Welcome to the best things to do in Iceland!
Visiting Iceland had always been at the top of my bucket list, and this summer my husband and I made it happen.
We rented a camper van and did the #vanlife thing for 8 days, while we explored all over Iceland.
What’s so incredible about this country, is that there’s insanely beautiful things literally around every corner.
Many of which are right off the side of the road!
I think you could spend a lifetime in Iceland, and probably still not find every hidden gem.
So, I put together a list of all the top, MUST SEE things in Iceland, because that’s the best place to start.
After that, to REALLY make the most of your trip, head over to my Ultimate Iceland Travel Guide post.
Let’s dive in to the best things to do in Iceland!
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1. Drive the Ring Road
Route 1, or the Ring Road, is the highway that circles all around the country of Iceland.
Driving the Ring Road is THE thing to do in Iceland. In fact, most of the items on this list are stops on the Ring Road.
This is why renting a camper van and road tripping is so popular here.
It’s the best way to see many of the country’s most amazing places.
If you have at least 7 days to spend in Iceland, I highly recommend doing this road trip!
Read more: 15 Essential Tips For Traveling Iceland By Camper Van
2. Drive the Golden Circle
If you only have a few days in Iceland, fret not. You can still see some really beautiful places by visiting the Golden Circle.
You can take one of many tours that leave from Reykjavik, or easily drive yourself.
Some of the highlights here include Thingvellir National Park, the waterfall Gullfoss, and the geyser Strokkur.
3. Explore Reykjavík
Iceland’s capital is one of my favorite cities I’ve visited. It’s a big enough city to have nice amenities and places to eat, while still being very charming.
I recommend walking around the downtown area, as there are lots of nice restaurants and shops to check out.
For the BEST food in Iceland, definitely eat at Kröns Street Food. Also, if you want to pick up a locally made Icelandic sweater, you must visit the Handknitting Association of Iceland shop.
Of course, the iconic church Hallgrímskirkja is worth a visit. There, you can pay to take an elevator ride to the top, which offers beautiful views of the city and the harbor.
Read more: 10 Best Things To Do In Reykjavik, Iceland
4. Visit Dettifoss
Dettifoss is a massive waterfall, said to be the second most powerful in Europe after Rhine Falls.
It’s so strong, you’ll feel the spray from pretty far away!
Located in Vatnajokull National Park, there are also some nice trails to walk around the area.
You can also make your way over to the nearby Selfoss, another really cool waterfall.
5. Soak in the Blue Lagoon
Probably one of the most iconic activities here, visiting the Blue Lagoon is definitely one of the best things to do in Iceland.
It’s gotten a reputation for being more touristy, but don’t let that deter you.
It will feel that way as you first enter the facilities and wait in line, but after that it’s sooo nice.
The facilities themselves are very clean and modern. And once you’re in the lagoon, there’s plenty of room for everyone to spread out, and the atmosphere is very relaxing.
Here, the water is geothermally heated to the perfect temperature, and the silica and other minerals in the water are said to be great for your skin.
Also, each reservation includes a complimentary first drink and a mud mask, which is a nice touch.
We ended our trip with a visit to the Blue Lagoon, and it was exactly what we needed after a week of living in a van and non-stop hiking.
Pro tip: LADIES! I HIGHLY recommend tying your hair up into a high bun! Or else, the silica in the water will make your hair extremely knotty and you will be untangling your hair for days lol.
Related: The Ultimate Iceland Travel Guide (Iceland Travel Tips)
6. Walk Behind Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, for good reason!
It’s an impressive waterfall that you can actually walk behind, and take in from all angles. It’s truly special.
When you visit, however, you’ll probably be sharing the view with lots of other tourists.
If you want to ditch the crowds, you can keep following the trail along the cliffside, until you reach the secret waterfall Gljúfrabúi.
This waterfall is totally hidden in its own cave, so you’ll likely have it to yourself!
Pro tip: Make sure to bring a rain jacket if you want to get close to either of these waterfalls.
7. Stay in a Glass Cabin
You’ve probably seen the Panorama Glass Lodge all over Instagram. These beautiful all-glass huts are complete with private hot tubs and stunning views for days.
Can you think of any better way to watch the northern lights or the midnight sun from your own cozy bed?
Unfortunately, these cabins are in high demand, and book out pretty quickly. So if you want to stay here, snag a reservation as early as you can.
Panorama Glass Lodge reservations: panoramaglasslodge.com
8. Try Icelandic Street Food
As foodies visiting a country not exactly known for its food, finding good places to eat was… challenging!
However, that all changed when we stumbled across Kröns Street Food in downtown Reykjavik.
Owned and operated solely by a talented chef and his lovely girlfriend, the food was next-level delicious.
It was so good, we literally ate there five times on our trip. Not kidding.
Definitely eat there while you’re in the city!
Of course, the famous Icelandic hot dog is another thing to try. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (The City’s Best Hotdog) is THE spot to try it, with a long line at all hours of the day.
For the best coffee in Iceland, make sure to stop by Skool Beans in Vík. It’s an adorable coffee shop located in a renovated school bus.
And in the town of Seydisfjodur, you must visit the Fancy Sheep food truck for the most amazing lamb burgers.
9. Witness the Northern Lights
Watching the sky dance above the Land of Fire and Ice? Definitely bucket list item!
Northern lights can be witnessed in Iceland from September-April.
