20 Reasons To Visit Iceland: The Ultimate Travel Guide

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The northern European country of Iceland is one of the most magical and beautiful places you’ll ever travel to, and there are so many reasons to visit!

I recently discovered this special country and was truly blown away by its natural majesty and by just how many activities you can do there. Whether you fancy relaxing in a natural geothermal lake, going whale watching, or trying to see the stunning northern lights, there are so many exciting and unique things to do here, unlike anywhere else.

So I’ve put together this ultimate travel guide, detailing all of the many different reasons why you should visit one of the most amazingly awe-inspiring countries in the world.

20 Reasons To Visit Iceland

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the 20 best reasons to visit the incredible country of Iceland, in no particular order:

1. Amazing Landscapes

I have very rarely been taken aback as I was when I visited Iceland – I was absolutely lost for words by the incredibly breathtaking vistas and landscapes the country has. 

As soon as you leave the region of Reykjavik, you’ll be greeted with some of the most sparse and otherworldly landscapes that resemble scenes from a Lord of the Rings movie!

If you love nature and impressive landscapes, then I promise you that Iceland won’t disappoint you – you’ll fall in love with the place just like I did in absolutely no time. 

2. Awesome Waterfalls

Iceland is also full of some of the most spectacular waterfalls I’ve ever seen in my life, and this is another top reason for visiting. With Iceland having such a mountainous landscape, it’s estimated that there are over 10,000 waterfalls in the country!

Here are three of the most famous and beautiful waterfalls that can be seen easily on a day tour from Reykjavik:

Gullfoss is one of the most impressive and well-known Icelandic waterfalls. You can stop here on a Golden Circle tour and be blown away by its sheer power and majesty. 

Seljalandsfoss is another spectacular waterfall in South Iceland; there is a path that goes behind this waterfall, which I recommend doing – just be prepared to get soaked!

Skogafoss is one of the most spectacular waterfalls and one of the biggest in all of Iceland, measuring 197 feet high. 

3. Relaxing Geothermal Baths

Because Iceland has so much geothermal activity and sits on top of the Mid-Atlantic Rift, the country is spoilt with natural geothermal baths/pools/spas/hot springs, which have become a big part of Icelandic culture.

Reykjavik alone is home to a total of 18 baths, so deciding which one to visit during your stay is far from easy. Here are several of the best geothermal spas to consider:

Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous geothermal bath. It is well known for its turquoise waters and is surrounded by an actual lava field. 

Sky Lagoon is a popular alternative to the Blue Lagoon. I visited this lagoon on my trip and absolutely loved it – I highly recommend doing the 7-Step Ritual when there.

Laugarvatn Fontana are mineral baths that are located next to Laugarvatn Lake. 

Krauma Geothermal Bath Resort is a luxurious resort with natural hot springs. 

The Myvatn Nature Baths are located in North Iceland and surrounded by gorgeous scenery. 

Vok Baths are situated in the east of Iceland. These unique baths are surrounded by a freshwater lake. 

4. See the Puffins!

Iceland is known to be the puffin capital of the world, with an estimated 8 to 10 million puffins inhabiting the island country.

There are plenty of trips you can take from Reykjavik to see these beautifully cute creatures up close and personally. The summer months are known to be the best time of year to see them, so plan your trip accordingly.

5. Whale Watching 

Iceland also has a diverse marine life, and it is the perfect place to go whale watching. It’s common to see several different types of whales during a whale watching expedition – especially during the summer months. 

Pro Tip: Definitely lower your expectations if you decide to go whale watching in Iceland. I went on a three-hour boating tour in the hope of seeing some but only managed to see some seagulls! 

Our tour guide put it down to just bad luck, so hopefully, you’ll be luckier than I was!

6. See the Northern Lights 

One of the big reasons why so many people travel to Iceland is to try and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights or the aurora borealis. 

This natural phenomenon is one of the world’s greatest wonders and a spectacular light show like no other. If you get a clear night while visiting Iceland, then make sure you try to see them on a Northern Lights cruise tour – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! 

Pro Tip: Also, try to lower your expectations when it comes to seeing the northern lights. There’s no guarantee that you’ll see them, even if you’re lucky to have a clear cloudless night as I experienced. 

The northern lights season begins around late August and continues until early April, so definitely head to Iceland during this period if you want to try and see this special celestial event.

7. Awe-inspiring Glaciers

Having officially over 260 named glaciers, Iceland definitely lives up to its name! I was lucky enough to get up close to the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier during my trip there, and I have to say it was one of the most impressive sights I’ve ever seen.

