Ultimate Iceland Bucket List

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view from high up of a winding road lines with green moss and snow capped mountains in the distance and a large water source on the left
 

Iceland is a breathtaking destination with something to offer everyone. From awe-inspiring natural landscapes to rich culture and delectable cuisine, Iceland is brimming with incredible experiences. When I first dreamed of visiting Iceland, the sheer number of must-see sites and must-do activities was overwhelming. I wasn't sure where to begin—what was truly worth seeing, and how could I possibly fit it all in? To simplify the planning, I created a comprehensive list of all the attractions and their locations just to see what was available to see, making the preparation process much more manageable. If you're planning a trip to Iceland, be sure to include these unforgettable spots on your itinerary.

Summary

Reykjanes Peninsula

Reykjavík Capital Area

South Iceland

East Iceland

North Iceland

Westfjords

West Iceland

Highlands

image of the blue lagoon hot spring in iceland

Reykjanes Peninsula

Cities & Towns

Grindavik

Keflavík

View Point

Reykjanesta and Eldey

Hafnarberg Sea Cliffs

Lake Kleifarvatn

Geothermal Areas

Krysuvik Geothermal Area

Gunnuhver Geothermal Area

Museums, Churches, & Sites

Stekkjarkot Heritage Site

The Giantess Cave

Selatangar Ruins

Viking World Museum

Strandarkirkja

The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll

Lighthouses

Hopsnesviti Lighthouse

Reykjanesviti Lighthouse

Gardskagaviti Lighthouse

Stafnesviti Lighthouse

Hot Springs

The Blue Lagoon

Other Points of Interest

The Bridge Between Continents

Brimketill Lava Rock Pool

Raufarholshellir Lava Tunnel

Eruption Sites

Fagradalsfjall

Sundhnukagigar

Litli Hrutur

Restaurants and Cafes

Bryggjan Restaurant

image of Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik Iceland. Large tall church that looks like basalt columns.

Hallgrímskirkja Church, Iceland

Reykjavík Capital Area

Hot Springs and Pools

Sky Lagoon

Laugardalslaug

Sundhöll Reykjavíkur

Árbæjarlaug

Grafarvogslaug

Vesturbæjarlaug

Breiðholtslaug

Salalaug

Ásvallalaug

Museums

National Museum of Iceland

Perlan Museum

Reykjavik Art Museum

The Icelandic Punk Museum

The Icelandic Phallological Museum

Other Points of Interest

Hallgrímskirkja Church

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center

Reykjavik Old Harbor

Sun Voyager

Laugavegur Street

Elliðaárdalur Valley

Þúfa

Restaurants and Cafes

Te & Kaffi

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

Brauð & Co

KRÖST

FUEGO Taqueria

Skál!

Flatey Pizza

Café Loki

Reykjavik Pizzeria

Valdís

Sandholt

Mokka Kaffi

The Laundromat Cafe

Duck & Rose

Reykjavík Röst

Seabaron

Fish and Chips Vagninn

image of Seljalandsfoss waterfall in iceland that you can walk behind. View is from behind the waterfall with the sun peaking through.

Seljalandsfoss, Iceland

South Iceland

Cities & Towns

Vík í Mýrdal

Selfoss

Hella

Hveragerði

Hot Springs

Secret Lagoon

Seljavallalaug Pool

Reykjadalur Valley Hot Springs

Hrunalaug Hot Springs

Fontana Geothermal Baths

Volcanos

Eyjafjallajökull

Hekla

Katla

Eyjafjallajökull

Grímsvötn

Öræfajökull

Eldfell

Geothermal Areas

Geysir Geothermal Area

Waterfalls

Gullfoss

Seljalandsfoss

Skogafoss

Gljúfrabúi

Kvernufoss

Systrafoss

Svartifoss

Other Points of Interest

Thingvellir National Park

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Vatnajokull National Park

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Diamond Beach

Hekla Volcano

Dyrholaey

Fjadrargljufur Canyon

Kerid Crater

image of a road in iceland surrounded by snow covered mountains.

East Iceland

Cities & Towns

Seyðisfjörður

Djúpivogur

Egilsstaðir

Bakkagerði

Reyðarfjörður

Fáskrúðsfjörður

Höfn

Waterfalls

Hengifoss

Fardagafoss

Klifbrekku Waterfall

Gufufoss

Klifbrekkufossar

Folaldafoss

Skútafoss

Hot Springs and Pools

Vök Baths

Djúpavogskörin

Hoffell Hot Tubs

Other Points of Interest

Lagarfljót Lake

Vatnajökull National Park

Stórurð

Eastfjords

Hallormsstaður Forest

Papey Island

Icelandic Wartime Museum

Seyðisfjarðarkirkja

Borgarfjarðarhöfn

Njarðvíkurskriður

Glettingsnesviti Lighthouse

How are things...? Sculpture by Guðjón Ketilsson

Fosshotel Eastfjords (Pier overlooking the fjord)

Halsaskogur

Fauskasandur

Lækjavik

Hvalnes Lighthouse

Naustin í Papafirði

Vestrahorn

Stokksnes

Sudhurfjorur

Stuðlagil Canyon

Image of Dettifoss in iceland. A large powerful waterfall surrounded by basalt columns.

