Iceland · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Iceland
These are our favourite places across Iceland, from neighbourhood pools and harbour soup shacks to glacier lagoons, seal beaches and whale towns. Mix the classics with a few hidden corners, and check opening times and road conditions before you go, especially outside summer.
Places to Visit in Reykjavík
Arts and Culture
- Hallgrímskirkja (Skólavörðuholt)
The city's landmark church, with a tower lift for the classic view over coloured roofs. - Harpa Concert Hall (Old Harbour)
A glittering glass concert hall on the water, free to wander and home to the symphony. - National Museum of Iceland (Suðurgata)
The clearest introduction to Iceland's story from Viking settlement to today. - Reykjavík 871±2 Settlement Exhibition (Aðalstræti)
A Viking age longhouse ruin preserved under the city centre, brought to life with clever displays. - Whales of Iceland (Grandi)
Life size models of the whales that live around Iceland, a hit with children. - Perlan (Öskjuhlíð)
A glass dome on hot water tanks with an ice cave exhibit, nature displays and a viewing deck. - Kjarvalsstaðir (Klambratún)
The Reykjavík Art Museum site devoted to Iceland's beloved landscape painter, set in a quiet park. - Sun Voyager (Sæbraut)
A steel ship sculpture on the shoreline that glows at sunset, free and always open.
Things to Do
- Sky Lagoon (Kársnes, Kópavogur)
An oceanside geothermal lagoon with an infinity edge and a seven step bathing ritual. - Vesturbæjarlaug (Vesturbær)
The neighbourhood pool where locals gossip in the hot tubs, the truest taste of daily life. - Sundhöll Reykjavíkur (Barónsstígur)
The city's oldest public pool, an elegant 1930s building with rooftop hot tubs. - Laugardalslaug (Laugardalur)
The biggest pool in town, with slides, hot tubs and a sea water tub. - Elding Whale Watching (Old Harbour)
Long running whale and puffin trips from the old harbour. - Viðey Island (Skarfabakki ferry)
A short ferry to a quiet island with walking trails and Yoko Ono's Imagine Peace Tower.
Nature and Outdoors
- Grótta Lighthouse (Seltjarnarnes)
A tidal island lighthouse with a tiny foot bath, a favourite spot for sunsets and aurora. - Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach (Nauthólsvík)
A golden sand beach with warmed sea water and a hot tub, free in summer. - Elliðaárdalur Valley (Elliðaárdalur)
A green river valley in the city with waterfalls, salmon and walking trails.
Restaurants
- Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (Tryggvagata)
The famous hot dog stand, order one with everything. - Hlemmur Mathöll (Hlemmur)
A food hall in an old bus station with Icelandic, Vietnamese and Italian stalls. - Grandi Mathöll (Grandi)
A harbourside food hall in an old fish factory, good for a casual lunch. - Sægreifinn (Old Harbour)
The Sea Baron, a no frills harbour shack known for its lobster soup and fish skewers. - Matur og Drykkur (Grandi)
Creative takes on old Icelandic recipes in a former saltfish factory. - Sumac Grill and Drinks (Laugavegur)
Middle Eastern flavours over open fire, warm and lively on cold nights. - Kaffi Loki (Lokastígur)
Traditional Icelandic dishes and rye bread ice cream opposite Hallgrímskirkja. - Brauð og Co (Frakkastígur)
A bakery famous for its cinnamon swirls, painted in bright colours outside.
Cafés
- Reykjavík Roasters (Kárastígur)
The city's favourite speciality coffee, with a cosy record playing café. - Mokka Kaffi (Skólavörðustígur)
Open since 1958, known for waffles with cream and art on the walls. - Café Babalú (Skólavörðustígur)
A quirky upstairs café with mismatched furniture and a rooftop terrace.
Bars and Nightlife
- Kaffibarinn (Bergstaðastræti)
A legendary small bar that turns into a dance floor on weekends. - Apótek (Austurstræti)
Cocktails and small plates in a handsome former pharmacy. - Lebowski Bar (Laugavegur)
A playful bar themed on the film, with burgers and milkshakes.
Shopping and Markets
- Kolaportið Flea Market (Tryggvagata)
The weekend indoor flea market for wool, curios and fermented shark tastings. - Handknitting Association of Iceland (Skólavörðustígur)
Genuine hand knitted lopapeysa sweaters made by local knitters. - Bónus (Laugavegur)
The pink pig supermarket, the cheapest way to stock up on skyr, bread and snacks.
Events
- Iceland Airwaves (Citywide)
A November music festival filling venues across the city with new bands. - Reykjavík Culture Night (Citywide)
A late August night of free concerts, open houses and fireworks. - Reykjavík Pride (Citywide)
A colourful August parade and week of events, one of the biggest gatherings of the year. - Þorrablót season (Restaurants and halls)
Midwinter feasts of traditional cured foods, with some restaurants serving þorramatur in January and February.
