10 Insanely Beautiful Things to Do in Iceland

Iceland is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations in the world–and there is a good reason for that! Known for it’s glaciers, hot springs, waterfalls, and geysers, this island north of the United Kingdom is bringing in tens of thousands of visitors every year.

Iceland is often refereed to as “The Land of Fire & Ice” because it has drastic geological contrasts. This means that you can see the world’s most active volcanoes AND some of Europe’s largest glaciers all in one trip. You may also notice the contrast within the seasons in Iceland. 24-hours of sunshine during the summer months are offset with exceptionally long nights in the winter.

Even though Iceland is one of the largest island’s in Europe, you can actually drive along the entire island’s coast within a 10 day trip. Over 80% of the country is uninhabited, making it an ideal destination to realign yourself with nature!

No matter what stage of life you are in, there are amazing things to do in this country. We know people who have traveled to Iceland for weddings, group vacations, solo trips, and family vacations.

In this post, we have listed 10 insanely beautiful things to do in Iceland. Each activity showcases a different side of the country for you to explore.

Also, make sure you are signed up for cheap flight alerts so that you can be notified when flight prices to Iceland drop. There are many great travel subscriptions out there, but we are partial to Thrifty Traveler! You can use our code COMPASS10 for 10% off your first year. Let’s jump in!

#1: Thingvellir National Park

Iceland’s National Park sits on the northern part of the island and is packed with rich history. Formally the meeting site for Viking settlers, Thingvellir was officially founded as the country’s national park in 1930. It is one of the main stops along Iceland’s popular Golden Circle route and is free to the public.

The earth’s tectonic plates under Thingvellir National Park are actually pulled apart slowly every year, creating rifts in the ground. This makes it a unique site to see every time you visit. You can park your car and walk along the many trails, discovery new breathtaking views. A photographer’s dream!

#2: Dyrhólaey Black Sand Beach

Planted in the far south of Iceland near the town of Vik, Dyrhólaey (or Arch with the Hole) is one of our all time favorite places to see in the country. It is a bit of a drive from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, but completely worth every mile. When you arrive, you can either explore the black sand beaches below or take the steep road all the way up to the top of the cliff.

The view from the top will completely blow you away. You can overlook spectacular beach views from your car, or take advantage of the pull off spots and discover them on foot. There is also a castle shaped lighthouse along the cliff.

In addition, the Dyrhólaey Black Sand Beach is a popular spot for puffins, Iceland’s infamous birds that are both funny-looking and cute. Puffin’s are known as the “clowns of the sea” –how could they not brighten someone’s day? The best time to spot these rare birds is between April and August.

#3: Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Tucked away along a windy highway, it’s as if the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall appears out of thin air. This waterfall is one of the best things to do in Iceland for those who appreciate nature’s beauty.

Why admire a waterfall from afar when you can walk right through it? What makes this waterfall so unique is that the walking path takes you directly behind it. Make sure you dress warm and bring extra clothes because you are guaranteed to get wet.

In addition, there are plenty of opportunities here to try Iceland’s glacial water. Take advantage of the low streams and enjoy nature’s finest! The glacial water is definitely refreshing and it makes for a fun experience.

There’s also a gift shop outside the waterfall. Be sure to pick up a few souvenirs before you head out.

#4: Solheimasandur Plane Wreck

Located in South Iceland on a sandy black beach, the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck is quite the site to see. In 1973, a U.S. Navy DC plane crashed on this site and the plane remains were never collected.

Before you find this morbid, it’s important to note that all passengers survived the crash. So naturally, it has transformed into an Instagram backdrop and is a popular stop among tourists.

The plane wreck location forbids cars at a certain point, so it requires a bit of a trekking along the black sand beaches. Make sure to wear good walking shoes and find a reliable walking buddy that will accompany you the few mile trek. Do not let the distance deter you though, the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck is one of the most remarkable things to do in Iceland and you will not want to miss it.

