Ten Must See Places In Iceland

It’s hard to pick just ten must see places in Iceland. Not because they are hard to find, but because there are actually too many of them. That’s not a complaint though. Iceland is becoming more and more popular for visitors from around the world and there’s a reason for it. It is one of the very few countries where there are still many amazing places to see without throngs of tourists. That being said, Iceland is a very safe country to visit and very accessible for almost any traveler.

Iceland is totally unique due to its otherworldly mix of lush green valleys, narrow canyons, and volcanic black sand beaches. Moreover, there are thousands of different waterfalls in Iceland and even remote natural hot springs! To enjoy all of these, it is best to come to Iceland between July and September. During these months the weather is at its best with warm days and many hours of daylight. This also means that most places in Iceland are accessible versus the later, colder months. After one visit you’ll see how many off the beaten path, must-see places are in Iceland.

One of the many waterfalls in Iceland. Photo by Andrzej Machnik on Unsplash

Ten Must See Places In Iceland: Peaceful Islands

Did you know that there are hundreds of little islands around Iceland? Most of them are uninhabited, but not all. Some serve as a home for old lighthouses, while others are normal islands where people just live out their ordinary lives. These islands offer a rich habitat of wildlife, especially rare birds, seals, or whales. The most famous of these Icelandic islands are Westman Islands, which is a group of 16 islands about 6.5 km off the coast of Iceland.

Westman Islands

The largest and most popular of the Westman islands is Heimaey. Some people say it’s one of the most gorgeous places you could see. In fact it can definitely be in the top photography spots among the must-see places in Iceland. If you’re close to the south coast then you can take a quick Westman Islands day trip. There are hundreds of breathtaking things to do in the Westman islands. These include some marvelous hikes with astonishing views, bird watching or simply taking a walk  around this magnificent island.

Elephant Rock on Heimaey Island

How To Get To The Westman Islands?

The Westman Islands are located in the southernmost point of Iceland, between the cities of Hvolsvollur and Vik. To get to Heimaey Island, the main island, you have to take the ferry. The ferry operates all year round and under  good weather conditions departs from the port of Landeyjahofn, several times a day. The journey takes just about 40 minutes and is a nice add-on to your entire trip.

If the seas are too rough, the ferry sails twice a day from the farther port of Thorlakshofn. This sail takes around 3 hours and it’s not recommended to take it unless you have to. It can be very uncomfortable and make you seasick. The best time to visit Westman islands is during summertime, between June and October. It’s possible to take a winter trip to Heimaey Island but it’s important to choose a day with nice weather and calm seas.

Tips On Visiting The Westman Islands

• The Westman islands are one of the windiest places in Europe. Dress accordingly in proper clothing even in summer.
• Try to find a day without fog, so that you can enjoy the spectacular views to the fullest.
• You can bring your car via the ferry and it’s generally recommended to do so. Although Heimaey is a small island, a car can save you a lot of precious time and energy when moving around.

Ten Must See Places In Iceland: Remote Highlands

When heading to Iceland, you should definitely spend at least a day exploring the Icelandic highlands. These are the harshest parts of the country, where weather may be hostile and roads very rough. On the other hand, these are the places with the most beautiful and untouched nature.

If you visit on your own, it’s very important to choose the right car in Iceland. Otherwise, organized guided tours are best. The Highlands are only accessible from the beginning of July to mid-September.

Laki Craters

The Laki Craters are one of the many hidden gems of the Icelandic highlands. These are many small volcanoes that are around 200 years old. These volcanoes actually caused a disaster in Europe at the end of the 18 th century. It’s unbelievable to see them today, 200 years after the disaster. You can easily take in this experience with some driving and a steep but easy hike. However, always plan your visit to the Laki Craters as it’s not easy to get there. It’s best to follow a detailed guide to Laki Craters.

Laki Craters

Where Are Laki Craters?

Laki Craters are located in the southern Icelandic highlands, close to the city of Kirkjubaerklaustur and the
Fjadrargljufur Canyon made famous by Justin Bieber as it was featured in one of his videos. You need to take a long drive via the highland roads F206 and F207 to reach the Laki Craters. For this, you need a four wheel drive vehicle as part of the drive includes crossing two medium-sized rivers. It’s not a terrible drive but you need a vehicle capable of handling the terrain. A small car just won’t cut it.

Laki Craters are accessible only in summer. The craters aren’t located in one general area. It’s a whole volcanic region where you’ll easily drive and hike the entire day. The most popular spot is a hike to Mt. Laki. It  takes around 30 minutes of steep, but easy hiking, to reach the summit but it’s more than worth it. Views from above are just amazing.

Tips On Visiting Laki Craters

• The region with the Laki Craters is often very foggy. Try to find a day with little or no fog for the best views.
• There is a very nice waterfall located halfway to the Laki Craters called Fagrifoss. It’s a must visit!
• A visit on a rainy day is fine, but try to avoid a foggy one. Not because it’s dangerous but because of
  the limited views.

Thakgil

Thakgil is a hikers’ paradise situated close to the southern coast and the ring road. It’s a huge valley full of canyons, lush green ridges, and even melting glaciers! There are several amazing hiking trails in Thakgil. If you are an avid hiker, this is a must-visit place for you! The hikes are slightly more difficult and longer, but it’s not bad if you are at least in average shape.

Thakgil

Where Is Thakgil?

Thakgil is about an hour’s drive away from the town of Vik. You have to take a very bumpy Road 214. For that terrain it’s best, but not necessary, to make that drive with a four wheel drive vehicle. If not, it’s a very slow drive. Nevertheless, the road leads to many picturesque landscapes and the drive is part of the adventure.

At the end of the road you’ll find a pretty big campsite surrounded by nearby mountains and hills. You may either leave your car here, or set up camp and make this the base for your hikes. Thakgil is accessible only
during summer, from July to September as it’s conpletely covered by deep snow during the winter.

Tips on visiting Thakgil

• Pick a day without strong rain or wind. The hikes may be dangerous when the weather is harsh.
• Bring hiking poles. They are very handy on the many hiking trails in Iceland as the terrain is often slippery.
•  You can safely drink water from almost any wild stream in Iceland. It’s said to be cleaner than water from the tap anywhere in the world.

Askja

If you are looking for a truly out-of-this-world experience, then visit Lake Askja in Iceland. Askja is a volcanic crater, or caldera, filled with crystal blue water. And you can actually bathe in the crater as  the water is nice and warm! Askja is also a very remote place, entirely away from civilization and not very easy to reach. Make sure you plan accordingly as to how to visit Askja.

Askja

Where is Askja?

Askja is situated in the eastern Icelandic highlands. You can reach it either from the north, by driving along highland Road F88, or from the east, via Roads F905 and F910. All of these roads are very bumpy and contain several river crossings. This is another drive where a four wheel drive is a needed for a safe trip. Before attempting this drive it’s best to get some experience driving this type of terrain. There are rivers that you’ll need to cross so learning how to safely navigate this type of terrain is highly recommended.

Askja is only accessible from July to September. You should always monitor the road conditions as the drive is about 3 hours long. The landscapes along this route are out of this world. It’s safe to say that you’ll never see anything like this elsewhere. There’s a car park at the end of the Road F894. From there it’s an easy 40 minute hike to Lake Askja.

Tips on visiting Lake Askja

• It’s quite possible to swim in Lake Askja but only in good weather. You have to hike down the crater and the hike may be dangerous in bad weather or when the winds are strong.
• Take special care when bathing in the caldera. Keep in mind that this is a hot spring area and the water may suddenly get very hot. If you sense this happening then you should get out as soon as possible.
• Try to pick a day with very good weather. Make sure that rain, winds, or fog isn’t in the forecast. This will make your visit much safer.

Ten Must See Places In Iceland: Stunning Waterfalls

One of the things Iceland is famous for is undoubtedly their spectacular waterfalls, and there’s no shortage of them! Exploring Iceland’s many waterfalls is a dream but there are so many throughout the country that it could easily take the entire summer to see them all. From towering cascades to gentle trickles, Iceland’s waterfalls are a sight to behold and a testament to the country’s natural beauty. Icelandic waterfalls are also among the tallest and biggest waterfalls in the world. Seeing them is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

All of this beauty, however, also means more and more visitors. Luckily enough, you can still find amazingly beautiful waterfalls in Iceland not yet discovered by the masses. Here are three such waterfalls. They are among the most beautiful Icelandic waterfalls and there’s a good chance you’ll have them all to yourself when you visit.

Kvernufoss

Kvernufoss is an often-overlooked neighbor of the famous Skógafoss, one of the most popular waterfalls in Iceland. It’s quite unique thanks to several interesting features. Firstly, it’s well hidden in a beautiful canyon where you have to hike a good distance before you find it. Secondly, it looks entirely different in summer and in winter. Last but not least, you can walk behind the Kvernufoss falls!

Kvernufoss

Where is Kvernufoss?

