Things to do in Iceland

16 places worth the trip in Iceland, grouped by what they are. Every guide explains what to see, the best time to go and the practical details, checked against official sources. Best time to visit Iceland: Jun–Aug (midnight sun), Sep–Mar (auroras).

Nature (6)
Waterfalls (3)
National parks (2)
Cities (1)
Wildlife (1)
Mountains (1)
Beaches (1)
Viewpoints (1)

Nature in Iceland

Gullfoss waterfall on the Golden Circle dropping in tiers into a canyon, with a rainbow in the spray, Iceland

Bláskógabyggð, South Region

Golden Circle

Iceland's best-known scenic route: a loop of roughly 250 km from Reykjavík that takes in the rift valley of Þingvellir, the erupting Strokkur geyser and the two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall.

Blue icebergs reflected in the calm water of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on a foggy day, Iceland

Breiðamerkursandur, South-East Iceland

Jökulsárlón

A glacial lagoon where icebergs calved from Breiðamerkurjökull drift towards the sea, with ice washing up on the black sand of Fellsfjara, known as Diamond Beach, just across Route 1.

Skógafoss waterfall falling between moss-covered cliffs onto a black gravel riverbed, south Iceland

Rangárþing eystra and Mýrdalur, South Region

South Coast

The stretch of Ring Road between Reykjavík and Höfn, lined with waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the black sands of Reynisfjara near Vík and, further east, glacier lagoons.

Strokkur erupting a tall white column of water and steam in front of a hill under a cloudy blue sky

Haukadalur, Bláskógabyggð, South Region

Geysir & Strokkur

The Haukadalur geothermal field, whose Great Geysir gave its name to geysers worldwide; today the star is Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes up to about 30 m high.

Green crater-shaped islands scattered across the calm surface of Lake Mývatn

Mývatnssveit, North Iceland

Lake Mývatn

A shallow lake in a volcanic landscape, protected as the Mývatn-Laxá conservation area and famed for its ducks, pseudocraters, lava formations at Dimmuborgir and the Hverfjall crater.

Bathers in the milky-blue Blue Lagoon among black lava rocks, with footbridges and steam rising behind

Grindavík, Reykjanes Peninsula

Blue Lagoon

A milky-blue geothermal lagoon set in black lava on the Reykjanes Peninsula, fed by mineral-rich seawater from the neighbouring Svartsengi geothermal plant. About 20 minutes' drive from Keflavík Airport.

Waterfalls in Iceland

Gullfoss cascading in two steps into a canyon under blue sky, with a rainbow in the spray and wildflowers in front

Bláskógabyggð, South Region

Gullfoss

The 'Golden Falls', where the glacial Hvítá river drops in two steps into a narrow canyon; a protected nature reserve and a symbol of Icelandic conservation.

Seljalandsfoss falling from a green cliff into a pool, with a path across the lowlands under a pink evening sky

Rangárþing eystra, South Region

Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss

Two of the South Coast's best-known waterfalls, about 30 km apart: Seljalandsfoss, with a path behind the falls, and the broad curtain of Skógafoss, often crowned by a rainbow.

Dettifoss plunging over a wide basalt edge into a misty canyon, with green moss in the foreground

Jökulsárgljúfur, North Iceland

Dettifoss

A 45 m high, 100 m wide waterfall on the glacier-fed Jökulsá á Fjöllum, described by the national park as the most powerful in Europe. Reached by road 862 (west) or 864 (east).

National parks in Iceland

A walking path through a rocky rift gorge at Þingvellir, with mossy lava walls and a lake in the distance

Bláskógabyggð, South Region

Þingvellir National Park

A rift valley north-east of Reykjavík where the Alþingi assembly met from around 930 to 1798, now a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site with gorges, a lake and the Silfra fissure.

Svartifoss falling over a cliff of dark hanging basalt columns into a boulder-strewn gorge

Skaftafell, Öræfi, South-East Iceland

Vatnajökull National Park & Skaftafell

Iceland's great ice cap and its volcanic surroundings form a UNESCO World Heritage park. Skaftafell, on its southern edge, is the classic base for hikes to glaciers and the basalt-framed Svartifoss.

Cities in Iceland

The stepped concrete facade and tower of Hallgrímskirkja under a deep blue sky

Reykjavík, Capital Region

Reykjavík – Hallgrímskirkja & Harpa

Reykjavík's best-known landmarks: Hallgrímskirkja, the Lutheran church whose tower overlooks the city, and Harpa, the glass-clad concert hall and conference centre on the old harbour.

Wildlife in Iceland

Wooden boats moored in Húsavík harbour, with the town's white wooden church and a green hillside behind

Húsavík, North Iceland

Húsavík whale watching

A colourful harbour town on Skjálfandi Bay where several operators run whale-watching trips. Up to 23 whale species have been recorded in and around the bay.

Mountains in Iceland

Kirkjufellsfoss cascading in the foreground with the green, cone-shaped Kirkjufell rising behind

Grundarfjörður, West Iceland

Snæfellsnes – Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell, the Church Mountain, rises 463 m beside the sea near Grundarfjörður, framed by the cascades of Kirkjufellsfoss: one of West Iceland's most photographed scenes.

Beaches in Iceland

Black sand beach with waves washing in, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks offshore and snow-dusted cliffs on the left

Mýrdalur, near Vík, South Region

Reynisfjara black sand beach

A striking black sand beach between Dyrhólaey and Mount Reynisfjall, with basalt columns, the Hálsanefshellir cave and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Its waves are dangerous: keep well back from the water.

Viewpoints in Iceland

Green aurora borealis over snowy mountains, reflected in a river at night in Þórsmörk, Iceland

Nationwide, Iceland

Northern lights

From roughly September to April, dark and clear nights in rural Iceland give a chance of seeing the aurora borealis. Sightings are never guaranteed, so check the cloud and aurora forecasts.

Iceland holiday packages

Gullfoss waterfall on the Golden Circle dropping in tiers into a canyon, with a rainbow in the spray, Iceland

NatureAdventure

Iceland · 5 nights4★ Hotel

Northern Lights & Golden Circle

Aurora hunt
Golden Circle
Geothermal lagoon

Includes accommodation · private transfers · daily breakfast · guided sightseeing

Indicative from

$1,678 pp

Blue icebergs reflected in the calm water of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on a foggy day, Iceland

NatureAdventure

Iceland · 8 nights3★ Lodge

Iceland South Coast Self-Drive

Jökulsárlón
Skógafoss
Glacier hike

Includes accommodation · private transfers · daily breakfast · guided sightseeing

Indicative from

$2,028 pp

Iceland travel overview Plan a Iceland trip

Iceland travel guides