Wild, unpredictable, harsh at times, but breathtakingly beautiful at every moment. This is Iceland.
Sculpted through contrasts, carved in ice, melted in lava, combed by the impetuous winds of the North, and with a Viking soul.
There is as much to see in Iceland, as there are emotions to feel and landscapes to collect in a retina that will end up overwhelmed by such a display of incredible places.
Here, geology and magic unite to make extraordinary things happen. On this island, the earth beats strongly, pulses, boils, and even spits fire and water with the same intensity. But the sky is also something to see in Iceland, a stage where the Northern Lights dance and a canvas where the midnight sun unleashes its colors.
What to see in Iceland
Nature unleashes its power without hesitation to give you volcanoes, waterfalls, fjords, glaciers, thermal lakes, cliffs…
And you, you stand in awe before each postcard while the longing for more makes you keep devouring kilometers, still not believing you will find a wallpaper even more impressive than the previous one.
And among so many fascinating corners, choosing what to see in Iceland can initially become a headache, a gibberish that confuses the traveler with a string of unpronounceable names that are difficult to locate on the map.
To help you unravel the itinerary of your trip to Iceland, I have written this list with 100 things to see and do on this fascinating island. Without a doubt, they are not all there, there are more, many more, which is why it’s no wonder that those who go repeat, that those who travel in summer return in winter, that those who explored the south now long for the north, that those who traveled the Ring Road are crazy about heading into the Highlands.
Reykjavik
1- Decide if you love or hate the facade of Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland’s most famous church considered by many to be the ‘Reykjavik Cathedral’. Did you know it is Lutheran and that its architecture is inspired by the basalt columns that abound on the island?
2- Stroll through the old harbor of Reykjavik, a charming place you have to see in Iceland.
3- Take a quick tour of all of Iceland without leaving the capital at the Perlan Museum. You can see the Northern Lights in its planetarium and walk through a glacier tunnel, among many other things. Is it worth it? If you have more than one day in Reykjavik, yes, it is a different place to see in Iceland.
4- And if you like an adrenaline rush, go on the zipline at 50 kilometers per hour from the glass dome of the Perlan Museum. It costs 2,999 ISK, about 21 euros.
5- Without leaving the exterior of the Perlan, you can return to your childhood by jumping in Adventureland, the mega inflatable amusement park located outside the museum. However, you need to be accompanied by a child…
6- Did you know that in Reykjavik there is a golden sand geothermal beach where you can bathe for free in the warm water of a jacuzzi facing the sea and even enjoy a Turkish bath? Yes, it’s Nauthólsvík beach, a different place to see in Iceland, very close to the Perlan Museum.
7- Eat the most coveted hot dog in Iceland at the Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur street stall (Tryggvagata, 1). It has been open since 1937 and its most illustrious customer was Bill Clinton himself.
8- Warm up with a good lobster soup, accompanied by bread and butter at the Sægreifinn restaurant (Geirsgata, 8) right in the harbor. If you are going to Iceland with kids, this restaurant will interest you because it has a great children’s play area.
9- Try the plokkfiskur, one of the tastiest traditional dishes of Icelandic gastronomy. This creamy cod and potato stew is very good, and at the Messin restaurant (Lækjargata, 6) they serve it to you in a hot skillet with delicious bread.
10- Defy the more than likely cold by eating a very creamy artisanal ice cream at the Valdis ice cream parlor (Frakkastígur, 10). Yes, the best ice cream parlors on the island are one of those places to see in Iceland that you probably wouldn’t have thought of when organizing the trip.
- If the last suggestions have made you hungry and you want to savor Icelandic cuisine, you can take the Reykjavik food tour.
11- Look for the little mermaid of Reykjavik on the shores of the small Lake Tjörnin, a small oasis with a park dotted with sculptures in the middle of the city.
12- Sit leisurely in front of the iconic Sun Voyager sculpture (Sæbraut, 101) to watch the boats go by. If you can go at sunset, even better.
13- Admire the ingenious architecture of Harpa, the concert hall and conference center, whose facade mimics scales that change color depending on the light. You can go up to the fifth floor for free where there is a viewpoint.
14- Have fun walking while playing with the street art on the ground of Laugavegur street the commercial artery of Reykjavik. Be careful, look up every now and then because the street art on its walls is also one of the things to see in Iceland.
15- Take one of the most ‘Instagrammable’ photos of the trip sitting on the ground over the rainbow of Skólavörðustígur street with the Hallgrímskirkja church tower in the background.
16- Dare to pass in front of the Höfði house where legend has it that the ghost of ‘The Lady in White’ dwells. If you are more into history, Gorbachev and Reagan met here during the 1986 summit where the end of the Cold War was signed.
- Many of the places to see in Iceland that I have mentioned so far can be enjoyed on the panoramic tour of Reykjavik.
17- Looking for something original to do in Iceland? How about visiting its Icelandic Phallological Museum (Kalkofnsvegur 2), yes, as you read it, Reykjavik has a curious museum with a huge collection of animal penises and works of art inspired by this male member.
18 – Let yourself be surprised by what the small wooden shed perched on Þúfa, a green grass hill by artist Ólöf Nordal, holds. Want to know what’s inside? Dried fish. You can walk there from the port.
19- Travel to the island’s Viking past at The Settlement Exhibition, (Aðalstræti 16,) an interactive museum built over the ruins of an ancient Viking settlement.
-If you are more interested in art, specifically contemporary art, stop by one of the three buildings, Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn, that the Reykjavik Art Museum has in the city.
20- From museum to museum and it’s my turn. Stop by the Reykjavik Maritime Museum in the heart of the Old Port (Grandagarður 8). It’s a good plan for things to do in Iceland with children who will enjoy climbing aboard the Óðinn, a historic coast guard ship moored at the pier that can be visited inside (during 2022 the ship cannot be seen because they are building a new pier).
21- Go in search of the most famous bird in the country during the summer months, when it returns to land to nest on the coasts. From the port of Reykjavik, the puffin watching tour departs, a good option if you have few days and cannot go to other more distant watching areas.
22- Note that on the coast of Reykjavik you can also watch whales? Don’t worry if you don’t make it to Husavik in the north of the country, because from the capital of Iceland there is also a whale watching boat tour.
23- Learn about the whales of Iceland at Whales of Iceland (Fiskislóð, 23-25) This interactive exhibition is loved by children because they can touch and because of the giant life-size cetacean reproductions hanging from the ceiling.
24- Try the new adult pleasure of Reykjavik, a soak in the new geothermal lagoon and spa that arrived with a splash in 2021. Sky Lagoon offers a bath with views of the Atlantic Ocean, but only for those over 12 years old.
Reykjavik Map
Locate the places of interest you just read about on this map.
Where to stay in Reykjavik
This will be the place in Iceland where you will find the largest range of hotels in Reykjavik to choose from.
In my case, I stayed in a luxurious exchange house with a jacuzzi in the garden that I booked through HomeExchange. I’ll tell you how home swapping works in case you want to give it a try, and if you register through this blog they will give you extra guestpoints for your first stay.
Near Reykjavik
The coveted Golden Circle
One of the areas to see in Iceland almost imperatively is the well-known Golden Circle. This is the name given to the area near Reykjavik that brings together several incredible places where tourists flock in droves, and with good reason.
25- The Thingvellir National Park, a World Heritage Site, is interesting from both a scenic and historical point of view, as it is the site where Iceland’s first parliament was established.
26- Attend a live geology masterclass at the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates ‘shake hands’.
- Did you know that you can literally swim between two continents if you go snorkeling in the Silfra fissure?
27- Without leaving the park, take a look at the Öxaráfoss waterfall and walk along the Almannagja trail, another of the ‘Game of Thrones’ locations.
28- Be patient to witness the force of the Strokkur geyser, in the Haukadalur geothermal area. Its neighbor Geysir has been inactive for many years, but it reached such a height that it gave its name to this phenomenon where a column of hot water and steam tries to reach the sky in just a few seconds.
29- The Gulfoss waterfall will surprise you more or less depending on whether you started or ended your trip across Iceland here, but it will surely surprise you.
30- Before returning, take a look at the Kerid crater where the contrast of the blue lake and the red volcanic sand promise not to leave you indifferent.
