Hi there! Welcome to your guide to the best places in Iceland to visit during your trip. In this post you will find a guide to Iceland’s best attractions as well as all some of the country’s top hidden gems!
The best part, you can easily visit all of these locations in a 5 day trip to Iceland.
Sound good?
Let’s dive right into your guide for the best places to visit in Iceland during your vacation!
Best Places in Iceland – Must Visits
Keflavik
When you arrive in Iceland you’ll fly into Keflavik Airport – located just outside the city of Keflavik. While I don’t necessarily recommend spending a full day in Keflavik, it’s a nice little town to walk around and explore.
This is a great spot to visit when you first arrive in Iceland, or on your way back to the airport. You can grab a coffee and walk around the small city!
Blue Lagoon – and other lagoons!
For some reason many people think the Blue Lagoon is an overrated tourist trap, but I totally disagree.
Is it touristy? Yes.
Is it relatively expensive? Also, yes.
Is is worth it? 100% yes.
The Blue Lagoon is such a beautiful and relaxing spot. Although there are other lagoons to visit in Iceland (and I recommend visiting those too), don’t skip out on the Blue Lagoon. It’s one of those places that is really a must-see.
Some other great lagoons to add to your itinerary include the Secret Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon.
Reykjavik
Don’t miss out on visiting Iceland’s capital and largest city, Reykjavik! I recommend spending at least two days in Reykjavik. There are a lot of cute bakeries and restaurants to check out, as well as museums and small shops.
If you’re lucky, in the fall and winter you can even see the Northern Lights from the water.
For travelers who have a limited time in Reykjavik, but still want to make the most of it, I recommend taking some type of guided tour! This is a great way to learn about Iceland and about life in Reykjavik, specifically.
There are tons of awesome options including history tours, food tours, beer tours, a folklore tour and even whale watching!
Northern Lights from Reykjavik
Although you can go on Northern Lights tours – and many have great reviews – locals told us that sometimes during the fall and winter months the Northern Lights can be seen from the water in Reykjavik.
For some reason, I assumed that it would be too bright in Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights, and that you would need to get away from the city lights – however, apparently this isn’t the case!
Although it, it is never guaranteed that you’ll see the Northern Lights, as it depends on the weather, this is a great way to see them for free while in Reykjavik.
Hike the Fagradalsfjall Volcano
Hiking the Fagradalsfjall Volcano is an amazing experience and such a fun and unique activity while in Iceland.
While you can drive to the volcano and hike it on your own, I definitely recommend taking a guided hiking tour. At times, it is unclear where the hiking trail is, and because it is an active volcano we felt much safer taking a guided hike.
Once at the top of the hike you’re able to see incredible lava eruptions, and seeing the lava streams really makes you feel like you’re on another planet.
Thanks to the best travel buddy, Leyla, for her amazing Fagradalsfjall Volcano photos!
Golden Circle Drive
On just about every Iceland guide and itinerary you’ll see the Golden Circle drive! This loop, that you can start and end in Reykjavik, is the perfect day trip – and there’s a good reason that everyone recommends it!
There are so many fun stops along the way, including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and Fridheimar Greenhouse and Restaurant.
Check out my weekend itinerary for Iceland post, as I include a detailed Golden Circle guide, complete with secret stops!
walking between the continental plates 
Gullfoss Waterfall
Reykjadalur Valley Geothermal River
Do you enjoy hiking? What about warm thermal rivers?
Then this hike is for you!
The Reykjadalur Valley is located about 45 minutes by car from Reykjavik and is home to a stunning thermal river that travelers can relax in. The river is about 100°F (38°C) and is so lovely on a chilly day.
The hike itself is about 5 miles round trip, and will take about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the thermal river. It’s a mostly uphill hike, but it makes the trek back down fairly easy.
Note: I only recommend doing this hike on a nice day with no heavy rain and wind. Just trust me on this one. Hiking uphill in the hail, pouring rain, and heavy winds makes for a very unpleasant afternoon.
Reykjadalur Valley Geothermal River on a rainy day
Waterfalls in Southern Iceland
Iceland is the perfect place for chasing waterfalls, as there are so many beautiful and unique waterfalls across the country.
While you’ll be able to see a couple waterfalls on your Golden Circle Drive, I also recommend heading out on the Ring Road and visiting three beautiful waterfalls about two hours away from Reykjavik.
The first waterfalls on your waterfall day trip will Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi. These two falls are located super close to one another, but are totally different and unique.
Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, and you can walk behind it into a small cave to see the water falling from above.
Gljúfrabúi is located about five minutes walking from Seljalandsfoss. To see the falls, you’ll enter into a small cave that will then open up, allowing you to stand directly in front of the beautiful waterfall.
Some travelers just visit Seljalandsfoss and skip out on Gljúfrabúi – don’t do this! It’s so cool to see and definitely a special waterfall.
Seljalandsfoss 
Gljúfrabúi
From Gljúfrabú and Seljalandsfoss, keep driving about 30 minutes and you’ll find Skógafoss.
Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland and is located next to a small black sand beach. What makes Skógafoss extra unique is that you can hike up the side of it to a viewing platform. The views from the top of the waterfall are breathtaking.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
From Skógafoss continue driving another thirty minutes and you’ll find Reynisfjara, a spectacular black sand beach.
