Skip to content

Or try searching by Category and/or Location

Discover sites of global importance

Did you know that no less than four areas in South Iceland have been designated as UNESCO areas? That‘s right; we have a UNESCO Global Geopark and three UNESCO World Heritage sites, covering almost 25% of Iceland’s area! Encounter these destinations, and you will quickly see why they are worthy of protection. 


How to visit

 


You can easily see jaw-dropping scenery within a five-minute walk from the car park. Our advice, however, is to take your time and explore further. The visitor centers are always a good first stop, where you get a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destination. From there, you can go for a refreshing hike, relax in the peaceful natural surroundings, or experience a thrilling outdoor activity.

Plan your visit: Outdoor activities | Culture and heritage | Sustainable travel

Where to go


Þingvellir national park

Þingvellir national park is just famous for both its historical and geological significance. It is arguably Iceland‘s most historic site, as the world‘s oldest existing parliament first met here in AD930. This is where Icelanders would gather annually to solve disputes and recite the law of the land for centuries. Geologically, Þingvellir is located in a rift valley between the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia. The place is characterized by steep rock walls, deep ravines, and pristine lake scenery.

Learn more about Þingvellir

Vatnajökull national park

The immense Vatnajökull National Park covers 15% of Iceland or over 14.000 km2. It is characterized by diversity on all fronts, landscape, biosphere, cultural remains, or service levels. It may be placed into two categories: uninhabited highland areas with limited services and lowland areas with higher service levels. The park‘s visitor centers are all located in lowland areas. Each has an exhibition about the park‘s nature and cultural heritage.

Learn more about Vatnajökull national park

Katla UNESCO Global Geopark

Katla UNESCO Global Geopark covers 9 % of Iceland or just under 10.000 km2. The geopark includes geological features of global significance. Over 150 volcanic eruptions have been recorded in the area since the 9th century, reshaping the landscape and influencing where people settled. You will find many of Iceland‘s top attractions within Katla UNESCO Global Geopark, including Skógafoss, Dyrhólaey, and Sólheimajökull.

Learn more about Katla UNESCO Global Geopark

Surtsey island

Surtsey is one of the world’s newest islands, the most filmed and researched, and one of the most restricted. Ever since a volcanic eruption in 1963 heaved it up out of the waters 18km (11 miles) southwest of Heimaey, its progress has been monitored. This has given scientists a fascinating insight into how a new island evolves, how flora and fauna develop, and so on. Because of this, very few people are now allowed to visit the island, and special permits are only granted for scientific research.

Although you will probably never step on Surtsey island, visiting Vestmannaeyjar islands will bring you closer to this unique UNESCO World Heritage site. To learn more about the island, visit the Eldheimar museum.

Learn more about Surtsey island

Enjoying the view at Fjallsárlón. Photo by Þorvarður Árnason

Discover UNESCO destinations

Álftaversgígar

Álftaversgígar

Pseudo-craters formed by the Eldgjá lava flowing over wetlands in 934-940.
Dverghamrar

Dverghamrar

A peculiar and beautiful columnar basalt formation. On top of the columns, there is cube-jointed basalt.
Dyrhólaey

Dyrhólaey

A nature reserve within Katla UNESCO GLobal Geopark
Eldgjá

Eldgjá

Eldgjá is an old tectonic graben reactivated in a massive eruption in 934-940. The Eldgjá vents form a discontinuous 75 km long volcanic fissure exten
Eyjafjallajökull

Eyjafjallajökull

A glacier-capped volcano in Katla UNESCO Global Geopark
Fagrifoss

Fagrifoss

Fagrifoss is a scenic 80 m high waterfall in the Geirlandsá River.
Fimmvörðuháls

Fimmvörðuháls

Fimmvörðuháls is situated in between two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.The hiking trail over Fimmvörðuháls is one of the most popular o
Fjallsárlón

Fjallsárlón

Scenic Fjallsárlón is a glacial lagoon largely within Vatnajökull National Park located around 10 km. west of Jökulsárlón, at the southern edge of Vat
Foss á Síðu

Foss á Síðu

A beautiful waterfall cascades over the cliffs above the farm, which flows from Lake Þórutjörn.
Gluggafoss

Gluggafoss

The Merkjá River has several beautiful waterfalls, but the most outstanding is Gluggafoss or Window Falls (also known as Merkjárfoss).
Hafursey

Hafursey

Hafursey is an exceptionally beautiful palagonite mountain situated on the north side of Mýrdalssandur. It is divided by Klofgil Gorge- the west side,
Hjörleifshöfði

