First time visiting Iceland but not sure where to begin? You are in the right place! With so many natural wonders to see across all regions of Iceland, it can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers to plan a trip here.
Based on my experience, I have decided to list some of the best places to visit in Iceland that you should definitely include in your itinerary. From the epic waterfalls of Dettifoss to the cute charming town of Akureyri, here are the 13 best places to visit in Iceland.
1. Öxarárfoss
If you are planning to travel anti-clockwise around Iceland, you will likely be starting your trip in the Golden Circle, one of the most popular travel routes in Iceland, and one of the first places you will visit is Öxarárfoss, a beautiful waterfall located right along the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, which creates a rift valley and stunning landscape you can walk around in.
This is a small but beautiful waterfall that is surrounded by the stunning dynamic landscape of the rift valley with several walking trails you can walk around in. Most of the trails will take you through the rift valley allowing you to get a glimpse of the type of epic landscape you can expect to see as you dive deeper into the interiors of this country.
For the best way to visit Öxarárfoss, I recommend you park your car at the Öxarárfoss Parking Lot #3 so that you can check out the rift valley from above before walking along the walking trail to the waterfall. It is a little longer than other walking trails but you will be able to see more along the trail than if you were to park in other parking lots.
- Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater (8.5 hours)
- Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik (4 hours)
- Keflavik Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik (45 minutes - 1.5 hours)
The walk is pretty easy as you walk along the mostly flat trail that should take you no more than 15 minutes to reach the Öxarárfoss. It is more of a stroll than a hike really, so anyone should be able to do it. If you are planning to drive around the Golden Circle, be sure to drop by Öxarárfoss.
2. Gullfoss Falls
Gullfoss Falls, also known as the Golden Falls, is one of the most epic waterfalls you will see in Iceland with its two-tiered drop and the impressive volume of water that cascades over the edge, creating steam as high as the waterfall itself.
Located along the Golden Circle, Gullfoss is probably going to be your first experience with a truly epic waterfall, something that Iceland is famous for, and you can expect to see more epic waterfalls of this scale the further you explore this wonderful country.
During sunny days, you can often see a rainbow over the waterfall, creating a picturesque view. In fact, you can even see double rainbows here if you are lucky, especially around the evening when the sun shines directly at the steam the waterfall creates, given the sky is open.
There are several walking trails and viewpoints around the waterfall that you can explore and get up close and personal with Gullfoss. You can easily spend 30 minutes to an hour exploring all the viewpoints here, from the top of a cliff nearby overlooking the waterfall to a trail that goes all the way to the first tier of the waterfall where you will be able to see just how much water the waterfall moves.
If you plan on exploring the Golden Circle, make sure to add Gullfoss to your itinerary. To get the most out of your visit, aim for the late afternoon when the sun shines directly onto the waterfall, creating a magical display of rainbows and earning it the nickname, the Golden Falls.
3. Hrunalaug Hot Spring
Iceland is also known for its hot springs where you can go to these lagoons and spend an entire day just enjoying and relaxing in one of the many hot springs around the country. Some of the most famous hot springs are the Blue Lagoon and Secret Lagoon which are nice but can get pretty crowded at times.
If you are like me, who prefers peaceful solitude rather than being in a crowded place, I highly recommend you check out Hrunalaug Hot Spring, a remote and natural hot spring located along the Golden Circle where you can bath in its natural hot spring straight from Earth, while being surrounded by real nature, away from the crowds.
The owner of the private land around Hrunalaug Hot Spring decided to convert the area into a place that accommodates tourists and with the entry price of 10 EUR (1,500 ISK) per person, you will get access to this natural hot spring for around 1 hour which is plenty of time to enjoy the place.
They also have a limited capacity of 10 people at one time and so you are guaranteed to have a nice and quiet time at Hrunalaug Hot Spring. You might also have to wait a little bit but if you want the ultimate experience of bathing in a natural hot spring in Iceland, it is definitely worth the wait. If you are looking for a remote natural hot spring to bathe yourself in, you can't go wrong with Hrunalaug Hot Spring.
4. Seljalandsfoss
The southern coast of Iceland is probably one of the most beautiful regions of the country. Dotted along the stunning coastline, you will find a ton of natural wonders and tourist attractions you can explore. One of the tourist attractions you should not miss is Seljalandsfoss.
What sets Seljalandsfoss apart from other waterfalls in Iceland is the fact that you can walk behind the waterfall and see it from a pretty awesome perspective. The waterfall cascades over a cliff that used to be part of Iceland's coastline, and you can walk along a pathway that takes them behind the waterfall and out the other side.
Be sure to pack a waterproof jacket for this as you will be blasted by the powerful spray from the waterfall right on the get-go as you walk through, behind, and out from the other side of the waterfall.
This place is particularly great at sunset as the sunray pierces through the waterfall, creating a beautiful sun star, perfect for photography and so if you want to experience the golden hour here, be sure to align your visit around sunset time.
