Ultimate Guide to the Best Places to See and Things to Do in Iceland
After two trips to Iceland, it’s one of my favorite places with so many things to do. Its stunning, diverse landscapes, welcoming people, and unique activities set it apart from so many other destinations.
I could honestly get lost in Iceland for months and months and still come away wanting more time here. While it’s a photographers’ playground, there’s still plenty to do for others who want an adventurous trip to a new country.
Inside, we’ll dive into the best places to see and things to do in Iceland.
Travel tips for when you visit Iceland
Gas and Food Are Expensive
Time to suck it up. Gas was near $12 a gallon while we were there. Food was also pretty pricey – though when we ate out, it felt comparable to Seattle or a resort town like Whistler. To keep prices down, shop at a grocery store and avoid eating out.
Stay at the Campgrounds
Icelandic campgrounds are quite nice, and almost all have showers, bathrooms, and a place to clean dishes. Some even have laundry! Additionally, it’s nice to be surrounded by friendly travelers and sometimes locals, also on a road trip.
Flights to Iceland
Unless you’re coming from near the equator, flights to Iceland are not too bad. Our flight to Iceland from Seattle was 6.5 hours. Because of the Earth’s shape, you head far north and then drop down. One highlight on the way back to Seattle was flying over Greenland and seeing its ice sheet and mountains.
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When you visit Iceland, see the Blue Lagoon
You should definitely visit the Blue Lagoon. It’s so worth it, and it’s the perfect place to stop right after you land, or right before your flight out. (It’s only 20 minutes from the airport.)
It’s one of those experiences you don’t get anywhere else.
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The Best Things to Do in Iceland
1. Visit Studlagil Canyon
Studlagil Canyon is a geological wonder in Iceland, known for its striking basalt column formations that create a unique, dramatic landscape and make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.
One thing to note is that you cannot access the inside of the canyon from the campground. Canyon access starts about a mile away, requiring you to drive across the river and onto a short dirt road.
2. Explore Diamond Beach
Adjacent to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach captivates visitors with glistening icebergs washed ashore on a black sand beach, resembling sparkling diamonds against the stark contrast of volcanic sands for a surreal, unforgettable experience.
The beach has two sides and two parking lots. The west parking lot provides more beach access. While you can touch the icebergs, be careful, as they are sharp.
Check out these amazing activities to do in Iceland
3. Adventure in Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar boasts a stunning volcanic landscape with colorful rhyolite mountains, natural hot springs, and incredible hiking trails, making it an insane area for outdoor adventures. You’ll need a 4×4 vehicle because of the sandy road conditions. You can also book a tour to bring you out here for a day.
It’s so freaking cool and definitely one of the best things to do in Iceland. You will be blown away at how different it is versus the rest of the country.
We arrived at 11am, hiked, and hung out in the hot springs until 3am. One of the coolest experiences I’ve ever done, and we were the only ones out!
4. Get misted at Skogafoss
Skogafoss, a powerful and picturesque waterfall, is renowned for its towering drop and ethereal mist, providing a mesmerizing backdrop for photography and an exhilarating experience for those who venture close. One of my favorite hikes in Iceland is the Waterfall Way hike, which goes upstream of the waterfall. On this trail, you’ll see another six or seven waterfalls.
5. See the Grandiosity of Dettifoss
Dettifoss holds the title of Europe’s most powerful waterfall, with its thunderous cascade of glacial water carving through rugged canyons to create an awe-inspiring spectacle of nature’s raw power. This is one of the must-see waterfalls when you visit Iceland.
Snorkel Between Tectonic Plates
6. Visit the Golden Circle
Budget a full day for the 230-kilometer loop east of Reykjavík. Start at Þingvellir, where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart, and the Almannagjá gorge cuts a walkable corridor through the rift floor. Certified divers can snorkel the Silfra fissure: glacial meltwater filtered through porous lava, visibility past 100 meters, and water holding near 2°C year-round.
Next is the Haukadalur geothermal field. Geysir itself goes dormant for long stretches, but Strokkur throws a column every five to ten minutes; stand upwind unless you want sulfur in your hair.
Gullfoss is ten minutes further, a two-tier cascade dropping 32 meters into a basalt canyon, with a lower path that stays slick from spray and glazes over in winter. Detours worth the mileage: Kerið, a crater lake ringed in red scoria, and the Secret Lagoon at Flúðir. Friðheimar, a geothermal greenhouse serving tomato soup among the vines, books out weeks ahead.
7. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
After two visits to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, I can say it’s one of Iceland’s must-sees. With stunning icebergs floating on an Arctic-blue glacial lake and a huge glacier in the background, it’s incredible. Tourists can explore the lagoon by boat or kayak.
I HIGHLY recommend booking a kayaking tour out there. No better way to see the icebergs floating in the lagoon AND appreciate their size.
8. Lay Eyes on Iceland’s Many Glaciers
Vatnajökull Glacier, in southeast Iceland, is not only Europe’s largest glacier but also a mesmerizing natural wonder, with a vast ice cap that includes ice caves, glacial lagoons, and breathtaking vistas.
As you drive along the southern coast, you’ll come face-to-face with more glaciers than you have ever seen in your life. Take the time to enjoy them.
9. Vestrahorn and Stokksnes
Vestrahorn and Stokksnes offer a dramatic coastal panorama with towering peaks, black dunes, and the iconic Vestrahorn mountain, making it a paradise for landscape photographers and nature lovers. You have to pay a small fee to enter the area, but it’s definitely worth it.
