After visiting Iceland multiple times, I’ve learned that there are so many incredible places to see there, as well as a few popular spots that I think you can skip. In this blog post, I’m showing you the top 10 things to see in Iceland that you absolutely can’t miss, and telling you which are, in my honest opinion, overrated.
Fjallsarlon Ice Floating
Towering my list of the top 10 things to see in Iceland is the Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon by ice floating. Ice floating was, by far, the best thing we did during our most recent Iceland trip, and everyone in the group agreed. Ice floating is a once-in-a-lifetime excursion involving huge — and borderline hilarious — thermal drysuits that double as personal flotation devices. These thermal drysuits enable you to float comfortably and safely among Iceland’s bright blue icebergs next to a massive glacier. You stay basically completey dry and warm in the ice floating suits, which is shocking considering you’re swimming in literal ice water. We all said that this was one of the most fun experiences of our life.
Although you can see Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon by boat, too, I highly recommend ice floating instead. Plus, in the summer time, they take you by zodiac boat to a secluded area of the glacier lagoon, doubling as a boat tour. Our guide was so great that he boated us up close and personal with the glacier at the end of our tour as well. You can book the ice floating excursion here.
Katla Ice Cave
Next on my list of the top 10 things to see in Iceland is the jaw-dropping Katla Ice Cave and Katla Geopark as a whole. Katla is a massive subglacial volcano located in southern Iceland (read my free 7-day southern Iceland itinerary here). As a subglacial volcano, Katla resides under an impressive glacier named Myrdalsjokull. This geography provides visitors with one of the most reliable year-round natural ice caves in Iceland. Here, you’ll see perfectly photogenic aquamarine ice caves, naturally formed by glacial water flow. Additionally, because the ice caves and respective glacier sit on top of a volcano, the ice is uniquely covered with black volcanic rocks.
Note, you have to hike with a guide in order to see the Katla Ice Cave (we hiked with Arctic Adventures). Your guide will drive you in a super jeep across the rough terrain to the base of the ice cave, inform you about the ice cave, and, of course, safely guide you through the ice cave. Although the hike does require some physical activity, it is not too strenuous for most healthy individuals. If fact, we had a nervous non-hiker in our group (read my guide to Iceland for non-hikers here), and she loved the experience too.
Studlagil Canyon
Number three of my top 10 things to see in Iceland is Studlagil Canyon. Located in eastern Iceland, Studlagil Canyon is home to hundreds of tall basalt columns and a bright turquoise glacial river flowing through the columns. After visiting Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, I fell in love with basalt columns. After visiting Banff, Canada, I fell in love with brightly colored glacier water. When I saw a photo of Studlagil Canyon on Instagram (see my Studlagil Canyon Instagram post here), I knew I needed to see the canyon, famous for both its basalt columns and glacier water, for myself.
You can see part of Studlagil Canyon from above at the parking lot overlook. However, I definitely suggest taking the short hike to the base of the canyon to see the canyon, basalt columns and river up close. The hike is 3.3 miles out and back with just 364 feet of elevation gain. This is where you’ll see the canyon shown in all the viral photos. You also pass Stulafoss waterfall, a waterfall surrounded by basalt columns, near the beginning of the hike.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Right next to Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon is the neighboring Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. If ice floating doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon has some other options for you to get closer to the icebergs. First, you can park and walk along the lagoon to watch the icebergs float (you can do this at Fjallsarlon too). Second, you can kayak through Jokulsarlon or take a zodiac boat. Or, third, you can take an amphibian boat tour around the lagoon.
Witnessing icebergs in Iceland is truly a magical experience, which is why both of these popular glacier lagoons have made it on my top 10 things to do in Iceland list. I highly recommend visiting one or both. Furthermore, if you visit Jokulsarlon, it may be worth stopping across the street at Diamond Beach as well to see if there are any beached icebergs on the black sand beach that day. If you don’t see any icebergs on the beach, you can probably skip this popular stop. But, if you’re lucky enough to catch a beached iceberg on its way out to sea, it’s worth a quick look.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
More volcanic basalt columns? Yes please! Reynisfjara Beach is the most famous black sand beach on the South Coast for good reason. Here, not only do you see otherworldly Icelandic black sand, but you also see a seaside cliff built of natural basalt columns. Many visitors love to take influencer-inspired photos climbing the basalt columns here, but be extremely careful. This beach is super dangerous because of its “sneaker waves” (waves notorious for sneaking up on visitors and pulling them out to sea). Sadly, tourists drown here too often, so do not — I repeat, do not — go anywhere near the water.