If you really want a full-on glacier experience when visiting Iceland, then it’s possible to go trekking over one. And the best bit – these glaciers create incredivle ice caves beneath their surface. It’s a highlight of any Icelandic trip to visit an ice cave in Reykjavik.

You’ll be guided by experts and kitted out in helmets and crampons – another amazing adventurous activity to partake in Iceland.

8. Volcanic Craters 

Iceland is famous for its volcanic activity, and it should come as no surprise that you can visit a volcanic crater during your visit. 

Situated in the south of Iceland and a part of the Golden Circle route, Kerid Crater is an awe-inspiring volcanic crater that is filled in with a lake and dates back several thousand years. 

Walking around the crater and getting to see it in real life is another awesome activity that I loved and one that I fully recommend when in Iceland.

9. Reykjavik 

It’s very likely that you’ll be staying in Iceland’s capital city during your visit to the country, and it’s a city that doesn’t disappoint. 

Reykjavik is a small but colorful and charming place, full of top-class restaurants, museums, statues, and historical sites. 

I was really impressed with everything that it has to offer and you can easily spend a day wandering around the town, appreciating its vibrant energy. 

10. Fantastic Museums

As mentioned, Reykjavik is full of world-class museums, so let’s take a look at what are some of the best museums to visit when there:

Perlan is often referred to as the best museum in Iceland. It is an exciting interactive museum that I thoroughly enjoyed, with lots of fun activities you can do there, such as an awesome indoor ice cave with panoramic views of Reykjavik.

The National Museum of Iceland is the best museum to visit to learn all about Iceland’s incredible history and culture. 

The Settlement Exhibition is where you can learn all about how the Vikings discovered the land of fire and ice several hundred years ago and made it their adopted home. 

Whales of Iceland is a fascinating museum dedicated to the underwater giants surrounding the country and the perfect place to visit paired with a whale watching tour on the same day. 

11. Outstanding Churches 

Another top reason to visit Iceland (and Reykjavik in particular) is the number of outstanding churches you can get to see there. 

The most famous church in the whole country is the iconic Hallgrimskirkja, which is based at the top of Reykjavik and is absolutely unmissable.

It’s not often that I’m left utterly speechless when traveling these days, but the sight of this 74-meter-tall church and its statue of Leif Erikson left me totally dumbfounded. 

Pro Tip: If you want to see the best views of Reykjavik, then I highly recommend taking a lift to the top of Hallgrimskirkja. 

At the top of the church tower, you’ll see the whole city and beyond, which is definitely worth doing. Just be prepared for the loudness of the church bells ringing deafeningly every 15 minutes!

12. Tectonic Plates

Iceland is probably the most fascinating country in the world from a geological aspect, as it sits between two tectonic plates – the North American and Eurasian plates. 

If that wasn’t special enough, you can actually walk between the two plates at Thingvellir National Park.

Walking between the borders of two continents is one of the coolest things I’ve done in a while and is possible when participating in a tour of the Golden Circle.

13. Friendly Locals

Although Icelanders do have a stereotype of being somewhat cold and hard to get to know, I have to totally disagree with that perception. 

In my experience, the locals I met, from the capital city to the remotest village, are very open, welcoming, warm, and uber-polite, which made my visit all the more pleasant and memorable. 

14. Great Food & Restaurants

I was really impressed with the variety of food options and restaurants in Reykjavik. I honestly didn’t know what to expect but I discovered that you are really spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out. 

Of course, there are plenty of traditional Icelandic restaurants but also a lot of international cuisine, especially Thai and Asian restaurants, and I found some awesome vegetarian restaurants, too.

15. Mythical History

Iceland’s famous mythical history is one of the reasons why it is such an extraordinary place to visit. 

The country’s folklore involves everything from Norse mythology, trolls, elves, and more – it has such a fascinating history that it is worth discovering and learning more about during your trip. 

16. Cheap Flights from the UK 

If you’re based in the UK and looking to head to Iceland, then you can expect to snap up some bargains when it comes to flight prices.

Depending on when you want to visit and how far in advance you book your flights, you can find flights to Iceland for as cheap as just £24 – so you really have no excuse not to visit!

You can fly directly to Reykjavik to several major UK cities, including London, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. 

17. Beautiful National Parks 

With so many beautiful landscapes, it should be no surprise that Iceland has some of the most gorgeous national parks you’ll ever visit.

Iceland is home to three huge national parks, which are a must-visit if you’re a fan of nature and hiking:

Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its special geology and home to the country’s first parliament during the Viking era. 

