What Should You Not Miss in Iceland?
There is a reason that Iceland’s scenery called the Vikings to linger on its land. From the now-established capital of Reykjavik to the country’s most remote homes, Iceland holds a type of hypnotism that inspires travelers to prod at its layers. Read on to see what you should not miss in Iceland in this informative post highlighting my favorite sights we saw throughout the country!
Having traveled here on a group-led tour with Travel World Culture (TWC), a community emphasizing traveling over tourism, I felt reassured that I would gain a deeper observation of Iceland’s culture and come to love it for much more than its typical takeaways.
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What You Should Not Miss in Iceland
Explore Downtown Reykjavik
As Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik is colored with charming buildings, a vibrant nightlife scene, and scenic views in the distance. I felt welcomed in this city from the moment I stepped into its streets, even being able to navigate the city on the first night. The city itself has a magnetic pull yet small-town energy that exudes Hallmark vibes. Make time for exploring the rows of buildings masquerading as dive bars, snug eateries, comedy show venues, and even penis museums, the latter of these establishments being one I chose not to spend my money on.
Reykjavik’s top attractions include the Hallgrimskirkja Church, Harpa Concert Hall, the rainbow-painted road, and the famous hot dog stand dating back to 1937 titled Baejarins Beztu Pylsur. I recommend seeing all of this and more, being willing to explore local flea markets, dine at family-run eateries, and hit up local dive bars in the late-night hours to experience the city in its most animated state.
Northern Lights Tour
Despite the cloud coverage spoiling our chances of seeing the northern lights in their most vibrant state, I still enjoyed being driven out to a remote part of the island and peering up at the sky with high hopes. Our tour had already been rescheduled from the first night because of a low probability of spotting them. Meanwhile, a friend I made on the trip happened to exit a bar one evening and lift her head, spotting streaks of these gleams for a short minute.
I learned that seeing the northern lights is a fortunate experience that one cannot have control over. While the hope of seeing them inspired my trip to Iceland, I’ve since learned that they are even more unpredictable than I first believed. On the flip side, taking a northern lights tour can certainly up your chances of viewing them without the intrusion of light pollution. I don’t regret taking a northern lights tour because I still have fond memories of going northern lights-chasing at midnight with strangers I had just met a few days prior. If it is within your budget to embark on one of these tours, especially if you are traveling to Iceland without a car, I recommend including it in your itinerary.
Thingvellir, Gulfoss, and Geysir
Known as highlights of the Golden Circle, the following locations shouldn’t be missed in Iceland. Thingvellir National Park is a stunning piece of land that allows visitors to stand between two continental plates. When we visited, the country had just been met with a large snowstorm and cold front, leaving behind snow-dusted walking paths, a frozen waterfall, and frosty conditions. In summer, the greenery and blue water make for a serene view.
From here, you can continue your journey to Gulfoss, a striking waterfall situated between a canyon. Pictures do not do the sight justice, especially as the whiteout the region experienced seemed to blend in with the cascading waters. I remember this stop being our coldest one of the entire trip, with the winds making it difficult to keep my balance.
A little way down the road from Gulfoss is Geysir, the first known geyser to present-day Europeans. Still erupting up to 230 feet in the air every few minutes, this active geyser is even more impressive than Yellowstone’s Old Faithful. Enjoy a few rounds of this naturally-occurring spectacle before continuing your journey.
Dine Inside a Greenhouse Running off Volcanic Energy
What sparked my interest in traveling with TWC was a TikTok of their group dining inside an Icelandic greenhouse. Named Friðheimar, this unique restaurant grows tomatoes year-round, running off volcanic energy and pollinating flowers with bees imported from Amsterdam. After a brief tour of the grounds and an inside look at the process, we were able to indulge in unlimited tomato soup and bread, cutting off fresh basil at our tables to add to our bowls. You should not miss this restaurant in Iceland, as it is a truly immersive dining experience you won’t be able to find elsewhere.
As a fan of out-of-the-box dining experiences, I thoroughly enjoyed the environment and the entire affair. For more dining recommendations or to learn more about Friðheimar, read my Iceland restaurant guide!
After dining at Friðheimar, dedicate a few moments to greet the Icelandic horses outside an adjacent building. With their snow-covered manes and distinct features, they were a sight to behold up close, even though I might have chickened out while attempting to pet one.
Seljalandsfoss, Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool, Skógafoss, Reynisjfara Beach
Your adventures in Iceland will likely inspire you to wake up at dawn and lay your head down to rest well past the sunset. This day of sightseeing in the southern part of the island is action-packed and filled with various encounters with water, beginning with the phenomenal Seljalandsfoss waterfall. On warm days, visitors can walk directly behind the waterfall, experiencing it from a new perspective. Because of the snowstorm that had blown through, there was an immense amount of snowdrift on the stairs leading to this path, making it impossible to reach. Even with our trusty crampons attached to our shoes, it would have been much too dangerous of an excursion.
After laying our eyes on this marvel, we walked to our left, approaching the path’s end to find our group leader’s favorite hidden waterfall. Wear a water-resistant jacket here, as you’ll want to keep yourself as dry as possible while taking in the views from a close stance.
Quite possibly my favorite memory from the trip was walking to the Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool. As you station yourself in the car park, begin walking in the valley, crossing over streams and volcanic ash. Our group had packed our lunches to eat here, but the rain thwarted our plans.