Dettifoss, Iceland

North Iceland

Cities & Towns

Akureyri

Húsavík

Siglufjörður

Dalvík

Ólafsfjörður

Mývatn

Sauðárkrókur

Hot Springs and Pools

Mývatn Nature Baths

Hofsós Swimming Pool

Grjótagjá (not swimmable)

Húsavík Geothermal Sea Baths

GeoSea Sea Baths

Krauma

Reykjafjarðarlaug

Hjalteyri Hot Tub

Bjórböðin

Reykir - Grettislaug

Waterfalls

Dettifoss

Goðafoss

Aldeyjarfoss

Selfoss

Hrafnabjargafoss

Kolugljúfur

Geitafoss

Fosslaug

Musems

Husavik Museum

Húsavík Wooden Church

Laufás Museum and Heritage Site

Akureyri Botanical Garden

Akureyrarkirkja

Akureyri Art Museum

Grafarkirkja

Glaumbær Farm & Museum

Other Points of Interest

Grjótagjá

Lake Mývatn

Ásbyrgi Canyon

The Arctic Henge

Hljóðaklettar

Viti Crater

Krafla Volcano

Myvatn Geothermal Area

Stóragjá

Skútustaðagígar

Húsavík Harbor

Snow Dogs

Selvíkurnef Lighthouse

Trollaskagi Lighthouse

Hegranesviti Lighthouse

Hvitserkur

Dynjandi in iceland. Large tiered waterfall falling from a large cliff face.

Dynjandi, Iceland

Westfjords

Cities & Towns

Hólmavík

Ísafjörður

Patreksfjordur

Reykholar

Flateyri

Drangsnes

Waterfalls

Dynjandi

Fossfjörður Waterfall

Valagil

Djúpavíkurfoss

Húsárfoss

Rjúkandafoss

Bæjará Waterfall

Gljúfurárfoss Waterfall

Museums

Icelandic Sea Monster Museum

The Arctic Fox Centre

Everyday Museum

Westfjord History Museum

Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft

Ósvör Maritime Museum

Breiðavíkurkirkja

Other Points of Interest

Hornstrandir Nature Reserve

Garðar BA 64

Rauðisandur Beach

Breiðavík Beach

Látrabjarg Cliffs

Rauðasandur Beach

Krossneslaug

Ísafjarðardjúp

Flatey Island

Drangsnes Hot Tubs

view of Kirkjufell mountain in iceland with a large waterfall in the foreground and a pink and blue sunset.

Kirkjufell, Iceland

West Iceland

Cities & Towns

Stykkishólmur

Akranes

Borgarnes

Budardalur

Grundarfjordur

Hellissandur

Olafsvik

Stykkisholmur

Arnarstapi

Hellnar

Búðir

Waterfalls

Hraunfossar

Grundarfoss

Bjarnarfoss

Rjómafoss

Beaches

Rif Beach

Skarðsvík Beach

Ytri Tunga Beach

Djúpalónssandur Beach

Other Points of Interest

Old Akranes Lighthouse

Eldborg Crater

Gerðuberg Cliffs

Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum

Berserkjahraun

Kirkjufell Mountain

Kirkjufellsfossar

Kirkjufell útsýnisstaður

Snæfellsjökull National Park

Murals of Hellissandur

Öndverðarnesviti

Svörtuloft Lighthouse

Saxhóll Crater

Snæfellsjökull

Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge

Vatnshellir Cave

Lóndrangar

Sönghellir Cave

Gatklettur

Búðaklettur

Langjökull

Háafell Goat Farm

Esjan Mountain Range

Breiðafjörður Bay

Eldborg Crater

view of someone standing on a cliff overlooking Landmannalaugar in iceland. A large valley with rivers running through and mountains.

Landmannalaugar, Iceland

Highlands

Mountain Ranges

Landmannalaugar

Þórsmörk

Kerlingarfjöll

Maelifell

Glaciers

Öræfajökull

Langjökull

Mýrdalsjökull

Tindfjallajökull

Volcanos

Askja

Eldgjá

Hekla

Grímsvötn

Oases

Eyjabakkar

Herðubreiðarlindir

Nýidalur/Jökuldalur

Þjórsárver

Laugavallalaug/Laugavellir Hot Spring and Oasis

Waterfalls

Aldeyjarfoss

Haifoss

Craters and Canyons

Lakagígar Craters

Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon

Kjölur Mountain Pass

Sigöldugljúfur Canyon

Rauðibotn Crater

Hafrahvammagljúfur Canyon

Other Points of Interest

Ljótipollur Lake

Holuhraun Lava Field

Hveravellir Geothermal Field


Iceland is an captivating destination that promises an unforgettable experience, but make sure to plan accordingly with the amount of time you have in the country. It's easy to underestimate how much time it takes to travel from one stunning location to another, and you’ll also want to leave space in your itinerary for relaxation and absorbing the natural beauty around you. Keep this in mind, and your visit to Iceland will be nothing short of magical.

Happy travels!

Hi, I’m Karen!
 

Travel Blogger & Photographer + Founder of The Everyday Adventure

Here I share travel tips, packing guides, planning help, and photography from many different parts of the world. I help other working 9-5 adventurers get out into the world and see as much as they can with the little time they have available.

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Karen Rosenfeld

My two favorite things are traveling and photography. Of course, I found a way to combine them!

I am a photographer, filmmaker, traveler, writer, graphic and web designer, and so much more. As you can probably guess, I keep myself pretty busy. I can’t help but think of new ideas and dive headfirst into them.

I have been a photographer for 15+ years and specialize in documentary-style photography. Throughout those years my interests expanded to filmmaking, graphic design, and web design. Naturally, when I started traveling, my camera came along with me. I fell in love with seeing parts of the world I haven’t seen before and experiencing things different from my normal. So far, I have traveled to 15 countries and 20 US states, and I am always looking for new places to explore. Photography has always made that exploration even more fun and helped me end up in places that I would have least expected. There is something about a camera being in your hand that pushes you to explore that hidden spot, walk that extra mile, and improve your patience when waiting for something amazing.

https://www.karenrosenfeld.com
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