- If you don’t have a rental car, van, or motorhome, don’t miss out on this area and book the Golden Circle excursion from Reykjavik
Map of the Golden Circle of Iceland
Reykjanes Peninsula
You will get your bearings quickly when you know that this is where your flight will land. But Keflavik airport is not the only thing on this peninsula.
31- Relax in one of the essential places to see in Iceland for many people. You just have to bathe in the most famous thermal lake in the country: Blue Lagoon. Book the Blue Lagoon excursion or buy the ticket in advance, if you have a rental car. Children can enter here, but only from 2 years old.
32- Also on the Reykjanes peninsula, you have the option to see the most recent lava field in Iceland, the one left in 2021 by the Fagradalsfjall volcano after erupting for months.
Map of Reykjanes peninsula
Locate on the map which places to see in Reykjanes.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
If you continue your journey through Iceland clockwise from Reykjavik, the next destination to see in Iceland is one of my favorites: the Snaefellsnes peninsula. About two and a half hours from the capital, they say this corner is a small Iceland in miniature because it concentrates everything you can see on the island: waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, cliffs…
I went on my own for a day with a rental car from the capital and, going with three small children, we couldn’t see the whole peninsula. If you don’t have your own transport or prefer to go with a Spanish-speaking guide, you can book the Snaefellsnes excursion from Reykjavik.
If you have the option to stay at least one night, much better because there is so much to see. This two-day tour of Snaefellsnes looks very good. One way or another, if you can, don’t miss this peninsula because it was one of the places to see in Iceland that I liked the most.
33- Feel how your feet sink into the moss when walking on the Berserkjahraun lava field.
34- Contemplate the waterfall of Grundarfoss and while you’re at it, say hello to the horses and sheep grazing around.
35- Admire with bated breath the beauty of Kirkjufell, the triangular mountain guarded by a small but photogenic waterfall. Did you know that this is one of the several ‘Game of Thrones’ locations in Iceland?
36- The fishing village of Ólafsvík is also a spot from which to try to spot humpback whales, among other cetacean species.
37- Among the many waterfalls there are to see in Iceland, the waterfall of Bjarnarfoss is one of my favorites. Keep your eyes wide open when driving on road 54 so you don’t miss it.
38- Suddenly the mountain opens into a spectacular fissure known as the Rauðfeldsgjá canyon.
39- Did you know that Jules Verne was inspired by this area when writing his famous work ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’? In Arnarstapi they remind you of it.
40- Challenge vertigo on the cliffs of Arnarstapi while birds of different species fly around you.
41-Photograph from afar the more than 1,400 meters of height of the Snæfellsjökull volcano and the glacier that guards it. Did you know it gives its name to the national park of this peninsula?
42-The simplicity of the black church of Búðakirkja, also known as Budir, is perhaps its greatest attraction. It is the perfect location for beautiful photos and is surrounded by lava fields.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula Map
Locate some of the places to see on the Snaefellsnes peninsula on this map.
The Forgotten West
This part of the island is usually left out of the most common itineraries of a trip to Iceland, as was the case for me. But if you have enough days and want to venture into one of the least ‘crowded’ places in the country, put at least the remote area of Westfjords, the West Fjords on your route because anyone who has been there never stops recommending it.
43-The singular waterfall Dynjandi, on the shores of the Arnarfjörður fjord, usually takes almost all the compliments. Did you know that it is actually not a single waterfall but a set of seven cascades?
44-The Látrabjarg cliffs are considered one of the best puffin-watching spots in Iceland. But you will also see other birds such as cormorants or Arctic terns.
45-On an island where volcanic black dyes the sandy areas, the red sand beach of Raudisandur is a rara avis to see in Iceland.
- You can see Látrabjarg and Raudisandur in a single excursion.
46- In Skápadalur you will find the remains of the Gardar BA 64, an iron ship stranded there in the 1980s.
47-Once outside the fjords, in the interior, Langjökull, the second largest glacier in Iceland, awaits you where people come mainly to go into the ice cave and tunnels beneath it. Did you know there is an ice chapel?
48-To the northwest, the small Kolugljúfur canyon is the only point in West Iceland that I visited and the first stop on my roadtrip.
49 -Grab your binoculars and head out in search of the seal colonies basking at different points of the Vatnsnes peninsula, in the northwest.
