What are the Most Exciting Things to Do in Iceland?

Are you coming to Iceland for an action-packed adventure? Whether you’re staying in Reykjavik and the southwest of the country or heading out on the ring road for an unforgettable road trip, you’ll be spoiled by the sheer amount of natural beauty here in ‘the Land of Fire and Ice’.

At Your Friend in Reykjavik, we provide a range of authentic, engaging, and exciting tours to meet every interest. Our tours in Reykjavik bring you closer to the capital city, where 60% of all Icelanders live. To explore everything else our country has to offer, our Iceland tours and day trips open up a world of wonder ready and waiting for you.

Our friendly guides, most of whom are members of the Icelandic Tourist Guide Association, love answering your questions. Please contact us with any queries you have about our tours, day trips, or Iceland itself.

But for now, read through this blog to learn more about the most exciting things to do in Iceland.

Adventure cars in Iceland

Tourists Love the Wonders of the Golden Circle

Taking in the three incredible sites that make up the Golden Circle is one of the most popular tourist activities in Iceland.

To clarify, the Golden Circle is comprised of:

  • Gullfoss Waterfall
  • Geysir Geothermal Area
  • Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park

Þingvellir National Park

Historically speaking, Þingvellir National Park is one of the most important places on our island. The oldest existing parliament, Alþingi, was established here in 930.

But it’s also where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. Here, you can see firsthand how these two plates, which are moving away from each other, have shaped the land over millennia.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss is an awe-inspiring two-tiered waterfall, and one of the most powerful in Iceland. The water roars over the lower tier, plummeting down into the gorge below with amazing force.

If you’re looking for the perfect introduction to the countless exciting things to do in Iceland, it’s hard to beat Gullfoss.

The Geysir Geothermal Area

But another of our country’s most iconic sites is also on our Golden Circle tours — the Geysir geothermal area. The biggest attraction here is Strokkur, a geyser that erupts with sudden fury every 6 to 10 minutes.

The area itself is named after the mostly dormant Geysir, which lends its name to all other geysers around the world.

A visit to the Golden Circle is essential for any Iceland itinerary, and a great way to start exploring places outside of Reykjavik.

Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss Waterfall are the attractions of the Golden Circle

See the Huge Icebergs in Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon

For anyone not heading around the ring road, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon is probably the furthest east you’ll go. But the trip is worth the hours on the road, and not just because of the massive icebergs you’ll see.

The scenery along the route is stunning in its own right, including the popular waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, both of which our Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon tours stop at.

At Jökulsárlón, you come face-to-face with the giant, ancient icebergs that have broken off the Vatnajökull glacier.

The lagoon is a fascinating mix of peace and power. Watching icebergs of different shapes and sizes silently float in the lagoon, some white, others a startling blue, is a uniquely tranquil experience.

That is, until one heaves itself in two, filling the air with a sudden crunch and subsequent splash. If you’re lucky enough to witness (or hear) this, it’s one of the most unique and exciting things you can experience in Iceland.

In the lagoon, the icebergs slowly melt. When they’re small enough, they pass out to the sea, where many end up on the nearby black sand beach. With sizable chunks of crystal-like ice scattered across its surface, this spot is appropriately known as Diamond Beach.

The Glacier Lagoon in Iceland

Chase the Astounding Beauty of the Northern Lights

For many intrepid travelers, seeing the Northern Lights is at the very top of their bucket list. If you’re lucky enough to see them, you’ll understand the fascination they inspire.

Even as Icelanders who have seen the aurora borealis multiple times, we still find it hard to put into words how beautiful and spellbinding this spectacular phenomenon is.

Once it starts, you never want it to stop.

Of course, there’s an element of luck involved. But at Your Friend in Reykjavik, we use our years of experience to significantly increase the chances of a sighting.

We put in plenty of pre-planning, such as reading the Aurora forecast. We then head out to a spot free of light pollution, where we’re most likely to see the dazzling green river overhead.

When it comes to the most exciting things to do in Iceland, it’s hard to surpass the building tension as you look to the sky in anticipation. Seeing the dancing lights appear out of the darkness is the perfect release.

The Northern Lights in Iceland

Head Out to Sea for Some Unforgettable Whale Watching!

A whale-watching adventure is easily one of the most exciting things to do in Iceland.

When whale-watching tours set sail, they take in all manner of our country’s marine life. Naturally, there are various whale species, including humpback and minke whales, but you can also expect to see white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and some of our rich and thriving bird life.

At Your Friend in Reykjavik, our own whale watching tours provide a genuinely unique and thrilling experience combined with optimal comfort.

Whale watching visit to Iceland

Make Your Iceland Adventure Unforgettable with Our Tours and Day Trips

As you would expect from a country defined by the dramatic landscapes associated with geysers, hot springs, glaciers, volcanoes, and lava fields, you’ll find an endless amount of action and adventure here. Our guide to the best hot springs in Iceland is just one introduction you can dip into.

We can assure you, the list above only scratches the surface of the most exciting things to do in Iceland. It’s no surprise that people who visit once usually come back again!

As an enthusiastic and responsible traveler, we want you to enjoy our country as much as we love living here. And we take the responsibility seriously. Learn more about the Icelandic Pledge to be a responsible tourist.

Our passion for our country and all its natural beauty is why we provide so many Iceland tours and day trips, as well as additional Iceland private tours.

For the ultimate travel experience, we also offer fully bespoke custom Iceland tours tailored to you.

Are you ready to experience the wonders of Iceland? Get in touch with our friendly team to start shaping a vacation that you’ll remember forever.

Please signup HERE for our newsletter for more fun facts and information about Iceland!

2 Responses
  1. Back in the early 60’s I was stationed in Keflavik and fell in love with Iceland.. During a trip into Reykjavik, the were having some special day that the girls would slip behind you and pin bean bags on your jacket or what ever. I never really understood but it was similar to Sadie Hawkins Day. Could you tell me more??
    My Bucket List involves getting back to visit. I hope very soon!!!

Leave a Reply

Explore Our Tours

Whale Watching Adventure by Speedboat

Luxurious Whale Watching Cruise from Reykjavik

Hunt the Northern Lights via Cruise Ship

Glacier Hike Discovery on Vatnajokull

Explore the Ice Caves of Vatnajökull

Climb the Glaciers of Vatnajökull

Hike across the Glaciers of Vatnajökull

Horseback riding in Iceland

Black Beach Horseback Riding Tour

Discover the Ice Caves of Vatnajökull