A country · 218 places · 9 regions

Iceland, all of it.

218 curated places across 9 regions — photographed, mapped, and noted with the season each is best in.

Kirkjufell · via Wikimedia Commons

The 4 biggest regions — Southern Region, Northeastern Region, Eastern Region and Capital Region — read below as chapters, with 5 more waiting past them.

Chapter I · Southern Region · 73 places

Southern Region

A black-sand beach near Vík, Reynisfjara is defined by its towering basalt columns, the sea stacks of Reynisdrangar rising offshore, and the powerful surf of the North Atlantic. The columnar jointing in the cliffs forms natural stepped seating for photographers, and the contrast between jet-black sand and white foam is striking in overcast Icelandic light. Waves here are unpredictable and dangerous; visitors must stay well back from the waterline.

Reynisfjara

Southern Region, Iceland

✦ May–September · $

Seljalandsfoss

Southern Region, Iceland

✦ May–October · $

Skógafoss

Southern Region, Iceland

✦ May–September · $

All 73 places in Southern Region →

via Wikimedia Commons

Chapter II · Northeastern Region · 28 places

Northeastern Region

Lake Mývatn in northeast Iceland is a shallow body of water formed by prehistoric lava flows and encircled by pseudocraters, lava pillars, and volcanic craters. The lake hosts one of the largest breeding duck populations in Europe, and its geothermal zone — the Hverir and Námaskarð areas nearby — features boiling mud pools and sulphuric fumaroles. The Mývatn Nature Baths provide geothermal bathing in a less commercialised setting than the Blue Lagoon.

✦ May–September · $$

Meet Mývatn All 28 places in Northeastern Region →

Chapter III · Eastern Region · 23 places

Eastern Region

Stokksnes is a headland at the southeastern coast of Iceland where a broad black-sand beach sweeps toward the dramatic Vestrahorn mountain, its jagged peaks rising directly from the coastal plain. The mountain's multiple summits reflect in tidal pools along the beach during calm weather, and the scene is particularly striking in the saturated light of summer midnight or early morning. Access is via a small fee road managed by a local farm.

Stokksnes

Eastern Region, Iceland

✦ June–August · $

Seyðisfjörður

Eastern Region, Iceland

✦ June to September · $$

Borgarfjörður eystri

Eastern Region, Iceland

✦ June to August · $

All 23 places in Eastern Region →

via Wikimedia Commons

Chapter IV · Capital Region · 20 places

Capital Region

Reykjavik is the world's northernmost national capital, a compact city of colourful corrugated-iron houses clustered around a small harbour on the southwestern coast of Iceland. It serves as the gateway to most of the country's natural attractions while offering a lively cultural scene, geothermally heated outdoor pools, and numerous museums covering Icelandic history and Norse mythology. The city's low skyline gives unobstructed views of Mount Esja across the bay.

✦ year-round · $$

Meet Reykjavik All 20 places in Capital Region →