Iceland is famous for its stunning landscapes, amazing geothermal hot springs, and majestic waterfalls but it also has many beautiful hidden gems to explore.
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Iceland is a country that is technically part of Europe and is nestled between North America and Europe and between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Iceland is renowned for its one-of-a-kind dramatic landscape, beautiful volcanoes, unique geysers, world-famous hot springs, and lava fields.
In this post, you will learn about some of the best-hidden gems in Iceland, secret spots in Iceland, Iceland hidden attractions, Iceland off-the-beaten-path destinations, best-undiscovered places in Iceland, Iceland’s secret destinations, Iceland travel secrets, hidden landscapes in Iceland, and more.
Some of the wonderful hidden gems in Iceland include Gjain the hidden valley of waterfalls, Husavik the whale-watching capital, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Hraunfossar the lava waterfalls, and Landmannalaugar the colorful highlands, just to name a few.
This post is all about the best-hidden gems in Iceland.
One of the first hidden gems in Iceland is Gjain. Gjain is a secluded valley that is filled with beautiful cascading waterfalls, lava formations, and the most stunning greenery. This lush oasis has many waterfalls and streams that make it so peaceful with the sounds of the water trickling around. The crystal clear streams connect the waterfalls and make for a perfect picturesque landscape. There are also many hiking trails that take you all over the area. The lush greenery is filled with plants and wildflowers that add color to the background and the scenery. Also close to Gjain, you can find the ruins of Stong which is an ancient Viking lighthouse. One of the best Iceland nature spots.
Husavik is another great Iceland hidden treasure. It is a cute little town in Northern Iceland that is known as the whale-watching capital. The charming town has great marine life and activities, lots of rich history, a unique culture, and picturesque landscapes. The marine life here is very diverse and the bay has many humpback whales, blue whales, orcas, and more. The area also has a great success rate of seeing whales in the area since there are so many. There are also tours to take that last about 3 hours and you can see some magnificent creatures. There is also the Husavik Whale Museum in town, the Husavik Church, Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths, an Exploration Museum, and more.
Vestmannaeyjar is a group of islands and an archipelago located just off Iceland’s south coast. The islands have dramatic landscapes, majestic wildlife, and great history. Other things you can enjoy here are the Eldheimar Museum, the Heimaklettur which is a towering cliff that has hiking trails and spectacular views of the ocean, and the Wesman Islands History Museum. This is definitely one of the hidden gems in Iceland that is waiting to be explored.
The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is located remotely in the Westfjords Islands of Iceland. The one-of-a-kind wilderness area is accessible only by boat which makes it Iceland’s most undisturbed region. The Nature Reserve covers about 600 square kilometers of rugged terrain, cliffs, and beautiful valleys. It is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Iceland where wildlife thrives. This is also a great area to see Arctic foxes in their natural habitat. There are many things to do here including hiking, camping, birdwatching, and more.
Aldeyjarfoss is a stunning waterfall that is hidden away so not many tourists know about it. The amazing hidden gem consists of basalt columns and a cascade, which offer a unique experience. The Aldeyjarfoss is super unique because the basalt columns are a result of volcanic activity where the formations were created and that offers stunning views of the cascading water. This is a great area to get some amazing pictures that you won’t get anywhere else.
Another great Icelandic natural wonder is Kvernufoss. Kvernufoss is a secluded waterfall that offers a serene escape from the bustling crowds. The waterfall is accessed by a hike through a canyon that many tourists don’t know about. You can also walk behind the cascading water and get some cool pictures here too. Definitely a unique experience.
Another one of Iceland’s secret destinations is Borgarfjordur Eystri. Borgarfjordur Eystri is a cute little village that is famous for its stunning landscapes, vibrant wildlife, and more. This is a great area to enjoy some outdoor adventures. The area is famous for its breathtaking scenery, rugged mountains, lush valleys, beautiful coastlines, and more. Explore the Dyrfjoll Mountain range, the Storurd boulders that are surrounded by plant life and beautiful ponds, the Hafnarholmi Puffin Colony, and much more. Relax, and do some hiking, birdwatching, and fishing while here.
Vik I Myrdal is another charming little village that is located off the south coast of Iceland. Famous for its black sand beaches and unique geological rock formations. The village has stunning natural beauty and is definitely one of the great hidden gems in Iceland. The iconic black sand beach Reynisfjara Beach has high waves and touring basalt columns that have a majestic look to them. Great place for photographers to get pictures of the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks, the Myrdalsjokull Glacier, and more. There are many activities to do here including hiking, ice climbing, horseback riding, and more.
Siglufjotdur is a picturesque fishing town that has lots of history, a beautiful landscape, and a vibrant cultural scene. The Herring Era Museum is where you can find all the history of the historic town. This is also Iceland’s largest maritime museum. Siglufjotdur was once the herring capital of the world, and in the museum, you can see old exhibits, photographs, and restored fishing boats. In this area, you can enjoy many adventures like hiking trails, walking trails, skiing, snowboarding, whale watching, bird watching, fishing, and more. The town is super charming and has colorful buildings, local festivals, and many other attractions to appreciate as well.