50-Without leaving this peninsula, reach Hvítserkur, a curious rock formation emerging from the sea, via a gravel road that you can drive with a normal car.
Where to sleep in West Iceland
Those who travel to the remote area of the West Fjords usually stay in Patreksfjördur. This fishing town is having more and more accommodation thanks to being a good base point for exploring the main attractions.
In my case, I stayed one night in the southwest, near Akranes, a little less than an hour from Reykjavik, before heading north of the island. I slept in the charming wooden cabin of the Hotel Laxarbakki for me one of the best accommodations of the trip to Iceland for the views, and for the comfortable, spacious, and very cozy interior. You can also stay in rooms and use the communal jacuzzi and steam bath.
Map of places to see in West Iceland
What to see in Iceland in the North
Another highlight of this trip through Iceland arrives. The north of the island offers a lot of attractions that warrant spending at least two nights in the area or as many as you wish.
52-Take a dip in the public thermal pool in Akureyri. A cheap, relaxing, and perfect plan if you are going with children who will be hooked on the slides and the children’s area.
52-Pay your respects to the waterfall of the gods: Godafoss. Visit this brutal waterfall from both sides and decide which one you like best.
53- If you wonder what to see in Iceland regarding wildlife, the first thing they will tell you is whales. Go whale watching in Húsavík, the place on the island where the most specimens come to feed. With luck, you will also see dolphins and even puffins with this other excursion.
54-Before or after that excursion, stop by the Húsavík Whale Museum to look at the cetacean skeletons they have.
55-Lake Mývtan and the volcanic region in which it is located is one of the essential places to see in Iceland. In its waters, several amazing pseudo craters ‘float’.
56-Float yourself in the thermal waters of Mývatn Nature Baths which are increasingly gaining ground over the famous Blue Lagoon.
- Did you know that in this area there is a shower in the middle of nowhere from which hot thermal water continuously flows? In the map below you have the location of this curious place.
57-Mars or the Moon will seem like closer destinations when walking through the Hvreir geothermal area with its fumaroles and bubbling mud.
58-The incredible blue of the Viti crater, belonging to the great Krafla volcano, will keep your gaze fascinated for a long time. One of the spots to see in Iceland that surprised me the most despite not being among the most renowned.
59-Next to it, you will discover how desolation can turn into beauty as you walk through the Leirhnjúkur lava field and its geothermal area.
60-Once again, black becomes the protagonist with the immense Hverfjall Crater.
61-If you have time, take a walk through the unexpected Höfði forest or at least take a look at the lava columns emerging from Lake Mývtan.
62-Understand the obvious reason why the Blue Lagoon has that simple name.
63-Peering into the Grjótagjá cave where Jon Snow lost his virginity in ‘Game of Thrones’.
64 -Once outside the Mývtan empire, look for the rainbow at the impressive Detifoss waterfall.
65-Very close by you have its less famous but also beautiful neighbor, the Selfoss waterfall
66-Detour from the ring road further north to find a landscape as fascinating as the Ásbyrgi canyon.
- The last places you read about can be visited in a day with a guide if you book the Diamond Circle tour.
67-One of the things to do in Iceland that I was left wanting to experience was taking the excursion to the Askja volcano north of the Highlands.
Map of North Iceland
Locate on the map of Iceland some of the most beautiful places to see in the North.
Where to sleep in North Iceland
If you want to find something economical within Iceland’s high prices, you will probably have to look in the second town with the most hotel offers: Akureyri. I slept in this picturesque city again in a HomeExchange house exchange for three nights.
But if you prefer not to go back and forth, but rather follow the circular route, I would recommend, for example, spending a night in between in one of the accommodations and hotels in Mývtan
What to see in East Iceland
The East Fjords
68-Go up to the Borgarfjördur fjord where you can see puffins very close by on your own thanks to the wooden walkways they have installed.
69-In the innermost area hides one of the many geological gems to see in Iceland. The Studlagil canyon impresses with its black basalt columns.
70-Give your body a gift at the thermal baths of Vök Baths whose pools seem to float in the waters of Lake Urriðavatn.
71-The Road 93 is said to be one of the most impressive scenic roads in Iceland and I can attest to that.
