Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions in Iceland

Things to Do in Iceland

Whenever someone asks about my ultimate bucket-list destination, the things to do in Iceland always come to mind first. Summer (June–August), when the sun barely sets during the white nights, is the best time to visit: every road is open and even the remote highlands become reachable. This island of fire and ice hides landscapes that feel like another planet altogether — towering waterfalls and glaciers, bubbling geysers, and jet-black sand beaches. So today I’ve put together my personal ranking of the 10 must-see spots that even first-time visitors can enjoy without a hitch. Let’s get started!

10. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Near the southern village of Vík, Reynisfjara is the black sand beach that shows off volcanic Iceland at its most dramatic. The contrast of snow-white waves crashing over jet-black basalt sand is downright surreal. One side of the beach is stacked with hexagonal basalt columns like a staircase, while the pointed Reynisdrangar sea stacks rise from the water — said in legend to be trolls turned to stone while dragging a ship ashore. Be careful, though: the sudden “sneaker waves” here are dangerous, so never turn your back to the surf and always keep a safe distance.

9. Seljalandsfoss

Plunging about 60 m (200 ft), Seljalandsfoss is famous as one of the rare Icelandic waterfalls you can walk all the way behind. From the cave-like path behind the curtain of water, you can gaze out through the falling veil at meadows and sunset light — a photographer’s dream. Just be prepared to take the spray head-on, so a waterproof jacket is a must. Summer, when all the roads are open and the path isn’t icy, is the best time to enjoy that walk behind the falls.

8. Skógafoss

Just 30 minutes’ drive from Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss is a mighty 25 m (82 ft) wide and about 60 m (200 ft) tall curtain of water that drops straight down the cliff. Its sheer volume kicks up a constant mist, and on sunny days a vivid rainbow arcs over that spray — earning it the nickname “the rainbow waterfall.” Climb the roughly 370 steps beside it and you’ll be rewarded with a sweeping view over the southern coastal plain from the top; well worth it, even if your legs ache a little.

7. Geysir and Strokkur

This geothermal field is the very place that gave the English word “geyser” its name. The original Great Geysir is mostly dormant these days, but right next to it Strokkur has taken over, powerfully blasting a column of hot water 15–20 m (50–65 ft) into the air every 6 to 10 minutes. The moment the bubbling water swells into a blue dome and then bursts with a “whoosh” draws gasps no matter how many times you watch. Have your camera ready for the split second the water domes up just before eruption, and you’ll capture a shot of a lifetime.

6. Þingvellir National Park

About 40 km (25 mi) from Reykjavik, Þingvellir is a national park where history and geology overlap in one place. In the year 930 AD the Alþingi — the world’s oldest parliament — first convened here and continued for more than 800 years, and the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 for that legacy. On top of that, this is one of the few places on Earth where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, rises above the surface — so you can actually walk through the rift valley between two continents. The crystal-clear Silfra snorkeling here is another highlight.

5. Gullfoss

Meaning “Golden Falls,” Gullfoss completes Iceland’s Golden Circle alongside Þingvellir and Geysir. The Hvítá river, flowing from the Langjökull glacier, bends over two tiers of 11 m (36 ft) and 21 m (69 ft) before vanishing with a roar into a canyon 32 m (105 ft) deep — a truly overwhelming sight. In summer roughly 140 tons of water per second thunder over it, so just standing at the viewpoint you feel the spray and the rumble in your whole body. Learn the story of Sigríður, the woman who saved this waterfall from a dam project in the early 20th century, and the visit becomes twice as moving.

4. Kirkjufell

Rising alone on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the 463 m (1,519 ft) Kirkjufell — “Church Mountain,” named for its pointed triangular silhouette — is the most photographed mountain in Iceland. The little Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall flows right in front of it, and framing the falls in the foreground with the mountain towering behind is a go-to angle for photographers. It’s also well known as the “arrowhead mountain” from the TV series Game of Thrones. From green summer fields to autumn’s northern lights, this striking peak shows a completely different face with every season.

3. Reykjavik and Hallgrímskirkja

Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital, is the charming little city that serves as the starting point and base camp for any trip to Iceland. Its unmistakable symbol is Hallgrímskirkja church. Completed in 1986 and standing 74.5 m (244 ft) tall, it is the tallest church in Iceland, and its distinctive facade — shaped after the country’s basalt columns and glaciers — instantly catches the eye. Climb the tower’s observation deck and the whole city of colorful rooftops rippling out to the sea unfolds before you. Just strolling past the Harpa concert hall on the harbor and the streets lined with cozy cafés and design shops makes for a delightful day.

2. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

In the southeast, Jökulsárlón is Iceland’s deepest lake at about 248 m (814 ft), and a glacier lagoon travelers eagerly look forward to. Enormous chunks of ice that have calved off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier drift serenely across the water, and some of them are said to be more than 1,000 years old — simply mesmerizing. Among the white ice, black streaks of volcanic ash and translucent blue tones blend together so that every angle looks like a painting. Take a boat tour weaving between the icebergs, and if you spot the seals swimming about, all the better. Be sure to stop by the neighboring Diamond Beach as well.

1. Blue Lagoon

The glorious number one is the Blue Lagoon, practically a symbol of travel in Iceland. It sits just 20 minutes by car from Keflavík International Airport, making it perfect to enjoy right after you land or as a final stop before you leave. The milky, seawater-fed pools, warmed by the region’s volcanic geothermal heat, stay at 37–40°C (99–104°F, about 38°C / 100°F) year-round; sinking into a steaming hot spring while the crisp outside air swirls around you feels like pure heaven. Slathering the skin-friendly white silica mud mask on your face is another treat unique to this place. It’s hugely popular, so once your dates are set, it’s best to book early.

So there you have it — my top 10 must-see things to do in Iceland. What did you think? From waterfalls and glaciers to geysers and black sand beaches, not a single one is ordinary; Iceland really is a country that feels like a masterpiece sculpted by nature itself. This ranking is, of course, my own subjective pick, so please take it just for fun, and I hope it makes a fun reference as you plan your own Iceland itinerary. I’ll be back again with more useful travel tips!