Asbyrgi Canyon is located in the northern part of Iceland and within the Vatnajokull National Park. The canyon has a horseshoe shape and is a great natural wonder. The horseshoe shape is approximately 3 and a half kilometers in length, with cliffs creating a unique landscape. At the base of the canyon, there is a pond, the Botnstjorn Pond and it is surrounded by beautiful lush vegetation and offers great views of the canyon and cliffs above. Asbyrgi Canyon is a green oasis with birch and willow forests, lots of birdlife, beautiful hiking trails, great camping spots, horseback riding, and more.
Another one of the great hidden gems in Iceland is Kerlingarfjoll. This is a beautiful mountain range that is located in Iceland and is famous for its geothermal activity, beautiful mountains, and stunning landscapes. The Rhyolite Mountains range in color making the landscape beautiful to look at, they are like this due to volcanic activity and they are rich in minerals. The geothermal activity is a unique feature with steaming vents and hot springs throughout the region. Here, you can enjoy regular hiking, summit hiking, hot spring bathing, snowshoeing, skiing, and much more.
Hraunfossar the Lava Falls, is a series of picturesque waterfalls. This is not a typical waterfall as the water emerges from beneath a lava field. This amazing natural wonder is a must-see when in Iceland. Lava fields were formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, and the water flowing under the lava is what makes the waterfalls. The water in this area is very clear and goes around rock formations making a beautiful water effect.
Dynjandi is referred to as the “Jewel of the Westfjords“. This is one of Iceland’s most magnificent waterfalls. It is a series of waterfalls cascading down and resembles a bridal veil. This collection of seven waterfalls starts with the main waterfall Dynjandi which is the largest then cascades below into the smaller ones called Haifoss, Udafoss, Gongumannafos, Hundafoss, Strokkur, and Baejarfoss. Each is unique and beautiful. Enjoy panoramic views of the area from the top of the falls and enjoy some great hikes in this area as well.
Landmannalaugar is a geothermal wonderland and is famous for its colorful and vibrant Rhyolite Mountains, and hot springs. There are great hiking trails in the area including the Laugavegur Trail, the Brennisteinsalda Loop, the Blahnjukur Trail, and more. Also enjoy the Storihver Hot Springs, the Graenagil Hot Spring, camping, and other unique activities.
This island oasis of Flatey Island offers a peaceful retreat for visitors who are looking to escape the busy tourist attractions. It is named Flatey Island because it is flat compared to most of Iceland. It does have hills, wildflowers, and stunning panoramic views of the mountains. Flatey also has a rich cultural history that dates back to the medieval period. Great place to enjoy some whale watching as well.
Grjotagja is a hidden thermal cave that is located in the landscapes of northeastern Iceland. The natural geothermal wonder has spectacular crystal-clear waters and beautiful surroundings. The cave formation is due to volcanic activity and it is a perfect cave-like room for the thermal waters below. The geothermal springs area is perfect temperature year round and makes it comfortable and perfect for bathing. Grjotagja gained attraction after being featured in “Game of Thrones“, a popular international television show.
Askja Caldera is located in Iceland’s Highlands, and it is a beautiful landscape with volcanic activity and unique crater lakes. This takes you back to Iceland’s fiery past and shows how nature shaped Iceland’s unique landscape and terrain. The Caldera Formation was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions that occurred in 1875. Now, Askja is the central crater that is surrounded by many smaller craters and other lava fields. The Viti Crater that is inside Caldera is a geothermal crater that has beautiful emerald-green water and is absolutely stunning. A beautiful unique place to visit in Iceland.
Iceland has many places to stay and one of the best is the Blue Hotel Fagrilundur – On The Golden Circle. This hotel is located in Reykholt and is a short driving distance to the Geysir and from Gullfoss Waterfall. Great comfortable rooms with breakfast included and located in a beautiful area with a stunning view. Also has a hot tub that also has fantastic views of the surroundings.
Another great place to stay in Iceland is Hotel Hafnarfjall. The hotel is close to Borgarfjordur and about an hour’s drive from Reykjavik. Each of the rooms has a window on the slope of the roof offering stunning views of the mountains nearby. There are lots of activities located in this area like fishing and hiking.
A great unique place to stay in Iceland is Golden Circle Domes – Glamping Experience. This is truly a unique experience and a must for all the adventurous people out there. This accommodation has almost. 360-degree mountain views and views of the Northern Lights at night as well, making this a one-of-a-kind experience. The property has gardens, concierge service, a minimarket, tours for guests, a fireplace, a seating area, an on-site restaurant, and stunning luxury glamping tents.
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