Top 10 Places to Go in Iceland

Blue Lagoon

Home to one of 25 wonders of the world, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a place where the powers of geothermal seawater create transformational spa journeys. The beautiful milky-blue water is unlike anything else found on earth and sits at 39°C year-round, making it the perfect bathing temperature. At Iceland Holidays, we offer a fantastic selection of Blue Lagoon day trips and package holidays for you to enjoy inclusive of entry, a free mud mask and drink on arrival.

Reykjavik

This may seem like an obvious one, since so many visitors to Iceland stay over in Reykjavik during their trip, but those of you doing a Fly Drive around the entire country need to make sure you give yourself ample opportunity to explore the capital city. There are an abundance of shopping streets, a fantastic nightlife, mouth-watering restaurants serving Icelandic delicacies and the famous Hallgrimskirkja church.

Black Sand Beach, Vik

With its immense basalt stacks, Atlantic waves and stunning panoramas, Reynisfjara is widely considered to be the most beautiful example of Iceland’s black sand beaches. Driving to the beach is especially easy, taking an estimated two and a half hours from the capital, so can easily be done within half a day, or a full one combined with other features. At Iceland Holidays, we can organise full and half day tours out to the Black Sand Beach in Vik on your behalf.

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

For many, when they think of Iceland, they think of… well ice, and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is exactly that. It si one of Iceland’s most famous glacier lagoons filled with the meltwater of an outlet glacier which in this case is Breiðamerkurjökull. The glacier lagoon is located just on the southeast of Route 1 and is a popular stop for those travelling along the South Coast. It is often a spot on our South Coast tour and part of many of our Fly Drive itineraries.

Golden Circle

We may be cheating here, since Iceland’s Golden Circle is actually three places in one, but they’re three spots worth doing all at once. Sometimes referred to as the ‘the Golden Triangle’, the route consists of three beautiful locations: the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Field, and Thingvellir National Park. These sites are renowned across the world and are all as spectacular as they are unique. None of them is further than a two hour's drive from Reykjavík, and thus all three can be visited within a day.

Thingvellir National Park

You can see Thingvellir National Park as part of our Golden Circle tours, buy those that like to explore in detail may want to take a full day to explore and hike this stunning part of Iceland’s countryside. It is one of Iceland’s most significant geological sites ad where the first Iceland parliament was founded in the year 930 AD. The site is also home to breathtaking geology including views of where the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates meet as well as the where those plates have been drifting apart. You can also go diving in the crystal clear waters of Silfra lake, a fissure which has the purest natural freshwater on the planet with visibility that can extend to more than 100 meters (300 feet).

Lake Myvatn

Located in the North of Iceland, Lake Myvatn is the country’s fourth largest body of water measuring in at almost 6 miles long and 4 miles wide. However, it isn’t necessarily its size that draws guests throughout the year, but the wealth of flora and fauna and its close vicinity to other sites. It is also a stop on our Diamond Circle tour.

Secret Lagoon

While the Blue Lagoon is certainly worthy of everyone’s bucket lists, those that would prefer to miss the crowds and relax somewhere more remote and quiet should look up Iceland’s Secret Lagoon. Known locally as Gamla Laugin, it is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland made in 1891 at Hverahólmi, a geothermal area near Flúðir. Like the Blue Lagoon, it has warm, clean and rich in sulphur waters that stay around 38-40 Celsius all year round. You can book a Secret Lagoon day tour on the Iceland Holidays website here.

Whale Watching in Husavik

Husavik itself is worthy of a visit, whale watching or not. It’s colourful buildings and pretty port makes for the perfect stop whilst exploring the North of Iceland, especially due to its close vicinity to other amazing attractions. Whilst there however, it’s definitely worth hopping on a whale watching tour to see some of Iceland’s most spectacular creatures in their natural habitat. The most common sighted whale is the minke, with killer whales, sperm whales, humpbacks, fin and even blue whales also seen.

Remote Iceland

Last but not least on out list of top things to do in Iceland is do visit the remote Iceland countryside. Whether you’re hiring a car or joining a day tour, make sure you take an evening to just sit and enjoy the peace and quiet of remote Iceland. Those visiting Iceland during the winter should also definitely do this for a chance to see the legendary Northern Lights. You can book a huge range of different Northern Lights-themed tours on the Iceland Holidays website here.