10 Things to Do in Iceland

Iceland is on so many people’s Bucket Lists and rightfully should be! There are tons of things to do around that amazing island and I want to highlight a few of the best things to do when you visit!

Whale Watching Tour – There are many tours available that allow you to see whales as well as puffins. You can engage with Naturalists and experience rare sightings that will leave you in awe. It is best to whale watch in the summer months, preferably April through September. Minke whales are the most common in Iceland. Many tour companies will even guarantee that you’ll see whales or you get your money back or another tour with them.

Blue Lagoon Spa – This mineral-rich attraction is minutes from the Keflavik International airport and a favorite for my clients. There are many spa options available due to the geothermic forces and many natural elements. The lagoon is human-made and renewed every two days with fresh water. You can easily access the site via car or bus…but we recommend doing this either upon your arrival in Iceland or the day before/day of your departure since you more than likely won’t be staying near the airport for most of your trip.

West Fjords – Located in a famous peninsula, the Fjords are absolutely breathtaking. You need to plan well and leave time to explore all this area has to offer. They have great attractions where you can visit a myriad of unique sites, such as the Icelandic Sea Monster Museum or the famous Látrabjarg cliff. There is much to experience in this mountainous, remote area. You will have options that will keep you interested while on your expedition.

Skogafoss – The perfect place for you to get a shot with a double rainbow, Skogafoss, is the most scenic fall in Iceland. With a drop of over 60 meters, the view is spectacular. There is also a legend of gold that lies within the falls. Take your chance and search if you dare. 😉

Silfra – Silfra is an amazing diving spot located in Thingvellir National Park. It is the crevice between the tectonic plates in North America and Eurasian continents. It is the only place in the world where you can dive between two tectonic plates that shift roughly 2 cm every year. The shifting of the earth creates new caverns and tunnels. There is plenty of wildlife to see on your dive/snorkel. The three main dive sites are; Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon. The maximum depth is about 207 feet. The water is the purest in the world, and you can feel free to take a sip while diving.

Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) – This site is at the top of many lists. However, you need to know the best possible location to view this wonder. Thingvellir is by far the finest area to see this wonder. Be sure you check the weather so that you have a combination of dark and partially clear skies. Thingvellir is a national park, as well as a historic site. It doubles as a great tourist selection for you to see a rare vision as well as gain some insight into the history of the land.

Holuhraun – This is a relatively new site that you can visit located in the Highlands of Iceland. You will need a 4WD to reach the landscape, and be sure you get a high-quality vehicle that is equipped to travel on the unique terrain. Holuhraun is the newest formed lava flow from a volcano that lasted from August 2014 through February 2015. When peering into the rifts of the lava, you see many beautifully vivid colors. While driving along the sand, you can still see steam in certain areas. It is a geological wonder to behold. Be careful and stay on the marked paths, and to wear gloves when handling any lava rocks.

Reynisfjara Beach – This beach is gorgeous and an absolute must-see! With its rare black sand and basalt columns, there is much to explore on this volcanic shoreline. The black sand is lava that cooled once it hit the water, and the sand is more like various small stones. White sand and red sand beaches (Westfjords) also exist in Iceland. While on Reynisfjara, you can see Gardar, which is a basalt cliff that resembles a staircase to heaven. It is a natural pyramid and was formed by columnar jointing. There are many basalt columns throughout Iceland, but this is by far the most exceptional.

Party in Reykjavik – This small town has the best party spots in Iceland, hands down! There are multiple bars and restaurants to choose from. None of the businesses charge a cover, and the music is fantastic!

Seljavallalaug – This natural pool is one of the oldest in Iceland, and you will surely have a memorable experience when visiting. The water is not that hot because it does mix with colder water.

Planning your time out in advance is a great idea when wanting to visit and see so many areas or sites. This is one of the best things that I get to do with and for clients to make their trip a seamless success! I can assist with making recommendations for not only accommodations, if a car rental is a necessity for your travel style in Iceland but also recommending which adventures would be good to pre book as an excursion or which you can do on your own. And then I make all those necessary arrangements for you! How easy and great is that!? I have amazing partners in Iceland as well. When clients went last one of their Northern Lights tours was cancelled due to poor weather conditions and they had reached out to me immediately and I had clients rebooked on the next tour plus vouchers sent to their hotel for them before their plane even landed in Reykjavik!

Have you been?
Is it on your bucket list? Why? I’d love to know! Comment below and let me know your Icelandic favorites!


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