1. The Westfjords
Remote, rugged, and impossibly dramatic, the Westfjords are Iceland’s most isolated region and one of its most breathtaking. Fjords carve deep into the coastline, cliffs rise like cathedrals from the sea, and tiny fishing villages sit tucked against narrow inlets. It feels like the end of the world, and that is exactly its charm.
Begin your journey in Ísafjörður, the region’s cultural hub, where colourful wooden houses line the harbour and cafés serve fish caught that morning. From there, travel to Dynjandi, a waterfall so striking it is often called “the jewel of the Westfjords.” Its seven tiers cascade gracefully down a cliff face, each one more mesmerising than the last.
Stay in one of the boutique lodges overlooking the fjords, where outdoor hot tubs let you soak under wide Arctic skies. Many luxury tours to Iceland include private excursions to this remote area, offering sea kayaking among seals or guided hikes through unspoiled valleys. The Westfjords are where you come to disconnect completely and rediscover the power of stillness.
2. The Highlands
Vast, wild, and otherworldly, the Icelandic Highlands cover much of the island’s interior but remain almost uninhabited. Accessible only during summer, this is a place of extremes: steaming geothermal vents, rainbow-hued mountains, and black deserts that stretch to the horizon.
The famous Laugavegur Trail winds through rhyolite peaks and ends at the natural hot springs of Landmannalaugar. Yet beyond the trail, countless hidden valleys and lava fields await. Driving along the rugged F-roads in a 4×4, you can stop at steaming rivers or hike to viewpoints where no one else stands.
For those seeking solitude, a guided expedition into the Highlands offers complete immersion in Iceland’s wilderness. Nights are spent in simple mountain huts or luxury eco-camps, with dinners of local lamb and foraged herbs. When the midnight sun bathes the landscape in golden light, it feels as if you are standing on another planet.
3. Borgarfjörður Eystri
Tucked away in Iceland’s remote Eastfjords, Borgarfjörður Eystri is one of the country’s most enchanting and overlooked regions. Jagged mountains rise from the coast, colourful turf houses dot the hillsides, and the Atlantic crashes just beyond. What truly sets it apart, however, is its connection to folklore. Locals believe elves inhabit the surrounding hills, and you can even visit Álfaborg, the “city of elves,” said to be the home of their queen.
For outdoor lovers, the area offers some of Iceland’s best hiking. The Víknaslóðir, or “Trails of the Inlets,” wind through coastal cliffs and deep valleys filled with waterfalls and wildflowers. Birdlife thrives here too, from puffins nesting on the rocks to Arctic terns soaring overhead.
Stay in one of the local guesthouses or eco-lodges, where warm hospitality and home-cooked meals create the feeling of visiting an old friend. Borgarfjörður Eystri captures the essence of rural Iceland: wild, welcoming, and deeply connected to the land.
4. Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Often called “Iceland in Miniature,” the Snæfellsnes Peninsula contains nearly every type of landscape the country is known for. Glaciers, lava fields, volcanic craters, and black-sand beaches coexist in perfect harmony. Despite being only a few hours from Reykjavík, it remains surprisingly peaceful and untouched.
At the heart of the peninsula lies Snæfellsjökull National Park, dominated by a glacier-topped volcano that inspired Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth. You can hike its lower slopes, wander through lava formations, or simply stand on the beach at Djúpalónssandur and watch the waves crash against the rocks.
End your day in the charming harbour town of Stykkishólmur, where colourful houses, seafood restaurants, and boutique hotels create a perfect blend of local life and understated elegance. The peninsula offers an ideal balance of adventure and calm, where every turn reveals a new reason to pause and take it all in.
5. Hvammsvík Hot Springs
While most travellers head straight to the Blue Lagoon, just 45 minutes from Reykjavík, is where you’ll find Hvammsvík Hot Springs. Tucked along the Hvalfjörður fjord, this coastal sanctuary blurs the line between land and sea. Eight natural pools, filled with geothermal water, spill into the Atlantic so close you can feel the salt spray on your skin.
There is a rhythm to the experience: plunge into the warm, mineral-rich pools and then slip into the icy sea for a brisk, heart-thumping contrast inspired by the Wim Hof method. It is a dance of opposites, warmth and cold, serenity and vitality, that leaves you both grounded and renewed. Hvammsvík is not just a destination; it embodies Iceland’s philosophy of wellbeing. It is no wonder many Iceland wellness retreat itineraries include a stop here, offering travellers a blend of adventure and stillness that is deeply restorative.
Iceland is often described as a land of fire and ice, but it is also a land of hidden corners. Beyond its famous landmarks lies a quieter, more intimate landscape that rewards curiosity and courage. Here, luxury means space, silence, and connection. It means standing alone at the edge of a fjord, feeling the mist on your face, and realising that this is what it means to be truly present. Visit now and let these lesser-known places remind you why Iceland remains one of the most extraordinary destinations on earth.
