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Top 10 Amazing Things to Do in Iceland
Iceland, the island of fire and ice, is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It has become one of the world’s top destinations that captures the hearts and imaginations of travellers that enjoy nature, scenery, landscape and outdoor activities. It is home to some of the largest glaciers in Europe, steaming geothermal pools, the world most active volcanoes, and dancing northern lights. In addition, this is one of the few places in the world where you will see two tectonic plates meeting on the earth’s surface.
There are tons of amazing things to do in Iceland. Diversity makes you never want to leave the place! Sometimes it can be hard to choose what to include in your bucket list. You can hike enormous glaciers, go whale watching, explore underground caves, walk on black lava beaches, and much more. You will discover stunning waterfalls, geysers, hot springs, mud pools, ice lagoon, and fjords.
The most popular travel times are during the summer months of June through August when you can enjoy lots of daylight hours. Winter is also popular as it is a perfect time to view the Northern Lights. A visit at the end of the year will allow you to witness how Icelanders celebrate their New Year Eve; the entire city of Reykjavik illuminates with thousands of fireworks. Here are some of the amazing things to do in Iceland.
Soak in the Blue Lagoon Spa
The Blue Lagoon is the most famous geothermal spa in Iceland and a must-see tourist attraction that sits within incredible nature. It is about an hour drive from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city. This is a vast outdoor geothermal pool with opaque, milky blue water with pleasantly warm temperatures.
The water comes from the Svartsengi geothermal power plant. It is rich in minerals such as silica and sulfur and thrives with good bacteria, beneficial for both health and skin. Free cleansing Silica Mud Masks are available for all guests. Both the water and the mask have a reputation for healing. A trip here will leave you feeling rejuvenated.
The Blue Lagoon opens daily and requires a reservation for admission. There are three different packages to choose from: comfort, premium, and luxury.
Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull, the Largest Glacier in Europe
There are so many glaciers in Iceland, and it is sometimes hard to choose the best one to visit, but the Vatnajökull glacier is the largest in Europe and one of the best for glacier hiking. It covers 8% of Iceland’s total area and has over 30 outlet glaciers. It is Iceland’s latest UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The best way to experience glaciers in Iceland is by booking a glacier hiking tour. With the help of a tour guide, anybody can trek up the slopes of Europe’s greatest ice caps. Though hiking is the best way to explore and appreciate this glacier, you can also visit ice caves (winter only), take a boat ride in the lagoon between floating icebergs, or go snowmobiling.
Go on a Whale Watching Tour in North Iceland
Iceland is a top destination for watching whales. Over 20 species of whale can be found in Icelandic waters. Whale watching happens year-round, although summer is the most popular time to see these magnificent creatures.
Húsavík is one of the best places for whale watching due to the abundant animal traffic that passes through Husavík’s wide fjord. As a result, Húsavík is sometimes referred to as Europe’s whale watching capital. The most common species you will encounter are Minke whales and Humpback whales.
See also our blog about Wildlife and Animals in Iceland
Horseback Riding
This is a beautiful experience and an amazing activity to explore the Icelandic landscape. Icelandic horses are small compared to other horse breeds, but they are friendly, strong and full of character. This makes it easy to ride them. In addition, the horses have two special gaits, namely tölt and flying pace, which is unique to the Icelandic horses.
Tölt is achieved when the Horse consistently has one foot touching the ground at any given time while the flying pace has two of the Horse’s feet on the ground at any given time. The flying pace is considered the most exciting moment when riding an Icelandic horse. Horse riding tours are usually available, led by certified horse-riding instructors.
Check out our blog about the Icelandic Horse to learn why it is so unique.
Snorkeling at Silfra Fissure
Silfra fissure is located at the Þingvellir National Park, one of the main highlights on the Golden Circle Route, and is one of the best 10 snorkelling spots in the world. The fissure exists due to North American and Eurasian tectonic plates separating, leaving a rift in the landscape between them. The rift is filled with glacier water from Langjökull glacier. It is possible to snorkel and dive at the fissure throughout the year. Most Silfra Fissure snorkelling & diving tours will pick you up in Reykjavik.
ATV Tours
This is one of the most adventurous ways to experience Iceland and view the country’s scenic environment. It allows you to see Iceland’s nature closely and reach remote areas of the country. You can explore volcanic peninsulas, black sand beaches, fertile valleys, cross streams, trek across rugged lava fields and up mountain tops, and many more places. ATV is a four-wheeler transportation and is easily able to cross rough terrain.
Have a Night Out in Reykjavik
This is the capital city of Iceland. It is a great place to spend an evening or two when in Iceland. Here, there is a large nightlife scene that is vibrant on weekends. The city barely sleeps, with lots of crafty-beer bars and funky clubs and cafes. You will also enjoy live music and have an opportunity to interact with the friendly locals. Some of the venues are open until 4:30-5:30 am on weekends.
Bird Watching in Látrabjarg
Látrabjarg is a perfect place in the Westfjords for bird watching. It is considered one of the most spectacular seabird cliffs in the world. There are millions of seabirds here, with the most popular being the puffin. This is the best place in Iceland to get close to and photograph the puffins.
The birds are tame and fearless to humans. They seem to be used to having people around them and know they are harmless. Other birds you can see here are razorbill, fulmar, guillemot, and many other species of birds. The Atlantic puffins stay in Iceland from mid-May until late August to raise their chicks. They then stay out at sea in the wintertime.
Watch the Northern Lights
These dancing lights are one of the greatest wonders in the world. It is one of the island’s biggest draws, also known as Aurora Borealis, a natural light display that can be seen only in the winter at earth’s highest elevations. This is an incredible phenomenon you should experience at least once in a lifetime.
The conditions must be perfect for it to be visible, and you need darkness. There should be limited or no cloud cover, no light pollution, and flaring activity in the magnetosphere. It is advisable to take a tour with Northern Light Guides who are experienced in knowing the best conditions.
Explore the World’s Largest Man-Made Ice Cave
The man-made ice tunnel is located in Langjökull Glacier, Iceland’s second-largest ice cap. The ice cave experience is like no other. First, you’ll ride in a repurposed NATO missile launcher truck to reach the cave entrance, located near the top of the glacier. You’ll then explore a dim LED-lit tunnel 1640 feet deep in the icecap.
This breathtaking adventure is for everyone, even young children. To visit the ice cave, you need to join a guided tour. You can also go snowmobiling at this glacier.
