Places to see
Iceland Attractions
Use this page to find the landmarks, landscapes, and scenic areas worth building your route around.
Useful for
Where to start
Start with a few route-shaping sights.
Use these as quick entry points. The full attraction list is in the searchable results below.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss is the Golden Circle waterfall that feels powerful even on a short stop, but it is best planned with viewpoint time, weather, and nearby stops in mind.
Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara is a dramatic South Coast black sand beach near Vík, currently best treated as a viewpoint-first stop because surf, erosion, and warning lights control access.
Dynjandi
Dynjandi is the signature Westfjords waterfall, reached by a short uphill walk past smaller cascades to a broad, thunderous main fall.
Diamond Beach
Diamond Beach is the black-sand shoreline beside Jökulsárlón where glacier ice can wash ashore, creating one of the South Coast’s most changeable photo stops.
Hallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja is Reykjavík’s landmark church, with a sculptural exterior, spare interior, large organ, and tower view over the city.
Lóndrangar
Lóndrangar is a pair of basalt sea stacks on the Snæfellsnes coast, best experienced from the marked cliff viewpoints and nearby coastal paths.
All place guides
Find sights worth building into your route.
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Saurbæjarkirkja
Saurbæjarkirkja is a preserved turf church in Eyjafjörður south of Akureyri, best for travelers deciding whether a quiet cultural detour belongs in a North Iceland driving day or should be skipped.
North Iceland · Turf church · Short cultural stop
Hóp Lake
Hóp Lake is a tidal lake and wetland stop in northwestern North Iceland, useful when your day already passes Vatnsdalur, Vatnsnes, or Blönduós and you want a quiet landscape pause.
North Iceland · Tidal lake · Quiet route pause
The Settlement Center
The Settlement Center is a story-led museum in Borgarnes, useful when West Iceland or Snæfellsnes plans need cultural context, an indoor-leaning pause, and enough time to check visitor details before committing.
Museum · Borgarnes · West Iceland
Hítardalur
Hítardalur is a quiet West Iceland valley and old farm estate near Borgarnes, with lava, mountain walls, Hítará river, and saga texture. Visit only if you want a slow rural detour, not a fast headline stop.
West Iceland · Quiet valley · Rural detour
Hrepphólar
Hrepphólar is a small basalt-column and church stop near Flúðir in South Iceland, worth adding only when your Golden Circle day has room for a quiet countryside detour between major sights.
Basalt columns · Golden Circle · South Iceland
Laugarvatn
Laugarvatn is a small lake village on the Golden Circle, useful when you need a calmer geothermal pause, a lakeside base, or a decision about whether to add time between Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss.
Golden Circle lake · Geothermal pause · South Iceland
Skriðuklaustur
Skriðuklaustur is a cultural and historic site in Fljótsdalur, East Iceland, where Gunnar Gunnarsson’s turf-roofed house, medieval monastery ruins, and nearby park context make a calm cultural stop worth weighing against drive time.
Fljótsdalur culture stop · Near Egilsstaðir · Gunnarshús and ruins
Skógar
Skógar is a tiny South Coast village beside Skógafoss, useful when you want to turn a famous waterfall stop into a slower cluster with culture, short walks, and route choices.
Village cluster · South Iceland · South Coast
Þórbergssetur
Þórbergssetur is a culture center and heritage museum at Hali in Suðursveit, useful when a glacier-lagoon driving day needs local history, literary context, and a calmer indoor pause near Jökulsárlón.
Hali museum · Near Jökulsárlón · Indoor Ring Road pause
Þorlákshöfn
Þorlákshöfn is a harbor town on South Iceland's southwest coast, useful when you want a quieter coastal pause, ferry-contingency context, or Lighthouse Trail stop before deciding whether the detour strengthens your day.
Harbor town · South Iceland · Coastal pause
Víti in Krafla
Víti in Krafla is a blue-green maar crater above Lake Mývatn, useful as a short Diamond Circle volcanic stop when road, wind, and rim conditions support more than a quick viewpoint.
