Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall - a moss-covered red pointy mountain with a double stream waterfall near it.

Iceland

Iceland is known for its rugged beauty. It’s full of stunning natural wonders, gorgeous waterfalls, black sand beaches, and breathtaking canyons.

Let’s not forget volcanoes and glaciers – it’s known as a “Land of Fire and Ice” for a reason, right?

It has something to offer for nature lovers, thrill seekers, hikers, and photographers, and because of that in recent years has become a bucket list destination for many people.

I certainly joined the club of Iceland lovers – I am officially enchanted and this rugged island became my happy place that I keep coming back to.

Are you inspired to start planning your own Icelandic adventure? You’re in the right place!

On this page you will find in-depth travel guides with lots of photos, maps, and videos of both the popular and the less-known destinations in Iceland, organized by region for easy navigation and trip planning.

For trip planning help head over to my “PLANNING TIPS” page and check out the “ITINERARIES” page to see examples of how it can all be put together into a wonderful memorable trip.

You can also start with this overview of “The Best Things to Do in Iceland”

To find all the best things to do in Iceland organized by the type of attraction or activity, visit this ICELAND: ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES page.

🎙️Prefer to listen to the travel guides instead? Check out my Explore Iceland Travel Podcast and easily plan your trip on the go!

Iceland Travel Guides

Below you’ll find maps with different regions marked on them for easy reference and detailed guides for each region.

The Ring Road (the main road running along the entire perimeter of Iceland, also known as Rt. 1) is marked in red on all of the maps.

Enjoy!

Reykjavik area

A map of Iceland outlining the Ring Road and listing the main towns and cities

There is so much to see and do in the area surrounding Iceland’s capital city – steaming geothermal areas, great hikes, waterfalls, and the iconic Golden Circle just to name a few!

Rainbow color stripes painting on the street on Rainbow Street in Reykjavik, Iceland. — **30 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik, Iceland.**

Round silver-colored buildings of the Perlan Museum in Iceland. — **Is Perlan Museum in Reykjavik Worth Visiting?**

Orange and grey colored houses on Rainbow Street in Reykjavik. — **15 Top Free Things to Do in Reykjavik.**

Gullfoss waterfall on the Golden Circle, Iceland. — **Golden Circle in One Day – Full Guide to the Main Stops and Best Detours.**

A white church called Skalholt Cathedral, with a turf house next to it in Iceland. — **Skálholt Cathedral – A Hidden Gem on Iceland’s Golden Circle.**

Colorful soil and green mountains on Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. — **Reykjanes Peninsula – Things to Do and Must Know Tips.**

Reykjadalur - geothermal river in Iceland. — **Reykjadalur Valley – a Beautiful Hike to a Hot River (+ Tips For the Best Experience)**

A table with bread and a black pot of tomato soup in a restaurant set in a greenhouse at Fridheimar Tomato Farm in Iceland. — **Friðheimar Tomato Farm – a Unique Dining Experience in Iceland.**

A blue waterfall called Bruarfoss, surrounded by black basalt rock formations in Iceland. — **Brúarfoss – How to Visit Iceland’s Bluest Waterfall.**

South Coast

This is by far the most visited area of Iceland. Easily accessible by car and via guided tours from Reykjavik, the South Coast makes a perfect destination for a first-time or return visit to Iceland.

Reynisfjara Black sand beach near Vik in South Iceland. — **Best Places to Visit on the South Coast of Iceland.**

Seljalandsfoss waterfall in Iceland. — **Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi – How to Visit Two Stunning Waterfalls.**

Skogafoss waterfall in Iceland. — **Skógafoss Waterfall – a Complete Guide (+ a Hidden Gem!)**

Kvernufoss waterfall in Iceland. A tall waterfall in the middle of a rock cove. — **Kvernufoss – an Easy Hike to a Hidden Waterfall Near Skógafoss.**

Vestrahorn Mountain and Stokksness Beach, Iceland. — **How to visit Vestrahorn and Stokksnes Beach.**

A black sand beach in Iceland. — **Best Black Sand Beaches in Iceland – a Practical Guide.**

Fjadragljufur Canyon in Southeast Iceland. Moss-covered walls with a river winding at the bottom. — **Fjaðrárgljúfur – How to Visit Iceland’s Fairytale Canyon.**

Seljavallalaug swimming pool in Iceland - a small rectangular pool set in a valley in the mountains. — **Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool – All You Need to Know and Why You Should Visit.**

A view of a glacier in Iceland - snow covered with ash, with a lake and mountains in the distance. — **How to Visit Glaciers in Iceland – Need to Know Facts, Safety Tips and Best Tours.**

A group of people hiking on Vatnajokull glacier in Iceland. — **Best Glacier Hikes in Iceland – Top Tours + Tips for a Great Experience.**

A glacier Lagoon in Iceland with icebergs floating on its surface. — **An Ultimate Guide to Visiting Glacier Lagoons in Iceland.**

Chunks of icebergs scattered on black sand on Diamond Beach in Iceland. — **Diamond Beach in Iceland – How to Visit + Map and Parking Tips.**

A small orange lighthouse on a tall flat cliff in Ingolfshofdi, Iceland. — **Ingólfshöfði Puffin Tour – an Amazing Adventure in South Iceland.**

A large stone arch with a hole in the middle, standing in the ocean in Iceland. — **Dyrhólaey, Iceland – the Iconic Arch with a Hole and More!**

A view of basalt stacks in the ocean near a mountain in Vik, Iceland. Some rooftops also visible from above. — **Best Things to Do in Vik, Iceland – Your Ultimate Guide.**

