Some of our links are affiliated, we will earn a commission when you buy a service or product. This will have no extra cost for you. For further info please refer to our Privacy Policy
Iceland has a special place on our travel bucket list, the top! This island country is my dream travel destination since I was a teenager and my first known Icelandic attraction was Björk. Guess what, I grew up and I discovered that Iceland is even more beautiful than I imagined, and my desire to explore this icy land became bigger and bigger.
The reasons to visit Iceland are countless, the country was listed by CNN as one of the top destinations due to its unique natural beauty and culture.
There are many places to visit in Iceland and I’m not going to list them all, instead, I’m gonna share with you 5 of my favorite Icelandic attractions. Places will make you want to travel to this icy country right now.
Think about going on a Northern Lights vacation in Iceland and witnessing one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the world.
5 Wanderlust Attractions in Iceland
1º – The Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis is one of the main reasons travelers from all around the world venture themselves into the dark and cold nights of Iceland. But the reward of facing extreme temperatures and strong winds is the possibility to appreciate the magical dance of the northern lights.
You can watch this natural spectacle on the outskirts of Reykjavík, but the far you go from the city, the better the chances you have. If you go towards the north more intense and extravagant the lights can get. Westfjords, Borgarnes are perfect places to see the northern lights, even better if it’s really cold or stormy outside. If watching the northern lights is on your bucket list too, then keep in mind the best time to visit Iceland is between September and March.
Also read: The Ultimate 15 Things to do in Reykjavik – A Comprehensive Guide
2º – The Blue Lagoon:
No doubt this is the most famous attraction in Iceland, and every time you see an Instagram photo of someone soaking in that blue and warm water you have the thought “I want, I need to go there”. I get it, I feel the same!
The beautiful moonish landscape, the color of the water and the steam make the Blue Lagoon a must-visit attraction in Iceland and it can get pretty packed, but who cares?! Take a dip and enjoy the geothermal spa, this is an experience of a lifetime! If you want to understand more about the volcanic activity and how the Blue Lagoon was formed, go on a tour and visit the lava fields that surround the lagoon.
3º – Skaftafell Ice Cave:
Crystal Ice everywhere! One of the most breathtaking places in the world. Skaftafell is located 4 hours away from Reykjavik and it is very important that you don’t tread into ice caves without a licensed tour guide. During winters when the rivers have become rock solid and glaciers have stopped melting, it is the best time to go touring inside the ice caves.
4º – Gullfoss Waterfall:
A trip to Iceland is not complete without a visit to this magnificent waterfall. During the Golden Circle tour you will pass by the Gullfoss Waterfall and don’t be surprised if you fall in love with this place, nature there is stunning. The water stream is fed by the Langjökull glacier, the second largest glacier in Iceland, and the power of water is breathtaking.
5º – Laugavegur Trail
Located in the south-west part of Iceland, this 55 km extreme hiking trail is absolutely enthralling. With blizzards and strong winds trying to overcome the hikers at every step, the trail is challenging. The route starts from the hot springs area of Landmannalaugar to the glacial valley of Þórsmörk, along the way you will see the black sand deserts, mass of ice, beautiful pastures, and much more.
When to travel to Iceland?
Have we convinced you to travel to Iceland? While writing this post my feet were itching and I even checked the flights to there. But for now, we are only in the travel planning stage. Be aware that Iceland is much more than these five attractions, this is just a tiny part of all the natural beauty you can find there.
The high season in Iceland is during summer time [May to September], with mild temperatures and fully booked hotels. During the summer, the days are longer and it’s a beautiful moment to enjoy nature and be outside.
The thing is that some attractions as the Northern Lights and the icy caves are not there all year round, and unfortunately, you will need to face the winter in Iceland to be able to see and enjoy them. Winter is the off-season, which means cheaper hotels, flights, and tours. Plus the possibility to enjoy an extra dose of adrenaline while hunting the northern lights or venturing yourself in the middle of the ice.
Iceland is a small country, to get around you can rent a car and go explore it by yourself. Or you can book a tour and visit the waterfalls, geysers, volcanoes, and glaciers. Bear in mind that in some National Parks and to visit the Skaftafell ice cave you will need an experienced guide.
Going on a short trip to Iceland? So, maybe going on a tour will make more sense, as you can discover and cover more of the island in a short period. But if you are a true explorer and have plenty of time, you can camp in Iceland, and enjoy the outdoors life and the beauty that you only find there.
Choosing the best time to travel to Iceland and how long you should stay there, will all depend on each type of experience you want to have. However, doesn’t matter if you travel during summer or winter time, for 3 days or a month, in Iceland you will always have fun.
Are you planning a trip to Iceland? Leave your thoughts!
Photos credit: Kirkjufellsfoss by iceland.is. The Northern Lights and The Blue Lagoon images copyrights by Moyan Brenn. The Laugavegur Trail by Alexander Hahn.
