Iceland attractions

Named after Reverend Hallgrimur Petursson, author of Iceland’s most popular hymn book, Passion Hymns (Passiusalmar), Hallgrim’s Church—aka Hallgrímskirkja—is an unmistakable landmark in downtown Reykjavik. Built to resemble mountains and glaciers in the expressionist architecture style, it’s an entirely unique structure. Visible throughout the city, the tower of the white concrete Lutheran church offers some of the best views of the Reykjavik skyline and surrounding area.

Dynjandi (which means “thunderous”), or Fjallfoss, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Iceland. In the island country’s remote Westfjords region, you’ll pass seven other waterfalls on a 15-minute hike up to Dynjandi, where the 328-foot (100-meter) cascade spreads like a bridal veil over the volcanic rocks.

Langjökull is the second-largest glacier in Iceland, covering some 360 square miles (930 square kilometers) and concealing at least two active volcanic systems. The glacier feeds some of Iceland’s most iconic sites, including Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Thingvellir National Park. Its geothermal areas, lava fields, and ice caves—which offer opportunities for hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and more—make it a must-see destination for adventure seekers.

Close to the attractions of Iceland’s Golden Circle but far from the crowds of the more famous Blue Lagoon, the Secret Lagoon offers natural hot springs and a remote location surrounded by icy wilderness and rugged lava fields. Its soothing hot water is highly recommended for those looking to relax and unwind. It’s easy to reach, as it’s a regular stop on day tours from Reykjavík.

With a name meaning “dark castles” in Icelandic, it seems fitting that Dimmuborgir—a 2,300-year-old lava field that resembles a collapsed citadel—gained fame as a setting on the hit TV show Game of Thrones. But more importantly, the volcanic formations are the stuff of local legend: In Icelandic folktales, the black caves are home to child-eating trolls. Dimmuborgir is currently one of the country’s most visited tourist destinations.

Skaftafell, which sprawls across the southern tip of the Vatnajökull glacier, is one of the most popular corners of the larger Vatnajökull National Park. Dominated by the Skaftafellsjökull glacier, it offers some 2,000 square miles (5,000 square kilometers) of rugged mountainous terrain and glacial tongues. The park has no roads: Hiking, glacier hiking, and ice climbing are the main ways to get around this slice of Icelandic wilderness.

Among Iceland’s most famous peaks, the notoriously difficult-to-pronounce Eyjafjallajökull Volcano made headlines when it erupted in 2010, spewing an enormous cloud of volcanic ash that grounded air traffic across Europe. The tallest point of the ice-capped volcano reaches 5,417 feet (1,651 meters), providing views from the surrounding glaciers and lava fields of the scenic Thórsmörk Valley.

Iceland’s natural hot springs, fed by volcanic activity and dotted all around the country, are world renowned. The most famous is the Blue Lagoon, but it’s almost always crammed with day-trippers from nearby Reykjavik. Myvatn Nature Baths, on the other hand, remain a pocket of tranquility, hidden away in the less-visited north.

Frequent sightings of humpbacks, blue whales, and orcas make this colorful harbor town a hub for whale-watching—with the added bonus of a major puffin colony nearby. But there’s more to Húsavík than wildlife safaris. You can also visit its historic wooden church, earn your views on a hike up Húsavík Mountain, take in the bright costumes at the Húsavík Eurovision Exhibition, or browse handknit Icelandic sweaters at a cooperatively run shop.

Marvel at the sheer natural force on display at Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and one of Iceland’s most extraordinary attractions. Dropping some 132,000 gallons (500 cubic meters) of water per second 148 feet (45 meters) down the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, Dettifoss is a must-see for visitors to North Iceland.

West Iceland’s Deildartunguhver Thermal Spring is famed as the highest flowing hot spring in Europe. With a rapid flow rate of 40 gallons (180 liters) per second, the spring produces so much energy that much of its water is used for heating Icelandic homes. It’s a great place to understand how Icelanders harness the power of their natural environment.

With its gurgling mud pools, hissing steam vents, and plumes of volcanic rock, it’s easy to see why the Hverir geothermal area was chosen as a filming location for HBO’sGame of Thrones. It’s a mesmerizing sight, with the pockmarked terrain bubbling with silver-gray mud and steaming fumaroles, and the stench of sulfur omnipresent.

Dominated by a glacier-topped stratovolcano, Snæfellsjökull National Park embodies Iceland’s moniker: the land of fire and ice. The park covers 70 square miles (183 square kilometers) and boasts basalt sea cliffs, black and gold sand beaches, and peculiar lava formations. While the park’s star attraction is undoubtedly Snæfellsjökull volcano—which inspired Jules Verne while writing Journey to the Center of the Earth—its otherworldly lava fields and remains of ancient fishing villages are not to be missed.

The mirrored glass dome of Perlan shines from its position on Öskjuhlíð hill, just outside Reykjavík. Comprising a glass hemisphere sitting atop six massive hot water tanks, the building offers panoramic views of Reykjavík and the surrounding areas. Inside, it houses a restaurant, a viewing deck, a planetarium, and the Perlan Museum, which brings to life Iceland’s epic—and ephemeral—natural wonders.