Stays
- Hotel Borg (Austurvöllur)
A classic Art Deco hotel facing parliament square. - The Reykjavík EDITION (Austurhöfn)
A sleek harbourfront hotel beside Harpa with a rooftop bar.
Places to Visit in Selfoss
Nature and Outdoors
- Þingvellir National Park (Bláskógabyggð)
Walk between tectonic plates where Iceland's parliament first met. - Geysir and Strokkur (Haukadalur)
Watch Strokkur erupt every few minutes beside the original Geysir. - Gullfoss (Hvítá canyon)
A mighty two step waterfall plunging into a deep canyon. - Kerið Crater (Grímsnes)
A red walled volcanic crater with a blue green lake, an easy short walk. - Brúarfoss (Brekkuskógur)
A small waterfall of vivid blue water, reached on a riverside trail. - Faxi Waterfall (Tungufljót)
A wide, quiet waterfall with a salmon ladder, rarely crowded. - Reykjadalur Hot River (Hveragerði)
Hike through a steaming valley and bathe in a naturally warm river.
Things to Do
- Silfra Fissure (Þingvellir)
Snorkel in glacier water so clear you can see far down the rift between continents. - Fontana (Laugarvatn)
Steam baths over hot springs and a dip in the lake, with rye bread baked in the ground. - Secret Lagoon (Flúðir)
One of Iceland's oldest pools, natural and steamy with a small geyser beside it. - Efstidalur Farm (Laugarvatn)
A dairy farm where you eat ice cream watching the cows through a window.
Restaurants
- Friðheimar (Reykholt)
Tomato soup and fresh bread among the vines of a working greenhouse. - Mjólkurbú Flóamanna Food Hall (Selfoss Old Town)
A food hall in a rebuilt dairy in Selfoss's new old town. - Skyrland (Selfoss Old Town)
A playful exhibition all about skyr, Iceland's beloved dairy, with tastings. - Tryggvaskáli (Selfoss)
A historic riverside house turned restaurant with Icelandic cooking.
Arts and Culture
- Lava Centre (Hvolsvöllur)
An interactive centre explaining Iceland's volcanoes and earthquakes.
Stays
- Hótel Selfoss (Selfoss)
A riverside hotel with a spa, handy for Golden Circle and South Coast days. - Hotel Rangá (Hella)
A countryside hotel with an observatory and aurora wake up calls.
Places to Visit in Vík
Nature and Outdoors
- Seljalandsfoss (Route 1)
The waterfall you can walk behind, best in early morning or evening light. - Gljúfrabúi (Seljaland)
A waterfall hidden inside a narrow gorge a short walk from Seljalandsfoss. - Skógafoss (Skógar)
A broad, powerful waterfall with stairs to a lookout and trails above. - Reynisfjara Beach (Reynisfjara)
Black sand, basalt columns and sea stacks, with strict caution needed for sneaker waves. - Dyrhólaey (Dyrhólaey)
A headland with a huge rock arch, lighthouse and summer puffins. - Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (Breiðamerkursandur)
Icebergs drifting from Vatnajökull to the sea, often with seals. - Diamond Beach (Breiðamerkursandur)
Ice chunks glittering on black sand opposite the glacier lagoon. - Skaftafell (Vatnajökull National Park)
Trails to Svartifoss and glacier viewpoints from the park's visitor centre. - Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (Kirkjubæjarklaustur)
A winding mossy canyon with a path along its rim. - Seljavallalaug (Seljavellir)
An old pool built into a mountainside, reached by a short walk. - Fjallsárlón (Breiðamerkursandur)
A smaller, quieter iceberg lagoon right at the glacier's face.
Things to Do
- Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk (Sólheimajökull)
Guided glacier walks with crampons on an easy to reach glacier tongue. - Jökulsárlón Boat Tours (Jökulsárlón)
Amphibian boat or zodiac rides among the icebergs in summer. - Vatnajökull Ice Cave Tours (Breiðamerkursandur)
Guided winter tours into blue ice caves under Europe's largest ice cap. - Vík Swimming Pool (Vík)
A small village pool with hot tubs and views of the cliffs.
Arts and Culture
- Skógar Museum (Skógar)
Turf houses, old boats and folk life in a sprawling open air museum. - Vík í Mýrdal Church (Vík)
The red roofed hillside church above the village, a classic view. - Þórbergssetur (Hali)
A small museum to the writer Þórbergur Þórðarson with a good country restaurant.
Restaurants
- Suður Vík (Vík)
A cosy hillside restaurant for lamb, fish and burgers. - Smiðjan Brugghús (Vík)
A craft brewery and burger bar loved by travellers. - Halldórskaffi (Vík)
A friendly, wood panelled restaurant in an old general store.
Stays
- Hótel Vík í Mýrdal (Vík)
A comfortable hotel beneath the cliffs, close to Reynisfjara. - Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon (Hnappavellir)
A remote hotel near Jökulsárlón with big windows for the aurora. - Skógafoss campsite (Skógar)
Camping and campervan pitches right at the foot of the waterfall.
