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The 17 best iceland tours: northern lights, waterfalls & more.

Enjoy glacier hikes, whale watching cruises and the northern lights on these Iceland tours.

The Best Iceland Tours

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With terrain shaped by volcanic eruptions and shifting tectonic plates and the surrounding waters filled with glaciers, icebergs and whales, Iceland is like no other place on Earth. It's also an ideal spot to observe a seasonal phenomenon above the Earth: the northern lights  (or aurora borealis).

The following Iceland tours, determined by U.S. News to be the best available thanks to expert input and traveler sentiment, provide ideal ways of experiencing all that this extraordinary place has to offer. All of these excursions are conducted by knowledgeable guides eager to share their insights into their country's special features.

Ice Lagoon Adventure Tours – Zodiac Boat Tour

Price: Adults from 14,900 Icelandic króna (about $108); kids from 8,900 króna (about $65) Duration: 75 minutes

Explore the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon – part of Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Europe's largest glacier – aboard an inflatable rigid boat on this expedition. In addition to icebergs and the glacial wall, you might also spot wildlife like seals and various bird species. Tourgoers consistently describe the guides as passionate and knowledgeable, and say photo opportunities abound. Trips are available from May through October several times a day, with departures in both the morning and the afternoon. The park containing the lagoon sits in the southeast part of the country, about 236 miles from Reykjavik . Ice Lagoon Adventure Tours also runs private excursions.

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NiceTravel – Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Kerid Volcano

Price: Adults from $218; kids from $123 Duration: 11 hours

Visit the Golden Circle's top sights, including Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss, plus a volcanic crater and a pristine lagoon on this daylong journey. The park is of both geological and historical significance as it straddles a fault line between two tectonic plates and was the site of a Viking parliament that ruled for hundreds of years starting in A.D. 930. Other highlights include Geysir, a hot spring that shoots plumes of vapor into the air; Gullfoss (aka the Golden Waterfall) over which water cascades down more than 100 feet into a narrow canyon; Kerid, a colorful red-earth volcanic crater; and a two-hour stop at the heated waters of the popular Blue Lagoon. Tour-takers invariably find the scenery spectacular and the guides friendly and informative, though a few found the bus to be too small for the number of people on the tour. Tours happen daily all year long. Pickup from various locations in Reykjavik occurs between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and minibuses return to the city around 8 p.m.

Reykjavik Sailors – Whale Watching

Price: Adults from 11,990 króna (about $87); kids from 5,995 króna (about $44) Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours

While April to October is considered peak season for whale watching off Iceland's coast, humpback, minke and orca whales, as well as porpoises and dolphins, inhabit the waters all year. Reykjavik Sailors, located on Reykjavik's Old Harbour, offers whale watching boat trips throughout the year. Tourgoers report spotting ample wildlife, and appreciate the knowledgeable, friendly guides.

Transportation from area hotels is available for an additional fee. Snacks and beverages are available aboard the boat, which features outdoor viewing platforms as well as heated indoor space. Reykjavik Sailors also operates tours of the northern lights, among other options.

Arctic Adventures – Crystal Ice Cave Tour Iceland

Price: Adults from about $161; kids from around $137 Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Take a ride in an off-roading vehicle from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon to the edge of the massive Vatnajökull glacier and then hike to a natural ice cave on this small-group excursion. The tour, which is limited to 14 travelers, also allows you to witness the result of calving – the process of icebergs breaking off of glaciers. Tourgoers frequently praise the capable and personable guides. Many reviewers called this the highlight of their trip to Iceland.

Trips depart from the lagoon daily from October to mid-April beginning at 9:20 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. While the hike to the cave is rated as easy, children younger than 6 are not allowed on this trip. All of the necessary safety equipment is included in the cost of the tour. Arctic Adventures conducts a variety of ice cave tours, glacier hikes and more.

BusTravel Iceland – South Coast Waterfalls, Glacier & Black Sand Beach Tour

Price: Adults from 13,990 króna (about $103); kids from 6,995 króna (about $52) Duration: 10 hours

This daylong outing affords opportunities to explore the glaciers, volcanos and other distinctive features of Iceland's southern coast . Highlights include Skógafoss, a nearly 200-foot waterfall beside the Eyjafjallajökull volcano; the slightly taller Seljalandsfoss waterfall; Reynisfjara, a beach on the north Atlantic Ocean with black volcanic sand and basalt columns; a stop for lunch in the fishing village of Vik; and Sólheimajökull glacier. Tour-takers consistently call the scenery extraordinary and the guides informative, though they do warn that it is a long day.

Transportation from various Reykjavik locations is available for an additional charge. Pickups occur between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Prices do not cover any food and drink in Vik. Note: Reaching the glacier involves walking on uneven ground. BusTravel Iceland also leads tours exploring the Golden Circle, the northern lights and more.

Your Friend in Reykjavik – Walk With a Viking

Price: Adults from $45; kids from $29 Duration: 2 hours

See the sights of Reykjavik on this two-hour walking tour of the city's center. Highlights include Harpa (an incredible performance venue), Hallgrímskirkja church, the Parliament building and Reykjavik harbor, as well as the first Viking house. Tour-takers find this stroll to be a great way to get to know the city and recommend taking the tour on one of your first days in Iceland. Reviewers consistently describe the guides as great storytellers and eager to answer any questions.

Groups of up to 12 depart from Ingólfur Square daily at 10 a.m. and 1 and 5 p.m. Your Friend in Reykjavik offers a variety of tours, including food tours, cooking classes, adventure tours and more.

Troll Expeditions – Snorkeling in Silfra

Price: From 19,900 króna (about $145) Duration: 3 hours

Snorkel between tectonic plates in the only place where that's possible during this adventure. Located in Thingvellir National Park about a 30-mile drive northeast of Reykjavik, Silfra fissure lies in the space where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates have slowly moved apart. Its water, from the melted ice of the Langjökull glacier, is exceptionally clean, boasting visibility of about 330 feet. Snorkelers laud the attentive, professional guides as well as the one-of-a-kind experience.

Snorkeling trips are available year-round at least twice a day; start times vary depending on the season. Groups are limited to six people. There are age, weight and health restrictions for this tour; check with the company before you book to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements. Troll Expeditions also offers guided glacier hikes, day trips and multiday excursions around the country to the South Coast, Ring Road and more.

Wake Up Reykjavik – Reykjavik Food Tour

Price: Adults from 16,900 króna (about $123); kids from 9,900 króna (about $72) Duration: 3 hours

Sample an array of Icelandic cuisine on this walking tour of downtown Reykjavik. Try eight traditional dishes, including fish and grass-fed lamb, as well as ice cream and street food. (Vegetarians and those with allergies or other dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated.) Between stops, you'll stroll past notable sites, such as the Parliament building and city hall. Travelers praise the pace of the tour and the dishes featured. Reviewers also applauded guides for their humor and the depth of their knowledge about Iceland's history and culture.

Tours start outside Harpa concert hall every day beginning at 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wake Up Reykjavik also organizes day trips to the Golden Circle, the South Coast and more.

Adventure Vikings – Silfra Drysuit Snorkeling

Price: From 18,990 króna (about $138) Duration: 2 to 4.5 hours

Explore the pristine glacial waters between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates on this snorkeling tour in Silfra, one of the world's top dive sites. Part of Thingvellir National Park, Silfra fissure is the result of the two tectonic plates separating at a rate of about 2 centimeters per year. The fissure is filled with water from Langjökull glacier that's been filtered through lava fields, making it incredibly pure. Snorkelers rave about the Silfra fissure's beauty and praise the guides for their attention to safety.

The tour lasts up to 4.5 hours depending if round-trip transportation from Reykjavik is needed. Prices include use of snorkeling equipment. You can rent a wearable GoPro camera for an additional 6,900 króna (around $51). Tours are available year-round. Snorkelers must be at least 12 years old; groups have no more than six people per guide. Participants preferring to don a less restrictive (but also less warm) wetsuit instead of a dry suit have that option. There are height and weight requirements for this tour. Adventure Vikings also leads surfing and stand-up paddleboarding tours, among other outings.

Special Tours – Northern Lights by Boat

Price: Adults from 12,990 króna (about $95); kids from 6,495 króna (about $48) Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Enjoy the unique opportunity to observe the northern lights from the ocean on this two- to three-hour boat ride. You'll depart from Old Harbour in Reykjavik and be in the perfect viewing location away from the city lights after about a 20-minute cruise. Along the way, guides regale passengers with stories, myths and scientific facts about the aurora borealis. Travelers praise the amazing views as well as the humorous, helpful guides. Others appreciated the company's backup plan: If the conditions aren't favorable for viewing the lights from the water, you can hunt for the lights by bus, or choose one of the company's other tours (such as a daytime whale watching excursion) at no charge.

Cruises are available nightly in the fall and winter. Departure times vary by time of year, but boats typically sail at 10 p.m. in September and mid-March to mid-April; they depart at 9 p.m. from October to mid-March. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board. The company also offers whale watching excursions, fishing trips and more.

ĺshestar – Lava Tour

Price: Adults from 15,900 króna (about $117); kids from 11,925 króna (about $87) Duration: 2 hours

Admire the green hillsides and lava fields just outside Reykjavik on this two-hour small-group horseback riding tour. The stables are located about 10 miles south of the city center; round-trip transportation is available if you don't have your own car. Travelers frequently describe riding an Icelandic horse as a fantastic experience, and they generally appreciate the professionalism of the staff who lead the outing.

Rides depart every day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The cost includes the use of helmets and boots, as well as post-ride coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Round-trip transportation from Reykjavik is available for an additional fee and starts an hour before the tour. Groups are limited to 20 participants; all must be at least 7 years old and weigh less than 240 pounds. No prior horseback riding experience is necessary. Longer, multiday trail rides, as well as private tours are also available.

BusTravel Iceland – Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour

Price: Adults from 16,990 króna (about $125); kids from 8,495 króna (about $62) Duration: 11 hours

In addition to its tours of the southern coast, BusTravel Iceland offers a daylong tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, an area northwest of Reykjavik that boasts black sand beaches, lava fields, beautiful waterfalls , rock formations and more. Highlights include Berserkjahraun lava fields, which date back to a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago; the 1,520-foot Kirkjufell (aka Church Mountain); the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls; Snaefellsjökull National Park and the cliffs of Arnarstapi harbor, once a bustling fishing area. Travelers typically enjoy both the dramatic landscapes and the guides' commentary.

Tours last approximately 11 hours. Pickup from various Reykjavik locations is available for an additional fee. Tours are available daily starting at 8 and 9 a.m.

CityWalk Reykjavik – Free Walking Tour Reykjavik

Price: Free Duration: 2 hours

Stroll among the main attractions of downtown Reykjavik , including the statue of Jón Sigurðsson and the Harpa concert hall, on this approximately two-hour, 1.3-mile tour. Guides will regale you with stories concerning Icelandic history, as well as lore involving elves, Vikings and more, which tour-takers deem highly entertaining.

Walks start at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. every day at the Austurvöllur (the city's main square) and conclude at city hall. Bookings open up about five days in advance. While there's no fee for this tour, guides do appreciate tips. There are no age or group-size limits. CityWalk Reykjavik does offer a slightly longer, small-group tour for a fee.

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GeoIceland – Premium Golden Circle Tour

Price: Adults from 18,900 króna (about $140); kids from 14,900 króna (about $110) Duration: 9 hours

Visit the rift between two tectonic plates, the powerful waterfall and the geothermal area comprising Iceland's famed Golden Circle and more on this daylong tour. In addition to the high cliffs of the rift valley in Thingvellir National Park, the often rainbow-adorned Gullfoss waterfall and the hot spring Geysir, this tour stops at the Kerid volcanic crater, as well as a tomato farm. Tour-takers frequently cite both the stunning scenery and the friendly, amusing guides as highlights of this journey.

Buses depart from the Aurora Reykjavik museum daily at 9 a.m. and return approximately nine hours later. Prices include admission to all attractions, but exclude lunch at the tomato farm's restaurant. GeoIceland also runs tours that depart from other cities in Iceland, including Akureyri and the Lake Mývatn area.

Iceland Everywhere Tours – Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Tour

Price: From 15,800 króna (around $115) Duration: 3 to 5 hours

Spend the night searching for the northern lights on this seasonal outing. During the trip, guides not only provide information about the aurora borealis, local history and Icelandic culture, but also assist participants with finding the right setting on their cameras or smartphones to capture the best images. Free professional photographs are also available if you'd prefer to simply admire the sky. Reviewers rave about the colorful lights and appreciate the small size of the group. Several travelers also called out the insightful guides as a highlight.

These minibus rides happen every night from September to mid-April starting at 9 p.m. and last from three to five hours. Transportation from area hotels is available. There is a maximum of 15 participants per each tour. Iceland Everywhere Tours also offers guided excursions to the South Coast and the Golden Circle.

Funky Iceland – The Funky Food & Beer Walk

Price: Adults from 18,000 króna (about $131); kids from 7,500 króna (about $55) Duration: 3 hours

Enjoy a culinary adventure on this three-hour walking tour of Reykjavik. The tour has five food stops featuring nine traditional Icelandic dishes, such as lamb stew, dried fish and fermented shark, as well as five locally crafted beers. Foodies tend to relish the savvy guides' insights into Icelandic culture and cuisine. Tours start outside the Hallgrímskirkja Church at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Groups range in size from two to eight people.

Icelandic Mountain Guides – Blue Ice Experience

Price: Adults from 18,999 króna (about $138); kids from 13,299 króna (about $97) Duration: 3.5 hours

Hike among the ice formations, crevasses and frozen ridges of the enormous Vatnajökull glacier on this small-group expedition. Outings of up to 15 people commence at the welcome center at Skaftafell (about 200 miles southeast of Reykjavik) and last about 3.5 hours, including up to 1.5 to two hours on the ice. Past participants consistently describe the scenery as stunning and the guides as professional and informative.

Tours are available multiple times a day, beginning at 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Children younger than 10 may not join the tour. Prices include the use of ice axes, harnesses and crampons. Icelandic Mountain Guides operates a variety of glacier walks, snowmobile tours and guided hikes.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in Reykjavik
• The Northern Lights in Iceland: How to See Them
• The Best Northern Lights Alaska Cruises for 2024 & Beyond
• The Best Places to Visit in Europe
• The Best International Travel Insurance

Tags: Iceland , Tours , Travel , Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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THE 10 BEST Iceland Tours & Excursions

Iceland tours.

• Ports of Call Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

2. Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket and Kerid Volcanic Crater

3. Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland

4. Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates - meet on location

5. The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

6. #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos

7. Dynjandi Waterfall & Iceland Farm Visit Tour

8. 3,5-Hour Sightseeing Tour To Dynjandi Waterfall

9. Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

10. Katla Ice cave from Vik

11. Golden Circle Classic Day Tour from Reykjavik

12. Lake Myvatn, Hot-Springs & Godafoss Waterfall Tour from Akureyri

13. Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Full Day Tour from Reykjavik by Minibus

14. South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Day Tour from Reykjavik

15. Golden Circle, Volcano Crater and Blue Lagoon Small-Group Tour

16. Golden Circle Full Day Tour from Reykjavik by Minibus

17. Whale Watching in Húsavík with Friends of Moby Dick

18. Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

19. Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour - Icelandic Traditional Food

20. New Volcanic Eruption Area Helicopter Tour in Iceland

21. Snowmobile tour on Vatnajökull

22. Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Tour

23. Twin Peaks ATV Iceland Adventure from Reykjavik

24. Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Kerid Crater Tour from Reykjavik

25. Puffin and Volcano Minibus Tour - Guided by Ebbi

26. Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik

27. Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull

28. Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep Tour from Vik

29. Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

30. Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Trip from Reykjavik

What travelers are saying.

Iceland Tour & Vacation Packages

Greenland’s the icy one; Iceland’s the green one. But remember this: they don’t call part of it the Golden Circle for nothing.

Calling all nature lovers, adventure seekers and fearless travelers. Iceland may be cold, but that’s the point—you’ll get to see all the glaciers, geysers and geothermal wonders you can handle. Discover a land of natural color: hues of azure at the  Blue Lagoon  and the icy Jokulsarlon, shades of green on the rolling hills framing Skogafoss and the striking black sand beaches that hug the coast. Not to mention the magical aurora borealis  that dance across the sky! From uncovering Viking tales and bathing in steamy springs to cruising past icebergs and exploring quirky farm towns,  Iceland  is island life like no other.

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Iceland at a glance, capital city.

Reykjavik (population approximately 123,000)

Approximately 372,520

(GMT) Monrovia, Reykjavik

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)

Learn more about Iceland

Culture and customs.

Similar to many other parts of Europe , Iceland has rules in place to help preserve its culture and geographic isolation is also a factor in developing and preserving the country’s cultural qualities. Independence, self-sufficiency and a strong work ethic – traits that allowed this northern island to flourish in challenging conditions – continue to be highly valued today.

Icelandic culture and customs are full of myths and legends, many with a connection to Christian and pagan values. Folk tales of elves, gnomes, fairies and trolls still circulate, and whether or not the locals continue telling these to unlock the secrets of the past, or simply in jest, they’re definitely worth listening to. But when news outlets report on road plans being changed to avoid disrupting an elfin church, it’s easy to believe that this unusual country and its magical landscapes are a product of what lies ‘hidden’ in its mysterious depths.

Today, Iceland is a highly modern and progressive society. It is consistently rated as having the smallest gender pay gap and strong LGBTQIA+ rights representation in the parliament and media. It’s also one of the greenest countries in the world, with almost all energy coming from renewable resources such as hydropower and geothermal.

Read more about Iceland's History and Folklore

History and government

Pre-modern history.

This island nation was settled by Vikings in the ninth century, with much of the early literature recognizing Norse sailor Ingolfur Arnason as the first settler of Iceland, founding Reykjavik in AD874 along with his wife and brother. Icelanders remain proud to this day of their Viking heritage. The Icelandic language, for example, is so similar to the Old Norse spoken during Viking times that Icelanders can still read and understand the original Icelandic sagas.

A book of settlements titled Landnamabok, compiled in the 12th century, documents the names and other details of nearly 400 original settlers of Iceland who arrived in the ninth and tenth centuries. The document tells of a Norse Viking called Floki who sailed to Iceland for fishing and farming, however, due to his livestock not surviving in the conditions, had to return to his home in Norway. After heading up a mountain and looking over a fjord full of sea ice, he named this land Iceland.

In AD930, an Icelandic General Assembly was established and was deemed a Christian settlement less than a century later. Settlers and slaves brought to Iceland by Scandinavians were of Irish and Norse descent, and although some still debate which communities influenced the identity we now know to be Icelandic, the first distinctive text documenting ‘Icelandic-ness’ is said to be a rule book of sorts – the First Grammatical Treatise.

20th century and today

After long periods under Norwegian and Danish rule, Iceland was recognized as a sovereign state in 1918. On 17 June 1944, Iceland became an independent republic. It has a multi-party parliamentary system and a written constitution. The parliament is still called Althingi after its medieval General Assembly.

Many of Iceland’s major industries stem from its location and surrounding natural resources. Tourism aside, fishing and seafood products make up much of the country’s exports and employ a majority of the workforce along with agriculture and farming. Recent investment in greenhouses and geothermal energy has seen Iceland become increasingly self-sufficient, growing products that usually do not fare well in icy climates, such as potatoes, tomatoes and potted plants. Other food is imported along with many consumer goods.

Eating and drinking

Flanked by the ocean and inhabited by almost twice the amount of sheep as humans, Iceland understandably boasts a cuisine dominated by seafood and local lamb.

The country’s diet relies on plenty of potatoes and lamb, but seafood trumps all – sourced fresh year-round from the waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic and prepared in a variety of ways. Be sure to try Hardfiskur – a salty fish jerky, best enjoyed buttered.

Sheep and cows are free-range and fed chemical-free diets, making lamb and dairy products exceptionally good here. One of the best ways to enjoy the produce on offer is to warm yourself up from the inside out with a hearty meat soup: a mixture of lamb, root vegetables, herbs, and rice.

Skyr, a popular yogurt that is technically a cheese, is also a must-try in all its variety of flavors. Eat it like the locals do at any time of the day – for breakfast, as a snack, as a dipping sauce, in drink form (called drykkur), or as a dessert topping.

Surprisingly, hot dogs are Iceland’s most iconic fast food. Widely available, a hot dog is probably the cheapest meal you’ll have in Iceland. Order one with all the toppings – sweet mustard, ketchup, raw onions, deep-fried onions, and aioli.

Rye bread (also known as rugbraud) and butter is a common side to most meals in Iceland, but the preferred way of cooking the loaves are quite unique. Traditionally, the bread is buried near a natural hot spring, sprinkled with sugar, and left to gently steam for up to 24 hours. The end result is dense, cake-like bread that has a slightly sweet taste. Enjoy it with a traditional Icelandic soup, smoked lamb, or, of course, fish.

Name a food and chances are Icelanders have tried to add licorice to it. Black licorice is beloved by locals and found in a wide range of desserts and candy bars. During your time here, head to Valdis in Reykjavik to test out a cone filled with salted black licorice ice cream. Even if the weather’s cold, the ice cream joints will be open!

The weird and wacky

Icelanders have a reputation for serving up some of the most unusual food in the world – boiled sheep’s head, fermented shark known as harkarl, ram testicles and smoked puffin to name a few. Although the country’s isolation and harsh winters once meant these foods were eaten out of necessity, today most of these ‘delicacies’ are only prepared to shock tourists. Try if you dare, but we suggest sticking to the common foods that locals eat.

Alcohol can be expensive in Iceland and is best bought at the duty-free shop. Although forms of prohibition existed until 1989, alcohol is now widely available all over the country in state-run liquor stores. If you’re feeling brave, try the local brew, Brennivin – a potent, traditional caraway-flavored schnapps nicknamed ‘black death’.

Read more about what to eat in Iceland

Read more about what to drink in Iceland

Iceland travel highlights

1. explore reykjavik.

Iceland's capital city is totally beguiling, surrounded by volcanic peaks and boasting a vibrant art and nightlife scene. Browse the city’s galleries, explore the colorful street art, dine on fresh lox (traditionally cured salmon),   or cycle to the striking cathedral of Hallgrimskirkja – trying to say that after a tipple or two of Brennivin (Iceland's signature spirit) might be tricky! Get stuck into Icelandic culture on our 6 day Northern Lights Escape .

2. Discover the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is the holy trinity of southern Iceland. This 186-mile (300 km) route is brimming with natural wonders that showcase why so many travelers fall under Iceland's spell. Marvel at the layered cascades of Gullfoss Waterfall, explore the dramatic rift valley in Thingvellir National Park and witness the unpredictable eruptions in Geysir Geothermal Area. Marvel at breathtaking natural landscapes on our 5 day Iceland Express tour.

3. Cruise along Jokulsarlon

It's impossible not to be amazed by the sheer size and beauty of Jokulsarlon, Iceland’s famous glacial lagoon. Enjoy a boat tour along the icy waters where you'll cruise past towering glaciers and witness icebergs of all shapes, sizes and shades of blue drifting into the Atlantic Ocean. Cool down on our 8 day Iceland Discovery tour.

4. Experience life in Akureyri

Soak up the charm of this northern port city – the second-largest city in Iceland. Better described as a big town with lots of character, you'll be won over by its quaint turf homes, rich history and folklore, and the imposing Mount Súlur that looms over the town. Akureyri is also an ideal Northern Lights viewing location between September and April. Explore the streets of Akureyri on our 9 day Premium Iceland tour.

5. Be wowed by Westfjords

Venture off course to the unspoiled, untamed reaches of the Westfjords – without the big crowds. This is a land where mountains meet the sea most dramatically, where waterfalls tumble down into the inky fjords and puffins live along the towering cliffs. If you’re lucky and conditions allow, we might cruise along Látrabjarg (Europe’s largest bird cliff) to see puffins, razorbills, guillemots and more. Adventure through the Westfjords on our 14 day East Greenland and Iceland Northern Lights tour.

6. Bathe in the Blue Lagoon

There's no need to worry about being cold all the time in Iceland when you can slip into the famous Blue Lagoon just out of Reykjavik. Surrounded by black volcanic rock, a soak in the mineral-rich, milk-blue waters of this geothermal spa is the perfect way to relax and unwind after a big day of walking. 

