Iceland is known for some of its most magnificent views. This Nordic island country is located in the North Atlantic Ocean and is usually considered to be a part of Europe. The population of the Republic of Iceland is only about 330,000, which makes it the least populated country in Europe. For such a small country, Iceland has its fair share of natural phenomena. There are fascinating landscapes with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and lava fields. You’ll find stunning sceneries that range from crystal blue glacier lagoons to green moss volcanoes, black sand beaches, and illuminating ice caves. There are so many beautiful destinations in this country. I want to share four of my favorite places in Iceland to visit. While following along my journey, look at a map of Iceland and you may discover many of the other interesting places that you may want to learn more about.
Jökulsárlón Lake is also known as Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon or the Glacier Lake. This is probably the most photographed place in Iceland and it has become one of Iceland’s most popular attractions. You will be mesmerized by its extreme beauty! You may have seen this Lagoon in some movies like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, and Batman Begins. It was even a setting in the reality TV series Amazing Race.
Jökulsárlón is one of the deepest lakes in Iceland being more than 600 feet deep. It flows through a short waterway into the Atlantic Ocean all while leaving chunks of sparkling ice to wash up on the black sand beach. You’ll find blocks of ice in all shapes and colors as they are constantly changing from transparent to white and to an amazing blue color. Some of the ice is even black.
Thanks to the small river leading to the ocean, the lagoon is filled with fish. This fish-filled lagoon hosts hundreds of seals during the winter. They will gather at the river mouth to feed, along with huge numbers of seabirds.
The best time of the year to visit Jökulsárlón is between May and October. Icelandic weather is fierce but weather conditions tend to be worse outside of these months.
You can follow some of the icebergs from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and down the ocean to Jökulsárlón Diamond Beach to discover the black sand beach. Some icebergs get pushed back to shore and shine like sparkling diamonds on the black sand. The black sand will sometimes stick to the glassy surface of the icebergs, which only adds to their beauty as they lie upon the shore. All the icebergs on the black velvety sand combined with the power of the waves and the sunlight reflecting through and off the icebergs create a place that is so magical. The scattered ice chunks that you find here are simply captivating. You will be hypnotized by the diamond-looking ice chunks.

After about a 30 minute drive from the Diamond Beach, you will find the stunning Crystal Ice Cave of Svínafellsjökull. This cave is located in Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. Created by the unparalleled forces of the Vatnajökull ice cap, the Crystal Cave emerged as a result of its glacier meeting the Icelandic coastline. The centuries-old ice that has come from the slopes of Vrffajvkull, Iceland’s tallest active volcano, has compressed all air out of the ice adding to the texture and color of the cave. Everywhere you look in this ancient glacier are different shades of blue colors and natural creations. You’ll experience the extraordinary world of an ice cave where the scattering of the light seeps through the ice giving the cave a mystical blue color. The interaction of light and ice is unique and the experience of being inside the glacier is so breathtaking that no word can describe it. This is definitely a must see in the winter.

The best time of the year to visit Crystal Ice Cave is from November to March. It can be too dangerous to visit in the spring & summer due to a threat of collapse. Cold winter temperatures strengthen the ice and make exploration possible.

