I've been to Iceland 6 times. Here are 7 things that are always worth visiting — and 3 I'd skip next time.

I love how walkable the downtown Reykjavik area is, making it a fun place to bar hop or do a culinary tour — especially with the food halls that have opened up.

Hlemmur Mathöll is my favorite food hall right in the city center. It has an energetic vibe and options like Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas, bánh mí, tacos, and Icelandic lamb, to name a few.

I also enjoy heading to the up-and-coming Grandi neighborhood to visit Grandi Mathöll, which has a wide array of international dishes.

Many people head to the spectacular Skógafoss waterfall while in Iceland. But it's super close to Kvernufoss, a beautiful waterfall with fewer crowds.

Kvernufoss is tucked in a lush nook, accessed by a quick and easy hike that should only take a few minutes.

I've found Kvernufoss tends to be far less crowded than Skógafoss. During some visits, I've had Kvernufoss all to myself.

The first time I explored an ice cave, I boarded a Super Jeep with Southcoast Adventure for a bumpy ride into The Highlands.

After arriving at the edge of the Kötlujökull glacier, an offshoot of the larger Mýrdalsjökull glacier, we began our short trek equipped with crampons (traction devices used during ice climbing) and helmets.

The ice cave was beautiful, with caverns, waterfalls, and tunnels. We accessed it from the edge of a giant glacial crater with a circular formation ideal for photos.

When I picture the Westfjords region of Iceland, I think of winding through remote fjords, soaking in oceanside hot springs, wandering empty beaches, and eating some of the best fish and chips I've ever had.

I loved stopping at Hellulaug, a seaside natural hot spring right off the highway. The Krosslaug hot spring also has stunning mountain and ocean views.

I also recommend grabbing fish and chips at Vegamot Bildudal, a family-run grocery store with a restaurant in the back.

If you're limited on time, just explore the southern portion of the region, which takes you along Route 60 and 62.

The northern town of Húsavík is known as the whale-watching capital of Iceland.

On my first trip there, I went out on a Gentle Giants Whale Watching rib boat, which allowed me to get closer to the water.

It was a thrilling adventure. I saw tons of whales and even witnessed a whale soar dramatically out of the water.

I've visited the hot springs of Landmannalaugar in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve twice.

I enjoyed soaking in the natural geothermal waters surrounded by Iceland's ruggedly beautiful interior. The property is large enough that I could always find my own space, even as more people arrived.

It's not always easy to drive there, so I recommend taking a Super Jeep tour to the area.

Hrunalaug Hot Spring has been getting popular, but it's still one of my favorite spots.

The family-run hot spring is located on a farm in southwest Iceland and has soaking pools in an absolutely idyllic setting.

I suggest going there when the weather is unpleasant if you're seeking solitude.

The Sólheimasandur Beach plane wreck has gotten social-media hype, but hiking about 5 miles through sand to see an aircraft that went down in 1973 wasn't worth it for me.

When I visited the famous attraction at sunset, it was a circus filled with tourists conducting elaborate photo shoots, getting in the way of anyone else wanting to snap a few pictures.

People were climbing on top of the plane, and there was even a woman in a bridal gown posing for a photographer for over an hour.

It was disappointing, and then we still had to hike about 5 miles in the sand to leave.

South Iceland's Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and Diamond Beach are among the most famous natural attractions in Iceland.

I've been twice and these spots have been almost unbearably crowded, with people taking selfies almost everywhere.

To try to avoid crowds, try to go at sunrise or the midnight sun's "sunset" hours.

But if you go midday, grab fish and chips at Nailed It Fish & Chips in the main parking lot — the highlight of my overcrowded visit.

The rock formations and iconic basalt columns on South Iceland's Reynisfjara Beach draw quite the crowd.

The black-sand beach is stunning, but unless you visit during off hours, you'll be dealing with another very busy spot.

A good alternative is to drive up to the top of the Dyrhólaey Peninsula, just 15 minutes from the beach.

You get sprawling, 360-degree views of Reynisfjara Beach and its rock formations — plus a historic lighthouse — with fewer crowds.