Hjörleifshöfði

Hjörleifshöfði is on the southwest side of Mýrdalssandur. It’s believed it formed during the last cold period of the ice age when the eruption occurre
Hvolsvöllur

Hvolsvöllur

Hvölsvöllur is the westernmost village in Katla UNESCO Global Geopark
Jökulsárlón

Jökulsárlón

Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon by the ring road and was recently designated as a part of Vatnajökull National Park.
Katla UNESCO Global Geopark

Katla UNESCO Global Geopark

Katla Geopark includes geological features of global significance.
Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Kirkjubæjarklaustur is the easternmost village of Katla UNESCO Global Geopark
Kirkjugólf

Kirkjugólf

Kirkjugólf, or ‘the church floor,’ is an 80 square meter expanse of columnar basalt stone slabs.
Lakagígar

Lakagígar

Lakagígar is a row of craters formed in one of the world's largest mixed eruptions in recorded history.
Landbrotshólar

Landbrotshólar

In Landbrot, right next to Kirkjubæjarklaustur, are Landbrotshólar, many clusters of pseudocraters, formed in the Eldgjá eruption in 934 to 940 when l
Langisjór

Langisjór

The lake is to the southwest of Vatnajökull, between the mountains Tungnárfjöll and Fögrufjöll, in a beautiful and picturesque landscape.
Laufskálavarða

Laufskálavarða

Laufskálavarða is a lava ridge surrounded by stone cairns between the Hólmsá and Skálmá rivers, close to the road north of Álftaver.
Lómagnúpur

Lómagnúpur

Lómagnúpur is a 688 high palisade of cliffs that towers over Björninn Mountain, west of the Núpsvötn Lakes in Skeiðarársandur. 
Ófærufoss waterfall

Ófærufoss waterfall

Ófærufoss is an extremely beautiful waterfall in the river Nyrðri-Ófæra and falls into Eldgjá in two cascades. There was a stone arch across the lower
Reynisfjara, Reynisfjall and Reynisdrangar

Reynisfjara, Reynisfjall and Reynisdrangar

A black sand beach, basalt columns and sea stacks by Reynisfjall mountain in Katla UNESCO Global Geopark.
Rútshellir

Rútshellir

Rútshellir in mount Hrútafell is a protected cave with a newly renovated sheep pen attached in front of it.
Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss

A 60-meter high waterfall with a footpath behind the cascade.
Skaftafell

Skaftafell

Scenic nature, favorable weather conditions, and a network of hiking trails make Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park an ideal destination for outd
Skaftafell Visitor Centre

Skaftafell Visitor Centre

Skaftafellsstofa is an information and education centre where visitors can find answers to their questions about the Skaftafell area, along with infor
Skaftáreldahraun

Skaftáreldahraun

In 1783, a huge lava flow streamed from Lakagígar in what became known as the “Skaftá Fires.” This is believed to have been one of the greatest lava
Skógafoss

Skógafoss

An iconic waterfall within Katla UNESCO Global Geopark
Sólheimajökull

Sólheimajökull

An outlet glacier descending from Mýrdalsjökull.
Stóri Dímon

Stóri Dímon

Great Dímon is the name of a landmark that landmark East Landeyjar, Fljótshlíð, and West Eyjafjöll.
Surtsey

Surtsey

An island formed in a volcanic eruption in 1963.
Svartifoss waterfall

Svartifoss waterfall

Svartifoss is one of the unique waterfalls in South Iceland. It is situated in Skaftafell, which belongs to Vatnajökull National Park. Svartifoss is 2
Systrafoss

Systrafoss

Systrafoss is the name of the waterfall where the river Fossá falls from the lake Systravatn, over the mountain edge above Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Systrastapi

Systrastapi

In 1186 a nun monastery was established in Kirkjubær á Síðu. It was later called Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and the topographical names Systrastapi and Syst
Vík

Vík

The village of Vík is situated in the center of Katla UNESCO Global Geopark
Þingvallavatn lake

Þingvallavatn lake

Þingvallavatn is Iceland's largest natural lake.
Þingvellir national park

Þingvellir national park

Þingvellir national park is a UNESCO World Heritage site for historic and geological reasons.
Þórsmörk

Þórsmörk

Þórsmörk is a nature reserve within Katla UNESCO Global Geopark
Þykkvabæjarklaustur

Þykkvabæjarklaustur

An historic church site snuggled in Álftaver pseudo-crater area