Top 10 Things to Do in Iceland
Planning a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice?
With its jaw-dropping natural beauty and plethora of adventures from soft to extreme, it’s no wonder why Iceland is a bucket-list travel destination for so many travelers.
Narrowing down the top 10 things to do in Iceland is no easy task, with natural wonders around every corner and thrilling adventures in every part of the country.
Walking on a glacier. Exploring an ice cave. Chasing breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls. Snowmobiling on an ice cap atop a volcano. Looking for the Northern Lights. Photographing rainbow-hued rhyolite mountains. Going on epic hikes.
You can do all these and more on a trip to Iceland!
Note that some bucket-list Iceland experiences require a guided tour and they are popular, so you’ll want to plan ahead: snorkeling in Silfra, glacier hiking, whale watching, and Icelandic horse riding, for example.
From nature lovers and landscape photographers to hikers and adventurers, Iceland is a must-visit for many types of travelers.
It’s a great family vacation destination, a magical place for proposals and honeymoons, and a fantastic place to go if you just want to be immersed in nature in all its diverse glory.
🥾 6-Day Adventure Tour Around Iceland from Reykjavik Embark on a 6-day journey around Iceland’s Ring Road, exploring waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, and hot springs, with opportunities for whale watching and northern lights spotting. Check price and availability now!
In this article, you will learn about the top 10 things to do in Iceland, especially if you are a first-time visitor.
Best Things to Do in Iceland – At a Glance
| Location | Best Tours (Reserve now, these sell out fast!) |
|---|---|
| Area highlights | Golden Circle, South Coast, South Iceland, Ring Road |
| Reykjavik & from Reykjavik | Food walk, Northern Lights, Reykjavik city walk, whale watching, lava show, Icelandic horseback riding, Silfra snorkeling, puffins, volcano from helicopter, ATV |
| Vik & nearby (South Coast) | Easy glacier walk, black sand beach horse riding, zipline, glacier lagoon kayak |
| North Iceland | Whales & puffins, white water rafting, Godafoss |
Best Things to Do in Iceland – Details
1. Golden Circle Tour
Arguably the most iconic activity on a visit to Iceland is touring the Golden Circle.
The Golden Circle is a driving loop from Reykjavik that includes some of the country’s top attractions, from the awe-inspiring Gullfoss Falls and Geysir (to see Strokkur gush) to Thingvellir National Park and the Kerid Crater.
In Thingvellir National Park, you can go snorkeling between two tectonic plates (or diving, if you prefer). The fissure at Silfra between the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates is filled with glacial meltwater and offers unparalleled visibility.
🌋 Golden Circle Classic Day Tour from Reykjavik Explore the iconic Golden Circle route, visiting Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. Check price and availability now!
On a Golden Circle tour, you will cover about 250-300 kilometers (about 155-186 miles) depending on detours you choose to make.
You can do the Golden Circle drive (or guided tour) no matter which time of year you visit. But summer is the optimal time to do this drive, especially if you want to see Gullfoss in all its glory, from every angle and all viewing areas.
🌋 Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Trip from Reykjavik Combine the classic Golden Circle route with a visit to the colorful Kerid volcanic crater on this comprehensive day tour. Check price and availability now!
If you choose to drive, you can do the Golden Circle loop in a regular car or campervan, no 4X4 required!
While you can take in the highlights in one long day, you can also spread the drive over 2-3 days and enjoy a more leisurely experience.
Rent a car or get a campervan and do the Golden Circle loop as a self-drive tour, or join one of the many guided tours that are available.
This very popular full-day Golden Circle tour in an air-conditioned bus includes Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir National Park, and the Kerid Crater. You can opt for pick-up and drop-off.
Top-Rated Golden Circle Tours
2. Tour the South Coast of Iceland
Next only to the Golden Circle in popularity is the scenic South Coast of Iceland, renowned for its many waterfalls and black sand beaches.
You can do a self-drive tour of the South Coast, either going along the Ring Road from Reykjavik to Vik and back in one day, or taking two to three days to travel from Reykjavik to Hofn, taking in the many sights along the route.
🌄 Iceland South Coast Full-Day Small-Group Tour Discover the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland’s south coast, including Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, black sand beaches, and the Sólheimajökull glacier. Check price and availability now!
If you are leery of driving, there are South Coast guided tours from which to choose, some that are sightseeing tours and others that include a glacier hike or other adventure.
Among the many waterfalls that line the South Coast, Seljalandsfoss is famous as the “walk-behind” waterfall (you can walk a path to a cave behind the cascading water!), and Skogafoss is known for its power.
