When you think of Iceland, your mind probably goes straight to the big hitters— something like Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, or the Sky Lagoon. And hey, those spots are amazing. However, here are five places in Iceland that are off the beaten path and worth including in your Iceland itinerary.

Two Atlantic puffins with black and white plumage, bright orange webbed feet, and colorful beaks stand on a grassy cliffside overlooking the ocean. The grass around them is a mix of green and yellow hues, with small wildflowers scattered throughout. The deep blue water in the background contrasts with the puffins' striking features. One puffin faces slightly toward the camera, while the other gazes off to the side.
Beautiful puffins at their colony at Borgarfjörður Eystri.

Borgarfjörður Eystri – mountains and magic

Tucked away in Iceland’s remote Eastfjords, Borgarfjörður Eystri is a beautiful village that feels like a fairytale that forgot it was supposed to end. With jagged rhyolite peaks, a puffin colony, and some of the most dramatic hiking trails in the country, it’s a haven for outdoor lovers and solitude seekers.

Free road trip plans with maps

Day-by-day plans for the four drives most people take, each on an interactive map with where to sleep, fuel stops, waterfalls and reader discounts along the way. Built for a relaxed pace, not a race.

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Map of hot springs, spas and pools

Every lagoon, wild hot spring and town pool in Iceland on one map. Find warm water near you, and see which spas give my readers a discount.

  • 57 places to soak
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Infinity swimming pool in Hofsós, Iceland, overlooking the ocean and distant fjord landscape at sunset. The pool’s tranquil waters reflect the dramatic evening sky, creating a serene atmosphere against the backdrop of the North Atlantic coast and Icelandic wilderness
The swimming pool at Hofsós.

Hofsós Swimming Pool – soak with a view

Most visitors rush to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon for their geothermal fix, but the best soak in Iceland might just be in a quiet fishing village up north. Hofsós Swimming Pool, perched on a hill above the sea, serves up infinity-pool vibes with a side of serenity.

Close-up view of a rusted industrial machine and corroded furnace door inside the abandoned herring factory in Djúpavík, Iceland. The decaying metal surfaces and weathered brick wall highlight the site's rich industrial history and atmospheric ruin, offering a glimpse into Iceland’s 20th-century fishing era.
Rusty factory in Djúpavík in Iceland.

Djúpavík

On the far-flung Strandir coast of the Westfjords, Djúpavík has an abandoned herring factory, a favorite spot for photographers looking for that rusty, post-apocalyptic chic. If you want more of that, Djúpavík also sports the rusting hulk of the boat ‘Sudurland.’ With a nice hotel and art exhibitions in this remote and beautiful place, Djúpavík is genuinely a different destination.

Paragliding in Iceland is just incredible. Soaring next to cliffs with Reynisdrangar sea stacks is something I will never forget.
Paragliding in Iceland is just incredible. Soaring next to cliffs with Reynisdrangar sea stacks is something I will never forget.

Vík i Mýrdal’s secret side

Yes, Vík is famous for its black sand beach and that pretty church on the hill, but wander just a bit further and discover the hidden gems that most day-trippers miss.

Drive past Reynisfjara Black Beach and visit Reynisfjall for a sweeping view of Reynisdrangar sea stacks. I recently tried Paragliding with my friends at True Adventure, and it was such a thrilling experience. Close by is the nearby Hjörleifshöfði promontory, which is an essential stop in Iceland. It has the incredible Yoda cave, which is inextricably linked to Iceland’s ‘official-settlement story.’ I will write an article someday to tear that nonsense apart, but not today!

Arnarstapi on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Photo by Yevhenii Chulovskyi on Shutterstock.
Arnarstapi is on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Photo by Yevhenii Chulovskyi on Shutterstock.

Hellnar and Arnarstapi – coastline poetry on the Snæfellsnes peninsula

Often dubbed “Iceland in Miniature,” the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is packed with natural wonders. Head to the small coastal hamlets of Hellnar and Arnarstapi. The trail between them is just 2.5 km long. However, the trail is breathtaking, with crashing waves, sea arches, lava cliffs, and a view of the Snæfellsjökull glacier.