Iceland: The 8 best activities

Are you looking for the best things to do in Iceland? The Nordic country is very versatile and will impress you with its breathtaking landscapes and variety of activities. The land of contrasts has a great culture and event scene to offer, in addition to its extraordinary natural phenomena. We have put together a selection of the best and most exciting activities in Iceland for you!

Bathing in the Blue Lagoon

Iceland is known worldwide for its hot geothermal pools. The Blue Lagoon is one of the most beautiful and largest springs. Relax for a few hours in the hot pool and enjoy the view of the untouched nature. A highlight during a visit in winter is the sunrise, which you can watch from the water.

Drive along the Golden Circle Route

Some of Iceland's most impressive natural phenomena lie along this route. Here you can see bubbling geysers, marvel at the impressive Gullfoss waterfall and discover the beautiful Thingvellir National Park. You can also try out additional activities such as snorkelling or snowmobiling. You should plan at least one day for this route, in order to be able to explore everything in a relaxed way. Whether summer or winter, the Golden Circle route is always worth a visit and should not be missed on your trip to Iceland.

Whale watching tour

Iceland is one of the best countries for whale watching. A total of 23 different whale species are waiting to be discovered. Most often you will encounter minke or humpback whales. With a bit of luck, a killer or fin whale will swim in front of your lens. The largest animal on earth, the blue whale, also lives here. But not only whales cavort in the Icelandic coastal waters, also dolphins and various seabirds like the Arctic tern or the colourful puffin are at home here. The best places for a whale watching tour are Reykjavík, Akureyri and Husavík.

Discover the Northern Lights

Only a view of the colorful auroras in the night sky makes your visit to Iceland perfect! The best time to see the natural spectacle is between September and March. You can either join a guided tour or just go out on your own and look for the colorful lights. The best place to see the Northern Lights is outside the cities, where light pollution is at its lowest.

Dettifoss Waterfall

It is considered the wateriest waterfall in Europe and is the largest waterfall in Iceland with a width of 100 meters. Dettifoss is located in Vatnajökull National Park in the northeast of the country. From a height of 44 meters, the water masses from the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum plunge into the canyon Jökulsárgljúfur below, forming one of the most spectacular and dramatic natural spectacles you can visit in this country. Dettifoss is part of the diamond circle route in Northern Iceland, which also includes other attractions such as Húsavík, Ábyrgi Gorge or Lake Mývatn. Besides Dettifoss, there are many other waterfalls that you should not miss.

Ice cave tour

If you've always dreamed of wandering through shimmering turquoise ice caves, Iceland gives you the chance! The Atlantic country is home to numerous glaciers that hide magical ice caves. From bright aquamarine hues to coal-black ice, there are all different types of ice caves. Every year the caves melt and form anew. Ice cave tours are therefore only possible in winter from mid-October to the end of March, as the risk of collapse is too great due to the melting in summer.

Black sand beach with plane wreckage

If you're into science fiction movies and special photo spots, then you should definitely visit the abandoned DC plane on the black beach of Sólheimasandur. The image of the white abandoned plane on the jet black black sand is pretty cool. In 1973, the United States Navy plane crashed due to lack of fuel on the black beach of Sólheimasandur on the south coast, where the remains lie to this day.

Nightlife in Reykjavik

Iceland has breathtaking landscapes as well as a vibrant nightlife. In downtown Reykjavík you will find numerous bars, coffee houses, restaurants and social events. The clubs rarely charge admission and there are hardly ever long queues. There is something for every party type, whether you want to have a few drinks in a quiet pub or really dance the night away in a packed club, the choice is yours.

Are you curious to travel the country and experience the unique culture and beautiful natural world and see it with your own eyes? Then check out our Iceland Adventure in more detail. Here you will get to know the breathtaking nature of Iceland and can experience many of the adventures described above!

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