Iceland: Must Visit Places

Iceland is a beautiful country filled with lots to see. Read this post to get some recommendations for some amazing sights!

#1. Downtown Reykjavík

Reykjavík is the main metropolitan city and capital of Iceland. It consists of less than 200,000 people and has a vibrant downtown center. The area west of the canal is known as Vesturbær (West Town), while the eastern section was named Austurbær (East Town).

101 (Reykjavík) is the postal code that unifies the districts that make up the downtown area. Although the neighboring communities of codes 105 and 107 could be described as suburban, they are still easily accessible by foot from the centre and integrally connected to its culture and history.

The Laugavegur is a shopping street is where everything begins. Connecting seamlessly with other main streets like Bankastræti and Austurstræti, this route is a pathway of local culture that every visitor to Iceland has to walk at least once. There are many shops, restaurants, galleries, cafés, bars and homes, Laugavegur serves as the very artsy part of Reykjavík.

I stayed at the Reykjavík Loft HI Hostel while in Iceland. It was a comfortable, friendly and affrodable hostel with clean rooms, facilites and right in the middle of everything on Bankastræti.

#2. Hallgrímskirkja

This is the church pictured above and is one of the most visited places by tourists in Iceland. Admission to the church is free but admission to the tower costs a fee. However, the fee is well worth it as the views from the top of the city are breathtaking.

#3. Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík

AKA the Reykjavík Free Church pictured behind me in the photo above is another beautiful church to visit. If churches aren't your thing, just head down to the waterfront and take in the views of Lake Tjörnin.

#4. Black Sand Beach

This beautiful beach is located in Reynisfjara. It has black sands and the views are breathtaking. It is about a two hour drive from the capital or you can take a bus on a tour and get there in three. It is well worth the trip!

#5. The Abandoned DC Plane

Take a drive to Sólheimasandur to see the abandoned DC plane on the black beach in Southern Iceland. It is the wreckage from a plane crash that fortunately everyone survived. The scene is surreal and beautiful. Definitely worth the drive.

#6. Akureryi

I drove about 5 hours north to Akureryi which is where my friend, Loftur, from university lives. My friend and I went out to dinner with him then went out a partied and it was one of the best parts of the trip! It is another main city in Iceland and if you don't fancy a drive, there are several flights between Reykjavík and Akureryi daily! The drive is absolutely beautiful and you see so many different types of terrain and weather.

#7. The Blue Lagoon

We did the Blue Lagoon right on our last day a few hours before our flight. They suggest going when you first arrive or right before you leave (why? I don't know!). No matter when you go it is still a great way to relax. The Blue Lagoon is a man-made thermal lagoon so the water is hot. You can swim up to the bar located within the lagoon, put on a face mask that they provide or just hang out and take in the sights. The chemicals in the water, however, do dry out your hair so use lots of conditioner when you wash in the locker room! It is best to go in the morning in the first two hours of them opening or the last three hours. Anywhere in between is usually packed with people. Lastly, book online well in advance as they fill up quickly, especially during the summer months when there are a lot more tourists!

Quick Tip: Rent a car!! Renting a car is the most economical and best way to see Iceland, especially if you are planning on doing ring road, which is a road that circulates the whole of Iceland! But, renting a car gives you freedom to stop when you want, leave when you want to go off the beaten path!

Enjoy Iceland!