In this post, I’m looking at the top ten best things to do in Iceland. Having traveled to Iceland in 2017, I fell in love with this beautiful country. So I wanted to research some of the things I missed while I was there and highlight some fantastic parts of Iceland.

Below I have a map so you can refer back to items on this list!

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It’s probably the most cliche thing you can do, but it deserves a spot on this list. The Blue Lagoon is world-famous and synonymous with Iceland itself. However, you may be surprised that it’s human-made and is the runoff water from the geothermal plant next door. That shouldn’t deter you, though, because it’s still completely safe to get in.

The water is blue from the high silica content, also forming soft white mud on the bottom of the lake. When I went in 2017, I noticed my skin got incredibly soft. There are stations where you can put the mud on your face and then take a dip anywhere in the lake. There is also an alcohol station to grab an Icelandic beer, all while in the lake.

The facilities today are very modern, and the actual building is immense. The Blue Lagoon is a major touristic point after all, and you certainly feel like a tourist going there. However, the lake is vast, and there is plenty of room to swim around and be on your own. There are spa services, restaurants, changing rooms, and luggage storage.

From the airport, it’s only about a 20-minute bus ride. From Reykjavík, it’s about a one hour drive to the west. I would recommend transferring from the airport and then onward to Reykjavík.

Standard $56 (USA 2020)

Premium $79 (USA 2020)

Luxury $630 (USA 2020)

You must pre-book online

It’s perhaps one of the most famous sites in Iceland and rightfully so. Þingvellir or Thingvellir is located 40 miles northeast of Reykjavík and is where Iceland got its beginnings. Þingvellir is associated with Althing, the national parliament of Iceland, established at the site in 930 AD. Coincidentally it also is where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is and the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top tourist destinations. It is part of the Golden Circle Tour, a tour showcasing some of the top sites near Reykjavík. My recommendation is to try out one of the local tours. Þingvellir has plenty to offer, including hiking, fishing, scuba diving, and in general, to view the unique geology of the area.

Most tours offered have people explore and walk in between the two tectonic plates. From there you can climb the European side to the information center. Here you can get a commanding view of the rift valley.

From the airport, it’s about an hour and a half and an hour from Reykjavík. You could rent a car to drive but I would only do this during the summer. Winter driving can be hazardous! Tours are great because you learn something and don’t take the risk of driving in Iceland, where rental fees can be high.

Free entry

Near the center of the country lies the largest national park Iceland has to offer, Vatnajökull National Park. Most of the park is covered in ice, covering massive mountains and valleys. It’s a new park only created just 12 years ago. It contains Iceland’s highest volcano, largest glacier, and Europe’s most powerful waterfall. In 2019 was inducted into a world heritage site for its unique rivers, glacial ice, and volcanic activity.

As you can imagine, Vatnajökull National Park is known for its outdoor activities. Many coming to Iceland only want to experience the outdoors and to be able to climb, ski and hike. My suggestion is to sign up for tours unless you think you’re capable of handling unpredictable weather. Snow and bad weather can happen any month, and travelers should prepare.

Some of the best things you can do are to ski or snowmobile Vatnajökull. There are many tours offering hiking through the national park and up the glacier offering commanding views. I highly recommend you book with a tour company for convenience and safety.

From Reykjavík, Vatnajökull is about a four and half hour drive. Several tours offer a full long day tour from Reykjavík. Of course, several tour companies extend for multiple days.

Free entry

The last of the national parks in Iceland is Snæfellsjökull National Park. It is a stratovolcano and still active, although the volcano has not exploded in over 150 years. Snæfellsjökull became famous thanks to the novel by Jules Verne, “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” On a good day, Snæfellsjökull is viewable from Reykjavík some 70 miles away.

Like all of Iceland, it’s an excellent place for outdoor activity. For most of the year, Snæfellsjökull remains covered in ice and snow, especially at the summit. Only one time in recorded history, 2012, did Snæfellsjökull experience no snow. Tourists usually come to experience climbing a stratovolcano, ice climb, and even fishing since this park does extend to the ocean.

The lava from the volcano has transformed the land, and many people interested in geology come to check out the area. There is also a lot of saga and history connected to this part of Iceland. There are relics and nearby churches that have been around for over 500 plus years.

From Reykjavík, Snæfellsjökull is about a 3-hour drive north. There are of course tours offered from Reykjavík like this snowcat tour.

Free entry

Mývatn is a beautiful lake located in the north-central part of Iceland. This lake formed around 2,300 years ago thanks to volcanic activity, and the surrounding landscape has volcanic landforms, including lava pillars and rootless vents. Today the surrounding area is a protected natural reserve and one of the best things to do in Iceland.

