Iceland Highlights: Waterfalls, Adventure, Wildlife & More

Such a nice hot spring with three small bathing areas, off the beaten path and very Icelandic in feel. Warm water, mossy stones, steam in the cold air, quiet and simple, incredible. Clean changing rooms and a welcoming reception, small and local, worth the detour. ♨️Kind of a hidden hot springs in Iceland.

This was one of the most exciting places I ever been, the raw landscape and those huge natural monuments impress everyone one even the more skeptical 🧐. Easily accessible from the parking lot. On a sunny day, you will likely see rainbow in front of the fall as well.

Iconic horseshoe shaped waterfall with turquoise water crashing on the rocks, easy to reach. You can photograph from both sides, and on the left side when you’re standing in front you can go down for a little more overview. Definitely one of best waterfalls of Iceland and the water spray showed the power 😅.

Beautiful little red roof church overlooking Vík and the black sand beaches. Great at sunset, colors hit hard, incredible. Free to visit, parking nearby, easy stop. 🌅Off the beaten path spot in Iceland.

Waterfall and that distinct mountain in one place, maybe the most iconic view in Iceland. You can see it from the road, but it’s worth stopping to watch the water and the light, it changes every minute. Parking has a fee. At the end of August you can see the northern lights here, green over the falls, incredible to watch.

Unique and pretty experience. Small glacier pieces washed ashore on the black sand, like diamonds in the waves. Even with tourists around it is worth it. Wildlife and ice together, incredible peacefulness, one of my favorite spots around the island.

Jagged rocks jutting from the sea just off this black sand beach with basalt formations. The black volcanic sand gives a surreal vibe, the cliffs are wild and cinematic, raw and beautiful. Incredible photo opportunities. Easy access, and in season this is where to see puffins in Iceland on the hill.

Breathtaking views, amazing cliffs and beautiful blue water. Perfect place to see puffins, very easy walk, great views from different viewpoints. Wind and sea, arches and black sand in one frame, raw and incredible. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. 🐧

Amazing spot on the black sand to see the DC 3 wreck, raw and cinematic. The round hike could be of 1.5 hours, or you can take the shuttle. I arrived after the sunset, was too cloudy, the light was not the best. Still worth the walk, the silence and the metal in the wind, so epic. ✈️

Iconic multi step waterfall, powerful and huge, with enough angles for jaw dropping photos. On sunny days rainbows appear in the mist, spray and roar, incredible. A must see highlight of the Golden Circle. 🌈

Beautiful iconic church, free entry to see the interior with its magnificent organ. Its unique design is inspired by Iceland’s basalt lava columns, lines that rise like rock. There’s northern lights inspired lighting on Sunday nights, colors on the walls, incredible. Easy stop in the city center. ⛪️

Easy to access peak mountain with free parking at the lighthouse. Sometimes you get an unexpected sight of whales swimming or feeding in the bay, also flocks of swans nearby and wild deer in the fields. No hiking route, just a beautiful view from the lighthouse parking, sea and mountains, raw and incredible. Have you ever watched whales from shore? 🐋

Beautiful hike over a recently erupted active volcano, raw and incredible. Black lava fields with steam vents, ground warm in places, landscape from another planet. So interesting to see, unforgettable. Hiking boots recommended, worthy every step. 🌋

This location is so unique and beautiful. Visit the viking village, once a setup for a movie. You can see the giant whale bones nearby. The camping fee includes access to all of it, so you can wander as much as you like. Drive down to the beach for seals in the surf. Black sand, wind, and Vestrahorn right there, raw and incredible. 🦭

This canyon is such a piece of natural art. Was made in the last millions of years of a glacier. Pictures do not do this place justice. The climb gives unique and beautiful views, glacier on your right near the trailhead and a glacier lagoon too. After about an hour you reach the canyon, breathtaking. Two waterfalls, one in the middle and one at the end. Birds circle inside the canyon nonstop, raw and incredible, worthy every step. 🥾This is definitely one of those unique places to visit in Iceland.