#5: Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of the most recognizable and popular things to do in this country, and we will tell you why. Not only is it one of the 25 Natural Wonder’s of The World, but the Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa that was created within a lava field. So picture a giant outdoor hot tub surrounded by Iceland’s volcanic landscape. Now you get it!

Pictures do not do this place justice. We would be the first to share if the buzz was overrated since this was definitely a pricier activity for us. However, we are happy to report that it is worth every penny.

Ticket packages vary depending on your budget, but the cheapest option includes a towel, a silica mud mask, and a free beverage at their hot springs bar. Rain or shine, this is one of our favorite things to do in Iceland when we are in need of a luxury treat.

#thriftytip: book your reservation early in the day so you can get the most out of your ticket. All Blue Lagoon admission tickets only specify a start time. So get there during one of the early slots and enjoy 8+ hours in the hot spring magic. This is also the best time to avoid the crowds.

#6: Gullfoss Waterfall

The Gullfoss Waterfall is another stop along the sightseeing Golden Circle route. It has two parts to the waterfall that are both equally as memorizing. The first is a shorter cascade that is 36 ft tall. The other drop is almost 70 feet in length, with canyon walls surrounding it on all sides.

This is another activity where you will want to bring a heavy duty raincoat, some waterproof rain boots, and an extra pair of wool socks. Being in such close proximity to the falls, you are guaranteed to get a little wet.

This is also a good area if you are looking to do more intense activities such as snowmobiling along an ice tunnel or ascending the nearby glaciar Langjokull.

#7: Reykjavik’s Hallgrímskirkja Church

If you are looking for an activity a little closer to town, there are plenty of places to visit inside of Reykjavik. One of our favorite things to do in Reykjavik is visit the Hallgrímskirkja Church located in the city center. Standing at 250 ft high, it is the tallest church in Iceland and can be seen at almost any point in the city.

The inside of the church is also a site to see where you will find a 25 ton pipe organ (that still plays music today!). If you visit, you’ll want to make sure to take the lift up to the church’s tower. It’s a small fee but you get an amazing view of Reykjavik.

Since Hallgrímskirkja is an active church, it still holds Lutheran services every Sunday. So just make sure you are respectful of that as you visit this landmark.

#8: Mount Esja

If you are not looking to pay for a view of Reykjavik, there is a free option–but you will have to work for it. Mount Esja is a volcanic mountain range comprised of basalt and tuff.

It is the perfect thing to do in Iceland for the beginner to intermediate level hiker. There are a few different trails, but you can actually cover the majority of the hike in just a few hours. You will find scenic views of Reykjavik from all different parts of your hike.

Since it often rains spontaneously throughout the day in Iceland, you’ll want to expect muddy conditions and dress accordingly.

#9: The Great Geysir

Also known as “The Great Geyser”, the Geysir is home to many geothermal hot springs in southern Iceland. Although the infamous Geysir has been dormant since the early 90’s, there are plenty of other geysers in this area to witness.

One of it’s most popular geysers is the Strokkur hot spring. It can shoot water as high as 130 feet up in the air. You will definitely want to be paying attention because the geyser goes off for only a few seconds. But if you miss it, you are in luck because there’s an eruption every 5 to 10 minutes, so have your cameras ready.

This is also one of the three stops along the popular Golden Circle tourist route.

If you wander a little further, you can find natural mud pools boiling in the ground. And if you really want an Icelandic experience, grab your swimsuit and take a dip in one of the natural pools near by. The most popular natural pool in this area is known as Kualaug and runs about 102-109°F.

#10: Bridge Between Continents

The last activity on our list is perfect for the history buff. The Bridge Between Continents sits at the edge of North America and Europe, and was actually designed to connect the two continents. What’s unique about this landmark is that it is located on two tectonic plates that are slowly drifting apart from one another a few centimeters each year.

You can walk across the small footbridge and enter into a new continent in a matter of seconds! You will even notice signs that read “Welcome to North America” and “Welcome to Europe” on both sides. Pretty cool.

If you are interested in learning more about the history, there are plenty of information boards there for you to read. You only need to spend a few minutes here but it is a cool spot to see with a great view from the bridge.

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