Iceland attractions

The Settlement Exhibition is one of Scandinavia’s most unique and intriguing museums. Visitors start in the oldest house in Reykjavik, descending underground to active excavations that date back some 1,200 years. A combination of multimedia technology and real-life ruins makes this a truly immersive destination, which is worth a stop for all ages and interests.

Kirkjufell (Church Mountain) is one of Iceland's most photographed peaks, towering 1,519 feet (463 meters) over the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Famous for its unique, steeple-like shape, it starred as Arrow Head Mountain in Game of Thrones. A geological wonder, it captivates photographers and nature lovers from around the globe.

While at just 66 feet high (20 meters) Svartifoss Waterfall isn’t Iceland’s largest or most powerful, you could argue it’s one of the country’s most dramatic, thanks to its backdrop of striking dark basalt columns. Its name—meaning “Black Falls”—comes from the color of the hexagonal formations that create the waterfall’s amphitheater–shaped cliff.

Eldfell, the "Mountain of Fire," is a volcano on Heimaey Island, part of Iceland's Westman Islands. After almost 5,000 years without activity, it erupted in 1973, and the island had to be evacuated. Residents have since returned to the island, and visitors looking to hike to the volcano have increased the island's economy, which was previously reliant on fishing.

On Heimaey Island, the largest of the Westman Islands, Herjólfsdalur is known for both its natural scenery and its role in the history of Iceland. Archeological excavations in the area led to the discovery of a Viking settlement believed to be one of the country’s oldest human habitations. Today, you can tour the Herjólfstown museum (aka the Viking Town) and see what life could have looked like during the 10th century.

With its ripples of ice flowing down a wide valley, Skaftafellsjökull is a glacier tongue, which extends from the Vatnajökull ice cap that covers much of southeast Iceland. The rugged ridges of Skaftafellsjökull glacier have become a playground for visitors to experience what it’s like walking on a glacier, while the black and green hills nearby serve as viewpoints to this slowly-melting natural phenomenon.

Thanks to its distinctive wedge shape, Kirkjufell is the most photographed mountain in Iceland—and Kirkjufellsfoss is the waterfall that tumbles near its base. Together, the two make for one of Iceland’s most recognized scenes, an elemental display of the country’s natural beauty. A short drive from the town of Grundarfjordur, this spot is as easily accessible as it is spectacular.

Seydisfjordur Church’s (Seydisfjordurkirkja) baby-blue-colored exterior and distinctively Nordic architectural style have made it one of Iceland’s most recognizable landmarks. Backed by the natural beauty of Seydisfjordur, the church is a must-see when exploring the Eastfjords.

Half an hour outside of Reykjavik, the harbor town of Hafnarfjordur is a quaint home base for exploring the rest of Iceland. It’s also a destination in its own right, with a walkable center full of museums and art galleries, plus curious local folklore that will have you looking out for hidden elves in the city’s parks and gardens. Icelandic nature is yet another draw of Hafnarfjordur, known for nearby hiking trails and volcanic landscapes.

North Iceland’s cultural life is centered around Hof Cultural and Conference Center (Menningarhúsið Hof) in Akureyri, the capital of the north. The modern circular building, which is inspired by Iceland’s columnar basalt igneous rocks, is one of Akureyri’s architectural gems and hosts musical and theatrical performances.

The city’s namesake museum focuses on the history of Akureyri, the Eyjafjörður fjord, and the region’s former inhabitants, displaying a collection of art, artifacts, and photographs dating back to the Settlement Era. The museum takes visitors on a journey through the past with reconstructions depicting everyday life throughout the ages.

An uninhabited and unspoiled expanse of volcanic terrain, Landmannalaugar is a great choice if you’re looking to get off the beaten track in Iceland. It’s a top hiking destination famous for its spectacular scenery, which comprises multicolored rhyolite mountains, rugged lava fields, and steamy thermal pools backed by the looming Hekla volcano.

The Icelandic historic site of Skálholt is the first spot where an ordained bishop (and Iceland's sole canonized state) settled on the island in the 11th century. A more modern church stands in the town and draws in visitors interested in history and music lovers who come to check out its summer concert series.

Brúnir Horse is a small family-run company based on a farm in Eyjafjordur, North Iceland. Passionate about horse breeding, the family opened its farm to visitors wanting to learn more about the Icelandic horse and everyday life on an Icelandic farm. Here, take in a horse show, then browse the on-site art gallery.

The Icelandic Aviation Museum, housed in a large hangar at Akureyri Airport, displays a varied collection of large and small aircrafts, photographs, artifacts, and flight memorabilia. The museum devotes itself to preserving Iceland’s aviation history, such as documenting key moments like the country’s first flight in 1919.

The Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant is the largest geothermal power plant in Iceland. It’s located on the Hengill volcanic ridge in Southwest Iceland, though volcanic activity hasn’t sparked an eruption in 2,000 years. Along with the Nesjavellir geothermal power plant, Hellisheidi produces a significant amount of hot water in the Reykjavik area.

In far northern Iceland, the extraordinary natural landscapes of Gjástykki are among the region’s most striking. Hewn from a series of eruptions by the neighboring Krafla volcano, the rift valley features 65-foot-high (20-meter-high) walls of lava rock and valleys of multicolored slag, still hot with volcanic activity.