Category: Places to see in Iceland

Iceland is small on a map but slow to cross, and that catches a lot of visitors out. The waterfall you spotted in a photo might be a five-hour drive from your hotel, and the famous spot you’d never heard of could be twenty minutes away. This section is here to help you decide where to actually go.

Give me alt description and caption of this image of two kids looking at Svartifoss in Skaftafell in Iceland
Svartifoss — the “Black Falls” — drops over a wall of basalt columns in Skaftafell, and it has a way of making everyone go quiet for a moment, big or small. It’s an easy 1.5 km uphill walk from the visitor centre, so it’s very doable with kids. Wear proper shoes, take your time, and don’t rush the last bit.

These guides cover the places worth your time — from the headline sights along the Golden Circle and South Coast to the quieter corners of the Westfjords, the East, and the highland interior that most travelers never reach. I will tell you what makes each place special, how long you’ll really want to be there, and the practical factors that determine whether a visit goes well: parking, opening times, road conditions, and the time of day when the crowds thin out.

I am honest about the famous spots, too. Some live up to the hype, some are better skipped in peak summer, and a few are far more rewarding if you arrive early or stay late. Where there’s a lesser-known alternative that gives you the same scenery without the tour buses, we’ll point you to it.

Iceland changes with the seasons more than almost anywhere. A spot that’s an easy stroll in July can be a different proposition in February, so my guides flag what’s accessible when, and when you’ll need a proper vehicle or a guide.

Many of these places sit near operators we work with, and our newsletter subscribers get exclusive discount codes for tours, activities, and entry to several of them.
Browse the guides below, build a route that suits your time, and you’ll spend your trip seeing Iceland — not driving past it.


Places to see in Iceland

Enjoy this 4K drone video from Iceland

I just love drone videos from Iceland. Here is a pretty great 4K drone video from Iceland by Andreas Köng. Andreas is a fellow member of the Facebook group ´Travel Iceland´ – he describes it as a “personal Christmas Present to the Community.” He graciously...