Hraunfossar, or the Lava Falls, is a stunning series of clear, gentle waterfalls that flow out of a lava field into the Hvítá River, creating a dreamy, storybook-like scene. Nearby Barnafoss, or Children's Falls, is more turbulent and steeped in legend—it's said two children drowned here, prompting their mother to destroy a natural stone bridge.
The contrast between the two makes both sites unforgettable. Deildartunguhver, Europe's most powerful hot spring, pumps out 180 liters of boiling water per second. Its steam-filled landscape is otherworldly, and it heats nearby greenhouses and towns. In Reykholt, history comes alive at Snorrastofa, the museum honoring medieval scholar Snorri Sturluson, and the ancient hot pool, Snorralaug.
Duration: 6 hours