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Iceland✨ 10 best things to do in Iceland

Things to do in Iceland

1. Drive the Golden CircleSee the rift valley of Þingvellir, the erupting Strokkur geyser and the thundering Gullfoss waterfall in one day.
2. Chase the northern lightsHead away from city lights on a clear winter night to watch green ribbons dance across the sky.
3. Soak in a geothermal poolJoin locals in a neighbourhood hot pot or a natural hot spring for the true Icelandic social ritual.
4. Hike on a glacierStrap on crampons with a certified guide to explore blue ice and crevasses on an outlet glacier.
5. Explore an ice caveIn winter, enter a glowing blue cave beneath Vatnajökull, Europe's largest ice cap by volume, on a guided tour.
6. Watch icebergs at JökulsárlónSee icebergs drift through a glacial lagoon and wash up on the black sands of Diamond Beach.
7. Walk behind a waterfallFollow the path behind the curtain of Seljalandsfoss on the south coast.
8. Go whale watchingSail from Húsavík or Reykjavík to spot humpbacks, minke whales and dolphins.
9. See puffins in summerWatch puffins nesting on sea cliffs between late spring and late summer.
10. Hike LandmannalaugarWalk through rhyolite mountains streaked with red, green and gold, then bathe in a hot stream.

Iceland🗺️ Where to visit in Iceland

Where to go in Iceland

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  ReykjavíkSouthwest · capitalA compact, colourful capital with Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall, cafés and pools.
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  Þingvellir National ParkGolden Circle · history & geologyThe site of the ancient Althing, set in a rift valley between tectonic plates.
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  South Coast & VíkSouth · waterfalls & black beachesSkógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and the basalt columns of Reynisfjara line a classic road trip.
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  JökulsárlónSoutheast · glacier lagoonA lagoon of floating icebergs at the foot of Vatnajökull, with seals often bobbing among them.
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  Snæfellsnes PeninsulaWest · Iceland in miniatureLava fields, fishing villages, Kirkjufell mountain and a glacier-capped volcano.
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  AkureyriNorth · townIceland's northern capital, a gateway to whale watching and the Lake Mývatn area.
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  Lake MývatnNorth · volcanic landscapesCraters, lava formations, bubbling mud pots and a nature bath in a strange volcanic landscape.
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  WestfjordsNorthwest · remote fjordsDramatic fjords, bird cliffs and the waterfall of Dynjandi in Iceland's least-visited region.

Iceland🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Iceland

Best time to visit Iceland

Iceland's climate is cool and changeable but milder than its name suggests, thanks to the Gulf Stream. The north and east are often drier and colder in winter, while the south coast is wetter and windier.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Reykjavík (approximate averages).

Iceland🎉 Festivals & events in Iceland

• January–February
  ÞorrablótA midwinter feast of traditional foods such as fermented shark, smoked lamb and sour delicacies.
• June
  National DayOn 17 June towns celebrate independence with parades, music and family events.
• August
  Reykjavík Culture NightThe capital fills with free concerts, open houses and art events, ending with fireworks.
• November
  Iceland AirwavesA music festival packing Reykjavík's venues with new Icelandic and international acts.
• December
  New Year's EveBonfires and a spectacular citywide fireworks display light up Reykjavík at midnight.

Iceland🧭 Iceland itinerary ideas

How many days in Iceland?

Iceland🎒 Backpacking Iceland – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $90–130 a day

• Iceland is expensive – shop at budget supermarkets and cook in hostel or campsite kitchens.
• Tap water is excellent everywhere, so never buy bottled water.
• Campsites and campervans are a popular way to save money in summer, but wild camping rules are strict, so use official sites.
• Long-distance buses run in summer, but renting a car with other travellers is often the cheapest way to see the country.
• Public swimming pools are inexpensive and a great way to enjoy hot water like the locals – shower without a swimsuit before entering, as required.

Iceland🛡️ Safety & money in Iceland

Emergency: 112 police, fire & ambulance

Iceland🛬 Getting to Iceland

Keflavík International Airport, around 50 km from Reykjavík, handles almost all international flights; a weekly car ferry links Seyðisfjörður in the east with Denmark via the Faroe Islands.

✈️ Cheap flights to Iceland: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Iceland💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Iceland

• Iceland has no mosquitoes.
• Many Icelanders use patronymic surnames, so a father's first name plus '-son' or '-dóttir' rather than a family name.
• Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates are moving apart.
• Most homes in Iceland are heated by geothermal energy.
• Iceland has no standing army.

Iceland❓ Iceland travel FAQ

Iceland travel questions