I went road tripping all around Iceland and I want to share my experiences with you, so I’ve put together a comprehensive list of all my favorite destinations that no nature lover or adventure enthusiast can afford to miss. From crashing waterfalls and giant glaciers to volcanic landscapes and relaxing hot springs Iceland has it all, so let’s dive in:
- Icelandic Highlands: Landmannalaugar, Bláhylur & Sigöldugljúfur
- Reykjadalur Hot Spring River
- Thórsmörk
- Seljalandsfoss
- Southern Iceland: Skógafoss, Reynisfjara & Fjaðrárgljúfur
- The Glaciers of Iceland: Vatnajökull, Fjallsjökull & Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Stokksnes
- Eastern Iceland: Hengifoss, Seyðisfjörður & Stuðlagil
- Northern Iceland: Dettifoss & Lake Mývatn
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Kirkjufell, Bjarnarfoss & Arnarstapi
Icelandic Highlands: Landmannalaugar, Bláhylur & Sigöldugljúfur
The Icelandic Highlands are a unique and otherworldly region. To reach this breathtaking area, you’ll need to venture onto Iceland’s F-roads, dirt roads that require a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
One of the top destinations on my list was Landmannalaugar, a stunning area known for its colorful landscapes and raw beauty. The drive from Reykjavik took around 3.5 hours, but the scenic route was well worth it. While the F-roads were relatively smooth, we did encounter a river crossing at the end of the road. Instead of driving through the river, we parked our car and walked in.
As we hiked through the lava fields and up a mountain we saw plenty of volcanic activity, with several steam vents dotting the landscape. We spent several hours exploring the area and taking in the breathtaking views. After our hike, we explored more of the Highlands around Landmannalaugar. The landscapes were simply incredible, with towering mountains, colorful rocks, and serene lakes.
On our way back, we stopped at the picturesque crater lake, Bláhylur. The setting was epic, with a green mountain looming in the background and iconic red craters nearby.
Another highlight of our trip was the stunning Sigöldugljúfur canyon, with its picturesque waterfalls and lush vegetation. Be prepared for plenty of bugs, though!
Reykjadalur Hot Spring River
Located in the Icelandic Highlands, the Reykjadalur Hot Spring River is a must-visit destination. Iceland is renowned for its geothermal hot springs, and this particular one is unique in that it’s a river. To reach it, we embarked on a challenging uphill hike that took around an hour.
The hot springs are nestled in a picturesque valley with a convenient boardwalk lining the river, offering various entry points into the warm water. Despite the chilly 10°C outside temperature, the water was a comfortable 40°C.
This magical place was well worth the demanding hike, and we felt invigorated after our unforgettable visit.
Thórsmörk
Named after the Norse god Thor, Thorsmork lived up to its legendary name with some of the most epic landscapes I’ve ever seen.
Getting to Thorsmork wasn’t easy. Our rental car company specifically banned us from driving on this road, and after experiencing it, I understood why. To reach Thorsmork, you’ll need to cross several glacial rivers, some of which can get really deep.
We joined a tour with South Coast Adventure, who provided a beefed-up truck with huge tires. This allowed us to cross the rivers with ease.
Our first stop was a glacier covered in ash from a recent volcanic eruption. Next, we embarked on a 30-minute hike to the Valahnjúkur Viewpoint. The panoramic views from the top were incredible, with a 360-degree view of Thórsmörk, its valleys, and glacial rivers.
If you’re looking for adventure, Thorsmork is a must-visit destination.
Seljalandsfoss
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls. Located just off the Ring Road below Thorsmork, this natural wonder is easily accessible with a parking lot and a short walk to the falls.
What makes Seljalandsfoss truly special is the opportunity to walk behind the waterfall which offers an unparalleled view. If you time your visit with sunset, you’ll be treated to the breathtaking sight of the setting sun shining through the waterfall. This is an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe.
Southern Iceland: Skógafoss, Reynisfjara & Fjaðrárgljúfur
Located about 2-3 hours from Reykjavik, Southern Iceland is home to a ton of breathtaking natural wonders.
Skógafoss Waterfall
One of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland, Skógafoss, is a must-visit destination. With a drop of 60 meters, the power of the falls is awe-inspiring. You can walk right up to the waterfall and let your body be enveloped by mist.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Another favorite destination of mine is Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. This incredible coastline stretches for several kilometers, featuring unique black sand and jagged rock formations. The constant waves pounding against the sea stacks create a mesmerizing display of natural beauty. While there were many people on the beach, I found that walking further down the coast offered a more secluded and peaceful experience.
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Located about an hour from Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is one of Iceland’s most famous canyons. A trail takes you to the top of the canyon, offering several viewpoints and a platform that provides a stunning view down into the canyon. A small bridge at the beginning of the trail offers a unique perspective of the canyon. With its lush green surroundings and rugged landscape, Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is a truly enchanting place.
