For many people, Iceland is a bucket list destination, because it is such a unique country. Waterfalls, glaciers, black-sand beaches, volcanos, geothermal spas, hot springs and jaw-dropping scenery, Iceland really has it all.
There is honestly so much more to do and to see than I expected before visiting. Every place you drive to feels like an activity on its own. It’s such an extraordinary country where you can easily spend quite some time and still not have seen all its beauty.
On top of that, Iceland offers some of the coolest activities, which will result in experiences of a lifetime. Seeing the Northern Lights, spotting whales in their natural habitat in a fully ethical way, hiking a glacier, a helicopter tour over this magical country: I could extend this list for quite a while.
In today’s post, I’ll share some of the best activities to do in Iceland, including the ones I did myself and personally recommend adding to your itinerary.
1. Whale Watching Tour
Location: Reykjavík, Húsavik
Costs: 85 euros per person
If you start your Iceland trip in Reykjavík, you actually cannot skip this amazing tour. The whale watching tour can easily become one of the biggest highlights of your trip.
If you’re lucky, you might see whales jumping out of the water, showing their fins, and creating a huge splash before they disappear beneath the surface again. Dolphins, porpoises, and even orcas can also make an appearance, which makes the whole experience even more special, as you’re about to see different mammals in one trip.
It’s honestly incredible to see these animals in their natural habitat. The tour is also completely ethical, which I personally think is important to know before booking.
Most whale watching tours last around 2–3 hours and take you out onto the ocean with an experienced guide and, on some tours, even a marine biologist. Along the way, they explain the different species you might spot and share more about the animals whenever there’s a sighting.
Read my full whale watching experience in Iceland here.
2. Snowmobile Adventure
Location: Reykjavík, Húsavik, Gullfoss, Vik, Jökulsárlón
Costs: varies from 230 euros per person
If you’re really into adventurous activities, snowmobiling is definitely a cool one to consider adding to your Iceland itinerary. Riding across a glacier like the Langjökull glacier, surrounded by nothing but snow and ice, depending on the time of the year, and huge open landscapes sounds like such a dream excursion to do.
Most tours include the necessary safety gear and a local guide who takes you across the glacier, so this is available for everyone, and you don’t need any previous snowmobiling experience.
I’d book this one in advance if it’s something you’re into, especially during the busier months, as it’s a very popular tour and time slots can fill up quickly.
3. Guided Northern Lights Hunting
Location: Reykjavík, Akureyri
Costs: from 50 euros per person
Hunting for the Northern Lights is one of the experiences you cannot miss while visiting Iceland. You don’t need to book a tour, as you can rent a car, check the aurora forecast yourself through the Aurora app, drive away from the city lights to the darkest areas, and try your luck independently.
That said, if you want to increase your chances of actually seeing them, I’d recommend joining a guided Northern Lights tour. Local guides know best where to look for clearer skies. They can adjust the route depending on the weather and often have a much better idea of where conditions are most promising that evening. The most popular place to join a tour is Reykjavík, but you can also join a tour from Akureyri.
You can also book a tour with professional photoshoot, where you’ll get beautiful pictures of these magical moments. I would say that this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so if you have the chance, you should absolutely book it!
4. Magical Helicopter Flight
Location: Reykjavík
Costs: from 500 euros per person
If you want to see Iceland from a different perspective, a helicopter flight is probably one of the most spectacular activities you can book. Flying above glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, waterfalls, and huge stretches of untouched nature will show how insanely beautiful this country is from above.
It’s definitely one of the more expensive things you could do in Iceland, so I’d see this as a proper splurge activity rather than ‘just a fun activity to book’. But if you have the budget for it, and especially if you love photography or unique experiences you probably won’t forget, this is the kind of activity that will give you the most spectacular views of whole Iceland.
5. Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride
Location: Jökulsárlón, Fjallsárlón
Costs: from 52 euros per person, depends on location
A glacier lagoon boat ride is such a cool way to experience Iceland’s icy landscapes from up close. I personally liked that we cruised between huge floating icebergs, surrounded by glaciers and incredibly blue, ice-cold water, which made the whole place feel very unreal.
Our tour guide, who was a French woman, explained the history of how this place was ‘created’, which was very interesting. She and her colleague even made an ice sculpture in the form of a whale, which was very impressive. Everyone on the tour got the chance to hold this enormously, beautiful ice sculpture. I can assure you, it was very very cold, haha.
