On the road anniversary
Places you'll stay
Vik
The black sand of Reynisfjara, flecked with glittering basalt shards, defines the coastline of Vik, a fishing village on Iceland’s south shore. Vik lies at the foot of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, about 180 km east of Reykjavík, and its roughly 1,200 residents sustain a modest service economy centered on tourism and fisheries. The village’s name, meaning “bay,” reflects its sheltered position between towering cliffs and the open Atlantic.
Akureyri
Akureyri sits at the inland end of the fjord Eyjafjörður, framed by steep mountains that shelter its ice‑free harbour. The town lies in northern Iceland and carries the nickname “Capital of North Iceland,” serving as the country’s largest settlement outside the Capital Region. With a municipal charter granted in 1786, it has grown from a 9th‑century Viking settlement into a key port and fishing centre.
Höldur / Europcar
A concrete office building with a bright Europcar sign marks the only dedicated car‑rental service on the remote stretch of the Ring Road between Hvolsvöllur and Selfoss. The site is known as Höldur, a small settlement in South Iceland, Iceland, where the road meets a wide lava plain and the river Ölfusá. Though the population numbers only a handful, the location serves as a practical entry point for travelers heading toward the highlands.
Reykjavík
Reykjavík sits at 64°08′ N, making it the world’s northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It lies on the southern shore of Faxaflói bay in southwest Iceland and serves as the country’s political, economic and cultural centre. With about 139 000 residents in 2025, the city anchors a metropolitan area that contains roughly two‑thirds of Iceland’s population.
Búðir
The hamlet perches at the westernmost tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, where the Hraunhafnará river plunges directly into the sea against a backdrop of the Búðahraun lava fields. Búðir lies in the western region of Iceland, within the municipality of Snæfellsbær whose centre is Ólafsvík. Though tiny, it has become a recognizable stop for visitors exploring the peninsula.
Skútustaðir
A cluster of more than two hundred steam‑formed pseudocraters rises from the shore of Lake Mývatn, marking the landscape of Skútustaðir. The settlement is a small farming community in northern Iceland, situated on the eastern fringe of the Mývatn region. Though only a handful of residents remain, the area draws visitors from across the globe for its volcanic scenery.
Egilsstaðir
At the bridge over the Lagarfljót river, where Iceland’s Ring Road meets the main routes into the eastern fjords, the town of Egilsstaðir anchors the region. It lies on the banks of the Lagarfljót in east Iceland and serves as the primary service, transport and administration centre for the area. With a 2024 population of 2,632, it is the largest settlement in the eastern part of the country.
Hnappavellir
A geothermalpool that stays liquid year‑round turns Hnappavellir into a rare oasis for hikers crossing Iceland’s interior. The settlement sits on a basalt plateau in the southern highlands, about 150 km east of Reykjavík and a short detour from the famed Laugavegur trail. With fewer than a hundred permanent residents, it functions mainly as a waypoint for trekkers and a base for exploring the nearby Hekla volcano.
Mýrdalshreppur
Mýrdalshreppur is defined by the coastal village of Vík, which functions as the municipality’s central settlement. The area is a municipal region in the southern part of Iceland, and its Icelandic name is pronounced [ˈmirˌtalsˌr̥ɛhpʏr̥]. Though modest in size, the municipality’s identity revolves around Vík, the only village mentioned in official descriptions.
Selfoss
The town’s identity centers on the Ölfusá river crossing, where Iceland’s first suspension bridge was erected in 1891, turning a remote farming area into a regional hub. Selfoss lies on the banks of that river in southern Iceland, 50 kilometres southeast of Reykjavík and straddling Route 1 between Hveragerði and Hella. With a population of about 10,420 in 2025, it serves as the administrative seat of Árborg and the largest residential centre in South Iceland.
Moments to look forward to
Geosea - Geothermal Sea Baths
Geosea pulls seawater straight from the Atlantic and lets geothermal steam raise its temperature to a constant 38 °C before it reaches the pool, creating a rare blend of ocean and earth heat. The facility sits on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Grindavík, Iceland, and operates as a public geothermal sea bath. It draws visitors who want to soak while watching waves roll over black basalt cliffs.
