popular destinations in Iceland for those traveling towards the south coast of the country. If you are self-driving across the Ring Road, then Jökulsárlón makes a great stop for you to experience the glacier lagoons.
If you’ve seen images of Jökulsárlón, you may be wondering how the glacier lagoon is formed. Well, it’s simply because of the meltdown water streaming down from the tongue of Europe’s largest ice cap. You can catch glimpses of the peak Breiðamerkurjökull from where the lagoon is formed. It’s a part of the Vatnajökull National Park, which is a great place for hiking trails as well.
The Jökulsárlón ice lagoon pulls everyone’s attention with its notable coloration. Although it seems they are white, they have an ethereal blue tint.
If you think you’ve seen this place in a movie, then you’re right! Jökulsárlón has been featured in many Hollywood films such as James Bond, Die Another Day, Batman Begins, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. The site continues to be a great location for many films because of the landscape features it offers.
For a guided Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon tour, check out this excursion.
VATNAJÖKULL NATIONAL PARK
You cannot miss Vatnajökull National Park as your destination to visit if you’re in Iceland. This enormous, vast land is a heavenly sight for all adventurous people seeking thrill & enjoyment. It is also the second-largest national park in Europe. So, imagine the plethora of activities it has in store for you.
The Vatnajökull National Park almost covers 14% of Iceland, with an area of 14,141 square kilometers. Home to stunning glaciers, ice caves, majestic canyons, and beautiful hiking trails, Vatnajökull has everything in store for travelers.
If on a hiking trail, you can catch the spectacular views of volcanic mountains – Askja, Snæfell, and Kverkfjöll. The more you explore, the greater views you will expect within the national park. You can also indulge in experiencing Vatnajökull ice cave tours. If you are somewhere near the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, then get stunned by the mighty Dettifoss waterfalls – one of the most powerful waterfalls in entire Europe.
Vatnajökull National Park also makes a great place for all Viking lovers. If you know the history or the background of the settlement, then Vatnajökull trails will lead you to the canyon Ásbyrgi, where Odin’s eight-legged horse was believed to leave a footprint on the land.
There are other great attractions at Vatnajökull National Park that may interest outdoor enthusiasts. These includes exploring Öræfajökull, Svartifoss waterfalls and Breiðamerkurjökull. One may also indulge in all the activities Vatnajökull has to offer – hiking, snowmobiling, sailing, skiing, and dog sledding.
Fact – Vatnajökull Glacier was also featured in the Game of Thrones series as ‘North of the Wall’. Most of the CGI shots were taken capturing the real scenes of this magnificent glacier.
SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA
When I visited Iceland, Snæfellsnes Peninsula was a definite place included in my itinerary. I often heard that it’s called ‘Iceland in Miniature’ and I wondered why. But my first visit to Snæfellsnes Peninsula made me understand the reason. Honestly, I saw everything out there including black-golden sand beaches, farm cattle, rock formations, lava fields, volcanic craters, waterfalls, and caves. I had seen all that along my Ring Road tour of Iceland, but to catch glimpses of all at one place? Unbelievable.
I also came across a few of the villages and towns, located against a gorgeous backdrop setting of the coastline. You can get some spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean from here. If you are in Snæfellsnes Peninsula, then you ought to visit the Snæfellsnes National Park. It is one of the three national parks in Iceland, loaded with bountiful attractions. Not just that, but the place is also filled with folklore and adventurous tales of Bárður Snæfellsás – half-man, half-troll. If part of the guided tour, then you will get to know these sagas very well. The next stop should be the Kirkjufell Mountain, which was featured in the Game of Thrones series. The peak of the mountain looks like an arrowhead and each angle gives different views. But if you explore the triangular-shaped side of the angle by the side of the road, then you will get to see the famous Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall.
For more photogenic spots, I recommend you to visit Hellnar – a small hamlet located on the southern coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It’s set between the impressive seaside cliffs from where you can view the Snæfellsjökull glacier. If time is no obstacle for you, then do explore the tiny settlement of Arnarstapi and the rock formation place of Gatklettur.
