Iceland is a one-of-a-kind place that will stay in your memories and heart forever. It might sound cheesy, but you will know exactly what I mean as soon as you land! With so many great things to do in Iceland, hopefully this will make your trip planning a little easier.
With outstanding natural beauty, magical folklore and a rich history, Iceland has so much to offer so take a look at this list as you start organising your trip. From learning about the Icelandic Vikings and their symbols, to chasing waterfalls or the northern lights – you’ll fall in love with Iceland whatever you do!
Quick Iceland Travel Guide
Where to stay: Most people visiting Iceland stay in Reykjavik, as it is the main hub and largest town on the iceland. It is also where most tours depart from. Classic hotels include the Hilton Reykjavik and the Hotel Reykjavik Saga, but for a more budget-friendly option you’ll find that people are renting out their homes (this one has a car included!) and apartments.
Top activities and tours in Iceland:
- Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon
- Glaciers & Waterfalls Tour
- Whale Watching
- Reykjavik Local Food Tour
- Northern Lights Photography Tour
Packing for Iceland: The time of year you visit will affect your packing list. If you are visiting in winter, I have covered everything you need in this guide. In the warmer months, you still need to keep in mind that the weather can change quickly, and it can get chilly in the evenings. Layers is always key, and a light puffer jacket such as this one should be with you year-round when visiting the Nordics.
Getting from the airport: The airport in Reykjavik (located in the smaller town of Keflavik, and named thereafter, KEF) is about 50 km/31 miles from Reykjavik. You can easily book a bus transfer in advance, taking you to the Reykjavik city center (where most hotels are within walking distance). For an even more hassle-free arrival, book a private transfer.
Top 10 Things to do in Iceland
As one of the Nordic countries, I often hear Iceland compared to Norway – and get questions on whether people should visit Iceland or Norway. Truth be told, the countries are both beautiful, and different in their own ways.
Both offer stunning waterfalls, charming towns and long drives (it’s inevitable). Both require layers and layers in terms of clothing and what to pack, and I am sure both will leave you breathless!
#1 Visit the Golden Circle
No trip to Iceland is complete without a visit to the famous Golden Circle! It’s comprised of three incredible sites – Þingvellir National Park, The Great Geysir and Gullfoss Waterfall. Each one is a unique and wonderful place to visit, and access to them all is completely free.
You can snorkel between two tectonic plates, take a long hike and learn about Iceland’s parliamentary history at Þingvellir, before driving a short way to Gullsfoss and marvelling at its incredible power and beauty.
The Great Geysir is actually unlikely to erupt whilst you’re there (it’s only done so twice in the past 23 years!) so you’ll want to find Strokkur which explodes around every 5 minutes!
Don’t miss: The ultimate Iceland Ring Road itinerary
#2 Go on a Helicopter Tour
Iceland is stunning and breathtaking from the ground, so just imagine what it looks like from the sky! Since the July volcano eruption, taking a helicopter tour is even more exciting!
Most helicopter tours fly for between 30 and 60 minutes, with some staying in the air to give you the best views, and some landing on epic glaciers or mountaintops to experience pure isolation.
Take your camera and get ready for an experience of a lifetime, keeping an eye out for geothermal areas, volcanoes, glaciers and waterfalls.
Browse some of Iceland’s epic helicopter tours below!
#3 Go Glacier Hiking
Whether you’re an avid hiker or a complete novice, there is something incredible about climbing a glacier!
Iceland has hundreds of glaciers, but you’ll have to follow a guide if you want to hike on one, as there is a lot of difference between trekking up a grassy path and climbing on ice!
You’ll be given the correct safety equipment for a tour like this and your guide will shall all of their knowledge about the local area and the glacier you’re on.
Popular locations for glacier hiking are Vatnajökull and Sólheimajökull so check out those if you want the best experience!
#4 Stay In A Unique Hotel
There are plenty of lovely hostels, hotels and apartments in Iceland that will suit all types of people visiting. However, there are also some very unique and different accommodation types in Iceland that will make your trip stand out in your memories even more!
You can stay in remote cabins, hotels with geothermal swimming pools, Viking-themed rooms, luxury tents and even a bus!
Make sure you book these types of hotels in advance though as they’re very popular and the best rooms sell out quickly!
Browse all hotels in Iceland here!
#5 Explore Inside An Ice Cave
Iceland is full of surprises, and its ice caves are no exception! Some are natural, and some are man-made but either way, they give you the opportunity to explore underneath the ice.
You can also find glacier caves, which are fully formed underneath a glacier and usually have that gorgeous blue tinge to them. The most popular glacier cave is the Crystal Ice Cave, located underneath Vatnajökull and famous for a reason! It’s a stunning piece of natural art and you will not regret going!
The best time to visit an ice or glacier cave is in the winter, between November and March as the ice begins to melt during the summer months.
Don’t go to an ice cave without proper clothing. You’ll be advised by your tour company on what to wear, and I always recommend a proper Scandinavian sweater!
#6 Go Whale Watching
The waters surrounding Iceland are teeming with wildlife, and whales are no exception! You can take a whale-watching trip all year round, although the best time to go is in the spring and summer.
The main places to see them are Reykjavik and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in the west and Husavik and Akureyri in the north, so you have plenty of options to choose from, wherever you’re staying.
There are plenty of whales to look out for, including orcas, humpbacks, minke and blue – as well as porpoises and dolphins!