Seljalandsfoss is truly one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland, one of my favorite places to visit on the Southern Coast of Iceland, and if you are driving the Ring Road or exploring the Southern Coast of Iceland, be sure to drop by Seljalandsfoss.
5. Gljufrabui
Now, when I say Seljalandsfoss is my favorite place to visit, it is not the waterfall itself that I find most interesting, it is the hidden waterfall called Gljufrabui which is located not too far from Seljalandsfoss but it is hidden away in a cavern where you will have to hop on stones to get to.
Gljufrabui is around 40 meters high and it cascades down a narrow cliff face, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and greenery, creating a magical and serene atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else.
As you make your way through the narrow opening in the rock face, wading through the stream gushing out from the cavern, you will come face to face with Gljufrabui, and you will know immediately why this is my favorite place out of all.
Once you are inside, you will be right below the waterfall, being blasted by the water spray of Gljufrabui so be sure to secure your camera and wear a waterproof jacket. If you are lucky enough to be there at the right time as we did, you will have the whole place to yourself as not many people want to wade through a stream to get to this waterfall.
Gljufrabui is probably one of the most fun experiences I had in Iceland and if you want to do something challenging and fun while being rewarded with an incredible scene and experience, I can not recommend Gljufrabui enough!
You can visit Gljufrabui at the same time as Seljalandsfoss as both places share the same parking lot but you will have to pay for the parking fee which is around 5 EUR (750 ISK) per car as the place is located on private land. Be sure to pay the parking fee and put the receipt on the front mirror before you check out the waterfall to avoid being fined.
6. Skógafoss
Skógafoss is one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. The epic waterfall is right in the open, allowing you to see it all the way from the Ring Road. The surrounding cliffs are also covered in lush green vegetation adding even more majestic quality to an already epic waterfall.
Legend has it that a Viking settler buried a treasure chest behind Skógafoss many years ago. Despite numerous attempts, the treasure has never been found, adding to the mystery and allure of the waterfall.
What I love most about this waterfall is the fact that you can actually see the entirety of the massive cascade without obstruction. In fact, you can even get up close to the bottom of the waterfall if you don't mind braving the extreme water sprays.
What makes Skógafoss even more unique is the fact that you can climb up a staircase next to the waterfall that will lead you to a viewing platform where you will be able to get a closer look at the cascading water from above as well as the surrounding areas.
You can easily spend around an hour here, just hiking all the hiking paths, seeing the waterfall from above as well as walking all the way to another waterfall located way uphill, or you can just enjoy getting soaked by the powerful water steam the waterfall creates. If you are exploring the Southern Coast of Iceland, Skógafoss is the place to be.
7. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
After seeing all the epic waterfalls, it is time to change it up a little and explore some beautiful canyons of Iceland, although you can expect to see a few waterfalls here and there too. You just can't escape it! 😂.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is an incredible canyon and lush mossy green surroundings. The canyon is about 2 kilometers long and up to 100 meters deep, with a meandering river flowing through its base.
The walls of the canyon are made of columnar basalt and you will be able to witness the stunning geological display as you hike along one of the many hiking trails that will take you up the canyon, and along the ridge before you arrive at the viewpoint where you will be able to see Fjaðrárgljúfur in its entirety from above.
It's important to note that the canyon is a delicate natural environment and visitors should be respectful of the area. It's recommended to stay on designated trails and avoid climbing or damaging the canyon walls.
If you are exploring the Southern Coast of Iceland, be sure to drop by Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon. It should take about 45 minutes to an hour to hike to the viewpoint and back to the parking lot so be sure to spare some time for it.
8. Jökulsárlón
From waterfalls to Canyons, now we are going to explore some of the most stunning glaciers in Europe and there is no better place to see them than Jökulsárlón, a glacier lagoon where you can see just how epic and massive the glaciers are at Vatnajökull national park. No wonder why this place is considered to be the largest glacier in Europe by volume.
From the viewpoint at Jökulsárlón, you will be able to see the lagoon from above with icebergs, seals, and all the incredible birds living around the lagoon as well as the glaciers stretching out as far as the eyes can see.
While here, you can also take a motor boat around the lagoon and experience the place up close and personal or you can walk up to the top of a hill and simply relax and enjoy the view of the moving icebergs before we head over to our next destination.
Not too far from Jökulsárlón, you will also find the famous Diamond Beach, a beautiful black sand beach named after the sparkling ice chunks that wash up on its black volcanic sand shore, creating the appearance of glistening diamonds.
It is the result of Jökulsárlón and so be sure to drop by here as well while you visit the glacier lagoon. The contrast of the black sand and sparkling ice is quite a sight to behold so be sure not to miss that while you are here.
9. Stuðlagil Canyon
You have seen waterfalls, glaciers, and lush green canyons, but how about a canyon made out of striking black volcanic basalt columns? One of the best places to visit if you want to see this type of canyon is Stuðlagil Canyon, a natural wonder located in the northeastern part of Iceland.
