How to choose useful hidden places in Iceland
The best outdoor stops in Iceland are rarely selected by name alone. A waterfall can be a quick roadside stop or a remote detour. A hut can be public, private, locked, seasonal, or only useful as a landmark. A hot pot can be a respectful local bathing place, a fragile natural site, or a location that should be avoided when access is unclear.
Use the DULIN place index as a shortlist, then check three practical signals before planning around a point: how you reach it, what else is nearby, and whether the season supports the visit. If a stop requires a rough road, a river crossing, a long approach, or uncertain access, treat it as a flexible option rather than a fixed promise.
Lighthouse
Knarrarósviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked...
- Region
- South Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Kolbeinstangi is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Landahóll is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked loc...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Langanessviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: not specified. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be check...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Malarhorn is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked loc...
- Region
- Westfjords
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Malarrífsviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked...
- Region
- West Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Mjóeyrarviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: not specified. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checke...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Mýrnatangi is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked lo...
- Region
- South Iceland
- Road
- Foot Only
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Norðfjarðarvíti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be check...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Ólafsviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked loc...
- Region
- Westfjords
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Old Lighthouse is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: not specified. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be chec...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Óshólar is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked locally.
- Region
- Westfjords
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Rauðinúpur is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked lo...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Foot Only
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Reykjanesviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked...
- Region
- Reykjanes
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Sauðanes is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked loca...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Siglunes is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked loca...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Foot Only
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Skagatáarviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked...
- Region
- Northwest Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Skarð is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked locally.
- Region
- Northwest Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Skarðsfjöruviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be check...
- Region
- South Iceland
- Road
- Foot Only
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Skipavík is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: not specified. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked lo...
- Region
- West Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Sléttueyrarviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: not specified. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be che...
- Region
- Westfjords
- Road
- Foot Only
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Stokksnes Lighthouse is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be ...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Stórhöfði is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked loc...
- Region
- South Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Svalvogar is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked loc...
- Region
- Westfjords
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Þrídrangaviti is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: not specified. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be check...
- Region
- South Iceland
- Road
- Foot Only
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Tjörnes is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked locally.
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Foot Only
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Urðir is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked locally.
- Region
- South Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Vattarnes is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: light_major. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be checked loc...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Year Round
Lighthouse
Vitinn við Vitastíg is mapped as a lighthouse in OpenStreetMap. Seamark classification: not specified. Visitor access, opening and drone rules should be...
- Region
- Reykjanes
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Year Round
Wildlife
Whale watching departure point at Akureyri harbour. Operator/source: Whale Watching Akureyri. Season: seasonal / operator-dependent. Commonly promoted s...
- Region
- North Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Great northern diver (Gavia immer) Important Bird Area record at Arnarvatnsheiði. Count: 75 territories; season: Breeding; year: not specified. Public s...
- Region
- Northwest Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) Important Bird Area record at Arnarvatnsheiði. Count: 639 pairs; season: Breeding; year: not specified. Public site-level p...
- Region
- Northwest Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whale watching departure point at Árskógssandur harbour. Operator/source: North Sailing. Season: seasonal / operator-dependent. Commonly promoted specie...
- Region
- North Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) Important Bird Area record at Berufjarðarströnd. Count: 228 birds; season: Winter; year: not specified. Publi...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Common eider (Somateria mollissima) Important Bird Area record at Breiðafjörður. Count: 36,000 birds; season: Moult; year: 1980. Public site-level point...
- Region
- West Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) Important Bird Area record at Breiðafjörður. Count: 1,626 birds; season: Winter; year: 1999-2001. Public site...
- Region
- West Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) Important Bird Area record at Breiðafjörður. Count: 100 pairs; season: Breeding; year: 2016. Public site-level point...
- Region
- West Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) Important Bird Area record at Breiðafjörður. Count: 3,201 birds; season: Moult; year: 2005. Public site-level point only; n...
- Region
- West Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whale watching departure point at Dalvík harbour. Operator/source: Arctic Sea Tours. Season: seasonal / operator-dependent. Commonly promoted species: h...
- Region
- North Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whale watching departure point at Hauganes harbour. Operator/source: Whale Watching Hauganes. Season: seasonal / operator-dependent. Commonly promoted s...
- Region
- North Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whale watching departure point at Hólmavík harbour. Operator/source: Whale Watching Hólmavík / Láki Tours cooperation. Season: May-September / operator-...
- Region
- Westfjords
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) Important Bird Area record at Hornafjörður-Kolgríma. Count: 30 pairs; season: Breeding; year: not specified. Public ...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) Important Bird Area record at Hornafjörður-Kolgríma. Count: 150 pairs; season: Breeding; year: not specified. Public site-l...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whale watching departure point at Húsavík harbour. Operator/source: North Sailing and other Húsavík operators. Season: seasonal / operator-dependent. Co...
- Region
- North Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) Important Bird Area record at Jökuldalsheiði. Count: 206 pairs; season: Breeding; year: not specified. Public site-level po...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) Important Bird Area record at Jökulfirðir-Sandeyri-Ritur. Count: 613 birds; season: Winter; year: not specifi...
- Region
- Westfjords
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) Important Bird Area record at Kálmanstjörn-Garðskagi. Count: 153 birds; season: Winter; year: not specified. ...
- Region
- Reykjanes
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) Important Bird Area record at Kjalarnes. Count: 194 birds; season: Winter; year: not specified. Public site-l...
- Region
- Reykjavik
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) Important Bird Area record at Landbrot-Medalland. Count: 120 pairs; season: Breeding; year: not specified. Public site-lev...
- Region
- South Iceland
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Barrow's goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) Important Bird Area record at Laugarvatn-Apavatn-Brúará. Count: 33 birds; season: Winter; year: not specified. ...
- Region
- South Iceland
- Road
- Foot Only
- Season
- Seasonal Other
Wildlife
Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) Important Bird Area record at Lónsfjörður. Count: 4,146 birds; season: Moult; year: 2005. Public site-level point only; not...
- Region
- East Iceland
- Road
- Foot Only
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Barrow's goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) Important Bird Area record at Mývatn og Laxá. Count: 1,800 birds; season: Breeding; year: not specified. Public...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Seasonal Other
Wildlife
Great northern diver (Gavia immer) Important Bird Area record at Mývatn og Laxá. Count: 13 territories; season: Breeding; year: not specified. Public si...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) Important Bird Area record at Mývatn og Laxá. Count: 258 males; season: Breeding; year: not specified. Public...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) Important Bird Area record at Mývatn og Laxá. Count: 350 birds; season: Moult; year: not specified. Public site-level point...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Likely Foot Access
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whale watching departure point at Ólafsvík harbour. Operator/source: Láki Tours. Season: 15 February-30 September / operator-dependent. Commonly promote...
- Region
- West Iceland / Snæfellsnes
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Barrow's goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) Important Bird Area record at Öxarfjörður. Count: 53 birds; season: Winter; year: 2005-2014. Public site-level ...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal Other
Wildlife
Great skua (Stercorarius skua / Catharacta skua) Important Bird Area record at Öxarfjörður. Count: c. 225 pairs; season: Breeding; year: 1984. Public si...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) Important Bird Area record at Öxarfjörður. Count: 120 pairs; season: Breeding; year: 2009. Public site-level point o...
- Region
- Northeast Iceland
- Road
- Four Wheel Drive
- Season
- Seasonal
Wildlife
Whale watching departure point at Reykjavík Old Harbour. Operator/source: Elding. Season: year-round. Commonly promoted species: humpback whale, minke w...
- Region
- Capital Region
- Road
- Car
- Season
- Seasonal