10 Breathtaking Things to See and Do in Iceland

Discover the country of Iceland rich in adventure and natural beauty

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall Iceland

Iceland, also known as “The Land of Fire and Ice”, has dramatic terrain such as volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields that pepper the Nordic island nation. Both Vatnajokull and Snaefellsjokull are national parks that protect some of the largest glaciers in Europe. Iceland also contains some of the most active volcanoes in the world. The capital, Reykjavik, runs on geothermal power and has a rich history to explore. Iceland’s Viking history can be found in the National and Saga museums located in the capital city.
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1. 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.  Follow instructions carefully and be safe.
2. Blue Lagoon Spa – This mineral-rich attraction is minutes from the Keflavik International airport.  There are many spa options available due to the geothermic forces and many natural elements.  The lagoon is man-made and renewed every two days with fresh water.  You can easily access the site via car or bus. 
3. West Fjords – Located in a popular peninsula, the Fjords are breathtaking.  You need to plan well and leave time to really explore all this area has to offer.  They have great attractions.  You can visit a myriad of special 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.
4. 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…
5. 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.
6. Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) – This sight 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 on the history of the land.
7. Holuhraun - This is a fairly 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. 
8. 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.
9. 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 amazing!
10. 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.

If you need help budgeting your trip to Iceland, check out this useful
​ Iceland Travel Budget Calculator
It has a variety of features useful to all types of travelers from budget to luxury you can get an idea of what costs to expect when going to Iceland.