Our Top 10 Favourite Things to do in Iceland
**This compilation is our personal favourite list. Iceland is vast, and there are activities that appeal to every taste. You’re never really bored here. We only had time to explore Reykjavik and the southern and eastern portions of the island. We do not include places to the north or the central island as we did not travel to those parts of Iceland. Therefore, we are only including places we actually visited in Iceland.
#10 - Eldhraun Lava Field
This field stretches 218 square miles in southern Iceland between Vik and Kirkjubæjarklaustur. It looks alien-like and is a very unusual site to see. When you see it closer up, you will see more details in what it is. It is piles of volcanic rock from a volcanic eruption in the 1700s known as the Skaftareldar. This eruption was considered by scientists as the most poisonous eruption in history. It caused disease, famine, cattle and human deaths, and crop failure as a result. Over time, woolly fringe moss began growing over the volcanic rocks and it creates a strange site to behold. To protect its unique landscape, do not walk on the moss as it can damage the growth and cause it to die and change colours. A very unique spot indeed.
#9 - Seljalandsfoss
There are literally thousands of waterfalls all around Iceland. You can’t drive without seeing at least one in the distance. With so many to see, one of our top favourites is Seljalandsfoss. With its stunning height, it’s massive when walking up close to it. It’s one of the few public waterfalls that grants you access to walk behind it. You can check all angles of this incredible and mighty waterfall. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also take one of their hiking trails to see other lesser-known waterfalls nearby. You can easily spend several hours here taking in the beauty.
#8 - Ice Caving
One of the more rigorous activities we did in Iceland was ice caving. Keep in mind that this is not available year-round. Ice caving is only available in the colder months of the year, so you’re out of luck if you visit during the summer. We say this activity is rigorous, but it really isn’t. Many elderly folks and small children did ice caving with us. The couple mile walk on rough terrain wasn’t so bad, and the hiking up the glacier isn’t difficult for most. If you take a tour with Ice Explorers, you will be taken closer to the cave in a large vehicle and then be given cramp-ons for your shoes so it is safer and easier to walk onto the glacier. Each year, the ice caves change, so it’s never the same experience twice. An experience of a lifetime!
#7 - Whale Watching Boat Tour
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to spot any whales while on our tour, but that didn’t stop us from having a good time on the boat! Like everything in Iceland, everything is natural - geysers, northern lights, and yes, whales. Not everything will make an appearance for you when you want it. That being said, our 3-hour tour was a nice way to get out and explore Iceland at sea. We’ve heard the best place to see whales is in Husavik, but there are also opportunities to see them in Reykjavik. The crew was professional and excited to share their experiences and love for the sea with you. Most will have bars filled with snacks, bathrooms, and motion sickness medication for those who struggle with sea sickness. The water can be rough and choppy, to be weary if you suffer from those issues. Yes, it was cold and wet, but we loved every second being out on sea, seeing Puffin island, and catching some dolphins along the way.
#6 - Black Sand Beach
This was my original #1 until something else beat it (keep reading on to find out). I was blown away by how beautiful the black sand beach was. In all my life, I have never seen a beach quite so unique before. The volcanic black sand against the bright light colour of the water crashing into the rock formations was spectacular. For the best views, drive behind the Lava Show in Vik (also a fun experience), to take in the gorgeous beauty.
#5 - Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
This area is among the most beautiful and unique places you can explore in Iceland. It is small and large bunches of ice glacier “islands” within the cold, icy waters. It is a quintessentially Icelandic spot filled with countless ice shards. During some of the warmer months, you can actually take a boat ride out to see the ice more closely and possibly catch a glimpse of some wildlife while you’re out there.
#4 - Gullfoss Falls
While not the tallest or largest waterfall in Iceland, it is one of the most famous and impressive ones. This is because it is a double-tiered waterfall - meaning it’s 2 waterfalls that merge into 1 giant waterfall. There are several views so you can see Gullfoss at many angles. Gullfoss is also easier to get to, as it is within the Golden Circle - a popular route for tourists to take. Catch many angles of Gullfoss, get some nice souvenirs from the shop, grab a nice lunch at their cafe, and learn about the unique history of this land.
#3 - Geysir
Can you really go to Iceland and not see the famous geyser? There are many geysers in this region of Iceland. It is not just one, but several geysers, with each erupting at different times. The geysers are formed by geothermal heat within the earth. Once that heat becomes pressurized, it erupts into a grand display for any lucky visitor to catch. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see any major eruptions though. As you’ve noticed from my comments in previous blogs about Iceland, everything is natural and organic. Things like geysers don’t erupt the moment the time strikes 11:00. It’s all completely random, so be prepared for anything. And be prepared for the intense sulfur smell. It’s all rotten egg smell, so hold your breath!
#2 - Sky Lagoon
I know I keep saying unique, but Iceland was full of unique experiences. Many tourists go to the Blue Lagoon because it’s so iconic and quintessentially Icelandic, but the locals told us of a better spot to visit, and that is Sky Lagoon. And my gosh, were they right. The Sky Lagoon was a fantastic experience. When you are shown to your changing rooms, upon leaving it to swim, you turn around, and BAM, you start swimming in the lagoon immediately. There is a swim-up bar, some rock seats within the water, and a complimentary spa ritual experience with each ticket (you can only do it once). It was a super cool and relaxing experience to just unwind and take in some natural beauty while soaking up all the rich minerals of the land.
#1 - Diamond Beach
Remember when I said the Black Sand Beach was my original #1? This bumped that to #5. It’s still a black sand beach, but it has giant ice shards and pieces coming in from the ocean. These ice pieces come onto shore as if they’ve been carved by the Nordic gods themselves. Each one is like a huge diamond, hence why it’s named Diamond Beach. There are literally thousands of them all washed up, creating a super unique experience that perfectly encapsulates what makes Iceland so special: unique, beautiful, cold, natural. Many people comment and say Diamond Beach is their favourite part of Iceland, and I have to say I agree. There is nothing more unique and beautiful that I have seen than the Diamond Beach, and now Iceland has clearly become the newest edition to our gold standard favourite places in the world!