72-On that same route, stop at the Gufufoss waterfall, the setting where Ben Stiller goes down on a skateboard in the movie ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’.
73-Enjoy the charm of the small village of Seydisfjördur and the brutal environment in which it is nestled. Do not leave without the photo with the rainbow painted on the ground that leads you to a charming light blue church. In July, a fun art festival is held there.
74-On the way back along Highway 93, take a look at the curious Heavier Mountain, an open-air work of art by a local artist made with colored concrete cubes that contrast with the white snow surrounding it.
75-Take a look at the curious egg sculptures of Icelandic birds with which the artist Merry Bay has decorated the coast of Djúpivogur.
76-A little further on, don’t miss the chance to stop and chat for a moment with the artist who turns whale bones and those of other animals into curious works of art. Gallery Freevilli is an eclectic place to browse.
77-Look for wild reindeer around Djúpivogur and, with luck, wake up to them grazing in front of your cabin’s large window.
- If you aren’t lucky enough to cross paths with them like I did, a good option is to take the reindeer sighting excursion in the Breiðdalsvík valley
78-From Djúpivogur, you can sail to the tiny Papey island to see puffin colonies and even seals. It is only two square kilometers in size.
Where to stay in the East Fjords
In Seyðisfjörður, I fell in love with an old hospital with a lot of history converted into the pleasant hostel Hafaldan Old Hospital with a sauna included, a large and fully equipped communal kitchen, and children’s toys at the entrance. Being a family of five, we chose the studio with a kitchen, but there are cheaper simple rooms available.
The second night in the East Fjords, in Djúpivogur, was magical thanks to the group of reindeer that spent the night right in front of our wooden cabin’s large window. The Bragdavellir Cottages accommodation is one of my favorites from the trip; surely the reindeer had something to do with it.
Welcome to the Southeast
79-Drain your camera battery taking photos of Mount Vestrahorn reflected in the water left by the low tide at Stokknes, the wild black sand dune beach that guards it. Without a doubt, it is one of the essential landscapes to see in Iceland.
80- Check if the fame of Höfn langoustines is deserved by treating yourself at the Kaffehörnet restaurant (Hafnarbraut 42), where they are delicious.
81- The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with its icebergs floating in the water is a must-have on your Iceland travel itinerary. Just contemplating it from the shore and looking for little seal heads popping up is already worth it.
- Don’t just stay on the shore; go sailing among the icebergs, either in a quiet amphibious boat if you’re with children, or by rowing during a kayaking trip that allows you to get closer to the ice.
82-Save Diamond Beach on your map now because it is another of the essential places to see in Iceland. On this volcanic black sand beach, many of the icebergs coming from the lagoon get stranded.
83-The small Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon is well worth a stop, even if you’ve seen the previous one. From the parking lot, a very short walk brings you face-to-face with an incredible landscape of ice carved by calvings.
84-Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest glacier, awaits you to explore its surface during a guided trekking. If, besides walking on this gigantic ice field, you want to explore its interior, don’t miss the experience of entering an ice cave.
85-If you are looking for basalt columns, now you will see them framed in a beautiful architectural work of nature: the Svartifoss black waterfall.
86-It is the turn of the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon where the river has been modeling an evocative crack in the earth that will keep you fascinated for a long time.
Where to stay in southeast Iceland
The fully equipped cottages with kitchens at Lækjarhus Farm Holidays are a very good option near the Jökulsárlón lagoon. They are located on a farm, surrounded by horses and with a beautiful landscape to contemplate upon waking up.
Just a step away from the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, I stayed in a two-story wooden cabin also with a kitchen: Hörgsland Cottages.
Map of East Iceland
Search the map of Iceland for some of the places to see in the West.
What to see in South Iceland
87-Contemplate the photogenic Vík church and take a stroll along the village’s black sand beach.
88-The Reynisfjara beach goes straight to the list of essential places to see in Iceland. Once again, geology does its thing with sea stacks that emerge from the sea, like petrified trolls, and basalt columns that decorate the base of the shore cliffs where there are also caves.
89-Driving to the nearby Dyrhólaey nature reserve is already a pleasure, but peering over its cliffs while watching puffins with views of the previous beach in the background is a real luxury.