However, our rainy hike didn’t stop me from approaching this aesthetic swimming pool built on the side of the hill. As we approached this locale, I was even more awestruck than I had prepared myself for. With its surrounding views and remote whereabouts, I could picture myself coming here for some introverted alone time to recharge my social batteries. The Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool is something you absolutely should not miss in Iceland - you won’t regret making the hike here!
There was one brave soul hopping into the pool that day despite the rain and 30-40-degree weather. If you find yourself courageous enough, utilize the bathhouse to change into a swimsuit for this otherworldly experience.
Later on, make your way to Skógafoss, a mighty waterfall cascading off a towering cliffside. Feel the mist from this sky-scraping wonder and take in its majestic appearance from the ground. There is a long trail of stairs to admire from the highest point, but our trusty tour guides assured us that ground level was the best vantage point. As one of the country’s largest waterfalls, Skógafoss is worth the stop on your journey through the southern region.
Conclude your hours of daylight by venturing out to Reynisjfara Beach, the island’s famous black sand beach located nearby the aforementioned Black Beach Suites. Depending on the wind conditions when you visit, you might have to return in the morning like my group and I had to do, as we were getting pelted with black sand and could barely keep our balance due to the wind’s force.
As we returned to this beach the following day, we embraced the daybreak’s hues and the moody atmosphere. To our right were powerful waves that warranted a no-swim order, and to our left were basalt columns we could climb on. In comparing this coast with the black sand beach I visited in Hawaii, I have to admit that Reynisjfara Beach was the more impressive of the two.
Ice Age/Moss Canyon, Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach
The Ice Age Canyon is a mossy chasm overlooking flowing waters and offering scenic walking paths for travelers. After being featured in one of Justin Bieber’s music videos, the canyon has attracted a new crowd of visitors, introducing many to its viewpoints.
Continuing on in your pursuit of ethereal views, make a stop at Glacier Lagoon to witness massive icebergs floating in still waters. We had a humbling experience here as we witnessed a piece of a glacier breaking off and sinking into the water. Seeing climate change in action was quite surreal, as we felt special to have noticed this rarity but also became soberly aware of this somber reality. Seeing these glacial masses is a privilege, as many of the world’s remaining glaciers are predicted to melt by 2100.
On the other side of the highway is the notable Diamond Beach, another stretch of black sand, this one adorned with giant chunks of sparkling ice. Navigate your way through the jungle of ice chunks and experience firsthand the reason it is called Diamond Beach.
Glacier Hiking at Sólheimajökull
Deciding to go glacier hiking was somewhat of a last-minute decision for me, and even the rest of my travel companions had second thoughts about this experience as we drove hours through the rain to get to our destination. As we got fitted with crampons, waterproof pants, helmets, and ice axes, I was only shivering and wondering what I had gotten myself into, especially as we approached the Sólheimajökull Glacier. Heights and icy surfaces do not usually pair well together, and my anxiety was well aware of this. Throw in the blustery wind and cold rain, and I was internally freaking out.
As we followed our fearless guide from Troll Expeditions in a single-file line up slippery paths, surpassing other tour groups who turned around due to the wind, we found ourselves enjoying the silence found on top of the glacier, looking out over the wintery conditions. The further we ventured onto the glacier, the more relaxed I became, even though I had to brace myself to stomp my crampons into the ice each time we traveled downhill. Our tour guide urged us to follow in his exact footsteps to avoid any dangers, especially as we passed a giant cavity in the glacier stretching down much further than I’d like to address. Our guide had a harness in case anyone fell and needed rescuing, but we thankfully did not need to make use of that.
Glacier hiking was one of the most challenging and exhilarating things I’ve ever done, and I’m so thankful I pushed myself to do this. Our group felt pretty unified in our gratitude for experiencing such a phenomenon, especially as glacier hiking is not a privilege that some future generations will be able to experience. Even the guides themselves have to re-route their trails each week as the glaciers melt to ensure a safe journey for them and their groups. If you find yourself in Iceland, or anywhere with glaciers for that matter, I urge you to let your curiosity and sense of adventure override your intimidation. After all, if you wish to do Iceland like a local, you’ll need to embrace the fearless Viking spirit that our tour guide possessed.
Check out all your glacier hiking tour options here.
Blue Lagoon
Out of all of Iceland’s hot springs and swimming pools, the Blue Lagoon is by far the most recognizable name. This geothermal spa is located in a lava field, with an immersive wellness journey awaiting those who enter its doors. After a full week of readjusting our crampons and bracing the cold weather for hikes, our group was ready to finish the week off with a restorative afternoon.
With purchasing the comfort package, we were provided with entrance to the Blue Lagoon, towels, and lockers, a free drink, and a silica mud mask. After changing into swimsuits and taking some glam shots, the girls and I swam to the in-water bar to take advantage of our free drink. I opted for a sparkling rose, the sucker for sweet drinks that I am. Naturally, this resulted in more photos and video footage, keeping us entertained until we approached the mask bar for our silica mud masks.
The property also gives visitors access to a sauna and steam room, but I chose to opt out since our hotel in Reykjavik offered these amenities. Having wondered if I would find Blue Lagoon to be too touristy, I was pleasantly surprised by the European feel. Although there were lots of tourists visiting, it didn’t feel like an overrated activity. Instead, this spa experience upped Iceland’s charm and allowed me to experience one of its more laid-back hobbies of swimming in heated pools, something the locals call a favorite pastime.
See below for tour prices with transportation to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik!
If you are planning a trip to Iceland in the near future, head to this post to hear my tips on what sort of trip to take, where to stay in Iceland in the winter, and when to visit! Otherwise, I hope this blog has helped you determine what you should not miss in Iceland!
