If you are looking for what to do in Iceland, here are our top 10 things to do in Iceland. Iceland is a beautiful place to visit. It has such a diverse range of things to do that you’ll struggle to find in other popular holiday destinations. From geothermally heated lagoons like the Blue Lagoon and Sky lagoon, to ice climbing, horse riding, and even just enjoying some ‘me’ time in the capital of Reykjavik. There are almost endless options for things to do. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, then worry not! we have the top 10 things to do in Iceland.

1. Self-Drive around Iceland

Self-drive tours in Iceland are definitely one of the top 10 things to do in Iceland. If you’re looking to have a truly memorable trip to Iceland, then you need to consider taking a self-drive tour. There are so many natural wonders to see in Iceland. From glaciers to waterfalls and black sand beaches, driving yourself is the best way to see it all. Unlike an escorted tour, you’ll have as much or as little time in each place as you want. This is great if somewhere unexpectantly piques your interest more than another. Or if you decide you want to have a lazy morning rather than go out exploring. You also have much more flexibility over the route and where you want to go. If you want the luxury of not having to book a car rental or plan the route? Then why not book one of our self-drive tours?

You can read more about why self-drive tours are the best way to travel in Iceland here: Why Self-drive tours?

2. Drive the Iceland Ring Road

A self drive road trip in Iceland is always going to be a top 10 things to do in Iceland candidate! If you want to go all in with your trip to Iceland, then self-driving around the ring road is a great option. This self-drive tour takes you around the outside perimeter of Iceland. So you won’t miss out on any of the top sights that Iceland has to offer. Although in theory you could drive this route in less than 24 hours, you’ll want at least a week! There are so many photographic opportunities here due to the immense amount of natural beauty that Iceland has. And if you book the trip with us, you’ll have a rental car, and accommodations secured! and a detailed personal itinerary planned out for you.

3. Visit the World Famous Attractions on the Golden Circle

If you’re looking to see the top sights in Iceland, then the Golden Circle is a must visit! There’s so much to see on the Golden Circle. Attractions such as the Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area with Strokkur spouting hot spring, Gullfoss waterfall, and Kerið crater. If you do not want to drive yourself, there are many great day tour options available. You can even do a tour that combines sightseeing and the Northern Lights? The great thing about doing a self-drive tour is that you’ll have all the flexibility you want. You will have a detailed itinerary ready made making the research less of a hassle. You will not miss a single thing!

There are many activities you can add to your Golden circle tour. The most popular ones are, Snorkeling in Silfra fissure, Snowmobiling from Gullfoss waterfall, and Super jeep tour to in Ice cave.

View our selection of Golden circle tours here.

Golden Circle Tours

4. Visit the Gentle Giants of the Sea on a Whale Watching Tour

Aside from self-drive tours, there are amazing day trips and activities you need to include in your Iceland travel itinerary. Whale-watching being one of them! We have around 45 different whale-watching trips to choose from. All of them offer a unique chance to see whales with your own eyes and make the most magical memories. Whether it’s the great humpback whales, killer whales, blue whales or even the small harbour porpoises, this is a great choice whether you’re a wildlife lover or not. And why not combine it with other exciting pursuits such as snorkelling, seeing the northern lights or dolphin watching too? If you’re looking for an exciting activity to do during your trip to Iceland, then this top 10 things to do in Iceland activity, you’ll be certain to make tons of memories and have lots of fun with this one.

View our selection of Whale watching tours in Iceland.

5. Visiting a Glacier and go glacier hiking, ice Climbing, or ice caving

Now it’s not on every holiday that you can say you have been on a glacier ice cap! A top 10 things to do in Iceland must have! If you want to get close to nature and experience something unique, then glacier activities are truly special. The most popular glacier activities are, glacier hiking, ice cave tours, ice climbing, and snowmobiling. We offer a great selection of guided glacier tours with professional and experienced guides. During a guided tour, you will get to learn all about how glaciers are formed and their lifecycle. You should never venture onto a glacier by yourself. Glaciers are ever changing and can be dangerous for people with little experience. Guided tours offer all-important safety for your visit and the proper equipment.

