Few places compare to Iceland. Located below the Arctic Circle, this wild and wonderful country boasts lush national parks, surreal lava fields and incredible spectacles of nature. A hot spot for adventure-seekers and wildlife enthusiasts, Iceland is also packed with culture and has its own unique story to tell. If you’re planning a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice, these incredible sights should find a spot on your wish list...
Perhaps Iceland's most famous waterfall, Gullfoss (or Golden Falls) is one of the stops on the country's popular Golden Circle, which encompasses three must-visit sights in southern Iceland. The gorge was formed by intense flash floods that forced their way through cracks in the area’s basalt lava layers, resulting in a dramatic 105-foot (32m) waterfall that drops in two stages. Its sheer power is hard to comprehend, with an average of 459 cubic feet (140 cubic metres) of water flowing through it each second.
A natural landscape that is almost too awe-inspiring to believe, Fjaðrárgljúfur was carved through the earth over millions of years, all thanks to the natural flow of the Fjaðrá River. The imposing canyon can be found to the west of the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, on the island's south coast, and boasts enchanting walking paths that weave among towering rock formations. Soak up the unparalleled scenery from the top, or head down to immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of the canyon's glacial brook.
There are plenty of things you can do in Iceland that you can't do anywhere else on Earth and stepping inside the Crystal Ice Cave is one of them. Also known as Breiðamerkurjökull Cave, this southern Iceland treasure can be found inside Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest and most voluminous ice cap in the country. The natural cave dates back around 1,200 years and was formed thanks to the weight of the ice pressing out oxygen. Mesmerising and miraculous in equal measure, this awe-inspiring icy wonder is unmissable.
Many visitors stick to the capital of Reykjavík, and the famed sights of the country's southern coastline, but there is far more to see on the island. If you head to the northern parameter, you'll be rewarded with some of the world's most astounding sights, including Hverfjall. The extinct volcano erupted around 2,500 years ago, leaving a mesmerising crater in its wake. Its diameter stretches over half a mile (1km) and there are two walking paths that you can take to soak up its immensity.
Across Iceland there are thought to be more than 10,000 waterfalls, but Gljúfrabúi is one of its most enticing. It's also one of Iceland's hidden gems and is perfect for any traveller looking to venture off the beaten path. Translating as "gorge dweller", Gljúfrabúi is secluded inside a cave-like ravine with its water cascading down a 131-foot cliff (40m). Plus, the Þórsmerkurvegur area, where the falls can be found, is a popular spot for hiking enthusiasts.
When you think about Iceland, you might not picture sandy beaches, but this country boasts over 3,000 miles (4,970km) of coastline. On the southern shore, in Stokksnesvegur, you'll find Stokksnes Beach. Along with breathtaking mountain peaks, this hauntingly beautiful landscape is awash with black sand and stunning lagoons, making it an unrivalled setting for photography. Stokksnes peninsula also has a fascinating history and was a vital location for the British Army during the Second World War.
Another unmissable stop on the Golden Circle tour is the Geysir Hot Spring Area in the Haukadalur Valley, south Iceland. Offering something that few other places on Earth can, this geothermal field became active more than 1,000 years ago and is home to bubbling mud pits and mesmerising geysers. The most impressive, perhaps, is Strokkur, which erupts 100 feet (30m) into the air every few minutes. It's a sight that really has to be seen to be believed.
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Erupting from a desert of black sand, Mælifell is arguably Iceland's most astonishing volcano. Standing proud at almost 2,600 feet (791m), this majestic mountain was once concealed beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier. When the ice retreated some 10,000 years ago, Mælifell became the focal feature of the landscape. Only accessible between June and September, the volcano is a popular spot for hikers, braving the unique and at times inhospitable terrain of southern Iceland.
Iceland's capital Reykjavík is loved for its quaint wooden houses, unique museums and world-class restaurants, but also for having one of the world's most striking churches. Hallgrímskirkja stands proud in the heart of the city with its distinctive stepped concrete facade reminiscent of the country's basalt column rock formations. Despite all of the incredible natural sights in Iceland, Hallgrímskirkja remains one of the country's most visited tourist spots with thousands of tourists stepping inside this eye-catching church in a typical year.
