The 12 most beautiful places to visit in Iceland

Visit Iceland: at the edge of Europe, breathtaking landscapes! Here is our top 12 of the most beautiful sites to see in Iceland!

Rock lost in the Atlantic Ocean a few kilometers from the Arctic Ocean, Iceland – literally ice land – is an island state perched on the northern edges of Europe. The country is located between Greenland and Norway geographically closer to the American continent but historically and culturally linked to Europe. 365,620 inhabitants live in Iceland, with a total area of 102,775 km2, a density of only 3 inhabitants per km2. The capital, Reykjavik concentrates the majority of the Icelandic population. A major tourist destination for the past few years – Iceland’s tourism continues to grow – the country attracted 1.8 million visitors in 2016 and 2.3 million in 2017. It must be said that the country has everything to seduce: the night life of Reykjavik, fjords and icebergs, waterfalls, hot water sources, the observation of whales, color mosaics making the landscapes so surrealistic that they are believed to be “ photoshopés » , an incredibly vast nature where to revive as one in the world, the boreal aurora and the active volcanoes.

Between all these natural landscapes offering unique panoramas in the world, it seems very difficult to know where to go, what to see and what to do in Iceland! Here is an estimated guide to the most beautiful sites to visit Iceland!

1. The ice lagoon Jökulsárlón

Jökulsárlón literally means "glacier lagoon", and is the largest of the country's proglacial lakes. Lagoon is located on the south coast, between Höfn and the Vatnajökull .

Many ice blocks detache themselves from the glacier – from the Breiðamerkurjökull language – during the thawing, and throw themselves on the black sandy beaches. The contrast between the turquoise blue, the dark blue of these mini-icebergs, the yellow colour of the volcanic sulphide, the white from the ice and the snow and finally the dark color of the sand, is then singular. This is called the beach of diamonds, both the ice blocks failed on the beach and illuminated by the sun make us think of jewels. You may even see seals moving between the icebergs!

2. The Golden Circle

All travelers or almost who come to visit Iceland want to see the Cercle d’Or . Of course, it is a very tourist area but it is worth a visit. Visit it cascade Gullfoss and National Park Thingvellir a historic site inscribed to the UNESCO heritage, where the Icelandic Parliament was held from the 10th to 15th centuries.

3. Silfra's fault

Scuba diving in Iceland? Yes, you have read well: visiting Iceland also allows diving. In particular, Silfra fault : it is the name of the fault separating the North American plates from the Eurasian plate. The flaw, flooded with clear water, reaches a depth of 63 meters, making it a paradise for divers. It is one of the world’s most translucent waters, offering more than 100 meters of visibility, all between two continents!

4. Lake Myvatn

Here is a must to do by visiting Iceland: Lake Myvatn located northeast of the country. It is the second largest lake in Iceland, and many hot water sources are nearby: or how to swim in a hot tub when it is 5°C outside! What to do in Myvatn? Geothermal and seismic activity are so intense in the region, that craters, lava formations, bathing in hot water sources or enjoying a snowmobile ride!

5. The volcano Thríhnjúkagígur

Hiking in a lava field, what do you think? This dormant volcano for more than 4,000 years allows to descend to the bottom of the magmatic room! Thríhnjúkagígur – Try to pronounce the name... -, is to be done in the summer by coming to visit Iceland, a really unusual activity. If you can climb on the Etna en Sicily or on the Piton de la Fournaise à Meeting , this is the only place in the world where one can descend into the crater at 120 meters depth.

6. Geysers in Geysir

It is one of the most famous natural sites in the country. If you come to visit Geysir , you will see the Strokkur geyser, which springs its gerbs of water up to 20 meters above the ground every 5 to 8 minutes. The great geyser is only two to three times a day, although it is the most famous in the world.

7. The fall of Dettifoss

Visiting Iceland also shows splendid and majestic waterfalls. That of Dettifoss is one of the best known in the country: it is the most powerful in Europe. Located northeast, after Reykjahlíð, waterfalls propel the water to 44 metres high, over 100 metres wide. Access by road is easy, which adds to the tourist attraction of the site.

8. The Skogafoss waterfall

Go visit the fall of Skogafoss if, obviously, you circle around to know what to do in Iceland more. Circulated by greenery that would remind us of the vast expanses of Ireland, the Skogafoss waterfall – which means “falls of the forest” – offers an impenetrable water curtain of 60 meters high. Easy access, you can nevertheless approach it very closely to enjoy this amazing natural show.

9. Seljalandsfoss

At 28 kilometers from Skogafoss, you will find the fall of Seljalandsfoss . It seems that a Viking warrior would have gone there behind: the imposing fall of Seljalandsfoss is a wall of water projected in the void its gerbs at 65 meters high. This is one of Iceland’s most visited waterfalls because you can walk behind the water curtain without risking injury or drowning. The soil, due to permanent humidity, remains very slippery.

Fall station (not water, but yourself, this time)! The cascade being oriented west, the best time to visit Seljalandsfoss is the twilight, when the rays of the sun shading in darkness, pierce the cascade and offer its guests a magical show.

10. Husavik and Akureyri

Did you know that the Icelandic funds host marine monsters among the largest in the planet? You who come to visit Iceland, do not miss the whale watching. Icelandic cetaceans have impressive dimensions: 25 to 33 meters long for 110 to 190 tons for the blue whale (the largest in the world), 25 meters long and 50-80 tons for the common whale, 25 to 40 tons and 13 to 17 meters long for the humpback whale... The regions where whales are observed are mainly in the north and west, in the fjords. There would be more than 90% chance of seeing a cetace coming out of the ocean! For that, go visit Husavik , Akureyri – the capital of Northern Iceland -, Hauganes, Dalvík and Reykjavik (departs of cruises).

11. The West Fjords

Just visiting the western fjords will allow you to observe the spectacle of whales coming out of the water to breathe, but not only. The fjords are dug by ancient glaciers, become long, deep and narrow canyons or valleys immersed by the sea. Just north of Reykjavik, two fjords are visitable: Hvalfjördur and Borgarfjördur . The fjords of the western Icelandic are one of the most remote regions of the country, but it is a festival of very rich and even surreal colours and nature at every glance.

12. The Bolafjall Mountain

What should we do in Iceland: and if we were to percher far, northwest on one of the most northern summits in the country? The top of the Mountain Bolafjall is simply impressive. Accessible from the small fishing village Bolungarvik, this hike will once again offer you spectacular landscapes.