Glacier hiking, Ice climbing, and snowmobiling are activities you can enjoy all year around. However, there are only a handful of ice caves that you are able to visit during summer time. The ice cave by Katla volcano being the most popular option. You’ll then climb up ice walls using ice axes and crampons. You can also combine these trips with sightseeing day tours. That way you can visit the most popular attractions in Iceland, and enjoyed a glacier activity. If you’re looking to create unforgettable memories with your friends or family, and get the authentic Icelandic experience, then you need to should visit an Icelandic glacier! Click here to view our selection of tours.

6. Kayaking around Glacier lagoons and Wildlife

If you’re a fan of the water, then kayaking is a great choice for an activity. It’s even more beautiful in Iceland with the extraordinary scenery too. It’s fun for all the family and is a great way to take in the fjords and glaciers from a different perspective. We have so many different kayaking trips you can choose from glacier kayaking to even midnight sun kayaking. If you’re interested in wildlife, then our Wildlife of Vigour Island Day trip would be a great choice. Spot puffins and ducks and if you’re lucky even a whale or two all from the beautiful viewpoint of your kayak. Click here to read more about our kayaking trips as well as other water sports trips such as rafting and paddleboarding.

7. Meeting the World Famous Icelandic Horse on a Horse Riding Trip

If you prefer to keep both feet on solid ground, then horse riding in Iceland is your best bet. Horse riding in Iceland is also just such a unique yet fun trip to do. Whether it’s riding through the snow on a traditional Icelandic horse or through meadows or green forests. Depending on which horse riding trip you choose, take in the sights of volcanic mountains, hot springs or even a black sand beach. And if you book your horse riding trip with us, then you could also combine it with a northern lights boat tour too or even a dip in the hot springs. If you’re looking for a fun-filled adventure that the whole family will enjoy, then you definitely need to consider adding a horse riding trip into your Iceland travel itinerary. For more information on our horse riding trips, click here.

8. Spend the Day in the Capital of Reykjavik city

Although Reykjavik is a small city, it doesn’t mean it’s lacking in things to do. If you’re into your architecture, then you should definitely take a visit to Hallgrimskirkja Church. It also has a viewing platform making it a great place to take in the view of the whole city. If you’re into your nightlife, then you won’t want to miss out on Reykjavik’s nightlife with many bars to choose from as well as cafes which often have live events as well as the theatre, opera, cabaret performances or stand-up comedy. Reykjavik also has excellent restaurants which serve traditional Icelandic cuisine which often consists of seafood and lamb. If you’re into culture, then there are lots of museums and art galleries you can visit as well as very interesting street art which features on some of the buildings in the city.

9. Bathe in The Blue Lagoon, One of the 25 Wonders of the World

This is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Iceland. It’s one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions and a must-see for your visit to Iceland. When it’s freezing outside, nothing sounds more appealing than a hot lagoon to relax in after a long day of exploring. Going to outdoor pools are an important part of Icelandic culture and there are tons of pools like the Blue Lagoon, although the Blue Lagoon is the most well-known. This pool is a lava rock pool powered by geothermal energy and the blue part of the blue lagoon is due to the high silica content. It’s also rich in minerals and algae which is said to be very good for the skin. The Blue Lagoon should definitely be on everyones top 10 things to do in Iceland list!

10. Hunting for the Illusive Auroras Borealis on a Northern Lights Tour

A visit to Iceland is not complete without seeing the northern lights. The ribbons of white and green in the sky are a truly extraordinary sight to see. As the northern lights requires very specific conditions of darkness and clear skies, it means that a trip can’t always guarantee the sight of the northern lights. If you’re looking for a truly memorable trip during your time in Iceland, then you really shouldn’t miss out on seeing the northern lights. To read more about our tours, click here.

If it’s your first time visiting Iceland, click here to read about tips for first-time visitors to Iceland.