Top Things to Do in Iceland | Best Places to Visit for Tourists

Iceland, a European country with hidden gems, raw beauty, and mystery. Many think Iceland is icy, but there are thrilling things to do in Iceland like volcano hikes and geothermal pools. Iceland is famous for catching auroras, and other natural wonders.

Over 2 million tourists visit yearly to do top things in Iceland and enjoy year-round adventures. This country boasts tourist attractions with activities for unforgettable memories. This Iceland travel article covers what to do in Iceland, with tips, and cultural and historical references.

Throughout your trip, staying connected will be effortless with SimCorner's Iceland eSIM and SIM card. Find the trails, check aurora forecasts, and share your photos instantly from remote highlands to city centers. SimCorner delivers reliable data, easy connectivity, and charge-free roaming.

Read on for Iceland’s best places, and must do things there that make this country famous. This article will help to make your perfect itinerary.

Reykjavík

The country’s heart has always been its capital city, Reykjavik in Iceland. This lively and rainbow city is encompassed with stunning arts, contemporary museums, and even some remarkable buildings. It can be a good, soft start for your Icelandic trip. Not many adventurous things can be done here, but it will make you prepared for the next things to come.

Best attractions here:

• Hallgrímskirkja: it’s just a big, landmark church of the city.

• Laugavegur: Take a stroll around here and you’ll start to love the Icelandic food & culture. You can do shopping and buy local handicrafts as souvenirs.

• National Museum of Iceland, visit here for knowing the country’s history.

• Look for the northern lights in the sky, from the edge of the city center,

Reykjavík offers the perfect introduction to the Icelandic heritage about which the historian Jesse Byock noted,

“Iceland’s culture is deeply shaped by its early Norse settlers and literary tradition.”

Blue Lagoon

It is one of the most viral tourist destinations in Iceland, where you will receive some mental therapy. This popular geothermal spa is situated close to the capital, and people can not get enough of its natural warm water laced with silica and blueish white hue. No wonder it’s one of the country’s most photogenic zones.

• What to expect here?

• As it is among popular Iceland tourist attractions, you will always find crowds lining here. So, try to reach early and also book in advance all the activities that you will be doing here otherwise the seats will not be available.

• You can enjoy relaxing in the mineral-rich geothermal pools and natural steam and sauna rooms. This will give a mental restart. But it’ll be noisy due to crowds. Still it is one of the best things to do in Iceland if you like some relaxation.

• The place is open all year-round, so you can enjoy both summer and activities.

• You can have volcanic landscape views from the restaurants surrounding the area.

Golden Circle

Like the name says, it is a circular route covering 300 kilometers that starts right in Reykjavik. The best part visiting here is to get the opportunity to see some of the stunning natural sights of Iceland. That is why lots of people travel this loop. You can come here for just a short trip, or you can do a long hike too. But don’t forget to add this destination in your itinerary.

During the journey in the loop, you will mainly find places like Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Geysir. These are other geothermal areas of Iceland. It is among almost every traveller’s Iceland bucket list destinations and travelling the loop is a must among many things to do in Iceland.

Sólheimajökull

This place is iconic for glacier hikes. It’s actually an ice cave near the capital. It offers a year-round hub for ice-based adventure. Its deep blue colour and chilling trekking make a popular spot for travellers. From gentle walks on the glaciers to high-adrenaline ice climbings, everything is offered in this place. So this should fit among your Iceland bucket list destinations.

The best time to visit this place is May to September, because that time the weather remains stable and trail conditions are more suitable. Pack heavy layers of clothes and other ice trekking wear as it is very cold inside this area. Be prepared to have a chilling experience of your lifetime as you will be doing one of the must things to do in Iceland.

Akureyri

This is one of the top rated Iceland tourism places for hunting and watching Northern lights in Iceland. This is situated in the northern side of the country. Looking for auroras always tops the best activities to do in Iceland. So make sure to take time to visit, and even do camping to taste the authentic greenish natural phenomenon of starry nights.

Late September to early April are considered to be the best time to look for Auroras, because during the winter season, the sky stays clearer and offers the best view. Catching auroras will always be the best things to do in Iceland, so do not miss this.

Mývatn Nature Baths

Besides the Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s packed with other geothermal springs where you can have more mental relaxation, and actually get some experiences from local traditions. This activity gives more relaxation than other things to do in Iceland.

Take Mývatn, for instance. It is near Akureyri, right by Lake Mývatn. Even though it only opened in 2004, you will find one of Iceland’s oldest customs there, natural baths. This has become one of the popular natural springs of Iceland. So having a natural bath is a must-thing to do in Iceland.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Located in Iceland's South Coast, it is one of most iconic and photogenic beaches in the world. As the name suggests, it has a black volcanic sand at the North Atlantic oceanic waves, surrounded by cliffs formed by Basalt. Such kinds of sea beaches are extremely rare on Earth. Standing at this beach, and enjoying the landscapes will make things feel surreal.

