The Golden Circle
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Thingvellir National Park | A valley between two continental plates, on the World Heritage list. | About an hour from Reykjavík |
| Geysir and Strokkur | A hot spring that shoots water high into the air every few minutes. | The Golden Circle |
| Gullfoss | A giant two-tiered waterfall in a deep canyon. | The Golden Circle |
The south coast
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss | Two famous waterfalls; at Seljalandsfoss you walk behind the falls on a rocky path. | About 2 hours from Reykjavík |
| Reynisfjara black beach | Black sand and basalt columns above the ocean. | Near Vík; beware of sudden waves |
| The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon | Blue icebergs floating in a lagoon, and Diamond Beach with chunks of ice on black sand. | South-east Iceland |
Reykjavík and around
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Blue Lagoon | Turquoise geothermal water among black lava fields. | Near the airport; may close briefly when there is volcanic activity nearby |
| Harpa | A glass building on the harbour whose façade glitters with colour. | Reykjavík |
| Perlan | A museum of Iceland's nature with a man-made ice cave, and views over the city. | Reykjavík |
| Kirkjufell | Iceland's most famous mountain, with its cone shape and small waterfall. | The Snæfellsnes peninsula |
Tips before you go
- You need a Schengen visa, applied for at Iceland's consulate if it is your main destination.
- Go from October to March for the northern lights, and June to August for nature and open roads.
- Check the weather and road conditions before any road trip, as conditions change fast.
Hotels in Reykjavík
Visa
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Iceland?
The Golden Circle with Gullfoss and Geysir, the south coast waterfalls, Reynisfjara beach, the Jökulsárlón lagoon, the Blue Lagoon and Kirkjufell.
Is the Blue Lagoon open?
Open most of the time; it may close briefly when there is volcanic activity nearby, so check before you go.
Do Saudis need a visa for Iceland?
Yes, a Schengen visa.
Planning your trip to Iceland? Read Travel to Iceland from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.