The Blue Lagoon is one place you must visit in Iceland! It’s famous for its outdoor pool and health center. Bathing in the steaming salt water of the Blue Lagoon and being surrounded by amazing nature is a dream come true. The Blue Lagoon is simply an oasis of true relaxation. Iceland’s geothermal spa is tucked into a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula where water temperatures average 98 to 102 degrees F. At the Lagoon, you’ll find several saunas and various spa treatments along with a bar and restaurant with views over the lagoon. You can get a water massage under a waterfall, enjoy a white silica mud mask, or simply just take in the marvelous scenery.
Relax and recharge in the soothing, milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. The mineral-rich hot water from far beneath the earth forms the spectacular lagoon, where a luxurious health spa has been developed in the rugged lava landscape. The lagoon’s geothermal seawater is known for its positive effects on the skin. The water is rich in silica and sulfur which helps make your skin rejuvenate and shine. The Lagoon’s warm geothermal water and natural active ingredients help you relax and unwind. The Blue Lagoon is without a doubt the most sophisticated spa experience ever!
Iceland is a year-round destination where there’s something to see every day. There’s always an exciting adventure waiting to happen and a spectacular view to be seen!
55 thoughts on “Top 4 Beautiful and Unique Places to See in Iceland”
OMG I only knew about the lights- it looks fantastic. I need to convince hubby that we should put it on our travel bucketlist.
ICELAND is definitely on the TO GO TO list of my husband and mine. However, we typically take vacations during the winter months and I DO NO THINK Iceland would be a GLORIOUS TIME as we freeeeeeezeeee our buts off LOL!
Those icebergs are so amazing. I would love to soak in that hot spring
Iceland looks so beautiful! I would absolutely love to see all these places!
Oh my, Iceland is on my bucket list. I love all your photos, they are so beautiful!
Iceland looks so amazing. I would love to explore all of these places starting with Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
oh wow Iceland looks like an amazing place to visit for sure, the pictures are amazing
This is certainly a beautiful and unique place to visit! Crystal Ice Cave looks stunning and I wish that I could sit in Blue Lagoon right now.
WOW. I must admit, I’ve never planned on going to Iceland before, but these pics are beautiful! It’s like an entirely different world!
The Diamond Beach and the Crystal Ice Caves are on the top of my list when I visit there. So much beauty! I can’t wait to explore it all.
It is all so pretty! I would enjoy Diamond Beach the most.
I hate being cold, but Iceland looks stunning. I’m really interested in seeing the Diamond Beach you shared with us. Gorgeous!
What a beautiful place. I’ve always wanted to visit. I guess I didn’t know about the ice caves. Those sound super interesting.
Haven’t been to Iceland but if I will be given a chance, I will definitely visit with the whole family. Sounds like a great place to explore.
Never been to Iceland, and if i got a chabce definitely i will stop whatever am doing and book a flight to Iceland. I wish to visit the Ice Cave and experience the beauty of the northern lights.
I would love to see all of Iceland. It looks so beautiful.
Those look like amazingly beautiful places in Iceland. I would love to go there someday.
this country is so enigmatic and primitive (in a good way) its landscapes are beautiful
What a magical place. Would like to go there in my life time.
Iceland is not a place I have thought about visiting. This article has changed my mind. It sounds just beautiful
One of my dream vacations!! Its just looks SO beautiful there!
Seeing this place on TV, it is so beautiful, I don’t know if I would go, so cold
This is on the top of my travel list. These photos are gorgeous, and there look like so many unique experiences there.
What a beautiful and amazing place!
I am nuts for saying this based on our cold icy weather right now………… BUT i would love to go to iceland. So many people are going there for holidays and they are showing up more and more in adventure books
I watched the Amazon race last night and the first place they visited was Iceland. But it must have been between may and october because it was so green and beautiful there.
Beautiful pictures and Iceland is on my bucket list!
Thanks for the beautiful pictures. They are all extraordinary.
Iceland is such a beautiful place, not sure about going there, can’t figure out how to keep from freezing to death
Iceland has such incredible natural beauty! I would love to see the Crystal Ice Caves and Diamond Beach.
Diamond Beach and the Blue Lagoon are gorgeous. I would love to see them in person!
I would love to go to the Blue Lagoon- it seems to be so lovely!
Iceland is one of my top places on my list to travel. Such beautiful pictures . Hope to go there sooner rather than later .
I think the caves would be really neat to see. My Aunt and Uncle have been to Iceland before and said it was beautiful. I would love to one day see it.
Iceland is truly beautiful. I especially love the pictures of the Crystal Ice Cave of Svínafellsjökull. I bet it is even prettier in real life.
This looks like a really interesting place to visit. The scenery is stunning!
Wow, I love the light in the photography of the lagoon and ice cave pictures. Beautiful places to visit while in Iceland!
I knew a few things on your list but not Diamond Beach. It sounds captivating.
How gorgeous! I’ve watched several blogs on Iceland and always thought it would be a neat place to travel to.
I live in Florida, and I would love to experience a cold and beautiful place like this. It looks peaceful.
Iceland sounds like a beautiful place to live. It looks so peaceful and relaxing. I will love to take a trip here. thank you for sharing this great article and pictures. God Bless
Wow… just, wow. I would love to travel to Iceland some day! I’ve taken a few visits to Europe, but never thought about trying to work Iceland into my itinerary. It would have been pretty hard to work out, especially since I was traveling solo and for a time, renting a car. But yes, definitely… there are so many reasons why Iceland is not to be overlooked. And let’s not forget about the music festivals! ….Oh my gosh! I just searched for ~ iceland music festivals ~ , and clicked on one link. I can’t believe how much there is on just this one page! (Hopefully you can see where I’ve pasted it, near my name.) Ms. Easter Babe, you’ve given me the travel bug– I mean, you’ve given me a new one! 🙂
would love to go to iceland. this and new zeland have always been my bucket list vacations
The Jökulsárlón and Ice caves would be the first thing I went to see in Iceland! I love to travel and have to go here one day.
This is number one on my bucket list. I hope someday.
I have never thought about going to Iceland. The pictures and descriptions of your article make me want to see it. I especially would love sitting in the Blue Lagoon.
I hope to see Iceland someday. This post helps me along that path.
I always wanted to visit Iceland but pictures like this always make me crave it more!!
The places look amazing, I would really like to go to the Blue Lagoon. It looks so beautiful & relaxing.
Iceland looks so very beautiful. I’ve never been there before.
Wow, what a gorgeous place! I would absolutely love to be able to visit here someday. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!
This is awesome. So much of Gods beauty. I have never thought of visiting there before. Now that I have seen these pictures this will be on my bucket list. Thank you so much for sharing this
I think a lot of people don’t realize how beautiful Iceland is. I can’t wait to travel there, and when I do, I will take this article to heart.
This is a place on my bucket list. Such a unique country.
Iceland is beautiful. I would love to visit all the natural beautiful sights. Check out the cuisine.