A cave in the mountain in Iceland, with an opening shaped like Yoda from Star Wars. — **Yoda Cave in Iceland – How to Visit Gígjagjá and Hjörleifshöfði.**

Two basalt rock formations in the ocean visible from a cave at Reynisfjara black sand beach in Iceland. — **How to Visit Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach (+ Must-Know Safety Tips)**

A massive waterfall viewed from the top, with a lot of mist and green edges - Skogafoss in Iceland. — **Waterfall Way – Your Ultimate Guide to the Skógafoss Hike.**

A deep moss-covered canyon with a river and a narrow waterfall in Iceland. — **Múlagljúfur Canyon – a Step-By-Step Guide to an Amazing Hike.**

a wide gravel path in a lush green valley in Iceland. — **10+ Easy Hikes in Iceland You Shouldn’t Miss!**

A narrow dirt trail near a river in Iceland. — **Best Day Hikes in Iceland: 10 Stunning Trails for Your Itinerary.**

A tall narrow waterfall in a cove of black basalt columns, called Svartifoss in Iceland. — **Svartifoss Hike – One of Iceland’s Most Unique Waterfalls.**

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Views of the cliffs of Snaefellsness Peninsula from the Arnarstapi to Hellnar Coastal walk. — **Snæfellsnes Peninsula – A Complete Guide and Top Things to See.**

North Iceland

North Iceland‘s volcanic and sometimes barren landscape is very different from Southeast Iceland’s fairytale-like beauty but is just as stunning. This area is definitely worth a spot in your itinerary!

Godafoss waterfall on the Golden Circle in North Iceland. A wide horseshoe shape waterfall. — **Diamond Circle in North Iceland – a Perfect Day Trip Itinerary.**

A wide horseshoe-shaped waterfall with mist rising above the water on the Diamond Circle in Iceland. (Dettifoss) — **Dettifoss East or West Side: Which Is Better + How to See Selfoss & Hafragilsfoss.**

Hverir Geothermal Area and Mt. Namafjall near Lake Myvatn, Iceland. Steaming vents and mud pools in golden colored soil. — **8 Best Things to do Around Lake Mývatn – a Complete Travel Guide.**

A steaming lava field near Lake Myvatn in Iceland. — **Leirhnjúkur Lava Field: How to Visit, Hiking Trails & Safety Tips.**

Northeast stretch of the Ring Road

Modrudalur and Studlagil Canyon marked on a map of Iceland.

Often overlooked by many travelers, this region has a lot to offer and definitely deserves a stop during your travels!

Two turf houses and a small white church with a red roof at Modrudalur Farm in Iceland. — **Möðrudalur – a Complete Guide to the Most Charming Farm in Iceland.**

A canyon called Studlagil in Iceland, with a brown-colored river at its base and tall basalt columns lining its walls. — **Stuðlagil Canyon: East vs. West Side, Hiking & Viewpoints.**

East Iceland (Eastfjords)

The fjords of East Iceland are extremely scenic and absolutely worth the extra effort it takes to get there. Yes, you have to drive over some mountain passes, but you’ll be rewarded with simply unbelievable views!

A view of a mountain road descending into the fjord with clear blue sky and colorful houses in the distance in Seydisfjordur, Iceland. — **Why Seyðisfjörður Should Be on Your Iceland Itinerary.**

Two puffins facing each other on a grassy cliff at Borgarfjordur Eystri in Iceland. — **How to See Puffins at Borgarfjörður Eystri: a Complete Guide.**

A tall waterfall in a dark basalt cove with red horizontal striations called Hengifoss in East Iceland. — **Hiking to Hengifoss Waterfall: Everything You Need to Know.**

The Highlands

Highlands attractions (Kerlingarfjoll and Landmannalaugar) marked on the map of Iceland.

Icelandic Highlands – an interior area of the country that’s not inhabited year-round but is a busy tourist destination in the summer months. Offering amazing landscapes, natural geothermal hot springs, and some truly epic hiking trails …

👉 START HERE: How to Visit the Highlands of Iceland – 15 Essential Tips for a Safe Road Trip.

Landmannalaugar, Iceland - rainbow-colored mountains in the Highlands. — **Landmannalaugar Travel Guide – All You Need to Know + Best Things to Do.**

Mt. Blahnukur - the black-colored mountain in Landmannalaugar, Iceland. — **Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Bláhnúkur – Brennisteinsalda Loop.**

A gravel road called F35 in Iceland, with a dark mountain in the background. A part of a car mirror is visible in the lower left corner. — **Road F35 (Kjölur route) – Epic Drive Through the Icelandic Highlands.**

Hveradalir Geothermal Area in Kerlingarfjoll, Iceland, Rust colored mountains with steps built in and bridges over steaming streams. — **Explore Kerlingarfjöll and Hveradalir Geothermal Area in Iceland – Amazing Hikes and More!**

A row of moss-covered volcanic craters, called Laki Craters in Iceland. — **Laki Craters Iceland: How to Visit Lakagígar + Things to Do.**

An aerial view of the river and green moss-covered cliffs of Thorsardalur, Iceland — **Thjorsardalur Valley, Iceland: Best Things to Do + Travel Tips.**

I hope you enjoyed reading the guides and that you found them helpful in your trip planning.

To find all these wonderful things to do in Iceland organized by type of attraction and activity, visit this ICELAND ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES page.

Need more help planning your trip? Join our Explore Iceland Facebook Group to share your questions and experiences, plus get expert travel tips and advice from a supportive community of Iceland enthusiasts!

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