Best viewpoints in Iceland

Iceland's Top Viewpoints

Iceland's landscape offers diverse vantage points across its volcanic terrain and coastal fringes. This selection includes the 198-meter Glymur waterfall, the powerful Dettifoss in Vatnajökull National Park, and the westernmost point of Europe at Látrabjarg Cliffs. Visitors can observe seal colonies at Illugastaðir, the teal waters of Viti crater, and the moss-covered Skaftáreldahraun lava fields. Coastal formations like the basalt arch of Gatklettur and the rhinoceros-shaped Hvítserkur stack highlight the island's unique geological erosion.

Iceland's Top Viewpoints — Map

Jerzystrzelecki / CC BY 3.0

A

Skogafoss

Spectacular waterfall approximately 60 meters high and 25 meters wide, featuring powerful cascades that often produce rainbows and panoramic views from the top.

Jabbi / Public domain

B

Glymur

A 198-meter tall waterfall featuring a scenic hiking trail with views of fjords, mountains, and a canyon.

Zairon / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Dettifoss

A waterfall with a height of 44 meters and width of 100 meters, known for its powerful water flow and scenic natural surroundings.

McKay Savage / CC BY 2.0

D

Öxarárfoss

Öxarárfoss is a waterfall in Þingvellir National Park, Iceland. It flows from the river Öxará over the Almannagjá.

G8w / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Háifoss

With the height of 122 meters, Háifoss is the third highest waterfall in Iceland.

Tomasz Wisła / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Gatklettur

A natural basalt rock arch located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula near Arnarstapi. Sculpted by marine erosion, the formation features circular apertures and intricate textures created by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Megan McCormick / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Látrabjarg Cliffs

Látrabjarg is a promontory in the Westfjords of Iceland, and the westernmost point in Iceland.

Ragnachar / CC BY-SA 3.0 de

H

Illugastaðir

Popular seal-watching destination. There is a series of hiking paths that will lead you straight to the shore.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

I

Hvítserkur

A 15-meter-high basalt sea stack situated on the Vatnsnes Peninsula. The formation resembles a drinking dragon or elephant and serves as a nesting site for various seabirds.

Ralph Wein / CC-BY-SA

J

Krafla-Viti Crater

An explosion crater formed in 1724 during the Mývatn Fires eruption. It contains a permanent geothermal lake characterized by its deep turquoise color and is situated within the active Krafla volcanic system.

Zairon / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

BARNAFOSS

Barnafoss, also known as Bjarnafoss, is a waterfall in Western Iceland on the river Hvítá in Borgarfjörður, about 100 kilometres from…

Hansueli Krapf / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Vesturhorn

A 454-meter-tall mountain on the Stokksnes Peninsula composed of iron-rich gabbro rock. The site is noted for its sharp peaks, surrounding black sand dunes, and reflective tidal lagoons.

Benoit Peccoux / CC-BY-SA

M

Sjónarnípa

A prominent viewpoint within Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. It provides an elevated perspective over the Skaftafellsjökull glacier tongue and the vast glacial outwash plains of Skeiðarársandur.

Silvia D Gtz / CC-BY-SA

N

Skaftáreldahraun

An expansive lava field created during the Laki volcanic eruption of 1783. The jagged basalt terrain is now almost entirely covered by a thick, protected layer of green woolly fringe moss.

O

Kirkjufell

A 463-meter-high mountain on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Its distinct, symmetrical shape was carved by glaciers, making it a landmark of the Grundarfjörður area.

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