23 Of The Best Things To Do In Iceland | The Ultimate Itinerary For First Time Visitors 

Here are 23 of the best things to do in Iceland if you’re visiting for the first time. 

The land of fire and ice is a bucket list destination for many. So many people talk about this wonderful island, but you really have to visit it to see why it’s loved so much.

Iceland has become a hot destination over the last decade. Well known for its outdoor activities, incredible landscapes and cool city scene, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start planning your holiday.

But, with this ultimate itinerary, you can pack a lot into 4 nights in Iceland – the perfect amount of time to sample what this country has to offer.

Having a base in Reykjavik is a good central point for seeing a lot of the main sights, including the Blue Lagoon, and Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. Staying in Reykjavik also means you can enjoy the city in the evening.

We did a lot of things during our 4 night stay so here’s a guide to some of the best things to do in Iceland, especially if you’re visiting for the very first time!

Where Is Iceland?

Located between Greenland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean, Iceland is an island that is part of Northern Europe. It lies on an active geological border between North America and Europe and is the only part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to rise above sea level.

Iceland is around a 3 hour flight from the UK, and between 5-6 hours from the east coast of the USA. Easily accessible for both countries, Iceland is a great lay over destination but is also popular for long weekend breaks.

How Big Is Iceland?

Iceland covers an area of 103,000 km² (39,600 sq. mi.). It’s home to around 345,000 people, and approximately 65% of this population live in the Reykjavik area.

What Should I Pack For My Holiday To Iceland?

Depending on the time of year you visit Iceland, the main things to pack are:

• Waterproof coat
• Warm fleece
• Thermal layers
• Walking boots
• Warm socks
• Gloves
• Hat
• Camera
• Towel
• Swimwear

Do I Need To Take Cash To Iceland?

Iceland is an increasingly cash free country so if you’re visiting the main sights of Iceland, there’s no need to take cash with you. You might need it if you’re heading in to more rural locations but for all the activities below, you can use your card to pay.

How Many Days Do I Need In Iceland?

4 nights in Iceland – which means 3 full days plus an afternoon on the day you land – is the perfect amount of time to see the main sights.

You can visit for longer and tour the whole of the country – this could take 10-14 days. Alternatively a week will allow you to see all the below but at a slower, more relaxed pace and could include a second base somewhere else in Iceland.

Where Should I Stay In Iceland?

Reykjavik is a great base for your 4 night stay in Iceland. We stayed at Hotel Fron which is on the main street in Downtown Reykjavik. This was a great and simple hotel for the small amount of time we spent there although if I was to stay again, I’d ask for a room on a higher floor to avoid the music of the bar below.

Other places that looked great and well-located are the Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre, Skuggi Hotel by Kea Hotels, Kex Hostel and Hotel Reykjavik Centrum.

23 Of The Best Things To Do In Iceland For First Time Visitors

1. Visit The Blue Lagoon

One of the 25 wonders of the world, The Blue Lagoon is one of the top things to do in Iceland – and for good reason too. The way people raved on about this place, I honestly thought it would be overhyped but it was the most relaxing few hours of our holiday in Iceland. We went for the Comfort Package (8490kr/approx £60) which included entry to the Blue Lagoon, a silica mud mask, a fluffy towel, and a drink of your choice – I went for the green smoothie which was a delicious mix of spinach, broccoli, ginger, apple and avocado but you can also get a beer, wine, or soft drink!

There’s also a Premium package (10990kr) where you get 2 additional masks and a bathrobe, or you can splash out and go for the Luxury Package (59000kr) where you’ll get full access to the Blue Lagoon Ritual, the Retreat Lagoon, access to Subterranean spaces and more. This is the Blue Lagoon package for a truly special treat.

Top Tips For The Blue Lagoon

• Drench your hair in conditioner. The minerals in the water really do make your hair like straw so it’s worth giving your hair a good coating.
• Take a waterproof pouch for your phone. The Blue Lagoon is as photogenic as it looks so there’s a good chance you’ll want to take loads of photos and videos while you’re here. The waterproof pouch will mean you can relax and not have to run in and out to get your phone.
• Do a morning visit. The chances are you’ll avoid the majority of the crowds and it gets your day off to a super relaxing start.

2. Drive Around The Golden Circle

One of the most popular day trips in Iceland is the Golden Circle. There are many tours that will take you around the main sights of Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park and Geysir from Reykjavik. However, if you’re able to hire a car, take your time and do the drive yourself.

