Best places in Iceland

Southwest Iceland is a mesmerizing corner of the country, boasting geothermal wonders, historical landmarks, and rugged coastal beauty. The area is home to the country’s top attractions, including th

The Northern Westfjords is part of the Westfjords in Iceland, home to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve and the town of Isafjordur. Because of its sparse population and remote location, the area has

The Southern Westfjords, with its winding fjords, rugged cliffs, majestic mountains, and pristine coastlines, is a remote and captivating region nestled on the far western edge of Iceland. Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Zairon. No edits made. The South of the Westfjords is a haven of solitude and splendor. This secluded region juts out into the North Atlantic Ocean, bordered by the Greenland Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.  The Westfjords are the westernmost part of Iceland, stretching as a peninsula to the northwest of the mainland. Its isolation from

The Saga Museum is an exhibition that brings Icelandic history to life with life-like figures and sets depicting scenes from the Icelandic Sagas. The Saga Museum, or "Sögusafnið" in Icelandic, is located in the Grandi area in downtown Reykjavik and is a museum that brings to life the early histor

Grazie Trattoria is a popular Italian restaurant on Hverfisgata street in central Reykjavik. It's gained a reputation for being one of the best places for authentic Italian food in the city, with

Sundhnukagigar is a row of craters just outside the town of Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula that erupted in December 2023, February, March, May, and August 2024. They previously erupted over 2,50

Black Crust Pizzeria is one of the more unique pizza places in Iceland and, simply put, one of the best. It's located in the charming town of Vik along the South Coast, about a three-hour drive from Reykjavik. It's the perfect place for lunch or dinner after a day of exploring some of Icel

BakaBaka is a multilayered bakery/restaurant located in a historical building in downtown Reykjavik. The man who founded BakaBaka previously left a large impression on Iceland's food scene by op

Hagafell is a mountain on the Reykjanes peninsula and the site of the January 2024 volcanic eruption. It's on the edge of the town of Grindavik and next to the Sundhnukagigar crater row eruption site. Since 2021, the area surrounding the town of Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula has been a h

The House of Collections, also known as the Culture House, is a historic building in central Reykjavik. It's locally known as "Safnahúsið," and it's part of the National Gallery of Iceland. It

Budakirkja is an iconic small church located in Budir on the Snaefellsnes peninsula in western Iceland. It is known for its black exterior and strikingly beautiful surroundings. Budakirkja, located in the small hamlet of Budir, is one of the most photographed buildings in Iceland and one of the hig

Hafnaberg is a stretch of sea cliffs in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula with a rich geological history, nesting seabirds, and beautiful views of the North Atlantic Ocean. The Hafnaberg sea cliffs are r

Landakotskirkja was built in 1929 in a neo-Gothic style and is the only Catholic cathedral in Iceland. It's located in the western part of downtown Reykjavik. Landakotskirkja is Iceland's only Catholic-faith cathedral and a striking example of neo-Gothic architecture. It's an impressive

Seydisfjordur Church, known as Seyðisfjarðarkirkja in Icelandic, is a bright blue church located in the enchanting town of Seydisfjordur in East Iceland. Characterized by its distinctive soft blue ex

Vifilsstadavatn is a picturesque lake and park next to the Vifilsstadir nursing home, just 7.3 miles (11.8 kilometers) south of Reykjavik. This outdoor recreation area is popular for its lush natural

The Langabud Cultural Center, Langabúð in Icelandic, is a heritage museum with a cafe in Djupivogur that celebrates art, history, and the local culture of East Iceland. The Langabud Cultural Center h

The Hveragerdi Geothermal Park is a hot spring area in South Iceland, particularly popular amongst hikers and those interested in hot spring bathing in Iceland. The Geothermal Park Hveragerdi (spelled Hveragerði or Hveragarðurinn in Icelandic) is a fantastic attraction that shows visitors the raw p

Laufskalavarda, spelled Laufskálavarða in Icelandic, is a lava ridge with a collection of stacks of stones, or cairns, not far from the main Ring Road in South Iceland. At the Laufskalavarda lava ridge, all travelers who were going to cross the Myrdalssandur desert for the first time were supposed to pile up stones to create a cairn before setting off on their journey. There are now hundreds of them, creating a fascinating and otherworldly landscape. A cairn is a pile of carefully placed rocks with great symbolism in Nordic history. Creating one was thought to give good luck for the travel