{"id":8774,"date":"2026-01-12T03:32:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T03:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/complete-guide-things-see-iceland\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T09:56:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T09:56:53","slug":"complete-guide-things-see-iceland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/complete-guide-things-see-iceland\/","title":{"rendered":"22 Very Best Things To Do In Iceland (And How To See Them All)"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are so many of the best things to do in Iceland during your trip. I mean, it’s a country that’s so gorgeous and so incredibly beautiful that you’re going to be spoilt for choice. <\/p>\n

Let’s be honest, though, Iceland is a country that needs little introduction. It seems like everyone and their cat is talking about how amazing this country is, and it’s easy to see why.<\/p>\n

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For the longest time, I’d wanted to visit Iceland<\/a>, and our first-ever trip was one I savoured and planned to an inch of its life. I was determined to do, eat and find all the other things to do in Iceland. I planned to leave no stone unturned and no experience undiscovered.<\/p>\n

Now, whether it’s your first, second or ninetieth trip to Iceland, I’m almost sure you won’t have seen everything on this pretty vast island. It’s an island of huge mountains, volcanic landscapes, geothermal activity, stunning sites and the most friendly locals.<\/p>\n

I’d go as far as saying that Icelanders are some of the friendliest people on the planet.<\/p>\n

Anyway, before I ramble on, take a look at some of the best places to see, eat and things to see when you’re visiting Iceland on our map and guide below (make sure to toggle the slider over the map to reveal the place names).<\/p>\n

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When to visit Iceland? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Firstly, always book your Iceland hotels in advance<\/a>. The best Iceland hotels fill up fast<\/a> during peak times.<\/p>\n

In the summer months, Iceland benefits from very long days and not too many nights. This is epic if you want to make the most of your time to see all the epic and best things to do in Iceland.  You see, you will have very long days, which means that daylight gives much more time for exploring the natural sights<\/a>.  In the winter months, days tend to be much shorter, so expect lots of time exploring in the dark.<\/p>\n

This is great if you’re a keen stargazer or want to see the Northern Lights<\/a>, but it might put a bit more strain on the few daylight hours you have for things to do in Iceland.<\/p>\n

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For the best of both worlds, consider visiting in March-April or September-October. This way, you can still have great daylight hours but a good dose of dark evenings, which is great for the Northern Lights. On that point, check out our complete guide on seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Just remember, there is no bad time to visit; it just makes sense to plan your visit around the type of experiences you want to have (and the amount of time you can spend).<\/p>\n

After all, you’ll always find so many things to do in Iceland.<\/p>\n

Where to eat in Iceland?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Iceland is a pretty yummy country to fill your tummy, with plenty of excellent restaurants in Reykjavik<\/a>. Now, it’s likely that if it’s your first visit to Iceland, you’ll probably end up heading out of the city too.<\/p>\n

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So, the first stop has to be Sol<\/a>, a unique restaurant around a 20-minute drive from the centre of Reykjavik. It’s housed in its very own greenhouse on the harbourfront. More than just a gimmick, this restaurant has some of the tastiest food we’ve had in Iceland. Plus, they make some of the best Kleinur for dessert. <\/p>\n

Oh, and talking of specific meals: Make sure to try lots of Skyr, plenty of Saltfiskur and Svi\u00f0 (boiled sheep’s head) if you’re feeling up for it. I never actually saw the latter in any place we visited on both of our visits, but it’s one of the island’s most infamous meals.<\/p>\n

For one of the best hot dogs, go to B\u00e6jarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand in Reykjavik itself. It might seem just like a little shack, but it’s the most famous (and arguably the best) in Iceland.<\/p>\n

If you want to eat some yummy R\u00fagbrau\u00f0 cooked in the ground (from the geothermal activity), head over to Laugarvatn Fontana<\/a> geothermal pools. It’s perfect<\/span> with lashings of butter.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best restaurants in Iceland<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

What to pack for Iceland? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Lots of layers, waterproofs, sunblock and waterproof shoes are essential, especially when exploring all the best things to do in Iceland. <\/p>\n

For our complete list of things to pack (for all the things to do in Iceland), look at our top tips on what to pack for your trip<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What to see and do in Iceland?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Take a look below at some of the very best things to do in Iceland. Have an epic trip. <\/p>\n

1.) Ice caves of Vatnajokull Glacier<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The glacial caves of Iceland<\/a> are stunning and wonderful places to experience, with the Vatnajokull glacier being the biggest in Europe.<\/p>\n

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Hop on board one of the monster trucks that’ll take you to the glaciers to experience an ice cave<\/a> like no other.<\/p>\n

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It’s worth noting that this experience only really occurs in the summer months due to safety. So be prepared and always have your ice cave tour booked<\/a> before heading to Iceland. <\/p>\n