We set off around 8.30 from Reykjavik, drove through Thingvellir National Park and straight to Gullfoss Waterfall. This drive took just over 90 minutes but we also added in a stop to take in the view on the way.

We did the drive this way to get the long part of the trip out of the way. But you could start at Thingvellir National Park and then stop at Geysir before making Gullfoss Waterfall your last stop of the day. That’s the flexibility of doing the drive around the Golden Circle in your own car, you can do whatever you want!

Top Tips For The Golden Circle

• Take your swim gear and a towel.
• Set off early and make a full day of it. You’ll have the luxury of time and you’ll be able to avoid the crowds if you want to!

3. Geysir

Geysir was my favourite stop on our drive around the Golden Circle. Of course, it helped that the sun was shining, and there was barely any wind when we visited. But I just couldn’t, and still can’t, get over that there’s water literally bubbling and boiling out of the ground; Mini waterfalls flowing with steam rising from them; Jets of water shooting out of the ground every few minutes. It’s just astonishing. 

Top Tips For Geysir

• Make sure you wait around for Strokkur to erupt. You’ll know which bubbling pool of water this is by the people crowded around, waiting for it to blow. But the wait is worth it when the thermal water blasts up to 20 metres into the air.
• Climb up to the viewpoint. It takes around 15 minutes to get up to the viewpoint from the main area of Geysir but if you can, you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of steaming Geysir from above. Plus, there’s an extra special view over into the next valley that you’ll only get to see if you make the climb.

4. Gullfoss Waterfall

You’ll more than likely hear this waterfall before you see it, it’s that powerful. This two-tiered waterfall, which is the largest by volume in Europe, is the furthest stop from Reykjavik on the Golden Circle tour. There are three viewing platforms too and it’s well worth visiting them all, if the paths are clear, to appreciate this waterfall from all angles.

Top Tips For Gullfoss

• Take a waterproof. On the lower platform the spray from the water can be intense so you might get a bit damp if you’re stood there a while!

5. The Secret Lagoon

Well this is a special place. Around 30 mins south-east of Geysir, the Secret Lagoon, locally known as Gamla Laugin, is the perfect stop mid-way through your drive around the Golden Circle.

For 3000kr, or around £18 per person, you’ll get access to a little warm slice of heaven on your tour around the Golden Circle. It’s recommended you book in advance, however we checked availability about an hour before we arrived and there were still plenty of spaces. This might be different depending on the season so it’s worth bearing in mind.

After checking in, you’ll walk into a boot room where you can leave your walking boots before heading into the changing room for a naked shower – yes, this is something that’s common when visiting thermal pools in Iceland. I did see a few people skip it but with respect to local culture, it’s just something you have to throw yourself into!

From there though, throw your swimwear on and step into the warm waters of the Secret Lagoon. At a temperature of between 38 to 40 degrees all year around, the sulphur rich waters will ease any aching muscles and will warm you up on a cold day!

If you fancy refreshments while you’re bathing, there’s a cafe where you can pick up drinks and snacks – super convenient if you’re not quite ready to leave the lagoon.

Top Tips For The Secret Lagoon

• Take a walk around the edge of the lagoon. You’ll see Litl Geysir, one of the sources of water for the Secret Lagoon. This bubbling pool of water helps replenish the water of the Secret Lagoon every 24 hours so it’s always fresh and warm.

6. Thingvellir National Park

The place where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. This truly is the place where earth collides, apart from the tectonic plates are actually moving apart at a rate of around 2cm per year.

Thingvellir Park deserves hours of your time because it’s a vast place full of walking routes, snorkelling spots and photo opportunities. 

However, we only spent about 90 minutes here, walking down the main path before rerouting to the submerged rift of Silfra. It was the last place we visited on our tour around the Golden Circle so we were getting a bit tired and cold at this point. If it had been our first stop of the day, we could easily have spent hours here wandering around.

Top Tips for Thingvellir Park

• Allow plenty of time if you’re ideally wanting to do one of the larger hikes in Thingvellir. It’d be a good idea to plan which routes you want to take too so you’re seeing all the main sights.
• There are several car parks around the park. The fee for a regular car with 5 seats or less is 750kr for the day and can be paid by card at the visitor centre or machines in the car parks. You can also pay online too which is really handy.

7. South Coast Road Trip From Reykjavik to Vik

Wow, what can I say about a South Coast Road trip from Reykjavik to Vik? I don’t think anything I say can quite explain just how wild, raw, and powerful the scenery is. You’ll want to dedicate a whole day to this trip – Vik is around 2.5 hours from Reykjavik so although it will mean a long drive, it’s more than worth it and there’s so much to see along the way.

