How would we describe Iceland? Even though the number of top nature attractions is unbelievable, describing this scarcely populated island is surprisingly hard. Not because we don't have enough words, but we have so many battling for our attention.

A trip to Iceland is like an attack on your senses.

You can expect geothermal areas with geysers, hot pools, waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, fjords, black sand beaches, puffins, whales, turf houses, and fishing villages.

Simply put, Iceland is an ultimate road trip of a lifetime.

If you are planning your Iceland itinerary, we are happy to help.

We've written many articles on the best things to do in Iceland, must-visit places, top attractions, and fun activities, with practical tips on where to stay and how to get around.

Plan a Trip to Iceland

Planning the trip to Iceland can be challenging, as there is so much to see and do. Break it down into simple steps and design your own journey. It's easy as that.

For starters, here are essential things to know before visiting Iceland to help you get to understand the Land of Ice and Fire better.

Before you start planning your trip, you need to figure out when is the best time to visit Iceland.

Visitors arrive in Iceland in summer to see whales, puffins, and the midnight sun. The days in winter are short and cold, but you might be able to see the Northern Lights.

Most travelers usually spend 7-10 days on Ring Road.

As there is so much more to see and do, we believe that our 2-week Iceland itinerary might convince you to extend your trip.

One of the best and most popular ways to get around Iceland is by car or campervan.

We rented a campervan in Iceland and didn't look back. Moreover, camping in Iceland was cheap and fun.

The weather is unpredictable regardless of the season and location, so it's crucial to know what to pack for Iceland.

The main international airport is about sixty kilometers west of the capital city of Iceland.

Nonetheless, getting from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik is very easy.

As the country is expensive, you should also read our guides on how to visit Iceland on a budget and how much we've spent in Iceland to have a rough idea about your trip budget.

Top Things to See and Do in Iceland

South Iceland

Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland and offers the best selection of hotels, restaurants, and services.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Reykjavik, so it's an ideal place to start or end your Iceland trip.

If you decide to base yourself in the capital city for the entire length of your trip, then you should check out our guide on best day trips from Reykjavik.

Reykjanes Peninsula is home to Keflavik International Airport, so it's actually the first place in Iceland most travelers visit.

Surprisingly, Reykjanes Peninsula is still a bit under the radar of international visitors.

One of the most iconic places in Iceland, Blue Lagoon is a perfect stop anytime on your trip, but especially before your flight home.

In our opinion, South Coast is one of the most incredible places not just in Iceland but on planet Earth.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is the epitome of Iceland's natural attractions. It's absolutely stunning and easily accessible. The fact that you can walk behind the waterfall is just icing on the cake.

The moon-like scenery and the mystery behind the crash make Solheimasandur Plane Wreck one of Iceland's most unusual attractions. It's a hike from the parking but well worth the effort.

A classic stop on Ring Road, Skogafoss is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland. The Waterfall Way that starts from Skogafoss is a popular trail that features more waterfalls along the way.

The nearby Kvernufoss Waterfall is not as famous as Skogafoss, it's less-visited, and you can walk behind it.

If you want to see puffins, cliffs, black sand beaches, a sea arch, or a lighthouse, there isn't a better place to go on South Coast than Dyrholaey Peninsula.

If there's one black sand beach you should see in Iceland, it would be Reynisfjara. It has basalt columns, cave, and sea stacks. Just be aware of dangerous sneaker waves.

Golden Circle

Unlike some other parts of Iceland, creating Golden Circle is fairly straightforward and easy.

Thingvellir National Park is home to the world's oldest parliament and one of the few places in the world where you can walk or even swim between tectonic plates. 

As we wanted to do at least one shorter hike on the first day, Bruarfoss Waterfall was an obvious choice. It has three waterfalls, and the Bruara River has incredibly blue water.

Geysir Geothermal Area is one of those places that it's hard not to love. It has an active geyser called Storkkur, hot springs, and a geothermal field. Moreover, the site is well accessible just off the main road.

Gullfoss Waterfall is one of the most stunning places in Iceland that will leave you in awe.

One of the best ways to end your day in this area is to take a dip in Reykjadalur Hot Springs. As you need to hike there for an hour, it's a well-deserved reward.

East Iceland

The dramatic scenery of East Iceland is absolutely breathtaking. Start planning your trip with our East Fjords itinerary that will introduce this area.

Skaftafell is one of the best and most accessible places to explore the famous Vatnajokull National Park on foot.