North Iceland · Krafla area · Crater lake
Reykir Regional Museum (Hrútafjörður)
Reykir Regional Museum is a small Hrútafjörður cultural stop built around Ófeigur, a shark-fishing boat, farm-life exhibits, and the decision of whether a short museum pause improves a North Iceland drive.
Hrútafjörður · Museum · 30-60 min
Viðey
Viðey is a quiet island just off Reykjavík, best when you want a ferry escape with walking paths, birdlife, historic buildings, and public art rather than another fast city landmark.
Reykjavík island · Ferry + walks · 1.5-3 hours
Vesturdalur Valley
Vesturdalur Valley is a Jökulsárgljúfur walking area in North Iceland, useful when you want basalt formations, river canyon texture, and enough time to choose a marked trail carefully.
Jökulsárgljúfur · Diamond Circle · Marked walks
Vestragil
Vestragil is a small gully and hot-spring area in Skaftafell, best for travelers who already have time in Vatnajökull National Park and need to decide if a quiet side stop is worth adding.
Skaftafell side stop · 30-75 minutes · Access checks matter
Varmahlíð
Varmahlíð is a small Skagafjörður village on the North Iceland route, useful when you need a practical pause, valley view, or base decision rather than a standalone sightseeing detour.
Skagafjörður village · North Iceland route stop · Ring Road pause · Reykjarhóll views
Ullarfoss
Ullarfoss is a quiet waterfall on the Svartá side of North Iceland, best considered as an optional add-on near Goðafoss and Aldeyjarfoss when walking effort, weather, and route time all make sense.
North Iceland · Waterfall · Quiet add-on
Úlfarsfell
Úlfarsfell is a low mountain on the edge of Reykjavík and Mosfellsbær, useful when a city day needs a real hike, broad views, and a clear choice between a quick outdoor break and a summit walk.
Reykjavík area · Mountain hike · Short stop
Syðridalur
Syðridalur is a quiet Westfjords valley above Bolungarvík, useful for travelers deciding whether a short scenic detour, old mine walk, and northern fjord context deserve time in a slower Westfjords day.
Quiet Westfjords valley · Near Bolungarvík · Short scenic detour · Westfjords Way
Svartsengi Power Station
Svartsengi Power Station is a working geothermal plant beside the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula, useful as a quick context stop only when the wider volcanic and spa landscape already fits your day.
Reykjanes Peninsula · Geothermal power · Quick context stop
Strokkur
Strokkur is the active geyser most travelers wait for in the Geysir geothermal area, a quick Golden Circle stop where timing, crowds, wind, and safe marked paths decide the visit.
Golden Circle · Geothermal area · Short stop · First-time favorite
Snorrastofa
Snorrastofa is a medieval cultural and research centre in Reykholt, best added when West Iceland needs saga history, a short indoor pause, and nearby waterfall or geothermal pairings.
Cultural site · West Iceland · Silver Circle
Skútustaðagígar
Skútustaðagígar is a protected group of grassy pseudocraters on the south side of Lake Mývatn, worth adding when you want an easy volcanic walk, birdlife, and a calmer North Iceland stop.
North Iceland · Lake Mývatn · Pseudocraters
Skeiðarársandur
Skeiðarársandur is the vast black-sand outwash plain between Vatnajökull and the Atlantic, best judged as a scenic Route 1 context stop rather than a destination that replaces Skaftafell or Jökulsárlón.
South Coast · Route 1 · Black-sand plain
Skálholt
Skálholt is a historic cathedral site in South Iceland, useful when a Golden Circle day needs culture, quiet walking, and context between the bigger natural landmarks without adding another scenic viewpoint.
Historic cathedral · Golden Circle · South Iceland · Culture stop
Sandvík
Sandvík is a small Reykjanes cove with black sand, grassy dunes, a brackish pond, and nearby Bridge Between Continents, worth adding when your peninsula drive has room for a slow coastal-geology stop.
Reykjanes Peninsula · Black-sand cove · 20-45 minutes
Ölkelda Mineral Spring
Ölkelda is a small naturally carbonated mineral spring on south Snæfellsnes, worth a short stop when its iron-red water and farm setting fit your route without crowding better nearby sights.