Be prepared for windy conditions out on the coast, but they can make nice ripples in the sand that add to the photos.
For most people, this is the furthest east they will drive. But if you want to see more, keep reading for the east Iceland fjords.
10. East Iceland Fjords
The East Iceland Fjords don’t see nearly as many visitors as the rest of the country does. It’s a solid 6-hour drive to the opposite end of the island. But that’s what makes the area special. It’s greener, warmer, and doesn’t have the tourist bus problem the southern coast does. You’ll get to experience what Iceland used to be like.
My wife and I LOVED this area. The weather was fantastic; it looks a bit like Glacier National Park, and the crowds were nonexistent!
11. Katla Ice Cave
Katla Ice Cave sits north of Vik, near the massive glacier. While it no longer looks like it does above because glaciers are melting rapidly as the Earth continues to warm, tour companies find new glacier areas to explore. It’s a sight to behold, for sure.
If you are going to be on Iceland’s south coast, I think this is one of the must-do activities. You won’t be disappointed.
12. See Reynisfjara Beach
You can still access the upper viewpoint to see the dramatic coastline, but strong winter storms have altered this beach along Iceland’s southern coast. Read up-to-date information about the Vik area to stay safe. This area has sneaker waves. NEVER turn your back on the ocean.
I haven’t been to the actual beach – just the upper viewpoint – which has really nice shoreline views!
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13. Go Whale Watching
Húsavík on Skjálfandi Bay is the country’s densest whale ground, where humpbacks feed from April into October, and blue whales pass in June and July. Boats also run from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, mostly for minke and white-beaked dolphins.
Sightings hold above 90 percent through summer; winter trips shrink to a handful of operators. Go for a wooden schooner over a RIB if you carry long glass, and layer under the flotation suits they hand out at the dock.
14. Visit the Blue Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, or Sky Lagoon
Blue Lagoon is the one people picture: milk-glass water in a black lava field, 20 minutes from Keflavík airport, silica suspended in runoff from the Svartsengi geothermal plant next door. The cheapest ticket includes a mud mask and a drink at the swim-up bar, and on-site luggage storage makes it workable on an arrival or departure day. Booking runs months ahead in summer. One caveat worth more than the price: Reykjanes has erupted repeatedly since late 2023, and the lagoon has closed on short notice each time, so confirm it’s open before building a day around it.
Sky Lagoon sits ten minutes from downtown Reykjavík in Kópavogur, with an infinity edge facing the North Atlantic and a turf-roofed facade meant to read as a Viking longhouse. Its seven-step ritual moves from the water through a cold plunge, sauna with a picture window, cold mist, salt scrub, steam, and a rinse before you go back in. Book a slot an hour before sunset in shoulder season and the whole thing lines up with the light going pink over Faxaflói.
Gamla Laugin at Flúðir goes the other direction. Dug in 1891 and the oldest pool in Iceland, it has a gravel bottom, rocks going green at the waterline, and springs surfacing along the edge that hold the water between 38 and 40°C. A small geyser erupts every few minutes behind the far wall. Tickets cost a fraction of the other two, and it sits 20 minutes past Gullfoss, which drops it into a Golden Circle day without a detour. Showers are communal at all three, and the pre-soak scrub without a swimsuit is expected, not optional.
15. Walk around downtown Reykjavik
It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s cute, charming, safe, and stunning. We popped into all sorts of shops, pubs, breweries, and more. Now, I’d only say spend 24 hours in the capital before heading out to see Iceland’s natural beauty.
FAQ: Visit Iceland
What is the best month to visit Iceland?
Summer is the best time to visit Iceland. The long days let you explore to your heart’s content and see why this country is so magical. Yes, there will be more crowds, but it’s nothing like what you’d see in the USA or other popular mainland European countries.
The only downside to visiting in the summer is the lack of northern lights.
Is Iceland very expensive to visit?
Yes, Iceland is an expensive country because it’s an island and has to import most of its food and materials. Due to this, you should save up for a trip because it’s hard to do it cheaply.
How much money do I need for 10 days in Iceland?
My girlfriend and I spent around $5,500 on our 10-day trip to Iceland. However, we had flight credits that dropped our round-trip flights to $325 and got our campervan at a sizeable discount. Most people should expect to spend about $6,500 for two people over that time frame unless you are going for a very frugal lifestyle.
Is 7 days enough to visit Iceland?
I would say 7 days is a great time to visit Iceland. You’ll be able to fully explore the southern coast or do a quick trip around the island. However, if you do drive the ring road, you likely will feel rushed to complete it in only 7 days.
Is it safe to go to Iceland right now?
Totally. Iceland is an extremely safe country, and you shouldn’t worry about feeling unsafe.
Final thoughts: Best Places to See and Things to Do in Iceland
When you visit Iceland, it is a truly unique and awe-inspiring destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. From majestic waterfalls and geothermal hot springs to stunning glaciers and black-sand beaches, there is no shortage of natural wonders to explore.
The vibrant capital city of Reykjavik offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and modern amenities. Whether you are an adventure seeker looking for thrilling activities like glacier hiking or a nature lover hoping to witness the mesmerizing display of the Northern Lights, Iceland has something for everyone.
With its breathtaking landscapes and warm hospitality, a visit to Iceland promises unforgettable memories and experiences that will leave you longing to return again and again.
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Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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