Again, we set off around 8.30 in the morning for this trip – a fairly early start for a holiday but more than worth it to really enjoy all the stops which include Skogafoss waterfall, Seljalandsfoss and Vik. Just maybe grab a cinnamon bun from somewhere in Reykjavik for a mid morning snack…

8. Skogafoss Waterfall

One of the most photographed waterfalls in Iceland is Skogafoss Waterfall. Running off the Skoga River, this powerfall waterfall is 25 metres wide and falls 60metres to the ground below. It was cloudy when we visited but on a sunny day there is regularly a rainbow shooting through the water which I can imagine makes for a great photo.

If you’re able to, walk up the 430 steps to the top of the Skogafoss. Here you can view the force of the water from above and also walk a path along the river where there are other smaller, but no less impressive, waterfalls.

Top Tips for Skogafoss

• Take your time going up the stairs. They are hard work and a little wobbly in some places. The view from above is worth the climb though.
• Parking is free so stay for as long as you need to explore the waterfall and its surroundings.

9. Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

On your drive along the south coast, you’ll be able to see Seljalandsfoss Waterfall about 10 minutes before you get to it. Once you arrive, you do have to pay for parking (700kr/approx £4.50) but it’s worth it for the experience. You see, at Seljalandsfoss, you can do a full 360 loop around the waterfall. The path that leads up to the waterfall, climbs up slightly and then loops round behind the waterfall for a completely unique view. Be prepared to get a bit wet and be careful on the paths as they can be slippery.

You can then emerge out from behind the waterfall and continue the path to another 2 waterfalls. Gljúfrabúi at the far end of the path is such a hidden treasure, almost literally, and more than worth the short walk (less than 1km) from Seljalandsfoss.

Top Tips For Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

• Take waterproofs, you will get wet, or at least a bit damp, if you walk behind the waterfall.

• Do venture up the path from Seljalandsfoss to see the other waterfalls.

10. The Black Sand Beach at Vik

Probably one of the most photographed places in Iceland is Vik. 2.5 hours away from Reykjavik, this coastal town is a great end point for your south coast road trip from Reykjavik to Vik. Or it’s a great stop off if you’re travelling the whole ring road of Iceland. One of the main draws of Vik though, is its volcanic black sand beach.

I’ve had this place on my bucket list for a while and it was amazing to walk on it with my own feet and to see it with my own eyes. The “sand” is actually small bits of lava that have been eroded into little grains which make up the black beach. 

It’s just as cool as it looks on any photo so definitely visit Vik if you’re able to.

Top Tips For The Black Sand Beach at Vik

• Wear proper footwear. Walking boots are perfect to ensure you’ll have a good footing when walking on the beach.
• Watch out for the waves. We probably got a little too close but it’s advised to keep a few metres away from the shoreline due to waves that can suddenly creep onto the shore. Iceland has wild weather which can change in a minute and that affects the waves too. So be safe, and enjoy the water from a distance.
• You can park on the beach – it looks like you shouldn’t be able to drive down the road to get to the car park but the sat nav is right whatever you might think!

11. Skool Beans Cafe for Hot Chocolate

If you fancy a hot chocolate or a decent coffee, head to Skool Beans Cafe in Vik. This old school bus has been converted into the cosiest cafe, complete with log fire and resident cat. 

I could have happily spent all day here sampling their huge variety of hot chocolate – I had the chocolate orange but could also have devoured the chocolate and peanut butter hot chocolate and one of their chocolate shots. It’s a good excuse to go back at least.

If hot chocolate isn’t your thing, the Skool Beans Cafe also does a big selection of teas – the tiramisu rooibos tea caught my eye – as well as speciality coffee, some of which are made with their own home roasted beans.

For a bite to eat, Skool Beans also has a small selection of simple bagels to enjoy if you’re passing through.

12. Do A Reykjavik Food Tour

This was easily one of the main highlights of our trip. A great last minute decision was made to switch our Blue Lagoon visit to Sunday morning so we could fit the Reykjavik food tour in on Sunday afternoon. And what a great decision that was.

Our guide, Minty, met us and a group of about 10 other people outside a restaurant in central Reykjavik and proceeded to take us on the most wonderful tour of eateries around the city. We enjoyed everything from lamb soup, fish mash, Icelandic rye bread, the famous hot dog – more on that later – and finished the tour with some pastry and ice cream. 

It was the perfect way to sample some of Iceland’s cuisine and get a taste for some of the restaurants in the area.

