Last Updated: January 7, 2022
Famous Landmarks In Iceland (Must Sees For Your Visit)
Iceland is known for its spectacular nature, greenery, geysers, hot springs, ice caves, a volcanic eruption, and even the Northern Lights. This detailed guide to famous landmarks in Iceland covers all the popular attractions in different parts of the country, and it’s the only one you need to read!
I’ve included all the best sights in the country in this guide, from the spectacular sculptures in Reykjavik to fascinating natural landmarks and rare gems in more remote parts of the country. Keep reading to see all the most famous landmarks in Iceland, and how to find them.
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Sun Voyager/Solfarid
The Sun Voyager is a huge seaside sculpture of a boat. The stainless steel sculpture was designed by Jón Gunnar Árnason, and it is supposed to represent a promise of undiscovered territory. The boat sculpture is an ode to the Sun, and it symbolizes a dream of hope, freedom, and progress.
The 1990 sculpture is situated on granite right next to the sea, and it’s a gorgeous sight. Go for a walk in this area to see some stunning Icelandic landscapes, and admire the most famous landmark in the city of Reykjavik!
Hallgrimskirkja
Hallgrimskirkja is a modern cathedral in Reykjavik and one of the most famous landmarks in the entire country. It was completed and consecrated in 1986 and the construction of the church lasted for 41 years total. The church features a 74.5-meter tall tower, which makes it one of the tallest structures in entire Iceland.
Apart from the fascinating architecture, the church is also famous for the observation tower that’s open for visitors and offers the best views in Reykjavik. The open-air viewing platform at the top of the tower is accessible only by elevator, and there are only a few steps between the elevator exit and the 360-degree viewing deck.
Höfði House
The Höfði House is a historical landmark in Reykjavik, best-known for hosting the Reykjavik Summit meeting between Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan in 1986. The meeting was an important factor in ending the Cold War, and there are still flags of the United States and the Soviet Union in the building.
The 1909 house was also the home of Icelandic poet Einar Benediktsson, as well as famous painter Louisa Matthíasdóttir. An interesting fact about this famous house is that it was prefabricated in Norway and then shipped to Iceland in 1909. At that time, it was the largest private residence in Reykjavik, which is what made it so famous in the first place.
The house is not open for casual visitors, since it’s still used for official receptions and meetings of the municipality. Nonetheless, it’s worth it to go for a walk around this area to check out the house and the beautiful surroundings. The house is close to the beach and the Höfði lighthouse and the entire area surrounding it is very serene and stunning.
Skaftafell Ice Cave
Skaftafell Ice Cave is a stunning natural wonder in Iceland, accessible only in the winter. The ice cave is situated inside a glacier inside Vatnajokull National Park, in south Iceland. You can enter the cave only on guided tours since all visitors must wear adequate safety equipment. Although it is technically possible to hike to the cave on your own, you won’t be able to go inside if you don’t book a tour.
In the winter months, the melted glacier water freezes, which creates tunnel caves below the glacier. They reflect shiny blue and green colors from the water, and the place is truly an astonishing sight.
It’s also worth noting that guided tours of the cave often include trips to other areas of the park, so they’re a great way to explore this part of Iceland more thoroughly.
Perlan Observatory
The Perlan Observatory is a futuristic glass-dome building near the Reykjavik airport. The building is famous for its appearance – it was designed by architect Ingimundur Sveinsson, and it sits atop six large tanks filled with geothermal water, which is how it manages to stay warm in the winter.
The observatory is popular for the planetarium and ice cave, as well as some of the best panoramic views in Reykjavik. There’s also a fine-dining restaurant here, as well as a museum with educational exhibits on the natural history, geology, and various fauna of Iceland.
The Blue Lagoon
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous natural landmarks in Iceland. It’s a hot spring feed by nearby geothermal waters and is situated in a lava field in southwestern Iceland, an area known for high geothermal power.
The lagoon isn’t just one large pool – there are many smaller alcoves and sections you can swim off to and be on your own for a little while. It’s not a very deep pool either – you should be able to touch the ground at all times, and you might even need to crouch in some places if you want to stay entirely submerged in the warm water. It’s worth noting that the lagoon has high mineral contents, which can have a strong impact on your hair and any jewelry you don’t take off. That’s why you’ll be instructed to remove all jewelry and coat your hair with a special conditioner before you get in the water!
The Blue Lagoon is a very popular attraction in Iceland, so it’s smart the book your tickets in advance. Also, the earlier you book your tickets, the cheaper they’re going to be. Standard tickets cost between $55 and $99, and the prices can go up to $600+ for luxury packages that include access to a steam cave and a private “Retreat Lagoon” area within the Blue Lagoon.
Svartifoss Waterfall
Svartifoss Waterfall is a 20-meter single drop waterfall in Iceland, and one of the best-known natural landmarks in Iceland. The stream appears practically out of nowhere and falls down a 3D wall of hexagonal basalt columns, for a truly dramatic and stunning image.
