We use cookies to improve your website experience and provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy. Please read our Cookie Policy for more information on how we use cookies and how you can disable them.
The best things to do in Iceland are the ones you cannot do anywhere else. And there’s many of them to choose from. So, here’s our pick of the top 5 to get your wanderlust going, and to help you plan the perfect escapade.
This is only the start of things to do in Iceland. Get in touch with SOTC for the best Iceland tour packages to get you the full experience.
The island’s waters are bustling with beautiful aquatic life, especially whales, dolphins and porpoise that everyone loves to see. Take a whale-watching or marine watching tour from Reykjavík, Akureyri, the Westfjords and most-successfully from Húsavík. If you’re lucky you’ll also spot other wildlife like orcas, narwhals or the puffin bird.
One of the top things to do in Iceland is taking its most famous tour, the Golden Circle. You’ll get to visit the Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Geysir geothermal area with the iconic Strokkur geyser spouting its hot contents up into the sky, before finally visiting the gushing Gullfoss Waterfall.
Tip: Carry your swimsuit for a dip in one of the natural hot springs along the way.
You won’t find a lesser populated capital city that offers so much for the curious traveller. Architecture, festivals, art or cuisine — take your pick. A walking tour or a hop-on hop-off bus tour are great ways to soak in all the top Iceland sightseeing landmarks in the city, including Hallgrímskirkja Church, Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum, Family Park and Zoo, National Museum and Gallery of Iceland and the thermal pools.
Tip: Purchasing the Reykjavík City Card gives you access to most of these sites.
One of the most beautiful natural phenomenons, the colourful northern lights are caused by the earth’s magnetic field charging up solar particles. Not that one can ponder over its science while actually witnessing the alluring marvel. But even with the longest viable duration to spot them, it’ll take some planning and a bit of luck to ensure you get this Iceland sightseeing experience.
Tip: Highest chances of visibility are between December to February.
The most famous of things to do in Iceland is immersing yourself in its most well-known geothermal spa. The mineral-rich water will leave you rejuvenated while the nearby wilderness of Reykjanes Peninsula and its lava fields and lush landscapes is simply out of this world.
Tip: Popularity of this experience means you’ll have to book in advance.