Kvernufoss is located in Skógar on the southern coast of Iceland, not too far from the more famous Skógafoss waterfall. You can leave your car in front of the Skógar museum. Since both waterfalls are located right next to the main Icelandic ring road you won’t need a four wheel drive vehicle to reach them. From the car park, you have to hike for about 10 minutes to reach Kvernufoss. The walk is easy and can be made in summer and in winter.

Tips on visiting Kvernufoss

•  If you want to increase your chances of having the place to yourself, it’s best to visit at off-peak times.
  Ideally come before 10 AM or after 6 PM, before all the tourist buses have arrived or have already left.
• You can walk behind Kvernufoss but you need to be very careful when doing so. The trail can often
  be slippery and you may fall into ice-cold water. It’s also unadvisable to go behind the falls during the winter.
• When hiking the area, or anywhere else in Iceland, during the the winter months it’s good to have micro spikes on your shoes. They’d be very helpful in preventing any slips and falls on slippery Icelandic trails.

Dynjandi

Dynjandi waterfall is considered to be one of the most beautiful Icelandic waterfalls. Despite this it’s not one of the more frequently visited ones. The reason is because Dynjandi is situated in Westfjords, far away from Reykjavik and the touristy south coast. When heading to Westfjords, definitely take some time and visit Dynjandi.

Dynjandi is unique because of its triangular shape and the opportunity to get very close to it. It’s not the only waterfall in the area though. In fact, there are 7 different waterfalls right next to Dynjandi and together they  create one of the famous waterfall valleys in Iceland.

Dynjandi

Where is Dynjandi?

Dynjandi is located in the western part of Westfjords, far away from the general public. It sits quietly in one
of Iceland’s many picturesque fjords. You can get there by taking the paved Road 60. The road is easily accessible in summer for any type of car. Westfjords roads are often completely covered with snow so a drive here may be difficult at certain times.

Once you arrive at Dynjandi, you can park your car at the free car park. There are several wooden camping tables and chairs all around the waterfall. The picturesque fjord makes it a perfect spot for a picnic. From there it’s about a 10-15 minute hike to reach Dynjandi waterfall.

Tips on visiting Dynjandi

• Get here before sunset to capture the most amazing sunset photos. Dynjandi is located at the easternmost part of the valley, so before and during the sunset it’s brightly lit for the perfect shot. Seeing the sun set is another once-in-a-lifetime experience in Iceland.
• Even though Dynjandi is quite far from the south, you may still meet a lot of visitors during the summer. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times for a little soltitude.
• Be ready for anything when visiting in winter. Weather changes quickly here, and some people have been bogged down here for a day or two. Don’t plan a tight schedule in Westfjords during winter.

Nauthúsafoss

Nathúsafoss is very well hidden known only by a lucky few. That being said, it’s even more beautiful than many of the more well-known spots! Nathúsafoss waterfall is located at the end of the narrow ravine full of small streams called Nathuságil. Heading to the waterfall is an adventure itself, as the hike is not the easiest and it’s quite a ways away from the main road. There’s a very good chance you’ll have the waterfall all to yourself!

Where is Nauthúsafoss?

To reach Nauthúsafoss you have to head north to the local Road 249, right before the famous
Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This is a gravel road and in summer it’s an easy drive. After about 10 kilometers (6 miles) of a bumpy drive, you’ll get to a small car park. This is the start of the hike to the waterfall. Nauthúsafoss is inaccessible in winter as the valley is full of snow and it’s impossible to get to on foot.

From the car park, it’s a pretty strenuous hike through a ravine to reach the waterfall. At certain times you’ll have to jump from stone to stone as to not get wet. There’s even one spot where you have to climb over a huge boulder and use chains attached to the rock for support. It’s quite a workout but it’s all worth it in the end.

Nauthusafoss waterfall

Tips on visiting Nauthúsafoss

• Bring waterproof shoes. There’s a lot of water everywhere in the ravine and your feet can easily get wet.
• Tours visit the ravine around 10 AM and/or around 4 PM. If you want to avoid them, come outside of these times.
• To reach the waterfall, you have to do a little climbing. It’s nothing horrible, but older and young kids may have trouble.

Ten Must See Places In Iceland: Natural Hot Springs

Among the many things that Iceland is famous for are hundreds of natural hot springs. What can be better after a long day full of hiking or driving than a long soak in naturally heated pool of hot water? Most of the
hot springs are free to visit and are never closed. You can come anytime of the day and bathe in the wild, just don’t expect any bars or fancy changing rooms.

Hrunalaug

Hrunalaug is probably the most picturesque hot spring in Iceland. In summer the surroundings are the greenest green, while in winter it’s like it’s a scene out of a fairytale. Oftentimes you’ll be having in the water and there’ll be local sheep taking in the scene of you getting your soak on. There is a cute rustic wooden shelter right next to the hot spring which makes it even more authentic and traditional.

