Best Places to Visit in Iceland

If you're looking for a list of the best place to visit in Iceland, look no further! Iceland is home to some of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in the world. From ever-changing glacial fields to active volcanos, Iceland is a country of fire and ice. There are thousands of incredible locations all across Iceland featuring a vast array of diverse scenery. After exploring the entire country, these are our top picks for the best places to visit in Iceland.

Planning a trip to Iceland? Check out our 1-week itinerary

Best Places to Visit in Iceland

• Skógafoss
• Skógafoss Trail
• Fagradalsfjall Volcano
• Blue Lagoon
• Gullfoss Waterfall 
• Seljalandsfoss
• Dyrhólaey Beach
• Reynisfjara Beach
• Vatnajökull National Park
• Jökulsárlón Iceberg Lagoon
• Stokksnes

Skógafoss

Skógafoss is one of the best places to visit in Iceland and one of the most popular. This waterfall is close to 200 feet tall and is a force of nature to behold in person.

Skógafoss Trail

The waterfall itself is an incredible site, but the true gem of Skógafoss is the hiking trail. Starting from the parking lot you can visit the main area of the waterfall, then head up the massive staircase to the right. From there you can hike about 2 miles in and see some amazing hidden falls. The further you walk in, the quieter it is, so you can truly feel like you have the entire place to yourself.

Fagradalsfjall Volcano

Fagradalsfjall Volcano is an active volcano located about an hour from Reykavik. Fagradalsfjall began erupting in March 2021 and continued for 6 months. Although the eruption stopped, it is still one of the best places to visit in Iceland! Nothing beats the feeling of knowing you are standing at the site of a recently active volcano and being able to see the effects for yourself.

Blue Lagoon

Before I visited the Blue Lagoon, I assumed it was an overhyped and overpriced tourist trap. Although the Blue Lagoon can be very busy and is on the pricier side, it is worth all of the hype it receives online. When booking, try to buy a ticket for a less popular time (usually early in the morning or later in the evening) and it will feel like you have the entire place to yourself. When we visited, we were able to find a quiet corner to relax and take in the views. The experience was incredible and worth the money in our opinion. If you're looking to experience hot springs, but don't love the idea of spending money on them, there are a ton of free hot springs located around the country!

Gullfoss Waterfall 

Gullfoss Waterfall is another must-see location in Iceland. Gullfoss waterfall is located in the canyon of the Hvítá river in southwest Iceland and is a part of the famous "Golden Circle" loop.

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is a famous 200-foot waterfall and is one of the first waterfalls you see while driving along the main highway.

Dyrhólaey Beach

Dyrhólaey is a nature preserve on a small peninsula overlooking Black Sand Beach. It is also a common habitat for puffins, so if you're looking to spot any, here is a great place to look.

Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara Beach is known around the world as the "Black Sand Beach". This spot can be extremely busy during the middle of the day, but even that doesn't take away from the natural beauty of the landscape.

Vatnajökull National Park

There are many ways to visit Vatnajökull National Park, and they are all incredible. Vatnajökull National Park is home to the Vatnajökull glacier which you can experience for yourself through a number of guided tours. The national park also features ice caves, snowy mountain peaks, active geothermal areas, and rivers.

Jökulsárlón Iceberg Lagoon

Jökulsárlón Iceberg Lagoon is one of the many locations inside Vatnajökull National Park, and a must-see location when visiting Iceland. Viewable right from the highway, Jökulsárlón Iceberg Lagoon is a glacial lagoon filled with icebergs. There are many walking trails that you can use to explore the area, but popular excursions include boat tours and rafting.

Stokksnes

Stokksnes is definitely one of the best places to visit in Iceland. Although it is quite a drive from Reykavik (about 5 hours), the views are indescribable.