🛶 Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Boat & South Coast Tour from Reykjavik Witness the breathtaking beauty of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon on a boat tour, combined with visits to stunning south coast attractions like Diamond Beach and Vatnajökull National Park. Check price and availability now!
On this route you will also find the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, touted as the best non-tropical beach on the planet, and the Solheimajokull Glacier, an outlet glacier that’s super easy to access for a guided glacier walk.
Past the charming little village of Vik, the southernmost community in Iceland, is the otherworldly Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon with its floating icebergs, and Diamond Beach, strewn with diamond-like ice bergs in all shapes and sizes.
Vatnajokull National Park’s Staftafell area is another popular area to explore, with glaciers, canyons, and waterfalls.
This popular guided tour from Reyjavik to Vik and back features stops at Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Solheimajokull Glacier, Reynisfjara Beach, and Vik. You can also do a guided tour from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach.
Top-Rated South Coast Tours
3. Explore Reykjavik
Most visitors start their Iceland visit in the capital city of Reykjavik. The largest city in Iceland, Reykjavik is located on the Faxaflói Bay in the southwest part of the country.
With its colorful rooftops, the famous Hallgrímskirkja, and a variety of activities both on land and on the water, Reykjavik will keep you engaged no matter whether you spend a couple of days here or a week.
🏙️ Walking Tour of Reykjavik City Discover the charm of Iceland’s capital on a guided walking tour, visiting landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa Concert Hall, and the Sun Voyager sculpture. Check price and availability now!
Many visitors choose to base in Reykjavik, exploring the rest of the small country on day excursions.
One of the top things to do in Reykjavik is to take in the views from the top of Hallgrímskirkja, the striking church that stands on a hilltop near the heart of the city.
View the famous Rainbow Street (Skolavordustigur), walk by the National Theatre of Iceland, snap photos of the statue of Viking Ingólfr Arnarson in Arnarholl, admire the gorgeous Harpa Concert Hall, and tour the Perlan Museum.
🇮🇸 Reykjavik Food Walk – Local Foodie Adventure Embark on a culinary journey through Reykjavik, sampling traditional Icelandic dishes and local delicacies. With a 5.0 rating from over 16,000 reviews, it’s a must-do for food enthusiasts. Check price and availability now!
A walking tour of Reykjavik is a wonderful way to take in the sights and learn about the city.
Foodies may want to reserve spots on the very popular food walking tour of the capital city, to sample local eats while visiting the top landmarks.
A lava show is a unique experience for the whole family! Kids and adults alike will love the thrilling re-creation of a volcanic eruption.
Top-Rated Reykjavik Tours
4. Soak in a Hot Spring
Iceland is known for its geothermal activity and no visit to the country can be deemed complete without a relaxing soak in one of the many hot springs you’ll find here.
It’s a wonderful feeling to soak in the warm water after a long hike or in the depths of winter. Many hot springs have scenic settings, adding to the relaxation quotient.
Right near Keflavik Airport is the famous Blue Lagoon, which gets its name from the milky blue of its water.
🛁 Golden Circle, Volcano Crater, and Blue Lagoon Small-Group Tour Experience Iceland’s iconic sights in one day: visit Thingvellir National Park, witness the erupting Geysir, marvel at Gullfoss waterfall, explore the vibrant Kerid volcanic crater, and unwind in the soothing waters of the Blue Lagoon. Check price and availability now!
With therapeutic waters, mineral-rich muds, and surrounded by hills, the Blue Lagoon hot spring spa is very popular and you MUST plan in advance! Or visit as part of a Golden Circle tour.
Sky Lagoon, located south of the Reykjavik center and caressed by the ocean, is another extremely popular hot spring spa in Iceland. You can buy entry tickets online.
Further out from Reykjavik, you will find other geothermal spas, like the Secret Lagoon and Laugarvatn Fontana along the Golden Circle route and Mývatn Nature Baths in Northern Iceland.
You will also find natural hot springs in Iceland, like the springs at Landmannalaugar or at Reykjadalur.
While some hot springs in the Highlands and other remoter areas are free, hot spring spas with amenities usually have fees.
Top-Rated Iceland Spa Experiences
5. Go on a Glacier Hike or Explore an Ice Cave
Want to explore more of the “ice” in the Land of Fire and Ice? Sign up for a guided glacier hike or go on an ice caving expedition!
