Iceland
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.
Skógafoss
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.
Vatnajökull
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.
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.
Westfjords
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.
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.
Reynisfjara
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.
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.
Blue 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.
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.
Thingvellir 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.
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.
Seljalandsfoss
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.
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.
Kirkjufell
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.)
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.)
Jökulsárlón
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.
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.
Víti 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.
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.
Strokkur
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.
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.
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