For people looking for biodiversity, the Mývatn area is an excellent location in Iceland. Mývatn is part of an area called the Diamond Circle or a portion of Iceland known for its natural beauty. There are all types of birds, including ducks, the Barrow’s goldeneye, red-breasted merganser, wigeon, gadwall, mallard, common scoter, long-tailed duck and Eurasian teal. There is also a chance to dog sled during the winter months near the Mývatn area.

Like the rest of Iceland, the area still has volcanic activity and many heated vents poking from the ground. The nearby Hverfjall lies quietly, having erupted some 2,500 years ago.

From Reykjavík, Mývatn is about a 6-hour drive in the northern part of Iceland. Usually, people who consider traveling here are completing an entire trip around Iceland. I would honestly recommend taking a tour.

Free entry

Kerið is a unique volcano that is an oddity given that other volcanoes in the area are more than double its age. It’s is not an active volcano, and in fact, there is water in the center of the volcano, which is the current water table of the area. Kerið Crater is a small volcano and easy to climb. During the winter, it’s the water freezes over, and it’s possible to stand on the ice.

Tourist wise it is usually part of the Golden Circle tour. There is no need to spend too much time at Kerið since it’s a pretty small volcano and easy to explore.

From Reykjavík, Kerið Crater is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away. Typically if you take a tour, this will be part of the Golden Circle tour. I recommend taking this route.

There is a fee to get in at about 400 Icelandic Króna or 3 US dollars

The famous geyser that gave us the word geyser is Geysir in the western central part of Iceland. If you’ve ever wondered where the name comes from now, you know, it’s from Icelandic. And in the heart of where hot springs and geysers erupt lies the most famous one of them all. Although this is not the current biggest geyser in the area, that goes to nearby Strokkur, which is more reliable and more prominent.

Today it is a top-rated tourist destination and part of the Golden Circle tour. It is one of the best things to do in Iceland because even though it’s busy still enough room to enjoy the geysers and thermal vents. There is also a nearby restaurant and the vast Gullfoss, which I also highly recommend.

From Reykjavík Geysir, it’s about 1 hour and 30 minutes away. Typically if you take a tour, this will be part of the Golden Circle tour. I recommend taking this route.

Icelandic Króna or 5 US dollars

On the edge of Vatnajökull, there is Jökulsárlón. Probably the most famous lake in Iceland, given that it’s the best place to view icebergs coming off the nearby glacier. This place has been a scene in many films, including James Bond, which is where it probably received its popularity. Because of the continuity of global warming, Jökulsárlón continues to get bigger and has doubled its size in the last 15 years.

To visit is stunning, and I think many come to Jökulsárlón specifically to take photos with icebergs on the beach. There is also plenty of wildlife to view, including seals and arctic birds.

From Reykjavík, Jökulsárlón is about 5 hours away. I recommend going with a tour group although it’s possible to rent a car and drive. With a tour, you get assurance, and different types of tours are offered.

Free entry

The capital and the starting point for almost all tourists traveling to Iceland, Reykjavík, for me, should be visited at least once. It’s the heart and soul of Iceland today and where the majority of Icelanders live. And on a practical matter, it’s where much of the tours start.

Reykjavík today is small and very walkable, making it a charming capital city. Even from Reykjavík, the landscape of Iceland is stunning with amazing views of mountains and volcanoes.

Reykjavík is a proper city, and here you’ll find the best restaurants, hotels, clubs, etc. in Iceland. It’s possible to see most of the town in a couple of days. Still, nearby attractions are making it an excellent anchor city. Some of the favorites are the Hallgrímskirkja, City Hall, and the Harpa Hall.

From the airport, Reykjavík is about 45 minutes to an hour away.

Food and hotels are pricey in Iceland. You’re going to pay a minimum of 15 dollars for food. Hotels usually range around 150 to 300 dollars.

There are plenty of waterfalls to choose from in Iceland, and all are unique in there own way, which is why I didn’t pick one but just all waterfalls in Iceland. If you get a chance to drive around Iceland, you’ll probably experience at least a couple of waterfalls. I can tell you the most famous waterfalls in Iceland are Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Skógafoss. They are all close to Reykjavík, and some are part of the Golden Circle tour.

From the airport, Reykjavík is about 45 minutes to an hour away.

Food and hotels are pricey in Iceland. You’re going to pay a minimum of 15 dollars for food. Hotels usually range around 150 to 300 dollars.

Also can check out my post from Iceland.