When you think of beaches, you probably imagine sunny skies, warm golden sand, and lazy days spent tanning by the water.
But Iceland’s beaches tell a completely different story.
Think vast, wild, and dramatic coastlines – not beach towels and piña coladas!
If standing on a stretch of black sand with glacier peaks in the distance, incredible rock formations all around, and the roar of the Atlantic Ocean sounds like your kind of beach day…
You’re definitely in the right place.
Stay right where you are if you want to discover the best beaches in Iceland, handpicked by yours truly.
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents:
- Why Visit the Beaches in Iceland?
- South Iceland Beaches
- Beaches in and Near Reykjavík, Iceland
- Beaches in East Iceland
- North Iceland Beach
- Beaches in Iceland’s Westfjords
- West Iceland Beaches
- Want to Explore More Beaches in Iceland?
Why Visit the Beaches in Iceland?
Visiting the beaches in Iceland might not be at the top of your itinerary – yet! But here are a few reasons you shouldn’t overlook them.
Black sand beaches: Thanks to all the volcanic activity in Iceland, you’ll find many beaches covered in black sand. It’s especially beautiful contrasted against the white, snowy landscapes!
Incredible wildlife: Coastal cliffs and beaches are often great for birdwatching, especially puffins!
Great photo opportunities: Iceland’s beaches make great photo ops! They’re popular for tourists and even for wedding photography. Brides seem to love the wide black sand beaches in Iceland as backdrops, and I totally understand why!
They’re not warm and tropical, but Iceland’s beaches are some of the most striking and unforgettable you’ll ever see!
South Iceland Beaches
This popular region is known for its waterfalls, glaciers, and yes, some of the best beaches in Iceland. If it’s black sand beaches you’re looking for, you can’t skip these!
Reynisfjara Beach
This black sand beach near Vík is the most famous one in Iceland!
Walking along the beach, you’ll see those striking basalt stacks rising out of the ocean, making the perfect backdrop for photos.
You’ll also come across Hálsanefshellir cave close to Gardar Cliff where the rock pillars look like organ pipes. Grab your camera for this!
There are so many incredible attractions nearby. And with the gorgeous little village of Vík only a stone’s throw away, you can really take the time to take it all in without having to travel too far.
Visit the famous Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks, Dyrhólaey (also a popular spot for puffins) and Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, to name a few.
Pro tip: Just watch out for those sneaker waves while you’re there!
Find out more about why visitors flock to Reynisfjara, and why it’s one of the best beaches in Iceland.👇
➡️ READ: Why Reynisfjara Beach Is Worth the Hype – And How to Stay Safe While You’re There
Black Diamond Beach in Iceland
For photographers, this beach is pure magic!
Diamond Beach is located just across the road from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (my favorite place on earth, btw!).
Big chunks of ice that break off from Vatnajökull glacier wash up onto the shore and lie scattered on the sand.
It’s really lovely, and they look like diamonds sparkling in the sunlight.
Pro tip: The best time to visit is in the winter or spring because you’ll usually see more ice chunks washed up on the shore.
Want to see it for yourself? Check out this tour to Diamond Beach in Iceland.👇
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon & Diamond Beach Tour
Sólheimasandur Beach
What makes this black sand beach in Iceland worth visiting is the iconic Sólheimasandur plane wreck.
If you’re fascinated by the crash or love a moody, post-apocalyptic photo op, this could be a cool stop to add to your itinerary.
But be warned, you do need to hike a fair distance to get to it, and the beach seems to stretch on for ages.
It’s a long, flat walk with no ocean views, no shelter, and lots of wind!!
Since there’s no vegetation, the walk to the wreck leaves you completely exposed to the wind and weather. Honestly, I wish I had been better prepared for the elements when I was there!
Pro tip: Something you need to know about Iceland is that the weather changes fast. Packing the right gear is essential to having the best experience when you’re out exploring.
That’s why I created my ultimate Iceland Packing Guide!
My packing guide has tips on how to layer your clothes, monthly weather averages and shopping lists for items I personally recommend.
Download your FREE Iceland Packing Guide below.👇
Beaches in and Near Reykjavík, Iceland
You might not expect a capital city at the edge of the Arctic Circle to have beaches, but Reykjavík is no ordinary capital!
Check out this unique spot.👇
Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach
This man-made Reykjavík beach has golden sand with beautiful views and even hot tubs close by.
A lot of visitors will first take a dip in the chilly sea, only 56°F (13.4°C), and then warm up in the geothermal pools afterwards.
It’s great to get your blood pumping, but man, oh man, you’ll need nerves of steel to brave the cold!
Sandvík
The Reykjanes Peninsula is a good option if you’re looking to escape the city for a bit.
You’ll find rugged cliffs, geothermal hot pots, and quiet beaches to explore.
It’ll only take about an hour to drive to this black sand beach from Reykjavík, making Sandvík an easy day trip.
Most people stop here to check out the Bridge Between Continents, where you can literally walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
The waters here are pretty rough, but they draw a dedicated surfing crowd. However, you do need to be a strong surfer because the currents can be dangerous!
East Iceland Beaches
This might not be the first region you think of for beach-hopping, but East Iceland is full of quiet coastal gems worth stopping for.
Stokksnes
This spot is seriously one of my favorite hidden gems in Iceland!
Picture black sand stretching out in front of you, grassy green hills rolling along the sides, and that iconic mountain towering in the distance; it’s incredibly beautiful.
Stokksnes is also sometimes referred to as Vestrahorn Beach, because of the nearby mountain.
It’s a little off the beaten path, but I love that it’s less crowded.
You can get your ticket at the Viking Cafe to gain access to the beach and the Viking Village Museum.
Pro tip: If it’s foggy and you can’t see the mountain, keep Stokksnes in your back pocket for another day, because it’s all about the view!
Lækjavík (Laekjavik)
While we’re speaking about hidden gems, Lækjavík is another one you can’t miss!
The best part is that you can visit it when you’re touring the Ring Road, but most people drive right past it without realising it’s even there!
It’s easily accessible by car and there’s a small parking lot with no charge.
The views are gorgeous, with miles and miles of black sand beach.
One standout feature is the iconic rock popping out of the sea.
It’s a stunning little detour from the usual tourist trail.
North Iceland Beach
Whale watching and volcanic landscapes are what this region is known for, but its beaches are equally scenic.
Hvítserkur (Hvitserkur Beach)
Just under an hour’s drive from Hvammstangi in North Iceland, you’ll find one of Iceland’s most unique coastal landmarks, the Hvítserkur sea stack.
It comes up out of the water just off the shore, and it looks like some kind of three-legged creature!
The best time of year to see it is in the summer months, and for the birdwatchers out there, you’ll also be able to spot the Arctic terns.
Beaches in Iceland’s Westfjords
If you’re venturing into the Westfjords, don’t skip the beaches. This rugged region offers some of the country’s most unique coastal spots.
Rauðisandur Beach
We’ve looked at plenty of black sand beaches in Iceland, but how about one with red sand?
Do yourself a favor when you’re exploring the area around Patreksfjörður in the Westfjörds. Make sure you stop at Rauðisandur red sand beach.
It’s also one of the longest beaches in Iceland, stretching over 6 miles (10 km).
One of my favorite things about Iceland’s countryside is the charming little churches.
Right by the beach, you’ll find a black church in what seems to be the middle of nowhere.
This remote corner of Iceland is full of surprises!
If you love getting off the beaten path and exploring the secret spots that most tourists miss, you’ll need my 👉 Westfjörds Iceland Self-Drive Map.
It has everything you need for this remote region. Think viewpoints, hikes, and practical stops like gas stations, they’re all pinned on this handy digital map!
Westfjords Digital Map
$10.00
If stunning fjords, towering mountains, and relaxing hot springs sounds like a dream then you will want to visit the Westfjords. It is fantastic on its own or would be the perfect addition to any Ring Road trip.
Recommended duration: 3-5 days
Recommended seasons: May-October
West Iceland Beaches
From one of the best beaches in Iceland to one that literally has you testing your strength when you visit, West Iceland has them both.
Djúpalónssandur Beach (Black Lava Pearl Beach)
Djúpalónssandur is a black sand and pebble beach located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
As you walk down to the shore, you’ll see large, heavy lifting stones called Aflraunasteinar that fishermen used to test their strength.
There’s also the “Singing Rock,” an interesting red rock formation.
Djúpalónssandur is a great place for taking photos, especially with all the rock formations and coastal scenery.
Langisandur Beach
The area around Akranes is not only popular for the birdlife, but Langisandur is considered to be one of the best beaches in Iceland.
There’s a swimming club that meets every week, and what’s nice is that travellers are welcome to join in.
Another fun highlight is the Guðlaug Baths hot pools. You can relax in the hot waters and look out onto the beach, without setting foot in the cold ocean!
Want to Explore More Beaches in Iceland?
Let me guess…
You want the freedom of a road trip without the stress of figuring out all the logistics on your own, right?
Your wish is my command!
(After all, my name is Jeannie! 😉)
So, let me save you hours of planning and second-guessing.
After spending years exploring this country (yes, including the beaches in Iceland!), I created my 👉Iceland Maps + Guidebooks to help you craft the perfect itinerary without the stress.
If you’re overcome with
- Information overload.
- Fear of missing out on must-see spots.
- The thought of getting lost and wasting precious time figuring out where to go…
Then this is the perfect solution for you.
My region-specific digital map is pinned with beaches, iconic spots, restrooms, hikes, hot springs & more.
And the PDF guidebook includes hidden gems, restaurant recommendations, and exclusive discounts to help you save!
If you’re dreaming of the perfect Iceland trip, you’ll love these 👉 Iceland Maps + Guidebooks.
So go ahead, get excited, and don’t forget to leave space for a few beach stops along the way. ☺️
Happy Planning!