Mineral spring · Snæfellsnes · Quick stop
Nesjavellir
Nesjavellir is a geothermal power-station landscape north of Hengill, useful for self-drivers who want Road 435 views, steam, mountain scale, and a quieter Golden Circle detour with condition checks.
Geothermal area · Near Hengill · Road 435 detour
Nauthólsvík
Nauthólsvík is Reykjavík’s geothermal city beach, where golden sand, a sheltered bay, and hot-water bathing create a short urban break. Visit for a swim or seaside pause, but check official visitor details before planning around it.
Reykjavík · Geothermal beach · 20-40 min or 1-2 hr
Lúdentarborgir
Lúdentarborgir is a quiet crater row southeast of Lake Mývatn, useful for geology-minded self-drivers deciding whether a rougher volcanic side stop adds enough context beside easier Mývatn sights.
North Iceland · Crater row · Mývatn side stop
Leifsbúð
Leifsbúð is a small Vínland and Leifur Eiríksson exhibition in Búðardalur, best used when a Westfjords Way or Dalir driving day needs a short cultural pause rather than another landscape stop.
Cultural site · Búðardalur · Westfjords Way
Laugavegur
Laugavegur is Reykjavík’s main downtown street, a walkable city landmark where shops, cafes, murals, and nightlife shape the visit. Plan it as a city-day spine, not a standalone attraction for every Iceland trip.
Reykjavík · Main street · City walk
Lækjargata
Lækjargata is a central Reykjavík street linking Tjörnin, Lækjartorg, and old downtown houses; it is worth a short look when it strengthens a city walk, not as a standalone detour.
Reykjavík · Historic street · Short city walk
Kristnitökuhraun Lava Field
Kristnitökuhraun is a young lava field on the Hellisheiði corridor near Reykjavík, useful as a short geology-and-history pause when your drive already crosses this exposed part of southwest Iceland.
Southwest Iceland · Lava field · Short stop
Kleifarvatn
Kleifarvatn is a deep volcanic lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, worth adding when you have a self-drive loop, clear visibility, and enough time to pair it with nearby geothermal stops.
Reykjanes Peninsula · Lake and volcanic shoreline · 20-60 minutes
Jökulsárgljúfur
Jökulsárgljúfur is a protected canyon corridor in North Iceland between Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi, worth planning as a Diamond Circle landscape area when you have time for viewpoints, marked walks, and road-condition checks.
North Iceland · Diamond Circle · Canyon corridor
Hverfell
Hverfell is a dark volcanic crater beside Lake Mývatn, best for travelers who want a short climb, wide crater-rim views, and enough flexibility to skip it when wind, ice, or tight timing weakens the stop.
North Iceland · Volcanic crater · Diamond Circle · 45-90 minutes
Hveragerði
Hveragerði is a geothermal town east of Reykjavík, useful as a quick stop, soft overnight base, or Reykjadalur gateway when you decide how much time to give the steam, walks, and nearby routes.
Geothermal town · South Iceland · Golden Circle edge
Hvalsneskirkja
Hvalsneskirkja is a historic stone church in Hvalsnes on the Reykjanes Peninsula, best added when you want a quiet cultural pause near Keflavík or Sandgerði rather than another major scenery stop.
Historic church · Reykjanes · Short stop
Hvalfjörður
Hvalfjörður is a broad fjord north of Reykjavík where Route 47 gives self-drive travelers a slower scenic alternative to the tunnel, worth adding when you want quiet viewpoints, Glymur access, and West Iceland context.
West Iceland · Route 47 · Fjord drive
Hópsnes
Hópsnes is a lava-built headland by Grindavík, where an orange lighthouse, shipwreck remains, and rough coast make a short Reykjanes stop worth weighing against access and weather checks.
Reykjanes Peninsula · Lighthouse and shipwrecks · Short coastal stop
Höfði
Höfði is a historic waterfront house in Reykjavík, best for a short exterior stop when Cold War history, architecture, or a harbor walk matters more than going inside.
