Things to do in Iceland
20 must-dos.That's the list.
Not 900 tours. The things locals send their friends to, each with its honest catch and the best ways to book it.
The list
- 01
Walk inside a glacierSoutheast · from €220 - 02
Hike on a glacierSouth Coast · from €132 - 03
Snorkel between two continentsGolden Circle · from €136 - 04
Go whale watchingNorth · from €93 - 05
Chase the northern lightsReykjavík · from €82 - 06
Soak in a geothermal lagoonReykjanes · from €162 - 07
Do the Golden Circle properlyGolden Circle · from €88 - 08
Waterfalls and the black beachSouth Coast · from €118 - 09
Icebergs at JökulsárlónSoutheast · from €206 - 10
Ride an Icelandic horseReykjavík · from €88 - 11
Go underground in a lava tubeReykjanes · from €43 - 12
Snowmobile on a glacierGolden Circle · from €219 - 13
Meet the puffinsReykjavík · from €96 - 14
See it all from a helicopterReykjavík · from €674 - 15
Eat your way round ReykjavíkReykjavík · from €110 - 16
Snæfellsnes in a daySnæfellsnes · from €130 - 17Hike to a volcanoReykjanes · from €95
- 18
Ride a super jeep into the highlandsHighlands · from €220 - 19
Take a buggy across the lavaReykjavík · from €190 - 20
Hot baths in the northNorth · from €154
By season
Iceland changes a lot between winter and summer. Here is what works when.
Winter · Nov to Mar
Short days (about 4 to 5 hours of daylight around midwinter in Reykjavík), long dark nights, snow on the glaciers.
Summer · Jun to Aug
Light almost round the clock, highland roads open (usually from late June), seabirds on the cliffs.
Any time of year
These run all year, weather allowing.
By trip length
3 days
Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the South Coast.
Do the Golden Circle properly · Waterfalls and the black beach · Soak in a geothermal lagoon
5 days
Add a night in the Southeast for the glacier lagoon and a glacier walk.
Icebergs at Jökulsárlón · Hike on a glacier · Walk inside a glacier
7 days or more
Add Snæfellsnes, or fly north for whales and the northern baths.
Snæfellsnes in a day · Go whale watching · Hot baths in the north
By region
Plan it properly
- Northern lightsWhen, where, and tonight's odds, live.
- Ice cavesWhich caves, which months.
- Blue Lagoon alternativesNine other lagoons and hot springs.
- Iceland in winterDaylight by month and the roads.
- Iceland on a budgetThe cheapest way into every must-do.
- Stopover24, 48 or 72 hours from the airport.
Good to know
How many days do I need?
Three days covers Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the South Coast. With five to seven days, add the Southeast (the glacier lagoon and, in winter, ice caves) or Snæfellsnes. The north and the Westfjords need a week or more, or a domestic flight.
Do I need a car?
No. Most must-dos here can be booked as a tour with pickup in Reykjavík or the nearest town. A car gives you freedom, but winter driving needs care and a close eye on road.is and the weather forecast.
When is the best time to go?
It depends what you want. Winter is for ice caves and a chance of northern lights. Summer is for long light, puffins and the highlands. Lagoons, the Golden Circle and the South Coast work all year.
Can anyone promise the northern lights?
No. They need dark, clear skies and solar activity, roughly September to April. A good tour checks the forecasts and takes you where the sky is clearest. Check each operator's re-booking rules before you pay.
How do you pick the must-dos?
Locals choose the experiences. For each one we show a few operators with strong ratings and real open dates, pulled from their booking systems. Nobody can pay to be on the list.