Mývatn
A shallow lake formed by a basaltic eruption 2,300 years ago sits in a landscape of active volcanism north of Iceland, near the Krafla volcano, and its summer swarms of midges give the name Mývatn – “the lake of midges”. The water body lies within a protected nature reserve that also includes the river Laxá and extensive wetlands.
Hverir
Steam rises constantly from a field of bubbling mud pools, while thin plumes of sulfuric gas hiss from dozens of fumaroles, giving Hverir its most striking visual and olfactory character. This geothermal spot lies in Iceland, where the earth’s heat surfaces in a landscape of active mud and vapor.
Stuðlagil Canyon Main Access
Basalt columns rising from the river carve a dramatic backdrop at Stuðlagil Canyon Main Access in Iceland. Marked trails wind along the canyon floor, guiding visitors past the cascading water that threads between the stone pillars. In spring, pink‑footed geese settle on the banks to nest, adding a seasonal wildlife presence.
Húsavík
The town’s claim to fame is its reputation as Iceland’s premier whale‑watching base, where several species regularly surface in the calm waters of Skjálfandi bay. Húsavík sits on the northeast coast of Iceland, its 2,485 residents clustered around a harbour that once exported silica from nearby Lake Mývatn.
Eggin í Gleðivík
Egg-shaped basalt pillars rise from the black sand of Gleðivík, their smooth, oval forms looking as if a flock of stone eggs has been set down by the sea. The site, known locally as Eggin í Gleðivík, sits on the western coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland and falls within the boundaries of Snæfellsjökull National Park, a protected area established in 2001.
Vestrahorn
Vestrahorn rises sharply from the surrounding landscape, its peak thrusting outward in a way that immediately catches the eye of anyone who sees it. This remote mountain sits on the southeastern coast of Iceland, offering a stark silhouette against the sky that photographers seek out for its dramatic composition. Its isolation adds a sense of quiet that amplifies the visual impact of the jutting ridge.
Skógafoss
A single or double rainbow often arches over its 60 metre drop, giving Skógafoss a striking visual cue that travelers remember long after leaving the site. The waterfall tumbles from a cliff on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland, and its spray creates a permanent mist. With a width of 25 metres it ranks among the biggest waterfalls in the country.
Hveravellir
A high‑temperature geothermal field sits at 600 m on the Kjölur mountain route, framed by the Hofsjökull and Langjökull glaciers in central Iceland. The site functions as a small nature reserve and tourist centre, and it carries the status of a declared natural monument. Its name, Hveravellir, is linked to a landscape where steam and hot water have drawn travelers for more than a millennium.
Gullfoss Falls
A 90° bend in the Hvitá River creates a dramatic multi‑step cascade that defines Gullfoss Falls in Iceland. The waterfall drops over a series of steps as the river makes its sharp turn, presenting a striking visual of water reshaping its path. It is a well‑known natural feature that draws attention for the way the flow splits and reunites along the abrupt angle.
Hjálparfoss
Hjálparfoss tumbles at the junction of the Fossá and Þjórsá rivers, set against the black expanse of lava fields that stretch north of the Hekla volcano in southern Iceland. The waterfall lies about 30 kilometres east of the village of Flúðir and is reached by a gravel road that turns off Route 32 and winds through the Vikrar lava fields. It forms part of a cluster of falls that includes Þjófafoss a short distance to the south and Háifoss and Tangafoss farther east.
Gjáin
A compact valley crammed with a series of tiny waterfalls, reflective ponds and rugged volcanic shapes defines Gjáin. The valley lies in the Þjórsárdalur area of southern Iceland and can be reached after roughly a half‑hour walk from the reconstructed medieval farm Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng. The river Rauðá threads through the gorge, ending in the cascade known as Gjárfoss.
Ljótipollur
A vivid turquoise lake fills the floor of an ancient volcanic crater, creating one of Iceland’s most striking natural bowls. The water‑filled depression lies amid rugged volcanic peaks and open plains, offering a compact yet dramatic landscape in the country. This crater lake is known for its resident trout and the surrounding terrain that invites hikers to explore.
Brennisteinsalda
A riot of sulphur yellow, moss‑green, black basalt and red iron stains makes Brennisteinsalda arguably the most colourful mountain in Iceland. The volcano rises to about 855 m in the south of the country, close to Landmannalaugar and not far from Hekla. Its Icelandic name translates as “sulphur wave,” a reference to the bright sulphur spots that streak its slopes.