Read more: Best tours to book from Reykjavik<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/div>\n

2.) Blue Lagoon<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Everyone likes a little chill time now and then, with the Blue Lagoon<\/a> being one of the ‘hottest’ places. Well, maybe I should say the coolest? Whatever, you catch my drift! It’s amazing. <\/p>\n

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Take a dip in the heated rock pools, lather your face up with the natural silica and enjoy the gorgeous experience. It is one of the hottest things to do in Iceland.<\/p>\n

Being one of Iceland’s most iconic spots, you can expect many visitors.<\/p>\n

If you want a quieter experience, stay at The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon<\/a>, which has its private rock pools, or visit the main pools early in the morning, when visitor numbers are somewhat lower. We’ve stayed at The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland<\/a> twice and love it. Just make sure to book this room – it opens up into one of the lagoon areas<\/a> and is stunning. <\/p>\n

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Suppose you’re done with all that chilling, head on this hike to see the erupting volcano in Fagradalsfjall<\/a>. It’s so incredible and only a 15-minute drive from the Blue Lagoon<\/a> (with an added hike, of course).<\/p>\n

Read more: Visiting the Blue Lagoon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3.) Stokksnes Peninsula<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Nestled on the southeast coast of Iceland, this area is known to be one of the first farming settlements in Norway.<\/p>\n

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Nowadays, Vestra-Horn, the towering mountain that dominates this picturesque landscape, watches over this peaceful and serene landscape.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best tours to book from Reykjavik<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4.) The fumarole fields of Namafjall<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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This opening of the Earth’s crust is one iconic area to visit in Namafjall. Make sure not to get too close, as the steam is piping hot and not to be messed around.<\/p>\n

Just east of Lake Myvatn, you’ll also find a few hiking trails towards Namaskard Pass and Namafjall Mountain… just make sure to take some comfy shoes. It’s a must-see when planning all the things to do in Iceland.<\/p>\n

First time to Iceland: Make sure to visit these places<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

5.) Fontana Geothermal Baths<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The Fontana Geothermal Baths<\/a> are a great place for a mid-afternoon dip. Head to the piping-hot, outdoor baths and work up a sweat in the steam rooms.<\/p>\n

Once sufficiently toasty, take a run into the ice-cold lake that surrounds the baths. It’s not for the faint-hearted and certainly puts a zing in your step!<\/p>\n

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After taking a dip, fill up at the baths restaurant, where they cook a range of rye bread in the geothermal ground. It’s one of the surreal things to do in Iceland, that’s for sure.<\/p>\n

Read more: Hidden places in Iceland to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6.) See the Northern Lights<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The Northern Lights<\/a> are an incredible sight to see and one that I always look forward to.<\/p>\n

Firstly, spotting the Northern Lights<\/a> requires a lot of luck, but you can increase your chances by planning ahead.<\/p>\n

Secondly, be patient. Make sure to check the aurora forecast<\/a> before you head out,<\/span> and take plenty of layers with you.<\/p>\n

One of the best ways to spot them is to drive into the wilderness, switch off your engine and wait a few hours for the lights to dance. It’s the best way to stay warm, and once they arrive, you can hop straight out of the car.<\/p>\n

Oh, you might also see them on your flight over Iceland.<\/p>\n

During our flight, the pilot turned off all the internal lights so the whole plane could watch them dancing! It really was incredible.<\/p>\n

Read more: How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

7.) Whale watching<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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As with the Northern Lights, whale watching<\/a> can be a little hit or miss.<\/p>\n

There’s a little element of luck involved once again, but it’s a great way to head out into the open ocean and search for some of these gentle giants. You can depart from several places in Iceland, and we chose to depart from Reykjavik itself.<\/p>\n

Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/div>\n

Read more: Whale watching in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

8.) Vik & Dyrh\u00f3laey<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Three hours, or so, east of Reykjavik are the gorgeous black sand beaches and craggy rocks of Vik and Dyrh\u00f3laey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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It’s a dramatic place to stop and see on your route east.<\/p>\n

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Read more: Visiting Dyrh\u00f3laey in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

9.) Sk\u00f3gafoss<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Possibly one of the easiest waterfalls to find in Iceland, Sk\u00f3gafoss<\/a> is a stunning and powerful waterfall to visit in both summer and winter.<\/p>\n

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Watch out for the rainbow that sometimes glistens over the waterfall.<\/p>\n

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Oh, make sure to take a raincoat, too; you’ll most definitely get wet depending on how close you walk to the crashing water.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best tours to book from Reykjavik<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

10.) J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n Glacier Lagoon<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The Glacial Lagoon of J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n<\/a> is a picturesque place to see some of the region’s largest ‘glacial icebergs’.<\/p>\n

