Welcome to the Land of Fire and Ice! Iceland is one of the world’s most incredible destinations. There’s nowhere quite like it on the planet — this small volcanic island in the north of Europe is really totally unique, and that’s why we love it. Even just planning an itinerary for your Icelandic holiday is exciting. Get ready to start daydreaming about shimmering glaciers, boiling geysers, dramatic waterfalls and, ooh, maybe a little thing called the Northern Lights. It’s time to take a look at the best things to see in Iceland.
This is the first place most visitors see, as it’s home to Iceland’s international airport. In fact, you might be tempted to hire a car and drive away, bypassing the capital altogether, but resist the urge. We reckon it’s definitely worth spending a few days in Reykjavik, which is one of the most interesting capital cities in the world.
There are plenty of cool things to do in Reykjavik city. We love the Sky Lagoon, one of the best natural spas in the country, and Perlan, where you can explore a thrilling ice cave. The city also has a number of outdoor sculptures, which are great if you like art. You can even download the free Reykjavik Art Walk app, which will take you on a walking tour. The highlight for most is Jon Gunnar Arnason’s Solfar, a stripped-down, modern metal version of a Viking ship.
You can find some of the best things to see in Iceland in the capital. By day, check out famous sights like Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik’s cathedral, with its striking, modern silhouette, or the unusual modern glass design of Harpa Concert Hall. When the sun goes down, the city also has some seriously epic nightlife. You may not realise just how hard the Icelanders can party — but believe us, they’ll surprise you. Rock music is particularly popular, and there are often live shows in the city’s many bars. There’s also a small but thriving LGBTQ scene.
Oh, and we should also mention that in winter, you can often see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik. Obviously, The Aurora Borealis never guarantees an appearance, but seeing it from the city can create a particularly striking view. One of the best places to watch the natural light show is the Grotta lighthouse, which creates a particularly dramatic photo opportunity. If it gets too chilly, head over to the Kvika Foot Bath and let the geothermal waters warm you up while you take in the spectacle.
The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle, easily accessible from Reykjavik, is Iceland’s most famous sightseeing route. You can complete it in just four hours, but you may want to take more time to really take in the sights. Some visitors spend a week or more on the road, really making the most of the Golden Circle. Along the way, you’ll find some really cool things to do in Iceland. Hire a car and get exploring!
One of the joys of the Golden Circle is the chance to drive it yourself, setting your own itinerary. You’ll generally be following the Ring Road, but there are lots of chances for detours, depending on what you want to see. You can discover some of the best sights in Iceland on this journey — in fact, we love them so much that we’ve given a few their own dedicated entries on our list.
Along the way, we love the Geysir Geothermal Area, where you can get up close and personal with some of those famous geysers. Not too close, mind you — after all, these natural wonders send spouts of boiling water shooting out of the ground. Usually, geyser spouts are about 15 to 20 metres high, but some are as high as 40 metres, which will make your jaw drop. The Geysir area has many different geysers, including Strokkur, the most active in Iceland. On average, it erupts every 6 to 10 minutes.
Another highlight of the trip is Thingvalla Kirkja Church. You may struggle to spell it out for your GPS, but it’s worth taking a visit. This charming, quaint church dates back to 1859, and it’s a delightful place to stop and relax for a while, recharging your batteries before continuing on this epic journey.
Thingvellir National Park
If you’re heading clockwise along the Golden Circle loop, this is the first major attraction you come to. Thingvellir National Park is worth exploring for two reasons: firstly, as you might expect, it is packed with the natural beauty that Iceland is famous for. Secondly, it has a surprising historical significance. This is where the first parliament of Iceland met back in the year 930 AD, with Icelanders travelling from across the island to get here during the warm summer months. In fact, it continued to be the home of the country’s parliament until the late 18th century.
You’ll find Thingvellir nestled in a natural rift valley between two tectonic plates. Thrill-seeking scuba divers can really take advantage of this, doing something that isn’t possible anywhere else on the planet: diving in the crack between the two plates. You’ll need a drysuit, as the water is extremely cold, but it’s also incredibly clear. This is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The park is packed with some of the most interesting things to see in Iceland. Highlights include Oxararfoss Waterfall, which is an easy 10-minute walk from the car park. If you’d like to go on a longer walk, there are plenty of options throughout Thingvellir. Game of Thrones fans may find some of the scenery familiar. Many scenes from the series were filmed here.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss means “golden” in Icelandic. Many people believe that this is the most beautiful waterfall in the country. There’s some stiff competition for that title, but it’s certainly one of the most stunning Iceland attractions.
This is a two-tier waterfall on the Hvita River. It’s worth visiting at any time of year: in the spring and summer, the snow melt turns it into a gushing cascade, while in the winter, it makes a particularly dramatic sight set among the snow-covered landscapes. The viewing platforms around the waterfall have been carefully positioned so they won’t interfere with the area’s outstanding natural beauty.
If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, then make a detour along the Hvita River during your Golden Circle Reykjavik adventure. The river is one of Iceland’s best places for whitewater rafting.
Kerid Crater
Here’s one more stop on the Golden Circle that’s one of our favourite things to visit in Iceland. There are so many sights in this country that look like something from another planet — and Kerid Crater is up there with the best of them. This is a volcanic caldera. Geologists estimate that it was created by an eruption some 6,500 years ago. Today, the crater is filled with water, which gives it an eerie, otherworldly charm.