On a glacier walk, you will have an exciting time exploring deep crevasses and tall ridges in the glacier, and maybe even get to eat an ice chip or drink some glacier water.
Solheimajokull Glacier, on the South Coast of Iceland, is a very popular glacier hike destination. A long tongue of the larger Myrdalsjokull Glacier, the ice at Solheimajokull Glacier can be accessed via about a 30-minute walk from the parking lot.
You can join a Solheimajokull Glacier hike from the outfitter “base camp” at the glacier, or opt for a tour that includes round trip transport from Reykjavik. Combination glacier walk and ice climbing tours are also available.
Glacier hikes are also offered in the Skaftafell area, at places like Falljökull, which is a glacial tongue of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull. Vatnajokull has many tongue glaciers!
At Skaftafell, you can even opt for a longer 5-hour excursion, which allows for an extended time on the glacier. Or you can stick with a shorter 3-hour glacier hike.
Glacier hikes are offered year-round, and in fact, summer is a great time to go on a glacier hike because the weather is more stable. On the other hand, ice cave exploration is more a winter sport.
Tours of the famous Katla Ice Cave are offered year round, but most other natural ice caves are only available to explore from late October to late May or so, for safety.
The man-made Langjokull Glacier Tunnel is also open in the summer.
Top-Rated Glacier Hikes and Ice Cave Tours
6. Enjoy Whale Watching
Iceland is known for its excellent whale watching so be sure to put a whale watching cruise on your itinerary for the country!
Whale watching cruises are offered year round, and you can see whales year round in Iceland, although the optimal time for whale watching is from April until October. As a bonus, on summer whale watching cruises, you may also see puffins!
Whales that you may see in the waters around Iceland include humpback, minke, sperm, and fin whales. You may also see orca (killer whales) or the occasional massive blue whale. Humpbacks, minke, and orcas are commonly sighted.
🐋 The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik Set sail from Reykjavik to spot majestic whales in their natural habitat. This tour follows a code of conduct for responsible whale watching, ensuring minimal disturbance to marine life. Check price and availability now!
White-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises are other marine life you may see on a whale watching tour.
You can take whale watching cruises in Iceland right from Reykjavik, or from Husavik or Akureyri in Northern Iceland, or from Olafsvik in the western part of the country. Husavik is known as Iceland’s “wale watching capital” and it is very picturesque to boot.
If you visit Akureyri, also be sure to visit Godafoss Waterfall and Lake Myvatn!
Tours are offered in modern rigid inflatable boats (RIB) or in traditional oak boats.
Check out this popular whale watching tour from Reykjavik, this exciting RIB whale watching tour from Husavik, or this whale-watching excursion from Akureyri.
Top-Rated Whale Watching Excursions
7. Try an Exciting Iceland Adventure
If you enjoy unique adventures on your travels, Iceland has plenty to offer, both in the summer and in the winter, from glacial lagoon kayaking to hiking in an active volcanic area.
Kayaking on a glacier lagoon is an amazing summer experience in Iceland. Solheimajokull Glacier Lagoon and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon are both easily accessed from the Ring Road.
🧊 Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Silfra fissure in Thingvellir National Park, snorkeling between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Check price and availability now!
Snowmobiling on an ice cap is an exciting adventure that’s available year round in Iceland.
On a guided snowmobiling adventure, you’ll cruise over the ice cap at Langjökull (Iceland’s second-largest glacier), at Myrdalsjokull Glacier, which sits atop the Katla Volcano, or at Vatnajokull, Iceland’s largest glacier.
Want to go horseback riding in scenic Iceland? You’ll find guided horseback rides on Icelandic horses in many parts of the country, including this convenient tour from Reykjavik.
Icelandic horses you see today are descended from horses brought over by the Vikings! They are a gentle breed, perfect for all levels of riders.
Other exciting adventures to try in Iceland include exploring a lava tunnel, ziplining, ATV riding, and volcano hikes. There are so many adventures to be had in the outdoors in Iceland that time will be your constraint, not choice!
Unique Iceland Experiences
8. Look for Puffins in the Summer
One of the most fun reasons to visit Iceland in the summer is the chance to see the adorable puffins!
Atlantic puffins are distinctive birds, with a black crown and back and a white underbody. The beak is a striking orange and black, and the feet are webbed and bright orange. Puffins make for stunning photos!
The Atlantic puffin arrives at the coastal cliffs of Iceland (and other northern countries) in the spring to nest and breed, making late spring and summer the perfect time to look for puffins.
