Places of interest

Sights in Iceland

Iceland is a sought-after destination, especially in the summer months. And the best way to explore the scenic beauty of the volcanic island is by hire car.

A popular travel route is the so-called “Golden Ring”. Starting from the capital Reykjavík, you can visit many of the sights within a day. Along the Golden Ring are the former Thing site Þingvellir in the national park of the same name and the geothermal area Haukadalur with the Great Geyser, the Geyser Strokkur and the thermal spring Blesi. Reykjavík itself is considered the cultural, social and political centre of the country.

Top 5 – the most important sights

The Thing Site of Þingvellir

About 40 km east of Reykjavík is the site of Þingvellir. It was here that the Alþing legislative assembly was held between 930 and 1798. This is one of the oldest parliaments in the world, after the parliaments in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.

At this historic site, the Republic of Iceland was proclaimed on June 17, 1944.

Geysers in the Haukadalur geothermal area

One of the country’s greatest attractions are the geysers. The high-temperature Haukadalur area at the foot of Mount Laugarfjall has a large number of these hot springs.

The most famous geysers include the Great Geyser, which erupts irregularly, and the Strokkur Geyser, whose hot water fountains shoot up every ten minutes. In addition, the Haukadalur area is home to a number of smaller hot springs, such as Blesi, which contains diatomaceous earth and is therefore very blue.

National Museum in Reykjavík

You can immerse yourself in Icelandic history at the National Museum in Reykjavík. Among other things, jewellery, weapons and works of art from Icelandic culture are on display here. Particularly worth seeing are the bronze statue of the god Þór, a silver Thorshammer (Þórshamar) and the church door from Valþjófsstaður, decorated with rich carvings. The history of Iceland is presented with display panels and using the latest computer technology.

Hallgrímskikja – a modern church

One of Iceland’s tallest buildings is Hallgrímskikja Church, which is considered one of Reykjavík’s landmarks with its modern architecture and striking spire.

From the top of the tower of the structure, you can enjoy a wonderful view over the city. The interior of the church is very bright and cites Gothic style elements. The church was named after the poet and Lutheran pastor Hallgrímur Pétursson.

Whale watching in Húsavík

With its special location on Skjálfandi Bay, Húsavík in northeastern Iceland is a popular starting point for whale watching. Between May and September, you can head out to sea on converted fishing boats and have a high chance of spotting a variety of whale species, including minke whales, harbour porpoises and humpbacks. If you are lucky, you might even spot a large blue whale or whales accompanied by dolphins. For those who want to learn more about the animals, the whale museum in Húsavík is recommended.

The special tip:

Laufás – 19th-century peat homestead

If you want to get an idea of how the inhabitants of Iceland lived in earlier centuries, the best place to visit is Laufás, a 19th-century peat homestead. This particular form of house construction goes back to a lack of wood. The gables and roof trusses are made of wood, but otherwise the houses are mainly built of stone and sod. In Laufás, the houses have been restored and are now open to the public as a museum. Nearby is a lovely café where you can enjoy Icelandic baked goods.