10 Best Places to Visit in Iceland: from West to East Highlights

Explore the 10 best places to visit in Iceland from west to east, including hot springs, waterfalls, black beaches, glacier lagoons, and colorful mountains.

Planning a trip to Iceland can feel overwhelming — in the best possible way. Before our own road trip, I researched endlessly for weeks, mapping routes, comparing viewpoints, and saving every “must-see” spot for our self-driving adventure. With so many beautiful landscapes spread across the island, choosing where to go was the toughest part.

In reality, with only 5 days in Iceland, we explored less than half of the places on this list during our west-coast road trip. Still, after studying countless guides, blogs, and travel experiences — and now having seen Iceland in person — here are, in my opinion, the 10 best places to visit in Iceland. These are the places I loved, the ones I longed to see but missed, and the ones I’m already planning to return for.

One day (hopefully very soon!), I dream of coming back in summer, when the Highlands open and Landmannalaugar’s colorful mountains become accessible — along with many more breathtaking places waiting on my Iceland bucket list. Let’s dive into this west-to-east journey across Iceland’s most unforgettable sites:

1. Blue Lagoon (Reykjanes Peninsula)

Begin your Iceland adventure at the Blue Lagoon, one of the world’s most famous geothermal hot springs. Located near Keflavik Airport, this milky-blue spa sits among black lava fields and offers the perfect welcome to Iceland.

Its warm, mineral-rich water is known for relaxation and skin benefits. Whether you enjoy a silica mask, sip a drink from the swim-up bar, or simply float under the Icelandic sky, the Blue Lagoon is a soothing gateway to the country’s volcanic landscapes.

Blue Lagoon. Credit: Jeff Sheldon – Unsplash

2. Snæfellsnes Peninsula (incl. Kirkjufell)

Heading north into West Iceland, you’ll ll find the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often described as “Iceland in Miniature.” This region has it all: rugged cliffs, black sand beaches, dramatic coastlines, fishing villages, lava fields, stone arches, and the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano.

Stone Arch in West Iceland — **Gatklettur** (Hellnar Arch), **Snæfellsnes Peninsula**. Credit: Mia Pham

Its most iconic spot, Kirkjufell Mountain, rises elegantly beside the twin waterfalls of Kirkjufellsfoss — one of the most photographed scenes in Iceland.

A perfect first full-day road trip from Reykjavik, Snæfellsnes is a showcase of Iceland’s diverse landscapes.

Kirkjufell West Iceland — Kirkjufell. Credit: Mia Pham

3. Golden Circle Route

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s classic sightseeing loop and the perfect introduction to the country’s geological wonders. It includes:

Þingvellir National Park — where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet
Gullfoss Waterfall — a roaring two-tiered cascade
Kerið Crater — a vibrant volcanic crater lake

and many more!

gullfoss-top-10-places-to-visit-iceland — **Gullfoss Waterfall**. Credit: khamkeo – Unsplash

With easy roads and short distances, the Golden Circle is ideal for day trips from Reykjavik and a natural starting point for any Iceland itinerary.

golden circle iceland itinerary — **Þingvellir National Park**. Credit: Mia Pham

4. Landmannalaugar

Located in the Icelandic Highlands, Landmannalaugar feels like another planet. Its colorful rhyolite mountains, steaming geothermal valleys, lava fields, and natural hot springs make it a dream destination for hikers and nature lovers.

In summer, you can explore trails that reveal shades of red, gold, blue, and green across the mountains — a landscape found nowhere else on Earth. Afterward, reward yourself with a soak in the warm natural hot spring.

Accessible only in summer by 4×4 or guided super jeep tours, this spot is high on my personal must-return list.

Landmannalaugar-top-10-places-to-visit-iceland — **Landmannalaugar**. Credit: Jifei Liu – Unsplash

5. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Back on the South Coast lies Seljalandsfoss, a 60-meter waterfall famous for the path that leads behind it. Standing inside the rock cavity while the water pours down in front of you is an experience you won’t forget.

Seljalandsfoss-Waterfall-top-10-places-to-visit-iceland — **Seljalandsfoss Waterfall**. Credit: Robert Lukeman – Unsplash

At sunset, golden light shines through the spray, making this one of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland. A short walk from here leads to Gljúfrabúi, a hidden waterfall tucked inside a mossy canyon.

Be prepared to get soaked — and to love every moment.

Seljalandsfoss-top-10-places-to-visit-iceland — **Seljalandsfoss Waterfall**. Credit: Andrey Andreyev – Unsplash

6. Skógafoss Waterfall

One of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls, Skógafoss drops dramatically into a misty basin below. Rainbows frequently appear in the mist, giving the falls a magical atmosphere.

Climb the staircase for sweeping views from above, or continue on the Skógá River trail to find dozens of lesser-known waterfalls upstream. Skógafoss is a must-see stop along the Ring Road and one of the easiest waterfalls to reach.

Skogafoss-Waterfall-10-places-to-visit-iceland — **Skógafoss Waterfall**. Credit: Markus Wagner- Unsplash

7. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Near Vík, Reynisfjara is Iceland’s most famous black sand beach, formed from centuries of volcanic activity. Here you’ll ll find:

striking basalt columns
the roaring Atlantic Ocean
dramatic Reynisdrangar sea stacks

It’s incredibly photogenic — but also dangerous. Powerful sneaker waves can surge unexpectedly, so always keep a safe distance.

Even with its wild beauty, Reynisfjara is one of the most unforgettable coastal landscapes in Iceland.

black-sand-beach-top-10-places-to-visit-iceland — **Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach**. Credit: Jonathan Gallegos – Unsplash

8. Vatnajökull National Park & Ice Caves

As you continue east, you’ll ll reach Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier. This region offers:

glacier hiking
black sand plains
volcanic craters
the basalt-column waterfall Svartifoss
magical blue ice caves (winter only)

Stepping inside an ice cave created by nature itself — glowing shades of blue, shaped by centuries of ice and meltwater — is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences in Iceland.

ice-cave-top-10-places-to-visit-in-iceland — An Ice Cave in Iceland. Credit: Kenneth Kuan – Unsplash

9. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach

One of Iceland’s most enchanting places, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon features massive icebergs floating across a deep blue lake. The stillness, colors, and scale of the landscape make it feel almost otherworldly.

diamond-beach-10-places-to-visit-iceland — **Jökulsárlón**. Credit: juliann-hervio-unsplash

Across the road, Diamond Beach sparkles with ice chunks washed ashore on black sand — creating one of Iceland’s most iconic photography scenes.

Boat tours on the lagoon offer a peaceful, intimate view of this glacial world.

10. Studlagil Canyon

Finish your west-to-east journey at Studlagil Canyon, one of Iceland’s most impressive basalt formations. With towering hexagonal columns and a turquoise glacial river running through it, Studlagil is a breathtaking natural wonder that only recently became accessible.

Whether you admire it from the viewpoint or hike down to the riverbank, Studlagil is a stunning finale to an Iceland road trip.

Studlagil-Canyon-top-10-places-to-visit-iceland — Studlagil. Credit: einar-ingi-sigmundsso-unsplash

Whichever stops you include, Iceland will surprise you, inspire you, and leave you wanting to come back again and again!

Other Iceland Travel Notes

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