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A truly beautiful place that is a great starting point before you head onto (or into) the glacier itself.<\/p>\n

Read more: Visiting J\u00f6kuls\u00e1rl\u00f3n<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

11.) Horse riding<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Icelandic horses<\/a> are known for their friendly temperament and charm that you just can’t ignore.<\/p>\n

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Head out into the wild tundra and watch out for all those grassy mounds you’ll come across! Legend has it that Icelandic trolls still inhabit these little mounds.<\/p>\n

Read more: Horse riding in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

12.) Walk-behind Seljalandsfoss<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Not too far from Sk\u00f3gafoss, Seljalandsfoss<\/a> is one of Iceland’s waterfalls that you can walk behind.<\/p>\n

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It’s only about 10 minutes or so in the car from Sk\u00f3gafoss, so it’s really easy to see them right after each other.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best hikes in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

13.) Fjadrargljufur Canyon<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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About 100 metres deep, the Fjadrargljufur Canyon is one of the picturesque places to explore.<\/p>\n

The canyon is believed to be over 2 million years old and carved from the destructive force of ice that ground through this region.<\/p>\n

The canyon itself is roughly halfway between the towns of Vik and Hof (and just off the main driving route).<\/p>\n

Read more: Best towns in Iceland to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

14.) Reynisfjara Beach<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Reynisfjara Beach is actually visible from Dyrh\u00f3laey, which I mentioned earlier, but is separated by a body of water.<\/p>\n

This black sand beach is gorgeous and an iconic volcanic landscape that you must see when in Iceland.<\/p>\n

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Don’t forget to take a peek into H\u00e1lsanefshellir Cave, that is perched on the east side of the beach.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best restaurants in Iceland to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

15.) Solheimasandur plane<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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This crash happened over 40 years ago when an aircraft ran out of fuel. *gulp*<\/p>\n

Until recently, you could drive relatively close to the wreckage, but now, if you do want to visit, you need to walk around 5 km or so to reach the site. It’s not the easiest site to reach when there’s lots of fresh snow, so make sure you pay attention to local weather conditions.<\/p>\n

16.) Kirkjufellsfoss<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Perched on the northwestern jut of land, Kirkjufellsfoss is an iconic place to stop in Iceland.<\/p>\n

It’s one of the most accessible waterfalls to visit and is worth the drive.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best hikes in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

17.) Akureyri <\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Iceland’s second-largest urban area in terms of residents, Akureyri, is one of the North’s best towns to explore.<\/p>\n

Make sure to visit the Akureyri Art Museum, the botanical gardens and the world’s most northerly 18-hole golf course.<\/p>\n

18.) Godafoss (Go\u00f0afoss)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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In the northeast of the country, Godafoss is a symbolic waterfall where the island chose to forget the old Norse religion in favour of Christianity. Mind you, this was way over 1,000 years ago.<\/p>\n

Legend has it that the statues of Norse gods were then surrendered (and thrown) into the waterfalls, never to be seen again.<\/p>\n

19.) The Geysir and Strokkur <\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Again, perched on the Golden Circle route (which can easily be explored in a day), the Geysir erupts quite infrequently.<\/p>\n

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So, if you want to guarantee an eruption, head to the nearby Strokkur<\/a>, which almost erupts every 8 minutes or so.<\/p>\n

Read more: Hidden places in Iceland to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

20.) Krafla-Viti caldera and lake<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Perched near Lake Myvatn, Krafla is a vast caldera around 10 km in diameter.<\/p>\n

This whole landscape is not just a geeky site for geologists; it’s a breathtaking landscape that any traveller to northeast Iceland should see.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best towns to visit in Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

21.) Gullfoss<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Perched within the deep canyon where the Olfusa River flows, Gullfoss<\/a> is a stunning waterfall that is amazing to see in both summer and winter.<\/p>\n

A few hundred metres from the main road, it’s a gorgeous site that you have to see when driving the Golden Circle.<\/p>\n

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If you’re visiting in the winter months, just be aware that some of the paths might be closed for safety.<\/p>\n

Read more: 1-week itinerary for exploring Iceland<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

22.) Reykjavik<\/strong> <\/h3>\n

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There’s a whole heap of things to do when visiting Iceland’s largest city, Reykjavik<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Make sure to gorge at one of the capital’s tasty restaurants<\/a>, head over to the Reykjavik Grapevine for some epic live bands and visit the Hallgr\u00edmskirkja church for some great views over the city.<\/p>\n

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It’s a gorgeous little capital city to explore. <\/p>\n

Read more: Hidden places in Iceland to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Hidden Places In Iceland: 11 Places You\u2019ll Miss If You Only Do the Golden Circle!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n