Geography and environment

Iceland possesses some of the world’s most incredible natural wonders and unique landscapes. From active volcanoes to vast ice fields, bubbling hot springs and enormous glaciers, these dramatic contrasts have earned Iceland the nickname of the ‘Land of Fire and Ice’.

Many of these geological features are products of geographical location – on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates intersect and their movements away from each other create volcanic activity. The country is covered by moss-carpeted lava fields, soaring fjords, incredible waterfalls and dramatic geysers, all of which add to Iceland’s otherworldly look.

The country is also the perfect spot to see the Northern Lights. From September to March, you’ll have the best chance to view this spectacular natural light show when the skies are clear and auroral activity is high. But don’t let that stop you from visiting in other seasons – Iceland’s natural wonders are truly year-round attractions.

Top 4 natural phenomena of Iceland

1. Northern Lights

The Northern Hemisphere's Aurora Borealis has captivated and intrigued travelers for years. Any winter tour of Iceland absolutely must include a chance to see the Northern Lights. This natural light display that runs along magnetic fields often brings hypnotic green, yellow and red shades to the night sky in Iceland from September to March. As one of nature's most magnificent triumphs, this is one unforgettable spectacle.

2. Gullfoss

Otherwise known as Golden Falls, this spectacular three-tiered waterfall drops suddenly into a deep cavern. The falls are surrounded by lush, green countryside, and the rainbows created by the mist and spray provide brilliant photo opportunities.

3. Lake Myvatn

This part of northern Iceland was born from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago and continues to be shaped by volcanic activity to this day. The combination of strange lava formations, thermal caves and a sprawling lake dotted with craters and rising rocks makes for an eerie yet beautiful landscape.

4. Jokulsarlon

Literally translating to ‘glacial river lagoon’, this monumental glacier lake is the largest in Iceland. Featuring a parade of large and small blue icebergs floating on and under the pure, icy water, this lagoon is so beautiful that it has been used as a backdrop for Hollywood films, a set for reality television shows and in a starring role on a postage stamp!

Iceland is notorious for being an expensive destination. Travelling on a budget here is difficult but can be done. Head to Bonus – Iceland’s discount grocery store – so you can cook rather than eat out for each meal. The duty-free store at Keflavik International Airport is the best place to pick up a bottle of Icelandic alcohol such as Brennivin liquor, Reyka vodka or Viking Gold beer for a fraction of the price you’d find elsewhere. It’s also a good idea to travel as a group, as operators can get better rates than a single traveler at hotels and restaurants, plus they know all the local hotspots.

If you’d like to take home Icelandic local specialties, Reykjavik is the best place to shop. Some of the country’s coolest retailers can be found on Laugavegur, one of the oldest shopping streets. Here you can browse clothing from quirky local designers alongside traditional lambswool sweaters, as well as tourist shops selling plastic Viking hats and puffin magnets. For smaller boutiques selling local art, head to Skolavordustigur.

Festival and events

Despite the long and dark winters, Icelanders are among the happiest people in the world. Why? One reason is that they understand the importance of getting together and having a good time, even if it’s pitch black outside. There are many celebrations to join in on throughout the year, but here are a few to look out for:

Winter Lights Festival

Every year, buildings around Reykjavik light up at night to celebrate both the winter world and the growing light after a long period of darkness. The Winter Lights Festival uses many public buildings, all major museums, and thermal pools to illuminate the city with lighting designs and art installations to thaw people out after a long winter.

This annual mid-winter feast in January or February is one of Iceland’s oldest festivals, dating back to Viking days. Fearless eaters can find restaurants in Reykjavik offering special Thorrablot dinners of boiled sheep’s heads, rotten shark’s meat, and cured ram testicles. If you can, try to snag an invitation to a local’s house, where celebrations tend to be more festive and involve lots of singing, dancing and drinking.

Viking Festival

Modern-day Vikings in traditional garb flock to Hafnarfjorour each June for a festival Leif Erikson would approve of. Swordfights, archery, axe throwing, a traditional market, concerts, and a proper Viking feast are all part of the festivities.

National Day

1944 marks the year that Iceland became a republic after an overwhelming majority of the citizens voted for independence. The deciding referendum took place between May 20 and 23 that year; however, Iceland’s National Day is celebrated on June 17th – the birthday of the man who originally led the movement in the late 19th century, Jon Sigurdsson. There are parades all around the country, usually with brass bands and marching horses. Music, food, fireworks, and street parties – you get it, they’re a patriotic bunch.

Dalvik Fiskidagurinn Mikli (The Great Fish Day)

Each August, the northern fishing village of Dalvik invites you to a free, all-you-can-eat fish and seafood buffet. The event is held for no reason other than to bring people together over a delicious meal. You might come for the free food, but you’ll stay for the company.

Read more about festivals in Iceland

Public holidays that may impact travel include:

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday

Ascension Day

Whit Sunday and Whit Monday

Commerce Day

Please note that the dates of  Iceland's public holidays  may vary.

Further reading

For inspiring stories to prepare you for your Iceland adventure, check out these books:

• Independent People   – Halldor Laxness
• Jar City   – Arnaldur Indridason
• The Little Book of Tourists in Iceland   – Alda Sigmundsdottir
• Waking Up in Iceland   – Paul Sullivan
• The Tricking of Freya   – Christina Sunley
• Viking Age Iceland   – Jesse L Bycock
• The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman   – Nancy Marie Brown
• Burial Rites   – Hannah Kent
• The Book of Settlements: Landnamabok   – Herman Palsson (trans.)

Discover more about visiting Iceland from our travel experts in our Complete Guide to Iceland.

Similar destinations

We have a variety of similar destinations, trips and routes that you could consider! Tie another trip into your holiday, or, see how we can help you get from A to B. We have tours departing from a variety of locations around Iceland. The options below may be of interest:

Tours to Reykjavik 

Northern Lights Tours

Iceland or Greenland

Iceland travel FAQs

Do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

When is the best time to visit Iceland?

Deciding what you want to see in Iceland will give you a better idea of when is the best time to travel. Wanting to get active around the countryside and see waterfalls and wildlife? The warmer spring and summer months are probably ideal. Prefer to soak in the geothermal lagoons and get a chance to see the Northern Lights? Well, likely the cooler months – with their longer nights – are best for you.

Spring and summer are considered optimal times to visit Iceland if green landscapes and balmy days are your thing. The early spring months bring warmer days, while summer offers long daylight hours with only short nights. In the summer season, July and August are the warmest months and the busiest time for tourists.

In September, tourism tends to slow down as the weather becomes unpredictable and the countryside is usually less accessible. However, there are plenty of attractions for the off-peak traveler, including the beauty of fall colors and, of course, the awe-inspiring Northern Lights.

As you might expect, winters in Iceland can be challenging. During late December there are about four-and-a-half hours of daylight and it's often cloudy. In January, there are on average three sunny days in Reykjavík, with temperatures hovering around freezing point, often with chilling winds.

Do I need a visa to travel to Iceland?

Iceland is a member of the Schengen Convention, which means that if you travel to an EU member country or countries, like Iceland, for a total of less than 90 days, a visa is not required. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US, the UK and other member countries of the EU and Schengen area are included under this arrangement. Other countries do require a visa to visit Iceland, including citizens of South Africa.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your country of origin. Check the Essential Trip Information section of your tour itinerary for more information.

Is tipping customary in Iceland?

Tipping isn't expected in Iceland. Hotels, restaurants and cafes already include a service fee and consumption taxes (VAT) in the bill, so tipping extra isn't necessary. However, feel free to leave a small amount if your experience has been particularly good, especially for assistance provided by drivers, tour leaders or service workers.

What is the internet access like in Iceland?

Travelers will be able to access the internet in cybercafes and at wi-fi hotspots in Iceland's cities and large towns. Rural and remote areas may have less internet access, so be prepared when traveling away from the city.

Most accommodation and eateries in Iceland offer wi-fi access, which is usually free to use with a code. If you wish to stay connected for the majority of your trip, it may be wise to purchase a prepaid SIM card with a data package.

Many Icelandic libraries and tourist information offices have shared computers for public internet access if you are without a device to connect to wi-fi. Sometimes a small fee is charged for this service.

Can I use my cell phone while in Iceland?

Travelers can use their cell phones in Iceland's main cities and towns, though remote and isolated areas may have inferior cell reception.

If you wish to stay connected for the majority of your trip, it may be wise to purchase a prepaid SIM card for the duration of your journey. This will likely be the cheapest way to use your phone in Iceland.

For EU citizens, depending on who you have your phone plan with, you may be able to use your current SIM in Iceland – your service provider will be able to provide more details.

Global roaming can also be activated, but check with your service provider to find out about any fees you may incur, as sometimes this can be expensive.

What are the toilets like in Iceland?

Modern, flushable toilets are the standard in Iceland.

In terms of public toilets, Reykjavik and other major towns and cities have some, but along highways and at many tourist destinations – especially campgrounds and natural attractions – there is a lack of facilities. Expect to pay a small fee when visiting public toilets and, in busy months, expect queues in main tourist areas.

There have been recent occurrences of tourists resorting to other means in remote places and near tourist sites. We recommend being prepared and talking to your group leader if you have any concerns.

Can I drink the water in Iceland?

Tap water is considered safe to drink in Iceland unless marked otherwise. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water instead.

Are credit cards widely accepted in Iceland?

Credit cards are widely accepted in Iceland and are used frequently by locals to pay for just about anything. Paying with a credit card at shops, guesthouses, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, and on taxi rides shouldn't present a problem. Iceland is almost a cashless society, so cards are the best option; however, a lot of payments will require your four-digit PIN, so be sure to know this before you leave home.

What is ATM access like in Iceland?

ATMs are usually easy to find in Iceland's cities and villages and generally accept most foreign cards.

What is the weather like in Iceland?

Iceland’s temperatures are cool and do vary throughout the year. In winter months, minimum temperatures plummet to below freezing. In Reykjavik, summer temperatures average at around 52°F, while winter maximums are approximately 32°F. Rainfall is quite consistent throughout the year; between 25–50 mm per month, with most days experiencing some rainfall.

Is it safe to travel to Iceland?

Iceland is a very safe country to travel to and is one of the safest countries in the world.

Is Iceland safe for LGBTQIA+ travellers?

The people of Iceland have an open and accepting attitude to LGBTQIA+ communities, and Iceland is considered one of the world’s most LGBTQIA+ friendly countries. Since 2006, same-sex couples have had equal access to adoption and IVF, and in 2010 the Icelandic Parliament made a unanimous decision to define marriage as between two individuals. As might be expected in a small country, however, the gay scene is quite low-key, even in Reykjavik.

In 2012, more legislation was passed to formalize the name and identity-changing process for the needs of trans and genderqueer individuals. There is still a way to go to achieve full equality, but Iceland is, in many regards, leading the way globally.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel and reading more about the LGBTQIA+ culture in Iceland .

If you are traveling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

Is Iceland accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and, where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Because of its remote location and size, Iceland can prove difficult when it comes to accessibility for individuals with mobility issues. Some of the main sights, such as the Blue Lagoon, are wheelchair accessible, but many of the natural attractions have unpaved paths and unsteady terrain. Iceland has a dedicated information center,  Thekkingarmidstod Sjalfsbjorg , that provides up-to-date information on accessibility and accessible facilities in Iceland, as well as other related information.

If you do live with a visual, hearing, or other impairment, let your booking agent or group leader know early on so they’re aware and suitable arrangements can be made. As a general rule, knowing some common words in the local language, carrying a written itinerary with you, and taking to the streets in a group, rather than solo, can help make your travel experience the best it can be.

What to wear in Iceland

In summer, Iceland experiences cool but mild weather throughout the country, with maximum temperatures averaging around 55°F. It’s still important, however, to pack some warm clothing at this time, as temperatures at night can drop quite dramatically. In winter, some days barely reach over 32°F, so preparing for this is crucial. It can be wet and windy, and roads may be iced over, so thermal gear, a waterproof jacket and pants and sturdy walking boots are all highly recommended.

How do I stay safe and healthy while traveling?

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How will I be traveling around Iceland?

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport – which usually have less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are much more fun.

Depending on what trip you're on in Iceland, you may find yourself traveling by:

All-terrain Unimog

To see all of Iceland, you’ll need some heavy-duty transport. This super-sized van will take you on glacier visits to admire these almighty ice caps up close.

Amphibian boat

Part truck, part boat, all adventure ­– cruise the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon in a small group aboard one of these vessels, on land and lake.

What is it like traveling on a small group tour?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re about to embark on your first trip, traveling can be as intimidating as it is exciting. That's the beauty of a small group tour. From handling the logistics and organizing amazing cultural activities to local leaders who know each destination like the back of their hand (like which street has the best markets and where to get the most authentic food), traveling on a small group tour with Intrepid will give you unforgettable travel experiences without the hassle that comes with exploring a new place. Plus, you'll have ready-made friends to share the journey with. All you have to do is turn up with a healthy sense of adventure and we’ll take care of the rest.

Does my Intrepid trip include airfare?

While our Intrepid trips include many modes of transport, from tuk-tuks to overland vehicles, bullet trains and feluccas, airfare to and from your home country is not included in your tour package.

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Eden Reforestation Projects

Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

Top Tours in Iceland, Europe

Iceland tours.

• Ports of Call Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

2. Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket and Kerid Volcanic Crater

3. Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland

4. Silfra: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates - meet on location

5. The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

6. #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos

7. Dynjandi Waterfall & Iceland Farm Visit Tour

8. Snæfellsnes Peninsula Tour from Grundarfjordur Port

9. 3,5-Hour Sightseeing Tour To Dynjandi Waterfall

10. Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

11. Golden Circle Classic Day Tour from Reykjavik

12. Lake Myvatn, Hot-Springs & Godafoss Waterfall Tour from Akureyri

13. Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Full Day Tour from Reykjavik by Minibus

14. South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Day Tour from Reykjavik

15. Golden Circle, Volcano Crater and Blue Lagoon Small-Group Tour

16. Golden Circle Full Day Tour from Reykjavik by Minibus

17. Whale Watching in Húsavík with Friends of Moby Dick

18. Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik

19. Golden Circle Small Group Day Tour

20. Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour - Icelandic Traditional Food

21. New Volcanic Eruption Area Helicopter Tour in Iceland

22. Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Tour

23. Twin Peaks ATV Iceland Adventure from Reykjavik

24. Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Kerid Crater Tour from Reykjavik

25. Puffin and Volcano Minibus Tour - Guided by Ebbi

26. Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik

27. Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull

28. Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep Tour from Vik

29. Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

30. Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Trip from Reykjavik

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Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to Iceland with helpful guides and tips!

20 Best Tours In Iceland You Shouldn’t Miss

February 16, 2022 //  by  Iceland Trippers //   Leave a Comment

Looking for the best tours in Iceland? You have come to the right place!

Iceland is an amazing country full of waterfalls , rugged landscapes, and some breathtaking sights. In fact, there is so much to do in Iceland it can be overwhelming deciding what are the best Iceland day tours and the best Iceland guided tours.

We will go through the best tours in Iceland one by one so you can get to see the best of Iceland’s incredible natural wonders and make the most out of your trip.

Whether you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience such as whale watching, exploring an ice cave, seeing the spectacular Northern Lights, soaking in the Blue Lagoon , or you just want to enjoy the Icelandic scenery with a tour of The Golden Circle , we have covered them all. Don’t forget to check out our list of the best Ice caves in Iceland!

These Iceland guided tours will make your Icelandic experience even more unforgettable.

Whether you go in the winter or the summer , there is always something to see, and to make the best of your Iceland adventure make sure you are prepared and dress accordingly for the weather and terrain.

Get a FREE printable “Hidden Gems In Iceland” E-book by joining our private  Iceland Facebook Group  and sharing your photos and asking for tips and tricks.

Table of Contents

Best Day Tours In Iceland Worth The Cost

Reykjavik: golden circle full-day tour with kerid crater (8 hours).

No visit to Iceland would be complete without a tour of the delights of the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle is a tourist route in southern Iceland. It covers approximately 300 km and contains some of the most loved and well-visited tourist attractions.

On this Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater you get to see the best of southwest Iceland with someone else taking the driving strain.

Starting in Reykjavik, this tour takes in the spectacular Geysir area, the cascading Gullfoss Waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, and the active hot spring of Strokkur. And you will of course also see the volcanic crater at Lake Kerid.

This is a packed itinerary that lets you see a unique selection of what Iceland has to offer and of course, you get to enjoy and marvel at the passing scenery. If you still aren’t sure, we have a blog post that breaks down some of the Best Golden Circle Tours in Iceland!

Book Here: Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater

Here are a few more Golden Circle tours for you to also have a look at. They are some of the best Iceland tours, all with a slightly different itinerary.

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Northern Lights Combo

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full Day Tour

Reykjavik: Golden Circle Tour with Blue Lagoon Visit & Entry

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Northern Lights

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Day Trip (9.5 hours)

On this Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Day Trip you will tour the iconic Golden Circle before relaxing at Gamla Laugin, as it is known locally, the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. Located in Fludir, this beautiful hot spring is also known as the Secret Lagoon.

Fully renovated, it has an indoor changing area, lockers, showers, and food and drink are available to buy. Don’t forget to bring your swimwear and a towel and a water bottle as you will need to stay hydrated at the springs.

Along with the soak, you can walk along the springs and see a geyser.

Book Now: From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Day Trip

Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel: Underground Expedition  (1 hour)

Only in Iceland can you explore an underground lava tunnel. This Lava Tunnel: Underground Expedition meets at Raufarhólshellir (30-minute drive from the capital), and you get to explore the longest and best-known lava tunnels in Iceland.

The tunnel is a work of nature, and you will see the incredible lava formations that are rarely seen outside of Iceland. The terrain can be rough and crampons are provided in winter. The surface is often uneven, and you will walk up and down steep stairs, so be aware.

You will experience the ever-changing colors, landscape, and geological features while getting all the history and information you need from the experienced guide.

This is one of the more unique Iceland tours and 100% worth it.

Book Now: Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel: Underground Expedition 

From Reykjavik: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour (11 hours)

One of the top Iceland tours if you want to see the spectacular volcanic craters of Kirkjufell and Ljósufjöll, this Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour is packed full of beautiful scenery.

You will also get to visit the charming fishing villages of Grundarfjordur, Arnarstapi, and Hellnar as well as the black beaches of Djúpalónssandur. This is one of the best Iceland day tours that pack in a lot.

Departing from Reykjavik, this leisurely tour also takes in the majestic glacier of Snæfellsjökull. You will see volcanic peaks, golden and black beaches, sparkling fjords, fishing villages, and an amazing glacier. It’s a one-day Iceland experience that is well worth the money. 

Book Now: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour

Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields (2 hours)

Horse riding through Lava fields? Only in Iceland!

With an optional pick-up in Reykjavik, this Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields is one of those only in Iceland experiences. From the Íshestar Stables in Hafnarfjörður, you will experience a 1.2- to 2-hour horseback journey through lava fields and along beautiful green hillsides.

The horses are friendly and the riding paths excellent so you don’t need to be an experienced horse rider to enjoy this experience. The stables are a ten-minute drive from Reykjavík and are set in beautiful surroundings. The horses are well looked after and the staff takes pride in their job.

All equipment needed will be provided and there are lockers on site. There really is nothing like seeing incredible rock formations in the lava from the saddle of a horse. This is one of the best horseback riding tours in Iceland!

Since it is only two hours, this is one of the best Iceland day tours since you will have time to schedule more activities for the same day.

Book Now: Icelandic Horse Riding Tour in Lava Fields

Landmannalaugar 4-Hour Hiking Experience (5-14 hours)

One of the best ways to explore Iceland is on foot and this is one of the best Iceland-guided tours to do that. This Landmannalaugar 4-Hour Hiking Experience is a must for anyone who loves hiking.

This Iceland day tour allows you to enjoy the Southern Highland of Fjallabak, taking in the wonders of Iceland’s Landmannalaugar and Hekla Volcano area. Soothing hot springs, extraordinary colored mountain peaks, clear blue lakes, and an active volcano are included on this unique tour. You get to take in some of Iceland’s most unique destinations, all with the expert support of your guide.

The 4-hour hike starts off with lunch and you walk through lava fields to the Brennisteinsalda mountain, known for its colorful peak and steaming vents. You then start the descent through the Grænagil canyon, which is like nothing you have ever seen. 

Depending on the time and conditions you can also climb a 60,000-year-old volcano and bathe in hot natural pools.

Book Now: Landmannalaugar 4-Hour Hiking Experience

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik (14 hours)

No trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and this Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik is a great way to see it.

This tour is one of the best Iceland tours if you want to explore the dramatic landscape of the south of Iceland. You will be picked up from your hotel in Reykjavik then you will travel up the southern coast to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon .

The lagoon is an incredible sight; it’s the largest and deepest glacier lagoon in Iceland with some of the icebergs speckled blue and black, and thousands of years old.

During the summer season, you can go on a boat trip to get closer to the lagoon and surrounding area. You will also get to visit the nearby Diamond Beach, which is an incredible sight.

You then make the return trip to Reykjavik with a stop off at the beautiful Seljalandsfos waterfall, which you can walk behind, weather permitting, and there is an additional stop in Iceland’s southernmost village at Vik for dinner.

Book Now: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik

Reykjavik: Whale Watching Excursion (2-3 hours)

With so much to see in Iceland, we can often forget the incredible animal life that Iceland has to offer.

If you want to experience one of the best whale-watching tours in Iceland , we highly recommend this Whale Watching Excursion out of Reykjavik.

Your tour starts with a boat trip from Reykjavik harbor where you will start to see the rich marine life that Iceland’s waters have to offer.  From minke and humpback whales , harbor porpoises, and whale-beaked dolphins, there is a lot to see.

The peak whale watching season is April to October but you never know what you might catch a glimpse of.

The tour lasts between 2-3.5 hours depending on the time of year. An added bonus of this tour is the Icelandic scenery which looks so majestic from the water.

Book Now: Reykjavik: Whale Watching Excursion

Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure – Small Group Adventure (2-4 hours )

Looking for a unique and exotic underwater experience in the waters of Iceland’s Thingvellir Lake? This top-rated dive site has great visibility and is one of the great Iceland guided tours. Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure is an incredible experience.

This tour takes you from Reykjavik to the heart of Thingvellir National Park , a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. You can enjoy the stunning scenery on the way before taking an hour’s snorkeling experience with your guide.

You will swim over the divide between the American and European continental plates where the underwater views are breathtaking. It is one of the best places to see on your Iceland itinerary!

All required equipment will be provided, helping to make this one of the best snorkeling tours in Iceland .

Book Now Snorkelling in Silfra Fissure – Small Group Adventure

South Iceland: Vatnajökull Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour (3 hours)

One of the best tours in Iceland has to be a Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour. And this South Iceland: Vatnajökull Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour is a great one. The ice caves are formed by the water in the summer that runs down from the glacier forming an extraordinary natural phenomenon.

The position, structure, and condition of these caves changes yearly and your guide will make sure you get to explore the best magical blue ice cave on your tour.  

This tour meets at the cafe at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and then the caves are approximately a 20 to 30-minute drive to where you get to enjoy the scenery of the Vatnajökull National Park .

The walk to the ice caves is then approximately 5 -15 minutes, and you will get between one and one-and-a-half hours to explore inside.

This is one of the most unique and breathtaking ice cave tours in Iceland. With some of the best tour guides in Iceland, you will feel safe and well-informed.

Book Now Vatnajökull Glacier Blue Ice Cave Tour

Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik (4 hours)

If you are visiting Iceland during the winter months then you want to see the Northern Lights . That is why most people travel to Iceland during the winter. Obviously seeing the Northern lights is never guaranteed but if you do it will be a lasting memory.

If you are thinking of the best Iceland tours to take, the Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik is a good option.

You will spend an evening searching for the Northern Lights with an experienced guide. If you are lucky, you will catch this spectacular natural phenomenon.

This tour also includes a ticket to the Aurora Museum in Reykjavik. If you are looking for more, we have the 10 Best Northern Lights Tours In Iceland!

Book Now: Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik

Reykjavik: Panoramic Helicopter Flight with Summit Landing (45 minutes)

If you want the chance to see Reykjavik and the surrounding area from the sky, consider booking the epic Reykjavik: Panoramic Helicopter Flight with Summit Landing tour.

