Iceland blew me away, completely and utterly!  Magical, alien and spiritual I often felt like I was in another world or on another planet.

Full of stupendous landscapes and incredible, crazy adventures I couldn’t get enough. So much so I’ve now visited this little island twice and spent around five and a half weeks exploring this beautiful country.

As a result I can totally understand why Iceland has gained in popularity and regularly features as a must-see travel destination.

So you might be wondering – what makes Iceland so special?

These are my nineteen reasons why Iceland will blow you away.

1. Waterfalls

Iceland is often called the Land of Fire and Ice because of it’s many active volcanoes and glaciers. But I think it could also easily be called the Land of Waterfalls.

Across the entire island that is Iceland there are so, so many waterfalls! And they’re all so different. And they’re all spectacular in their own right and take waterfall chasing to a whole another level.

The most famous waterfalls are easily Gulfoss, Skogafoss and Seljaldafoss (which you can walk behind!).

But I encourage you to explore further. Head to the north of Iceland for the gorgeous Godafoss (Waterfall of the Gods) which I fell for hard. Or Aldeyjarfoss with it’s dramatic basalt column setting. Or Dettifoss with it’s thunderous power created by the greatest volume of water of any waterfall in Europe.

Another option is to head to the Snaefellnes Peninsula to Kirkjufell.  With a beautiful casacde in the foreground of a uniquely shaped mountain making it one of Iceland’s most photographed locations.

In the remote and wild Westfjords is Dynjandi and in Iceland’s highland’s is the spectacular Haifoss.

For startling blue waters cascading over a short drop visit Burarfoss found on Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle. Or in contrast to this head to Europe’s largest national park, Vatnajokull,to Svartifoss set amongst a  dramatic black basalt amphitheatre.

Oh, and don’t forgot the random waterfalls you see from the side of the road!

2. Jokulsarlon Lagoon

Jokulsarlon Lagoon is so, so special.

Along the south coast of Iceland huge tongues of ice pour through gaps in mountains and at the base of one of these glaciers is Jokulsarlon Lagoon. Here icebergs calve off the glacier into the lagoon and drift towards the nearby beach.

The result? Huge chunks of glacial ice of all kinds of shapes and colours floating in a lagoon. Every day these natural sculptures change.

It is a truly mesmerising sight.

3. Diamond Beach

The icebergs of Jokulsarlon Lagoon eventually float towards the ocean and come to rest on the black sand beach that is known as Diamond Beach.

The contrast of black against crystal clear or brilliant blue ice is simply stunning.

I’ve visited this magical place multiple times and couldn’t get enough. Why? Because every visit is completely different. With different light and the icebergs numbers and shapes changing.

4. Black Sand Beaches

Iceland’s volcanic activity means that many of the landscapes are dominated by old lava flows. This includes the beaches! As a result most of Iceland’s beaches are either black sand or black pebbles.

They make for dramatic, beautiful places to visit.

Diamond Beach (above) is a great example of this. But the most famous, and popular, is Reynisfjara close to the southern town of Vik.

With impressive basalt columns, wild waves and sculpted-like seastacks nearby it’s easy to see why Reynisfjara was ranked as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world in 1991.

Another stunning black sand vista can be found nearby at Dyrhólaey. In one direction you look back towards Reynisfjara and in the other direction is a long sweeping black sand beach reaching far into the distance.

If you need more black sand beaches then head to Stokksnes, near Höfn. I loved the desolate feel of this place – a windswept peninsula full of black sand dunes beneath the seriously impressive Vestrahorn. 

6. Hot Springs

Soaking in Iceland’s heavenly hot springs is an experience you don’t want to miss! They are the perfect place to relax, unwind and soak up some wonderfully warm waters.

It’s also a true Icelandic tradition which locals indulge in regularly.

There are a ridiculous number of hot springs in Iceland. From a remote pool by a wild ocean, to small hot tubs, a hot river and the famous Blue Lagoon there is a hot spring experience for everyone!

7. Glaciers

Iceland hasn’t only been shaped by all the volcanic activity. Glaciers have carved out much of the landscape and they cover a huge 11% of the country!

In fact there are 269 named glaciers in Iceland, including Europe’s largest glacier,Vatnajökull.

Glaciers are a truly incredible sight to behold and in Iceland there are many places to get up close to these impressive natural formations. One of my favourites was Svínafellsjökull.

I also loved the glacier I hiked to nearby which I found by accident by turning too early for Svínafellsjökull – oops! The beautiful autumn colours together with the huge glacier tumbling down the mountains was so beautiful.

8. Ice Caves

Beneath the layers and layers of ice which form the glacier Vatnajokull is one of the most unique places in the world – the incredible ice caves of Iceland.

Within this frozen world are incredible ice caves of vaulted brilliant blue ice. The crystalline ice is full of sculpted patterns and ribbons of grey streak through from the moraine debris.

Being within the incredible ice caves of Iceland feels like you you’re in another world

The incredible ice caves of Iceland are only accessible in winter when the glacial ice remains stable enough for a safe visit.

I visited this other world with GoEcco on their Ice Cave Tour 

For nearby accommodation I recommend Skyrhúsid Guest House which has super cosy rooms or Hali Country Hotel for a more hotel feel, both are only ten minutes from Jokulsarlon.

9. Fairytale Canyons

Like something straight out of a fairytale is the canyon Fjaðrárgljúfur in the south of Iceland.

As a child I loved the idea of fairies living at the bottom of magical gardens and as a teenager I loved the other worlds from sci-fi/fantasy books. So I found the narrow canyon of dramatic sheer rocks ensconced in magical green moss completely bewitching.

Another Icelandic canyon also burrowed it’s way into my heart. As I drove along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula I noticed some strange looking mountains in the distance. As I drove closer those mountains revealed a small fissure that is Rauðfeldsgjá.

This magical location has a wonderful atmospheric feel to it. I think this was even more so because of the saga that accompanies how the canyon was formed.

10. Northern Lights

One of the most magical and incredible phenomena on the planet is the Aurora Borealis, know as the Northern Lights.

This colourful light display is caused by charged particles from the sun entering the earth’s atmosphere. Seen above the magnetic poles from anything to patches of light to arcs of light or curtin-like colours shifting and dancing across the sky. It really is something special to see.

Iceland is one of the best locations to see the northern lights. But you need luck on your side.

Not only do you need the phenomena to be taking place but you need cloud-free skies!

11. Myvtan

Myvatn is the epicentre of Iceland’s volcanic activity.

My favourite was easily the lava field at Dimmuborgir which means Dark Castles. Its easy to see why. Here the lava has formed strange, mystical formations that look like ruined castles and towers.

I arrived in the late afternoon not long before sunset and a quiet stillness pervaded. As a result it was very eerie walking amongst this fairytale like landscape and being Walking amongst these wonderful lava formations made me feel like I was in Lord of the Rings. I absolutely loved it!

A little further along the lake is the incredible Hverfell, a classic tephra ring. The sheer size of this crater has to be seen to be believed.

To see steaming vents and boiling mud head to Námafjall or Krafla which has multi-coloured craters.

12. The Westjords

Remote, wild and full of epic scenes the Westfjords are Iceland on a whole other level.

On my second trip to Iceland I spent four days driving through the Westfjords solo. It was huge adventure full of crazy mountain roads which were often unpaved and rough. But the views, the views were jaw-dropping.

I travelled during September when the autumn colours of the mountain heath contrasted with the metallic waters of the fjords and the steep-sided mountains which rose straight up from those fjords. Absolutely stunning!

13. Seyðisfjörður

In Iceland’s east fjords is Seyðisfjörður, one of Iceland’s most adorable and charming villages. This small village is a little isolated and can only be reached by crossing the Fjarðarheiði mountain pass (or by car ferry from Denmark).

Be prepared for a picturesque, winding road over and down the mountain. And know it is the mountain pass made famous by that skateboarding scene from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – one of my all time favourite movies!

Once you reach Seyðisfjörður you will find colourful timber homes clustered around the head of the fjord and waterfalls tumbling down the sides of the fjord.