Reykjavík · Historic landmark · 10-45 minutes
Hjálparfoss
Hjálparfoss is a two-part waterfall in Þjórsárdalur, east of the classic Golden Circle, best for travelers deciding whether a calmer basalt-and-pool stop deserves space in a self-drive day.
South Iceland · Waterfall · Golden Circle extension
Hengladalsá
Hengladalsá is a small river and valley-area stop in the Hengill landscape near Hveragerði, best considered when you want a quieter geothermal walk rather than another major Golden Circle sight.
River valley · South Iceland · Hengill area
Helgafell
Helgafell is a low sacred mountain just south of Stykkishólmur, best for travelers deciding whether a short climb, saga history, and Breiðafjörður views deserve space in a Snæfellsnes or westbound route.
Short sacred walk · Stykkishólmur add-on · Breiðafjörður views · Saga and folklore
Hafravatn
Hafravatn is a quiet lake and walking area east of Úlfarsfell in Mosfellsbær, useful when a Reykjavík day needs local nature, shoreline views, and a clear choice between a short stop and a full lake loop.
Reykjavík area · Lake walk · Short stop
Hafrafell
Hafrafell is a low mountain above Hafravatn near Mosfellsbær, useful when a Reykjavík day needs a short outdoor climb, wide views, and a clear weather check before committing.
Mosfellsbær · Mountain viewpoint · Short Reykjavík-area hike
Hafnarfjörður
Hafnarfjörður is a harbor town just south of Reykjavík, worth adding when you want a quieter town walk, lava-garden stop, culture pause, or practical bridge toward nearby Reykjanes.
Greater Reykjavík · Harbor town · Reykjanes connector
Grjótagjá
Grjótagjá is a small lava cave with blue geothermal water near Lake Mývatn, best as a short, safety-aware stop when you want cave texture without treating it as a bathing place.
Lake Mývatn · Lava cave · Short Diamond Circle stop · No bathing
Gjábakkahellir
Gjábakkahellir is an undeveloped lava tube near Þingvellir on the Golden Circle, worth considering only when cave safety, rough footing, darkness, and route timing safely fit your day.
Golden Circle · Lava tube · Rough cave stop
Gerðuberg Cliffs
Gerðuberg Cliffs are a wall of regular basalt columns on the southern approach to Snæfellsnes, worth a short stop when geology, route timing, and nearby peninsula plans all line up.
Basalt columns · West Iceland · Snæfellsnes approach · Short stop
Fjallsjökull Glacier
Fjallsjökull is an outlet glacier above Fjallsárlón in southeast Iceland, best visited as a glacier-view stop or guided ice experience, not as a casual walk onto the ice.
South Iceland · South Coast · Outlet glacier · 30-60 minutes
Erpsstaðir
Erpsstaðir is a West Iceland dairy farm and creamery near Búðardalur, worth a stop when Route 60 needs a short food-and-farm pause, but easiest to keep flexible until visitor details line up.
Creamery stop · West Iceland · Route 60
Elliðaá
Elliðaá is Reykjavík’s salmon river and green-valley corridor, useful when you want an easy nature walk inside the capital instead of another downtown landmark or a long day-trip detour.
Reykjavík · River walk · City nature
Eldey
Eldey is a protected offshore bird island southwest of the Reykjanes Peninsula, useful for travelers who want a clear-weather coastal viewpoint, gannet context, and a realistic add-on near Reykjanesviti rather than a landing visit.
Reykjanes Peninsula · Protected bird island · Clear-weather viewpoint
Dómkirkjan
Dómkirkjan is Reykjavík’s Lutheran cathedral beside Austurvöllur and Alþingi, a compact historic church best visited as part of a downtown walk rather than as a standalone sightseeing detour.
Reykjavík cathedral · Austurvöllur landmark · historic city walk · short cultural stop
Bjarnarhöfn
Bjarnarhöfn is a family farm and shark museum on north Snæfellsnes, worth adding when you want cultural context between scenic stops and have time for visitor-detail checks before committing.