It’s a must-do activity if you’re travelling through South Iceland and want to do something different from hiking or visiting waterfalls. Depending on the tour, you can choose a larger amphibian boat or a smaller Zodiac-style boat for a more adventurous and closer experience.
6. Red Lava Horse Ride
Location: Reykjavík, Hafnarfjörður
Costs: varies from 90 to 130 euros per person, depending on the season
If you’re into horse riding or just want to do something typically Icelandic, the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour is a really cool option. You’ll ride through volcanic landscapes and red lava hills around Reykjavík.
The tours are suitable for both beginners and more experienced riders, so don’t be afraid to join when you’ve never ridden a horse before. The tour will take up to around 1.5 hours, with the full experience taking roughly 2.5 hours.
The Lava Horse Riding Tour runs all year round, but I’d personally say late spring through early autumn is the most comfortable time to do it, simply because temperatures are milder and you have more daylight.
Summer looks especially pleasant, while winter can still be beautiful but obviously much colder and windier, so you’ll need proper warm layers.
7. Kayaking on Glacier Lagoon
Location: Jökulsárlón, Fjallsárlón, Höfn
Costs: varies from 120 euros per person
Want to experience Iceland’s glaciers in a slightly more adventurous way? Kayaking on a glacier lagoon is such a unique activity to add to your itinerary. You’ll paddle between floating icebergs, surrounded by dramatic glacier scenery, which makes the whole tour feel incredibly peaceful and unreal. I am definitely adding this activity for my next visit to Iceland!
Most tours are guided and include the necessary equipment, so you don’t need to be a pro kayaker to join. I’d especially recommend this activity if you’re visiting during the warmer months, as kayaking on a glacier lagoon is a seasonal activity and weather conditions are more suitable in late spring and summer.
8. Snorkel Between Tectonic Plates
Location: Silfra
Costs: from 110 euros per person
Snorkeling in Silfra is easily one of the most extraordinary activities you can do in Iceland. You’ll float through the clearest glacial water inside Þingvellir National Park, right between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which makes the whole experience feel super impressive.
The water is very cold, but tours provide a drysuit and the necessary snorkeling equipment to keep you warm. If you’re comfortable in the water and want to do something super adventurous, this is definitely one of those rare excursions you should try!
9. Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike
Location: Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, Vik
Costs: varies from 150 euros per person
Another adventurous excursion is visiting the blue ice cave & hiking a glacier. This tour, combined with two very special activities, is the best to do in winter period during the colder months, as the ice cave is more stable and accessible in winter.
You’ll hike across the glacier with a guide before entering a naturally formed ice cave, where the deep blue ice, frozen walls, and unusual shapes will absolutely blow your mind.
What makes this activity especially cool is that the caves are constantly changing, so each experience is unique. If you’re visiting Iceland in winter and want something more challenging than simply seeing a glacier from a viewpoint, visiting the blue ice cave & hiking a glacier is definitely a great adventure to add to your must-do list!
My Honest Opinion: Is Iceland Worth Visiting?
From my point of view, Iceland is absolutely worth visiting at least once in your life. The landscapes are so different from what you’ll find in most other countries, I think New Zealand comes closest of all the countries I’ve visited so far.
Even simply driving around the country, stopping at waterfalls and watching the scenery change every few kilometers will give you some unforgettable memories.
The best part is that you definitely don’t need to book some of the expensive excursions to have a great time here. I would say that Iceland’s nature is the biggest attraction of all, there are so many beautiful places that can be enjoyed without spending hundreds of euros on activities.
That being said, if your budget allows it, I’d personally choose one or two excursions that really stand out to you. I mean, there are some really cool once-in-a-lifetime activities to do in Iceland that you’ll still be talking about when you’re old, so great stories to tell your grandkids. 😉
Check My Other Iceland Blogs
The Best Waterfalls in Iceland: Add These Waterfalls to Your Iceland Itinerary
What’s the Best Month to Visit Iceland? My Honest Opinion & Thoughts
What to Pack for Your Iceland Trip? Check My Useful Packing Guide
5 Days South Coast Iceland Itinerary: My Top Route & Tips
Iceland Budget: Daily Costs & Money-Saving Tips for Your Iceland Trip
Check My Other Reykjavík Blogs
Spend 24 Hours in Reykjavík Iceland: What I Did and What I Recommend
Whale Watching Tour in Reykjavík Iceland: My Honest Review
Where to Stay in Reykjavík: My Favorite Areas and Hotel Stays
