Covered with glaciers and blue tones, Iceland is likely popping up all over your social media news feeds recently. Certainly, you’ve seen those photographs of Iceland attractions featuring long-haired beauties emerging from cool-hued lagoons, adventurers cascading down giant ice blocks, and glorious walls of humbling waterfalls. Yes, the Nordic island country is certainly trending, and with such stunning Iceland tourist attractions and dirt cheap flights to Iceland, it’s easy to see why. But what exactly are the best things to do in Iceland?
From ice caves glimmering like frozen fire, heart-pumping ice climbing, whale watching, and volcano touring to Icelandic food-munching and snorkeling, these travel bloggers have certainly delivered the best things to do in Iceland.
Photo above: David Gil
My personal favorites? Taking a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, or venturing off to the South Coast for Jokulsarlon lagoon exploring, glacier walking, black sand beach viewing, and waterfall photo-ops.
If that’s not one of the best things to do in Iceland, I don’t know what is. There’s a reason Iceland is on this list of the best girl’s trip destinations around the world (it’s freaking glorious).
But let’s get on with the opinions of our fellow travel bloggers, shall we?
Here are the best things to do in Iceland, according to travel bloggers:
“In Iceland, you can see the contours of the mountains wherever you go, and the swell of the hills, and always beyond that the horizon. And there’s this strange thing: you’re never sort of hidden; you always feel exposed in that landscape. But it makes it very beautiful as well.”
― Hannah Kent
Contents
- Explore the Ice Cave of the Vatnajokull Glacier
- Go Ice Climbing up Sólheimajökull
- Go Inside the Volcano Thrihnukagigur
- Take a Dip in the Blue Lagoon
- Visit the South Coast for Glacier Walking & Waterfalls
- Venture to Skaftafell National Park
- Go Snorkeling
- Eat Icelandic Food
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- More ideas for the best things to do in Iceland?
Explore the Ice Cave of the Vatnajokull Glacier
Recommended by Ling of Linger Abroad
One of the things you absolutely should do during your Iceland visit is to take an Ice Cave Tour into the Vatnajokull Glacier. It’s a unique opportunity to be able to go inside a glacier and see the ice cave formations. These caves are formed by running water within the ice that melts and erodes the ice during warmer seasons and, over time, makes the caves big enough to explore.
This ice cave took our breaths away with its amazingly crystal clear, blue color; the easily visible air bubbles trapped within the ice, and the texture of the cave looks more like frozen fire than water. It truly is an experience unlike any other and one of the coolest (pun intended) activities you can do in Iceland. You can also do tours that visit the cave and climb the glacier too. However, you can only visit these ice caves during the winter periods and you essentially have to go through a tour group, which you book in Reykjavik or go to the town, Hofn, where several tour groups are operating. Book your spots in advance to check out this amazing natural wonder!
Book an Ice Cave Tour in the Vatnajokull Glacier Region
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Go Ice Climbing up Sólheimajökull
Recommended by Karen of Wanderlustingk
Ice climbing is something that you MUST try in Iceland!
Even if you’ve rock climbed elsewhere in the world, the technique used for ice climbing is so different and it’s a great excuse to walk along a glacier. We did the Blue Ice trip via Arctic Adventures to see the amazing landscape of the glaciers, walk on top of Sólheimajökull, and climb up the glacier.
It is an unforgettable experience although it’s best to dress appropriately with waterproof clothing (think ski jacket/pants) and sturdy boots (not snow boots with a soft toe).
I chose this tour as it was smaller than other tours that involved glacier walking. The tour included a guide who was an experienced ice climber, and there were great reviews. We were able to meet them directly at the glacier, which meant that we had more time to drive Ring Road afterwards!
Book a Glacier Walk and Ice Climbing on Solheimajokull Tour
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| Geval Women’s Waterproof Ski Pants | Singbring Men’s Waterproof Ski Pants | Wantdo Women’s Waterproof Ski Jacket | Wantdo Men’s Waterproof Ski Jacket |
Go Inside the Volcano Thrihnukagigur
Recommended by Marta of Where Life is Great
Do you want to feel like one of the main characters of Jules Verne’s novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth? Now you can! If I were to name my favourite unique experience from Iceland, it would be doing exactly that, and going inside a volcano. Yes, you read that right!
Thrihnukagigur is the only volcano on Earth that you can see from the inside. It is a geological phenomenon of a volcano with an empty magma chamber. After the eruption, the crater stayed open leaving enough room to build a tiny elevator.
The whole activity takes about 5 hours. It starts with a 45 min walk towards the volcano and preparation at the base camp where you will receive helmet and security ropes. After that, the adventure begins! You descend 215 m bellow the surface to discover the beauty of this gigantic natural machinery. The volcano is incredibly colourful inside, and I can assure that you will immediately be impressed by its size and beauty. Convinced? Read more about my experience in Inside the Volcano in Iceland.
Book an ‘Inside the Volcano’ Thrihnukagigur Tour
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Take a Dip in the Blue Lagoon
Recommended by Carole of Travels With Carole
Before my trip to Iceland a few years back, the most anticipated experience for me was a dip in the Blue Lagoon.
I do adore a good hot spring, and the Blue Lagoon didn’t disappoint. I was surprised by how immense it is but enjoyed that and also liked the milky blue color of the water.