The Glaciers of Iceland: Vatnajökull, Fjallsjökull & Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Continuing East on the Ring Road, we visited some of Iceland’s breathtaking glaciers. The massive Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest, stretches across the landscape. The glacier has several arms that can be explored. One of my favorites is Fjallsjökull, which requires only a 10-minute hike to witness its majestic beauty. The glacier’s unique color and the surrounding landscape are truly awe-inspiring.
On the western side of the glacier, we discovered a lagoon filled with chocolate milk-colored water, complete with floating ice chunks. This surreal sight is a photographer’s dream.
Another incredible destination in the area is Jökulsárlón, a massive lagoon filled with glaciers. As the glaciers float out to sea, some of them wash up on Diamond Beach, creating a bizarre yet fascinating sight: a black sand beach littered with crystal-clear ice.
Stokksnes
After exploring the glaciers, we continued east on the Ring Road to visit one of my favorite places in Iceland: Stokksnes. Located about 20 minutes from the town of Höfn, Stokksnes is a picturesque black sand beach with the stunning Vestrahorn mountain as its backdrop.
The area costs around $10 to access, and the drive out to the beach is an experience in itself. One of the unique features of Stokksnes is the mounds of grass that create uniquely shaped sand hills.
During our visit, the wind was blowing fiercely, whipping up the black sand and adding to the magic of the place. The beach itself is really cool, with nice waves and spectacular views of the Vestrahorn mountain.
Eastern Iceland: Hengifoss, Seyðisfjörður & Stuðlagil
When you head to eastern Iceland, you absolutely have to check out Hengifoss, my favorite waterfall in all of Iceland, with unique red layers of clay sanwiched between the stone. Towering above you at 128m, it’s a 30 minute hike to reach the top of the waterfall. On the way up you’ll pass the Litlanesfos, a unique waterfall with basalt columns before reaching the spectacular view at the top.
Next we headed to the Eastern Fjords to explore Seyðisfjörður, a charming town nestled in a picturesque fjord. This quaint town is one of Iceland’s main cruise ports, with ships arriving from the Faroe Islands in Norway.
One of the town’s highlights is the Rainbow Road, which leads to the main church. If you’re a fan of the movie Walter Mitty, you might recognize the iconic scene where Walter longboards through Iceland, which was filmed on the road leading to Seyðisfjörður.
Next, we visited the Stuðlagil Canyon, famous for its stunning basalt columns. To reach the canyon, we drove about an hour from the town of Egilsstaðir. There are a few ways to experience the area: you can hike in from the southern side of the river or park and take the stairs down to a platform offering a great view of the canyon. If I were to do it again, I’d definitely hike in from the other side to get closer to the rocks and river. Regardless, the area was breathtaking, with fascinating rock formations.
Northern Iceland: Dettifoss & Lake Mývatn
If you continue along the Ring Road, you can head to Northern Iceland to visit the breathtaking Dettifoss waterfall. Known for being one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, Dettifoss is 100 meters wide and 45 meters tall, fed by a glacial river.
To witness the grandeur of Dettifoss, you can approach from either the west or east side. We took the west side route, which is the more popular option. From the parking lot, it’s a 1km walk to the falls and you can climb up further to reach a stunning view.
If you’re looking for a lesser-known spot with comparable beauty, consider visiting Hafragilsfoss. Just a short drive from Dettifoss, I was amazed by the waterfall and the surrounding canyon, which reminded me of a miniature Grand Canyon.
As we continued west on the Ring Road, we passed by Lake Mývatn, a volcanic lake with unique scenery. The lake is dotted with craters and features a lot of volcanic activity. Be aware that the area is notorious for its bugs, especially towards the end of August.
As you drive along the Ring Road, there are plenty of beautiful spots to stop and take in the views. One of my personal favorites is the scenery along the Öxnadalur valley which leads to Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Kirkjufell, Bjarnarfoss & Arnarstapi
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula, located about two hours from Reykjavik, is home to breathtaking scenery. One of its most famous attractions is Kirkjufell mountain. This perfectly shaped mountain, resembling a wizard’s hat, stands 463 meters high and is believed to be one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains.
Located near the charming town of Grundarfjörður, Kirkjufell is easily accessible. For a stunning view of the mountain, head to Kirkjufellsfoss, a series of waterfalls near the mountain’s base. The parking lot costs around $10, and from there, it’s a short 5-minute walk to the falls.
I visited Kirkjufellsfoss during both sunset and midday, and both times were breathtaking. The peninsula is also home to other impressive locations, such as Bjarnarfoss , a beautiful waterfall with a great viewpoint from the road.
Nearby, the village of Arnarstapi boasts unique sea cliffs and rock formations. A scenic coastal walk offers stunning views, and I even discovered an unnamed waterfall cascading into the ocean.
These are my picks for the 20 best places to visit in Iceland for unforgettable scenery and unforgettable natural landscapes.
For more tips and recommendations for planning your Scandinavian, be sure to check out my guides on Norway and the Faroe Islands.
To take a closer look at the beautiful sights of Iceland you can check out my video below:
