Things to do in Iceland – 25 attractions and experiences

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

Updated: July 2026 | What to see and do in Iceland? This Nordic island is one of Europe's most spectacular destinations. Volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, hot springs and a dramatic landscape meet in a relatively small area. We share our best tips for your trip.

Things to do in Iceland

I lived in Iceland for a whole school year when I was in high school – I lived on the island of Hemön – and I have been back many times since then. I have traveled around the entire island by car and together with Peter I have also made several visits to Reykjavik and the surrounding area.

We are constantly fascinated by the diversity of Iceland. Whether you travel along the Ring Road, embark on various adventures or explore the restaurants of Reykjavik, experiences beyond the ordinary await.

25 things to see and do in Iceland

Nature experiences, adventures and much more – here you will find a list of 25 things to do in Iceland.

1. Experience Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital and a perfect starting point for a trip to Iceland. Here you will find colorful houses, trendy restaurants, exciting museums and a lively cultural life. Don't miss Hallgrímskirkja and the modern Harpa concert hall.

READ MORE: 14 things to see and do in Reykjavik

2. Visit the Food & Fun food festival

Food & Fun is one of Iceland's most famous food festivals and is held every year in Reykjavik. During the festival, international star chefs are invited to create special menus together with local restaurants, focusing on Icelandic ingredients. We had the opportunity to visit the festival one year and it was a fantastic way to discover modern Icelandic food culture.

3. Drive the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most classic sightseeing tour. You certainly won’t be alone on this tour – but it’s a convenient way to see a lot of the unique Icelandic nature within a reasonable distance of Reykjavik. The tour takes you to geysers, the Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park. You can do the tour by yourself or join an organized excursion.

4. See the Strokkur geyser spouting water

In Iceland you can visit the geothermal area Haukadalur with the geysers Strokkur and Geysir. Walking around here is a bit like walking on another planet, with smoke and bubbles all around you. Plus, you can be sure to see Strokkur erupt – several times.

5. Check out the Gullfoss waterfall

Gullfoss in Iceland is an incredibly dramatic waterfall that can be seen during the Golden Circle tour. The waterfall was once being converted into a hydroelectric power station, but was saved at the last minute. Today, it is a fantastic and impressive natural attraction.

6. Be fascinated by Þingvellir National Park

Þingvellir National Park is a fascinating and unique place, whether you are interested in nature, geology, history or film. The views are stunning and the landscape very special, as you are right where the major continental plates meet. It is also home to the Althing, the Icelandic parliament, which has its 1000-year-old roots. It is also a location where scenes from both Game of Thrones and The Brothers Lionheart were filmed.

7. Swim in the Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most famous geothermal bath and attracts visitors from all over the world. The intensely blue water is surrounded by black lava and maintains a comfortable temperature all year round. A bath here is an experience that many associate with Iceland.

8. Take a boat trip to the island of Viðey

Ön Viðey is located just outside Reykjavik and is easily reached by a short boat ride. In the summer, many people come here to watch birds, have a picnic or just enjoy nature. Coming here on an early spring day, with a boat ride over a gray sea and a luxurious lunch in Iceland's oldest stone house, was also an experience!

9. Discover Home Island

Heimaey is an island in the Västmanna Islands archipelago, which you can find just south of the Icelandic mainland. I lived here for an entire academic year when I was an exchange student in the early 1990s. Coming here as a tourist is certainly an experience a little out of the ordinary – you can get here by ferry, or by plane from Reykjavik.

10. See the Seljalandsfoss waterfall

Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland's most photographed waterfalls. The special thing is that you can walk behind the curtain of water and experience the falls from a completely different perspective. During the summer, this is one of the great highlights of the south coast.

11. Visit Skogafoss

Another waterfall worth checking out is Skógafoss, which can be described as one of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls. The enormous masses of water fall almost 60 meters straight down, often creating rainbows in the sunlight. You can also take the stairs up to the viewing platform above the falls.

12. Ride an Icelandic horse

One of the most memorable experiences you can have in Iceland is to go hiking. a ride on an Icelandic horse. You can do everything from shorter half-day tours to tours that last several days. On the tour you can experience the unique Icelandic nature, and maybe even take the opportunity to bathe in a hot spring.

13. Hike on the Vatnajökull glacier

Iceland offers some of Europe's most accessible glacier experiences. With a guide, you can venture out onto glaciers like Sólheimajökull or Vatnajökull and discover crevasses, ice formations, and dramatic landscapes.

14. Discover Jökulsárlón

The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is one of Iceland's most iconic places. Here, large icebergs slowly float out to sea from Europe's largest glacier. The landscape is constantly changing and is just as fascinating with every visit. Nearby, you'll also find Diamond Beach, where blocks of ice wash up on the black volcanic sand.

15. Explore Reynisfjara

Reynisfjara is considered one of the world's most spectacular beaches. The black sand beaches, the mighty waves and the characteristic basalt pillars create a landscape that almost feels surreal.

16. See the Northern Lights

For many, experiencing the Northern Lights is one of the main reasons to travel to Iceland. During the winter months, the sky can be lit up by green, purple and white veils that dance across the landscape.

17. Hike in Landmannalaugar

Known for its colorful mountains and stunning hiking trails, Landmannalaugar is located in the Icelandic highlands and offers some of the country's most spectacular scenery.

18. Visit Lake Mývatn and Hverir

Mývatn is a lake located in an active volcanic area near the Krafla volcano. Nearby is Hverir, a large geothermal area full of boiling mud and hot springs. A very special environment!

19. Experience Goðafoss and Dettifoss

On the northern side of Iceland lie two mighty waterfalls: Goðafoss and Dettifoss. The latter is often described as Europe's most powerful waterfall. Here, enormous masses of water plunge down a dramatic gorge, creating a powerful natural experience.

20. Explore Akureyri

Akureyri is often called the capital of North Iceland and is Iceland's second largest city. It has cozy cafes, restaurants and a botanical garden. Many people also use the city as a base for excursions to Mývatn, Húsavík and other attractions in North Iceland.

21. Go on a whale watching trip

Iceland is one of Europe's best whale watching destinations. From places like Húsavík and Akureyri, you can go on boat trips where you have a good chance of seeing both humpback and minke whales.

22. Visit an ice cave

During the winter months, you can visit spectacular ice caves in the glaciers. The blue hues and sculpture-like ice formations make this one of Iceland's most unique experiences.

23. Drive the Ring Road around Iceland

The Ring Road is Iceland's classic road trip. By following Route 1, which circles the entire island, you can experience waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, fjords and small villages all around the island. Allow at least a week, and preferably 10-14 days, if you want to get around and still have time to see and experience things along the way.

24. Taste Icelandic specialties

Icelandic food culture has developed in close interaction with nature. Try fresh fish, lamb, skýr and other local specialties to gain a deeper understanding of the country. Reykjavik also has a wide range of modern restaurants with innovative menus.

READ MORE: Icelandic Food – 17 Classic Dishes You Must Try

25. Relax in hot springs

In addition to the Blue Lagoon, there are hundreds of natural hot springs around Iceland. Many are located in scenic settings and offer a more authentic and relaxing experience.

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