Explore Reykjavík's Grandi Harbour district, near to Hallgrímskirkja
Savvy film and TV fans may recognise Svínafellsjökull from the likes of Game of Thrones, Batman Begins and Interstellar. Yet the majesty of this glacier can only really be experienced in person. An outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, the largest ice cap by volume in Europe, Svínafellsjökull lies inside Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Its dramatic ridges were formed over centuries, thanks to the weight of ice being dragged down the mountain. As far as natural wonders go, Svínafellsjökull is up there with the best.
Positioned in the northern highlands of Iceland, Aldeyjarfoss is one of the country's lesser-known waterfalls. Yet it's just as magnificent as any other. Surrounded by breathtaking basalt columns, the falls drop almost 66 feet (20m) into an icy pool. Aldeyjarfoss originated from the ancient Báðardalshraun lava field, which was created during a volcanic eruption some 9,000 years ago, and its unique topography is the result of cooling lava. Who knew science could be so beautiful...
Though not as famous as Mount Everest or Kilimanjaro, Kirkjufell is up there with the world's most breathtaking mountains. The 1,519-foot (463m) peak can be found in the Snæfellsnes peninsula, on the island's western coastline, an area defined by glistening fjords, geothermal pools and dramatic waterfalls. Made famous as Arrowhead Mountain in Game of Thrones, Kirkjufell is now the most photographed peak in all of Iceland and it's easy to understand why.
Find out the secrets of the world's most beautiful mountains
Should you decide to venture east to Egilsstaaðir, your efforts will be rewarded. Prehistoric in appearance, Stuðlagil is one of the world's most mesmerising but underrated natural treasures. Often overlooked in favour of the country's better-known attractions, this spectacular gorge was formed when a powerful glacial river forced its way from the highlands to the north of the island, cutting through ancient volcanic rock. Also known as Basalt Column Canyon, this otherworldly landscape is entrancing.
Most visitors to Iceland have a bucket list of experiences they want to tick off, but none is quite so sought-after as seeing the Northern Lights. The aurora borealis is a natural phenomena that people venture far and wide to witness. These dancing beams of light occur when atoms are energised as they collide with the atmosphere and are best seen on clear and dark winter nights. You can catch the Northern Lights throughout Iceland but Grótta lighthouse, on the country's northwesternmost point, is a particularly good spot to see them.
Another Icelandic sight made world famous thanks to Game of Thrones, Reynisfjara Beach is one of the country's most enchanting landscapes. Located on the island's south coast, close to the fishing village of Vík, the black sand beach is backed by basalt cliffs while towering sea stacks rise out of the water. According to local folklore, these rocky columns were once trolls, who headed out into the water to lure ships to shore. When caught in the dawn sunlight, the pesky trolls instantly turned to stone.
Game of Thrones fans might remember when Jon Snow and Ygritte ventured into a beautiful cave to escape the winter frost. Well, that romantic scene was filmed inside Grjótagjá, a glistening lava cave in northern Iceland. The geothermal hot spring found inside was used by locals until the 1970s, after which the volcanic caldera of Krafla erupted nine times, rendering the water too hot to touch. As such, bathing is no longer allowed in Grjótagjá, but you can step inside to soak up its serene splendour.
A jewel of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjörds, Hornbjarg is a dramatic cliff that drops sharply into the ocean. The two tallest peaks are Kálfatindur, at 1,752 feet (534m) and Jörundur, at 1,407 feet (429m), and both are celebrated for their wave-like appearance. Popular with hikers and wildlife enthusiasts, Hornbjarg is a fantastic place to spot nesting guillemots, or simply soak up the splendour of Iceland's wonderfully wild western shoreline. The nature reserve is also the place to spot Arctic foxes.
Across Iceland you can find wild and hauntingly beautiful landscapes formed entirely from solidified lava. Thanks to the island's numerous active volcanoes, rivers of magma have flowed to form great plains, unique caves and even entire valleys of jagged rock. While Eldhraun on the south coast is the country's biggest lava field, spanning 218 square miles (565sq km), Berserkjahraun to the west is perhaps Iceland's most beautiful. At 3,000 years old, this majestic landscape on the Snæfellsnes peninsula is so surreal it almost looks fake.
Considered to be the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe, Dettifoss can be found inside Vatnajökull National Park. A key stop on the country's lesser-known Diamond Circle, which encompasses five spectacular natural sights in northern Iceland, this waterfall is fed by a powerful river that flows from the largest glacier in Europe. Cascading through a great canyon it spills powerfully over a ledge some 144 feet (44m) high, making for a true spectacle of Mother Nature.