This is definitely not the cheapest Iceland tour, considering it is less than an hour, but it is worth it for the once-in-a-lifetime views! Make sure your camera batteries are charged because you will not want to miss out on photos you can get nowhere else.

You will meet at the Reykjavik Domestic Airport before heading up in a helicopter. The city of Reykjavik will be laid out before you when you land on a mountain summit.

Book Now: Reykjavik: Panoramic Helicopter Flight with Summit Landing

Vik: Mýrdalsjökull Snowmobile Adventure (2 hours)

If you are looking for one of the most thrilling Iceland tours, look no further than the Vik: Mýrdalsjökull Snowmobile Adventure ! This fun tour leaves from Vik on the South Coast and leads you up the Mýrdalsjökull Glacier.

All equipment is included, and you get a safety briefing before hopping on the snowmobiles, so you will be prepared to ride. At the top of the glacier, you will get the chance to stop and admire the amazing views!

All drivers must be at least 17 and have a valid driver’s license. This is one of the best glacier tours in Iceland because you get to experience it in a unique way.

Book Now: Vik: Mýrdalsjökull Snowmobile Adventure

Reykjavik: Icelandic Food Tour (3 hours)

Icelandic cuisine is interesting, to say the least! If you are brave enough to try some local delicacies, then book the Reykjavik: Icelandic Food Tour .

This walking tour will lead you through Reykjavik to four to six stops, including the city’s oldest restaurant , a food market, and a famous hot dog stand. You will get to try lamb soup, hot dogs, fermented shark, minke whale, rye bread ice cream, and more.

As you walk, your guide will teach you about Icelandic food and culture. They say eating local is a great way to learn about a country, and this tour proves that!

Bring your appetite as you enjoy one of the best guided tours of Iceland!

Book Now: Reykjavik: Icelandic Food Tour

Reykjavík: Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon (10 hours)

An epic hike to the top of a volcano before unwinding in the famous Blue Lagoon? Yes, please!

Iceland is the land of fire and ice, so why not take time to appreciate some of the heat the island has to offer? The Reykjavík: Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon tour is perfect for anyone looking for some adventure.

You will start your journey by hiking the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykanes Peninsula. While the volcano is active and erupted in 2021, it is currently dormant. Even so, you will see fresh lava flows and possibly steam rising.

After a few hours of hiking this natural wonder, you will get the chance to soak in the Blue Lagoon. Your aching muscles will thank you!

This is one of the best Iceland tours from Reykjavik since both attractions are close to the capital.

Book Now: Reykjavík: Fagradalsfjall Volcano Hike and Blue Lagoon

Best Multi-Day Tours Of Iceland

If you really want to make the best of Iceland then it may be that you want to embark on a multi-day tour. They are some of the best tours in Iceland and allow you to sit back while someone else does all the work. If you are not someone who likes planning, organizing and researching then leaving it all up to someone else might be the perfect option for you.

You will get to see some of the most incredible sights with the knowledge that an experienced guide is leading you.

You can get Iceland tours anywhere from 2 to 10 days, the most popular seeming to be 5 days or 3 days . If you are wanting one of the best excursions in Iceland, a multi-day tour might be for you.

These multi-day tours will allow you to combine a more leisurely trip with some extreme sightseeing, giving you the best of both worlds.

Choosing a tour depends on your budget , the time available to you, and the areas you want to see. We have listed some of the best and highly rated Iceland guided tours below. There is a tour for everyone so we are sure you will find one perfect for you. Whichever tour you decide, we know you will have the most incredible time, and we can’t wait to hear all about it.

Iceland: 2 Day Trip Along South Coast

If you want to book one of the best South Coast Iceland tours, check out Iceland: 2 Day Trip Along South Coast tour. This is one of the most popular areas in Iceland since there are so many waterfalls, glacier lagoons, and more.

This tour starts and ends in Reykjavik , making it super convenient. It is one of the best guided tours in Iceland since it is run by people who make the experience really enjoyable.

Notable places you visit include :  Gljufrabui, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss , and Kvernufoss waterfalls, Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara Beach, Vik, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. Don’t forget to check out our tips for Solheimajokull Glacier!

Book Now: Iceland: 2 Day Trip Along South Coast

Iceland: 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, & Glacier Tour

If you want a little longer of a tour, check out Iceland: 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, & Glacier Tour . Since it spans three days, you will not feel rushed as you traverse this beautiful country.

This tour hits some of the highlights of the Golden Circle and will leave you mesmerized. This tour is out of Reykjavik and includes a stay at a cute guesthouse.

Notable places you visit include: Thingvellir National Park, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Gullfoss waterfalls, Srokkur Geysir, Kerid, Reynisfjara Beach, Vik, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier

Book Now: Iceland: 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, & Glacier Tour

Reykjavik: 4-Day South Coast, Golden Circle, and Snæfellsnes

If you want to see more than just the South Coast, book the Reykjavik: 4-Day South Coast, Golden Circle, and Snæfellsnes tour.

This tour includes highlights from the Golden Circle and South Coast while adding a day to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula . Here you will see more iconic mountains, waterfalls, lava fields, and more.

Notable places you visit include:  Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, Hraðastaðir farm, Reynisfjara Beach, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Vatnajökull National Park, Kirkjufell, and Kirkjufellfoss Waterfall

Book Now: Reykjavik: 4-Day South Coast, Golden Circle, and Snæfellsnes

Iceland 6-Day Ring Road Adventure

The Ring Road is one of the best drives in Iceland with many amazing stops to see. The Iceland 6-Day Ring Road Adventure includes great guides and accommodation each night so you do not have to worry about a thing.

This is one of the best Ring Road tours in Iceland because it hits a lot of sights that other tours miss.

Notable places you visit include: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall, Vik, Skaftafell, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, the East Fjords, Dettifoss Waterfall, Myvatn, and so much more

Book Now: Iceland 6-Day Ring Road Adventure

Reykjavik: Winter 8-Day Small Group Circle of Iceland Tour

If you have a lot of time in Iceland and a good budget, the Reykjavik: Winter 8-Day Small Group Circle of Iceland To ur might be for you!

This is one of the best winter tours in Iceland, allowing you to see the country when it is at its most epic and magical. Visiting during this season lets you experience the Northern Lights, ice caves, and snow-covered landscapes.

Notable places you visit include: Gullfoss, Skogafoss, and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlon Glacier Lagoon, Lake Lagarfljót, Lake Mývatn, Námaskarð Pass, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Vatnshellir Lava Cave, and so much more

Book Now: Reykjavik: Winter 8-Day Small Group Circle of Iceland Tour

Best Time Of Year For Taking Tours In Iceland

The best time to take tours in Iceland is wholly up to you! It all depends on what you want to see and the weather you want to experience. Figure out exactly what kind of Iceland tours you want to take, then chose the season that best matches up.

Come in summer for the midnight sun, blooming lupines, and the best weather. If Northern Lights, glacier hiking, or ice caves are on your bucket list, plan for winter .

Fall and spring are great shoulder seasons when there are fewer tourists, you can book tours more easily, and prices are more reasonable.

No matter when you book tours in Iceland, you will be in for an amazing time!

When To Choose A Private Tour In Iceland

Private tours in Iceland can be more expensive than large group tours, but they have their advantages. Some pluses of private tours are that they are more flexible, more easily tailored to your needs, allow more time with the guide, and are a more personal experience.

When you book a private tour, it will be just you and your friends and family. You do not have to bother with strangers who might hold things up or make things more uncomfortable.

While group tours are priced per person, private tours in Iceland are priced per group. If it is just you and someone else, splitting a $1000 fare may be undoable. However, if you split the fare between 4-5 people, suddenly a private tour in Iceland just became more affordable!

Private tours in Iceland are especially helpful if you are a photographer, content creator, someone with children, or just want a personalized and in-depth tour of Iceland with an experienced, local guide. These tours are worth it when you book with the best Iceland tour companies.

Some of Our Favorite Private Tours in Iceland:

Private Glacier Lagoon: Jökulsárlón

From Reykjavik: South Coast Private Tour

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle 8-Hour Private Tour

Reykjavik: Tailor-Made 10-Person Exploration Tour

What To Bring On Your Tour In Iceland

You want to come prepared for your Iceland tours, whether that means picking out the right clothes or double-checking you have all your photography equipment. If you forget something, your tour might suffer.

A Good Camera

When taking a tour of Iceland, you want to bring along a great camera! If you have a newer smartphone, then you could be good to go. We recommend checking out the GoPro Hero 7 if you are looking for a great adventure camera for both photos and video! We also love the Sony A6300 as it is a good quality camera, pretty affordable, and easy to use when touring Iceland!

A Waterproof Daypack

When touring Iceland, you are going to need something to carry your essentials. Ladies, this is the time to leave the purse at home and take something more substantial. You will want something waterproof as the weather in Iceland changes on a dime! A waterproof daypack like this Hikepro 20L is perfect because it packs up small for your flight and will keep your essentials dry during your tour in Iceland!

Granola Bars

Most of these best tours in Iceland do not include snacks so that is up to you to bring. If you are going on one of the longer tours of Iceland that are 10-13 hours long, you are going to want to be prepared with food! We love these Quaker Granola Bars and always bring food to Iceland since it is such an expensive country. You can easily buy bars in advance so you can save time and money once you are in Iceland.

Portable Power Bank

You are going to want to have your phone charged so you can document your tour in Iceland which is why we always recommend taking a portable power bank like this one!  These portable chargers are good for multiple charges and will keep your phone ready for photos and calls if necessary.

Waterproof Shell Pants

We highly recommend packing a waterproof shell for pants such as the Columbia Storm Surge Pants. That way, if it is raining or you are hiking behind a waterfall, all you have to do is put these pants on over your normal clothes. If you are touring Iceland for hours and hours, the last thing you will want is wet pants.

As you can see, Iceland has a lot to offer. It really is one of those countries that has something to suit everyone. We hope this list of the best tours in Iceland has helped you decide which is the best for you. We know you will have an incredible time whatever you decide and we wish you an amazing trip.

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The 7 Best Tour Companies in Iceland

Iceland is an utterly unique country, with glaciers varying in color from white to blue to gray, waterfalls the size of skyscrapers plummeting down sheer rock cliffs, and bumpy lava fields covered in moss in every shade of green you can imagine. And you’ll hear fantastical tales from history and folklore from people who still believe that elves might exist.

It’s one of my favorite countries in the world, one I fell in love with the first time I visited. I’ve been back multiple times since then during various seasons.

But Iceland isn’t always easy to get around, especially in the off-season, when many bus routes shut down because of weather.

One of the ways to get around that problem is by joining an organized tour. You’ll get to experience places that can be inaccessible without a four-wheel drive, and you’ll have an expert local guide to help make the most of your visit.

I’ve put together a list of my favorite tour companies in Iceland, from short city walking tours to multiday adventure hikes. While joining a tour isn’t cheap (you’ll definitely pay more than if you were to explore the country independently ), you’ll also be able to enjoy your trip without any of the planning while simultaneously benefitting from having a local guide on hand to deepen your experience in this incredible place.

Here’s my list of the best tour companies in Iceland:  

1. CityWalk Reykjavik

A free walking tour is always a great way to introduce yourself to a new city, and the guides from CityWalk can give you a good overview of Reykjavik on this two-hour stroll. They run daily tours at 10:30am and 1:30pm, where they show you not only the city’s main attractions, but teach you about Icelandic history as well as share some lesser known and fun facts about Iceland’s capital.

The Reykjavik walking tours have been running since 2014, and the local guides incorporate an element of humor into their tours to make you laugh while you’re exploring. They’ll show you some more overlooked parts of town and also give you some tips for saving money in this expensive country.

Even though it’s technically a free tour, be sure to tip your guide what you think the tour was worth at the end (that’s how they earn a living).

2. Intrepid

Intrepid is my favorite multi-day tour company. I’ve been on tours with them a number of times in a number of places and always enjoy myself. They keep their groups small and work with local guides, and they don’t rush you from sight to sight.

Intrepid offers a number of options in Iceland, including the classic Ring Road trip (which Intrepid calls their Iceland Discovery Tour), where you circumnavigate the island and get to visit some of the best-known sights, from the glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón on the south coast to the volcanic lake at Mývatn in the north. They even offer tours that also include Greenland too.

What’s also great is that they offer four different tiers of tour “styles” so that you can choose the level and price that suits your needs. “Basix” is the cheapest option and includes the most basic level accommodation with not many extra inclusions, while “Premium” tours are the most expensive and luxurious, as you’ll stay in 4-star accommodations and have more activities and meals included. “Original” and “Comfort” tour styles are somewhere in between the two.

Intrepid’s Iceland tours start at $1,600 for their 5-day Iceland Express Tour and go up to $7,100 for the nine-day Premium Iceland Tour.

3. Arctic Adventures

The award-winning Arctic Adventures is one of the biggest tour companies in Iceland, offering a huge range of one-day and multi-day tours. They also offer self-driving tours, where they provide you with a rental car, pre-booked accommodation, a detailed itinerary, and the option to join some guided day tours along the way. It’s a great option if you want to remove some of the stress and hassle of planning your own trip, but prefer to travel independently.

Its one-day tour options include all the main Icelandic sightseeing activities, like ice caves, snorkeling, glacier tours, and the popular Golden Circle route to Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot springs, and Gullfoss Waterfall. They have multi-day trips as well, including trekking tours where you’ll hike across Iceland’s stunning scenery accompanied by an experienced adventure guide.

Arctic Adventures’ full-day trips range in price from around $140 to $280. Their multi-day trips start at $432 USD for a two-day adventure, to an eight-day tour of the Ring Road for $2,434 USD.

4. Icelandic Mountains Guides

For 25 years, Icelandic Mountain Guides has focused on true adventure travel for very small groups, offering one-day and multi-day tours as well as courses on wilderness first aid and mountaineering if you’re interested in gaining some technical outdoor skills.

Its multi-day tours include more unique routes, like a five-day backpacking trek from Núpsstaðaskógur to Skaftafell, or a ten-day expedition across the Highlands starting from the northern town of Akureyri. They even offer ski touring packages. Prices for multi-day tours range from $542 USD for a two-day tour on the southern coast to $4,032 USD for a nine-day glacier expedition.

It also runs one-day tours to ice caves and glacier walk experiences, among others, leaving from Reykjavík, along with similar one-day adventures on the Sólheimajökull glacier on the south coast if you’re in the area and can meet them there. Day tour prices range from $77 USD for an all-day guided lava hike to $256 USD for a snowmobiling adventure on the south coast.

Icelandic Mountain Guides has a genuine conservation focus and holds a twice-yearly event where guides spend time planting trees. All of its day tours are carbon neutral, with a mission to make its multi-day tours carbon neutral in the future.

5. Iceland Horizon

Iceland Horizon offers a huge variety of single-day tours leaving from Reykjavík, Akureyri, and Lake Mývatn. Tour offerings include everything from the classic Golden Circle route to more adventurous snowmobiling and snowshoeing tours.

They’re a good choice for travelers who want to see the main sights and do fun activities but who don’t have access to their own vehicle. They run their small-group tours (always under 19 people) from a mini-bus (which has Wi-Fi), making it a comfortable way to see the sights without having to bother with renting your own car.

Expect to pay around $140 USD per person for a day trip. They also offer tailor-made tours, where you’ll work together with one of their local guides to create an itinerary just for you (pricing greatly varies based on what you want for your personalized tour).

6. Ride with Locals

Ride with Locals is a motorcycle tour company that takes you to the middle of nowhere on trails you wouldn’t access any other way, meaning you’ll see volcanoes, craters, and mountains that very few visitors to Iceland do, making your Iceland experience particularly unique. Its trips last between three days and a week and generally head inland, rather than hugging the coast like most tours.

The motorcycles are KTM 690R and Husqvarna 701 dual sport bikes, and all guides are really experienced with riding through Iceland’s highlands. Some trips use sleeping bags in mountain huts for accommodations (and include all the meals), while others include hotel stays with breakfast.

Costs range between about $4,000 USD for a three-day trip to $7,400 USD for an advanced seven-day expedition. This includes motorbike hire, fuel, accommodation, and some meals. Tours range in difficulty level (noted on the website), but keep in mind that these are only for experienced motorcyclists.

7. Midgard Adventures

Based in Southern Iceland, Midgard Adventures is a family-owned company that offers all sorts of fun and adventurous tours. Off-roading with jeeps, fat bike tours, hiking, snowmobiling, and glacier walks are all on offer here with tours led by family friends and local guides. They have both single-day tours as well as multi-day tours that stretch from 2-7 days (including seasonally-exclusive tours such as mountain biking the highlands in the summer).

Midgard also has its own hotel in Hvolsöllur that you can base yourself from, complete with restaurant, bar, rooftop hot tub, and a sauna (Hvolsöllur is around 90 minutes southeast of Reykjavik).

Prices start around $265 USD for a day tour. While not cheap, Midgard tours are high-quality and tons of fun. You won’t find the same cookie-cutter experiences here.

BONUS: Get Your Guide

If you can’t find the perfect Iceland tour for your trip above, you’ll undoubtedly be able to find it on GetYourGuide . This tour marketplace allows local tour operators to list their offerings, meaning that there’s a huge variety of tours to choose from here, from food tours in Reykjavik to whale watching tours in Húsavík , to multi-day adventures around the country.

Look for the “GetYourGuide Certified” logo for tours that have been vetted by GetYourGuide themselves, though you can also read reviews from previous tour participants to make sure that you sign up for a quality tour. You can even book admission tickets for attractions (like to the countless hot springs that you’ll undoubtedly be visiting) too.

Known as both the Land of Elves and the Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland is a destination like no other. There’s a lot packed into this island , and joining a tour is a great way to maximize your time and experience here.

From challenging multi-day hikes through some of the most scenic landscapes you’ll ever see, to gently exploring a glacier lagoon by boat or visiting puffin colonies, to wandering the streets of the quirky capital of Reykjavik , there’s an Icelandic tour company for you!

Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Iceland!

Want to plan the perfect trip to Iceland? Check out my comprehensive guide to Iceland written for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need. You’ll find suggested itineraries, tips, budgets, ways to save money, on and off the beaten path things to see and do, and my favorite non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, transportation tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.

Book Your Trip to Iceland: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Want More Information on Iceland? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide to Iceland for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Iceland Small Group Tours

Uncover new and exciting adventures in Iceland by taking part in our small group tours. Go sightseeing at your own pace surrounded by travellers like you. Provided by top tour operators & travel companies, our small group tours in Iceland will offer you the perfect balance between spending time on your own and group activities. Choose among the best trips to Iceland .

106 Iceland small group tours with 1,542 reviews

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8 Day - Iceland Ring Road Tour

The tour run by Arctic Adventures was very good. The 2nd and 3rd nights of the tour were at Arctic Adventures hotels. Both hotels were substandard, peeling paint, noxious smells, etc. Arctic Adventures is their brand and it made their brand looked cheap.

• In-depth Cultural

Best of Iceland

The trip was great but was not really as advertised. It worked out but could have gone badly because it was not well described in the trip description

• Northern Lights

5 Day - Snaefellsnes, South Coast and Northern Lights

Overall very professional team. The most effiecient way to know that beutifull country. Hotels of Artic Adventures very neat and confy. Pitty when weather dont help. And refund will not cover your expectations. But despite this highly recomended.

Premium Iceland

Iceland Discovery

Incredible trip! Shame the itinerary is changing for 2020 as it’s cutting out my 2 favorite stays on the trip. Still..I’m not a tour person at all. I prefer off the beaten path, flexibility for unexpected adventures, etc. but Jónas provided all of this. He was the best!!!! As a avid single, female, I’ve realized done a lot of solo travel but there are many places I’d like to go that aren’t the best choice for a single, solo, female traveler. However, now that I’ve found f Intrepid Tours, the doors have opened and I am already looking at where to go next.

Iceland's Golden Circle in Depth

Paulina was a great guide and we had a wonderful experience!

8 Days Guided Iceland Circle

Iceland is an incredible country to visit and the time we spent there was priceless. We had a technical problem: due to the weather the flight to Reykjavík was cancelled and postponed to the following day. We announced the travel agency and they provided a taxi in order th catch the tour. Instead to have a transportation from the company we had to pay an additional 300euros regardless was not our fault for the delay. Maybe you should consider such situation in your program. Another observation is about the guide. He was totally disinterested on our existence, totally unprepared to be a guide with knowledge, also a little bit impolite and rude.

Iceland Northern Lights & Golden Circle

Comprehensive, accommodating to individual needs and desires, exceliernyt tour leader who was informed, informative, capable, intuitive, conscientious, and smart. Also, just a nice person whose company you enjoyed. Thank you.

7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik

Overall, Iceland is incredible and the sights included in the tour were amazing. The itinerary could be more detailed with time spent driving, what time certain attractions close, etc. We found ourselves driving all the way someplace just to find it closed, or not making it back to the hotel in time to eat dinner. Also, we booked a few extras through the tour like admission to the Blue Lagoon and a glacier hike. Then I learned that it's much less expensive to book directly with the lagoons and other attractions.

• Mountain Hikes

5-Day Laugavegur Trek in Huts

The group was professional and informative. The trek itself was dramatic and spectacular, as if being on another planet

8 Days Self-drive | Around Iceland Ring Road Tour

Only one miss: the apartmentbuilding on the second night in Akureyri was a bad experience. They had gone to selfservice in May, a sign on the door said, and every guest needed a code for self-checkin. I had no code. Luckily people were inside, so I could call the owners. But no info on the neighborhood, where to eat, stuff like that. Room was ok, but barely could open any window.

10 day Guided tour | Iceland Complete - Small Group

Very nice tour of the island. Accommodations were simple but clean. Food was good, country is beautiful.

• Kayak & Canoe
• Sightseeing

Ultimate Iceland Adventure

10 day Self-drive tour | Fantastic Iceland

ICELAND – Multi-sport Summer Adventure

Reviews of small group tours to iceland.

I can't say enough good things about our Best of Iceland Tour. Gisli Anton Bjarnason was the best tour guide we've ever experienced! We thoroughly enjoyed our week!

Overall the guides and drivers were excellent - in their knowledge, driving safety, preparing the group for activities that were next on the list. The only down time during the day was some of the distances between stops. But not an issue as we were well aware of that before hand. A good value for the cost!!

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Let Iceland Tours take you on your next adventure

The best iceland tours, hand-picked for you.

With a trip from Iceland Tours, you’ll always get transport, places to stay, and activities included. So all you need to do is book your flight and pack your thermals – we’ve taken care of the rest. Easy, right? Já!

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Hæ we’re iceland tours.

For 40 years, we’ve been putting together awesome Iceland vacations. And we can do the same for you. We’ll organize your accommodation, local transport, and a detailed itinerary. So you can focus on what’s important: getting excited about your trip!

Discover Iceland’s top attractions

Where else can you see towering waterfalls, powerful volcanoes, and ginormous glaciers, all in the same day? And that’s just what Mother Nature has to offer, Iceland’s packed full of awesome culture too.

South Iceland

East Iceland

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Geysir and strokkur, skaftafell nature reserve.

Snæfellsnes peninsula

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Our trip to iceland was absolutely stunning and charlie the traveler curated an amazing and adventurous trip for us that kept in mind all of the attractions that were on our list and many other gems this beautiful country has to offer..

Our trip to Iceland was absolutely stunning and Charlie the Traveler curated an amazing and adventurous trip for us that kept in mind all of the attractions that wer...

Laurie Nelson

My husband and I had an excellent trip to Iceland this January.

My husband and I had an excellent trip to Iceland this January. Our hotels, itineraries, and travel were all taken care of, which made our vacation so much more enjo...

The trip to Iceland through CharlieTheTraveler was filled with activities.

The trip to Iceland through CharlieTheTraveler was filled with activities. I enjoyed every second of this trip. The company made every part of the trip painless and ...

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This trip to Iceland perfectly captured all the natural wonders of the country.

This trip to Iceland perfectly captured all the natural wonders of the country. I am so glad I went with CharlieTheTraveler, as they were organized and planned a var...

This is such a beautiful country and I am happy I got the opportunity to experience it.

I like vacations with a lot of activity, so when I came across the Iceland trip offered by CharlieTheTraveler, I knew it would be perfect. There was so much to do in...

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12 Best Glacier Tours in Iceland in 2024 | Top Locations + Best Tours

March 18, 2024

Paula Martinelli

Wondering what are the best glacier tours in Iceland?