This canyon is truly a sight to behold as its massive basalt columns line both sides of the river creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Mother Nature never fails to amaze us with her stunning masterpieces, especially in Iceland!
To reach the canyon, you are going to have to drive on a dirt road which can be done with a regular car but the road between the Hvíta New York Bridge to the canyon parking lot is not in the best of condition so be sure to drive slowly.
Many people park their cars at the bridge and walk but the walk from the bridge just to the parking lot is unnecessarily long and since you are going to have to hike another 30 minutes to get from the parking lot to Stuðlagil Canyon, I think it is best you just drive all the way to the actual parking lot.
Once you are there, be sure to climb the basalt columns and take photos of yourself by the river, down at the bottom so that you can capture the true scale of these massive volcanic columns.
Spare around 2 hours for the place and also, don't forget to stop by Stuðlafoss Waterfall as you hike to the canyon. If you are planning to travel Iceland's Ring Road, be sure to drop by and check out Stuðlagil Canyon.
10. Dettifoss
And here comes the most epic waterfall out of all, Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, with an average water flow of 193 cubic meters per second and probably one of the most epic waterfalls you will ever see in your life.
Out of all the waterfalls I saw here, this one really blew my mind away completely. The scale of this waterfall is just insane! The sheer volume of water cascading down the cliff is truly remarkable, creating a captivating and spellbinding display that took my breath away for a full five minutes, not literally, of course 😂.
From the parking lot, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the waterfall and once you arrive, you will be able to see the true scale of Dettifoss from the viewing platform above.
You can walk down to the viewing platform below to get a closer look at the massive water flow that gushed off its 44 meters height across its broad 100 meters length. Dettifoss is quite a sight to behold and really makes traveling all the way to Northern Iceland worthwhile.
11. Hverir Geothermal Park
Another unique place to visit in Northern Iceland is Hverir Geothermal Park, an incredibly active geothermal area where you can find bubbling pools of mud and steaming fumaroles emitting sulfuric gas that will make you smell like rotten eggs the entire day.
Set against the reddish-orange landscape, with all the steam being emitted around the area, Hverir Geothermal Park is truly a sight to behold. In fact, you can even see the steam miles away before you even arrive in Hverir. The place is truly out of this world!
Since Hverir is located in Northern Iceland, you should definitely include it in your itinerary if you are planning to do the entire Ring Road or if you just want to explore Northern Iceland on this trip. While you are here, you can also explore more of Myvatn and check out places like Grjótagjá, an ancient lava cave, Krafla, a volcanic crater, and Hverfjall volcano located not too far from Hverir.
12. Akureyri
Out of all the towns and cities in Iceland I have visited, Akureyri is probably my favorite of all. This place feels like a proper city with a lively city center, cozy cafes, and restaurants to indulge myself in, and a ton of awesome things to do, which rather refreshing to visit places that are not waterfalls and canyons.
While here, you can explore its cute little town and check out places like Akureyrarkirkja Church, explore its quirky city center, and check out the view of Akureyri from across the lake from the parking lot here on your way to the town.
Seriously, if you have more time to spare, be sure to spend a few nights in Akureyri. I wish I had more time to stay longer here when I was visiting Iceland, to be honest. From its little charming streets to the stunning sceneries surrounding the city, be sure to drop by and check out Akureyri as you explore Iceland.
13. Kirkjufellsfoss
Last but not least, one of the most iconic mountains and a waterfall you should check out while you are in Iceland is the striking Kirkjufell and Kirkjufellsfoss, a small waterfall set against the epic Kirkjufell Mountain.
The mountain and the waterfall are located in Grundarfjörður, a small ocean-side town providing a perfect base to explore Kirkjufell and the magnificent Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It is only 2 hours away from Reykjavik which makes for a great day trip to make.
If you are planning to explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula and northern Iceland, be sure to stop by and check out Kirkjufellsfoss. You are going to love the place, especially if you like taking photos as the place is extremely popular among photographers.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Iceland
I hope you found this Iceland travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Iceland, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- Looking for a complete Iceland's Ring Road itinerary? Check out: 7 Days Iceland's Ring Road Itinerary.
- Have only 5 days in Iceland? Here's a perfect itinerary for you: 5 Days In Iceland: A Perfect Itinerary.
- Looking for a great day trip to make from Reykjavik? You can explore the best of Iceland and drive around the Golden Circle with our One Day Iceland's Golden Circle Itinerary.
- Every trip to Iceland begins in Reykjavik, and if you plan to spend a day there, be sure to check out the 11 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik.
- Planning to drive a car around Iceland? Here are the 13 Important Things to Know Before Driving in Iceland.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Iceland, visit the Iceland Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Northern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
2 Comments
Hi the weather here looks decent. when were you there?
Hi Jenny, we were there in late September. The weather was good but we were also stranded by road closure due to a random hurricane-speed wind for 3 days. The weather is quite unpredictable in Iceland no matter when you visit, so always plan a few buffer days, just in case.