Iceland's natural beauty is unparalleled. Why? Because it comes naturally, with its towering cliffs, small rivers forming imposing waterfalls, and the cold transforming glaciers, frozen lakes, and beaches into blocks of ice that look like diamonds. On the other hand, there's warmth that comes from deep within the earth, with geysers, hot lagoons, and still-active volcanoes. And it's one of the most sought-after countries for those seeking one of the most incredible natural spectacles: observing the Northern Lights. We've put together 10 places to visit in Iceland.
10 places to visit in Iceland:
1 – Nature
In Iceland, a mere waterfall becomes an unmissable stop, due to the height and force of the water. If there's snow, the scenery becomes even more beautiful. But that's not all. You can walk on a glacier, explore ice tunnels and caves; visit volcanoes; swim in a hot lagoon (with thermal water); and, in another part of the country, snorkel between two continents: North America and Eurasia.
If you still want to discover more, visit natural parks of rare beauty – such as Thingvellir, where Iceland's history began.
Another of the most impressive spots is undoubtedly Diamond Beach, where blocks of ice contrast with the black sand where they wash up after emerging from the Glacier Lagoon. And speaking of black sand... another must-see is Reynisfjara – Black Beach. But beware of the dangerous waves! This is one of the 10 places to visit in Iceland.
2 – Reykjavik (Reykjavik)
Iceland's capital is home to a third of the island's inhabitants—120,000 people. Reykjavik is a very modern city, with a focus on low-rise buildings, while taller ones stand out as architectural masterpieces that blend contemporary and traditional.
Besides the Hallgrímskirkja Church, which stands out from afar for its height, the Harpa Concert Hall is also quite impressive. The city has several museums to visit, such as one dedicated to the Northern Lights; the Arbaer Open Air Museum, an open-air museum with traditional Icelandic houses; and the Saga Museum, which explains the history of the Vikings.
The city center has numerous restaurants, hotels, bars, and shops (some selling tourist products), making it a lively place during the day. At night, there are some bars nearby, but it's still a very quiet city.
3 – The waterfalls
The waterfalls have been the setting for many filming projects (for series, movies, and music), and their grandeur is what impresses most. Gulfoss is considered the largest in Europe, and its name means "golden waterfall" because the water turns golden in summer. Skogafoss is 60 meters high and 25 meters wide, with a side staircase that leaves us awestruck by the panoramic view of the waterfall.
Seljalandsfoss has a 60-meter waterfall, and it's possible to walk behind it. Each one is different, but each one has its own unique beauty. This is one of the 10 places to visit in Iceland.
4 – Hot waters
The Blue Lagoon is arguably one of Iceland's most popular tourist attractions. It's the largest hot spring lagoon, and because it's rich in silica, it's sought after for its therapeutic skin benefits. The temperature can reach around 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) and is open-air. There's a bar in the middle of the lagoon, serving drinks, for visitors who bathe in the warm waters.
In a volcanic country—and one with several active volcanoes—it's natural for geysers to shoot their hot water high into the air. There's the geothermal park in Haukadalur, home to one of Iceland's largest active geysers. It's not possible to swim here, but simply enjoy the natural spectacle.
5 – Gastronomy
Iceland's cuisine may not be particularly varied, but it's a country where fresh or dried fish is widely consumed. It's also a perfect place to try fresh cod, for example. The most traditional Icelandic dish is Þorramatur, which combines rotten shark, dried fish, and sheep (head, liver, and other parts) in the same meal. It's typically eaten in winter, between January and February, and accompanied by traditional rye bread.
6 – Northern Lights
It's one of nature's most impressive spectacles and a dream come true for many travelers. September to April is the best time to observe this phenomenon, and since Iceland doesn't have much sunlight outside the capital, it's easier to spot the greenish rays streaking across the sky.
For observation, there must be little light and a practically clear, dark sky.
This natural phenomenon arises from the impact of wind particles coming from the Sun, colliding with Earth's upper atmosphere. This creates the colors that create a true spectacle of nature.
7 – Glaciers – 10 places to visit in Iceland
To visit the glaciers—and take tours of them—you'll need to visit Iceland during cold weather, as as soon as it starts to warm up, everything starts to melt! To visit the glacier's tunnels and caves, you need to be there during the coldest season, as there's a risk of falling ice chunks. This is one of the 10 places to visit in Iceland.
8 – Filming with Icelandic scenery
Iceland's Seljalandsfoss waterfall was one of the locations used in the filming of one of Justin Bieber's music videos, and the Vatnajokull glacier has been featured in films such as "Tomb Raider," "Die Another Day," and the series "Game of Thrones." In fact, this series featured numerous Icelandic locations in various episodes, such as Thingvellir National Park, Reynisfjara, and the Black Beach of Vik. The series "Vikings" also used several Icelandic landscapes in its fifth season, particularly to depict the character's arrival on the island.
9 – What to pack in your suitcase
When it's cold, packing for Iceland means thinking about subzero temperatures. If you'll be outdoors, remember to bring several layers of clothing—at least three or four: a jacket, a fleece or wool sweater, a shirt, and preferably a thermal undershirt.
The advice to wear layers is to always take off some layers when entering an enclosed space. In Iceland, places like homes, hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars, etc.—basically everything!—are quite warm, and it's tempting to keep a t-shirt on. In this case, I recommend wearing a layer under everything, or even a shirt, to cool down in a (very) hot environment.
A scarf and gloves are definitely something you should pack for cold weather, as well as warm socks (preferably woolen or even two warm pairs) and warm boots. Don't forget a hat.
10 – Best time to travel
Be aware that December and January are the times of year when daylight hours are shortest in Iceland: 4 to 5 hours at most. To explore the ice caves—before they begin to melt—you'll need to go between November and March.
While some choose the months to see the Northern Lights, which can be between September and April, others choose warmer temperatures and, between June and July, it is never completely dark, and the Midnight Sun is a real attraction.
If you've always dreamed of seeing the cute puffins – the bird that is the image of Iceland – they appear between May and August.
In any case, the weather in Iceland can be quite uncontrollable, and so sometimes it's necessary to close roads to traffic because it's too windy or too snowy.
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