REYKJAVIK
Over the recent years, tourism has flourished in the city of Reykjavik, with millions of travelers visiting. The capital city has come to a hotspot for all travelers, wanting to stay for 2-3 days and then continue on the circuit tour of the country.
The size of the city may seem small, but then never underestimate the popularity of its stylish bars & cafes, pubs, and restaurants spread across. During the summer, the city barely sleeps, with nightlife going as wild as it can. So if you’re a party lover and love to make new friends, Reykjavik is the place for you.
As mentioned before, Reykjavik makes a great base for tourists to travel to different attractions. If taking up the Ring Road itinerary for Iceland, then the capital city serves as the starting & ending point.
Speaking of attractions in Iceland Reykjavik, you will get to see the famous Hallgrímskirkja church that towers over the surrounding houses. It is 240-ft high and can be seen almost from any point in the city. If interested in knowing the history & tales of Iceland, then the Settlement Exhibition is the place for you. Home to archaeological remains and the oldest relics, the exhibition stands as a great center for history lovers.
For some fun family time, you can visit Laugardalur, also known as the ‘Hot Springs Valley’. Famous for outdoor thermal pools, this recreational space serves as one of the largest swimming facilities in the city. Apart from pools, there is also a large sporting complex, lined with trees and parks. Perfect for families who are in the city for a short break. You also shouldn’t miss visiting the iconic sculpture – Sólfarið, or The Sun Voyager. The statue designed by Jon Gunnar symbolizes light and hope.
SELJALANDSFOSS
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most beautiful & famous waterfalls of Iceland. Part of its popularity is because you can walk behind the 60m high shower. That’s truly an amazing experience in itself! Whilst you walk behind the falls, you can feel the forces of gushing water coming onto you. The roaring sound and the breezy mist make you feel an adventurous sort of person at the very moment. And it’s not only about the experience you take in, but also the fact that you can grab perfect lush green views of the open field from where you stand.
The perfect time to visit Seljalandsfoss is during the evening. Since the waterfalls face west, catching up with a sunset view is a must. You can reach the falls by turning on road 249 (Þórsmerkurvegur). You’ll find a large parking lot area on your right. From there, Seljalandsfoss is at a walkable distance.
ASKJA
While the Ring Road takes you off to major attractions of Iceland, it often skips the highlands (central region) of the country. The beautiful landscapes and stunning natural scenes are almost untouched and less explored. One of them is the famous Askja Caldera in the Dyngjufjoll Mountains.
Nestled in the northern region of the Vatnajökull National Park – Askja is one of my favorite places in Iceland. Not many travelers are aware of this place, because of the accessibility issue. But by far, this is one of the stunning places you should come across during your visit.
If wondering what exactly is Asjka – then it’s a caldera (sunken crater) formed due to a huge volcanic eruption at the end of the Ice Age. This also caused the formation of the deepest lake in Iceland – Lake Askja. It was formed in 1875 and is believed to have a depth of more than 200m. You could also see the Viti Volcano from Askja, which contains a 60m deep geothermal lake.
An important thing to note – Askja is majorly accessible during the summer months (May to September). It’s even dangerous to travel during harsh weather conditions even in summers. Make sure you check the weather & also select a convenient period to travel.
MYVATN
The beautiful looking lake of Myvatn is home to remnants of geothermal activity and volcanic eruptions. Not just that, but a large number of birds from other parts of the world can be seen here. The entire Myvatn Lake was nothing 10,000 years ago. It was purely a barren wasteland covered with glaciers from all sides. Post the many eruptions that happened, glaciers melted down and began to disappear. Amongst one of the lava fissure eruptions that caused – gave birth to the Lake Myvatn.
From Lake Myvatn, you could also travel to other attractions – Ásbyrgi, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Hverfjall and Leirhnjukur.
CONCLUSION
So that was my list of all the top attractions of Iceland you need to visit when you’re in Iceland! Do check out my other Iceland related guides that will brief you about other popular tours, itineraries & Ring Road tours.
For any feedback/ suggestions, you can post it down under comments or reach out to me personally. Happy traveling!