Places to Visit in Stykkishólmur
Nature and Outdoors
- Kirkjufell (Grundarfjörður)
Iceland's most photographed mountain, framed by the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. - Arnarstapi to Hellnar Coastal Walk (Arnarstapi)
A clifftop path past stone arches and basalt between two tiny harbours. - Djúpalónssandur (Snæfellsjökull National Park)
A black pebble beach with shipwreck remains and old lifting stones. - Ytri Tunga Seal Beach (Staðarsveit)
Seals lounging on rocks close to the shore, especially in summer. - Rauðfeldsgjá Gorge (Arnarstapi)
A narrow ravine you can walk into between towering walls. - Lóndrangar (Snæfellsjökull National Park)
Two dramatic basalt sea stacks rising from the coast. - Súgandisey (Stykkishólmur harbour)
A short climb to a lighthouse with views over the islands of Breiðafjörður.
Things to Do
- Vatnshellir Cave (Snæfellsjökull National Park)
A guided walk down into an eight thousand year old lava tube. - Stykkishólmur Swimming Pool (Stykkishólmur)
A friendly town pool with slides and naturally mineral rich hot water.
Arts and Culture
- Búðakirkja (Búðir)
A lone black church in a lava field, haunting in any weather. - Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum (Bjarnarhöfn)
Learn how fermented shark is made, and try a piece if you dare. - Library of Water (Stykkishólmur)
Roni Horn's installation of glacier water columns in a former library.
Restaurants
- Narfeyrarstofa (Stykkishólmur)
A characterful old house serving blue mussels and local fish. - Sjávarpakkhúsið (Stykkishólmur harbour)
Mussels and seafood in a harbourside warehouse. - Bjargarsteinn (Grundarfjörður)
Seafood with a direct view of Kirkjufell from the dining room.
Cafés
- Fjöruhúsið (Hellnar)
A seaside café famous for its fish soup after the coastal walk.
Stays
- Hótel Búðir (Búðir)
A romantic country hotel beside the black church and the lava field. - Hótel Stykkishólmur (Stykkishólmur)
A hilltop hotel with views over the harbour and islands. - Hotel Arnarstapi (Arnarstapi)
A base under Snæfellsjökull for the coastal paths and night skies.
Places to Visit in Akureyri
Nature and Outdoors
- Goðafoss (Fosshóll)
The waterfall of the gods, a perfect horseshoe of water off Route 1. - Lake Mývatn (Mývatn)
A volcanic lake ringed by craters, lava towers and birdlife. - Dettifoss (Vatnajökull National Park)
Europe's most powerful waterfall roaring into a grey canyon. - Dimmuborgir (Mývatn)
Trails through a labyrinth of twisted lava pillars and caves. - Hverir (Námafjall)
Bubbling mud pots and steaming vents in a lunar orange field. - Ásbyrgi (Vatnajökull National Park)
A horseshoe shaped canyon with a quiet pond and birch woods. - Akureyri Botanical Garden (Akureyri)
Hundreds of plants flourishing just south of the Arctic Circle.
Things to Do
- Húsavík Whale Watching (Húsavík harbour)
Some of Europe's best whale watching, with humpbacks often close by. - Forest Lagoon (Vaðlaskógur)
A geothermal spa set among trees with views over the fjord. - Mývatn Nature Baths (Mývatn)
Milky blue geothermal water in a volcanic landscape. - GeoSea (Húsavík)
Sea water baths on a cliff with views across Skjálfandi bay. - Akureyri Swimming Pool (Akureyri)
Slides, hot tubs and a big outdoor pool loved by local families. - Hlíðarfjall Ski Area (Akureyri)
Iceland's top ski slopes, minutes from town in winter. - Beer Spa Bjórböðin (Árskógssandur)
Soak in a tub of young beer, a quirky only in Iceland experience.
Arts and Culture
- Húsavík Whale Museum (Húsavík)
Whale skeletons and the story of whaling and conservation. - Akureyrarkirkja (Akureyri)
The hilltop church overlooking the town centre and fjord.
Restaurants
- Rub23 (Akureyri)
Sushi and fish with creative spice rubs, a local favourite. - Brynja Ice Cream (Akureyri)
Akureyri's beloved ice cream shop, a summer evening ritual. - Strikið (Akureyri)
Fifth floor dining with wide views over the fjord. - Vogafjós Cowshed Café (Mývatn)
Eat home made mozzarella and geysir bread while cows munch next door.
Cafés
- Bláa Kannan (Hafnarstræti)
A classic blue painted café on the pedestrian street.
Bars and Nightlife
- Græni Hatturinn (Akureyri)
An intimate live music venue that is the heart of the town's nightlife.
Stays
- Hótel KEA (Akureyri)
A long established central hotel below the church. - Fosshotel Mývatn (Mývatn)
A lakeside hotel with big windows for aurora watching.