One of the best I stayed at and this was with no doubt one of the best nights in Iceland. The location is remote and animal friendly. The kitchen is quite unique and fully equipped, the showers are hot. Recommended. Very nice location to head out into the highlands, quiet and open, a small escape. One of the best camping spots in Iceland for sure.

Deep and winding river canyon, about 2 million years old. Walking path and panoramic views, moss covered cliffs, otherworldly. The river looks painted by nature, green walls and blue water, raw and beautiful. Parking is paid, 1086 ISK, there are toilets, and it is absolutely worth the stop, worthy every step. 🏞️

Breathtaking spot, beautiful rock arch and high cliffs, you can see it from above and from below. In summer this is where to see puffins in Iceland, wind strong on the top, sea and black sand in one frame, raw and incredible. Parking is small and the lighthouse area gets busy, but the wait is not too long. 🐧

Dramatic waterfall in a remote valley, located near a volcano with many photo opportunities. Maybe the tallest waterfall I have seen around Iceland. Tall and powerful, drop into a deep canyon, raw and incredible. Go down to the bottom for a closer view, spray on your face, worthy every step. 💧 Kind of a hidden gem in Iceland.

Remote spot with a series of small, rambling waterfalls, bright blue water that looks unreal. STUNNING and just a short walk from the parking lot, easy on a sunny day. The colors were unbelievable shades of blue, clear and fast. If the weather isn’t too windy or cold it’s perfect to stand and shoot for a while, simple and incredible.

Two basalt towers over the ocean, old lava and sea in one frame. In summer the ledges fill with birds, a favourite nesting place, incredible to watch. Wind on your face, salt in the air, cliffs raw and beautiful, worthy every step. I could stay there just listening to the waves. Off the beaten path spot in Iceland.

Giant rhino-shaped basalt rock on a black sand beach, wild and raw. From the shore you can watch seals in the surf, seagulls with chicks, and ducks with ducklings, a small show by the sea. When the tide is right it stands like a creature drinking, incredible to see. 🦭

Glacial lake with floating icebergs drifting slowly, blue and mesmerizing. Probably one of the most famous natural attractions in the south of Iceland. You can spot wildlife here like seals and skuas, sometimes right by the shore. Up close is the real wow effect, incredible. 🧊Glacier lagoon in Iceland is kind off the beaten path, so worth it.

Ice cave on Breiðamerkurjökull in Vatnajökull National Park. Glowing blue interiors, surreal and unique, one of the most photographed ice caves in the world. Once in a lifetime experience to visit, the light inside is incredible, looks amazing up close. ❄️One of the best ice caves in Iceland.

Short and easy 10 minute walk from Seljalandsfoss. At the entrance you step on rocks through a narrow passage to get the hidden waterfall. Inside the canyon it roars and the spray hits your face, moss walls and light, raw and beautiful. Worthy every step. 💧

Geothermal area in the Golden Circle, perfect spot to see hot springs, active geysers and boiling mud. The geyser is impressive, something to see at least once. Eruptions can reach a surprising height, the main geyser erupts about every 5 minutes. Steam and heat all around, incredible. ♨️

Pretty cool little stop off and worth checking out at the end of your Golden Circle trip. You can walk around the top and then down to the lagoon. The full circle around the crater will take about 20 min. Absolutely stunning, vivid blue water with red volcanic rock and lush green around. Short, easy, incredible.

Unique, colorful landscape in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, remote highland with a mountain hut for camping. You will need a 4x4 to get in, F roads with gravel, pot holes and puddles, about an hour drive. Once you reach it you stumble from one jaw dropping, breath taking view to the next. Rhyolite mountains, steam and rivers, raw and incredible. Absolutely must see. 🏔️

Popular with photographers and very remote. Black sand and dunes with the mountain rising from the sea. You can hike around the area. On a clear sky and the right night you can get the northern lights here, green over the peaks, wow effect. Pay attention to the forecast for wind and fog. 🌌 Kind of a hidden gem in Iceland.