Iceland is an island of dramatic landscapes and breathtaking wonders – including volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and geothermal lagoons. This frosty country is the perfect place to relax and immerse yourself completely in nature. Adrenaline seekers will delight at the abundant diving, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and extreme buggy experiences on offer. And, of course, you can’t forget nature’s most spectacular light show, Aurora Borealis! Our guide to the best places to visit in Iceland picks all the highlights you don’t want to miss!
Reykjavik
Although Iceland’s capital Reykjavik is called a city, its compact size and population are actually smaller than many towns! This makes Reykjavik perfect for exploring on foot solo or with an insider walking tour while being a convenient base for joining a tour to nearby attractions! Many excursions to other parts of the island begin in Reykjavik, and whale watching trips depart from its harbor. Reykjavik has multiple hotel options and abundant museums, galleries, and dining opportunities! See our definitive guide to the Icelandic capital here.
The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle, one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, boasts three important sites. The first is UNESCO World Heritage Site Thingvellir National Park, the volcanic meeting point of Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Walk along the top of the ravine or go diving in the Silfra fissure. The Geysir Geothermal Park’s boiling mud pits and erupting geysers are ethereal, with some exploding every 5-10 minutes. The magnificent Gulfoss waterfall is the third attraction on this iconic route. It features a dramatic display of waterfalls in two stages. Over the summer, its flow rate can reach an impressive 2,000 cubic meters per second! The Golden circle is easily reachable from Reykjavik, with many day tours that hit all the impressive sites on offer. You don’t have much time? Our Golden Circle Stopover 3 Day Tour Package is the perfect solution to explore this beautiful part of Iceland.
Jökulsárlón Glacier
This stunning glacial lagoon is regarded as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Iceland’s beautiful landscape. Situated in southern Iceland, it has a depth of 248 meters, making it the country’s deepest lake. The lake is a mixture of fresh and saltwater, fed with icebergs from the island’s largest ice cap. The lagoon, filled with floating icebergs and fringed by a black sand beach, is four times larger than it was in the 1970’s. It is stunningly beautiful and a popular filming location, with abundant wildlife and serene boat trips among the frosty glaciers. Get lost among the floating ice caps with this day trip.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Situated on the west of Iceland, this picturesque peninsula is home to the mighty Snæfellsjökull volcano – boasting a glacier on its summit and the Vatnshellir lava tube underneath. Here, you’ll experience the eerie silence of the underground world. Explore volcanic craters, lava fields, and the Kirkjufell – a distinctive triangular mountain with a lush waterfall that’s recognizable in HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones. The coastline is equally dramatic with archways, lava stacks, black-pebbled beaches, and fishing villages steeped in folklore and traditions. The peninsula is rich in wildlife, including puffins and a colony of Harbor Seals! This day tour from Reykjavik will show you the best of this unique region.
The Northern Lights
After experiencing some of the best places to visit in Iceland, don’t leave without admiring the undisputed queen! Venture away from Reykjavik’s glimmering lights to admire nature’s iconic light show – the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. Although the best time to catch a spectacular glimpse is between September and March, many visitors are lucky enough to be able to see them year-round. The lights are often yellowish-green in color, but when they are at their most vibrant, they are also pink, blue, violet, and red. Forming all kinds of dancing shapes and streaks across the sky, the Northern Lights are a truly exceptional site! There’s no better way to go “light-chasing” than with this late-night guided tour or joining a 5-day package through Iceland.
In conclusion, Iceland is chock-full of things to see and do. Whether you’re looking for the quaint city and village experiences, fascinating folklore, or adventures through nature, Iceland has so much to offer. What better way to explore it all than with an Iceland tour package that takes the guesswork out of travel? From multi-day explorations to themed day tours through Reykjavik and beyond, there’s no shortage of diverse ways to explore the joys of Iceland.
