The Best of Iceland

Blue Lagoon, Grindavík

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa in southwestern Iceland, located in a lava field 5 km (3.1 mi) from Grindavík
It is in a location favorable for geothermal power, and is supplied by water used in the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power station
The water's milky blue hue is due to its high silica content
The silica forms soft white mud on the bottom of the lake which bathers rub on themselves for its skin-nourishing properties

Gullfoss is one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, located in the canyon of the Hvítá river
Gullfoss is a tiered waterfall with a total height of approximately 105 feet (32 meters), featuring two distinct drops
The waterfall is renowned for its scenery and the powerful flow of water, particularly during the summer months when glacial melt increases the river's volume
Gullfoss has been preserved as a natural monument since the early 20th century, which helped protect it from being harnessed for hydroelectric power

Best time to visit: June-Aug

Hallgrímskirkja is a prominent Lutheran church located in Reykjavík
It is the tallest church in Iceland and one of the tallest structures in Reykjavík
The church is known for its unique architectural design, inspired by the basalt columns found in Iceland's natural landscape
Construction began in 1945 and concluded several decades later, in 1986
Inside, Hallgrímskirkja houses the largest organ in Iceland, featuring 5,275 pipes

Best time to visit: June-Aug

Perlan, originally built as a storage facility for hot water, is a natural history museum in Reykjavík, opened in 1991
The museum houses a planetarium with a Northern Lights show called Áróra, and an ice cave, which is 100 meters (328 feet) long and is built from around 400 tons of ice, snow, and ash, as well as, a 360° observation deck offering views of Reykjavík and its surroundings

Skógafoss is a prominent waterfall located on the Skógá River, renowned for its impressive dimensions
The waterfall features a drop of approximately 60 meters (about 197 feet) and a width of 25 meters (around 82 feet)
The waterfall is situated at the cliffs that mark the former coastline
Visitors can approach Skógafoss closely, and there is a staircase leading to an observation platform at the top, offering views of the surrounding landscape
Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days

Jökulsárlón, also known as the Glacier Lagoon, is a glacial lake located at the edge of Vatnajökull National Park
The lagoon formed as a result of melting ice from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, which is an outlet of the larger Vatnajökull glacier, the largest ice cap in Europe
The lagoon is renowned for its floating icebergs, which vary in shape and size, having calved from the glacier
Visitors can enjoy boat tours on the lagoon, providing an up-close view of the icebergs and the surrounding scenery, including birds and marine life

Skaftafell Ice Caves are a natural feature located within Vatnajökull National Park, that form during the winter months when meltwater from glaciers creates tunnels and caverns within the blue ice formations
Visitors can explore these caves through guided tours that often include adventurous glacier hikes

Reynisfjara Beach is a renowned black sand beach located just east of the town of Vik
The beach features unique black sand, primarily composed of volcanic ash and basalt
Reynisfjara is known for its impressive basalt column formations and towering sea stacks that rise from the ocean just offshore
While it is a popular tourist destination, visitors are advised to be cautious due to the presence of powerful waves known as "sneaker waves," which can be dangerous
The beach is also a habitat for various bird species, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts