Iceland is a gorgeous, mountainous, island nation that is known for its volcanoes, waterfalls, and glaciers. 

The land that makes up Iceland was the last part of Europe to be settled. Norse settlers were able to easily take Iceland because the area had so few people. Much of the inhabited land is on the coasts of Iceland, with more than 50% of the population living in or near the capital city of Reykjavik.

Based on its parliamentary constituencies, the country is divided into eight regions. Each region has something special to offer visitors. Because the country is easy to navigate as a self-driving experience, you might consider visiting some of the following highlights from each region for your summer vacation to Iceland. You can also take advantage of their midnight sun to enjoy the natural wonders, history, traditions, and culture that still run deep with Icelanders! You will also likely notice the Viking influence in most things as well as how the Icelandic language has changed very little over the centuries.

Capital Region

Located in southwestern Iceland, this region includes the capital city, Reykjavik. In winter and summer shoulder months, one of the most enticing things to experience in Iceland is the Northern Lights which you can observe from the Grótta Nature Reserve on the tip of the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. You can also visit Althing, the world’s oldest and longest-running parliament, created in 930 AD. Fun fact: Leif Ericson who was born in Iceland around 970AD is thought to be the first European to land in North America, nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus! You can visit Leif Ericson’s statue in the city center of Reykjavík. This statue was a gift from the United States to Iceland to commemorate the 1,000-year anniversary of Alþingi, the parliament of Iceland.

Southern Peninsula

Part of Reykjanes Peninsula, this area is home to the Blue Lagoon, a famous luxury spa and hot spring. The Reykjanes Peninsula is also home to a volcano that erupted in March 2021 after lying dormant for about 6,000 years. Another thing worth experiencing in this region is the Bridge Between Continents. As it sounds, you can walk from Europe to North America where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. 

Western Region

This west coast region is unique with its diverse ecosystem. It has waterfalls and volcanoes, flora, and wildlife. Here you will find the highest waterfall, Glymur. After visiting Glymur, you should next enjoy a Krauma geothermal bath at the powerful hot spring, Deildartunguhver. Next make sure to stop and visit the oldest lava tube cave, Vatnshellir. 

Westfjords

In Northwest Iceland, the Westfjords are the second most remote area because they are not accessible right off of the main Ring Road. In this region, you can see the Drangajökull Glacier and visit Látrabjarg, one of the biggest bird cliffs in the country. Látrabjarg is where the puffins are very tame and not intimidated by visitors. You can also find Raudisandur in this area which is a unique red sand beach.

Northern Region

This region is most known for the Diamond Circle, a sightseeing driving route with five key stops. Follow the route clockwise to see Goðafoss Waterfall, also known as the Waterfall of the Gods. The next stop is Húsavík, the oldest settlement in Iceland, also considered the Whale Capital of Iceland. This area boasts 23 different whale species, so it is the premier place for whale watching! The third site is Ásbyrgi Canyon, a natural wonder and a crescent-shaped canyon, that you can hike to see. Ásbyrgi Canyon is part of the Vatnajökull National Park. Also in Vatnajökull National Park is the fourth stop, Dettifoss Waterfall. You can hike along a canyon trail from Ásbyrgi to Dettifoss. This is a must-do hike to ensure you can take in the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe, the Dettifoss Waterfall, with water flowing at a rate of 500 cubic meters of water per second. Lastly, finish up your time on the Diamond Circle at Lake Mývatn, a shallow lake near Krafla, a volcanic caldera surrounded by wetlands. This area is also rich in freshwater seaweed and is home to abundant birdlife, specifically a very large variety of ducks during the summer.

Eastern Region

The Eastern Region, also known as Austurland, is made up of waterfalls, mountains, narrow fjords, and small villages. The primary experience in this area is to explore the Ring of Riverdale which is designed around the Largarfljot Lake and starts in the main village of Egilsstaðir. Be sure to allow time for a visit to Vök Baths, one of the premier geothermal spas in Iceland. Also in this region, you can visit Hallormsstaðaskógur, Iceland’s largest forest. Next take a hike up to Hengifoss, the country’s second largest waterfall. Other noteworthy things to see in this area are the Tvísöngur sculpture in Seyðisfjörður by Lukas Kühne. This sculpture is a combination of concrete, nature, and sound which represents Iceland’s five-tone harmony.

Highlands Region

Despite being a completely uninhabited region, there is so much beauty to behold in this area that is most accessible during the summer months. Landmannalaugar Nature Reserve has premier hikes that show off its colors and beautiful sites like the Ljótipollur Explosion Crater Lake and Bláhnúkur Volcano. This region is home to Helka, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and many glaciers like Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Tindafjallajökull. The Vatnajökull National Park can also be assessed in this region. Did you know that the Vatnajökull National Park is Europe’s second-largest national park? The Vatnajökull National Park was established in 2008 around the Vatnajökull glacier and geothermal activity. Vatnajökull is also Europe’s largest glacier. This makes it a must-stop on your tour! 

Southern Region

This region is best known for the Golden Circle sightseeing route with three natural attractions - the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Great Geysir is inactive now, but you can also visit its sister geyser called Strokkur, or the Churn, which erupts about every 10 minutes. The second site, the Gullfoss Waterfall, is both powerful and beautiful when rainbows float up from the water. Third, is the Thingvellir which is a shrine to the history of Iceland as it was where their Parliament began. This region is also known for the beautiful Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.

So, grab some local snacks, like skyr (soft cheese) and a few bottles of water, and head out on an epic road trip around Ring Road to the different Iceland regions. You won’t be disappointed by the natural wonders you will see and experience along the way.

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