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Things to do in Iceland

Waterfalls, craters, hot springs and the museums worth your time — with real hours and honest entry prices.

Rift valley cliffs and walking path at Thingvellir

Natural Parks

Thingvellir National Park

The rift between two continents where Iceland's parliament first met in 930 AD.

Entry
ISK1000 parkingDetails
Vatnajokull glacier tongue meeting black volcanic plain

Natural Parks

Vatnajokull National Park

Europe's largest national park covering the vast ice cap and its outlet glaciers.

Entry
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Snaefellsjokull glacier volcano above coastal cliffs

Natural Parks

Snaefellsjokull National Park

A glacier-capped volcano at the tip of a peninsula, the setting of Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Entry
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Basalt columns behind Svartifoss waterfall at Skaftafell

Natural Parks

Skaftafell

The green oasis of Vatnajokull National Park, gateway to Svartifoss and Svinafellsjokull.

Entry
ISK1000 parkingDetails
Deep canyon walls of Jokulsargljufur with river below

Natural Parks

Jokulsargljufur

A 25-km glacial canyon in the north, holding Dettifoss and the horseshoe cliffs of Asbyrgi.

Entry
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Skogafoss waterfall dropping 60 metres onto black sand

Natural Parks

Skogafoss

A 60-metre curtain of glacier meltwater you can walk right up to at the mouth of the south's most famous hike.

Entry
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Two-tier Gullfoss waterfall in golden light

Natural Parks

Gullfoss

The Golden Circle's headline waterfall, a two-tier torrent plunging into a slot canyon.

Entry
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Thundering brown water of Dettifoss falling into the canyon

Natural Parks

Dettifoss

Europe's most powerful waterfall by average discharge, a 100 m wide wall of glacial thunder.

Entry
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Strokkur geyser erupting a column of hot water

Natural Parks

Geysir Geothermal Area

The word geyser was born here — and Strokkur still erupts every 6-10 minutes.

Entry
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Icebergs floating in Jokulsarlon lagoon with glacier behind

Natural Parks

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Blue icebergs calving from Breidamerkurjokull drift across a lagoon that meets the sea.

Entry
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Rhyolite mountains in red and green above Landmannalaugar valley

Natural Parks

Landmannalaugar

Rainbow-coloured rhyolite mountains and a natural hot river in the highlands.

Entry
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Milky blue Viti crater lake inside Askja caldera

Natural Parks

Askja Caldera

A remote highland caldera holding a warm crater lake NASA used to train Apollo astronauts.

Entry
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Milky blue geothermal water at the Blue Lagoon

Springs Spas

Blue Lagoon

Iceland's most famous geothermal spa, a milky blue lake sunk into a black lava field.

Entry
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Basalt columns and black sand at Reynisfjara beach

Beaches Waterfronts

Reynisfjara Black Beach

Iceland's most dramatic black-sand beach with basalt columns and lethal sneaker waves.

Entry
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Concrete spire of Hallgrimskirkja church against Reykjavik sky

Spiritual Sites

Hallgrimskirkja

The 74-metre concrete church whose basalt-column tower is the best view over Reykjavik.

Entry
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Glass honeycomb facade of Harpa reflecting harbour

Cultural Landmarks

Harpa Concert Hall

Olafur Eliasson's geometric glass facade lights up Reykjavik harbour every night.

Entry
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Viking-era artefacts on display at the National Museum

Museums

National Museum of Iceland

The definitive walk from settlement in 874 to modern independence, in one building.

Entry
ISK2500Details
Steaming turquoise pools of Myvatn Nature Baths

Springs Spas

Myvatn Nature Baths

The north's answer to the Blue Lagoon, without the crowds and half the price.

Entry
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Seljalandsfoss with path leading behind the falling water

Natural Parks

Seljalandsfoss

The south's photogenic waterfall you can walk behind — and watch the sunset through.

Entry
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Colourful buildings and shops on Laugavegur

Malls High Streets

Laugavegur

Reykjavik's main shopping and eating street runs from Hlemmur to the harbour.

Entry
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Stalls selling wool jumpers and food inside Kolaportid

Street Markets

Kolaportid Flea Market

Reykjavik's weekend flea market — wool, vinyl, dried fish and fermented shark under one roof.

Entry
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Bubbling grey mud pots and steaming vents at Hverir

Natural Parks

Hverir Mud Pots

A Martian expanse of bubbling grey mud, fumaroles and sulphur crystals beside the ring road.

Entry
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Humpback whale tail beside a wooden schooner off Husavik

Tours Rentals

Husavik Whale Watching

Europe's whale-watching capital, where humpbacks and blue whales feed close to shore.

Entry
ISK11500Details

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