Seyðisfjörður’s most photogenic location is the rainbow coloured crossing leading to a pretty little blue church, Bláa Kirkjan.

14.Þórsmörk

Yet another otherworldly place is Þórsmörk, a nature reserve found in Iceland’s highlands.

Þórsmörk is surrounded by the glaciers Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindfjallajökull, and seriously impressive mountains. It is also one of the few places in Iceland’s where there are forests.

As a result it is one of Iceland’s most popular hiking destinations. And that hiking is incredible!

When I visited Þórsmörk I stayed at Volcano Huts and arranged my transport via their website. I was very pleased I hadn’t attempted to reach Þórsmörk in my hired 4WD as the river crossings to get there are something else!

When I go back to Iceland this is a place I will explore a lot more as my one day was not at all close to enough.

15. Fimmvoduhals Trek

Seriously wow! This 23km trek links the famous Skogafoss Waterfall to Þórsmörk.

I visited in late September when it wasn’t safe to trek the whole way due to the weather. But I did trek the section known as Waterfall Way.

As you hike up past Skogafoss you pass waterfall after waterfall after waterfall. The waterfalls are nestled amongst moss covered canyons and are seriously stunning scenery.

As I walked I kept on being blown away by the beauty of this place!

I turned around when the it started to snow a little. But if the weather allows, or you’re hiking in summer, the trek takes you between two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, before descending into Godaland, the land of the Gods.

Finishing this trek is something I really want to do when I return to Iceland.

16. Reykjavík

Reykjavík is oh so quirky and seriously cool.

With plenty of colourful, cute houses and cosy cafes to an awesome nightlife this little city packs a punch.

For incredible views over the city be sure to head to Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavík’s huge modernist church. This church is a fascinating piece of architecture.

As is Reykjavík’s concert hall, Harpa. This is a glorious building of glass and beautiful light. Love it!!

Also keep a eye out for some awesome, colourful street art.

And whilst I’m a massive beach lover this cold, northern capital completely won be over immediately despite this miserable weather. I think that says it all.

17.Þingvellir

The historical and geological significance of Þingvellir National Park has seen this beautiful place listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Iceland is divided by the Mid-Atlantic Rift where the North American tectonic plate meets the Eurasian plate. The forces of which are so powerful you can physically see the different tectonic plates meeting at Þingvellir.

Amongst this dramatic setting the Vikings established the world’s first democratic parliament in AD930.

Today Þingvellir National Park is a favourite stop on the infamous Golden Circle and is beautiful place to learn about Iceland’s history.

18. The Snaefellnes Peninsula

The Snaefellnes Peninsula in Iceland’s west is often referred to as Iceland in miniature because of the many, many wonderful places to visit.

Along the south of the peninsula are wild coastlines with dramatic cliffs. The best examples of this can be found at Arnarstapi and

And in the north is Iceland’s most photographed mountain, Kirkjufell. This unusually shaped mountain with it’s small waterfall takes on a different mood depending on the time of the day and depending on the season.

Don’t miss the adorable little village of Stykisholmur or the pretty little Budir Church, or the church at Ingjaldshóll sitting beneath mountains.

19. The Trollaskagi Peninsula

Little visited and often-overlooked Trollaskkagi Peninsula in Iceland’s north is worth the detour. The road looping around this peninsula has beautiful coastal vistas, impressive mountains, and cute villages.

One of my favourite stops was Sundlaugin á Hofsósi. This is a stunning outdoor pool found at the small hamlet of Hofsós.

I stayed nearby at Lonkot Rural Resort. Once a farm it is now a cozy and peaceful place to stay right next to the Arctic Ocean. I adored my stay here.

 With views out over a fjord to steep sided mountains is Siglufjörður, my other highlight of the Trollaskagi Peninsula.

So there you have it – my 19 reasons why Iceland will blow you away!! Hopefully this gives some insight how magical Iceland stole my heart and even after two visits I still want to return. Yes, I’m obsessed!

With so many reasons why Iceland will blow you away what are you waiting for? I’d love to hear which of these 19 reasons you’re looking forward to experiencing when you visit Iceland – let me know in the comments!