Iceland is renowned for its stunning natural beauty. From glistening glaciers and crystal blue lagoons to black sand beaches and moss-covered lava fields, there is so much to discover on a luxury trip to Iceland. But with so many amazing places to see, from the country’s iconic national parks to over 130 protected areas, deciding where to go can seem like an almost impossible choice.
At Hidden Iceland, our travel experts are here to guide the way. Their in-depth knowledge of the country means they know the very best places to visit, no matter your travel preferences. Whether you are keen to traverse glaciers and ice caves or hike across sea cliffs and coastal paths, here is our rundown of the best of Iceland’s national parks and protected areas, where you will see the country at its most raw and beautiful.
How Many National Parks Are There in Iceland?
For a land of such breathtaking beauty and unspoilt nature, you may be surprised to learn that Iceland has only three national parks. Each one boasts its own unique charm, and all are sure to captivate you the moment you lay eyes on their sweeping vistas and awe-inspiring landscapes. But this is only the beginning of what Iceland has to offer.
Beyond the parks lie a plethora of other natural wonders, including over 130 nature reserves and areas of outstanding beauty. Emerald green canyons, volcanic red hills, thundering waterfalls and secret hot springs are all to be found across this wondrous land. You just have to know where to look.
Let’s begin with Iceland’s national parks.
Vatnajökull National Park
The largest of Iceland’s national parks, covering a staggering 14% of the country, this UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famed for being home to Europe’s largest glacier, from which the park gets its name. With a diverse array of landscapes to explore, including mountain ridges, glacier lakes, ice caves, and volcanoes, it is the true embodiment of the land of fire and ice.
This park has no shortage of adventures to be experienced, from boat trips across the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, to exploring the park’s intricate ice caves and epic waterfalls. No adventure trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to this spectacular region.
You can experience Vatnajökull’s stunning landscapes on many of our private luxury tours that journey along the South Coast or around the full Ring Road.
For the ultimate adventure, we recommend our Iceland Must-See 6-Day Private Tour, which includes glacier hikes, lagoon boat rides, and breathtaking stops throughout the national park and the south coast.
Thingvellir National Park
Just 45 minutes from Reykjavík, in South West Iceland, lies Thingvellir National Park, another of Iceland’s World Heritage Sites. Here is where awe-inspiring nature and rich history collide. Sitting in a rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, the park is a place of great geological significance and outstanding beauty. Walk through the mighty Almannagjá gorge, which marks the divide between the two plates, as they slowly drift apart.
Activities here include hiking, horse riding, and exploring Lake Þingvallavatn, the largest lake in Iceland. For those seeking an underwater adventure, diving beneath the crystalline waters of the Silfra fissure is an absolute must. This underwater canyon gives you the unique opportunity to swim between the two continental plates as part of a diving or snorkeling trip.
Thingvellir features on all of our private Golden Circle tours, as well as many of our longer multi-day adventures. A perfect example is our Family-Friendly Five-Day Private Tour, where you can explore the park’s natural wonders up close.
Snæfellsjökull National Park
The main highlight of Snæfellsjökull National Park is the park’s eponymous glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano. But that’s just where the magic begins. The surrounding landscape feels just as ethereal, with windswept lava fields, black-pebbled beaches, and steep cliffs that drop dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean.
As you explore this Icelandic national park, you will be treated to the sight of towering basalt cliffs at Lóndrangar and the incredible Djúpalónssandur beach, with its imposing cliffs, and glistening black lava pearl pebbles, strewn across its shores. This park is rich in folklore and a must-visit for those looking for an otherworldly experience.
You can experience the magic of Snæfellsjökull National Park on many of our bespoke tours, including our dedicated Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour,
Iceland’s Nature Reserves and Protected Areas
Apart from these three spectacular Iceland national parks, there are many other areas of outstanding beauty that are not to be missed on a luxury trip to Iceland. Whether you are an avid hiker, bird watcher, or nature enthusiast, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Látrabjarg
Standing at over 440 metres high and 14 km long, Látrabjarg is the largest sea cliff in Iceland and the westernmost point of Europe. The stunning cliffs are a haven for seabirds, most famously puffins, who nest along the grassy edges, allowing for incredibly close encounters and amazing photo opportunities.
Other bird species you can expect to find here include northern gannets, guillemots, and razorbills. The beautiful coastal landscape and birdwatching opportunities make it one of the most popular places to visit in the ruggedly remote Westfjords.
Visit Látrabjarg as part of our many Westfjord Tours, where coastal adventures await.
