Attractions

It's easy to assume that most of Iceland's attractions are about the landscape. Much of the appeal really is the glaciers, waterfalls and volcanoes, but there's more to the country than scenery. Icelanders take design, art, music and their own history seriously, and a rainy afternoon in a Reykjavik museum can be as memorable as a day at a waterfall.

This page sorts the main attractions by where they are, with links to our longer guides for each.

In and around Reykjavik

Most trips start in the capital, and you can fill several days without a car. Climb the tower of Hallgrímskirkja for the best view over the colourful roofs. Then work through the museums: 871, the Settlement Museum is built around the ruins of a Viking-age longhouse, and the Reykjavik Art Museum spreads across three buildings.

On weekends, dig through the Kolaportið flea market by the harbour for wool sweaters and fermented shark. Every neighbourhood has a public pool, and an evening soak with the locals is the most Icelandic thing you can do in town. The full list is in attractions in Reykjavik, and free and cheap things to do will help with the costs.

The Golden Circle

This loop east of Reykjavik is the most popular day trip in the country, and it earns the attention.

• Þingvellir is where Iceland's parliament met from around the year 930 until 1798, in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
• Geysir is quiet these days, but its neighbour Strokkur erupts every 10 minutes or so.
• Gullfoss drops in two steps into the Hvítá canyon.

See exploring the Golden Circle and how to get there.

Lagoons and hot springs

The Blue Lagoon is the famous one, near Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula. That area had nine eruptions between December 2023 and August 2025, lava covered the lagoon's car park in November 2024, and the Icelandic Met Office says magma is still building up, so check safetravel.is before you book. There are plenty of other places to soak, from Sky Lagoon in Kópavogur, just outside the city, to the lagoons up north. Our hot springs and swimming pools page covers the options.

The south coast

Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall you can walk behind, black sand around Vik, and further east the icebergs of Jökulsárlón. The Westman Islands sit just offshore. Read natural wonders in Iceland for the details and the safety warnings, especially at Reynisfjara beach.

The west and the Westfjords

The Snaefellsnes peninsula packs a glacier-topped volcano, fishing villages and lava fields into an easy drive from Reykjavik. Further north, the Westfjords are remote and quiet, with the hiking reserve of Hornstrandir at the tip. Start with four things to do in the Westfjords.

North Iceland

Akureyri is the base for the north. From there you can reach Godafoss, the craters and steam vents of Lake Myvatn, and Húsavík, Iceland's whale-watching town, with its whale museum.

The interior

In summer, the Highlands open up: rhyolite mountains, hot rivers and huts, reachable only by 4x4 or highland bus. The roads are closed for much of the year.

Planning around the attractions

Iceland is bigger than it looks, and the weather sets the pace. If you only have a stopover, stick to Reykjavik, the Golden Circle and a lagoon (see how to plan a stopover). With a week or more, drive the Ring Road. For activities rather than sights, head to things to do and outdoor activities. The volcanoes page covers eruption sites and how to stay safe near them.

Photo by WanderingtheWorld