Iceland feels like another planet, but better lit. With its lava fields and glacier tongues, geothermal pools and black-sand shores, this island at the edge of the Arctic is shaped by fire and ice, wind and silence. It’s not a country you visit to check boxes. It’s one you feel in your bones, carried home in your salt-flecked hair, flushed cheeks, and stories told to the sound of the wind.
Reykjavík
Iceland’s capital is a cozy mix of colorful rooftops, cutting-edge design, and endless coffee. Though modern on the surface, Reykjavík sits on deep Norse roots. It was founded by Ingólfur Arnarson in 874 AD, making it the oldest permanent settlement on the island.
You can begin your exploration at Hallgrímskirkja, the soaring church inspired by basalt columns, then warm up with a cinnamon bun at Brauð & Co, still steaming from the oven. For a nice place to rest your head in Reykjavík, Kvosin Downtown Hotel manages to be both central and tucked away, with spacious rooms and a quiet courtyard.
The Golden Circle
Just outside the capital lies a loop of geological wonder known as the Golden Circle. It weaves together Þingvellir National Park (where Iceland’s first parliament was held in 930 AD), the geysers of Haukadalur, and the thunderous falls of Gullfoss.
You’ll be amazed as you stand where tectonic plates drift apart. You can also feel the earth pulse as Strokkur geyser erupts skyward. Then, the mist from Gullfoss will kiss your face. This is Iceland’s power on full display, a crash course in beauty that doesn’t need to boast.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
On the southeastern coast, icebergs calve from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and drift into Jökulsárlón, a vast, surreal lagoon. The floating ice shimmers in shades of blue and silver, sometimes carrying resting seals like royalty.
You can take a boat tour among the bergs, or walk across the road to Diamond Beach, where glacial fragments wash ashore like scattered jewels. Nearby, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is happy to offer you a modern, scenic place to stay between Vatnajökull National Park and the sea.
Vík í Mýrdal
Vík is the southernmost village in Iceland, where cliffs tower above a black-sand beach and sea stacks rise like guardians from the surf. The Reynisdrangar basalt columns, according to folklore, are trolls turned to stone by the morning sun.
This tiny town is a great base to explore Dyrhólaey, a natural arch with puffin colonies in summer, and the haunting wreckage of the Sólheimasandur plane nearby. After braving the wind, you can warm up at The Soup Company with a bread bowl full of creamy mushroom soup.
Akureyri
Often called the “Capital of the North,” Akureyri sits snug against Iceland’s longest fjord. Though just a fraction of Reykjavík’s size, it has an eclectic arts scene, botanical gardens, and one of the best swimming complexes in the country.
It’s also a launchpad for exploring nearby whale-watching hubs and the lava landscapes of Mývatn. Stay at Hotel Kea for views of the harbor and easy access to charming cafés like Bláa Kannan, a blue house filled with warmth and waffles.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Some call this region “Iceland in Miniature,” and it’s easy to see why. Here, you’ll find lava fields, glaciers, golden beaches, fishing villages, and the story-steeped Snæfellsjökull volcano, made famous by Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth.
You can hike through the moss-covered lava at Berserkjahraun, stand by the crashing sea at Arnarstapi, and snap some pictures of Kirkjufell, one of the most photographed mountains in the world. In this area, a nice place to stay is Hotel Búðir. It’s perched on a lava field with glacier views and is known for its romantic charm and fine dining.
Húsavík
Whale songs echo in Húsavík, a quiet harbor town known as Iceland’s whale-watching capital. Between April and October, humpbacks, minkes, and even blue whales feed in Skjálfandi Bay’s rich waters.
Plan to visit the Húsavík Whale Museum. Then, take a traditional wooden boat with North Sailing, whose guides blend marine biology with local lore. When you get back on land, treat yourself to a meal at Gamli Baukur, right on the harbor, with fresh fish and an old-world glow.
Westfjords
Far less traveled than the Ring Road, the Westfjords are wild, remote, and raw. Dramatic cliffs plunge into narrow fjords, red-sand beaches surprise you, and Arctic foxes peer from under the heather.
Don’t miss Dynjandi, a bridal-veil waterfall that tumbles like lace down the mountainside. There aren’t a lot of hotels here, but that’s part of the charm. However, if you’d like to stay in the area, Heydalur Guesthouse, set on a farm with horses and hot springs, is a soulful place to rest and reset.
Landmannalaugar
Tucked in the highlands, Landmannalaugar is a rainbow of rhyolite mountains, lava fields, and steaming geothermal pools. Its name means “people’s pools,” and the hot springs here have soothed travelers for centuries.
Try to come in the summer so you can hike the Laugavegur Trail and bathe in the warm waters while sheep graze nearby. Reaching it requires a sturdy vehicle and a little bit of patience but, once you’re here, you’ll feel like you’ve arrived at the edge of the world.
Blue Lagoon
It’s true; the Blue Lagoon is famous, touristy, and crowded. But, it’s also worth it. With its milky blue waters and steamy embrace, it sits in a lava field near Keflavík Airport and offers one of the gentlest landings into or out of Icelandic time.
You can bathe beneath the rising mist, try a silica mask, sip a drink at the in-water bar, and let your jet lag melt away. For the full experience, book a stay at The Retreat, where you’ll find secluded pools, spa rituals, and suites that open onto the mossy landscape.
Let the Wildness In
Iceland doesn’t really come to life with a guidebook or a checklist. It greets you in the smaller moments: the wind in your coat, the lava underfoot, the glint of the sun on a glacier, and the hush of snow at midnight. Each place, whether it crackles with geothermal fire or whispers with ancient myths, is part of a story still being told.
Take your time when you’re here. Let the silence stretch. Watch the weather change ten times in a day. And, when you’re ready to keep going, come have a look at our library of destination guides. Whether you’re heading for the fjords of Norway or the highlands of Scotland, the road to wonder never really ends.