Fun fact: you may recognise the name Husavik from the Netflix movie Eurovision Song Contest!
#7 Ride A Snowmobile
One of the best things to do in Iceland is to ride a snowmobile across one of the vast glaciers!
Don’t worry if you’ve never ridden one before – you’ll be given a lesson and a safety briefing before you get on and then you’ll follow the highly experienced guides along the snow.
It’s honestly such a fantastic and thrilling experience, so and one that should be high on your Iceland bucket list!
#8 Swim in the Blue Lagoon
Sometimes the most touristy attractions aren’t actually very good, but in this case, the Blue Lagoon lives up to the hype and I’d highly recommend that you go!
It’s actually a man-made pool, using geothermal seawater rich in minerals and nutrients that are amazing for your skin!
Included in your ticket is your entry to the lagoon, a mud mask, the use of a towel and a drink at the swim-up bar! You can also upgrade to a variety of packages to include more face masks, drinks and bathrobes.
The Blue Lagoon is definitely one of the best things to do in Iceland and is worth every penny! It’s also nearer to the airport than the capital of Reykjavik, so a good idea is to go either on your first day straight after landing or just before your flight – what a way to relax on a travel day!
#9 Experience The Midnight Sun
Iceland experiences the wonderful phenomenon of 24-hour sunlight during the summer months. This is because of the tilt of the earth at this time of year – the sun never dips below the horizon so it’s visible all day.
This gives you so much more time to see the natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. If you’ve hired a car, go waterfall chasing at midnight, or explore the Golden Circle at 4am when there are fewer people awake!
Some tours even run at much later times in order to get the best views or opportunities to see animals.
Of course, the Midnight Sun can only be experienced during the summer, one of the most popular times to visit Iceland.
As you may already know, the Midnight Sun is one of the reasons countries like Iceland, Sweden and Norway are famous!
#10 See The Northern Lights
In contrast, the Northern Lights are only visible during the winter because you need darkness to see the incredible dancing aurora borealis. If you aim to take photos of them, you can do so with your fancy camera, a GoPro (like me), or even a smartphone!
You’re never guaranteed to see them, but your best chances are from around November to January as those are the darkest months with the shortest days.
Read next: The best time to see the Northern Lights (originally written for Norway, but also valid for Iceland)
You can take a tour where a guide will have local knowledge about the best time and places to see the lights, or you can hang out at your hotel and hope that you’re treated to the best free lights show in the world!
Increase your chances even more by staying somewhere more remote where light pollution isn’t brightening up the sky. This makes it much easier to take photos of the northern lights!
Browse some of the best northern lights tours in Iceland below (make sure to book these early, as they do sell out)!
#11 Learn about the Vikings
Visiting Iceland is an excellent way to learn about the Vikings and their history. Every corner of the island, from the bustling city centers to the remote fjords in the north, is saturated with Viking culture and mythology, making it no surprise that many people come here to explore their legacy.
From ancient Viking artifacts to interactive museums and exhibits in Reykjavik, there is a wealth of knowledge to be discovered about these remarkable seafaring people.
One great way for visitors to get started on their journey into Viking history is by reading my article on the most famous Vikings in history. It includes detailed accounts of some of the most iconic figures from this era, as well as stories that illustrate how they helped shape Icelandic society both during and after their lives.
Top Tips For Visiting Iceland
If you are renting a car, I always recommend hiring a 4×4 vehicle in Iceland. It allows you to be more flexible in your planning and it gives you the freedom to stop and look at what you want, when you want!
Iceland does have some roads that are only passable in a 4×4 – even if you see information online saying that a 2WD can get there, I wouldn’t risk it – it’s always best to be over-prepared.
If you’re visiting in the winter, you’ll only have around 6-7 hours of actual daylight when it will be safer to drive, so plan your activities around that so that you aren’t caught in a snowstorm in the pitch black!
Iceland can be expensive if you eat out for every meal, but it’s possible to spend less if you stay at an accommodation with a kitchen.
The supermarkets are not crazy expensive – there are some value products but stick to simple things like pizzas, pasta and sandwiches and you’ll spend less than you think. Just remember that you’re on holiday – the fresh vegetables can wait!
However, something that you don’t have to spend money on is water! Just like in Norway, drink it straight from the tap because it’s super clean and doesn’t even need to be treated. Bring a refillable water bottle such as this one and fill up wherever you can.
Some tours and activities are weather or season dependent, so make sure that you plan accordingly! You’re more likely to see whales in the summer, but you definitely won’t see the Northern Lights then because it doesn’t get dark!
Winter is the best time to visit the ice caves because they melt as it gets warmer, but if you want to see waterfalls at their most powerful then avoid the frostier months!
I’ve written a guide to the best time of year to visit Norway, with lots of great tips that also apply to Iceland!
Finally, lots of famous attractions are actually free to visit in Iceland, so don’t feel like you have to take a tour for everything.
However, if you aren’t driving then a tour might be your only option because public transport isn’t common across the remote areas of the island. Luckily, the tours in Iceland are great – there has been a lot of tourism over the years here so companies know exactly what to offer in terms of activities, transport and price.
Some places, such as the ice caves, require you to have a guide for safety reasons so bear that in mind when planning your itinerary and budget.
These ideas are the very best things to do in Iceland so use this list to start planning your Iceland trip right now!