Sitting on Reykjavik’s waterfront, across the bay from Mt. Esja, the gleaming Sun Voyager sculpture makes for an excellent photo opportunity. Local sculptor Jón Gunnar Árnason created the 59-foot (18-meter) stainless steel artwork after winning a competition that commemorated Reykjavik’s 200th anniversary. The organic form resembles the skeletal frame of a Viking ship and sits on a circle of granite slabs atop a small natural promontory.

The snow-coated peak of Hekla Volcano is one of the most memorable landmarks of Iceland’s South Coast, looming 4,891 feet (124 meters) over the surrounding lava fields. But beyond its picturesque facade, Hekla has a reputation for being one of the most active volcanoes in the country. It’s erupted more than 20 times since 874, earning it the nickname the Gateway to Hell.

Formed by a massive volcanic eruption more than two millennia ago—and surrounded by surreal lava formations, mud pots, volcanic craters, and steaming fumaroles—Lake Mývatn remains geothermally active. The lake’s name comes from the swarming midges that fuel the local bird population.

Development is hard to come by on the deserted Viðey Island, an idyllic green expanse a short ferry ride from Reykjavík. Besides a café and a couple of historic sights, Viðey has no buildings—just scenic nature trails that spotlight the island’s flourishing birdlife and views of Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the distance. Curiously, Viðey is also known for its art installations, including Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower.

Dedicated to one of nature’s most awe-inspiring wonders, Aurora Reykjavik (Northern Lights Center) is a go-to resource for travelers interested in seeing the northern lights. Films and interactive exhibits showcase some of the most colorful displays of the aurora borealis to have graced the Icelandic skies, while staff members offer northern lights photography tips. The site's website lists tours that show you the natural phenomenon IRL from Reykjavik.

Covering more than 270 square miles (700 square kilometers) and reaching a thickness of as much as 2,460 feet (750 meters) in places, this vast glacier is Iceland’s fourth largest. It sits atop the active Katla Volcano, which has erupted many times over the centuries, spewing meltwater, rock fragments, and ash into the air.

The small settlement of Dalvik, tucked between one of Iceland’s longest and most stunning fjords and the rolling hills of Svarfaðardalur, serves as the jumping-off point for ferries to Grimsey Island. It’s also a destination in its own right for outdoor adventures like hiking, whale watching, golfing, and bird watching.

If you’re hoping to spot all of Iceland’s 23 whale species in one go, a whale-watching cruise is unlikely to deliver. Instead, head down to Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to visit Europe’s largest whale museum. The fun and interactive Whales of Iceland exhibition has life-sized models of every single whale, from the human-sized harbour porpoise to a blue whale the length of a basketball court.

For more than half a century, Bessastadir has been the official residence of the Icelandic president. First settled in 1000, the site was once home to famed Icelandic poet and historian Snorri Sturluson, and the residence (built in 1761) housed a farm and a school before it was donated to the state. After Iceland gained independence from Denmark in 1944, Bessastadir became the president’s official residence.

Located along Reykjavik’s scenic waterfront, the whitewashed building known as Hofdi House made headlines around the world in 1986. US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev met here for a summit that many consider the beginning of the end of the Cold War. The traditional wooden building is characteristic of turn-of-the-century Icelandic architecture, and remains a popular photo spot today.

Situated in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Ljótipollur Lake is made up of deep turquoise waters surrounded by the dramatic, uninhabited landscape of the Landmannalaugar highlands. Visit this striking site in southern Iceland to admire the lake and the steep basalt and lava cliffs speckled with rainbow-hued minerals that surround it.

Located at the confluence of the Þjórsá and Fossá rivers, Hjálparfoss waterfall cascades over a 31-foot (10-meter) basalt cliff. The lava-strewn landscape that surrounds the waterfall is courtesy of the nearby Hekla volcano, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. During the warmer months, spot Icelandic horses grazing in the surrounding grasslands.

Located on the banks of Reykjavik’s Lake Tjörnin, the National Gallery of Iceland is considered to be the country’s most important art museum. Home to a vast collection of 19th- and 20th-century Icelandic art, it also houses works by international artists such as Pablo Picasso, Edvard Munch, Karin Sander, and Richard Serra.

Just off the Ring Road (Route 1), in the heart of Iceland’s southern countryside, lies one of the country’s most popular museums. Founded in 1949, Skogar Museum is a cultural heritage collection of around 18,000 artifacts exhibited across six historical buildings and three museums: a folk museum, an open-air museum, and a transport and technology museum. Together, they tell rich stories about Icelandic social history.

Iceland is known for its incredible amount of geothermal activity, but many of the country's most magnificent hot springs are far from Reykjavik. This is not the case with the Seltún Geothermal Area on the Reykjane Peninsula, an easy drive from the capital city.

The National Museum of Iceland chronicles the country’s cultural heritage, from its first Viking settlements to its independence from foreign rule in 1944. Standout objects include traditional Icelandic clothing and drinking horns, an 11th-century bronze statue of Thor, and a hand-carved church door depicting scenes from the medieval knight’s tale, Le Chevalier au Lion. Along with the Making of a Nation exhibition, the museum’s impressive photograph collection captures daily life in Iceland over the centuries.