Planning a trip to Iceland? We’ve travelled extensively across the country on four different trips. This page features all our Iceland travel guides to help you discover some of the best destinations this unique country has to offer.
ICELAND TRAVEL GUIDES
With geysers, glacial lagoons, and volcanic deserts, Iceland is one of the world’s most striking natural destinations.
We’ve driven across every region, exploring lesser-visited corners by 4×4 and experiencing the classic highlights of the Ring Road route.
There’s a lot to love about Iceland, especially if you’re keen to find remarkable natural scenery.
From the black-sand beaches of the south coast to the lava fields, dramatic waterfalls, and mountains of the highlands, an Iceland road trip is packed with jaw-dropping moments.
On this page, you’ll find all our Iceland guides, including road trip itineraries, hiking guides, photography spots, destinations, and practical travel tips.
START HERE: OVERVIEWS & ITINERARIES
If you’re planning your first trip to Iceland, our overviews and itineraries are the best place to start. These guides highlight the top places to visit, with route suggestions for different trip lengths.
- Best Places to Visit in Iceland – From waterfalls to glaciers; all our favourite destinations.
- Top Places in the Iceland Highlands – Experience the remote central mountains.
- 10-Day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary – A classic Ring Road adventure.
- The Golden Circle – Discover Iceland’s most famous driving route.
- 6 Epic Iceland Itineraries – Itinerary ideas from 3 days to 2 weeks.
- Where to stay in Iceland – A breakdown of the best areas to stay in.
PRACTICAL GUIDES
Iceland is one of those places where proper planning is critical. We’ve spent a lot of time exploring the area around the Ring Road and travelling deep into the Highlands, which involves navigating tricky mountain roads (F-Roads) in a 4×4.
Here are the guides we suggest you read to help plan for your trip.
- Driving in Iceland – Tips for driving in Iceland and types of cars to rent.
- How to drive on the F-Roads – Essential information for driving Iceland’s mountain roads.
- Iceland Travel Tips – Our general tips for visiting Iceland.
- Planning your Iceland Trip – Tips for how to plan your first trip.
WHAT TYPE OF TRIP ARE YOU PLANNING?
Iceland can be explored in countless ways: as a scenic road trip, a hiking adventure, or by hopping from one geothermal spa to the next. Here are some trip ideas to experience the different sides of the country.
HIKING & OUTDOORS
Vast open spaces make Iceland a paradise for outdoor experiences. Discover volcanic craters, waterfalls, and wild trails in otherworldly landscapes. Here are some key hiking destinations that we’ve loved on our trips.
- Hiking in Landmannalaugar – Colourful rhyolite mountains and steaming hot springs.
- Exploring Þórsmörk – Rugged valleys surrounded by glaciers.
- Hiking in Kerlingarfjöll – One of Iceland’s most scenic destinations.
- Fagradalsfjall Volcano Site – A surreal hike around a recent volcanic area.
ROAD TRIPS & SCENIC DRIVES
The best way to see Iceland is in your own car. This allows you to follow the popular Ring Road route and head into more remote areas where the magic of Iceland truly unfolds.
Here are some classic road trips in Iceland we recommend from personal experience:
- Ring Road Highlights – Classic stops along Iceland’s main route.
- The Westfjords – Remote drives and pristine wilderness.
- Driving to Maelifell – One of the most unique volcanoes in Iceland.
- Driving to Askja – Off-road exploration through Iceland’s heart.
NATURE & GEOLOGICAL WONDERS
Iceland is packed with interesting geological wonders you just don’t find in many other places.
The list below contains some of the most unique landscapes we’ve ever seen and provides an excellent overview of the drama Iceland can provide.
- Stuðlagil – A stunning gorge with basalt columns.
- Mývatn – bubbling mudpots, steaming lava fields, and dramatic waterfalls.
- Reynisfjara Beach – Iceland’s famous black sand beach and puffin colony.
- Vestrahorn – Iceland’s iconic Batman mountain.
- Reykjadalur Hot Springs – A thermal river near Reykjavik.
WHERE TO GO IN ICELAND?
Iceland may be small, but each region has a distinct atmosphere with unique attractions. Here are some of the main regions you’ll want to consider for your trip.
REYKJAVÍK & THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
The obvious start and end point for most visitors to Iceland, Reykjavík is a small but cool centre with a few interesting attractions. It’s also a great jumping-off point for Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, all of which you can see on our Golden Circle drive.
THE HIGHLANDS
The wild interior (known as the Highlands) is only accessible in summer and offers true adventure—river crossings, volcanic deserts, and technicolour mountains. We’re big fans of the highlands and it’s easy for anyone to visit with a little be of planning. Read our guide to the F-Roads to get started.
THE SNAEFELLSNES PENINSULA
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is often considered a compact version of the whole of Iceland. It certainly covers the diversity you can expect, including lava fields, fishing villages, volcanic peaks, and coastal cliffs.
The highlight for us was Kirkjufellsfoss, which we have written about in our guide to the best waterfalls in Iceland.
NORTH ICELAND
What we love most about North Iceland is that you see far fewer visitors than you do in the rest of the country. But it’s no less stunning with whale watching in Húsavík, powerful waterfalls like Goðafoss, and geothermal landscapes near Lake Mývatn.
THE WESTFJORDS
Remote and untouched, the Westfjords is another region in Iceland that sees few fewer tourists. Even less than North Iceland. Expect dramatic cliffs, red beaches, and winding roads through wild, empty scenery. We have a list of places to see in our guide to the Westfjords.
ALL ICELAND GUIDES
Below are all the guides we have written about Iceland.