• Why is it among the top Iceland tourist spots?

• The cliffs in this area have hexagonal shapes which were formed from basalt. These unique structures were formed naturally from lava when volcanic eruptions cooled over time. Such geometric patterns are a display of Iceland’s geological work.

This natural feature interests geology enthusiasts. So try to visit here during the daytime.

• The North Atlantic Ocean is known for its high tides and waves. Such waves sometimes even rise up so much that they even reach the shoreline. While the view is cool, it is also advisable to be always ready when the tides rise, if you want to avoid contact with the salty water.

• Located near the shoreline, you will see some sea stacks made of basalt rise from the ocean. According to local folklore, these formations are trolls who were transformed into stone as a form of punishment. Does this tale create a sense of mystery about this place? For this reason, many visitors visit the area.

The best time to visit here is winter, because that time you will see a dramatic contrast between the black coloured sand and white coloured snow. So come here during November to March. This famous place must get a place in your itinerary for things to do in Iceland.

Goðafoss Waterfall

It literally translates to Waterfall of the Gods as it’s one of the powerful waterfall drops of the country as well as the Earth. So it is a must see in Iceland. It falls from around 12 meters high and covers an area of 30 meters. The fall is located in the Northern region. This creates a stunning natural view, ideal for photographs or just for relaxing under the natural water.

Besides its beauty, this falls is famous for its connection to Iceland’s history. It is said that pagan idols were thrown into this waterfall when the Icelandic people became Christians. So the throwing of idols was a symbol to show throwing away the impurity and shifting towards a new faith. Such an interesting site should be in your bucket list for things to do in Iceland.

Historian Ari Þorgilsson said about it,

“Christianity was formally adopted in Iceland around the year 1000 at the Althing, and idols were symbolically cast into waterfalls such as Goðafoss.”

The Reykjanes Peninsula

Located at the southwest of Iceland, you can see volcanic cycles in this region. Even though currently there are no active volcanoes to see, many other places of Iceland offer panoramic views of the volcanoes from different eruption sites. So this can be another must see in Iceland.

Take a guided tour over here, to enjoy the eruption site. You can do hiking, and also opt for helicopter rides to see birds eye views of the region. Choosing to hike means covering a considerable distance on foot. Although the area is generally regarded as safe, it’s important to adhere to the rules and regulations provided by the tour guides for things to do in Iceland at all times.

Travel safely and stay connected during your Iceland journey

Land in Reykjavik and our SimCorner's Iceland eSIM will get activated automatically on your chosen travel date. No initial internet is needed. Just scan the QR code at arrivals, and high-speed data flows instantly without roaming charges.

Find your paths from highway routes, to sauna bookings to Northern Lights spots effortlessly. You will get real-time weather alerts for volcano activity, Google Translate for translations, and live-share your selfies and other pictures.

While you are busy fulfilling your ‘things to do in Iceland’ list, our eSIM or physical SIM card keeps you connected across Iceland tourist attractions from Reykjavik city center to remote Mývatn baths. You can choose your high speed reliable data plan via app, and stay linked with loved ones back home.

Things to do in Iceland: FAQs

What are the best Iceland activities to do in winter?

Even though you can do anything and everything throughout the year in Iceland, some activities are preferred better during winter. For example, hunting for Northern Lights, hiking in the ice caves, bathing at the Blue Lagoon steam, and other geothermal natural spring baths, looking for the volcanic eruption sites.

What are the best Iceland tourist attractions?

The top rated and visited places of Iceland mainly include Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, South Coast waterfalls, Reykjavik, Mývatn Nature Baths, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.

What to pack for the Iceland tourism places?

If you visit during winter time, remember that the weather will be very cold. So be ready with layers of clothes and other winter gears. If needed, you can keep medicines to beat catching cold. When preparing for hiking during the summer months, have appropriate gears like water bottles, light-weight clothes, and hiking shoes to ensure both comfort and safety.

How to stay connected in Iceland tourism places?

Our SimCorner has both eSIMs or physical SIM cards options, perfect for staying online in Iceland. Take a look at our Iceland SIM tips to learn more and avail the offer.

Is it safe to travel to top Iceland tourism places?

Iceland tops among the world's safest countries with low crime rates. But sometimes natural disasters like storms, volcanic activity, and icy roads need caution. You can monitor weather through weather forecasts, check road conditions, before doing things to do in Iceland such as glacier hikes.

Stay connected with SimCorner in Iceland! You need the internet to navigate icy roads, track elusive Northern Lights, and share your adventures in real-time. Avoid the hassle of local SIMs that require complex registration and ID verification, or expensive roaming charges that drain your budget. Choose SimCorner for the most affordable rates, high-speed data plans, and seamless compatibility with eSIM and physical SIM options. With no ID required, 24/7 support, and the best local network coverage, SimCorner is your ultimate travel partner for a stress-free Iceland adventure.