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Explore 87 protected areas in Iceland, rated across 10 categories

Protected natural area preserving significant ecological features and offering opportunities for nature appreciation.

Alfaborg

Protected volcanic landscape featuring dramatic geological formations and opportunities for hiking and nature study.

Álftaversgígar

Andakíll

Árnarhellir in Leitahraun

A natural hot spring pool on the Snæfellsnes peninsula named after Bárður Snæfellsás, a legendary half-troll half-man from Icelandic sagas.

Barðarlaug

Blábjörg

Mountain country park southeast of Reykjavík featuring volcanic landscapes, lava formations, and Iceland's most popular skiing area in winter.

Bláfjallafólkvangur

Protected coastal area preserving marine ecosystems, seabird colonies, and scenic shoreline landscapes.

Bláutós and Innstavogsnes

Boggvistadafjall

Large bay with 3000+ islands, seabird habitat, seals, UNESCO tentative list, 230 plant species

Breiðafjörður

Búðahraun

Europe's most powerful waterfall by volume, along with nearby Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss, forming a dramatic chain of falls in the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river canyon.

Dettifoss

Dima in Lón

Dramatic lava formation field near Lake Mývatn featuring pillars, arches, and cave-like structures formed approximately 2,300 years ago when a lava lake drained.

Dimmuborgir

Natural monument with columnar basalt formations created at the end of the Ice Age.

Dverghamrar

Natural monument featuring Dynjandi, the Westfjords' largest waterfall at 100 meters tall.

Dynjandi

Coastal promontory with arch, puffin colony, seasonal closures for bird protection

Dyrhólaey

Einkunnir, Borgarbyggð

Eldborg í Bláfjöllum

Eldborg in Hnappadalur

Island 15km offshore, protected 1940/1974, world's largest gannet colony (16,000 pairs), no landing allowed, last Great Auk killed here 1844

Eldey

A spectacular 100-meter-deep and 2 km-long canyon carved by the Fjaðrá river through palagonite and ancient bedrock over approximately 9,000 years.

Fjaðrárgljúfur

Nature reserve including Landmannalaugar area with colorful rhyolite mountains and geysers.

Fjallabak

Only inhabited island in Breiðafjörður with six permanent residents, important bird sanctuary.

Flatey in Breiðafjörður

Restored wetland bird reserve near Eyrarbakki recognized as an internationally important bird area, providing critical habitat for numerous migratory and nesting species.

Flói

A highland nature reserve in western Iceland's Borgarfjörður valley, featuring rugged lava fields, ancient tufa formations, and the dramatic Langjökull glacier views. The reserve protects one of Icela

Geitland, Borgarbyggð

Includes Strokkur geyser, protected June 17, 2020, Haukadalur valley, Golden Circle

Geysir Geothermal Area

Public park in valley near Akureyri. Public park offering accessible green space for recreation, relaxation, and community gathering.

Glerádalur

Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods, designated protected natural monument in 2020.

Goðafoss

Three volcanic craters, protected since 1962, scoria cones over 100m high, near Ring Road

Grábrókargígar

Protected fjord area featuring dramatic coastal landscapes, marine wildlife, and hiking trails.

Grunnafjörður

Guðlaugs- and Alfgeirstungur

Famous two-tiered waterfall, permanent conservation site since 1979, Golden Circle

Gullfoss

Hálda

Hálsar

Helgustadanáma

Coastal nature reserve near Þorlákshöfn protecting important seabird nesting areas and coastal wetland habitat on Iceland's southern shore.

Herdísarvík

Holmanes

Largest nature reserve in Iceland, complete protection for Arctic foxes, remote wilderness

Hornstrandir

Series of cascading waterfalls flow 900+ meters from Hallmundarhraun lava field, creating dramatic basalt canyon landscape.

Hraunfossar

Hraun in Öxnadalur

Hrísey, Reykholahreppur

Island in Blanda river. Protected landscape preserving natural features, wildlife habitat, and ecological values.

Hrútey in Blanda

Húsafellsskógur, Borgarbyggð

Geothermal area in Eyjafjörður. Conservation area protecting significant natural resources and providing opportunities for nature appreciation.

Hveraströnd in Eyjafjörður

Geothermal area, beautiful hot springs, protected since 1960 (some sources say 1965)

Hveravellir

One of the largest and most symmetrical tephra crater formations on Earth, formed in an explosive eruption approximately 2,500 years ago near Lake Mývatn.

Hverfjall

Kalmanshellir

Kattarauga, Áshreppur

A striking volcanic crater lake on Iceland's Golden Circle, featuring vivid red and orange volcanic rock slopes surrounding an aquamarine lake. Approximately 3,000 years old, this 55-meter deep calder

Kerið

Best Parks in Iceland

An archipelago of 15 volcanic islands off Iceland's south coast, home to one of the world's largest Atlantic puffin colonies and significant seabird populations. The islands feature dramatic volcanic 

Lake Mývatn and Laxá River system form internationally important wetland with exceptional birdlife and geothermal features.

Vatnajökull National Park is Europe's largest national park outside of Russia, centered around Europe's largest glacier. The park encompasses diverse landscapes including glacial ice, active volcanoes

Þingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet above ground. It was the site of Iceland's first parliament established in 930 AD an

UNESCO World Heritage Site, volcanic island formed 1963, closed to public, scientific research only

Europe's westernmost point, 14km long bird cliffs, 440m high, world's largest razorbill colony

National Parks in Iceland

Top 10 Parks in Iceland

Vestmannaeyjar

Mývatn-Laxá

Breiðafjörður

Hornstrandir

Vatnajökull

Þingvellir

Fjallabak

Látrabjarg

Snæfellsjökull

Surtsey

Top Parks by Category

Top 10 Parks for Uniqueness in Iceland

Surtsey

Fjallabak

Geysir Geothermal Area

Lakagígar

Mývatn-Laxá

Vestmannaeyjar

Vatnajökull

Kerlingarfjöll

Látrabjarg

Þingvellir

All Parks (87)

Vestmannaeyjar

Mývatn-Laxá

Breiðafjörður

Vatnajökull

Þingvellir

Hornstrandir

Surtsey

Látrabjarg

Fjallabak

All Parks A–Z

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