Not only did we get a belly full of delicious food, we also got to learn about some of Reykjavik’s little quirks too as we wandered around the city. There were recommendations for good bars to enjoy a beer at – Skuli being one of them – as well as the tip to go try some of Reykjavik’s local pools to experience the ritual of thermal bathing that local Icelander’s enjoy so much.

Top Tip For The Reykjavik Food Tour

• Book towards the beginning of your trip. It’ll give you some great inspiration of where to eat during your holiday to Reykjavik. Plus it’ll help you get your bearings around the city too.
• Don’t eat much before and don’t plan on eating after. This tour doesn’t just give you little tasters of food – you’ll be having several different meals at several different restaurants so make sure you arrive with a hungry belly!

13. View Reykjavik From Above at Hallskijma Church

Unfortunately this is something we missed out on because we’d packed our itinerary too full. We couldn’t quite get the timings to work with the church’s opening times. However, it’s a good excuse to come back to the city as I’ve heard, and seen, incredible things about the views you can enjoy of Reykjavik from the top of Hallskirmja Church.

The tower, which can be accessed by lift, is 74 metres (240 feet) high and although entrance to the church is free, there is a fee of 1200kr for adults and 200kr for 7-16 year olds to enter the tower.

Top Tip For Visiting Hallgrimskirja Church

• Check the opening times. These can vary due to services at the church and on public holidays.

14. Food at Hlemmur Matholl

Most of my recommendations for things to do in Reykjavik revolve around food. Hlemmur Matholl was the place we visited on our first night and is the ideal place if you’re travelling solo or if you and your travelling buddies all want to eat different things. 

Located in the east part of Reykjavik, Hlemmur Matholl, which used to be Reykjavik’s main bus terminal, includes food stalls serving up fish tacos, banh mis, gelato, foraged icelandic food, icelandic lamb, tea and coffee, and pizza. Plus there’s a bar in the middle where you can pitch up for the evening and enjoy a wine surrounded by the wonderful buzz of locals enjoying a meal. 

We ordered 4 fish tacos and a plate of nachos from Fuego where LA Style tacos are a speciality. Along with a beer, this came to £33 which is more than what we might pay at home but the fish tacos were a decent size and such good quality too.

Top Tips for Hlemmur Matholl

• Grab some bar seats by the window for the perfect people watching spot.

15. Ice Cream At OmNom Chocolate

On a walk down Reykjavik’s harbour, it’d be easy to assume at first that there’s not much going on apart from some industrial boat action. However, the more you wander into this part of Reykjavik, the quicker you see this is a hub of cool restaurants, places to enjoy a drink, independent shops and offices for tours around iceland. 

On our walk down to the harbour, it was very quiet but it was such a nice day so we were happy to wander around. I then got distracted by the striking yellow and black facade of OmNom Chocolate and the word ice cream. Now, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a warm day by any means but the sun was shining and the bright benches outside the shop were in a little suntrap. I couldn’t resist and knew I’d made a good decision as soon as I stepped inside.

All the icecream is a vanilla soft serve but the toppings and fillings are what make these ice creams *chef’s kiss* amazing. I went for The Polar Bear complete with toasted marshmallow top, a warm dark 70% chocolate sauce, crumbly oatmeal and smoked sea salt with the fresh soft serve icecream at the bottom, definitely hit the spot for a sweet toothed person like me.

Top Tips for OmNom Chocolate

• A medium size is more than fine for one person and a large is suitable for 2 people to share.
• Grab a bar of chocolate while you’re here – it’s delicious and perfect for a little gift to take back home!

16. Enjoy Pizza at Flatey

Another great place to eat for an evening meal is Flatey pizza down at the harbour. Flatey also has a stall at Hlemmur Matholl with a slightly reduced menu. I know pizza isn’t traditional Icelandic food but I love finding a good pizza whenever I go on holiday. And Flatey was just the ticket. 

Within 15 minutes of entering the restaurant, we’d sat down, ordered, and were stuffing our faces with thin sourdough pizza and olives. Honestly, the service was that quick. It was perfect after a day of travelling on the south coast.

With 2 cokes, this meal came to around £35. Again, more expensive than what you would pay in the UK for 2 pizzas, a side and 2 soft drinks but it shows you don’t have to spend a complete fortune to get a good meal in Iceland.

17. See The Northern Lights

One of the main reasons people come to Iceland in the winter is to see the Northern Lights. I was no different, I specifically wanted to visit in March because I knew the sky would still be dark enough to have the chance of seeing the northern lights but with days long enough to explore further afield out of Reykjavik. 