90-Before leaving this reserve, take a walk around the lighthouse to photograph the famous arch-shaped formation anchored in the sea and let your gaze get lost in the infinity of ‘The Endless Black Beach‘. For me, one of the best views to see in Iceland.
91-And at the end of that immense black sandy area, where it is called Sólheimasandur beach, the fuselage of a plane abandoned after an accident awaits you. You can reach it on foot from the road, a 14-kilometer round trip buffeted by the wind, or on a bus that charges you 20 dollars each way.
- Another different and fun option to reach the remains of the plane is with this quad tour. Additionally, they will also take you to Dyrhólaey, among other sites.
92-Take the ferry to the small archipelago of the Westman Islands where several colonies of puffins nest.
93-The Skogafoss waterfall allows you to get close to the base and even run your fingers through the double rainbow that sometimes wanders through this beautiful place. On the side, stairs climb up to the point where the water plunges in freefall.
94-Experience one of the magical moments of your trip to Iceland by walking behind the curtain of water at Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Don’t forget your raincoat if you don’t want to come back soaked and, while you’re at it, check out neighboring Gljufrafoss, another charming waterfall.
- If you are not going to stay overnight in this essential area, you can see these places in one day from Reykjavik with this South Coast and waterfalls excursion.
95-The island is dotted with turf-roofed houses, a curious way to keep the house at the ideal temperature while saving energy. At the historic Keldur farm you can see some and even the entrance to the secret underground tunnel beneath them.
96-Explore the fascinating and inhospitable Highlands that hold so much magnetism for hiking lovers. The crown jewel is Landmannalaugar with the striking ochre tones of its mountains. Access is only open in summer and you need a good 4×4 to get there or coordinate your route and schedule with the bus that goes up. If you don’t want to complicate things, a good option is to take the excursion to Landmannalaugar departing from Reykjavik.
97-Thórsmörk or Pórsmörk is increasingly competing with Landamannalaugar as a Highlands destination to visit in Iceland. One of the country’s most famous multi-day treks starts from here.
Where to stay in South Iceland
The high prices of hotels in Vík meant I stayed further along and, thanks to that, I spent a magical night surrounded by horses and sheep in one of the Hekla Cabin Volcano cabins. The views of the volcano of the same name, Hekla, one of the most dangerous in the country, were wonderful.
South Iceland Map
Find the most outstanding places to visit in the south of the island on the Iceland map.
What to see in Iceland across the island
98- Northern Lights. Seeing the fascinating and magnetic lights of the north dancing in the sky is one of the travel dreams of everyone traveling through Iceland between September and April. Any place away from light pollution (and there are many such spots in this country) can be a good viewpoint to look for this phenomenon-
99- Impressive landscapes. Don’t feel sad if you only have a few days for your trip through Iceland, feeling like you’re going to miss unique places. The island overflows with brutal landscapes that will conquer you wherever you look. Nature has shaped postcard after postcard here.
100-Scenic roads. Driving is one of the best things to do in Iceland. Keep your eyes wide open because every curve will give you an image destined to be carefully stored in your memory.
Travel safely through Iceland
A trip as special as this must be enjoyed with total peace of mind. For that, I always recommend going with travel insurance that gives you confidence and responds instantly. I travel with Mondo which I especially like because the app has a 24-hour medical chat that allows you to consult with a healthcare professional at any time.
What if you have an accident? Or if you get sick in the middle of one of Iceland’s remote locations? Would you know where to go? Would you be able to handle the paperwork in a stressful situation? Not forgetting, of course, the expense that medical assistance would entail, or buying clothes if your suitcase were lost, or if you were forced to cancel a trip as expensive as this one.
Take a look at the different policies with their respective coverages to choose the one that best suits your needs and be surprised to see that for less money than you think, you will have incredible support during your trip to Iceland. Also, for being a reader of this blog, you have a 5% discount.
Más artículos sobre Islandia: -20 planes en Islandia con niños -Vestrahorn, la belleza dramática de Islandia -Hoteles en Islandia: cabañas con encanto y cómo dormir casi gratis -Perlan Islandia, el museo que necesitas visitar
*This article includes affiliate links. If you book something through them, it will cost you the same, but you will help me continue creating interesting travel content on this blog.Thank you!