Cultural stop · West Iceland · Snæfellsnes
Bessastaðir
Bessastaðir is Iceland’s presidential residence on Álftanes near Reykjavík, a historic coastal estate best treated as a short outside view or quiet cultural detour within a wider city day.
Presidential residence · Álftanes · Short cultural stop · Near Reykjavík
Ásmundarsafn
Ásmundarsafn is a Reykjavík sculpture museum in Ásmundur Sveinsson’s former Laugardalur home and studio, worth adding when architecture, garden works, and a quieter city-cultural stop fit your day.
Reykjavík · Sculpture museum · Laugardalur
Arnarstapi
Arnarstapi is a small coastal village on south Snæfellsnes, worth adding when you want sea cliffs, Gatklettur, birdlife, and an easy walking stop that still needs wind, surf, and route-time judgment.
Snæfellsnes coast · 45-90 minutes · Cliffs and village walk
Almannagjá
Almannagjá is the main rift walk inside Þingvellir National Park, where the Golden Circle stop becomes more than a viewpoint if you allow time for cliffs, history, and nearby paths.
Golden Circle · Rift walk · 30-90 minutes
Akurey
Akurey is a protected bird island in Kollafjörður near Reykjavík, best considered as a short boat-based puffin and seabird viewing add-on rather than a landing stop or self-drive attraction.
Reykjavík bird island · Boat-distance viewing · 1-2 hours
Deildartunguhver Hot Spring
Deildartunguhver is a powerful boiling hot spring in West Iceland's Borgarfjörður area, best visited as a short Silver Circle stop where safety, nearby pairings, and Krauma bathing context shape the decision.
Hot spring · West Iceland · Silver Circle
Heiðmörk
Heiðmörk is Reykjavík’s large forest, lava, and lake-edge recreation area, worth adding when you want easy nature near the city and can choose the right sub-area for your time.
Reykjavík green belt · forest + lava · easy nature break
Skogafoss
Skogafoss is a powerful South Coast waterfall at Skogar, known for its wide curtain of spray, rainbow views, and stair access to the river above.
Waterfall · South Iceland · South CoastReynisfjara
Reynisfjara is a dramatic South Coast black sand beach near Vík, currently best treated as a viewpoint-first stop because surf, erosion, and warning lights control access.
South Coast black sand beach · Basalt columns and Reynisdrangar sea stacks · Safety-sensitive surf viewpoint · Near Vík, Dyrhólaey, and Skógafoss
Reykjanesviti Lighthouse
Reykjanesviti is Iceland’s oldest lighthouse area on the far southwest Reykjanes Peninsula, best visited with Gunnuhver, Valahnúkamöl, and other volcanic coast stops.
Reykjanes lighthouse · coastal viewpoint · maritime history · short stop
Kvernufoss
Kvernufoss is a short canyon walk near Skogafoss, with a narrow waterfall, mossy rock walls, and a behind-the-falls option when footing is safe.
Waterfall · South Iceland · South Coast
Kirkjufell
Kirkjufell is the freestanding mountain beside Grundarfjörður, best planned as a short but weather-sensitive Snæfellsnes stop with Kirkjufellsfoss nearby.
Mountain · West Iceland · Snæfellsnes
Hvítá River
Hvítá is the glacial river behind Gullfoss and Brúarhlöð, best planned as a Golden Circle river corridor rather than one single roadside stop.
Golden Circle river · Gullfoss source · Brúarhlöð gorge · glacial water
Hverir Geothermal Area
Hverir Geothermal Area is a compact, highly active mud-pool and fumarole field beside Route 1 in the Mývatn area of North Iceland.
Mývatn geothermal field · Route 1 stop · North Iceland
Hraunfossar Waterfalls
Hraunfossar is a protected West Iceland waterfall area where clear springs stream from Hallmundarhraun lava into the Hvita river.
Waterfall · West Iceland · Silver Circle
Hljóðaklettar
Hljóðaklettar is a cluster of echoing basalt formations in Jökulsárgljúfur, best planned as a marked-walk stop between Dettifoss and Ásbyrgi.
