20 Unique Things to Do in Iceland - Every Traveller's Wish! Best places to explore

Iceland is considered heaven on earth, and every traveller wishes to visit it once in their lifetime. It is a place that offers a lot to its visitors, and some are more Icelandic than others that can’t be explored anywhere else in the world but in Iceland. Here you can explore icy caves as well as the insides of a volcano! There are more such amazing things to do, so let’s take you on an imaginary tour of Iceland and find out some unique things to do in Iceland!

20 Unique Things to Do in Iceland are –

Snorkel and touch two continents
Descend down into a dormant volcano
Enjoy the Northern Lights
Go to the beaches
Ride on horseback across a lava field
Visit an ice cave
Relax in a geothermal spa
Go snowmobiling on a glacier
Drive yourself around the Golden Circle in an off-road jeep
Go for dog sledging
Whale Watching Tour
Reykjavík -The Capital of Iceland
Stokksnes Peninsula
Vik & Dyrhólaey
Visit Skógafoss falls
Enjoy Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Waterfall at Seljalandsfoss
Krafla-Viti caldera and lake
Kirkjufellsfoss
Visit Lake Mývatn

1. Snorkel and touch two continents

Yes, you read it right! You can dive between the two continents and touch the Eurasian and North American continental plates at Thingvellir National Park, Silfra. Also, the water here is very clean and safe to drink too. A unique experience like this should not be missed at any cost! Explore the underwater life and live the moment!

Thingvellir National Park — Source – Pixabay

2. Descend down into a dormant volcano

Yes, you can walk into a volcano’s magma chamber without getting fired up! The only volcano on Earth where it is possible is known as Thrihnukagigur. This journey will take you 120 m (393 ft.) underground to a gigantic, colourful magma chamber, a unique experience just waiting for you to explore! The volcano has not erupted in the last 4,000 years. You cannot expect to have this experience anywhere else, so go for it while you have the chance!

3. Enjoy the Northern Lights

Northern lights or aurora borealis is one of the biggest attractions for tourists visiting Iceland. You can expect these lights in winters in the northernmost countries of the world. Iceland is a great place to experience the northern lights as you can see it for eight months of the year (August to April). Keep a check on the Aurora Forecast website daily to help with your timing and make a plan accordingly.

aurora borealis, Things to Do in Iceland — Source – Pixabay

4. Go to the beaches

The unique Black Sand Beach of Iceland, Reynisfjara Beach is very popular and even some shots of the famous series “Game of Thrones” has also been shot there. Reynisfjara Beach is a black pebbled beach and is admired a lot by people all around the globe. You can also visit Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach if you wish to swim in the North Atlantic.

5. Ride on horseback across a lava field

Icelandic horses are known for their small size, short legs, muscular body and ability to resist the harsh Icelandic climate. These horses offer you a soft and pleasant ride, and you can experience the beauty of Iceland while also feeling as though you are flying over it in a saddle. It is a perfect adventure that you should not miss out on your trip to Iceland.

iceland horses, Things to Do in Iceland — Source – Pixabay

6. Visit an ice cave

A country full of ice glaciers is a perfect place to discover one. You can even walk through the ice glacier in winter and explore it inside out. And in summer, you can visit ice tunnels in Iceland’s largest glacier – Langjökull. It is better to visit an ice cave during winters as the temperature makes the water freeze and keep it frozen. It is safe to explore water crystals and explore them the most.

7. Relax in a geothermal spa

A perfect way to relax in Iceland is to visit a geothermal spa and forget the world. You can visit any of the famous pools, including the Blue Lagoon, The Myvatn Nature Baths, The Secret Lagoon, and many more. The Blue Lagoon is the most popular and largest geothermal spa in Iceland and is known for its azure water with healing minerals. Also, it is surrounded by magnificent lava landscapes, black rocks, and barren volcanoes towering in the distance giving an amazing view.

the Blue Lagoon Iceland — Source – Pixabay

8. Go snowmobiling on a glacier

For all the adventure thrill lovers, snowmobiling is your sport! Explore the Icelandic glacier landscapes most effectively with a snowmobile and explore the icy deserts of Iceland. You can also have guided snowmobile tours according to your preferences. You can try this activity at Vatnajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Langjökull ice caps.

9. Drive yourself around the Golden Circle in an off-road jeep

The most exciting adventure that Iceland has to offer is off-road driving and exploring the famous Golden Circle of Iceland. The mountain tracks lead you through rivers, lava fields, and unique landscapes that are sure to blow your mind and that you will remember for a lifetime. The best time for this activity is in summer, and you can find more tourists in some famous spots like Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir.

10. Go for dog sledging

This cute little experience with super cute husky dogs will make your day. It is done in the winter months when there is snow; you can go for dog scootering in the summers. It is perfect for kids aged above 7 as they get their sledge, and below aged kids can experience it with their parents. A perfect memory for both kids and adults; uniquely explore Iceland.

11. Whale Watching Tour

Whether it’s a gibbous whale cracking the waves or a grey whale and her family gently peaking the water’s surface, there’s always something occult about any encounter with the Whales of the sea. There is an abundance of commonly found whales like Minke Whales and Humpback whales and also rarer species such as killer whales and fin whales are also found. Head onto one of the whale watching tours that depart from Reykjavik and try spotting some of these majestic animals in the sea.

12. Reykjavík -The Capital of Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavík, Iceland ( Credits – Unsplash )

Reykjavik is a place where you spend an evening or two. The capital city is known for its weekends when the bars are filled with live music, friendly local’s and a stunning atmosphere. Do visit the Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral in the day or visit the Harpa concert hall which is home to the national opera and symphony.

13. Stokksnes Peninsula

Stokksnes, Iceland ( Credits – Unsplash )

Nestled on the southeast coast of Iceland, this area is known to be one of the first farming settlements from Norway. Nowadays, this peaceful and serene landscape is watched over by Vestra-Horn, the towering mountain that dominates this picturesque landscape.

14. Vik & Dyrhólaey

Three hours, or so, east of Reykjavik is the gorgeous black sand beaches and craggy rocks of Vik and Dyrhólaey. It’s a dramatic place to stop and see on your route east. One of the best places to watch the sunset is Vik and Dyrhólaey.

15. Visit Skógafoss falls

Skógafoss, Iceland ( Credits – Unsplash )

Skógafoss is approximately 2 hours east of the airport, with it being one of Iceland’s most popular waterfalls to visit. Entry is free to Skógafoss and if you arrive early in the morning, or late afternoon, you’ll notice the crowds dissipate, leaving the waterfall just for you. It’s lovely.

Possibly one of the easiest waterfalls to find in Iceland, Skógafoss is a stunning and powerful waterfall to visit in both summer and winter. Watch out for the rainbow that sometimes glistens over the waterfall.

16. Enjoy Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

The glacier lake of Jökulsárlón is probably the furthest east you’ll travel out of all these places (it’s about 5.5 hours from Keflavik airport) but well worth seeing if you’ve made it as far as Vik.

The Glacial Lagoon of Jökulsárlón is a picturesque place to see some of the regions largest ‘glacial icebergs’.A truly beautiful place that is a great starting point before you head onto (or into) the glacier itself.

17. Waterfall at Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is approximately a 10-minute drive from Skógafoss, so it’s well worth doing these at the same time. One of the best things about Seljalandsfoss is that you can actually walk behind the falls themselves, which is incredible to do!

When conditions get really dicey, the path behind the waterfall is closed off; so don’t be too disappointed. After all, it’s for your own safety.

18. Krafla-Viti caldera and lake

Perched near Lake Myvatn, Krafla is a huge caldera that’s around 10 km in diameter.

This whole landscape is not just a geeky site for geologists, it’s a really breathtaking landscape that any traveller to northeast Iceland should see.

19. Kirkjufellsfoss

Kirkjufellsfoss, Iceland ( Credits – Unsplash )

It’s one of the most accessible waterfalls to visit and really worth the drive.

Perched on the north-westerly jut of land, Kirkjufellsfoss is an iconic place to make a stop on your trip around Iceland.

20. Visit Lake Mývatn

Mývatn is a volcanic lake in northern Iceland. East of here, Mývatn Nature Baths have a naturally heated man-made lagoon, with mineral-rich waters known for his or her health-giving properties.

So, how was your imaginary trip to Iceland? Mine was just ravishing, and hope it was the same for you! Can’t wait to explore and do all these unique things in Iceland? Hurry and check out some great deals on Pickyourtrail for Iceland travel packages, or even better, customise your Iceland itinerary on your own with your own choices and preferences. Explore the real fun!