Attractions in Iceland
The finest attractions in Iceland at a glance: castles, natural wonders, historic old towns and more. Each place links to a detailed page with map, tips and photos.
Culture & History
Almannagjá
Almannagjá is a prominent fissure in Þingvellir National Park.
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Dimmuborgir
Dimmuborgir, or Dark Castles, is a large area of bizarre lava formations east of Lake Mývatn.
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Reykholt
This was the home of Snorri Sturluson, the famous 13th-century historian and poet.
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Fimmvörðuháls
Fimmvörðuháls is a mountain pass between the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers.
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Látrabjarg
Látrabjarg is the westernmost point of Iceland and one of Europe's largest bird cliffs.
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Reykjavík City Hall
Reykjavík City Hall is situated on the banks of Lake Tjörnin.
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Höfði House
Höfði House is a historic building in Reykjavík, built in 1909.
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Vatnsfjörður
This was the seat of the powerful Vatnsfirðingar clan during the Sturlung Era.
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Helgafell
This 'Holy Mountain' is mentioned in several Icelandic sagas.
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Viðey Island
Viðey Island houses historical buildings, including the oldest stone house in Iceland from 1755.
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Oddi
Oddi was one of the most important cultural and educational centers in medieval Iceland.
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Surtsey
Surtsey is a volcanic island formed in 1963 by a subaquatic eruption.
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Dettifoss
Dettifoss, located in Vatnajökull National Park, is reputed to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
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Goðafoss
Goðafoss, the 'Waterfall of the Gods', is a horseshoe-shaped waterfall in northern Iceland.
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Skógafoss
Skógafoss is one of Iceland's largest waterfalls with a width of 25 meters.
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Hítardalur
Hítardalur is a historic manor and was briefly the site of a monastery in the 12th century.
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Hornbjarg
Hornbjarg is a spectacular sea cliff in the uninhabited Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.
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Reynisfjara
Reynisfjara is a world-famous black sand beach on the South Coast of Iceland.
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Heimaey
Heimaey is the largest and only inhabited island in the Westman Islands.
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Lakagígar
Lakagígar is a row of over 130 volcanic craters in southern Iceland.
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Breiðabólstaður
Breiðabólstaður was the site of the first printing press in Iceland, established in the 1530s.
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Skálholt
For over 700 years, this location was the religious and cultural center of Southern Iceland.
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Svartifoss
Svartifoss, the 'Black Waterfall', is famous for being surrounded by dark, hanging basalt columns.
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Bessastaðir
Bessastaðir is a historic manor that now serves as the official residence of the President of Iceland.
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Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is famous for the walking path that leads behind the falling curtain of water.
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Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is a 120-meter high promontory on the South Coast.
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Gullfoss
Gullfoss is a powerful two-tiered waterfall located in the canyon of the Hvítá river.
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Borg á Mýrum
This was the historical farm of Skalla-Grímur Kveldúlfsson and later his son Egill Skallagrímsson, the most famous saga hero.
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Glymur
Glymur was long considered the highest waterfall in Iceland.
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Dynjandi
Dynjandi is an impressive waterfall in the Westfjords of Iceland.
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Grímsey
Grímsey is a small island located 40 kilometers north of Iceland.
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Hólar í Hjaltadal
Founded in 1106, this location served as the bishopric for Northern Iceland.
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Rauðasandur
Rauðasandur is a 10-kilometer long beach in the Westfjords, famous for its reddish and golden sand.
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Hengifoss
One of the highest and most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland, known for its red sedimentary layers.
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Thingvellir National Park
The national park protects a unique ecosystem in the rift valley between tectonic plates.
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Vatnajokull National Park
The park encompasses massive glaciers and green oases like Skaftafell.
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Snaefellsjokull National Park
This park at the western tip of Iceland provides habitat for numerous seabirds and coastal plants.
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Skrudur Botanical Garden
One of Iceland's oldest botanical gardens, founded by a local teacher in the Westfjords.
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Akureyri Botanical Garden
One of the world's northernmost botanical gardens hosts almost all Icelandic plant species and thousands of foreign plants from cold regions.
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Þingvallavatn
Þingvallavatn is the largest natural lake in Iceland.
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Tjornin Lake Birdlife
Reykjavik's central lake is a vital habitat for over 40 bird species right in the city center.
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Mývatn
Mývatn is a shallow, nutrient-rich lake in northern Iceland.
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Jökulsárlón
Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon at the edge of Vatnajökull.
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Lake Myvatn Bird Reserve
Lake Myvatn is world-renowned for its high density of nesting duck species.
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Flatey Island Biodiversity
Flatey in Breidafjordur is known for its exceptional bird diversity, including the rare red-necked phalarope.
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Eldey Gannet Colony
This steep rock island hosts one of the world's largest northern gannet colonies.
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Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
In this remote region, Iceland's largest Arctic fox populations live in pristine nature.
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Hunafjordur Seal Habitat
This region in North Iceland is one of the premier locations to observe seals in their natural habitat.
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Papey Island Wildlife
Papey lies off the east coast and hosts large populations of puffins and eider ducks.
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Vigur Island Eider Ducks
Vigur is known for its sustainable eiderdown harvesting and rich birdlife.
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What are the top attractions in Iceland?
Among the most popular are Thingvellir National Park, Almannagjá, Dimmuborgir, Reykholt, Vatnajokull National Park and many more – the full top 50 list is on this page.
When is the best time to visit Iceland?
May to October offers the most pleasant weather; July and August are warmest and busiest.