Vatnajökull National Park is one of the largest parks in all of Europe, where you can find hot springs, lagoons, glaciers, and more. 

Snæfellsjökull National Park is based in the western part of Iceland and is most famous for the Snæfellsjökull Volcano, which can be seen all the way from Reykjavik. 

18. 24 Hours of Daylight 

If you get to visit Iceland from the end of May to the end of June, then it’s highly likely that you’ll experience the ‘midnight sun’ – when the country experiences 24 hours of total daylight.

This is a totally unique, magical, and enchanting experience, and you can expect to see a lot of colorful skylines well into the early hours of each day. 

19. Icelandic Horse Riding 

Seeing so many lovely horses roaming freely amidst the beautiful landscape of Iceland brought a smile to my face, so it’s no surprise that horse riding is a popular activity in the country. 

It’s a tradition that goes all the way back to the Viking era, and now it’s possible to go horse riding while on your trip. Plenty of horse riding tours are available to make your time in Iceland all the more memorable.

20. Fascinating Culture 

And last but definitely not least on this list of reasons to visit Iceland is the country’s absolutely fascinating culture. 

Icelandic culture and traditions are very much tied to its Viking and medieval heritage and are still kept alive today – whether through traditional cuisine, horseback riding, woodcarving, and more. 

That may sound like Iceland is stuck in the past, but that couldn’t be further from the truth – with Iceland fully embracing modernity, such as progressive feminism, gender equality, and same-sex marriage. 

Reasons to Visit Iceland FAQs

Still not sure about visiting Iceland? Let me answer some of the most commonly asked questions about this unique country:

When is the best time to visit Iceland?

I would recommend visiting Iceland during the summer months as this season is ideal for hiking and certain activities such as whale watching and glacier trekking.

However, this is, of course, the peak season, so expect hotel and flight prices to be more expensive, and expect a lot of tourists as well!

Winter season is a cheaper alternative, and Iceland can be very beautiful during these months, with snowfall making the landscapes even more dramatic – and it’s the best period for seeing the Northern Lights, too.

If you’re looking for a bit of both worlds – warmer than winter, less busy than summer – consider shoulder season travel for the best Iceland road trip. While spring and fall are perhaps a bit wetter and muddier, you’ll find great deals on flights, accommodation, and activities, as well as enjoying the main attractions with fewer crowds.

Is it safe to visit Iceland?

Iceland is annually voted the safest country in the world to visit when it comes to crime, so there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about on that front. 

However, the island country is well known for its volcanic activity, so it is worth keeping an eye on the news for any possible flight disruptions, but this is not something you need to be too concerned about.

How many days should you visit Iceland?

I visited Iceland for 6 days, and although I did a lot of activities during that time, I would have preferred a couple of extra days to see even more of the country.

So it all depends on how much you want to travel around during your time. If you’re happy staying in Reykjavik and participating in a few tours, then 4-6 days is perfect.

But if you fancy exploring the lesser-known areas of the country, then definitely give yourself a minimum of 7 days, ideally somewhere between 7-10 days. 

Do I need a car in Iceland?

We recommend hiring a car for your visit at Reykjavik’s Keflavík international airport. Renting a car means you can visit all the highlights easily without having to arrange endless tours from Reykjavik, and it gives you the freedom to visit more of the remote places on the island. If you’re visiting between November and March, you will need a 4×4 vehicle. Otherwise, a regular front-wheel drive car is fine.

For a real Iceland adventure, hire a motorhome or campervan. Flying and hiring is a popular option for the Ring Road trip, which saves on the cost of hotels and means you have complete freedom. Iceland has laws restricting where you can spend the night in a campervan, and you can’t pull over to sleep wherever you like. You must park at designated campsites, of which there are plenty!

We recommend Motorhome Republic, an aggregate booking site that pulls together all the best deals from a number of rental agencies, like Indie Campers, Go Campers Iceland, and Happy Campers, to offer you a wide choice of options and prices alongside an excellent English-speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

Conclusion: Reasons To Visit Iceland

So that concludes my ultimate travel guide on why you absolutely must visit Iceland! I can’t express just how much I loved this country – I would easily place it in my top 5 countries I’ve ever visited. 

Whether you want to see the incredible northern lights, go trekking up a glacier, or just want to take in the breathtaking landscapes, I honestly can’t recommend Iceland enough. 

Don’t be put off by how pricey it is, the bad weather, or how far it may be to travel to – it’s worth all those sacrifices and more. Now that you know all the reasons for visiting Iceland, what are you waiting for?

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