15 Most Beautiful Places in Iceland
From snow-capped mountains, to glaciers, to black sand beaches, to volcanoes, to hot springs, and more. Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. In this post, I will dive into 15 must see places in Iceland for your next trip!
For those of you that are new.. welcome to my blog! My name is Savanna Crowell and I'm a wanderer who loves to share travel tips and insights on my favorite destinations. If you are interested in knowing more about my background, travels, (or anything!) check out the 'About Me' section of my website. And don't forget to follow me on Instagram @slc_travels to join me on my journeys!
Traveling to Iceland
Iceland is a truly magical destination, and the best way to see all of its' beauty is by driving! There are some beautiful places that can only be accessed if you drive, so I recommend renting a car (campervan in particular) to anyone who wants to visit Iceland. The country has some of the best campsites in the whole world so camper-vanning around is an excellent idea!
Campervan Around Iceland
Not only is campervan a great way to see the country, but it's also one of the most affordable. During our 10 days, we campervanned (I think that's a word??) around the country! We rented with Campervan Iceland and absolutely loved it! They are a bit cheaper we found than other campervan companies, and had great customer service!
Interested in a full 10-day Iceland itinerary with over 100 locations and campsites?
Then, check out my exact Iceland Roadtrip Itinerary!
15 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Iceland
1. Stokksnes
This was one of my favorite places we visited. An absolutely stunning black sand beach in northeastern Iceland. When you're there it seems too good to be true.. like it's a green screen!
Pro Tip: Stop at the Viking Cafe and pay the entrance fee of 800 ISK/person
2. Reynisfjara Beach
One of the most popular sites and for good reason. This black sand beach is lined with caves and interesting rock formations. Located on the southern part of the island near the town of Vik. Another good thing about it, it's free to visit!
3. Vatnajokull Glacier
Probably my favorite place we visited because of how unique it is.. the largest glacier in both Iceland and Europe! This glacier is constantly changing, along with its ice caves. Each day the ice caves will look different due to ice melt which is why it is strongly recommended to use a guide to explore the glacier.
We went with Glacier Adventure and did their Glacier Hike + Ice Cave tour and it was one of the highlights of our trip! I mean how many times in your life can you say you explored a glacier??... And, the truth of it is in 50 years it could be completely gone..
Book Your Glacier Expedition HERE
4. Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
The famous Diamond Beach! I'm sure you've heard of it, but have you heard of the lake it's attached to? The Glacier Lagoon is just as spectacular, if not more, than Diamond Beach. And a great thing is, both are free to walk around and visit! Although I do have a few pro tip's for visiting these places.
Pro Tip: Drones are not allowed here. I believe it has to do with the wildlife, so please respect that.
Pro Tip: 'Diamonds' are not always on Diamond Beach! (we actually didn't see a single one) To avoid this, I recommend visiting early in the morning, and just being prepared that you may not see any so you don't get your hopes up like I did. :(
5. Studlagil
This unique geological feature is only a few years old, so it's definitely still a hidden gem! Only a few years back the river actually completely covered it! If you visit during the winter, I recommend wearing spikes to be able to hike down near the river. But during the summertime you can easily walk right down! It's also another free place to visit!
Pro Tip: To hike down, park in the main parking lot and walk to the right, cross the bridge and then you can start walking down into near the river.
6. Godafoss Waterfall
Another beautiful waterfall in Iceland (there's just so many!). I really loved this one because it's different. It's not just a really tall one going straight down, there's actually many different waterfalls that flow right down into the river. It's beautiful! It makes for a great stop along the way from Lake Myvtan to Akureyri, and is also free to visit.
7. Seljalandsfoss
This one is pretty much a classic by now. Located on the way to the town of Vik, this waterfall is a must see. You can also walk behind it for an epic shot like this one!
Pro Tip: There is another waterfall, more off the beaten path down the road called Gljufrabui. You should definitely check it out while you are here!
8. Skogafoss
Another must see as waterfalls go, Skogafoss. This one is really something.. standing there, feeling so small compared to something in nature is really a unique feeling and this is how I felt standing here. You can hike up to the top if you want, or you can explore down below. There is also a campsite nearby called Skogar Campite, with pretty epic waterfall views.
9. Silfra Fissure
Snorkeling at Silfra Fissure is a once in a lifetime experience for those of you with an adventurous soul. Snorkeling through water thats only about 34F is not for the faint of heart, but it's so rewarding. This is the only place in the world where you can snorkel in between 2 tectonic plates (the Eurasian plate and the North American). The gorge has been made by the two plates splitting apart!
To do this, you need to book a tour and we did ours through GetYourGuide! It was amazing! They provide you with all the gear you need to stay warm (dry suit), amazing tour guides, and hot cocoas at the end! Oh and even underwater pictures which was a cool addition.
10. Blue Lagoon
Another iconic place to visit in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon. Often times people ask if it is worth it because there are so many other hot springs? But I say yes, 1000% it is!! It is such a unique and relaxing experience, it's worth every penny. Plus you may only be there once, so why not?!
You can book your ticket here!
Looking for other hot springs in Iceland? Check out my full Iceland itinerary with over 5 hidden hot springs here
11. Kirkjasfoss Waterfall
If you have the time, visiting the Snaefellsnes peninsula is a must! This is where you can find this beautiful waterfall and so much other stunning scenery. I even saw a beach with gorgeous light blue water. Plus visiting and parking is free!
12. Lake Myvatn
This volcanic lake is known for its naturally heated lagoon, wild birds, and views of the Northern Lights. We visited the Dimmuborgir Lava Field and had dinner at the delicious farm-to-table restaurant, Vogafjos Farm Resort. If you're looking for some hot springs, head over to Myvatn Nature Baths!
Find more hot springs in Iceland here
13. Hengifoss
If you go more off the beaten path, you'll find Hengifoss. The hike here takes about an hour but takes you up close and personal to this crazy waterfall! I recommend only visiting in the summertime when you can truly see the red rock layers.
Photo courtesy of The World Travel Guy
14. Vik
This quaint town is known for its black sand beaches, lupines in the spring, and puffins in the summertime! It's definitely worth a stop for some sites, and delicious pizza at Black Crust Pizzeria!
15. Fjadrarglufur
This lesser-known canyon is breath-taking. It's actually dated to be around 2 million years old and has a nice walking path that provides panoramic views! There is a parking lot at the bottom with free parking.
Pro Tip: If visiting in the wintertime, spikes are an absolute must.
Looking for a full 10-day Iceland Itinerary with over 100 different places to visit?
Then check out my exact Iceland Itinerary (plus other hidden gems)
Locations
In Conclusion,
These are just a few amazing destinations to visit in Iceland! I loved my time in this beautiful country, and I will definitely be back one day! If you are an adventurous soul, you will love Iceland with all your heart!
Thank you for reading, and keep exploring xxx