Iceland’s most spectacular waterfall is accessible only by a 1.5-kilometer hiking trail. It’s an easy hike that can be done by almost everyone, you just need a pair of decent hiking shoes. The hike is exceptionally rewarding because the volcanic landscapes surrounding the waterfall are stunning. Also, sometimes it is possible to hike right up to the waterfall and you can even immerse yourself in the cold cascade water. But that’s not always the case and the area next to the waterfall can sometimes be fenced off, depending on the weather conditions.
Lake Myvatn
Lake Myvatn is a volcanic lake famous for its naturally heated lagoon. The geothermal lake is also a popular spot for northern lights viewings, and it’s one of Iceland’s most popular landmarks. It’s the fourth largest lake in the country, featuring lots of smaller islands within the lake and surreally beautiful surroundings.
The lake is located in northern Iceland, so it’s not exactly on the way for visitors staying in Reykjavik. It is possible to go on organized guided tours that depart from nearby towns, and that’s a great alternative if you don’t want to drive up to the lake on your own.
A great thing about Lake Myvatn is that it’s much less crowded than the Blue Lagoon, so if you find the famous geothermal pool a bit too busy for your tastes, you can always spend your time at the Myvatn Nature Baths instead. The water feels just as great, while the surrounding nature is even more stunning.
Gullfoss Falls
Gullfoss is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland and an absolute must if you really want to see the best landmarks in the country. It is in Southwest Iceland, in the canyon of the river Hvítá. The Golden Waterfall is only a 2-hour drive away from Reykjavik, and driving is the quickest and easiest way of getting to the waterfall for most visitors. There are also organized tours to the waterfall from Reykjavik and other nearby cities, and this is a great alternative if you’re not in the mood to drive on your own.
The waterfall has two separate stages that just make it more magnificent. The first cascade is the smaller one with a height of some 11 meters, and the second cascade is an impressive 21 meters. Canyon walls are on both sides of the waterfall, and in some places, they reach an impressive height of up to 70 meters.
Hvitserkur
Hvitserkur is another famous natural Iceland landmark, situated on the eastern shore of the Vatnsnes peninsula. It is a 15-meter high basalt stack jutting out of the sea, with two holes at the base. The ruptured nature of the rock makes it look like a dragon who is drinking out of the water, and it’s truly an interesting sight.
The base of the rock has been reinforced with concrete to protect it against damage from saltwater, which should give you a good idea of what a popular tourist attraction this is. Additionally, Hvitserkur rock is also home to several bird species, making it a popular birdwatching site.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park is a historic site in Iceland best-known for being the site of Alþing, the national parliament of Iceland. Nowadays it is a national park famous for its geological, historical, and cultural importance. It is in southwestern Iceland, just some 40 kilometers northeast of Reykjavik. It’s possible to drive to the park on your own, and you can also go on organized and guided tours.
Being the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the country and it’s absolutely fascinating to explore. It is the only place in the world where North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, and diving between the tectonic plates is extremely popular in the national park. You can also view exhibits at the Hakið visitor center, go hiking, see the Öxarárfoss waterfall, and much more!
Geysir/Strokkur
Strokkur is Iceland’s most famous geyser and a spectacular natural landmark you must go and see. It’s situated in a geothermal area in the Southwest of the country, beside the Hvítá river. You can go on organized tours from nearby cities, or drive up on your own – the geyser is just some 100 kilometers east of Reykjavik, and it takes about an hour and a half to cover that distance in a car.
Iceland’s Geysir usually erupts every 6-10 minutes, so you’re bound to see at least two or three eruptions if you just hang out in the area for half an hour. What makes this geyser so special and impressive is that it can erupt to enormous heights. It usually erupts to some 15-20 meters, but it can erupt to 40 meters! Seeing that in person is phenomenal, as long as you follow all the safety precautions and stay within the marked areas.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is one of Iceland’s greatest natural wonders, right on the south coast. It’s some 370 kilometers east of Reykjavik, so reaching the fascinating attraction is an adventure in itself. Once you finally reach this magical place, you’ll be taken aback by the sight of floating icebergs in the lagoon.
The lake is up to 250 meters deep at certain points, which makes it the deepest lake in Iceland. It’s an outlet for the Vatnajökull glacier and new blocks of ice are constantly breaking off the glacier. Many of them floating out to sea and ending up on Diamond beach, one of Iceland’s stunning black sand beaches.
It is worth noting that the spectacular sights in the lagoon are just a result of climate change. The melting glacier water is also the reason why the lake is constantly growing in size – it has expanded fourfold since 1970!
Skógafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss is a waterfall on the Skóga River and it’s one of Iceland’s most famous and fascinating natural landmarks. The impressive fall boasts a drop of 60 meters and a width of 25 meters, making it one of the largest waterfalls in the country. It’s situated in southeast Iceland and it’s about a two-hour drive away from Reykjavik.
Because of the large amount of spray this fall produces, you can usually see single or double rainbows on sunny days. Also, there are several amazing viewpoints in the area that offer different perspectives on the impressive waterfall, so don’t be afraid to explore the nearby hiking trails!
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