Lake Mývatn & Skútustaðagígar
Formed by a volcanic eruption over 2,000 years ago, Lake Mývatn is a place of raw natural wonder. Here in Iceland’s north, you will be surrounded by lush wetlands, steaming geothermal fields, bubbling mud pots, and the ancient pseudocraters of Skútustaðagígar. It’s also one of Iceland’s top birdwatching areas, home to a wide variety of different species.
After a day exploring the surreal craters and lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the sulphuric vents of Hverir, don’t forget to visit the nearby Mývatn Nature Baths. Take a long, luxurious soak in its geothermal waters, in a similar style to the famous Blue Lagoon, but with far fewer crowds.
You can explore Lake Mývatn and the surrounding Dimmuborgir lava fields on our Private Grand Circle Ring Road Tour, one of the best ways to experience the full breadth of Iceland’s scenery.
Rauðhólar
Just a stone’s throw from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, is the striking red hills of Rauðhólar, which offer a unique glimpse into Iceland’s volcanic past. Their deep red hues and unique formations were created when lava flowed over a wetland, causing explosive steam eruptions that resulted in the creation of pseudocraters.
It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a horseback riding adventure, like our Sólhestar Horseback Riding Tour from Reykjavík, where you can traverse the striking red volcanic landscape in a truly unique way. Here you take in nature and bask in Iceland’s rugged beauty, all of which lies just beyond the city limits. Alternatively, take a step underground to see the red lava rocks shimmer in the areas many lava tunnels.
Hornstrandir
Accessible only by boat or multi-day trek, this nature reserve in the remote Westfjords is Iceland’s wild frontier. It’s one of the best places to spot Arctic foxes and feel the thrill of total isolation under the shadow of the region’s dramatic landscapes.
With no roads, no settlements, and no distractions, it’s just you and the wilderness. Its remoteness is what makes it the ideal place to visit for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Its soaring cliffs and endless hiking routes are the perfect place for those looking for complete immersion in nature.
Add an unforgettable day in Hornstrandir to your Wild Westfjords Four-Day Tour for a true adventure into Iceland’s wildest frontier.
Dyrhólaey
If you are looking for breathtaking views, black sand beaches, and rolling sea cliffs, then look no further than Dyrhólaey, a dramatic coastal viewpoint over 120m high. Overlooking Reynisfjara’s black sand beach, Dyrhólaey is beloved by visitors for its iconic sea arch and nesting puffins.
Many visitors come in summer to watch these adorable birds make their home across the cliff face. The views from the cliffs are some of the most cinematic in the entire country, with breathtaking vistas in every direction.
You can experience this extraordinary scenery as part of our Iceland 6-Day Summer Private Tour, which captures the very best of Iceland’s South Coast.
Fjaðrárgljúfur
This serpentine, 100-metre-deep canyon was carved by glacial meltwaters over millennia and now serves as one of Iceland’s most photogenic locations. Located in South Iceland, its moss-covered walls and winding paths made from the Fjaðrá river stretch for 2km.
It’s a true fairy-tale setting best explored on foot. Take in the astonishing surroundings on an adventure hike as you make your way up to the many viewing platforms to get a better look at the cascading Mögáfoss Waterfall and picturesque greenery that give this place its mystical atmosphere.
You can visit the breathtaking Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon as part of our Essential South Iceland 3-Day Private Tour, when the river views are at their most stunning and conditions are perfect for exploring.
Ingólfshöfði
Located in Iceland’s South East, this nature reserve is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The remote cape of Ingólfshöfði is accessible at low tide via a guided tractor tour. The crossing to the promontory takes around 30 minutes, during which you travel 6km across Iceland’s remote countryside, made up of luscious greenland and a black sand lagoon.
Once there, you will be treated to outstanding coastal views and thousands of nesting puffins. The reserve is also home to the largest colony of great skuas in all of Iceland. Hike around the cape, take in the views, and watch the teeming birdlife before hitching your tractor ride back inland.
Visit Ingólfshöfði as part of our UNESCO World Heritage Sites 4-Day Private Tour, an unforgettable add-on ideal for families and bird lovers alike.
Whether you want to explore these places on a thrilling day tour or as part of an epic multi-day itinerary, they can all be incorporated into a private Iceland luxury tour made just for you.
If you want to create your own extraordinary nature trip to Iceland’s national parks and nature reserves, then contact us by calling +354-770-5733 or emailing us at info@hiddeniceland.is and start curating your once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Explore some of our examples itineraries here:
