Europe
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iceland
Icelandic World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in Iceland map · historical landmarks in Iceland
Iceland has 4 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 2 cultural and 2 natural inscriptions, inscribed between 2004 and 2019. This map of UNESCO sites in Iceland covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
Icelandic World Heritage Sites range from Surtsey onwards; Þingvellir was the country's first inscription, added in 2004; Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice is the most recent, listed in 2019; recurring threads across the list include nordic heritage and volcanoes nature.
Start with Surtsey, Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice and Þingvellir, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 4
- Cultural
- 2
- Natural
- 2
- First inscribed
- 2004
Sites on the map
Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- RKVReykjavík3 sites
- HFNHöfn1 site
Keep exploring
All 4 sites in Iceland
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iceland
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| SurtseySurtsey, a volcanic island approximately 32 km from the south coast of Iceland, is a new island formed by volcanic… | 2008 | Natural | Surtsey, a volcanic island approximately 32 km from the south coast of Iceland, is a new island formed by volcanic eruptions that took place from… |
| Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and IceThis iconic volcanic region covers an area of over 1,400,000 ha, nearly 14% of Iceland's territory. | 2019 | Natural | This iconic volcanic region covers an area of over 1,400,000 ha, nearly 14% of Iceland's territory. |
| ÞingvellirWhere Vikings made law on a continental rift. | 2004 | Cultural | Where Vikings made law on a continental rift. |
| Þingvellir National ParkÞingvellir (Thingvellir) is the National Park where the Althing, an open-air assembly representing the whole of… | 2004 | Cultural | Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is the National Park where the Althing, an open-air assembly representing the whole of Iceland, was established in 930 and… |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in Iceland
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in Iceland?
- Iceland has 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 2 cultural and 2 natural.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in Iceland?
- Þingvellir was inscribed in 2004. Where Vikings made law on a continental rift.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in Iceland?
- Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice, inscribed in 2019. This iconic volcanic region covers an area of over 1,400,000 ha, nearly 14% of Iceland's territory. It numbers ten central volcanoes, eight of which are subglac.
- Which sites in Iceland are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 2 of the 4 listings are natural: Surtsey and Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice.
- Which UNESCO sites in Iceland are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for Iceland.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in Iceland?
- The 4 UNESCO-listed sites above are Iceland's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Þingvellir (2004). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of Icelandic World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 4 Icelandic UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.