Ten Iceland Experiences: Waterfalls, Glaciers, Hot Springs and City Life

Iceland packs waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs and a lively capital into one island in the North Atlantic. These ten experiences cover the best of it, from Gullfoss and the geysers of the Golden Circle to blue ice caves, the colourful mountains of Landmannalaugar and whales in the North Atlantic.

Gullfoss waterfall beneath a low golden sky — Photo: Coolbiere. A.

Golden Circle and Reykjavík

1. Gullfoss, the Golden Falls

Gullfoss is where the glacial river Hvítá drops in two steps, of about 11 and 21 metres, into a narrow canyon. On a sunny day the spray throws rainbows over the gorge, and in winter the falls are framed by ice. Gullfoss is one of the three stops of the Golden Circle, the classic day trip from Reykjavík together with Þingvellir National Park and the Geysir hot spring area.

Gullfoss waterfall, Iceland – photograph by Daniel Korzhonov — Photo: Daniel Korzhonov

Water plunging into the Gullfoss canyon beside snowy ground — Photo: Peter Foldiak

2. Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík

The white concrete tower of Hallgrímskirkja, 74.5 metres tall, is the landmark of Reykjavík: Iceland’s largest church and its second-tallest building. Architect Guðjón Samúelsson’s design, commissioned in 1937, is said to echo Iceland’s columnar basalt, and construction took 41 years, from 1945 until the nave was consecrated in 1986. The Lutheran church is named after the 17th-century poet and cleric Hallgrímur Pétursson. A lift takes visitors up the tower to a viewing deck over the city and the surrounding mountains.

Hallgrímskirkja church, Reykjavík – photograph by Mitch Russo — Photo: Mitch Russo

Hallgrímskirkja church, Reykjavík – photograph by Andreas Jonsson — Photo: Andreas Jonsson

Hallgrímskirkja church, Reykjavík – photograph by Gavin Hellier — Photo: Gavin Hellier

3. Strokkur and the Geysir area

In the Haukadalur valley, the famous Great Geysir erupts only rarely, but its neighbour Strokkur, about 50 metres away, goes off every 6 to 10 minutes, usually shooting boiling water 15 to 20 metres high and occasionally up to 40 metres. Stand upwind, stay behind the ropes and keep your camera ready.

Geysers in Iceland – photograph by Thomas Buchmann — Photo: Thomas Buchmann

Icelandic geysers – photograph by Alfio Ansaloni — Photo: Alfio Ansaloni

Geysers, Iceland – photograph by Edwin Martinez — Photo: Edwin Martinez

Hot water, northern lights and ice caves

4. The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a man-made geothermal spa in a lava field on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 5 km from Grindavík and 20 km from Keflavík airport. Its milky-blue water is a by-product of the neighbouring Svartsengi geothermal power station, and the bathing area averages 37–39 °C. Since late 2023, eruptions on the peninsula have closed the lagoon several times, and in November 2024 lava reached it and destroyed the car park, so check its website and SafeTravel before you go.

The Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland – photo 1

The Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland – photo 2

The Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland – photo 3

5. The northern lights

The aurora borealis can be seen anywhere in Iceland during the darker months, from autumn to spring, when the nights are long. You need a clear sky and auroral activity, so watch the aurora forecast and get away from city lights. Many visitors join an evening tour from Reykjavík; with a car you can simply drive out of town on a clear night and look north.

Northern lights over Iceland – photograph by Carlos Resende — Photo: Carlos Resende

Aurora borealis in the Icelandic sky – photograph by Thierry Bornier — Photo: Thierry Bornier

Northern lights above an Icelandic landscape – photograph by Carlos F Turienzo — Photo: Carlos F Turienzo

6. Ice caves in Vatnajökull

Vatnajökull is Iceland’s greatest ice cap, covering about 7,700 km², some 8 per cent of the country. Skaftafell, on its southern edge below Hvannadalshnjúkur, Iceland’s highest peak, is the base for many glacier trips. The blue ice caves in the photos are temporary formations that change from year to year, so they are visited with specialist glacier guides who know which caves are safe that season.

Blue ice cave in Vatnajökull – photograph by Einar Runar Sigurdsson — Photo: Einar Runar Sigurdsson

Inside a Vatnajökull ice cave near Skaftafell – photograph by Einar Runar Sigurdsson — Photo: Einar Runar Sigurdsson

Ice cave walls in Vatnajökull National Park – photograph by Einar Runar Sigurdsson — Photo: Einar Runar Sigurdsson

Mountains and the highlands

7. Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell, “Church Mountain”, is a 463-metre peak on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, beside the fishing town of Grundarfjörður. Its steep, pointed shape is one of the most photographed views in Iceland. Climbing it takes about three hours in summer and autumn, but the steep sections are dangerous when wet, so most visitors enjoy it from below.

Kirkjufell mountain on the Snæfellsnes peninsula – photograph by Jonathan Besler — Photo: Jonathan Besler

Kirkjufell, Iceland – photograph by Oxy Z — Photo: Oxy Z

8. Mælifell

Mælifell is a volcanic cone in the highlands near the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Its simple outline and green slopes stand out against the much darker ground around it. It lies far from the main coastal road, so most visitors reach it with a highland tour.

Mælifell volcano near Mýrdalsjökull – photograph by Yann Arthus Bertrand — Photo: Yann Arthus Bertrand

Mælifell volcano near Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland – photo 2

9. Landmannalaugar

Landmannalaugar, in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the highlands, is famous for its colourful rhyolite mountains and natural hot springs where visitors can bathe. It lies at the northern end of the Laugavegur, Iceland’s best-known multi-day trek. Since 2024, drivers need a parking reservation in summer, and highland access depends on the season, so plan ahead.

Landmannalaugar rhyolite mountains – photograph by DamPhotography — Photo: DamPhotography

Landmannalaugar, Fjallabak Nature Reserve – photograph by Emmanuel Dautriche — Photo: Emmanuel Dautriche

Coloured hills of Landmannalaugar – photograph by Alexandre Deschaumes — Photo: Alexandre Deschaumes

10. Whale watching in Iceland

Húsavík on the north coast is Iceland’s centre of whale watching: whales of several species regularly enter its bay, and the Húsavík Whale Museum by the harbour explains their lives. Sightings depend on the animals, so pick a trip you would enjoy for the sea and scenery alone, and follow the crew’s guidance on board.

Whale watching in Iceland – photograph by Einar Gudmann — Photo: Einar Gudmann

Whales surfacing off Iceland – photograph by Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir — Credit: Rebekka Guðleifsdóttir.

Planning the trip

Group your choices by region: Reykjavík and the Golden Circle fit into a few days, Snæfellsnes and the south coast each need their own trip, Húsavík is in the north, and the highlands are a summer journey. Weather changes fast, so check the road and weather alerts on SafeTravel Iceland every morning. For inspiration, browse Erez Marom’s Iceland photographs, and read our ice-cave distinctions before booking a glacier tour.