Related: The Ultimate Iceland Travel Guide
10. Visit Fagradalsfjall
Fagradalsfjall is the volcano that started erupting in March 2021, and has been been going ever since!
Seriously, how many places in the world can you getup close and personal with an erupting volcano?
The coolest part is that it’s not too far from Reykjavik, and it’s quite safe to visit.
Pro tip: The conditions, trails, and best viewpoints are continuously changing, so make sure to check safetravel.is/eruption-in-reykjanes for up-to-date information.
12. Visit Skogafoss
Another beautiful, towering waterfall, Skogafoss was probably my favorite waterfall we visited.
It’s extra dramatic, with birds circling the tall cliffs and a winding staircase that takes you to the top of the falls.
There is also a campground here, where we spent the night.
It was so incredible to wake up, open our van doors, and look right out onto the roaring waterfall!
Pro tip: Make sure to bring a rain jacket if you want to get close to the falls.
11. Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Snaefellsness Peninsula is often called Iceland in Miniature because it gives a sampling of Iceland’s many wonders.
This is another good place to visit if you only have a few days in Iceland, as you can visit in a day trip from Reykjavik.
One of the highlights here is Iceland’s most-photographed mountain Kirkjufell, framed by the waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss.
Also check out the vibrant Svortuloft Lighthouse, as there are some beautiful walking paths and sea arches here as well.
For some beautiful photos, make a quick stop at the aesthetic black church Búðakirkja.
13. Visit a Glacier
One of the most dramatic, close-up glacier views can be found at Svinafellsjokull.
This beautiful glacier is just a short walk from the parking lot, making it very easily accessible.
It’s so accessible, in fact, that it was even a Game of Thrones filming location!
Although, If you have some extra time and energy, you should try a guided glacier hike.
We hiked up the neighboring Skaftafellsjökull to a newly discovered ice cave, and it was SO cool!
Fun fact: Svinafellsjokull is an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, the largest ice cap in Europe.
14. Explore an Ice Cave
Iceland is home to some stunning ice caves, which are carved by both geothermal activity and glacial meltwater.
The most famous of these caves is probably the Crystal Caves, named for the sparkling blue and white interior.
Keep in mind that winter is the best time to visit ice caves in Iceland.
This is because the frigid temperatures keep the ice firm and safe to explore in.
So, most ice caves tours only operate November-April, weather permitting.
15. Visit Jökulsárlón
I think this glacier lagoon is one of the most beautiful and unique places in all of Iceland!
As pieces of Vatnajokull break off, they float down into the glacial lake, dotting the bright blue water with icebergs.
Here, you can take in the views from the shore, or take a boat tour of the lake.
You’ll also find a few food trucks here, where you can grab a bite to eat.
16. Discover Diamond Beach
Just a short walk from Jökulsárlón, you’ll find a fascinating black sand beach covered in “diamonds.”
As icebergs float out of Jökulsárlón, through a short waterway, and out into the ocean, some pieces wash up onto the beach and create this unique phenomenon.
This results in dazzling pieces of ice contrasted against dark black sand.
17. Explore Dyrhólaey
Meaning Door Hill Island, Dyrhólaey is the southernmost point of Iceland’s mainland.
This small, but dramatic peninsula rises up from the rugged coast and offers panoramic views of Iceland’s south coast.
Here, you’ll find a picturesque lighthouse and the iconic sea arch- both of which make great photos.
There are also lots of puffins to be found in the area!
Unfortunately, the road up to the Dyrhólaey viewpoint was closed when I visited.
But, we were able to stop at another viewpoint just a couple minutes away, and still got some beautiful views.
We also got to see some very friendly puffins hanging out right off the trail!
18. Visit Reynisfjara
A short drive from Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjara is a beautiful stretch of coastline covered in black pebbles.
It’s also set against a backdrop of some dramatic basalt columns, sea stacks, and a cool cave.
The basalt columns make for a really fun place to climb up and take pictures.
This was another Game of Thrones filming location!
19. Walk the Rainbow Road in Seyðisfjörður
Seydisfjordur is a quaint little town, nestled into a beautiful fjord. One of the most iconic attractions here is the rainbow road, which is symbolic of Iceland’s progressive nature.
There’s also a larger rainbow road in downtown Reykjavik, leading to Hallgrímskirkja.
But I personally think the one in Seydisfjordur is more photogenic!
Related: 10 Best Things To Do In Reykjavik, Iceland
20. Explore the Westfjords
The Westfjords is a region of northwest Iceland, located away from the main Ring Road.
This means the area is much less frequented by tourists, which might either be a pro or a con for you.
There are some beautiful sights in the Westfjords, and you might feel like you have them all to yourself!
On the other hand, some people might feel like the area is too remote, with not enough to do.
Considering it is out of the way of the Ring Road, I’d recommend only including the Westfjords in your itinerary if you have at least 10 days in Iceland.
Where To Stay In Iceland
Although my favorite way to see Iceland is by camper van, I can certainly appreciate a more comfortable experience.
If you’re looking for hotels in Iceland, here are some options to get you started in Reykjavik.
How To Get Around Iceland
If you don’t end up going the camper van route, you’ll definitely need a rental car in Iceland.
I highly recommend booking a rental car through RentalCars.com.
Personally, I use them every time I plan a trip.
I LOVE that they compare prices across every company at once, which saves a ton of time hunting down the best deals.
Less time researching, more time exploring right??
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