South IcelandUNESCO Heritage
Þingvellir National Park
Site of the world's oldest parliament (930 AD). Walk between tectonic plates. Golden Circle stop.
Best for
History + tectonic rift geology
National Parks & Reserves
National Parks & Nature Reserves of Iceland
Iceland's national parks and protected areas: UNESCO heritage sites, glacier parks, coastal reserves, and highland valleys.
Tip
Respect marked trails
Icelandic nature is fragile; stick to paths and leave no trace.
View details
South IcelandGlacier park
Vatnajökull National Park
Covers Vatnajökull glacier, Skaftafell, Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, and glacier lagoons.
Best for
Europe's second-largest national park
West IcelandGlacier volcano
Snæfellsjökull National Park
Glacier-capped volcano on Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Arnarstapi/Hellnar coastal hiking.
Best for
Jules Verne + coastal trails
North IcelandCanyon reserve
Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon
Now part of Vatnajökull NP. Home to Dettifoss, Ásbyrgi canyon, and Hljóðaklettar echo rocks.
Best for
Waterfalls + canyon geology
HighlandsHighland reserve
Þórsmörk Nature Reserve
Thor's Valley. Fimmvörðuháls and Laugavegur trail endpoint. 4x4 or super jeep access.
Best for
Hiking between glaciers
West IcelandCoastal reserve
Breiðafjörður Nature Reserve
Large bay with thousands of islands. Puffins, white-tailed eagles, seals. Boat tours from Stykkishólmur.
Best for
Birdlife + island exploration
EastfjordsCoastal reserve
Hvalnes Nature Reserve
Mountain backdrop, black sand beach, and a lighthouse. A quiet alternative.
Best for
Quiet scenery + seal watching
Planning help
National Park FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Explore parks by region
Use the region pages to plan your route around these protected areas.