You’re at the right place! With so many options to choose from it can be confusing to pick the best option for you. It will depend on what area, if you are looking for a short or a long tour, including visiting an ice cave or only doing the glacier hiking in Iceland or a combo. Phew! But this guide has the 12 best glacier tours in Iceland for you!

Now if you are wondering: Is it worth it to go on a glacier tour in Iceland? – My honest answer is glacier tours in Iceland is truly worth it. If you love hiking in the nature, a glacier hike in Iceland will give you a whole new twist on that activity.

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Book this Sólheimajök ull: Guided Glacier Hike – with a 4.7 ⭐️ rating with over 600 reviews.

This guide to the absolute best Glacier tours in Iceland covers a wide range of interests. Including an ice climbing tour , the incredible opportunity to go on a natural ice cave , or if you are an adrenaline junkie you can go on a glacier snowmobile tour and many other amazing tours!

Here you can find very useful information and have no doubts you will choose the right glacier tours in Iceland. Plus two bonus sections to help to choose the best location and to answer all your questions. So, get ready to hike the top glaciers in Iceland, and discover some of Iceland’s most incredible sights.

You may also be love this articles:

• Glacier Hike in Iceland + Ice Climbing: Exploring Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Best 10-day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary
• How to Travel to Iceland on a Budget + Tips to save money

Best Glacier Tours in Iceland Overview

If you are short in time, you can have a quick scan of this table that will help you to choose the best glacier tours in Iceland that fits perfectly your needs. This table shows the best glacier tours in Iceland and a rundown of what each one offers! 

Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike

🏆 TOP PICK: This Sólheimajök ull: Guided Glacier Hike is the most popular glacier hike in Iceland due to its proximity to Reykjavik. You can book it any time of the year.

📍 TOUR LOCATION : It is conveniently located en route to the most popular landmarks (Skogafoss and Vik Beach)

⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 Hours

⭐️ Rating: Rating: 4.7/5 (686 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

💡   EXPERT TIP:  Before booking your  glacier tours in Iceland , read the  frequently asked questions (FAQ)  section for the tour(s) you’re considering, to ensure you pick the best one for your needs and interests. 

What to Look For When Choosing Your Glacier Tours in Iceland?

⭐️ CUSTOMER REVIEWS: Make sure you read carefully the whole description of the tour you choose to do and book in advance to make sure you will be able to join the right tour on the right day. Also, read customers’ reviews to make sure it is a well-rated tour and avoid any frustration. If you are short on time the Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike is the best-rated glacier hike, and is very close to Reykjavik, making it a great day trip option.

🏆 HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR TOUR : Pay attention to what the tours offer such as hiking and safety gear, transportation, and if they offer small group tours.

❄️ TOUR TYPE: Decide if you want to go on a Glacier Hike or on a Combo with Ice Climbing. Some combos also offer ice caves or even tours that combine to go chase the Northern Lights.

📍 TOUR LOCATION : Decide if you want to go on a Glacier Tour at Sólheimajökull vs. Vatnajökull Glacier. You cannot go wrong with any location, but I recommend deciding based on your itinerary. Check at the end of this article for a detailed review of the best locations for you .

12 Best Glacier Tours in Iceland Reviews

1. top overall glacier tour: sólheimajökull guided glacier hike.

🏆 TOP PICK MOST POPULAR GLACIER HIKING IN ICELAND 🔥 🔥

Tour at a Glance:

❄️ TOUR TYPE: Glacier Hike

📍 TOUR LOCATION: Sólheimajökull Glacier

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3-Hours

⭐️ RATING:  4.7/5 (686 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

Why Take This Glacier Tour in Iceland:

This Sólheimajökull: Guided Glacier Hike is the most popular glacier hike in Iceland due to its proximity to Reykjavik. It isconveniently located en route to the most popular landmarks (Skogafoss and Vik beach) and you can book it any time of the year. The guides are extremely professional, and they will make sure you are well prepare and safe during the whole activity.

• You will hike across the ice of the Sólheimajökull Glacier.
• Get detailed explanations about the glacier formations from a specially trained guide.
• On the way, you will discover ice cave tunnels and an amazing glacier lagoon.
• This tour is great because you can enjoy the intimacy of a small group, a family-friendly experience

“We absolutely loved it. It was a great difficulty level. Was hard enough that experienced hikers feel a little challenged and yet easy enough that even young children came along and seemed to not have trouble. The glacier itself is a fascinating and beautiful thing to behold.” Jeffery (read more reviews now)

2. THE TOP COMBO TOUR: Sólheimajökull Ice Climb and Glacier Hike

🏆 MY PERSONAL TOP PICK COMBO TOUR IN ICELAND 🏆

❄️ TOUR TYPE: Glacier Hike + Ice Climb

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  4-Hours

⭐️ RATING:  4.9/5 (55 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

This Sólheimajökull Ice Climb and Glacier Hike is the tour I chose to do, and highly recommend it. The Glacier hike experience is epic, plus the opportunity to learn basic skills and actually climb an ice wall is a must-do while in Iceland. You can read all my experiences on Ice Climbing & glacier hike tour in Iceland .

• They offer small groups of no more than 6 people, provide all the glacier equipment,
• With this tour, you will climb the ice walls of the Sólheimajökull Glacier
• You will love the opportunity to see the ice formations, crevasses, and tunnels up close
• You will learn how to climb ice with the help of a certificated glacier guide, and they are really amazing!

“ Great experience, our lovely guide shared interesting facts/info throughout the hike and confidently supported our group on the ice climb. I was a nervous climber ( fear of heights & unfit!) but she was so reassuring and patient, I was amazed I managed to do the ice climbing to the top (& proud of myself for doing it)! She was also very safety conscious throughout and would find safe spots for taking pictures. Would certainly recommend .” GetYourGuide Traveler (read more reviews now)

3. BEST ECO-FRIENDLY TOUR: Eco-Friendly Tour on Sólheimajökull Glacier

🏆 POPULAR TOUR AND LIKELY TO SELL OUT

❄️ TOUR TYPE: Glacier Hike with certified glacier guide

⭐️ RATING:  5/5 (34 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

Embark on an eco-friendly adventure with this Eco-Friendly Tour on Sólheimajökull Glacier , delving into the breathtaking beauty of Iceland’s glaciers through an intimate small-group hike.

Your journey begins at the base camp, where the local expert equips you with all the necessary gear, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience. Lace up your boots and step onto Sólheimajökull Glacier, immersing yourself in its icy wonders and exploring the enchanting glacier lagoon. During this tour, you will gain fascinating insights into the glacier’s formation and witness icebergs up close. Don’t miss out on this sustainable and educational glacier hike —it’s an experience like no other

• Our half-day tour includes several photo stops
• Maximize time with a small-group tour
• Glacier hiking gear is provided

“ Our guide was fantastic, we got more out of the tour than we expected aside from hiking (drank glacier water, climbed a glacier crack, went in a glacier ice cave), and we had such a great time! The views were spectacular and we lucked out with the weather and a rainbow. 10/10 would recommend! “ Kellia (read more reviews now)

4. TOP TOUR FROM REYKJAVIK: Small-Group South Coast Tour & Glacier Hike

🏆 BEST TOUR IF YOU ARE VISITING REYKJAVIK

❄️ TOUR TYPE: Combo, visit the South Coast + Glacier Hike

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  12-Hours

⭐️ RATING:  4.7/5 (44 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

This Small-Group South Coast Tour & Glacier Hike offers an extraordinary day trip from Reykjavik and delves into the untamed beauty of Iceland. Prepare to be captivated by the magnificent Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, where cascading waters create awe-inspiring spectacles.

Be captivated by the mystical Reynisdrangar sea stacks, rising majestically from the roaring ocean waves. But the adventure doesn’t end there – brace yourself for the excitement of a guided walk on the amazing Solheimajokull Glacier, immersing into a frozen world adorned with breathtaking ice formations.

During this tour you will have a complimentary WIFI aboard a cozy and climate-controlled van.

• You will walk behind a wall of water at the Seljalandsfoss waterfall
• Have the opportunity to hike the glacier tongue of the Solheimajokull Glacier
• Take advantage to learn the Viking history of Iceland on a small group tour of the south coast
• Get incredible panoramic views of the Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla volcanoes on clear days

“Excellent tour with impressive viewpoints during the tour. Highlight for me was the the glacier hike; but also the waterfalls were amazing to see. Our Tourguide and driver Christopher was outstanding, he gave us a lot of insights during the tour of the stops and Iceland. Definitely recommend this tour for those who want to see something extraordinary.” GetYourGuide Travler (read more reviews now)

5. TOP TOUR FOR FAMILIES: Sólheimajökull 3-Hour Glacier Hike

🏆 TOP TOUR FOR ANYONE TRAVELING WITH FAMILIES & KIDS

⭐️ RATING:  4.8/5 (78 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

This Sólheimajökull 3-Hour Glacier Hike you will hike the stunning glacier of Mýrdalsjökull, designed for all nature enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable experience. Beneath the glistening ice cap lies Katla, one of Iceland’s largest and most impressive volcanoes, with its last eruption dating back to 1918.

Your journey begins at the Sólheimajökull parking lot, where you’ll meet your expert guide and receive all the necessary safety equipment. As you make your way toward the glacier, you’ll be given a comprehensive safety briefing and a tutorial on attaching crampons to your sturdy boots.

Immerse yourself in the wonders of the impermanent glacier formations, exploring crevasses and moulins that unveil the ever-changing nature of this icy landscape. Throughout the hike, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and catch glimpses of volcanic ash delicately scattered across the glacier.

• You will love hiking on the Sólheimajökull Glacier
• Get the opportunity to learn from an experienced and certified glacier guide
• You will have the opportunity to gaze into the ice tunnels and crevasses

“This was a great adventure! Just learning to walk in the crampons was fun – getting to climb on a glacier was icing on the cake. And our guide Gab was amazing!! He was so cool and interesting, but also so thoughtful and aware of all the guests and took extra good care of our 9 year old who had a little trouble in the high winds. He also took pictures of every travel group at several amazing viewpoints.” GetYourGuide Traveler (read more reviews now)

6. BUDGET-FRIENDLY TOUR: Skaftafell Glacier Hike 3-Hour Small Group Tour

🏆 BEST VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY GLACIER HIKE TOUR IN ICELAND 💸

📍 TOUR LOCATION: Vatnajökull Glacier

⭐️ RATING:  5 /5 (450 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

This Skaftafell Glacier Hike 3-Hour Small Group Tour tour offers the best value for your money. You will go on an extraordinary adventure into the mesmerizing realm of Vatnajökull, one of Iceland’s most spectacular natural wonders. You will be led by certified guides who will unveil a world of awe-inspiring ice formations and deep crevasses within Skaftafell National Park.

With your safety as the top priority, they provide all the necessary equipment, ensuring you can explore this icy wonderland with peace of mind. Delve into the glacier’s enchanting landscapes while receiving personalized attention from your guide, thanks to our small-group tour limited to just 12 people.

• This is a very affordable glacier tour, at US$110 per person
• Get breathtaking views of the ice-covered peaks of Skaftafell National Park in the epic wilderness of Iceland.
• Sweeping views over the icy formations and rugged terrain
• All safety equipment included

The guide was super fun and you can tell he enjoys giving the tour. The tour itself was not difficult physically. The glacier was an amazing sight and the water was cold and refreshing! Definitely would consider doing the 5hr tour next time! 10/10 Ernie (read more reviews now)

7. TOP SHORT ICE CAVE TOUR: Glacier Natural Ice Cave Tour

🏆 THE BEST OPTION ICE CAVE TOUR IF YOU ARE SHORT ON TIME

❄️ TOUR TYPE: Glacier Hike + Cave Tour Combo

⭐️ RATING:  4.7/5 (193 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

With this amazing Glacier Natural Ice Cave Tour, you have the opportunity to experience the glacial landscape and the natural ice cave with incredible formations in a cave inside the largest glacier in Europe Make your own way to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon to experience a natural ice cave from the luxury of a huge custom-made super jeep.

Uncover the captivating history of these caves and witness their ever-changing nature with the shifting seasons. Whether you crave the freedom to explore at your own pace or prefer the company of a knowledgeable guide for a richer experience, the choice is yours.

Embark on a magical adventure with the Natural Blue Ice Cave Tour of Vatnajökull Glacier from Jökulsárlón—an exclusive journey filled with breathtaking natural beauty and an unforgettable peek into the heart of the glacier

• Take a guided tour to an ice cave aboard one of Iceland’s largest super jeeps
• Experience the winter phenomenon of a natural ice cave in all its beauty
• Learn about the wonders of nature and how the ice cave came to formation

“ This ice cave is exceptional. Our guide David was very knowledgable about the landscape, professional and friendly. The cave really is as blue as the pictures. We would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Iceland. It is well worth the trip. “ Robert (read more reviews now)

8. TOP SMALL-GROUP ON A BUDGET: Glacier Wonders Adventure From Skaftafell

🏆 THE BEST OPTION SMALL GROUP TOUR WITH THE BEST VALUE 💸

📍 TOUR LOCATION: Skaftafell Glacier

⭐️ RATING:  4.8/5 (102 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

This Skaftafell Extra-Small Group Glacier Hike tour is a great option because it offers a very small group tour with a maximum of 8 people.

Under the guidance of your expert instructor, master the skills needed to use your climbing equipment with confidence. Venture through the glacier valley, ascending onto the pristine ice as you follow your knowledgeable guide.

• You will see stunning ice formations, moulins, crevasses, and crystal-clear blue pools.
• Have the chance to marvel at Skaftafell and its surrounding mountainous landscapes on a 4×4 drive
• You will enjoy an intimate small-group tour with a maximum of 8 participants with a certified English-speaking guide

“Our guide was super safety oriented and very friendly. He also knew a great deal about the glacier and educated us with many Interesting facts. I would HIGHLY recommend this. It was a nice hike, but not crazy and it was the most beautiful view ever being up there! We even ended up filling our water bottles from glacier water!” Brian (read more reviews now)

Best Unique Glacier Tours in Iceland

9. top-rated tour: golden circle and glacier snowmobile tour.

🏆 TOP-RATED TOUR WITH OVER 600+ REVIEWS ⭐️

❄️ TOUR TYPE: Glacier snowmobile+ Golden Circle Tour

📍 TOUR LOCATION: Golden Circle and Langjökull Glacier

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  11-Hours

⭐️ RATING:  4.6/5 (641 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

With this Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobile Tour , you will see the spouting geyser and hot springs of Iceland’s Golden Circle. Stand on one of Europe’s biggest glaciers, and follow in the footsteps of Vikings down the lava canyon where the American and European continents drift apart in Þingvellir National Park.

Set off from Reykjavík in the early morning and make the most of the radiant morning sun on this unique and comfortable journey. Hop aboard our brand new bus, specially equipped with individual computer tablets at each seat. Stay connected throughout the trip with convenient onboard USB chargers and enjoy free Wi-Fi access, ensuring you’re always connected and ready to capture every moment of your adventure.

• You will have fun riding a snowmobile through one of Europe’s last great wilderness areas
• You will have the opportunity to see an erupting geyser and a variety of hot springs
• Get amazed when you feel the spray of the 32-meter-high Gullfoss Waterfall
• Take the opportunity to learn about the Vikings in Thingvellir National Park

“1000% recommend this trip, what an amazing experience, my husband and I did this trip back in early February and it was wonderful. The trip up to the glacier was amazing the views were just beautiful. The snowmobiling itself was great (even though I tipped it up) which the staff were super quick at stopping to see if we were ok. the views at the top were stunning as they were also on the way and back. Book it your won’t be disappointed.” GetYourGuide Traveler (read more reviews now)

10. TOP PRIVATE TOUR: Glacier and Ice Cave Private Photoshoot – 20 Shot Photo Package

🏆 BEST PRIVATE TOUR INCLUDING PHOTO SHOOT 📸

📍 TOUR LOCATION: Jökulsárlón Glacier

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  6-Hours

⭐️ RATING:  8/5 (5 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

This Glacier and Ice Cave Private Photoshoot is an extraordinary adventure in Iceland’s glacier paradise and create timeless memories of your Jökulsárlón experience with a truly unique offering: a private tour accompanied by your very own personal photographer.

Get ready to be captivated as you wander through glacial tundra, explore the majestic glacier, and delve into several ice caves. Throughout this adventure, a skilled photographer will expertly capture breathtaking photos of you amidst these awe-inspiring natural wonders

• Jökulsárlón glacier walk led by a photographer
• Private tour, exclusively for your party: A personalized experience
• Commemorate your glacier adventure with a photo album that will last a lifetime
• Eat lunch on the ice while witnessing the sunset on the glacier

“Ice Pic Journeys was a fantastic experience! From the ease of booking, to the expertise of the guide, to the photos we received, everything was exceptional. Our guide Adam was super knowledgeable about Iceland and was kind, funny, and also worked with my boyfriend to plan an epic proposal! The zipline he set up also looked totally safe and secure, and of course he tested it himself before letting us go haha. And then the ice cave was beautiful. We ended up getting to drink fresh glacier water too! We ended up being the only 2 on the adventure and it truly felt like a personal experience. I can’t recommend this company enough. They made our time in Iceland unforgettable!” Tripadvisor Reviewer (read more reviews now)

11. TOP ADVENTUROUS TOUR: Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep from Vik

🏆 BEST ADVENTURE TOUR IN ICELAND WITH OUTSTANDING REVIEWS ⭐️

📍 TOUR LOCATION: Reykjavik

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  14-Hours

⭐️ RATING:  4.6/5 (686 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

This Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep from Vik is the BEST tour for adventurers! From Vík, take a jeep ride to the natural ice cave at Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, situated below the Katla volcano.

Equipped with crampons and a helmet, you’ll be ready to explore this natural phenomenon. With this tour, you will learn about the Katla volcano and the ice cave’s formation while you enjoy the natural ice cave tour.

• You will have the amazing opportunity to explore a natural ice cave
• Take advantage to learn about the Katla volcano and the ice cave’s formation from the professional guides
• Marvel yourself with the views of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier

“ Amazing seeing a glacial ice cave and going inside! The experience of going in this big 4×4 all the way to the cave and then walking inside was unique. Seeing how fast the glacier melts is eye opening. Some parts were a bit scary as you need to walk on ice, but they provide all the necessary equipment. Very nice activity!! “ GetYourGuide Traveler (read more reviews now)

12. BEST 2-DAY TOUR: Jokulsarlon with Glacier Hike & South Coast Waterfalls

🏆 TOP COMBO TOUR IN ICELAND WITH 5-STAR REVIEWS ⭐️

❄️ TOUR TYPE: Glacier Ice Cave + South Coast Waterfalls Combo

📍 TOUR LOCATION: Departure from Reykjavik, travel to South Coast, waterfalls and glacier hike, Glacier Lagoon and Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2-days

⭐️ RATING:  5/5 (102 Reviews) | Details: Read more reviews now!

Imagine being surrounded by the awe-inspiring beauty of frozen glaciers, lava fields, and cascading waterfalls at Jökulsárlón—it’s a paradise for adventurous souls. But navigating this pristine wilderness solo can be risky. That’s where this exceptional overnight tour steps in, ensuring a safe and immersive experience like no other.

This thoughtfully planned excursion includes essential elements such as accommodation, breakfast, and safety equipment, ensuring your utmost comfort and peace of mind. Prepare to be enchanted as you discover remarkable natural attractions along the way, including the awe-inspiring Skógafoss waterfall that cascades with breathtaking power.

With this incredible tour, you will dive into the magic of the Solheimajokull glacier and behold the surreal beauty of Jökulsárlón lagoon. This tour will take you on a journey together with expert guides sharing insights, unveiling the secrets and stories that make these landscapes truly extraordinary.

• Explore Iceland’s wild south coast on an adventurous overnight tour
• Visit top attractions including Skógafoss waterfall and Jökulsárlón lagoon
• Hassle-free round-trip transport from your Reykjavik accommodation

“Absolute fantastic choice of places to visit, correct sequencing, very very guest friendly driver. Top overnight stay. So all in all a 5 star experience. Keep it up.” Sandeepa (read more reviews now)

❄️ BONUS: Best Locations for the Glacier Tours in Iceland

Most glacier tours in Iceland are conducted on  Sólheimajökull  and  Vatnajökull Glaciers . It will depend on weather conditions, and occasionally the glaciers may be temporarily closed.

📍 Sólheimajökull Glacier

This is the most popular choice because it is only 2-hour drive from Reykjavik – which makes it a very convenient location. You can hike Sólheimajökull Glacier on a day trip from Reykjavik or if you are visiting the South Coast of Iceland: Skogafoss Waterfall and Vik Beach. You can  book this tour on Sólheimajökull Glacier  any time of the year.

📍 Vatnajökull Glacier (Snæfellsjökull)

 This is the largest glacier in Europe, and is also part of the Vatnajökull National Park, with roughly 30 outlet glaciers.  Snæfellsjökull Glacier  is a glacier tongue of the huge Vatnajokull glacier where you can go hiking. Most of the glacier hikes on Vatnajökull start in  Skaftafell  – located a 4-hours drive from Reykjavik. While here, you can also add on kayaking or cruising Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon –   Check availability on this tour here.

📍 Sólheimajökull vs. Vatnajökull Glacier

Both are incredible places to go glacier hiking in Iceland – but it will depend mainly on your preferences and location.

I chose to go hiking in Vatnajökull because I was on the  Ring Road road trip , so adding this activity to my itinerary was very convenient. 

Also, it is farther from Reykjavik and it tends to have lower crowds at this glacier. Plus, in Vatnajökull there are several outlet glaciers to hike, making the crowds lower and you can hike the largest glacier in Europe!

❄️ BONUS: Best Glacier Tours in Iceland FAQ

Is it worth it to go on a glacier tour in iceland.

ABSOLUTELY YES! A trip to Iceland is not completed without adding glacier hike. This was the highlight of my trip, and I highly recommend you to add it to you Iceland Bucket list too. You can add a combo to your glacier hike, such as ice caves or ice wall climbing, or you can only go on a glacier hike.

How hard it is a glacier hiking in Iceland?

The glacier hiking in Iceland is not hard, and it can be done by almost everyone, including kids. It was my first time and I felt super safe. The guides will train you at a safe place before they take you to climb, and no previous experience is required.

Do I need to be fit to add ice climbing?

You need some level of fitness, so good news, you can use  Your next vacation as a fitness goal motivation .  But they will adapt the activity based on the fitness level of the group.

Can I hike glacier in Iceland on my own?

No, you cannot go glacier hike in Iceland on your own. Do not venture onto the glacier without the right equipment (crampons and ice picks) and an experienced guide . The ice is incredibly slippery and you will not make it far. You don’t want to cut your trip short slipping on the ice or falling into a crevasse.

When is the best time to go glacier hiking in Iceland?

The good news is that  the tour companies offer Glacier Hike in Iceland all year round.  If you also want to explore an ice cave, the best months are between November and March, it is when the ice caves are open and safe to explore. If you decide to go hike the Vatnajökull Glacier, you can also add a  combination tour with a boat ride on Jokulsárlón Lagoon.

How long does a glacier hiking in Iceland take?

It may take 4 to 5 hours, it depends on the weather conditions. But it is so much fun and so much to do and see that 5 hours just fly.You can also do shorter tours (2-3 hours) that may exclude ice climbing, but include a glacier tour.

Do I need any equipment?

Yes, to go glacier hike in Iceland you will need special shoes, crampons, special warm layers of clothes and a helmet. If you go ice climb you will also need harness, and ice axes, which will be provided by your guide who will also take care of the ropes.

Best Glacier Tours in Iceland Conclusion

I hope this best glacier tours in Iceland guide has helped you to choose the perfect tour for you. Whether you choose to climb on ice, ride on top of it, or go inside, there is an Iceland glacier tour for everyone.

While this article featured the 10 Best glacier hike tours in Iceland, you might still be undecided – so let me help you!

Still unsure about the best Glacier hike tours in Iceland? I suggest this Sólheimajök ull: Guided Glacier Hike – with a 4.7 ⭐️ rating with over 500 reviews.

These best glacier tours in Iceland will have you packing your bags and planning your trip! Just don’t forget to wear the right clothing and you will be good to go!

If you are wondering what to pack, how to get around, what age you can go on the tours, and all the other questions, I answer all of them on this Everything you should know before you go on a glacier hike in Iceland .

