The 8 best views in Iceland, ranked
View from Stokksnes with Vestrahorn mountain and black sand
Eight views ordered by the ratio of jaw-drop to hassle-to-reach.
The unbeatable four
1. Stokksnes beach with Vestrahorn behind — the black sand dunes, the reflective wet tideline, the sawtooth peak. 900 ISK entrance at the Viking Cafe near Hofn. 2. Kirkjufell from the small waterfall on Snaefellsnes — the postcard, and yes it lives up to it in early morning light. 3. Dyrholaey arch and the view east to Reynisfjara from the upper car park near Vik. 4. Godafoss from the west bank at sunset — golden light on turquoise water, and far less crowded than Gullfoss.
The other four, still worth it
5. Hverfjall crater rim at Myvatn — 20-minute climb, 360-degree view over the lake and lava fields. 6. The Fjadrargljufur canyon overlook near Kirkjubaejarklaustur, 100 metres deep and reopened with proper boardwalks. 7. Seydisfjordur from the top of Route 93 before you descend — rainbow street, blue church, fjord walls. 8. Mount Esja's Steinn viewpoint from Reykjavik, 597 metres up, two hours return, and the whole capital laid out below.
Before you book
What people ask before booking Reykjavik.
The Diamond Beach next to Jokulsarlon in high summer. The ice is smaller then and the crowds are worse. Go in February.
Esja from Reykjavik — bus 57 from Mjodd gets you to the trailhead in 40 minutes.
