Top 7 Best Places to Visit in Iceland in 2019

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Iceland welcomed about 2.3 million foreign visitors in 2018 alone. While not as glamorous as some other European destinations, like Italy and France, Iceland remains a popular bucket list destination.

You can find beautiful scenery, amazing food, unique culture, Viking history, and even a natural phenomenon. But with so much to do, narrowing down your itinerary to just the best of the best can be difficult.

Luckily, we’re here to help! We’ve outlined 7 of the best places to visit in Iceland.

Do you want to know what they are? Keep reading to find out!

1. Reykjavik

As the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik is a popular tourist hub. It’s easy to fly in and out of, and there are plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops to keep you busy. It’s also a popular departing point for tours, including those taking the Golden Circle route.

Reykjavik itself is very photogenic with colorful houses and the Tjornin pool right on the edge of town. Of course, there’s also plenty of history here. The 19th-century parliament building and Settlement Exhibition 871, in particular, can’t be missed.

2. The Eastfjords

Are you looking to avoid tourists, and enjoy a more relaxed vacation? The Eastfjords let you do just that.

Here, you’ll find dramatic, cliff-edged mountains and beautiful seascapes. Seydisfjorour, Djupivogur, and Egillstaoir are a few of the remote towns located in the Eastfjords. While there isn’t a ton to do in the towns themselves, they are very traditional and give you an unspoiled look at Icelandic life.

Since these towns are so remote, there are ample opportunities to see wildlife, including birds, reindeer, and marine mammals. Vatnajokull National Park is also a popular natural attraction in this area.

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The only downside is that it’s on the opposite side of the country as Reykjavik. So, if you’re short on time, it can be difficult to see both of these amazing places.

3. The Blue Lagoon

You can’t go to Iceland and not soak in the Blue Lagoon. The milky blue water is heated geothermally, so it stays nice and warm all year long. It’s also packed with minerals, so don’t forget to get a Blue Lagoon mud mask to help your skin feel revitalized.

If you want to take your experience to the next level, in-water massages are available as well as luxury lounging facilities. There are also guided tours to help you learn more about the geothermal area.

It’s about 40 kilometers (25 miles) outside of Reykjavik, so it’s easily accessible for those staying in the capital city.

4. Diamond Beach

Although Iceland isn’t the typical sunny beach getaway, it is full of unique beaches that can’t be missed. Among the best is Diamond Beach.

The water is full of icebergs which get chipped over time. These small pieces then get pushed onto the shore and look like giant diamonds. As if this wasn’t stunning enough, the beach is full of black sand, offering a mesmerizing contrast and making the “diamonds” pop even more.

However, the beaches of Iceland are not safe to swim in. Even in the summertime, the water is far too cold and there are strong currents all year long.

5. Vik

Vik is a small fishing village in southern Iceland, making it another great option for those who want to escape the tourists. Plus, it’s only a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavik, so travel between the two is doable.

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There’s an outdoor community pool which is geothermally heated, so you can enjoy a relaxing swim no matter how cold it is outside. Reyniskirkja, the famous red-roofed church, is also located in Vik.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is right outside the town, and it’s the perfect backdrop to catch the Northern Lights. Since Vik is a small town, there isn’t nearly as much light pollution as you would experience in Reykjavik, so the Northern Lights easier to see here.

However, capturing them on camera is still difficult. If you want some unforgettable pictures, consider taking a custom photography tour.

6. Thingvellir National Park

If you want to really experience Iceland’s rugged terrain, Thingvellir National Park is a must. There are tons of hiking trails and mountain climbs that will take you past volcanic ridges and carved canyons.

You can even experience a piece of history here. Iceland’s first Viking parliament, which was created in 930, is here as well as the Peningagja pool which contains coins that are over 100 years old.

However, the most unique thing to do in Thingvellir National Park is to explore the Silfra fissure. This is a gap between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, which you can actually dive or snorkel in. In fact, this is the only location in the world where you can swim between tectonic plates!

The water is among the clearest in the world, giving you amazing visibility. However, it’s barely above the freezing point, so special gear is needed to stay warm.

7. Lundey and Akurey

These small, uninhabited islands are home to puffins. Although you can’t go onshore, you can take a boat tour around the islands.

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You’ll still be able to see these birds and where they make their burrows. Both Lundey and Akurey are only 15 minutes away from Reykjavik, so a tour to the islands only takes about an hour.

Your Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Iceland

Don’t settle for the same old vacation you take year after year. Instead, use the guide above to pick the best places to visit in Iceland, and start planning the trip of a lifetime!

Do you want more travel inspiration? Then check out the rest of our blog where you can find articles on all things travel.