If you still have any questions, just leave me a comment below and I will connect with you. If you are planning a trip to Iceland, you may also enjoy these:

• How to plan a trip to Iceland
• 10-day Ring Road itinerary in Iceland
• Iceland on Budget + resources to plan your trip cost
• Iceland 10-hidden gems
• 25 Best Landmarks in Iceland

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Tips For Travel To Iceland: How to Plan a Perfect Trip to Iceland

Perfect Iceland Ring Road 10-day Itinerary: Ultimate Road Trip + Map

How Much is a Trip to Iceland + Tips to Create your Budget for Iceland!

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30 Best Things to Do in Iceland + MAP

Home | Travel | Europe | Iceland | 30 Best Things to Do in Iceland + MAP

Deciding what to do in Iceland is the most difficult part of planning a trip to this beautiful country, as the Land of Fire and Ice is full of majestic landscapes.

Since we love this country so much, we run Iceland photo tours every year. We’ve been to the island many times, so we’ve gotten to explore its most impressive spots, and now we’re sharing our tips! To help you plan your trip, I’m going to tell you about the most beautiful places to visit in Iceland.

But before I do so, I want to tell you that there are several ways to tour this country. The best option is to rent a car in Iceland so you can freely explore the island at your own pace. However, if you don’t want to drive, you can book many excursions from Reykjavík  or take advantage of one of the top  Iceland vacation packages , which include transportation and accommodation.

Now, let’s dive into the best  things to do in Iceland  so you can start planning the trip of your dreams!

1. Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon, the coolest thing to do in Iceland

The  Blue Lagoon  has become one of the must-see  attractions in Iceland , and for good reason.

Nestled in the middle of a lava field, this milky-blue geothermal bath is just 45 minutes from the capital city of Reykjavík and it’s said that the lagoon’s silica and sulfur-rich waters have medicinal properties that can soothe some skin ailments.

To bathe in the Blue Lagoon, you’ll need to buy a ticket, and since it’s one of the most  beautiful places in Iceland , it’s very popular, so I suggest purchasing one in advance. Our guide to  Iceland’s Blue Lagoon  has all the information you need.

Enjoying a soak in the Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular activities to do in Iceland, but if you don’t want to pay, there are several free options such as the Reykjadalur thermal river. I recommend reading our guide to  Iceland’s hot springs  to find a natural pool along your route that fits your budget.

2. Gullfoss, the famous waterfall in Iceland’s Golden Circle

Gullfoss  is one of the most popular  landmarks in Iceland  thanks to its immense beauty. It’s considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country and is also known as the Golden Waterfall. Lying within the course of the Hvítá River, Gullfoss has become one of the most important stops in  Iceland’s Golden Circle .

Visiting this waterfall is one of the best things to do in Iceland because its waters seem to disappear into the depths of the earth. In reality, the waterfall was formed from a crack in the earth’s crust. When you look at Gullfoss head-on, you can see that the waterfall is made of three falls within a 230-foot canyon. The smallest one is about 36 feet high, while the other two are 69 feet and 105 feet high.

Moreover, Gullfoss is one of our favorite places to see the Northern Lights in the Golden Circle. The area is usually crowded with tourists during the day, but if you’re willing to wait until nightfall, you can see the lovely aurora in peace.

3. Geysir & Strokkur geothermal area, an impressive place to visit in Iceland

If you’re wondering  what to do in Iceland ‘s Golden Circle, check out the geothermal area of ​​the  Haukadalur Valley . Also known as the Valley of Geysers, this is where you’ll find  Geysir , the first geyser discovered in the world. This impressive natural phenomenon expels hot steam, gases, and water from inside the earth, making it an awesome  place to go in Iceland .

While Geysir has been inactive for a long time, you can catch another geyser, Strokkur, erupt about a quarter-mile away. Strokkur can launch jets of steam and water as hot as 194° F to a height of nearly 100 feet. This may seem unimpressive compared to the 260 feet that Geysir was used to reach, but when you see it in person, it’s quite remarkable.

This area is certainly a cool place to visit in Iceland, and the eruptions occur every 5-10 minutes, so you won’t have to wait too long to enjoy this natural spectacle. From my experience, getting there around sunrise is the best time to go, as Strokkur’s jets of steam look amazing at this hour.

4. Thingvellir National Park, a unique place in Iceland you can’t miss

As you may have guessed by now, the Golden Circle is a  must-see in Iceland . Along with the Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area, the Golden Circle is also home to  Thingvellir National Park .

This national park is one of  Iceland’s best attractions  and was even declared a  UNESCO  World Heritage Site since it’s where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates separate. Curiously, these plates shift about half a centimeter every year, creating the  Almannagjá crack , which you can currently walk through.

Another interesting  sight to see in Iceland ‘s Thingvellir National Park is the Law Rock, where the world’s first Icelandic parliament,  Alþing , was located. This area is also where you’ll find the  Öxarárfoss waterfall ,  Pingvallavatn Lake , and  Thingvallakirkja , one of Iceland’s first churches.

Plus, Thingvellir is where you can do one of the coolest activities on the island: snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure in Pingvallavatn Lake. It’s one of the most unique experiences because you can dive between two continents. If you want to snorkel here, you’ll need to book a tour like  this one .

5. Bruarfoss, the most beautiful waterfall to see in Iceland

Bruarfoss  is one of the most beautiful waterfalls to  visit in Iceland . It’s also within the Golden Circle, about 9 miles from the town of Laugarvatn.

To get to the waterfall, you have to pass through an area that is privately owned, and ever since the owners decided to cut off access, it’s been harder to get to Bruarfoss.

Now you must park in the official car lot and walk about 45 minutes along the Brúarà River. Trust me, the walk is well worth it because the waterfall is one of the most spectacular  sites in Iceland .

What makes this waterfall especially beautiful is its intense turquoise water, which has earned it the nickname Blue Waterfall of Iceland. Also, now that the area is less accessible, it’s one of the most tranquil  things to do in Iceland .

6. Black sand Beach of Iceland and Vík

Vík , the southernmost town in the country, is one of the   best  places to visit in Iceland  thanks to its beautiful landscapes and interesting attractions.

Here, you’ll find  Reynisfjara Beach , also known as Black Sand Beach of Iceland , which is one of  Iceland’s top attractions . While beautiful, it’s also quite dangerous due to its strong and sometimes lethal “sneaker waves” that can drag you out to sea.

6. Black Beach of Iceland and Vík, two top attractions in Iceland

What differentiates  Reynisfjara  from the other black sand beaches is the  Reynishverfi , the striking basalt cliffs where puffins and seabirds nest in the summer. Also, in this area are the  Reynisdrangar  sea-stacks, protruding cliffs that rise nearly 200 feet out of the water. Many locals say they look like petrified trolls.

Vík offers plenty of other  things to do in Iceland , such as visiting the 300-foot-high arch of  Dyrhólaey  near Reynisfjara Beach. If you go, be sure to also check out the Dyrhólaey lighthouse, from which you’ll get a panoramic view of the black sandy beach of Solheimafjara.

I recommend taking full advantage of your time in Vík and also stopping by the  Víkurkirkja Church , which looks like something out of a postcard. Its white walls and red roof look striking against the beautiful Icelandic landscape.

7. Take a Zodiac boat through the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon

If you’re looking for  fun activities in Iceland , I highly recommend taking a Zodiac boat tour through the  Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon .

Jökulsárlón  is one of the must-see places to add to your Iceland itinerary. Seeing how the large blocks of blue ice break off the glacier is a unique experience, and if you want an up-close view, I suggest booking  this tour .

During your Zodiac boat tour, you’ll cruise among the icebergs of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and approach the area where the glacier breaks up. Plus, it’s not uncommon to see seals playing in the ice or lounging on the icebergs, so keep an eye out!

Since the tour uses a small boat, you’ll avoid hitting the icebergs while also being able to get closer to the glacier and maybe even see some ice fall from the giant natural structure.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most  adventurous things to do in Iceland . The impressive Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon is the deepest lake on the island, and the ice that forms its icebergs is believed to be over 10,000 years old.

8. Diamond Beach, one of the top attractions in Iceland

Although Reynisfjara Beach is considered one of the most beautiful in the world,  Diamond Beach  is a worthy rival. This beach also has black sand, which contrasts with the chunks of ice that break off the Vatnajokull glacier and travel through the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon to reach the shore.

It is precisely this contrast of blue ice with volcanic black sand that makes Diamond Beach one of the most popular  attractions in Iceland , as well as one of the most photographed. Here, you can truly see why Iceland is considered the Land of Fire and Ice.

If you’re looking for the best time to visit this place, I suggest going at sunrise when the ice takes on an orange glow. Besides, visiting Diamond Beach is one of the top  things to do in Iceland  if you’re traveling along the  Ring Road , as it’s right at the foot of Highway 1.

9. Hallgrímskirkja & other places to visit in Reykjavík, Iceland

Reykjavík , the capital of the country, is one of the  best cities to visit in Iceland . Among the many  things to do in Reykjavík ,  Hallgrímskirkja  is a must-see. This Lutheran church has a peculiar shape that reflects the hexagonal basalt columns you can see throughout the island.

Hallgrímskirkja’s bell tower is just over 245 feet high, so you can see it from different points in the city. If you want to climb to the top of the tower, you’ll have to pay 1000 ISK (about USD 8.30) for a ticket, but it’s worth it for the amazing views.

9. Hallgrímskirkja & other places in Reykjavík, one of the best cities to visit in Iceland

In addition to this beautiful church, Reykjavík is also home to the  Harpa Concert Hall , which has a futuristic appearance that contrasts the Hallgrímskirkja church. Other places of interest are the famous  Sun Voyager sculpture and the artsy downtown area of  Laugavegur , where you can see cool street art. I also recommend getting a  ticket  to the  Perlan Museum , which is dedicated to the incredible geography of Iceland.

Visiting Reykjavík is one of the  coolest things to do in Iceland , and there are so many attractions to see here. I recommend getting the  Reykjavík City Card , which grants you free admission to several sites, as well as unlimited bus rides and a ferry trip to Viðey Island, another popular spot.

10. Seljalandsfoss, the Icelandic waterfall you can walk behind

Seljalandsfoss  is one of the  waterfalls in Iceland  you must see since, in addition to its beauty, you can walk behind the cascading water.

This waterfall is one of the most incredible  sights to see in Iceland , and it’s especially convenient if you’re traveling the Ring Road. Seljalandsfoss is over 195 feet tall, and there is a small cave just behind the water so you can see the falls from behind. Of course, since it’s one of the most popular things to do in Iceland , the area is always full of tourists, but it’s still worth going to.

Another Icelandic waterfall that’s very close to Seljalandsfoss is  Gljúfrabúi , also known as the Hidden Waterfall or the Secret Waterfall of Iceland. While it’s smaller, at just over 130 feet, it’s much less crowded. Plus, it’s inside a cave, so it’s one of the most magical waterfalls in the country.

I recommend taking advantage of your visit to Seljalandsfoss by taking the short walk to Gljúfrabúi; you won’t regret it!

11. Skógafoss, another famous waterfall in Iceland that you must see

Skógafoss  is another  beautiful place in Iceland  that I recommend visiting. Also known as the Perfect Waterfall, it’s located at the end of the Skógá River, just inside the village of Skógar.

The waterfall has a drop of over 195 feet, but what really makes it spectacular is the surrounding area. The waters cascade over black stones that get covered in green moss in summer and snow in the winter, and the color contrast makes Skógafoss one of the most stunning  landmarks in Iceland .

Another feature that makes Skógafoss special is that you can view it from below or above, although to do the latter you’ll have to climb more than 400 steps. If you can do it, the views are well worth it, and you’ll also find the start of one of  Iceland’s best hiking trails ,  Fimmvörðuháls . It’s a 15.5-mile route that goes to Thórsmörk and passes through glaciers, waterfalls, and lava fields.

While you’re at Skógafoss, I recommend visiting  Kvernufoss , one of Iceland’s secret waterfalls. It’s on the other side of Skógar, and it’s just a 15-minute walk along the path, which is next to the Skógar Museum.

12. Visit Lake Mývatn, an awesome thing to do in North Iceland

Visiting  Lake Mývatn  is one of the best  things to do in North Iceland . The thermal lagoon has become one of the top options for travelers who want to escape the crowds that swarm to the Blue Lagoon. Not only is Lake Mývatn much quieter, but it’s cheaper and just as enjoyable.

The lagoon’s waters have an average temperature of 100° F and come from alkaline natural springs, which is said to make bathing here beneficial for your skin. To be sure that you’ll be able to soak in the hot spring, purchase a  ticket  in advance.

Moreover, next to the lake is the  Hverir geothermal area , also known as Námafjall, and it’s known for its fumaroles, bubbling mud pools, and geysers. You can find other  must-see places in Iceland  around here, like the  Grjótagjá Cave , which is a lava cave with a small interior lagoon. While it’s impressive, it’s way too hot to bathe in this pool.

There are other cool  things to see in Iceland ‘s Lake Mývatn area, such as  Dimmuborgir . Its name means “dark castles,” and here you’ll find some unusual volcanic formations that resulted from steam eruptions that took place beneath hot lava. The caverns and carved rock structures are often called the catacombs of hell by Icelanders, so it’s quite the sight!

Finally, I recommend hiking to the summit of the  Hverfjall volcano , from which you’ll get incredible views of the lake. Nearby, you can see the  Krafla volcano, Vití crater , and the  Leirhnjukur lava fields , all of which I recommend visiting if you have time.

13. See the Kerid crater, a must-do in Iceland

A good number of  Iceland’s main attractions  are concentrated in the Golden Circle, including the  Kerid crater .

This crater was formed over 6,500 years ago and stands out for its circular shape and aquamarine lake, which contrasts the surrounding reddish rocks and green moss. You’re not allowed to swim in the lake, but it’s one of the most  unique places in Iceland  worth visiting. You can sit on one of the benches by the lake and enjoy the scenery.

A few years ago, you could visit the crater for free, but now you have to pay 400 ISK (about USD 3.30) to enter. It’s a small price to pay to see this Iceland hot spot !

14. Svartifoss & Skaftafell National Park, two famous landmarks in Iceland

The  Skaftafell National Park  is another  must-see place in Iceland , and here you can find the  Svartifoss waterfall . Also known as the Black Waterfall, the water cascades onto basalt columns, and it’s this contrast of colors that makes it one of the  best waterfalls in Iceland .

This waterfall will leave you speechless any time of year, but it’s at its most beautiful in autumn when the surrounding vegetation turns a lovely orange color.

If you like hiking, then you must do the  Kristínartindar  route, which is one of the  best hiking trails in Iceland . The trail passes through Svartifoss and gives you sweeping views of the glaciers, fjords, and waterfalls that make up Skaftafell National Park. If you’re not sure  what to do in Iceland ‘s national park, I also recommend visiting the  blue ice caves , which I’ll describe below.

15. Visit an ice cave and hike on the Vatnajökull glacier

Hands down, the  best place to go in Iceland  in the winter is an  ice cave . Visiting one of these caverns is like traveling to a magical world, and it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Of all the excursions out there, I recommend  this tour , which will give you the chance to see the most spectacular ice formations. As you enter the blue ice cave, your guide will explain how the glaciers form and how they’re being affected by climate change.

The tour also includes a hike through the Svínafellsjökull glacial tongue, an incredible  attraction in Iceland  that originates from Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. If you go on a clear day, you can see  Hvannadalshnúkur , the highest point on the island, so it’s a great  thing to do in Iceland  if you love landscape photography.

16. DC-3 Plane Wreck, Iceland’s abandoned plane

The  DC-3 Plane Wreck  is another curious  sight to see in Iceland . This plane belonged to the U.S. Navy, and it crashed on the black sand beach of Sólheimasandur in 1973. While the pilot survived, the accident left the aircraft useless, so it was abandoned on the beach. Now, it’s a popular tourist spot in  Iceland to visit .

Until a few years ago, you could get to the wreck in a private car, but now the area is fenced off. So, you can either walk an hour to the crash site or  take this shuttle , an option I recommend if you’re short on time and don’t want to walk.

Moreover, just across the road from the plane wreck is the Sólheimajökul glacier, so be sure to take advantage of visiting it. You can even do  this guided hike , which is another  interesting thing to do in Iceland  if you have a few hours and you’d like to immerse yourself in the environment.

17. Whale-watching in Húsavík, one of the most popular activities in Iceland

For me, one of the  best things to do in Iceland  is  seeing whales in the wild . Witnessing these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat will be one of the highlights of your trip. We took  this tour from Húsavík in northern Iceland since it’s considered the whale capital of the country. It was an incredible experience because we were surrounded by beautiful landscapes in addition to seeing cetaceans and seabirds.

Since these are wild animals, each whale-watching tour is slightly different, and the guides can’t guarantee that you’ll see cetaceans. However, the whales are around the island all year, so, depending on when you go, you’ll have higher chances of seeing them. If you travel in the summer, it’s best to book an excursion from Húsavík or Akureyri in the north. Whale-watching tours from Reykjavík are available throughout the year.

Another thing to remember is that the whale species vary depending on the season. You’ll likely see minke whales, humpbacks, white-nosed dolphins, and porpoises in the summer. If you want to see killer whales, it’s better to go in the winter.

This is one of the top  activities in Iceland , so I recommend reading our guide on  Iceland’s whale-watching tours .

18. See the Northern Lights, the best thing to do in Iceland in the winter

Seeing the Northern Lights  is one of the top  things to do in Iceland  since the island is one of the best places in the world to see auroras. If you dream of seeing this magical celestial show, the  best time to travel to Iceland  is from September to March.

That said, you must consider other factors, such as cloud cover and solar activity. In other words, even if you visit Iceland  during Northern Lights season, you may not see the auroras if the weather conditions are unfavorable.

If it’s your first time hunting auroras, it’s best to book a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavík . An expert guide will take you to the spots where you’re most likely to see them, and you’ll be able to repeat the tour for free if you don’t see any the first time.

This is the  best thing to do in Iceland in winter  and to get the most of it, I recommend reading our guide with everything you need to know to  see the Northern Lights in Iceland .

19. See puffins and the midnight sun, one of the best things to do in Iceland in summer

Although the Northern Lights are one of the most popular  things to see in Iceland , there are other spectacular sights to see on the island in summer. This is when the midnight sun occurs, and tens of thousands of puffins arrive on the island.

You can see the  midnight sun  during the summer solstice, which occurs around June 21 in regions above the Arctic Circle. During the midnight sun, the area sees 24 hours of sunlight a day, so it’s one of the most  interesting things to see in Iceland .

There are many ways to enjoy this natural phenomenon, but if you want to make the most of your time, I suggest  this tour , which combines whale and puffin-watching with the midnight sun.

Seeing puffins  is another fun  summer activity in Iceland , particularly from April to August when the birds settle on the island to nest. You can find them in different parts of Iceland, although the best place to see them is in Reynisfjara, the black beach I mentioned earlier. You can also book  this tour  to see puffins while cruising on Reykjavík’s Old Harbour.

20. Stokksnes, one of the most amazing stops on Iceland’s Ring Road

Iceland’s Ring Road  is the most popular route in the country where you can find famous Icelandic landmarks, including the  black beach of Stokksnes .

This beach is in the southeast part of the island and stands out for its black dunes covered with golden straw and the impressive views of the  Vestrahorn  mountain in the distance. It’s no wonder why such an idyllic place is one of the  top attractions in Iceland .

To get to Stokksnes, you must go through the private area at the  Viking Café , so if you’re not staying at this hotel, you’ll have to pay 900 ISK (about USD 7.50). If you look at the visitor reviews, you’ll see that many travelers say that it’s not worth it, but if you’re into photography, it’s a  must-see in Iceland , and we always include it in our  Iceland photo tours .

Besides, Stokksnes is also home to the Viking village where they shot the popular  Vikings  series, so it’s quite interesting. It’s also a good  place to visit in Iceland  if you want beautiful views without the tourist crowds.

21. Dettifoss and Selfoss, two beautiful places in Iceland you should see

Dettifoss and Selfoss are two other waterfalls to see in Iceland. Both are within the course of the same Fjöllum River in northern Iceland.

Dettifoss  is the largest waterfall in the country (and all of Europe) and is located between two waterfalls, Selfoss and Hafragilsfoss. Dettifoss has a drop of nearly 150 feet, and it’s nearly 330 feet wide. The water flow can vary depending on the time of year, but it’s always an impressive sight to see.

The  Selfoss  waterfall is considered one of the country’s most impressive falls. While it’s only 36 feet tall, it has a peculiar, elongated shape that makes it one of the  most beautiful places in Iceland . During your visit, I suggest also seeing the  Hafragilsfoss  waterfall, which is lesser-known but still magnificent.

To get there, you’ll need a 4×4 to drive on Highway 864, which is unpaved but leads to the best views. If you don’t have the appropriate vehicle, you can take Highway 862. It’s paved, but the views from here aren’t as good.

22. Visit the Godafoss waterfall, another thing to do in northern Iceland

Goðafoss , also known as the Waterfall of the Gods, is another  beautiful place in Iceland  that you should see.

It lies within the course of the Skjálfandafljót River and is within walking distance of the Ring Road. At 40 feet high and about 100 feet wide, it’s quite impressive.

This  Iceland attraction  also has a legend surrounding it, which says that when the Christians came to the island, they threw the statues of the Norse gods into the water, which is why Goðafoss is called the Waterfall of the Gods.

If you have a 4×4, you can take advantage of your visit to Goðafoss and also see the  Aldeyjarfoss  and  Hrafnabjargafoss  waterfalls, two other  Icelandic landmarks . Aldeyjarfoss is my favorite waterfall, and, like Svartifoss, it cascades over black basalt columns. However, Aldeyjarfoss is much taller, and its deep blue water is mesmerizing. Hrafnabjargafoss is upstream.

23. Kirkjufell & the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, some of the best places in Iceland

Kirkjufell  is one of the top  Iceland tour spots  and the most photographed mountain in the country, thanks to its appearance in  Game of Thrones . At 1,520 feet high, its peculiar conical shape makes it easily recognizable. It’s a must-see on Iceland’s  Snæfellsnes Peninsula  and is especially beautiful at sunset or at night during Northern Lights season.

One of the drawbacks of this place is its popularity, so you’ll find quite a few tourists here. If you want to visit the  Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall  at sunset with the Kirkjufell mountain in the background, you’ll have to get there about an hour beforehand to secure a good spot.

While you’re on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, I suggest also visiting  Arnarstapi and Hellnar , two charming fishing villages. It’s best to hike the trail that goes from one town to the other so you can enjoy the landscapes full of cliffs, nesting seabirds, and the Gatklettur Arch.

Another interesting  place to go in Iceland ‘s Snæfellsnes Peninsula is the  Vatnshellir lava cave , which is about 8,000 years old. You can walk up to 650 feet into the cave, and it’s within the  Snæfellsjökull National Park , a great area for hiking. The peninsula is also home to the famous black  Búdakirkja church  and  Ytri Tunga beach , where you can see wild seals.

24. Landmannalaugar, the most popular area to visit in the Highlands of Iceland

If you’re looking for  things to do in Iceland in summer , I recommend going to  Landmannalaugar , the most popular area in the  Icelandic Highlands . You’ll need a 4×4 to cross the F-roads that lead to this area, which is where you’ll find one of the most active volcanoes in the country, the  Hekla volcano .

Landmannalaugar stands out for its beautiful rhyolite mountains, its fascinating hiking trails, and its hot springs, which have an average temperature of 98.6° F to 104° F.

In addition to its hot springs, Landmannalaugar’s main attraction is  Brennisteinsalda , Iceland’s most colorful mountain. It’s close to a campsite as well as longer hiking trails. If you have the time and enjoy hikes, I recommend the  Laugavegur route , which takes 3-4 days and leads to Thórsmörk. There is also the  Bláhnúkur route , known as the blue mountain, which takes just 4-5 hours.

On the way to Landmannalaugar, you can stop at a few other cool  places in Iceland ‘s Highlands. For example, there are the  Haifoss and Granni  waterfalls and the lovely lakes of  Bláhylur ,  Ljótipollur ,   and  Frostastaðavatn . I also recommend the  Sigöldugljufur Canyon and its many waterfalls, and the Stutur Volcanic Crater, also known as the apple volcano for its small size, perfect shape, and red and green color, depending on the season.

