For us, the most beautiful spot was the Bruarfoss Waterfall. It wasn't because of the long hike we had to do, around 3 km each way (we only learned later that, since 2023, there is a parking lot almost at the foot of the waterfall), or because it was raining that day or even from the height of the waterfall, which is only 2-3 meters, but we loved it for its enormous amount of pure glacial water from the Langjokull glacier that comes together and creates a neon blue pool. The first and one-and-only time we have seen something like it. Our hotel said this was Iceland's Bluest Waterfall, and they were absolutely right! What made it even more special was that we were completely alone on our visit and felt very small in relation to the enormous watermass flowing. It definitely was one of the most magical experiences doing our Iceland trip. We recommend everyone to visit the waterfall during their vacation as it is conveniently located between Thingvellir National Park and Geysir. It's a small detour as the trailhead for the waterfall is only 5-10 minutes by car from the Golden Circle road.
Hands down, the best spot was Kerlingarfjoll, this wild geothermal mountain range in the highlands. It took nearly 4 hours on rough gravel roads to get there, and for half of it, I didn't see another car. That's kind of what made it great. Sulfur steam vents cut through bright orange hills, and patches of snow were still clinging to the slopes in July. It wasn't crowded, there were no selfie sticks in the way, and the whole place smelled like the earth was alive and irritated. We hiked for 3 hours and probably covered 8 kilometers, most of it through silence broken only by bubbling mud pots and the occasional wind gust that smelled like boiled eggs.
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The lava field outside Eldhraun felt like walking on another planet. I took one step and the moss bounced under me like memory foam. Dead silent. Miles of soft green carpet over black rock. I wandered off the trail--probably not allowed--and sat down without checking for snakes, which says a lot if you know Florida. I just sat there, legs out, hands behind me, staring into space. A fly landed on my knee and I let it. I wasn't cold. I wasn't hungry. I wasn't thinking about my inbox. That moment felt so still it almost scared me. Iceland didn't feel big. It felt empty in the best way. Like it left space for you to be nothing for a while.
One of the best spots in Iceland was the rooftop of the Edition Hotel in Reykjavik. After a long day exploring, standing there with a drink in hand, overlooking the city lights blending into the endless sky, was an experience in itself. The crisp Icelandic air, the faint glow of the Northern Lights on the horizon, and the buzz of Reykjavik below made it the perfect mix of luxury and raw nature. It wasn't just about the view--it was the feeling of being in a place where modern design meets untouched landscapes.
Most visitors to Iceland hear about Grjotagja Cave, a small lava cave with a hot spring inside. But few know that locals have secret entrances to similar caves nearby, untouched by tourists. A guide in Myvatn pointed me to a hidden lava tunnel with its own steaming blue pool, completely secluded. Unlike Grjotagja (which is too hot for bathing), this one was perfectly warm, with steam rising through cracks in the rock. The best part? I had it all to myself.
My personal favorite location in all of Iceland remains Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. I felt like I was on another planet, drifting through the lagoon while massive blue icebergs floated beside me, seals swimming through the water and the Vatnajokull glacier standing tall in the background. The calm water was still in contrast to the melting ice, and the eerie peace around the lagoon felt astonishing. Just across the road sits Diamond Beach, where the ice chunks float on the black sand, glistening like jewels. It's one of those places that look so beautiful in person unlike the photos taken of the place.
For me, the best spot in Iceland was Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Standing on the edge of that huge lagoon, watching those giant icebergs float across the water, is unreal. I couldn't stop looking. The blues and whites in the ice are so wild. I took a boat ride right up close, and seeing seals pop up out of the water was crazy cool. Sometimes you hear this deep, rumbling sound from Breidamerkurjokull, the glacier off in the distance. It's from the ice shifting and breaking off, with chunks crashing into the lagoon to join the rest. It's like nature's own show, and it's awesome every second!
Waterfalls Iceland has a lot of really nice scenic locations, but Skogafoss takes the cake for being one of the most beautiful places in the country. For those who don't know, Skogafoss is an Icelandic waterfall located near the southern coast. I recommend it for 2 reasons. The first is that Skogafoss is in itself a very pretty waterfall, alongside the fact that when you visit during the daytime, hopefully under sunny conditions, it reflects a nice rainbow, and if you're lucky, the rainbow splits in two. The second reason has less to do with the waterfall itself, but more so with the fact that everything leading after is just as pretty. Skogafoss itself is the start of the Skogafoss hike trail, which leads you down a very lush green landscape littered with more waterfalls along the way. It's a very soothing experience, and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Iceland.
Hvitserkur was the one spot that really stayed with me. It is this jagged rock formation, about 15 meters tall, that rises out of the ocean like something out of a dream. People call it the "dragon rock," and when the light hits it at the right angle, you can kind of see why. It is out of the way, quiet, not surrounded by tour buses or food trucks. I got there around 7:00 in the morning and stood barefoot in freezing sand for almost half an hour just listening to the water. That moment gave me the exact kind of silence I never find in the middle of business and parenting. The drive there was full of those odd, wind-whipped turns that feel like you might be on the wrong road. At one point I had to stop for sheep blocking the road, which honestly felt like part of the experience. I brought back a small rock from that beach and keep it on my desk. Whenever I feel like I am forcing too many things at once, I look at it and remind myself--sometimes you need to stand still and do nothing at all. That trip helped me recalibrate my pace, and it shows up in how I lead now.
Stokksnes. We spent the morning hiking to Svartifoss and to the viewpoint overlooking the glacier, then hiked to Mulagljufur Canyon (2nd highlight) so were tired as hell. We decided to keep going to Stokksnes because we didn't want to miss it. Got there late. Only a handful of other people. Just me and my 2 siblings. Insane scene. And happened to get this picture of my bro before we left. Miss Iceland so damn much!!!