By day, Kerid Crater is one of the best things to see in Iceland, thanks to its dramatic colours. The vivid turquoise water stands out against the rocks, with their fiery tones of orange, red and black. It’s also sometimes used as a concert venue. If you’re lucky enough to see a performance here, then don’t miss the chance. The natural acoustics of the caldera make it a truly remarkable place to take in a show.
Skogafoss Waterfall
We told you that some people say that Gullfoss is the country’s most beautiful waterfall — now here’s its main rival. Skogafoss can be found on Iceland’s south coast, and it’s pretty darn impressive. The water cascades 60 metres down a sheer rock face. This is a great spot for photographers, as there are nearly always rainbows formed by the heavy spray from the water.
For the best views of Skogafoss, make sure you’re wearing good hiking boots. You can go very close to the bottom —and yes, you will get wet— but you can also hike up to the observation platform for a view of the entire waterfall. There are 527 steps to get up there, and they may be slippery, but the views make it totally worthwhile.
This is another one of those Game of Thrones filming spots. In Season 7, Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen rode their dragons here. The scene was shot in winter, which is when the all-white landscape makes Skogafoss look particularly striking, but we reckon it’s one of the best things to see in Iceland at any time of year.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
No, we’re not done with waterfalls yet. In fact, we could easily make a list of just the best waterfalls to see in Iceland, as there are so many! What makes Seljalandsfoss unique is the fact that you can walk behind the water and peer out through the cascade for a totally unique waterfall point of view. If you’ve ever wanted to see behind the curtain, this is your chance!
Like Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss is located in the south of the country. It’s best to visit in the summer, especially if you want to walk behind the water. In winter, the ground can be treacherously slippery due to the build-up of ice, and spiked shoes are a must to avoid accidents.
The Blue Lagoon Iceland
Everyone has heard of the Blue Lagoon, which for many years was Iceland’s most famous sight. Today, it’s still high on the list of things to do in Iceland, and it’s just as stunning as you might expect. The bright blue waters are set against a backdrop of black lava rocks, creating an intense, beautiful contrast that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet.
Naturally, the main thing to do here is soak in the healing waters. The Blue Lagoon offers a more luxurious experience than Iceland’s other geothermal centres. It has a swim-up bar, so you can sip on a cocktail while you enjoy the water, and there are a number of spa treatments available. When you’ve had enough of the water and are wrinkled like a prune, there’s even a Michelin-starred restaurant on site where you can partake in fine Icelandic cuisine at eye-watering prices. Be sure to take a full shower, complete with soap, before going into the water — local spa etiquette demands it.
If the Blue Lagoon is too crowded or just a little bit too expensive for you, don’t worry. There are many other geothermal hotspots around Iceland, so you’ll have plenty more opportunities to soak in rejuvenating volcanic waters. We still think that the Blue Lagoon is one of the best things to see in Iceland, even if you don’t spend all day there.
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula
This region of West Iceland is sometimes called “Iceland in miniature” because it offers a taste of all of the country’s top attractions — volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, lava fields and more. The major highlight is Snaefellsjokull Glacier Volcano, which is one of the most dramatic sights in an already dramatic country.
Just a two-hour drive from Reykjavik, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is worth a day trip —or more. We love the Raudfeldsgja Gorge, a craggy, rocky landscape. Adventurous travellers can hike the interior, where they’ll find a hidden waterfall. You’ll need to wear good waterproof clothes, though, as you will get wet on this journey!
Another Snaefellsnes highlight is the Songhellir Cave. The name means “singing cave” because of the superb acoustics. Head inside and test the echoes.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lake
This is the true highlight of southeast Iceland. The glacial lagoon, Jokulsarlon, is a must if you love adventure. With its stunning icebergs, this is definitely one of the best things to see in Iceland. Just make sure to wrap up warmly because this is one of the coldest places in a cold country.
Jokulsarlon is best seen by boat. There are two kinds of boat tours available. Amphibian boats give you a general overview of the area, but tours on smaller zodiac boats let you get very close to the icebergs. You’ll have an experienced captain on board, so there’s no need to worry about a Titanic situation!
You can also travel on foot with an ice cave hike. Make sure to go with an official tour group, as the routes here can be dangerous if you’re not familiar with them.
Hekla volcano
The ancient Icelanders believed that Hekla was the gateway to hell. We don’t agree — in fact, we reckon it’s one of the best things to see in Iceland. This is Iceland’s most active volcano, and it offers a serious challenge for dedicated hikers.
It’ll take about eight hours to hike the Hekla route. Do it in summer, as in winter, the route is dangerously icy, and you won’t have enough daylight. Take advantage of the midnight sun to spend a full day hiking without needing to worry about it getting dark. Along the way, you’ll cross lava fields and see impressive glaciers.
Thrihnukagigur Volcano
There are so many more things that could go on our list, but let’s finish with something spectacular. The highlight of Thrihnukagigur is the chance to go inside a volcano. Don’t worry — it’s been dormant for over 4,000 years.
This is a totally unique experience, as there’s nowhere else on the planet where you can do this. You’ll be lowered in a hydraulic lift into the crater. Expert guides accompany you to point out the sights and tell you more about the volcano. It’s a stunning and humbling experience, but one to avoid if you’re scared of heights.
Come and discover the coolest sights in Iceland with us. Our Northern Lights tour will take you into the Icelandic winter in search of the Aurora Borealis, while our Iceland Express trip lets you see some of the country’s finest attractions. Have you fallen in love with Iceland but don’t know when to go? Here are some tips. Grab your coat, and let’s go!