25. Thórsmörk, one of the most remote places to see in Iceland

Thórsmörk , while one of the most remote places, is another  must-visit in Iceland . I don’t recommend going there on your own, not even in a 4×4, because you have to ford a few large and potentially dangerous rivers. Instead, it’s best to book a bus to Thórsmörk  here  or take  this tour  from Reykjavík.

This mountainous area is perfect for lovers of nature and hiking, so if you’re like us, this is one of the  best attractions in Iceland . Besides, some of the most important  hiking trails in Iceland  pass through this valley.

The two most popular routes are  Fimmvörðuháls , which connects Skógar with Thórsmörk; and  Laugavegur , which connects Landmannalaugar and Thórsmörk. The first is about 18.5 miles, while the second is 34 miles, so you’ll need several days to complete either of the two.

If you don’t have the time, you can do a shorter trail, such as  Valahnukur , which is less than 3 miles. There is also the  Tindfjöll Circle , which is just over 10 miles. Whichever route you take, you’ll be in for a treat since Thórsmörk has some of the most magical landscapes on the island.

26. Fly over Iceland’s glacial rivers by helicopter

Some of the top  sightseeing tours in Iceland  are the  helicopter rides over the country’s glacial rivers . I can tell you that seeing the island and its vast geography from a bird’s eye view is an incredible experience.

To get the most of your flight, I recommend reading through our guide on the  best helicopter tours in Iceland , as there are many excursions and they each have something unique to offer. Of course, all of them will introduce you to Iceland’s various landscapes, including glacial rivers, lava fields, volcanoes, and lakes. Moreover, if you’re into photography like us, you’ll have plenty of things to shoot!

We did  this tour , which allowed us to customize our itinerary based on our preferences. We were able to see some of the most amazing places in Iceland, such as the Katla volcano, Thingvellir National Park, Vatnajökull glacier, several geysers, and other incredible sights. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I encourage you not to miss out!

27. Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll, two incredible sites to see in Iceland’s Highlands

In the  Highlands of Iceland , you’ll find plenty of interesting places, including  Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll . They’re both accessible via the F-35 road, which runs from the northern part of the island to the south.

Hveravellir  is a geothermal area with several natural pools. This was one of our favorite  places to go in Iceland , and we loved it so much that we spent a night in the mountain refuge here. Not only are the thermal baths wonderful, but the landscape is also quite spectacular.

Kerlingarfjöll  is another awesome area to  visit in Iceland  within the Highlands, especially if you like hiking. Here, you can spend the whole day walking among rhyolite hills, valleys, glaciers, and areas teeming with geothermal activity. The most striking thing about Kerlingarfjöll is that in the summer you can see snow on the taller peaks. Don’t worry if you’re short on time because you can still take the Hveradalir route, which is the best of all the trails.

While you don’t have to ford any large rivers to get to Hveravellir or Kerlingarfjöll, keep in mind that they’re in the Icelandic Highlands, so you can only visit during the summer months because the roads are too dangerous in the winter. You’ll still need a 4×4 in the summer, so if you have any concerns, be sure to read our article on  how to drive in Iceland .

28. Fjadrargljufur, the canyon you must see in Iceland

The  Fjadrargljufur Canyon  is another impressive  attraction in Iceland  that you can’t miss. It’s in the southern part of the island and has become one of the most magnificent places to visit, as the canyon is nearly 330 feet deep and over a mile long.

It’s estimated that the canyon took 9,000 years to form as the Fjaðrá River slowly eroded. Also, the type of moss that grows on the canyon’s edges is very fragile, so the Icelandic government had to close the area to prevent foot traffic from trampling it. There is a designated pathway, so if you visit, stay on the trail. Destroying a natural marvel that took thousands of years to create just for a photo isn’t worth it!

Along with the  Sigöldugljufur Canyon , Fjadrargljufur is one of my favorites. That said, I can’t forget the  Stuðlagil Canyon  in eastern Iceland, specifically in the Jökuldalur glacial valley. It’s a bit out of the way, but it’s so beautiful that it’s part of most Ring Road itineraries.

This canyon stands out for its numerous basaltic columns that contrast the intense blue of the glacial river. You can visit this popular  Icelandic site from the east or west sides, although I recommend the longer route that goes through the eastern side. This way, you can descend to the river and get amazing views.

29. Reykjanes Peninsula and the best things to do near Iceland’s airport

The  Reykjanes Peninsula  is another  scenic place in Iceland  that you should visit. This is where you’ll find the Blue Lagoon, as well as Keflavik International Airport. So, you can maximize your time on your day of arrival or your return trip to this area.

Along with the Blue Lagoon, the Reykjanes Peninsula is popular for the recent eruption of the  Fagradalsfjall volcano , which resulted in some incredible sights.

Scientists still aren’t sure how long the lava in this area will last, but regardless, the peninsula has other interesting sites to check out. This includes the famous  Krýsuvík geothermal area , where you’ll find the Seltún geothermal field. It’s full of fumaroles, bubbling pools, and hot springs.

The peninsula is also home to the  volcanic rock cliffs of Valahnúkamöl ; its postcard-perfect scenery makes it a  must-see in Iceland . I also recommend  this tour , which takes you to the  Thrihnukagigur volcano .

In case it’s Northern Lights seasons, I recommend going to the area around lakes Kleifarvatn and Gígvatnsvatn . This is one of my favorite  places in Iceland  to see the auroras. If the  Northern Lights forecast  is good, another spot I recommend is  Straumur við álverið .

30. West Fjords, the most remote area to visit in Iceland

Finally, another  tourist attraction in Iceland that you shouldn’t miss is the Westfjords. This beautiful place is full of interesting sites, such as the Dynjandi waterfall . Also known as the wedding veil for its willowy appearance, it’s one of the country’s tallest waterfalls. Part of what makes it so stunning is that it’s made of seven falls that, together, reach nearly 330 feet high.

Also in this area, you’ll find the  Latrabjarg cliffs , which are home to several species of seabirds, including the crowd-pleasing puffins. Visiting these cliffs and seeing the cute birds is one of the  best things to do in Iceland in the summer .

Raudasandur Beach  is another  must-see in Iceland , as its sandy beaches have a distinct pink color.

Last but not least, I recommend going to  Ísafjörður  and taking a boat to the  Hornstrandir Nature Reserve . Since it’s a remote area and you can only get there by boat, you won’t find too many tourists. It’s worth the extra time and effort because the striking landscape is full of hiking trails that you can explore. This region is also the home of the arctic fox, so if you’re lucky, you might spot one!

Now you know all the  best places to visit in Iceland , the Land of Fire and Ice! I suggest taking a look at our tourist maps of Iceland , so you can locate all your preferred attractions and organize your trip much more easily.

Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries on earth, so I know you’ll like this place as much as we do. Also, I’ve written a guide on  where to stay in Iceland , which I’m sure will be helpful as you plan your trip.

If you have any questions about these  places to visit in Iceland , you can leave me a comment below, and I’ll help as much as I can. Now, all that’s left to do is wish you a happy journey!

Ascen Aynat

12 replies on “ 30 Best Things to Do in Iceland + MAP ”

Amazing island need to go back soon

I can’t wait either. We will come back to Iceland in three weeks!

Am very glad that I found your blog. I will be on a tour for most of my time in Iceland this August, but am spending an additional 4.5 days on my own at the end. I am renting a car from Lotus and have reserved lodgings through Airbnb and Booking.com. It was difficult to find reasonably priced lodgings in South and East Iceland. I will not have my own bathroom, but will have a sink in my room. For my 3 choices, I snagged the last available room. My guest houses all had great ratings and look like they have personality. Meanwhile I did try unsuccessfully to download your maps into maps.me. I probably need to find a teenager. However, I am getting wifi in my rental car so I can use google or maps.me for my navigation. With wifi I will be able to make phone calls if necessary using Whatsapp or Vibr. Am looking forward to my adventure. Thank you for a very thorough blog. I you want me to provide you feedback on my lodging choices, I will be happy to do so. The guest house in Djupivogur sounds amazing. As I do not have much time, due to having to get a COVID test in Reykjavik the day before leaving, I am spending 2 nights in Kirkjabaejarklaustur with the one night in Djupivogur in between those 2 nights. This is an attempt to reduce the hours driving each day and to reduce driving time back to Reykjavik to under 3.5 hours so I can get my test and still have time to prowl afterwards. My tour does not go further South east than Vik, but does cover Akureyri, Godafoss, and Lake Myvatn in the North. Now to figure out how to pronounce these names.

Hi Debbie, We usually switch from one accommodation to another every day so we can be closer to the attractions we want to visit, is that your plan?

Hi there, thanks for all the incredible info!! This has made my trip planning so much easier. 🙂 I noticed though that you didn’t mention any of the volcano and lava tube tours in your list. One of the main things calling me to Iceland is the volcanoes. Have you done any of those tours and do you have any recommendations or advice about them at all? Thank you!

Thanks for your message!

There are many volcanoes in Iceland but none of them are spitting lava at the moment. On the other hand, there are a few Volcanic caves that you can visit throughout the island. In the post, we mentioned the one I took in the snæfellness peninsula, in the cave where Jules Verne was inspired to write “Journey to the center of the earth”. I highly recommend that cave, it wasn’t very expensive and you really feel like being in another world 😉

This is probably the best travel blog I’ve ever read! Incredibly informative and accompanied by some absolutely stunning photos! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience in this wonderful article!!

Thanks Kevin for your kind words about our blog! 😉

Hi thanks for a really informative piece on visiting Iceland. My primary reason for visiting is to see the spectacular icebergs and glacial lagoons. When would you recommend a visit to see these at their best? Wendy

You can (still) find small “icebergs” and pieces of ice in the Glacial lagoon throughout the year. The amount of ice will depend mainly on the season (more in early spring, less in summer), but it depends on the glaciers. Going in late march you’ll have high chances of seeing big chunks of ice in Iceland 😉

Hello, Thank you for all the helpful information! Your photos are beautiful! I was looking at your gallery of Iceland and there was one photo that I couldn’t quite place. It looks like a panorama of a lake surrounded by mountains with a peak in the background. On the slideshow it located between Sigöldugljufur and Skogafoss. Would you mind sharing where you went for that shot? Thank you so much!

Hi, Thanks for your beautiful words about my work!

That photo was taken in the Icelandic highlands. It was taken from a vantage point in the way towards landmannalaugar. To be honest, I don’t even know if that location has a name, I was just struck by its beauty!

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23 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Iceland

Written by Anietra Hamper Updated Mar 14, 2023

Author Anietra Hamper has traveled throughout Iceland tackling outdoor adventures, from four-wheel driving over lava fields and fishing to taking in the waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic drives.

Iceland, the island of fire and ice, has become one of the world's top travel destinations , not only for thrill-seeking adventurers but also for nature lovers looking for something different.

Here, you'll discover active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, glaciers, ice fields, and fjords, for this sparsely populated country, resting at the edge of the Arctic Circle, sits atop one of the world's most volcanically active areas.

One way to explore Iceland is on your own with a rental car, from several days to a week, including a trip along the Ring Road that runs in a complete circle around the country.

Another way to plot your adventure in Iceland is with tours that can take you to the best options to see the northern lights; ATV trekking; and on day trips from Reykjavik to see some of Iceland's most stunning natural beauty, like the Blue Lagoon and waterfalls.

Find out more about the best places to visit with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Iceland.

1. Explore Reykjavik by Foot

2. ride to the top of hallgrímskirkja, 3. soak in the blue lagoon, grindavík, 4. gullfoss waterfall, 5. spot whales out of reykjavik, 6. watch spectacular geysers, 7. take in the northern lights, aurora borealis, 8. hike in landmannalaugar nature reserve, 9. maelifell volcano & myrdalsjökull glacier park, 10. attend a concert at harpa, 11. explore the skaftafell ice cave, vatnajökull national park, 12. visit an active volcano at askja caldera, 13. feel the spray of dettifoss waterfall, 14. kirkjufell mountain, grundarfjördur, 15. hiking at mount esja, 16. walk the town of akureyri, 17. bird-watching at lake myvatn & nature reserve, 18. the pearl observatory (perlan), 19. rev up adventure with an atv trek, 20. float along a glacial lagoon, 21. reynisfjara black sand beach, 22. tour the raufarhólshellir lava tunnel, 23. visit iceland's quirky museums, best time to visit iceland.

The best way to start your trip to Iceland is by sightseeing in the capital city of Reykjavik . This is a walkable city with many museums, restaurants, attractions, public art, and entertainment.

Take a stroll to see some of the iconic locations in the city, like Hallgrimskirkja church and the Sun Voyager sculpture, or relax in one of Reykjavik's 17 thermal pools. You will enjoy walking up and down the city streets and perhaps stop into one of the many artsy and boutique shops to buy a wool sweater or lava pottery.

You can also book a Reykjavik Food Walk Tour and nibble your way through Reykjavik's food scene enjoying local cheeses, or try an authentic Icelandic hot dog.

Some of the best resorts in Iceland are in Reykjavik, so you can base yourself in the city and take day trips. An extremely popular way to visit nearby areas is on a South Coast Full Day Tour by Minibus from Reykjavik.

A Reykjavik modernist icon, this visually striking church is one of the city's top attractions, and when you see it, you'll understand why. Hallgrimskirkja is the tallest and most recognizable building in the country .

The Black Falls (a basalt rock formation), which is one of Iceland's natural wonders, inspired the architectural design. A climb to the top of the 73-meter-high tower is particularly rewarding. Here, you'll be treated to spectacular views across the city and surrounding landscape. At the front of the church is a statue of Icelander Leifur Eiriksson ("Leif the Lucky"), the first European to discover America around 1,000 CE. It seems he beat Christopher Columbus by around 500 years or so. For a small fee, you can take the elevator to the top and get the best panoramic view of Reykjavik.

Address: Hallgrímstorg 1 101, Reykjavik

Just 40 minutes' drive from Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon , the most iconic of geothermal spas, is a must-see tourist attraction. Here, you'll find natural bathing in pale blue water in the shadow of a power station.

An entire Blue Lagoon industry has grown around this attraction since it first became a hit with locals in 1976. The water from the underground hot springs reaches 37-39 degrees Celsius and is said to be highly beneficial for both health and skin. If the die-hard Icelanders are anything to go by, don't knock the theory. Aside from bathing in a unique setting, there's a shop selling skincare products, a range of spa treatments, and places to eat and drink. Don't visit Iceland without coming here.

Rub on a mask of natural mud in minerals from one of the tubs located on the edges of the lagoon. For the ultimate relaxing visit, you can stay at one of the two hotels at the Blue Lagoon and add on a day at the Retreat Spa.

It is easy to book a bus trip to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik, but if you want to add an extra element of Iceland adventure, you can book a day trip on an ATV that will have you drive there over lava rock paths and take you back by coach to your hotel.

Address: Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík

Magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall lies around 90 minutes west of Reykjavik and is one of the best waterfalls in Iceland . The river Hvítá plummets into a canyon, which forms three-step terraces, creating a powerful torrent. Gullfoss encompasses two cascades; the upper one drops 11 meters, while the lower one cascades about 21 meters.

Torrents of water flow over Gullfoss at an average rate of 109 cubic meters per second, although heavy floods have recorded an astonishing rate of nearly twenty times that. A word of warning: there are no rails or barriers, just a spine-tingling spectacle to enjoy amid surroundings as nature intended.

No matter what time of year you plan to travel to Iceland, whale watching happens year-round, although summer is the most popular time to see these gentle giants. During the warmer months, trips run day and night, including whale watching in the midnight sun.

Tour operators say there's an 80-95 percent chance of seeing these magnificent creatures, depending on the time of year. Best of all, surfacing often happens right near the boats, so you may well enjoy a ringside seat for one of nature's most awe-inspiring spectacles.

Other ocean-going tours are also available, such as bird-watching and island visits. Tours are convenient since there are several types available, and they depart from Reykjavik's Old Harbor. Stop for a dinner of fresh cod after you return in one of the many small, rustic restaurants located in the harbor area.

Address: Ægisgardur 5, Reykjavik's Old Harbor

An easy 50-minute drive from Reykjavik , Strokkur Geysir (after which all geysers are named) is the most popular fountain geyser in the country and is famed throughout the world. This highly active hot spring area lies in the southwest of Iceland beside the Hvítá River and is a favorite stop along what's known as the Golden Circle.

Boiling mud pits and around 100 other smaller exploding geysers are waiting to be explored here. Every few minutes, Strokkur shoots water 30 meters into the air. Visit the Geysir Center for exhibits and informative presentations year-round.

A memorable experience is digging up Geysir or "hot spring" bread, rye bread that has been baking underground for 24 hours. Visitors can also help a chef boil eggs in a hot spring to accompany the bread. One popular day tour to the area is the Golden Circle Classic Day Trip from Reykjavik, which has several stops and can ensure you get the iconic geyser photo from your trip.

The northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, are among the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. This is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights .

Auroras are linked to solar wind, a flow of ions radiating from the sun. These particles become ensnared in the earth's magnetic field and collide with atmospheric molecules, causing bursts of energy, which appear as large circles around the poles. This spectacular natural light show is best admired in remote places and is particularly impressive at times of increased solar activity. Since the appearance of the northern lights is unpredictable, most hotels and lodging operators can provide you with nightly predictions before you go to bed and add you to an overnight call list.

They will call your room if the lights appear, as they may only be visible for a short window of time. For one of the most optimal opportunities to experience the northern lights, you can take a tour like the Northern Lights Night Tour from Reykjavik, which takes you to the remote countryside for the best chance to see this natural wonder.

In the south of Iceland, 180 kilometers from Reykjavik, is Landmannalaugar National Park, one of Iceland's most popular tourist destinations. The main features of this mystical landscape are the multi-hued rhyolite mountains, Hekla volcano , and extensive lava fields.

Hiking and horse riding are popular things to do here, and hikes range from a couple of hours to several days. You can visit from June to late September, after which the road is closed. A mountain lodge ( Landmannalaugar Hut ) with basic facilities accommodates 75 people. Expect raw nature, rugged scenery, and utterly spectacular views.

South of Landmannalaugar lies Myrdalsjökull Glacier Park, which for safety reasons can only be visited during summer. Large amounts of rain soak the area, particularly in winter, when roads can be severely damaged. Maelifell volcano is the undisputed jewel-in-the-crown of this wild, rugged glacial landscape.

The perfect cone shape gives Maelifell the look of a classic volcano, however during the warm season, a lavish green covering of moss gives it a surreal, otherworldly appearance. The park is full of volcanoes, hot springs , and other remarkable sites. To the west of Myrdalsjökull is a smaller glacier, Eyjafjallajökull (Island Mountain Glacier). A popular and thrilling way to explore is by snowmobile.

As you plan your time in Iceland, set aside an evening for a concert at the magnificent Harpa , Reykjavik's premier concert hall. If time or performance schedules do not fit your schedule, plan to at least stop by to admire the award-winning architecture of the building. Nighttime is one of the best times to see the array of colorful lights emanating from this honeycomb-shaped structure.

Harpa is a treasured landmark in Iceland, attracting international performances ranging from violinists and classical music to performing arts.

This venue makes for a great night out in the heart of the city. Enjoy dinner at one of Harpa's two restaurants and go for a stroll outside along the waterfront after the performance. The gift shop is a great place to pick up unique souvenirs, many made by local artists.

Address: Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavik

In the south of the country, Vatnajökull National Park is a land of glaciers and magnificent ice caves that attracts adventurers from across the globe. This vast national park (one of three in Iceland) is divided into four sections and consists of Vatnajökull glacier and its surroundings.

You'll find a number of visitor centers; those in Skaftafell Ice Cave and Höfn are open year-round, while Skriðuklaustur and Jökulsárgljúfur are closed in winter. The best time to visit Skaftafell Ice Cave is during winter after heavy rain has washed the top layer of the glacier away.

If seen at the right time, the cave is bathed in spectacular blue light. Group visits to all areas can be arranged off-season. If you are in good shape, you might consider doing a glacial trek with an experienced guide. The treks get you on the ice for an unforgettable experience to see glacial cracks and caves and even drink fresh water from small pools on the surface.

In the northern region of Vatnajökull National Park, the Askja caldera and the geothermal pool in the Dyngjufjöll Mountains are not for the faint-hearted. However, if you'd like to say you've taken a dip in a live volcano, then this is for you.

Askja is an impressive 50 square kilometers in size. The surrounding mountain range was formed during volcanic activity, and Askja was partly created by an eruption of burning ash that collapsed the roof of the central volcano's magma chamber.

The water in Viti , the geothermal pool and volcanic crater, is generally around 30 degrees Celsius. A word of warning, the banks can be very slippery, particularly in wet weather.

Dettifoss, in the north of Vatnajökull National Park, truly is a breathtaking example of the raw power of nature. Plunging 45 meters and with a width of 100 meters, it's said to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Generally, it's best to approach on the east side of the River Jökulsa, where the road is better. Along easy paths from Dettifoss, Selfoss is a smaller waterfall around one kilometer upstream with a drop of around 10 meters. Below Dettifoss, the Hafragilsfoss waterfall tumbles 27 meters into a steep canyon. It's more advisable to drive than walk to Hafragilsfoss.

Around 2.5 hours' drive northwest of Reykjavik is the small town of Grundarfjördur, a charming fishing village centrally located on the north coast of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The town lies in a picturesque fjord, surrounded by mountains, with Mt. Kirkjufell looming as a striking landmark.

Dotted about the surroundings, you'll discover small streams and waterfalls. During winter, Kirkjufell is a great place to watch the awe-inspiring northern lights . Eyrbyggja Heritage Centre holds exhibitions on Grundarfjördur's seafaring history and is the information center for the whole peninsula.

A 30-minute easterly drive from Reykjavik brings you to Mount Esja in Kjalarnes. The mountain is 914 meters high and very popular with hikers. Even for the inexperienced climber, it's a relatively easy hike. There are terrific views of Reykjavik and the surrounding landscape and ocean.

You can take several routes to the summit depending on your energy levels and how much time you have. You can get to the main starting point at Mount Esja by a 10-minute bus ride on public transportation that leaves out of the Hlemmur main station towards Artun. Check bus schedules and times before your visit.

In the north of the country, Akureyri lies amid mountains on the longest fjord in Iceland about 40 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. With a population of around 18,000, Akureyri's landscape and culture make it one of the best cities in Iceland . Summer days occasionally reach 25 degrees Celsius, and although winters bring heavy snowfall and cold weather, calm and still weather generally prevails.

Despite the town's isolation, cultural life and entertainment flourish here, and a wide range of shops offer brand-name products. The skiing area is the best in the country. Points of interest include the Akureyri Museum and the impressive Aviation Museum at Akureyri Airport .

A little over an hour's easterly drive from Akureyri is Myvatn in northern Iceland. It is a lake district famous for its wealth of birdlife, rich fauna, and large shallow body of water. It's estimated that the area was formed around 2,500 years ago by a gigantic lava eruption.

Today, the surroundings are volcanically active, with an eruption occurring as recently as the mid-1980s. Bubbling clay pits, sulphuric fumes, and lava formations all form part of this unique landscape, which is still in flux.

One of the most interesting scenic features of Myvatn is the rootless vents formed by the volcanic eruption. While the landforms resemble craters, they did not have a lava flow, but the volcanic activity still resulted in their creation, adding to a stunning and unique appearance around the lake.

The name Myvatn literally means "midge-water," a reference to the prolific midges here, especially during summer, so be sure to pack some insect repellent. The area is also a bird-watcher's paradise.

Originally the site of the city's gigantic thermal water tanks, " Perlan ," as it's known locally, is one of Reykjavik's landmark buildings. It occupies an enviable location on Öskjuhlíð hill, where there are in excess of 176,000 trees.

The hill is particularly pleasant, with bicycle trails and footpaths zigzagging up and down. The observatory affords stunning views over the city. Also on-site is a revolving restaurant , as well as gourmet and souvenir shops.

In addition, Perlan regularly hosts concerts and exhibitions in the Winter Garden. The observation deck is a real treat. The new planetarium is spectacular with a virtual trip of Iceland featuring the country's natural elements.

Address: Varmahlíð 1, 105 Reykjavík

A popular thing to do and one of the most adventurous ways to experience Iceland is on the back of an ATV, trekking across rugged lava fields, riding up dormant volcanos, and passing pastures with roaming wild Icelandic ponies.