Bláhnjúkur
The volcano’s blue‑black flanks give it a hue that stands out against the surrounding highlands, a colour created by layers of ash and lava. Rising to 945 metres, Bláhnjúkur sits in the south of Iceland and forms part of the Landmannalaugar natural park. Its Icelandic name translates as “blue peak,” a direct reference to the unusual shade of its sides.
Thingvellir National Park
The park’s most striking element is its dramatic rocky scenery that folds into a series of lakes and ridges, while a national historical shrine anchors the landscape. Thingvellir National Park lies in the southwest of Iceland and is designated as a protected beauty spot. Its protection status preserves both natural and cultural features for visitors.
Öxarárfoss
Water rushes over the Almannagjá rift at Öxarárfoss, a waterfall that drops within Þingvellir National Park, Iceland. The cascade descends from the river Öxará and forms a pool at its base that fills with loose stones. In winter the pool often becomes extremely icy, creating a stark, frozen tableau.
Snæfellsnes
Snæfellsjökull, the glacier‑capped volcano that crowns the western tip of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, dominates the horizon and can be seen from Reykjavík on clear days. The peninsula, a volcanic landform extending west of Borgarfjörður in western Iceland, contains the Snæfellsjökull National Park and a string of small fishing villages that cling to its coast.
Breiðafjörður
A shallow bay that stretches roughly 125 km along Iceland’s western coast and spans about 50 km in width, Breiðafjörður separates the Westfjords from the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Encircled by peaks such as Kirkjufell and the glacier Snæfellsjökull, the waterway is dotted with islands and skerries that line up east‑west, the result of volcanic ridges formed by tectonic movements. The bay’s northern shore rests on land created some 15 million years ago, while the southern side is less than half that age, giving the landscape a striking geological contrast.
Arnarstapi Cliff Viewpoint
A natural stone arch that frames the Atlantic, Gat klettur, dominates the Arnarstapi cliff viewpoint, where basalt columns rise like a ruined city along the shoreline. The site sits on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland, offering a panoramic platform that overlooks the sea‑cut cliffs and the fishing village that gave the spot its name.
Sky Lagoon
From its cave tunnel entrance, Sky Lagoon greets guests with a geothermal pool warmed to about 38 °C. The spa sits on Kársnes Harbour in the town of Kópavogur in southwestern Iceland. Water drawn from deep beneath the earth feeds the main soaking pool while the surrounding design echoes the country’s grey‑blue cliffs and deep greens.
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Its modern glass honeycomb façade catches the eye, a lattice of transparent panels that refracts daylight into a shifting pattern. The building functions as a concert hall and conference centre in Iceland, and it houses the nation’s opera and symphony ensembles. As a cultural hub, it draws audiences for performances and meetings alike.
Hallgrimskirkja
The 73‑metre tower that crowns Hallgrímskirkja dominates the Reykjavik skyline, instantly marking the modern cathedral’s presence. Consecrated in 1986, the building blends contemporary design with motifs drawn from Icelandic traditions, creating a landmark that is both new and rooted in local culture. Situated in Iceland’s capital, the church serves as a focal point for worship and architectural interest alike.
Hraunfossar
A ribbon of clear water spills from the edge of a 900‑metre stretch of lava, forming a series of thin cascades that appear to glide over dark rock. These waterfalls, known as Hraunfossar, lie in the Borgarfjörður area of western Iceland, where the Hallmundarhraun lava field meets the river Hvítá. The name combines the Icelandic words for lava and waterfalls, reflecting the landscape’s volcanic origin.
Akureyri Botanical Garden
One of the world’s northernmost botanical gardens, Akureyri Botanical Garden sits on the west side of the inland end of Eyjafjörður, about 45 metres above sea level and 85 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. It occupies the southern part of Akureyi, a city in northern Iceland, and offers free, year‑round entry to visitors.
Raufarhólshellir
Formed 5,600 years ago by a lava flow that traveled 10 kilometres from the Leitahraun eruption, Raufarhólshellir is the fourth‑longest lava tube in Iceland. The tube stretches 1,360 metres, reaches heights of at least 10 metres and widens to 30 metres in places, and lies only a short drive from Reykjavík.