During your Diamond Circle adventures, be sure to take the time to soak up the majesty of Krafla volcano and Lake Víti. Located close to Lake Mývatn in north Iceland, this unusual landscape is home to a seven-mile (10km) wide crater filled with vibrant green water. Take a hike and marvel at more natural wonders while you're there, as you witness fascinating flora and a wealth of geological sites, including Dimmuborgir lava fortress, which formed during an eruption some 2,300 years ago.
Anyone looking to explore a different side of Iceland should venture to the Skaftafell area of the island. There some truly unique pieces of architecture can be witnessed, including one of the few remaining turf churches. Hofskirkja is embedded in the ground and covered by a vibrant green blanket of grass. Around it sit ancient burial mounds, that are reminiscent of the lava fields found across the country. Dating back to 1884, it was capped by turf to stop the heat escaping in the depths of winter.
Positioned just outside Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland's most unique and popular attractions. This bubbling, natural thermal pool is located in the heart of a lava field, allowing for incredible landscape views while you bathe. The spa was founded in 1992 and the complex now boasts a luxury hotel, two restaurants, and of course, a mineral-rich geothermal pool. In 2012, the Blue Lagoon was named one of 25 wonders of the world by National Geographic and we can certainly see why.
On the edge of the Icelandic highlands, you'll find the country's third tallest waterfall. Háifoss, or the Tall Falls, soars up over 400 feet (122m) and can be found right next to Granni waterfall, resulting in one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Iceland. Head to Fossárdalur valley to soak up the scenery, or take a hike to the top of the falls to witness its power from an altogether more dramatic angle.
During certain times of the year, Iceland experiences a truly incredible phenomenon that is well worth witnessing. Between the months of May and August, the sunset merges with the sunrise, with no darkness in between. This spectacular sight is something that can only be witnessed in certain parts of the world, including Canada, Finland and Norway. No matter where you go in Iceland, you'll be able to marvel at the Midnight Sun.
Picture a tranquil lake filled with towering icebergs. Well, that's exactly what you get at Jökulsárlón. This beautiful glacier lagoon is located in the southeast and was formed by the ice cap Vatnajökull. Here, some of the icebergs are several storeys high and many appear to have been painted in vivid shades of blue. As the deepest lake in the country, visitors can enjoy boat trips through the icy lagoon, catching glimpses of seals and enthralling ice formations while they sail.
Thingvellir National Park, or Þingvellir, can be found in western Iceland and is the final stop on the Golden Circle route. This historic natural landscape is known for the Alþing, the site of Iceland's old parliament. The UNESCO World Heritage Site spans almost 36 square miles (93sq km) and boasts a unique rift valley, caused by the separation of tectonic plates. Here, you can walk between the continents of North America and Eurasia, or snorkel through the azure waters of Silfra Fissure.
As well as Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik is also home to another icon of architecture. The concert hall Harpa opened its doors in 2011 and has fast become a cultural hub within the city. A tourist destination, as well as an award-winning work of art, the building's glistening façade was designed by the Icelandic–Danish artist, Ólafur Elíasson. Its thousands of glass segments were inspired by the island's basalt columns and they reflect the surrounding landscape. Take in its beauty, or book a concert to experience the unique culture of Iceland.
Decorated with colour, as if painted by hand, Landmannalaugar is an awe-inspiring place to while away a few hours. Located inside Fjallabak Nature Reserve, on the edge of the Laugahraun lava field, this vivid landscape was formed during a volcanic eruption in around 1477. As well as its candy-coloured rhyolite mountains, that really have to be seen to be believed, the rugged valley in the southern highlands has geothermal springs and azure rivers.
Rising up 200 feet (60m), Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall unlike any other. Its towering cliff harbours a large cavern, meaning it’s possible for visitors to walk right next to, and even under, the water. It’s also one of the few waterfalls in the world that can be admired from almost any angle, which is why this spectacular spot has become so popular with photographers. The falls originate in the glacier that lies above the notorious Eyjafjallajökull volcano, and its lush surrounding landscape is well worth exploring.
It goes without saying that there are endless photogenic spots in Iceland, but Eystrahorn is arguably one of the country's most enchanting places. Part of the Krossasnesfjall mountain range, this little-known but striking peak lies on the island's east coast and is enclosed by black sand and jagged lava rock. Sadly for adventure lovers, the mountain's sides are too steep to climb, but you can still enjoy scenic drives and hikes through this wild and remarkable landscape.