Echo Rocks · Diamond Circle · North Iceland
Gunnuhver
Gunnuhver is a steaming geothermal area on the Reykjanes Peninsula, with boardwalk views over mud pools, fumaroles, mineral crust, and a raw coastal landscape.
Reykjanes · Geothermal area · Short stop
Glaumbær
Glaumbær is a turf-house museum in Skagafjörður, where preserved farm buildings, small rooms, and rural objects make North Iceland history tangible.
Skagafjörður turf farm · North Iceland museum · Ring Road culture stop · historic buildings
Geysir
Geysir is the historic hot-spring area that gave geysers their name, now best visited for Strokkur eruptions, steaming pools, and Golden Circle context.
Geothermal area · South Iceland · Golden Circle
Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir is a protected lava-field labyrinth beside Lake Mývatn, best for an easy but otherworldly walk among arches, caves, and dark rock towers.
North Iceland · Lake Mývatn · Lava formations
Barnafoss Waterfall
Barnafoss is the forceful gorge waterfall beside Hraunfossar, best used as a short West Iceland stop when the wider Borgarfjordur route already makes sense.
West Iceland · Waterfall gorge · Pairs with Hraunfossar
Ásbyrgi Canyon
Ásbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped canyon and birch-filled hollow in North Iceland, best visited as a calm walking stop on the Diamond Circle.
North Iceland · Diamond Circle · Canyon walks
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is a South Coast waterfall famous for its walk-behind path, easy Ring Road access, and nearby Gljúfrabúi pairing.
South Coast waterfall · Walk-behind path when open · Near Gljúfrabúi and Skógafoss · Easy Ring Road accessLóndrangar
Lóndrangar is a pair of basalt sea stacks on the Snæfellsnes coast, best experienced from the marked cliff viewpoints and nearby coastal paths.
Snæfellsnes coast · 30-60 minutes · Marked cliff viewpoints
Kerið Crater
Kerið is a compact volcanic crater lake on the Golden Circle, best for a short rim walk, lake view, and easy self-drive stop between larger sights.
Golden Circle crater lake · short scenic stop · rim and lake walk · Route 35 accessHvítserkur
Hvítserkur is a basalt sea stack off the Vatnsnes coast in North Iceland, best planned as a short but distinctive detour with viewpoint, beach, and seal-watching context.
North Iceland sea stack · Vatnsnes peninsula · Seal Circle area · Road 711 detourHallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja is Reykjavík’s landmark church, with a sculptural exterior, spare interior, large organ, and tower view over the city.
Reykjavík landmark · church tower view · central city walk · architecture and cultureGullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss is the Golden Circle waterfall that feels powerful even on a short stop, but it is best planned with viewpoint time, weather, and nearby stops in mind.
Waterfall · Golden Circle · South Iceland
Goðafoss Waterfall
Goðafoss is a wide, horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Ring Road in North Iceland, easy to pair with Mývatn, Akureyri, or the Diamond Circle.
Waterfall · North Iceland · Ring Road / Diamond Circle
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is a narrow moss-lined South Coast gorge near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, with rim viewpoints over the Fjaðrá river.
South Coast canyon · 45-90 minutes · Marked rim viewpoints
Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is a cliff-top South Coast headland near Vík, known for its sea arch, lighthouse, birdlife, and wide views over black-sand beaches.
sea arch · cliff viewpoint · near Vík · South CoastDiamond Beach
Diamond Beach is the black-sand shoreline beside Jökulsárlón where glacier ice can wash ashore, creating one of the South Coast’s most changeable photo stops.
black sand beach · glacier ice · Jökulsárlón pairing · southeast Ring Road
Brúarfoss Waterfall
Brúarfoss is a compact Golden Circle waterfall known for vivid blue water running through dark rock on the Brúará River.
Waterfall · Golden Circle · South Iceland · Short stop · Photo spot
Build a trip around the places you want to see.
Once the sights are clear, use planning pages to turn them into a route with realistic timing.