If you want to explore Vatnajokull National Park even closer, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon should be on your list. Whether you take a boat tour, ice trekking tour, or admire the views from the shore, you won't be disappointed. Don't forget to visit nearby Diamond Beach while there.

Once you reach Egilsstadir, you have few choices to make. We decided to visit the picturesque Seydisfjordur featuring traditional architecture and surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

If you're looking for a relatively easy yet rewarding hike, Hengifoss and Litlanesfoss are an obvious choice when in Egilsstadir.

Lastly, we wanted to see the famous puffin colony. It takes time to get to Borgarfjordur Eystri and back. When we tell you that this is one of the best places to see puffins in Iceland, we believe the journey will go much quicker.

Fjadrargljufur Canyon is not only a stunning place to visit but also a fine example of how fragile the relationship between tourism and nature is.

North Iceland

Iceland is full of surprises, and North Iceland was definitely one of them. The region is amazing and instantly became one of our favorite places in the country.

To make your life easier, a scenic drive called Diamond Circle connects many top attractions in this region. Our Diamond Circle itinerary will help you plan your trip better.

The most powerful waterfall in Iceland, Dettifoss, is a must-visit place while visiting this region. Don't forget to visit also nearby Selfoss.

Husavik is often considered the best place to take a whale watching tour in Iceland. And we have to agree that seeing these gentle giants in their natural habitat was an incredible experience.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Lake Myvatn, so make sure you have a day or two for this area.

One of the reasons why this area is so popular is Myvatn Nature Baths, artificial hot springs rich in silica, where you can easily spend several hours.

Except for the characteristic smell of hydrogen sulfide, Hverir Geothermal Area features boiling mud pools, fumaroles, and colorful ground. If you have some energy left, don't forget to include the Namafjall hike in your itinerary.

Asbyrgi Canyon is quite often overlooked, but we enjoyed this area even despite bad weather and rain.

Halfway between Lake Myvatn and Akureyri is Godafoss, also known as Waterfall of the Gods.

The largest town in North Iceland is Akureyri, where you can find accommodations and restaurants, a shopping mall, a modern-looking church, a ski resort, a botanical garden, and a stunning fjord.

Iceland has many peninsulas that feature scenic drives. Despite having one of the most dramatic sceneries, Trollaskagi Peninsula is one of the less-traveled places in the country.

It also has Hofsos Infinity Pool, a lovely outdoor swimming pool with incredible views.

Places such as Kolugljufur Canyon are the reason why Iceland is so popular. No matter where you go, you will find a hidden gem that will

Westfjords

Westfjords are one of the most remote regions in Iceland and a perfect place to escape the crowds.

For better orientation, make sure to read our guide on Westfjords + Itinerary first.

You can explore plenty of small villages and settlements along the way.

Isafjordur is the largest town in Westfjords and a perfect place to stock up on food, admire the traditional architecture, or find a hotel.

The most famous attraction in the Westfjords is arguably Dynjandi Waterfall. It's a series of smaller waterfalls and a place that never fails to stun every visitor.

Latrabjarg Cliffs are not only the westernmost point of Iceland but also an incredible place to visit. It has puffins, plenty of other sea bird species, and one of the most impressive cliffs we've ever seen.

West Iceland

Although West Iceland might feel slightly overlooked, it features one of the most incredible areas in the country, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

And if you've decided to travel the Ring Road clockwise, the chances are that this area will be the first area you visit in the Land of Ice and Fire.

The peninsula features Snaefellsjokull National Park, stunning beaches, cliffs, mountains, scenic roads, and even traditional fishing towns like Stykkisholmur.

One of the main shining stars on Snaefellsness is Kirkjufell Mountain & Kirkjufellsfoss.

The mountain and the waterfall create together one of the most iconic places in Iceland that attract crowds from all over the world.

Glymur Waterfall is one of the best hikes in Iceland that features views of one of the highest waterfalls in the country.

On top of this, Hraunfossar & Barnafoss are two waterfalls that will again remind you how incredibly diverse Iceland truly is.

Iceland's Top Experiences

Top Attractions in Iceland

We knew that Iceland was a land of waterfalls, but we were still surprised by how stunning they were in reality.

We've rounded our favorite waterfalls in Iceland to help you figure out which ones are worth visiting.

Iceland is a paradise for bird watchers, though the timing is essential to see them. Here's the list of the best places to see puffins in Iceland.

Do you want more info? Check out all our articles on Iceland.