The Most Beautiful Places in Iceland, from Ice Caves to Steaming Geysers
Nailing down the most beautiful places in Iceland is no easy feat—practically every square inch of the country is downright stunning. Though it once played second fiddle to Nordic neighbors Sweden and Norway, Iceland has quietly come into the spotlight to show the world what it's been missing all these years: expansive underground ice caves, towering volcanoes, thermal baths, and landscapes so convincingly lunar that astronauts once trained there. There is no shortage of beautiful vistas in the country, but these are some of the very best.
This story was originally published in 2016. It has been updated with new information.
Benjawan Sittidech/GettySkógafoss
An easy stop off Route 1 (aka the Ring Road), Skógafoss is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland—and in a land of so many waterfalls, that's definitely saying something. The 197-foot cascade crashes onto black sand, and you can walk right up to the bottom if you're willing to get drenched. Worth it for the double rainbow viewings, we say.
GettyVatnajökull
Home to one of the largest glaciers in the world, Vatnajökull National Park is one of our favorite places to explore ice caves. But there's more than just frozen ice rivers to see at Vatnajökull, which covers much of Iceland's eastern half. It holds two of the island's most active volcanoes, herds of reindeer around Mt. Snæfell, and a number of breathtaking waterfalls, including Svartifoss, Dettifoss, and Selfoss.
GettyWestfjords
Only about 14 percent of visitors to Iceland ever get to this large peninsula in the northwestern part of the country, which makes it a fitting destination for those looking to escape the (relative) hustle and bustle of Reykjavik. Home to some of Iceland's most dramatic landscapes, diverse wildlife, and charming beach towns (like Breiðavík, pictured), the Westfjords are more inaccessible than other parts of the country, but are well worth the trip.
Alongkot Sumritjearapol/GettyReynisfjara
Just a 20-minute drive from Vik, in southern Iceland, jet-black sand and spectacularly shaped basalt columns make Reynisfjara one of the most impressive sites in the country. Spend a foggy afternoon strolling along the rugged coast (just strolling—these waters are definitely not made for swimming) and photographing the moon-like rock formations, deep caves, and towering cliff faces.
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Cavan Images/GettyBlue Lagoon
Grindavík’s Blue Lagoon (about a 50-minute drive from the capital) is otherworldly in appearance—black lava rock punctuated with milky blue waters, and steam billowing like clouds. But the visual appeal is only part of the experience. A soak in the 100-degree waters (which come from the output of a nearby geothermal plant) is a spa-like experience all its own, with silica mud masks and mineral salts ensuring your skin will look and feel better than it did when you got there.
GettyLandmannalaugar
Located in Iceland's southern Highlands, the area of Landmannalaugar has some of the most colorful landscapes in the country thanks to its high geothermal activity. It's an extremely popular hiking area during the summer months, where lucky visitors can be surrounded by a veritable kaleidoscope of greens, oranges, reds, blacks, browns, and more.
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GettyHvítserkur
Often referred to as the “troll of northwest Iceland,” Hvítserkur rises 49 feet from from Húnaflói Bay like some sort of mythical beast. The rock—best viewed from Iceland's Arctic Coast Way—often looks like it's moving due to the birds that love to perch atop it, making the formation feel more like a living creature.
GettyThingvellir National Park
Thingvellir is one of Iceland’s two UNESCO sites and one of the most consistently popular tourist destinations in the country. You could spend hours hiking and horseback riding through the national park on your own, but we suggest booking a snorkeling or diving excursion to swim the Silfra fissure—a slowly widening rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.
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GettySeljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss might be a bit of a drive from Reykjavik—about an hour and 45 minutes, to be exact—but it’s worth the trip to see this impressive south-coast waterfall thunder down from a 200-foot drop. The best thing about these particular falls is that you can actually walk behind them, pretending you're living in a fairy tale for a couple of minutes.
GettyKirkjufell
Aside from being among the most photographed places in Iceland, Kirkjufell is one of the best spots in the country to view the Northern Lights. (And before you ask: Yes, that is Arrowhead Mountain from Game of Thrones.)
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GettyJökulsárlón
The glacial lake of Jökulsárlón and its frozen beach are considered natural wonders of Iceland, with black volcanic sands providing a stark backdrop for the chunks of ice that wash ashore. The spot earns even more visual bonus points when it's reflecting the Northern Lights.
GettyDynjandi Waterfall
Dynjandi is often referred to as the “Jewel of the Westfjords”, and we can easily see why. The waterfall flows nearly 330 feet from top to bottom, getting wider as it reaches the bottom like a magnificent, tiered wedding cake. Access Dynjandi via a 15-minute hike from the main road, and be prepared to feel incredibly small as you stand at the bottom of the flowing waters.
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Hótel BuđirHótel Buđir
It may seem strange to include a hotel in a list of so many natural wonders, but that's a testament to just how beautiful Hótel Buđir really is. Its magical setting on a remote peninsula two hours from Reykjavik features the sea behind it, lava fields in front of it, and a tiny black church beside it. The hotel itself is rustic-chic, and even offers wake-up calls if and when the Northern Lights make a late-night appearance.
GettyVíti Lake
Scientists have confirmed Víti naturally formed at the bottom of one of Askja's craters. But its name, meaning "hell," owes to lore that Iceland's large craters were gates to the underworld. And it's not just eye candy: Weather permitting, visitors can swim in the warm, mineral-rich lake.
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GettyStrokkur
The Haukadalur valley is a popular stop along Iceland's popular “Golden Circle” sightseeing route thanks to its abundance of impressive geysers. The most visited active geyser in the Geysir Geothermal Area (and the entire country), Strokkur erupts upwards of 65 feet, and every five to ten minutes.
GettyÍsafjörður
Located in Iceland's gorgeous Westfjords peninsula, the tiny town of Ísafjörður (population 2,571) is nearly swallowed by the towering mountains around it. With winter temperatures dipping down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures rarely above the mid-50s, Ísafjörður is the antithesis of your trusty Italian and Greek resort towns—and therein lies its appeal for those who prefer their vacations more rugged than ritzy.
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GettyMount Mælifell
A volcanic cone of ashes and lava rock, the 2595-foot Mælifell sits on the edge of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and covered in grimmia, a moss that changes color depending on the soil’s humidity. You can drive past the volcano during the summer months, or see it along the Laugavegur Route: the most popular multi-day hiking route in Iceland.