Kirkjufell
Its sharply pointed silhouette makes Kirkjufell the most photographed mountain in Iceland. The 463 m hill rises on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, just inland from the town of Grundarfjörður, and its profile dominates the surrounding seascape. Though called a mountain, it is a nunatak that stood above the Ice Age glaciers and now forms a distinctive landmark in the country.
Ásbyrgi canyon, Iceland
A horseshoe‑shaped depression cut into the basalt of northern Iceland, Ásbyrgi canyon draws its name from the Old Norse term for “the river mouth.” The canyon lies within the Jökulsárgljúfur system of Vatnajökull National Park, about 45 km east of Húsavík, and forms part of a protected landscape that has been managed by the Icelandic Environment Agency since 1975.
Dettifoss
A torrent of grey‑white water thunders down a 44‑metre plunge, giving Dettifoss the reputation of being the second most powerful waterfall in Europe. The cascade belongs to the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which drains the Vatnajökull glacier and carries sediment that colours the flow. Dettifoss lies within Vatnajökull National Park in Northeast Iceland, and its roar can be heard from the canyon of Jökulsárgljúfur below.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Boat Tours and Cafe
Icebergs rise like silent monoliths across the surface of Jökulsárlón, the glacial lagoon where boat tours glide among frozen sculptures. The attraction lies on Iceland’s south coast and offers visitors a close‑up view of the towering ice fragments that have broken off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier.
Ingólfshöfði Puffin Tour
The tour lands on a narrow, 2‑kilometre headland where more than 20 000 Atlantic puffins cling to sheer basalt cliffs, a concentration that can be seen only from the sea. From the fishing village of Stokkseyri, a small boat carries visitors across the shallow inlet to the protected nature reserve of Ingólfshöfði, a site named after Ingólfur Arnarson, the first permanent settler of Iceland in 874 AD. The experience takes place on the south coast of Iceland.
Diamond Beach
Iceberg fragments litter the black sand, catching the light like scattered gems, and give the beach its striking nickname. The shore lies in Iceland, where the dark volcanic sand meets floating pieces of glacial ice. Its name derives from the way the ice glints against the dark shore.
Sólheimajökull
Sólheimajökull stretches between the volcanoes Katla and Eyjafjallajökull, a striking reminder of Iceland’s active geology. This glacier forms part of the larger Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and lies in the country’s southern region, drawing visitors who seek a tangible encounter with ice and fire side by side. Its size and the ease with which it can be reached make it one of the most frequented glacial sites in Iceland.
Kerlingarfjöll
Rising 1,477 metres, the Kerlingarfjöll volcanic massif displays vivid yellow, red and green mineral stains that seep from its geothermal springs. The formation lies in the Icelandic Highlands near the Kjölur highland road and forms part of a 100 km² tuya fissure system within the southern Hofsjökull volcanic complex. Its peaks, basalt deposits and two rhyolite‑capped calderas reveal activity that began between 68 000 and 350 000 years ago.
Sól restaurant
A former fish‑processing warehouse turned fine‑dining venue, Sól restaurant greets diners beneath a glass façade that frames Reykjavik’s harbor. Located on the city’s waterfront in Iceland, the eatery takes its name from the Icelandic word for “sun,” a nod to its bright, seasonal menu.
Laugarvatn Fontana
A sleek lakefront spa delivers natural steam baths that draw heat directly from the water beside it. Laugarvatn Fontana, Iceland, operates as a spa where outdoor mineral pools and a sauna complement the steam experience. The setting on the shore of a lake gives the complex a clear view of the water’s surface while visitors move between heated spaces.
Keflavík International Airport
Its two 3,050‑metre runways are long enough to accommodate the Space Shuttle and the Antonov An‑225, a capacity few airports in the North Atlantic share. The facility serves as Iceland’s largest airport and primary gateway for international travel, lying about three kilometres west of the town of Keflavík and fifty kilometres southwest of Reykjavík. Operated by the government enterprise Isavia, it handles all scheduled flights to and from the country while domestic services use the smaller Reykjavík Airport.
Incredible Stays
Hotel Recommendation #1
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Hotel Recommendation #1
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Insider-led Iceland Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
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We believe travel is more than ticking destinations off a list, it's about discovering new places deeply, feeling connected wherever you go, and knowing you have a trusted team of local experts behind you every step of the way.