I did dip into the tubs of goo that are around the edges and covered my face with it as directed, and I did enjoy a blue-colored cocktail as I danced around the pool in search of the perfect temperature. Unfortunately, I’ve been hearing lately that there are long lines to get in.
Book a Blue Lagoon Tour
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Visit the South Coast for Glacier Walking & Waterfalls
Recommended by Yoda and Dalek of Beyond Our Horizons
We visited the South Coast on an ice-cave express tour that lasted 16-18 hours. Even though this was an intense day trip with more than 10 hours sitting in a bus, it was an unforgettable experience for many reasons. The drive through the South Coast is varied (featuring some of the best Iceland waterfalls, the coast, a lava field & glaciers) making looking out the window a real treat. However, it was the attractions themselves that blew our mind.
Glacier Walking on Vatnajökull
Due to unseasonable warm conditions, our ice cave tour got cancelled but was replaced with a glacier walk on the Vatnajökull glacier, the largest in Europe. The experience is so different from snow-shoeing as it presents a deep-blue coloured landscape that’s hard to believe.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Big chunks of deep blue ice were breaking off the glacier and washing up on a beach with fine black sand. We even saw a seal swimming between the ice chunks.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
The power of the ocean was in full view here as there is no land mass between this beach and Antarctica! Plus we saw a massive rainbow.
Skogafoss & Seljalandsfoss Waterfalls
Both powerful & dramatic waterfalls giving great photo-ops.
Top tip: Pack a lot of food!!!
Book a South Coast Tour
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Venture to Skaftafell National Park
Recommended by Shannon of SoleSeeking
Skaftafell National Park, in the south east of Iceland, was established in 1967 before being incorporated into Vatnajökull National Park in 2008. If you only have time for a flying visit to this huge park, visit Skaftafell and you will come away feeling like you have witnessed true Icelandic splendour.
One of Skaftafell’s main attractions is Svartifoss. The striking Black Falls suddenly emerge into view as you follow the easy 5.5km round-trip trail. Basalt columns are naturally etched into rigid lines, like organ keys playing a constant hymn of water. This part of Iceland has a slightly warmer climate and if visiting in the summer, you’ll see a large amount of vegetation on the hike, which makes a nice change from lava fields!
Another easy but highly rewarding choice from one of Skaftafell’s many hiking options is Skaftafellsjökull, where a roughly 1.5 km trail leads you to the foot of a glacier. There are no touristy gimmicks to be found here, just blissful nature and a chance to appreciate the untouched landscape. Watching gargoyles of ice stand motionless in pools of water gives the quiet area an almost eerie atmosphere. I enjoyed walking around and leaving my footprints in the black sand, knowing that they did nothing to take away from the area’s environmental purity.
You don’t need a tour to visit Skaftafell, but some may feel more comfortable on one. If you choose to travel independently, we recommend this Iceland rental car company.
Book a Glacier Wonders (from Skaftafell National Park) Tour
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Go Snorkeling
Recommended by Raksha of Solopassport
Book a Snorkeling ‘Into the Blue’ Iceland Tour
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Eat Icelandic Food
Recommended by Jia of JiahuiMuses
When in Iceland, besides admiring the beautiful scenery and landscapes, you can’t go wrong with filling your stomach with the delicious, authentic and maybe, even a little bit peculiar cuisines at times, exclusively in Iceland. Here are some recommendations for you to try out.
Icelandic Hotdogs
There is one famous chain right in downtown Reykjavik named Bæjarins Beztu which found its fame when it was named the best hot dog in town in 2006. When it doubt, simply order with “everything” — ketchup, chopped onions, mustard, remoulade (sauce similar to tartar) — and get your hotdog served fresh and piping hot.
Pósthússtræti & Tryggvagata
(Located right on Tryggvagata Street)
Reykjavík, Iceland
Hours: 10 am – 1:45 am
Icelandic Fish
Pickled herring is a delicacy in Europe and is a traditional dish for Christmas, especially in the Nordic countries. These pickles are usually accompanied with biscuits, rye bread, etc. and come in a variety of sauces such as strawberry and curry. How’s the taste? You have to try them to experience it for yourself.
Icelandic Lamb
If you have not tasted Icelandic lamb, you have not lived (or so they say). Hangikjöt (smoked lamb), is a favourite with the locals and is often served as a cold dish.
Book a Reykjavik Food Walk Tour
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That’s all folks—the best things to do in Iceland according to travel bloggers! We hope their suggestions will stir up some ideas of Iceland tourist attractions for you and satisfy those eager Iceland-lovin’ eyes. And don’t forget your Icelandic souvenirs.
Of course in a country with so many things to do, there are plenty more Iceland tourist attractions to indulge in as well. Even in the capital alone, one can easily be overwhelmed with things to do in Reykjavik, let alone the rest of the country.
From seeing the Northern Lights, going whale watching, visiting the Fontana geothermal baths, or basically anything else (just search your keywords!), Iceland has so much to do. With its turquoise waters and captivating glacier-filled landscapes, Iceland will surely make a glorious trip for any traveler.
Even better, the Iceland Travel Companion app is an awesome answer to the Iceland road trip, and helps any traveler finding every essential Iceland points of interest.
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