Blog Article

Iceland is commonly dubbed the “The Land of Fire and Ice,” and for a good reason; striking volcanos and stunning glaciers litter the Island’s rugged extraterrestrial-like scenery. Iceland is not only a breathtakingly beautiful destination, but it is one with sustainability at the core of its tourism industry. 

With this in mind, here are our top recommendations for things to do in Iceland:

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Blue Lagoon
Whale Watching
Reynisfjara beach
The golden circle
Geysir geothermal area
Thingvellir National Park
Gullfoss waterfall
Leidarendi Lava Caves
Akurey 
Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
Reykjavik

Blue Lagoon

The blue lagoon is a geothermal spa located in southwest Iceland and is arguably one of the Island’s most famous attractions. Relax in the idyllic turquoise mineral-rich hot springs and grab a drink from the swim-up bar! What’s more, the salty, mineral-rich water is said to have healing properties; can you think of a better way to cleanse your skin!

Whale watching

Whale watching is a must-see for all nature-loving explorers. Over the summer, the Icelandic water becomes a breeding ground for the largest creatures to have ever graced the planet; over 20 species of whale occupy the seas surrounding Iceland! There are multiple trips a day from the Capital, Reykjavik.

Reynisfjara Beach

Despite Iceland’s less than tropical climate, Reynisfjara beach was ranked the 6th best beach globally in 2021! Reynisfjara’s unique black sands and marvellous basalt columns make this destination a photographer’s dream.

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a 300 kilometre (186 miles) route to Iceland’s three most popular natural attractions: the Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park. Options include guided tours or car rental, but beware, car rental is costly.

Geysir Geothermal Area

Visiting the Icelandic is a truly unique experience; stand and watch water being shot out the ground to heights of up to 70m. Unsurprisingly this attraction can be subject to overcrowding; we would recommend visiting off-peak hours for a truly authentic experience (before 10 am or after 4 pm).

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir is a renowned Icelandic national park home to Iceland’s ancient parliament and the mid-Atlantic ridge. The ridge offers a wealth of activities unique to the park and Iceland, for example, the Silfra Diving Spot, which is said to be one of the world’s most striking diving locations.

Gullfoss waterfall

Iceland is flooded (No pun intended) with some of the world’s most dramatic waterfalls, and no trip would be complete without visiting at least one. Gullfoss is often dubbed the best of the bunch, and for good reason, a picture-perfect backdrop and 30m waterfall are enough to spruce up anyone’s Instagram.

Leidarendi Lava Caves

Leiðarendi is a lava tube located in a lava field close to Bláfjöll, the Blue Mountains, in southwest Iceland, about a 25 minutes drive from Reykjavík. Leiðarendi is notable for its incredibly diverse and colourful scenery and is considered a prime example of an Icelandic lava tube. For those staying in the capital, this is a unique and convenient trip out.

Akurey 

Akurey is an island in Kollafjörður Bay in West Iceland. It is best known for its puffin watching opportunities in summer. The Island is located a short distance from Reykjavik, and tours regularly sail.

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

Iceland’s Northern Lights are one of its major attractions, competing only with other epic natural marvels such as the ice caves, glaciers, and volcanoes. This activity should almost certainly be on your to-do list if you are visiting between October and March. 

Reykjavik

Last but not least, Reykjavik! Despite the fact Iceland is famous for its unique unearth-like geography, the capital is a must-see jam-packed with novel charms. The city is said to be one of the safest & cleanest cities on Earth and is home to an array of entertainment, including live music, museums, exhibitions and galleries.

So there you have it- our favourite ten activities in Iceland. If you plan a vacation to Iceland, avoid unexpected transaction fees by getting your Icelandic króna before travelling.