Reynisfjara is an incredibly unique beach, complete with otherworldly rock formations. The huge rock columns are fun to climb, and make a great spot to watch the ocean and the waves.
For Game of Thrones fans, Reynisfjara beach was a filming location for season 7!
Reynisfjara Beach on a stormy day 
rock columns at Reynisfjara Beach
Well, there you have it! I hope you enjoyed my recommendations for the best places to visit in Iceland!
Iceland is such an amazing county and there are so many incredible things to do and see.
If you have any questions, or anything you’d like to add to this list, please let me know in the comments below!
Lastly, we appreciate you sharing this post with someone you know who’s visiting (or should visit!) Iceland.
♡Kate
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What a fabulous 5 day trip to Iceland! The waterfalls, the lagoons, the black beach, yup, it all looks fab!
Great post. I have still yet to visit Iceland but it has been top of the bucket list for a long time. Loved your take on Blue Lagoon also. I have found in my travels that a lot of “touristy spots” are still tourist spots for a reason. Nice to know that it’s still worth checking out.
Iceland is such an amazing country to explore! We missed some of these spots on your list so it looks like we’ll have a good excuse to go back again.
I love that you covered the Blue Lagoon, as well as hiking, Northern Lights, the beaches, waterfalls, and more. Iceland has always been at the top of my list, but this just gave me even more wanderlust!
We saw quite a bit when we visited Iceland. But it is clear we need to go back to see more. We saw the Blue Lagoon but did not get to go in and enjoy the thermal waters. And we missed the Fagradalsfjall Volcano. Still more waterfalls too. All great reasons to head back.
Squeeeee! One of my friends is in Iceland right now. I have loved seeing how everything looks when it is not covered by a blanket of snow (when we visited it was still super icy!)
The waterfalls and the volcano are both spectacular!
You’ve traced out a great bucket list for Iceland. While I am really into waterfalls, I think I’d find the volcanic field the most amazing spot.
You had me at Northern Lights. Were you lucky enough to see them?! Those volcanoes look amazing. What a fun trip and with incredible pictures to bring back!
One of the main reasons I chose to go at the end of the summer was in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights, but sadly the weather didn’t cooperate for us. Definitely hopeful that I’ll see them on my next trip!
Iceland is on my bucket list! Your activities are exactly the type of things I would like to do while visiting – hike, see the Northern Lights, the volcano, and the lagoons!
Great blog! We did a long weekend in Iceland which really wasn’t enough. Such a great country, would love to visit the waterfalls in the South!
Yes, I love these recommendations! I visited Iceland a couple of months ago and hit almost every single one mentioned. I also totally agree with your opinion on the Blue Lagoon. It is touristy and a little more expensive, BUT it is definitely worth it.
I LOVE iceland! I didn’t go to the Reykjadalur Valley Geothermal River, what a cool spot! I will have to check it out the next time I go 🙂
The entire country looks absolutely amazing but I’d really love to go to the Blue Lagoon and see the Northern Lights
I can’t wait to visit Iceland! The northern lights have long been on my bucket list and the hot springs & waterfalls look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your tips!
This is such a helpful list! Iceland has always been on my bucket list. It’s a magical place full of waterfalls and glaciers that will take your breath away.
I just loved Iceland when I visited! We managed to visit a lot of these places, but since it was the middle of winter we missed the Fagradalsfjall Volcano. – looks so freakin cool and I can’t wait to go back to see it in person!
I want to go to Iceland to visit the Blue Lagoon!
This is a great guide to Iceland! It’s the craziest thing, but I swear I have the same picture on that same balcony when I went. (Although it was pouring when I was standing there!)
iceland’s geography does make it seem like it’s a different planet! I can’t believe how close y’all were to the lava… yikes! Iceland is so very high on my Petsitter Bucket List. I can’t wait to get there!
This is really making me want to go back to Iceland! I didn’t get to hike any volcanoes when I was there, so I want to do that when I go back!
This post has made me desperately want to get back to Iceland! We loved the Reykjadalur Valley Geothermal River too. We visited before the volcano was active so definitely need to get back to check that out. I agree, I’d definitely feel more comfortable with a guided tour for it!
This blog post is amazing! I love all of your photos and the details you’ve provided here. We absolutely loved visiting Iceland – one of my favorite travel destinations thus far! – and agree with many of your suggestions. We preferred the Secret Lagoon to the Blue Lagoon, but my personal fave was the Myvatn Nature Baths! I wish we could’ve seen Fagradalsfjall Volcano, but we went back in 2019, and I have no idea how we missed Reynisfjara – we actually spent a lot of time in the Golden Circle area, so that’s a bummer. Next time! Xx Sara
I’ve heard so much about the Blue Lagoon but I’ve never seen pictures – the water almost looks like it’s glowing! Love your suit too!
I have never been to Iceland but you’ve definitely given me some ideas for a future trip! Great blog!
Great list! I loved Secret Lagoon and Reykjavik. We did a walking tour and went whale watching! The volcano looks incredible! No Northern Lights for us either. Next time.