We were lucky that our northern lights tour was included with our holiday but there are a lot of companies that offer tours if you want to book separately.

On the evening of our tour, we were told the strength of northern lights was a 4 on a scale of 1 to 9. The sky was also fairly clear when we set off, so with a hint of excitement, we were ready to go.

We were driven to a church about 45 minutes outside Reykjavik where the sky was meant to be darker and offer more visibility for the northern lights. Unfortunately, there were also a lot of other coaches at this site, some with main beams on. There were also street lights in the parking area. 

It meant it was harder for our eyes to adjust to the sky but if you can see, there was a slight glow of green in the sky that night which our phone cameras managed to pick up. I still don’t feel like I’ve seen the northern lights with my own eyes. But it was worth being out in the cold with other people hoping to see the same glimpse of that elusive green light across the sky.

Top Tip For The Northern Lights

• If you’re able to, get out in your own car to head to quieter places. You can download apps which tell you the best areas for seeing the northern lights so you’ll also be able to move around if needed.
• Wrap up warm and take a hot drink. We were lucky that our tour gave us some hot chocolate to keep us warm but definitely take your own with you! And wear ALL the layers. It gets very cold when you’re just stood staring at the sky!

18. Photograph the Rainbow Road

Located between Bergstaðastræti and Laugavegur, Rainbow Road is hard to miss. Lined with souvenir shops and cute cafes, you’re likely to find this street even if you don’t mean to as it’s the main road up to Hallgrimskirja church. If you’re wanting a photo of the street with no people in, come early. However there’s certainly a charm to it when it’s full of people going about their day.

19. Happy Hour Drinks at Kex Hostel

Happy hour is certainly a thing in Reykjavik. So much so that there’s an app called Appy Hour – thank me later – which points out all the happy hours around bars in Reykjavik. To kick off our first night in Reykjavik, we started happy hour in Vedur but later ventured to Kex Hostel.

I’m a big fan of a hostel bar, I just love the atmosphere and the mix of people. And this hostel bar was particularly nice with gorgeous tiles around the bar, pizza being served up for food and decent priced drinks. Perfect if you’re on a budget. Kex Hostel’s bar also has gorgeous views out onto the water and is a great place to plan out your Iceland stay if you haven’t already done so.

20. Drink Some Craft Beer at Skuli

Skuli was somewhere that was mentioned to us on our Reykjavik Food Tour. So naturally, when that had finished we walked from Cafe Loki to Skuli Craft Bar for a couple of evening drinks. 

One dark beer and one fruity cider later and we could see why this place was popular among the beer drinkers of Iceland. There’s plenty of craft beers to sample through the evening and also a dart board if you fancy a game.

This is one place where we were hit by Icelandic prices in full force though. £27 for two drinks made my eyes water a bit but it’s just something you have to be prepared for!

21. Morning Pastry from Baka Baka

One thing I was determined to do in Iceland was to sample at least a cinnamon bun a day. Spoiler alert, it didn’t happen but on my mission I came across a gorgeous little bakery called Baka Baka.

Sadly, they didn’t have cinnamon buns when I went in around 8am. However, I did pick up a couple of croissants for our day trip around the Golden Circle and they were the perfect snack to keep us going on the road. So deliciously buttery and flaky! It wasn’t what I originally went in for, but I would go back in a heartbeat for one if I go to Reykjavik again in the future.

22. Check Out Harpa Concert Hall

The Harpa, Reykjavik’s concert hall and conference centre is an impressive building to see on your holiday to Iceland. Having finished construction in 2011, it has since become one of Reykjavik’s most striking features so pay a visit, go inside, walk up the stairs, wait for the sunlight to shimmer through the glass and drink it all in. You don’t even have to see a concert or a show, and it’s free to enter which is always a good thing in Iceland!

23. Grab A Hot Dog At Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

An Icelandic hot dog? I hear you ask. Yes, it’s a must do activity in Reykjavik. So much so, it was one of the first things I did after landing in Iceland. The Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur stand down by Reykjavik’s harbour is an Icelandic institution and has been located in the same spot since 1937!

To experience the hot dog in true Icelandic style, ask for a hot dog with everything. The everything is crispy onions, sweet mustard, raw onions, ketchup and remoulade on top of a lamb sausage. It. Is. Delicious. And best of all, it’s such a cheap meal/snack at around £3.40 per hot dog! Open from 10am to 1am, there’s plenty of opportunity to try a hot dog, or three.

Does Iceland sound like the ideal place for your next holiday? I’d love to know if you end up visiting and what your favourite things to do in Iceland are!