My first time visiting Iceland, the tide was low enough for me to safely climb the basalt columns. However, the tide was too high for me to climb on my more recent trip. You can see the difference in my Instagram Reel here. That being said, whether the tide is high or low, this Iceland road trip stop is still worth it as long as you’re smart and safe.
Blue Lagoon
This next top 10 things to see in Iceland destination may be controversial, but it is Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon is a bright blue hot spring, located on the west coast of Iceland, where you can bathe in milky-yet-fluorescent aqua water, do a healing silica mud mask, or schedule a luxury spa appointment. Plus, the hot spring is surrounded by iconic Icelandic moss and volcanic rock, completely immersing you into the Land Of Fire And Ice.
Yes, Blue Lagoon is filled with tourists every day. Yes, there are numerous other hot springs you can visit in Iceland. But, the combination of rejuvenating thermal hot springs and out-of-this-world blue water makes Blue Lagoon is more than worth the visit in my books. Here’s a link for you to easily book your Blue Lagoon admission. Pro tip: Blue Lagoon isn’t far from Reykjavik or the Keflavik airport, so this makes a perfect stop on the first day of your trip. You can read my free Ring Road itinerary including Blue Lagoon here.
Dyrholaey Peninsula
Number seven is the Dyrholaey Peninsula. Or, more broadly, anywhere in Iceland where you can see the wildlife of your choice. In northern Iceland, whale watching is popular. In Jokulsarlon and Fjallsarlon, you can see seals. On the Dyrholaey Peninsula, you can see puffins!
Seeing puffins is a bucket list check for many Iceland visitors, and if you’re visiting the South Coast (by the way, many of these top 10 things to see in Iceland are on the South Coast), you might want to stop by Dyrholaey for summer puffin spotting. Puffins are most active at dawn and dusk (as is most wildlife), but we were able to still see a few puffins midday here. Other great places in Iceland to see puffins include the Westman Islands, Latrabjarg Cliffs and Borgarfjordur Eystri. Pro tip: if you opt for the Dyrholaey Peninsula, drive up to the Endless Black Beach overlook for an iconic photo opportunity.
Skogafoss
I can’t complete this list of top 10 things to see in Iceland without mentioning a few waterfalls. While Iceland is home to an estimated 10,000+ waterfalls (wow, I know), these three falls happen to be my favorite that I’ve personally seen, and happen to be a few of the most popular and easily accessible waterfalls.
First is Skogafoss. If you’ve done any research for your Iceland trip before reading this blog post, odds are high that you have seen or heard of Skogafoss. Skogafoss is a whopping 197 foot waterfall with an impressive width of 82 feet, dumping approximately 2500 cubic feet of water every single second. There’s no wondering why Skogafoss attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It’s right off of Ring Road, making it an easy-to-visit must-see. But, prepare to get wet! You’ll definitely want to wear both a thick rain coat and rain pants if you plan on walking toward this beast of a waterfall. Read my entire summer Iceland packing list here.
Seljalandsfoss
Second is Seljalandsfoss. Seljalandsfoss is just down Ring Road from Skogafoss, making it another easy, ideal Ring Road road trip stop. What makes Seljalandsfoss particularly unique is that, unlike Skogafoss and most waterfalls, the geography of Seljalandsfoss actually allows you to hike all the way around the waterfall. Like Skogafoss, this waterfall is very powerful, also standing at 197 feet tall, so the hike is wet, muddy and slippery. Nonetheless, the view from behind the falls is worth the short hike.
Gljufrabui
Finally, just a quick 10 minute walk down from Seljalandsfoss is an arguably better waterfall that most people miss: Gljufrabui. Gljufrabui is a more adventurous waterfall to visit, as it’s tucked inside a cave. You have to walk through the waterfall’s shallow stream that flows out of the cave to get to the falls, but the trek is so fun and so worthwhile. Like just about every other waterfall in Iceland, come prepared to get wet. But, if you’re up for the adventure, you’ll be met with a less crowded cave waterfall experience.
And there you have it! These are my top 10 things to see in Iceland. Ready to plan your own Iceland itinerary? Check out my free 7-day southern Iceland itinerary here.
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