Although puffins can be seen all around Iceland, the most reliable places to spot them are on the Westman Islands, in the Westfjords, and on the South Coast, The Cliffs of Dyrhólaey, an easy drive from Reykjavik, is an excellent place to go puffin-spotting.
Since puffins next on coastal cliffs, you can also see them from cruises on the water. This cruise from Reykjavik, for example, takes you to Akurey Island, where you can see them. You may also see puffins on a summer whale watching tour.
While puffins are the major birdwatching draw, you can see many other species of sea birds along the coast in Iceland. So if you enjoy birdwatching, be sure to pack your scope or zoom lens!
Top-Rated Puffin Tours
9. Chase the Northern Lights in Winter or See the Midnight Sun in Summer
Visiting Iceland in the winter means that you have the opportunity to see the aurora borealis!
Whether you are an avid landscape photographer or not, chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a bucket-list activity you won’t want to miss.
🌌 #1 Northern Lights Tour in Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO Photos Chase the elusive Aurora Borealis with expert guides who’ll take you to the best viewing spots. Capture the moment with professional photos included in this unforgettable night tour. Check price and availability now!
You can see the dancing green, pink, blue, or purple lights all over Iceland, but they are best appreciated in areas that do not experience light pollution. And there are plenty such spots in Iceland, even a short drive away from Reykjavik.
While the Northern Lights are visible mainly from late August until late April, when the nights are long and dark. The Icelandic Met Office puts out an aurora forecast to help with planning.
You can also join a Northern Lights guided tour, such as this popular excursion from Reykjavik, which includes pro photos from your sightings. You get to rebook if you don’t see them on your first tour!
Visiting in high summer? Enjoy the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun, when the sun almost doesn’t set at all! In Iceland, this phenomenon usually occurs between mid-May and mid-July.
The farther north in Iceland you go, the more prolonged the phenomenon. Akureyri, in Northern Iceland, sees the sun for 23.5 hours on the summer solstice.
Not only does this time of the year give you insanely long sightseeing hours, it also means that you can go really late in the day to a popular sights, hoping for lower numbers of people.
Top-Rated Northern Lights Tours
10. Go Hiking
As a premier outdoor adventure destination, Iceland offers a multitude of hikes. No matter what your skill level, you will find a trail or two to hike in Iceland, to get up close to the spectacular scenery.
Among the iconic walking routes in Iceland are the Laugavegur Trail, the Fimmvörðuháls Trail, and the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. If you are an experienced hiker, you will definitely want to research these routes!
For visitors looking for shorter day hikes, the Waterfall Way Hike from Skogafoss on the South Coast is an excellent choice. Another gorgeous hike is the Bláhnúkur -Brennisteinsalda Loop in Landmannalaugar. Other hikes for outstanding views are the climb up Reynisfjall near Vik on the South Coast, or the Studlagil Canyon Hike.
🏔️ Snaefellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik Explore the diverse landscapes of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, from black sand beaches and volcanic craters to charming fishing villages and the iconic Kirkjufell mountain. Check price and availability now!
The National Parks — Vatnajokull, Thingvellir, and Snæfellsjökull offer a variety of hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels.
Looking for easy hikes in Iceland? Walk the Laugahraun Lava Loop in Landmannalaugar, or do the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon Hike in South Iceland, or the hike to Oxararfoss Waterfall in Thingvellir.
Really short hikes with great payoffs include the walk to the edge of the Solheimajokull Glacier from the parking lot, the walk from Skogar to Kvernufoss, or the hike to Svartifoss Waterfall, all on the South Coast of Iceland.
Top-Rated Hiking Tours
Where to Stay in Reykjavik
Reykjavik Residence Apartment Hotel is a hugely popular place to stay in Reykjavik. The hotel is located in the heart of the city and offers self-catering apartments with hotel services.
Enjoy modern kitchen facilities, tea/coffee makers, microaves, and communal laundry facilities. Parking, free wifi, and an airport shuttle.
>>> Check prices and availability now!
Reykjavik4You Apartments are modern and comfortable, with free wifi and flat-screen TVs. Non-smoking rooms with private baths. A location in the heart of Reykjavik, walking distance to attractions like Hallgrímskirkja Church.
Pick from srudio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and two-bedroom luxury with a balcony.
>>> Check prices and availability now!
Hotel Reykjavik Saga is located in the center of Reykjavik and offers rooms for couples and families. Free wifi, non-smoking rooms, and onsite restaurant.
There is a coffee machine, and free wifi, and guests enjoy a garden, terrace, and fitness center.