These are views of Iceland that you will never forget and one of the best ways to get up close to the country's most scenic natural environment. Tours like the two-Hour ATV Quad Tour from Reykjavik lets you experience ATV off-road adventure without a huge time commitment. Many tours depart from Reykjavik but they are available in most regions of the country.

While Iceland is full of natural wonders, one of the most spectacular is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. You will ride in a boat through large chunks of ice that have separated from the glacier.

The floating ice in the lagoon ranges from the size of small pebbles to the size of cars, but since you are floating in the lagoon with them, they are close enough to touch. Witness the blue hue of glacial cave formations and birds flying above in this natural environment.

The South Coast and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Day Tour from Reykjavik is a popular tour for visitors who want to set up a home base for their visit to Reykjavik and do a day trip to this top attraction. The tour also includes visits to two beautiful waterfalls and spectacular views of mountains and glacial rivers along the south coast.

While Iceland has some stunning beaches, the Reynisfjara black-sand beach on the country's southern coast has an other-worldly appearance. This unique beach is known for its black sand and rocky sea stacks that protrude from the oftentimes ferocious waves coming in from the Atlantic Ocean.

The eerie yet stunning landscape of natural beauty at Reynisfjara beach is one of the reasons it was selected as a filming location for films like Star Wars. The lighting at this beach adds to its contrasting allure, which is why it is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys photography.

As with many natural locations in Iceland, Reynisfjara black-sand beach has dark folklore associated with it. Iceland legend says that the rocky basalt sea stacks were once trolls pulling seafaring ships to shore in the night, and they turned to stone during sunrise.

You are not likely to see any trolls during your visit, but you might see some of the thousands of seabirds, like puffins, guillemots, and fulmars, that nest in the columns.

The 2.5-hour drive to the beach is easy from Reykjavik, or you can take a guided trip along the southern coast that includes this as a stop if you want to spend more time at some of the other features on that side of the island.

Read More: Best Black Sand Beaches in the World

The land of fire and ice has so many intriguing natural elements that visiting is an exciting science lesson into how volcanos work. One way to find out is by visiting the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel in southwest Iceland.

At 4,461 feet, it is one of the longest lava tubes in the country. You can take a guided tour through the cave to get up close to the stunning lava rock formations and colorful walls that have formed below the earth.

A tour through the tunnel will walk you through the path where lava flowed during a volcanic eruption of the Bláfjöll Mountain Range more than 5,000 years ago. These tunnels were formed as flowing magma hardened and thickened, creating a crust roof resulting in a lava tube.

Outside the lava tube, you will see stunning green moss covering lava rock and craters formed from the eruption. It is only about a half hour from Reykjavik, and you can visit year-round. If you visit in the winter, plan on wearing extra layers and sturdy boots for icy and wet conditions.

Iceland has an intriguing history of Vikings that settled on the island and folklore involving trolls and other creatures that still influence the culture today. One of the most interesting ways to learn about the varied tentacles of Icelandic culture is by visiting some of its museums. Some of them are seemingly mainstream, while others, sometimes found off the beaten path, explore some rather unusual finds.

In Reykjavik, the National Museum of Iceland is a good place to visit to explore Icelandic history and settlement. The Saga Museum also gives insight into the Viking heritage, with life-sized replicas of early settlers, offering a nice history lesson before you venture into some of the other types of museums.

Start your quirky museum visit with The Punk Museum on the back street of Reykjavik, which delves into Iceland's punk music scene that emerged in the 1970s. The Árbær Open Air Museum (within the Reykjavik City Museum) is another experience worth trying as you see more than 20 buildings that form a small early settlement village.

Not far from Reykjavik in Njarðvík is the Viking World Museum , which has an exact replica of a Viking ship that was discovered in Norway in the late 1800s and exhibitions detailing the Norse settlement.

One of the more unique museums in Iceland is the Sigurgeir's Bird Museum at Mývatn . The tiny museum features a collection of more than 300 preserved bird specimens representing over 180 species and an extensive collection of eggs.

The Library of Water in Stykkishólmur will give you insight into Iceland's natural environment, with dozens of columns holding water from ice caps. The Nonsense Museum in the Westfjords is a quirky stop to enjoy a large collection of random items, from sugar cubes to police hats that came from forces around the world.

For those who are interested in a deep dive into the history of Iceland's folklore, you should visit The Museum of Icelandic Witchcraft and Sorcery in the Westfjords in Hólmavík village. This museum gives insight into some of the tales and history on which Icelandic beliefs are based. This can be a tough visit for some, and parents should give it a preview before taking their children inside.

When it comes to Iceland, the scenery is naturally stunning year-round, but certain times of the year are better than others to catch some of its most sought-after attributes.

For most visitors, the best time to visit Iceland is in the summer . But, the best time can also depend on what you want to experience. Do you want to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, visit when there is the most hours of daylight, or navigate the Ring Road with no snow? Or, do you want to travel during the low season to get the best rates on hotels and airfare? All of these factors matter when determining the best time to go to Iceland for your specific travel priorities.

Each season in Iceland comes with unique opportunities for exploration and the natural experiences that the island is famous for, like the midnight sun, aurora borealis, and hot springs.

Summer : Summer is hands down one of the best times to go to Iceland. It is the season with the best weather conditions, comfortable temperatures, the best opportunities for sightseeing, and when the roads and hiking trails are open and dry.

You get a front-row seat to the midnight sun. From May through August there is complete sunlight at midnight . While 24 hours of daylight makes it tough to sleep during your trip, it gives you more time to experience all that there is to see and do in Iceland. Summer is a great time to see minke whales out of Reykjavik.

Fall: The fall season is a lovely time to visit Iceland, when temperatures are slightly cooler, the summer tourists are gone, and the weather conditions are still favorable to do things like trekking on a glacier and riding an ATV over lava fields.

Fall colors on the trees are pretty, especially if you are horseback riding or hiking on one of the mountain trails. As fall dips into November, your chances of seeing the northern lights increase, and roads may start to close due to weather conditions. It is also a nice time to visit the Blue Lagoon when there are not so many tourists.

Winter: Winter days in Iceland can have almost 19 hours of darkness. It has the most inclement weather, but the top reason for visiting in the winter months is the chance to see the elusive northern lights. Prices will be cheaper for accommodations, and you will have plenty of availability on tours since it is the off-season.

Winter is a great time to take advantage of the snowfall in Iceland, with excursions like exploring ice caves and snowmobiling. It can be a fun time to visit the Blue Lagoon and the local hot springs where you can warm up – that is, until you get out.

Spring: Early spring in Iceland may still have snow-covered roads, but the days are starting to get longer. You also still have a chance to catch the northern lights during your visit. This shoulder season may limit some winter activities as they come to an end, and some summer excursions may not be available yet.

Spring is a great time to go whale watching, with many kinds of tours available out of Reykjavik. Spring is when you can catch a glimpse of another of Iceland's famous animal residents, the puffin, the unusual-looking bird that is more active in the spring.

More on Iceland

Best Resorts in Iceland

What Qualifies as a Resort?

Fosshotel glacier lagoon, torfhus retreat, hotel ranga, the wilderness center, hotel husafell, vogafjos farm resort, midhraun lava resort, ion adventure hotel.

Scattered across Iceland's remote regions are luxurious resorts that offer visitors unforgettable encounters with the land of ice and fire. These resorts make for the perfect getaway, both for visitors seeking a relaxing spa retreat or an adrenaline-filled outdoor experience.

There are many great options for accommodation in Iceland , from quaint guesthouses to comfortable hotels in Reykjavik . In this article, we'll be focusing on the diverse lineup of resorts in Iceland, where guests can experience Iceland in modern comfort, far from the bustle of the city. 

Renting a car is a fantastic way to explore Iceland, and after a tiring day of discovery, there's nothing better than ending the day in comfort and luxury. You won't find any stereotypical resorts with palm trees and pool bars, but instead read on to learn more about the best places to stay in Iceland close to glaciers, waterfalls, and lava fields. 

Top Self Drive Tours in Iceland

10-day self-drive tour of the complete ring road of iceland with top attractions & snaefellsnes, best 1-week summer self-drive tour of the ring road of iceland & golden circle, glacier hiking tour on solheimajokull.

Other definitions are a bit looser, defining a resort as a place frequented for holidays for a particular purpose, and there are certainly plenty of those in Iceland. These accommodations are located in different regions of the country, close to many of Iceland's natural wonders, making them the perfect place to start and end the day as you discover their rich surrounding areas. 

For the purposes of this list, we'll be focusing on accommodations located outside settlements that allow their guests to escape city life and experience the country's serene nature while enjoying the height of comfort.

Below are our picks for the best resorts in Iceland. Keep in mind that some of them are quite far from the capital area and are maybe best visited on a self-drive tour .

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is a remote resort on the South Coast , named after the nearby Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon . Located beneath rolling mountains next to a waterfall, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is perfect for those who want to enjoy the remote Icelandic countryside far from the city. 

The hotel sports a sleek design with modern rooms that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and mountains.  Guests can enjoy a range of on-site facilities, including a restaurant serving delicious Icelandic cuisine made from local ingredients, a chic bar with a selection of drinks, and a relaxing sauna where guests can unwind after a busy day of exploring.

Finally, the actual glacier lagoon of Jokulsarlon is one of the most spectacular sights in all of Iceland. Taking a 1-hour zodiac boat tour of the glacier lagoon allows you to see the towering icebergs in the lagoon up close - an adventure you won't soon forget!

The accommodations at Torfhus Retreat far exceed those of the Icelandic people of old, however, as  guests can choose between rooms and private houses furnished in a classic yet modern way. Outside is a hot spring bath where you can relax under the midnight sun in summer or the northern lights during the winter months.

If experiencing the spirit of old Iceland with modern comfort sounds appealing to you, there's no better option than the Torfhus Retreat.

The suites at Hotel Ranga are amongst the most unique rooms you'll find in Iceland, as they are designed to make you feel as if you've been transported to a different continent, from Africa to Antarctica. These internationally inspired suites have been visited by world-famous celebrities visiting Iceland, including the Kardashians, Kanye West, George Clooney, and Charlize Theron!

The surroundings at Hotel Ranga don't disappoint, as guests can enjoy fantastic views of the nearby rivers and mountains. Regarded as one of the best locations for viewing the Northern Lights, the hotel offers modern comfort and unique amenities like a stargazing observatory that houses two high-quality telescopes.

The hotel is also located in a prime position for visitors seeking to explore the best of Iceland's South Coast, such as the black sand beach of Reynisfjara and the waterfall Seljalandsfoss . A stay at Hotel Ranga offers a nice mixture of Icelandic traditions and international trends in a comfortable environment.  

The Wilderness Center can be found in East Iceland and offers one of the most unique getaways in the country. This renovated farmhouse   

If you want an intimate experience with the remote and beautiful nature of East Iceland, there's no better place for it than the Wilderness Center. Located on the edge of the Highlands in a renovated farmhouse, it offers a getaway to the past that's about an hour's drive away from Egilsstadir.

While there, you can explore the surrounding nature by hiking. During guided hiking tours, you can even try your hand at winching yourself over the Jokulsa glacial river with a traditional cableway!

You can also go on horseback, like with this horse-riding wilderness tour on Icelandic horses. Alternatively, they offer mountain bikes for rent, or you can request a super jeep tour. During your stay, make sure to take a dip in their heated pool and enjoy their sauna and relaxation room. It's the perfect end to a day of exploring.

Hotel Husafell , located in West Iceland , offers a luxurious retreat amidst beautiful landscapes. It is a sustainable accommodation powered entirely by the hot springs that surround it. This made it the first hotel in the Nordic countries to make the National Geographic list of Unique Lodges of the world!

Surrounded by diverse natural formations, guests at eco-friendly Hotel Husafell unwind in their warm rooms with views of the peaceful surroundings. The rooms at Hotel Husafell range from cozy rooms to spacious suites, each with heated floors and modern furnishing, which creates a stylish contrast to the surrounding wilderness.

In the hotel's immediate vicinity, you will find the Husafell Canyon Baths - comfortable hot-spring-fed pools designed to seamlessly blend into the environment. Other attractions near Hotel Husafell include the twin waterfalls of Hraunfossar and Barnafoss , as well as the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe, Deildartunguhver , and the adjacent Krauma spa . 

Finally, the hotel restaurant focuses on seasonal menus of international cuisine made from local ingredients. Combining comfort, style, and a stunning natural backdrop, Hotel Husafell serves as an ideal basecamp for travelers looking to explore Western Iceland. 

Lake Myvatn is by many considered to be the most beautiful region in all of Iceland. Here, you will find Vogafjos Farm Resort , a charming accommodation that offers guests a unique experience combining traditional Icelandic farm life with modern comfort.

The Vogafjos farm has been owned by the same family for over 120 years, and in 2005, they began accommodating guests in comfortable log houses on-site, with gorgeous views of the serene and secluded surroundings. The accommodations are designed to provide a peaceful and authentic Icelandic experience, with wooden furnishings and warm, welcoming interiors.

There are many spectacular sights to see nearby, such as the canyon of  Asbyrgi and the  Dimmuborgir rock formations . Overall, Vogafjos Farm Resort provides a delightful blend of rustic charm, modern comfort, and authentic Icelandic hospitality, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and culture of North Iceland.

Although secluded, the houses and cottages are modern and well-equipped, with a laundry room, free WiFi, and cozy furnishing in every apartment. There's even a geothermal bath on site where guests can unwind under the midnight sun in the summertime or the northern lights in the winter!

To add to the atmosphere of it all, sheep from the Midhraun farm often wander up to the cottages to bid the guests a good day, further adding to the inviting rural atmosphere. A stay here is sure to result in an unforgettable encounter with the Icelandic countryside. 

The comfortable rooms at the hotel range from single sub-parterre rooms to a deluxe suite, offering gorgeous views of the nearby surroundings.  The award-winning Silfra restaurant emphasizes food made from fresh ingredients from sites neighboring the hotel, and the Northern Lights Bar serves up exciting beers and spirits from Iceland's microbrewery and distillery scene.

ION Adventure Hotel's location is a large selling point, as it is conveniently located just 45 minutes from Reykjavik and is close to attractions such as the Golden Circle, the lava tunnel of Raufarholshellir , and the steam valley of Reykjadalur.  

ION Adventure Hotel offers luxurious rooms and excellent facilities for travelers who want access to the attractions of the Golden Circle.

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45 Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Iceland

Posted: February 15, 2024 | Last updated: February 15, 2024

Iceland, the stunning Nordic gem, known for its beautiful lagoons, waterfalls, and their magnificent night sky.

But did you know that there’s no McDonald’s in Iceland? Or that pretty much the entire country is on a first-name basis?

Here are 45 weird and interesting things you should know about Iceland, The Land of Fire and Ice .

Iceland is One of the Last Countries to Have Human Settlers

Iceland is one of the last counties in the world to have human settlers. It was still uninhabited long after the rest of Western Europe had been settled.

Iceland Had the First Parliament

Iceland has one of the oldest known parliaments in human history.

Dating all the way back to the year 930, the first national parliament was founded in Thingvellir—which is now a national park.

Iceland Has a Low Population

Iceland’s population is only about 350,000 —which is around 1/10th of the population of San Francisco.

They have about 8 people per square mile, with Reykjavik housing roughly one-third of the country’s entire population.

There is No Standing Army in Iceland

Iceland is known to be a fairly laid-back country with minimal unlawful activity going on—thankfully, because is it the only NATO country to not have a standing army, air force or navy.

It does have a small Crisis Response Unit (ICRU), but the staff do not carry arms or wear a uniform in most circumstances.

There is No McDonalds in Iceland

At one time, Big Macs were available—until the financial crash in 2008. Imported ingredients were hard to come by and prices soared leading to the shut down of all McDonalds restaurants in the country (which weren’t very many to begin with).

Even after things seemingly got better, Iceland chose to keep McDonalds outside their borders.

Iceland is a Free Country

Iceland is known as one of the freest countries in the world. It was ranked 4th in the 2019 Index of Economical Freedom, with high rankings for “labor freedom” and “government integrity”.

The country ranked 3rd in the world in a Personal Freedom chart by the Legatum Prosperity Index.

Iceland Has a Celebratory Brew Day

Back in 1908, Iceland voted on an alcohol ban—but that didn’t stick around because it started to affect their import/export business. So, instead, they put the ban on beer only.

The beer ban stuck around for 74 years, finally being squashed in 1989. The country now celebrates “ Beer Day”, on March 1st.

Iceland Had the First Female President

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir is an Icelandic politician who served as the fourth president of Iceland from 1980 to 1996. Vigdís is the first woman in the world to be democratically elected as president.

Iceland Has the Largest Glacier in Europe

Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe . It covers over 8100 square kilometers and has around 30 outlet glaciers.

Iceland Has a Naming Committee

Iceland has a naming committee that approves or declines people’s names. There is an official register of approved Icelandic given names, and specific names that are not allowed.

For example, the letter C is not included in the Icelandic alphabet, so any name that begins with that letter is not allowed.

Iceland Has the Purest Water

Almost all of the water in Iceland is pure, refreshing and you can drink it from any and every tap in the country. There is no need for water purifiers, and bottled water is not regularly purchased or consumed by Icelanders, as there is no need.

The tap water is pure, and free!

Iceland Was Named After Its Landscape

Its fairly obvious where Iceland got its name—the ice. Over 10% of country is covered in glaciers. In total, there are about 269 recognized glaciers in Iceland.

You Can Swim Outdoors All Year Round

Even though it is almost always cold in Iceland, you can swim outdoors at any time of the year. This is because there are natural geothermal swimming pools —and there is one in nearly every town in the country.

Geothermal swimming pools are hot springs where the water temperature varies between warm and fairly hot, depending on its location.

Icelanders Favorite Snacks

This may not be true for all Icelanders, but it is a common belief that the most popular snacks in Iceland are ice cream and black licorice.

There is a historical reason for this: the first settlers did not have sugar or honey, so they used licorice root as a sweetener. The flavor stuck, and it is now in all sorts of candy and snacks around the country.

Iceland Has No Dangerous Wildlife

Due to its climate, it’s no surprise that Iceland has almost no dangerous wildlife. There are no snakes, bears, mosquitos, or poisonous bugs in the entire country.

The most dangerous animal would be polar bears—but they are typically far from city life and pose very minimal threat to humans.

There Are No Trains in Iceland

There are no trains or railway system in Iceland. The only way to get in and out of the country are by air and sea. Travel from one city to another is typically by bus or domestic flight.

Iceland is Home to Global Beauties

Even with Iceland’s fairly small population, they still took the crown in several Miss World competitions. It is one of the most successful countries at the Miss World pageant with three victories.

Iceland Holds a Record for Published Books

Icelanders publish more books per capita than any other nation in the world. They even have a book-giving holiday – Jolabokaflod – on Christmas Eve.

Iceland Has a Phallological Museum

This museum is like nothing you’ve ever seen before. It is the world only genuine “manhood” museum.

According to its website, The Icelandic Phallological Museum, is “dedicated to collecting, studying and presenting actual phalluses and all things phallic.”

It’s complete with bistro that serves penile shaped food, and a gift shop with all things penile.

Iceland Has One Seriously Long Word

The longest word found in the Icelandic language is: vaðlaheiðarvegavinnuverkfærageymsluskúraútidyralyklakippuhringur. 

It word refers to, “the key ring to the tool work shed in the road works of Vaðlaheiði”. It is often been considered a joke, but road workers maintain that the word refers to the actual key ring for the shed they use.

Babies Nap Outside in Iceland

From infancy to about 2 years old, Icelandic children sleep outside in baby carriages for their noon nap. This is on the belief that fresh air is imperative for a good sleep, and child development.

It also builds trust, as babies are left alone, and promotes openness.

Icelanders Can Easily Trace Their Heritage

All Icelanders can access a website called Íslendingabók to trace their heritage back to the Vikings and even see how they are related to other Icelanders.

Typically, the question is not if they are related, it is how much they are related.

Icelanders Are on a First Name Basis

Icelanders always address each other by their first names. This is the same for all  Icelanders, even if they might be speaking to the president. Their culture is very laid back.

Icelandic Horses Are Unique

Icelandic horses have a unique gait—referred to as tölt—and have not been mixed with other breeds for over 1,000 years.

Iceland Has a Midnight Sun

The Midnight Sun is an annual occurrence taking place from June to July. This means you can witness light for 24 hours a day during that one-month period.

Men Are Commonly Named After Elves

Traditionally, a lot of male Icelanders were named “Alfur”, which translates to “Elf”. This dates back to their early beliefs about elves—having some sort of control over good and bad things that happen to the community.

Female Clubs Are Banned in Iceland

Clubs where women typically take off their clothing are completely banned in Iceland, specifically “all businesses that profit off unclothed employees”.

Local Authorities Are Unarmed in Iceland

Given that the country is known as one of the safest countries in the world, the local authorities do not feel it is necessary to bare arms.

Most unlawful activity in Iceland is not dangerous and authorities are able to do their job without using force.

The Northern Lights in Iceland Are Different

The Northern Lights you typically see from most parts are the globe are usually green with some yellow. But the Northern lights you witness in Iceland shows stunning hues of red, purple and pink.

This is due to altitude.

Earthquakes and Volcanoes Are Common in Iceland

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are fairly common in Iceland. So, the locals are trained to react appropriately from a young age. Their homes are built with this in mind, and children are taught not to overreact to common rumbles and vibrations.

Iceland Only Has One Native Mammal

The Arctic fox is the only species of land mammal native to Iceland.

It apparently survived on the island through the last ice age and stuck around once the thick glacial ice receded.

Iceland Sits on Two Tectonic Plates

Iceland sits on the meeting of two tectonic plates, one is the North American plate and the other is the Eurasian plate.

It is also the only place in the world  where you can snorkel between two tectonic plates.

Iceland’s Airport Sits in a Lava Field

Iceland only has one international airport, and it sits in the middle of a lava field. In fact, a volcano in the area has erupted several times, sometimes twice in one year.

Aside from a 2010 eruption that led to widespread airspace closures in Europe, the erupting volcano doesn’t seem to affect air travel.

Many Waterfalls in Iceland Have No Names

There are so many stunning waterfalls in Iceland—many that are actually quite popular among tourists. However, because they are a common sight to see, many of them are not officially named.

The Icelandic Language is Unique

The Icelandic language is so unique that there are numerous words that do not have any direct English translation. They also have many Icelandic words for one English word, such as “wind”.

Given the county’s isolation, Icelandic is one of the smallest “nation-state” languages in the world.

Iceland Ranks High in Equality

Iceland was once voted the best place for women to live. This is because women’s equality is literally protected by law.

The Act on Equal Status and Equal Rights of Women and Men is the reason gender equality is a hallmark of Icelandic culture.

Iceland's Seasons Are Drastically Different

Iceland is a beautiful place to visit all year round, however the best time to travel depends on what you plan to see.

While winter is better for exploring glaciers and seeing the northern lights, summer is better for swimming in geothermal pools and going on long hikes through lava fields.

Iceland Was the First Country to Have an Openly Gay Prime Minister

Iceland has a president, who is the head of state, and a prime minister who serves as the head of government in a multi-party system.

Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir became Prime Minister in 2009, and was Iceland's first female Prime Minister and the world's first openly LGBT head of government .

Iceland Has Several Different Species of Whales

Iceland has more than 20 different species of whales that can be found swimming in the sea around the island.

There Were No Dinosaurs in Iceland

No dinosaur bones have ever been found in Iceland as the land mass is only about 20 million years old. The last of the giant dinosaurs died out 66 million years ago.

Iceland Has Universal Healthcare

Iceland has a universal healthcare system (which is paid for via taxes), and does not have any private hospitals on the island.

Everyone is entitled to emergency medical assistance covered by Icelandic Health Insurance (IHI).

Iceland Has Religious Freedom

Freedom of religion in Iceland is guaranteed by the 64th article of the Constitution of Iceland.

Although, it also states that the Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the national church (þjóðkirkja) and the national curriculum places emphasis on Christian studies, the constitution still protects the right to form other religious associations.

Iceland is Expensive

Iceland is the eighth most expensive country in the world with a cost of living 15.8% higher than the US, according to Numbeo's global cost of living index.

The country has fairly high costs of food, housing and transportation, and they also have a limited job market, particularly for foreigners.