There are several pools here and they all have different temperatures. The hottest one is the one closest to the wooden shelter. It’s also the smallest but it’s very cozy. The funny thing is that in the past, farmers used to use these hot springs for cleaning their sheep. Nowadays there are no sheep, just people relaxing and enjoying the experience. Don’t worry though, it’s completely safe to be in the hot water nowadays.

Hrunalaug

Where is Hrunalaug?

Hrunalaug is located next to the town of Flúdir, pretty close to the more popular hot spring called the Secret Lagoon. The Secret Lagoon is much fancier and more crowded compared to Hrunalaug and is easily accessible by car all year round. As with other locations care has to be taken during the winter.

Tips on visiting Hrunalaug

•  Hrunalaug has become a very popular spot in Iceland. Because of this the best times to visit is early in the morning or later in the evening. October to April is also a good time to visit to avoid crowds.
• The weather-proof wooden shelter can be used as a change room
• This hot spring is located on private property so there’s an entry fee of $8USD.

Fosslaug

Fosslaug, is a unique spot as it’s not very popular with visitors since it’s up in the north close to the town of Varmahlid. It’s a very authentic experience with a true Icelandic atmosphere. This is a very natural hot spring and there’s no entry fee to spend time here. Here’s a little tidbit: The word Fosslaug is actually made up of two Icelandic words, ‘Foss’ which means ‘waterfall’ and ‘laug’ which means ‘pool’.

Fosslaug hotsprings

Where is Fosslaug?

You can visit Fosslaug by heading south from the town of Varmahlid on Road 752. This is a local road and can be slippery in winter. It takes around 10 minutes to reach Fosslaug from the car park. When you visit you have to go through a gate but make sure to close it behind you. If not you’ll have to spend a lot of time rounding up the sheep that may escape. On your way to Fosslaug, keep an eye out for the beautiful Reykjafoss waterfall to the west.

Tips on visiting Fosslaug

• There are changing rooms, nor places to leave your clothes. Take a waterproof bag and don’t be worried about getting undressed outside, everyone does it.
• This is not one of the hottest pools. In winter it’s just warm, while in summer it gets pleasantly hot.
• To get to Fosslaug you will often need to pass wet and muddy terrain. Take proper shoes for that terrain.

Hellulaug

Hellulaug is most likely the prettiest hot spring in Westfjords. It’s in fact just a rough hole dug out in a cliff, but that’s also what’s so exciting about bathing in it! The best things about Hellulaug is the unbelievable view. You can see the entire fjord in front of you when soaking up in Hellulaug. If you are lucky, you may
even see a seal in the fjord!

Where is Hellulaug?

Hellulaug is located in the southern part of Westfjords right next to Hotel Flokalundur. It overlooks the
beautiful Vatnsfjordur fjord. You can get to Hellulaug by any car in summer, but during the winter you’d definitely need a 4 wheel drive. Always monitor the road conditions because in winter the roads there may be closed.

You have a couple of parking options when visiting Hellulaug. A small, but not easily seen car park on the south side of the road, or in front of the Hotel Flokalundur. Hellulaug is then only a downhill, 1 minute walk from the car park.

Tips on visiting Hellulaug

• Like Fosslaug there are no changing room, so bring a bag to leave your clothes in. This is no place for modesty, people in Iceland are used to changing in front of each other. In the worst case, you can change in your car and run to the pool afterward.
• A short walk from the car park down to the pool is a bit steeper and rougher, so it’s best not to go barefoot.
• If you are alone at Hellulaug, you will have full privacy here. The hot spring is not visible from the road and well hidden from any prying eyes.

Conclusion

As you can see Iceland is a land of stunning natural beauty, and extraordinary experiences. This article lists some must see places in Iceland but the country is home to countless natural wonders that are truly awe-inspiring, from towering waterfalls and majestic glaciers to otherworldly geothermal springs. Visiting Iceland’s must-see places is an adventure of a lifetime that offers a glimpse into the country’s rich history, fascinating culture, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re an avid nature lover, or simply seeking a unique travel experience, Iceland’s must-see places are sure to leave you in awe and wonder. So, pack your bags, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey to one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Huge thanks to Igor from Epic Iceland for this guest post. One of the most passionate people about Iceland you can find. He visits Iceland regularly to gather all the inside tips that he shares on his site. His favorite activities in Iceland include hiking in the remote highlands and driving the rough Icelandic F-roads.