Icelanders Love Sauce

This may not be true for all, but it is said that Icelanders love their sauce. Apparently, they enjoy covering their food in all kinds of sauces, but mostly gravy and bearnaise sauce.

They have a sauce for everything—even ice cream!

Icelanders Enjoy Being Unclothed

As with many European cultures, unclothed Icelanders is not an uncommon sight, in fact, it is quite normal.

It is common to shower, without swim suits, prior to swimming in the public geothermal pools in order to keep them clean. Icelanders are typically not shy and will bare all to whomever is around at the time.

Final Thoughts

While Iceland is a relatively cold climate, it remains one of the best countries to live in. While it may be an expensive country to reside, Icelanders are one of the happiest cultures who take pride in equality and love their sauces.

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Direct flights from pittsburgh to iceland are back.

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Travelers are once again able to get a direct flight from Pittsburgh to Iceland. The nonstop flights on Icelandair returned on Thursday, arriving in Pittsburgh around 7:20 p.m.

Icelandair CEO Bogi Nils Bogason was on the flight to Pittsburgh, leading a delegation of airline officials and media to mark the occasion. He was able to celebrate the return with the Allegheny County Airport Authority.

The flights on 737-8 MAX planes travel on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

From the Keflavik International Airport, travelers will be able to connect to all European locations in the Icelandair network.

Icelandair isn't the only company offering trans-Atlantic service nonstop.

British Airways also offers service from Pittsburgh to London's Heathrow Airport six nights a week.

Earthquakes and volcanic activity in Iceland. Here’s what travelers should know

Nov 13, 2023 • 5 min read

Earthquakes and possible volcanic activity (as pictured here from last summer) are affecting Iceland’s southwestern Reykjanes Peninsula © Philipp Schulze / picture alliance via Getty Images

Earthquakes are shaking Iceland ’s southwest corner, forcing evacuations, rupturing roadways and putting locals on high alert for a volcanic eruption. 

On Friday, Iceland declared a state of emergency due to seismic swarms north of Grindavík and the escalating risk of a volcanic event. Officials urged residents in the town of Grindavík to evacuate. 

The decision came roughly one day after the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa – one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions – announced a week-long shutdown as thousands of small earthquakes rocked the Reykjanes Peninsula . 

“There will be a volcanic eruption at some point,” says Þorvaldur Þórðarson, a vulcanology professor at the University of Iceland. “If it doesn’t happen now, I think it’ll happen in the near future.”

While it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact location of an eruption, the Icelandic Meteorological Office suspects magma could emerge in or near Grindavík. There’s also the possibility of a submarine eruption – an explosive event that could produce a dangerous ash cloud. 

A 320-sq-mile land mass covered in mossy lava rocks, kaleidoscopic volcanic craters and tiny towns abutting the ocean, the Reykjanes Peninsula stretches 17 miles southwest of Reykjavík , Iceland’s capital and most populous city. Since the peninsula is home to Keflavík International Airport (KEF), it’s also where most visitors enter Iceland – making its value to Iceland’s tourism economy immense.

If you’re traveling in the country or visiting soon, here’s everything you need to know about the seismic situation – and how to plan a safe experience. 

How common are earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Iceland? 

Sitting atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge, Iceland is a hotbed for earthquakes and volcanoes. “It’s one of the most volcanically active areas on planet Earth,” says Þórðarson. 

Regular seismic activity is a part of local life, with an average of 26,000 earthquakes annually. Most of these tremors are imperceptible to humans, and Icelandic architecture is built to withstand the Earth’s agitations. If you do feel an earthquake, it’ll usually be a minor tremble – hardly noticeable and easily forgettable. 

Of the nation’s 130 volcanoes, scientists consider 33 volcanic systems active. Eruptions occur every five years, on average – unless you look at recent trends. In 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula started spewing lava after lying dormant for 800 years. Eruptions have jolted the peninsula every year since, marking a new volcanic era for the region. 

Unlike Iceland’s destructive eruptions at Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 and Katla in 1918, the Reykjanes Peninsula’s volcanic sites have been largely accessible and “tourist-friendly,” says Þórðarson. “It’s been easy for people to get up close to the activity and have a volcanic experience. It’s not so common on planet Earth.”

It’s unclear if the impending eruption will be safe for tourists to visit.  

Is it safe to visit Iceland? 

Yes – depending on where you’re traveling, that is. Increased seismic activity is currently localized in one part of the Reykjanes Peninsula, which affects the town of Grindavík, the Blue Lagoon and roads traveling to those areas.

Everywhere else in the nation is currently secure. KEF continues to operate normally, and the road linking Reykjavík and the airport remains unaffected. Recent events have not disrupted flights. 

For international travelers concerned about global repercussions, there’s little reason to worry. “Even if a volcanic eruption becomes more intense than what we saw in 2021, it’s not going to be any intensity that will threaten international air traffic,” says Þórðarson, referencing Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull eruption, which shut down air traffic across the Atlantic and in parts of Europe for a whopping seven days. 

Will travel insurance reimburse me if I cancel or postpone my trip? 

Possibly. Travel insurance often covers destructive forces like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions – but only if you purchase insurance before the disaster occurs, and the events directly impact your trip.

This might mean you’re forced to evacuate, accommodations become unlivable or you’re delayed from traveling for a significant amount of time, among other conditions.

For example, if you booked travel to Grindavík this week and bought travel insurance before the earthquakes, your provider will likely cover cancellation. But if you booked a trip to Reykjavík, which is largely unaffected by earthquakes, you’re probably out of luck. 

These rules vary by company, so read the fine print before purchasing a plan. For clarification or advice, consider calling your insurer directly. 

I was planning to visit the Blue Lagoon. What should I do instead? 

According to the Blue Lagoon, guests with confirmed reservations through November 15 have already been contacted, and “full refunds will be issued for all affected bookings throughout the closing period.” The on-site pool, spa, hotels and restaurants will remain closed until November 16. The company will reassess the situation as it evolves. 

If you’re looking for a geothermal spa experience similar to Blue Lagoon, Lonely Planet journalist Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir recommends trying Sky Lagoon , Hvammsvík Hot Springs or Krauma – all within driving distance of Reykjavík. For a sensible soak with seaside views, you can also dip in the Guðlaug Baths – a two-story hot tub in Akranes, 45 minutes north of Reykjavík by car. 

Or you could do as the locals do. “I always go to the public swimming pools, which are much less expensive,” says Arnarsdóttir. The term “swimming pool” might be misleading for foreigners: at public pools like Reykjavík’s Laugardalslaug , you’ll also find hot tubs, steam baths and a host of other amenities similar to the Blue Lagoon’s offerings. 

What precautions should travelers in Iceland currently take? 

For reliable, up-to-date information on traveling safely throughout Iceland – including ongoing coverage of current seismic activity and road closures – visit safetravel.is . 

If you’re traveling in or near the Reykjanes Peninsula, ensure your cell phone is fully charged and operational, since authorities send safety alerts to mobile phones in impacted areas. There’s no need to download an app to receive these messages. 

Should a volcanic eruption occur and authorities deem it safe to visit, Þórðarson implores travelers to take necessary precautions. Toxic gasses and burning lava can be deadly, so follow local instructions and prepare accordingly. (There are also plenty of safe ways to explore Iceland’s volcanic wonders, like descending into the dormant Þríhnúkagígur volcano or seeing molten lava in action at Reykjavík’s Lava Show .) 

Þórðarson also recommends staying in an area far from Grindavík – if only to get a good night’s sleep. “Some people get used to [earthquakes],” he says, “but most people don’t.”

And if you want to avoid volcanoes altogether, head to the Westfjords – the only part of Iceland without an active volcano system.

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Money blog: Tourist taxes being imposed across Europe (and in UK) - here's how much they all are

An increasing number of cities are either imposing or increasing the cost of tourist taxes on visitors. Read this and our other Weekend Money content below, and let us know your thoughts. We'll be back with live updates on Monday.

Saturday 18 May 2024 17:03, UK

Weekend Money

• How to sell your home without an estate agent
• Tourist taxes to watch out for in popular holiday destinations
• Childcare vouchers, hard work and new skyscrapers: What readers have said this week
• Three things you need to know from Money this week

Best of the week

• The rise of Michelin starred 'fast food'
• How much do buskers make?
• Basically... What is PIP - and what could government changes mean?
• How to make sure your car passes its MOT
• Money Problem : My workplace wants to pay us by the minute - what can I do?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

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By Ollie Cooper , Money team

Estate agent fees are one of the big expenses in selling a house - but rule changes and the rise of private sale websites have made it more common for people to go it alone.

But how easy is it - and what do you need to know? We spoke to industry experts to find out.

Firstly, what do estate agents do for their money?

An estate agent will typically charge in the range of 1%-3.5% of the sale price. 

That means for the average house price (£284,691 from December) you could pay anywhere from £2,846 to £9,964 in commission fees.

"When you use an estate agent, their fee includes taking professional photographs, advertising your home, conducting property viewings, and negotiating a price on your behalf," says Jack Smithson  from the home ownership site  Better.co.uk .

In addition, an estate agent will compile comprehensive details of your house, including room sizes and descriptions of fixtures and fittings. 

"They will also provide a concise write-up about the local area, highlighting amenities, schools, and transportation links," Jack adds. 

And they'll conduct checks on buyers for you (more on this later).

It sounds like a lot, but...

"Selling your home yourself can be a manageable process with a few key steps," Jack says.

Preparation 

You should begin by thoroughly researching house prices in your area, using websites like Rightmove and Zoopla - but seek free valuations from local estate agents to ensure you have a realistic asking price in mind.

Next, you want to take high-quality photos of your house.

Jack advises using tutorials on YouTube to learn new shooting and editing techniques that can take you to the next level.

You then want to write down what makes your home unique.

"While browsing other listings for inspiration, take it a step further by emphasising what you love about living in your home and the surrounding area," Jack suggests.

"Whether it's the refreshing scent of the coastline or the tranquil sounds of village life, incorporating these details can help potential buyers visualise living there," he advises. 

Like using YouTube for photography tips, you can use free tools such as ChatGPT and Grammarly if you need help with your writing, Jack says. 

Advertising

This is probably the biggest perk of going through an established estate agent - your home is much more likely to be viewed because they will have an established audience and a market. But it's very possible to do it alone. 

"When it comes to advertising your home, explore a variety of avenues including local newspapers and social media," Jack says.

"Consider using websites like Strike, which allow individuals to list their properties for free on platforms like Rightmove," he suggests.

Viewings 

Once you've secured some viewings, you've got the opportunity to make it a bit more personal than estate agents ever could - a real advantage. 

"Explain the reasons behind your decision to purchase the property, highlight its unique features, and share the aspects of your neighbourhood that make it a desirable place to live," Jack says. 

The small things matter when showing people round - so try to take an objective look around before you bring anyone in.

Do the things you'd do normally - make sure it smells nice and it's clean and tidy.

"Lastly, it's worth knowing that you must legally provide potential buyers with a free Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)."

The sale itself

Perhaps the most daunting aspect is the physical exchange of contracts and money. 

An estate agent would typically oversee the process of the initial offer acceptance to the transfer of keys to the new owner.

However, if you go it alone, you'll need to become the central point of contact - bridging the gap between your solicitor or conveyancer and the buyer and their legal representative.

"Once you've accepted an offer on your property, your first task is to draft what's called a memorandum of sale," Jack says.  

This document is a written confirmation of your acceptance of the offer and details the agreed price along with any specific conditions you've both agreed to.

"It's then recommended to engage the services of a solicitor or conveyancer to ensure all legal obligations are met," Jack says (of course, you'll need to do this even if you have an estate agent).

The cost of hiring one typically ranges from a few hundred to over £1,000, depending on factors such as fixed fees, hourly rates, the complexity of the sale and additional costs like property searches or land registry fees.

"In the absence of an estate agent, you'll be responsible for keeping your buyer informed about the progress of the sale. This involves regular updates on the status of legal procedures and any relevant developments," Jack says, before adding that this can actually be a good thing.

"By taking on these responsibilities independently, you'll have greater control over the sale process. However, it will require you to be exceptionally organised, and you'll need to be very good at communicating too."  

Any risks to be aware of?

Rita Patel, legal director at law firm  Browne Jacobson , tells us the biggest risk for people selling their properties without an estate agent is the lack of a vetting and verification process of the potential buyer.

Estate agents will verify the buyer's identity and check the buyer's proof and source of funds - without this, there's no way to assess the buyer is legitimate and can afford to buy.

"Whilst this process is something lawyers can help with, this is often at an additional cost, and you'll need to start from square one if there is an issue with a potential buyer's identification and/or financial eligibility," Rita says. 

More generally, selling without an agent can extend the time it takes to sell. 

"Zoopla suggests this timeframe is normally around 17-34 weeks, but with no one on hand to consistently promote and drive the property sale at all stages, going solo drags this process out," Rita says. 

"Agents can also help mediate any potential breakdowns in communication between the buyer and seller - reducing the likelihood of having to go back to market and start again."

The advantages

Laura Owen-Brown, a PR manager from Gloucestershire, tells us she is set to sell her house without an estate agent in the near future.

"My disappointment with estate agents stems from their lack of familiarity with the properties they attempted to sell me when I was buying my current house," she says. 

"They couldn't tell me about the details that truly matter, like the optimal times for sunlight in the garden, how much council tax I'd pay, what the roof was made of, the places I could walk my dog off lead or the impact of post-football match traffic on Sundays.

"These types of details can shape the experience of living in a house for years and are just as important as the square footage, EPC rating or how many bedrooms a property has," she adds. 

She says the current "transactional" approach to selling houses feels "impersonal and outdated" to her. 

"Yes, I'll have to handle more admin, but the savings in both money and time will make it worthwhile. Liaising with buyers and solicitors directly without a third party slowing everything down will mean I can be in control and have transparency throughout the process, especially during negotiations," she says.

All in all...

As Laura says, it's very much a case of whether you can stomach the admin and are happy to take the risks on background financial checks. 

If you are aware of all the above and willing to take on the organisational burden, you could save yourself a serious chunk of cash. 

As we've been reporting in the Money blog over the last few months, an increasing number of cities are either imposing or increasing the cost of tourist taxes on visitors. 

Many say they are preventing damages from overtourism, as well as funding local infrastructure and businesses. 

Here are the latest tourist fees for the most popular spots in Europe...

Tourists visiting Venice for the day will have to pay a €5 entry fee to enter the city between the hours of 8.30am and 4pm.

Meanwhile, those staying overnight in Venice are charged a fee between €1 to €5 within the accommodation price for the first five consecutive nights.

People visiting the Spanish city now have to pay €3.25 if they're staying in official accommodation, up from €2.75.

Manchester 

Visitors must pay £1 per room, per night across 73 hotels. 

The scheme, which has raised more than £2m within a year, is for improvements to attract more tourists.

Tourists must pay €2 per person for every night they stay, although this is only applied for a maximum of seven nights.

The Greek government has introduced a Climate Crisis Resilience Fee to charge tourists anywhere from €0.50 to €10 per room, per night.

The amount depends on the hotel category and the time of year.

Visitors to the Croatian city must pay €2.65 per person, per night throughout April to September. 

However, the fee has been temporarily reduced to €1.86 for the rest of this year.

Different amounts are charged depending on the type of accommodation.

The most expensive charge is €14.95 for a stay in palaces, and €0.65 at one or two-star campsites, per person, per night. 

Those staying in a typical four-star hotel are charged around €8.

Those staying in the Hungarian capital are charged an additional 4% each night, which is calculated based on the price of the room.

Tourists in Berlin must pay 5% of the room price, excluding VAT and service fees.

The tourist tax here has increased from €0.82 to €1.97 per day. 

Prices researched by travel insurance site Quotezone.co.uk

The main topics from the Money blog that got you commenting this week were...

Government-funded childcare

• Michel Roux Jr's comments about the future of the restaurant industry 

Nearly 600 new skyscrapers for London

From last Sunday, eligible working parents of children from nine-months-old in England have been able to register for access to up to 15 free hours of government-funded childcare per week.

Those hours can be claimed from September. 

Some readers pointed out the T&Cs... 

This 15 hrs a week is for term time ONLY. So full-time working parents will have to either tell their employer they can't work in school holidays or pro-rata it across the year which is 10 hours a week. Yvonne grandma

Others said it spoke to issues in the wider childcare sector...

Is the government going to give pay rises to nursery staff? They are very low paid staff, and can't get enough staff as it is!! Nurseries may have to close if they don't get staff, so parents won't be able to take up the offer!! What is the government going to do about it? Carol

Chefs or delivery drivers?

Celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr has suggested that restaurants may only open three days per week because young people prefer other jobs - like delivering parcels. 

"Just because I worked 80 hours a week or more doesn't mean the next generation should," he said. 

"Quite the contrary. That is something that we have to address in our industry."

Readers said...

That's because one [job] is on the verge of slave labour and one definitely is slave labour. And the latter I'm referring to is working in a kitchen for a chef.  Realist2024

Spent 35 years working as a chef. Young people nowadays are not willing to do the extra hours (usually unpaid) and work every weekend. Godsends like my generation of chefs did and do.  Bucks

There's been considerable backlash in our comments section after a thinktank said a total of 583 skyscrapers are "queuing up in the pipeline" to be built across central London.

That is more than double the 270 built in the past decade...

"600 new skyscrapers on way for London" while the majority are struggling. When will something serious be done about growing wealth inequality in the UK? A growing economy is useless while the gap between the ultra rich and everyone else increases. Qwerty1

How many unnecessary skyscrapers for London? It's fine, as long as they are not made using steel, glass, concrete or bricks - don't people know there's a climate emergency? Shanghaiwan

Who's paying for it? What about the North? treelectrical

The energy price cap is set to fall by about 7% in July, a respected energy markets researcher has said.

Ahead of next Friday's announcement by Ofgem for the July-September period, Cornwall Insights said: "For a typical dual fuel household, we predict the July price cap to be £1,574 per annum" - a drop from £1,690.

Looking further ahead, it forecasted the cap will rise again slightly in October, before falling in January next year. 

"A predicted 7% drop in energy prices in July is clearly good news, with the price cap looking likely to hit its lowest level in over two years," a spokesperson for Uswitch said. 

Around 100 more prosecutions of sub-postmasters unrelated to the Horizon scandal could be "tainted" , a Sky News investigation has found, as officials worked with now discredited Post Office investigators to secure convictions.

The prosecutions of Post Office staff were led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 2001 and 2006.

It is understood these usually involved the cashing in of stolen order books.

The Post Office itself wrongly prosecuted hundreds of sub-postmasters between 1999 and 2015 - based on evidence from the faulty Horizon accounting system.

Read more from our business correspondent Adele Robinson  by clicking  here ...

The UK's mega rich are dwindling in a sign Britain's "billionaire boom has come to an end" , according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List.

The list reveals the largest fall in billionaires in the guide's history - from a peak of 177 in 2022 to 165 this year.

While the combined wealth of the list's 350 wealthiest individuals amounts to more than £795bn - larger than the GDP of Poland - the guide's compiler says time will tell what impact a drop in billionaires could have.

"This year's Sunday Times Rich List suggests Britain's billionaire boom has come to an end," Robert Watts said.

Read on here ...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

The Body Shop’s administrators are to launch an auction of the chain after concluding that an alternative restructuring of one of Britain’s best-known high street retailers was not viable.

Sky News has learnt that FRP Advisory, which has been overseeing the collapsed business since January, is to begin formally sounding out potential buyers in the coming weeks.

The move raises the prospect of new owners taking control of The Body Shop, which was founded nearly half a century ago.

Read more here ...

The UK's mega rich are dwindling - in a sign Britain's "billionaire boom has come to an end", according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List.

Published today, the list reveals the largest fall in billionaires in the guide's history - from a peak of 177 in 2022 to 165 this year.

"Many of our home-grown entrepreneurs have seen their fortunes fall and some of the global super rich who came here are moving away."

Top of the list is British-Indian businessman Gopi Hinduja and his family, whose wealth of £37.2bn is the largest fortune in the ranking's history.

But other familiar names in the list saw their riches fall, with Sir Richard Branson's total dropping by £2.4bn, which is back to his 2000 level.

Last year's top climber Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who bought a stake in Manchester United this year, fell two positions with a decline of £6.1bn.

Euan Blair, Tony Blair's eldest son, made the list for the first time, as did Sir Lewis Hamilton.

It comes as the UK continues to deal with a cost-of-living crisis, with new figures this week revealing a record 3.1 million food bank parcels were distributed over the course of a year.

The top 10:

• Gopi Hinduja - £37.2bn
• Sir Leonard Blavtanik - £29.2bn
• David and Simon Reuben and family - £24.9bn
• Sir Jim Ratcliffe - £23.5bn
• Sir James Dyson and family - £20.8bn
• Barnaby and Merlin Swire and family - £17.2bn
• Idan Ofer - £14.9bn
• Lakshmi Mittal and family - £14.9bn
• Guy, George, Alannah and Galen Weston and family - £14.4bn
• John Fredriksen and family - £12.8bn

A group of social media influencers have been charged in relation to promoting an unauthorised investment scheme.

The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) original cast member Lauren Goodger, 37, former Love Island star Biggs Chris, 32, and Celebrity Big Brother winner Scott Timlin, 36, also known as Scotty T, are among seven TV personalities alleged to have been paid to promote the scheme to their combined 4.5 million Instagram followers.

The others charged by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) include former Love Islanders Rebecca Gormley, 26, Jamie Clayton, 32, and Eva Zapico, 25 and TOWIE member Yazmin Oukhellou, 30.

The UK's financial watchdog brought the charges in a crackdown on "finfluencers" who use their online platforms to offer advice and information on various financial topics.

It alleges that between 19 May 2018 and 13 April 2021 Emmanuel Nwanze, 30, and Holly Thompson, 33, used an Instagram account to provide advice on buying and selling investments known as contracts for difference (CFDs) when they were not authorised to do so.

The watchdog said CFDs were high-risk investments used to bet on the price of an asset, in this case the price of foreign currencies.

It previously warned that 80% of customers lost money when investing in CDFs.

Mr Nwanze has been charged with running the scheme. He faces one count of breaching the general prohibition of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and one count of unauthorised communications of financial promotions.

Ms Thompson, Mr Chris, Mr Clayton, Ms Goodger, Ms Gormley, Ms Oukhellou, Mr Timlin and Ms Zapico each face one count of unauthorised communications of financial promotions.

All nine will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 13 June.

The FCA asked anyone who believed they had sustained a loss due to the scheme to contact its consumer contact centre.

A hotel part-owned by Gary Neville and other ex-Manchester United legends has been named one of the best places to work in hospitality. 

Each year, The Caterer releases its top 30 best places for employees in the sector, with the top six featuring some familiar names.

The list is compiled via anonymous employee survey - with no input from managers or owners. 

Hotel Football, the only hotel with a rooftop five-a-side pitch, was among the top six venues selected by employees across the UK. 

The hotel's benefits package was particularly well-praised by those who work there - given that it "prioritises the financial wellbeing of employees during the cost of living challenge".

Management at the hotel, which is situated next to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium, was also praised for enhanced maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave policies and a strong belief in diversity and inclusion. 

The other five to make up the top six are The Biltmore in Mayfair, Cycas Hospitality (which has 18 locations across the UK), Dalata (which boasts some 1,000 employees), Gleneagles Hotel in Edinburgh and Nobu Hotel in Shoreditch, London. 

The energy price cap is set to fall by about 7% in July, a leading thinktank has said. 

Cornwall Insights said: "For a typical dual fuel household, we predict the July price cap to be £1,574 per annum" - a drop from £1,690.

Looking further ahead, it forecasted the cap to rise again slightly in October, before falling again in January next year. 

Reacting to the news, Uswitch said the predicted drop was "clearly good news". 

"The future still remains uncertain, and with the price cap changing every three months – currently expected to rise in October before falling slightly in January –  it's crucial not to be complacent," Richard Neudegg, director of regulation, said. 

However, "a predicted 7% drop in energy prices in July is clearly good news, with the price cap looking likely to hit its lowest level in over two years", he said. 

He also urged  households who want to lock in rates for price certainty to run a comparison to see what energy tariffs are available to them.

"There are many 12-month fixed tariffs available at rates cheaper than the current price cap, and even some that are 2% below these new predicted July rates," he said. 

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