Things to Do in Iceland: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Iceland is a land of fire and ice, where volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and geothermal pools meet. Reykjavík's colorful streets, the Golden Circle, the black sand beaches and waterfalls of the South Coast, the icebergs of Jökulsárlón, the Blue Lagoon and the northern lights make it one of the world's most spectacular road trip destinations.
This guide covers the best things to do in Iceland, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Iceland
Reykjavík
Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa.
Golden Circle
Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
Blue Lagoon
Geothermal spa.
Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss
South Coast waterfalls.
Reynisfjara
Black sand beach.
Jökulsárlón
Glacier lagoon.
Snæfellsnes
Peninsula and Kirkjufell.
Northern lights
Autumn to spring.
Iceland in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Reykjavík
Explore Reykjavík with Hallgrímskirkja church and its tower view, the Harpa concert hall, the Sun Voyager sculpture and the colorful old harbor. Lunch with Icelandic lamb soup. In the afternoon, visit a museum like Perlan or the National Museum, then soak in a local geothermal pool like the Icelanders do.
2Day 2 · Golden Circle
Drive the Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian plates, the Geysir area where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall. Lunch with tomato soup at Friðheimar greenhouse. End at a geothermal spa like the Secret Lagoon.
3Day 3 · South Coast
Drive the South Coast to Seljalandsfoss, which you can walk behind, and Skógafoss, then the black sand beach of Reynisfjara with basalt columns near Vík. Lunch in Vík. Stay overnight nearby and look for northern lights in season.
Iceland in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Glacier lagoon
Continue east through lava fields to Skaftafell for a glacier hike, then to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach, where icebergs wash up on black sand. Lunch at the lagoon café. Overnight in the area.
5Day 5 · Return west
Drive back west with stops at Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and a lava field, or take an ice cave tour in winter. Lunch on the road. Return to Reykjavík in the evening. Ice cave tours run from November to March from the Jökulsárlón area, always with certified glacier guides.
Iceland in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Snæfellsnes
Day trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula with Kirkjufell mountain, Arnarstapi cliffs and Djúpalónssandur beach. Lunch in a fishing village. Return in the evening. Kirkjufell, the 'arrowhead mountain' with a waterfall in front, is one of the most photographed spots in Iceland.
7Day 7 · Farewell
Morning whale watching from Reykjavík harbor, then the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport and a farewell meal of Icelandic fish and skyr. Keflavík airport is about 45 minutes from Reykjavík, and the Blue Lagoon lies conveniently on the way.
What to do in Iceland on a weekend
Things to do in Iceland on a weekend? Saturday: Reykjavík and a pool. Sunday: the Golden Circle.
Northern lights from September to April and midnight sun in June.
What to do in Iceland in the evening
In the evening, northern lights hunts in winter.
Midnight sun in summer.
Iceland for couples
For couples, the Blue Lagoon, glacier lagoon and northern lights.
Iceland with kids
With kids, waterfalls, Perlan, whale watching and pools.
What to eat in Iceland
Lamb soup
Kjötsúpa.
Skyr
Dairy.
Hot dogs
Bæjarins Beztu.
Arctic char
Fish.
Rye bread
Geothermal baked.
Where to stay in Iceland: best areas
Reykjavík
Base.
Vík
South Coast.
Höfn
East.
Countryside guesthouses
Remote.
What to do in Iceland when it rains
Things to do in Iceland when it rains? Museums, geothermal pools, Perlan and the Blue Lagoon.
How much does a trip to Iceland cost?
Expect $200–400 per night; Iceland is expensive.
Practical tips for Iceland
Best time to visit
June–August; September–March for aurora.
Getting around
Rental car, tours and buses.
Our practical tips
- Check road.is and weather.
- Book the Blue Lagoon.
- Layers and waterproofs.
- Fill fuel often.
- Respect closures.
- Bring a swimsuit.
Mistakes to avoid
- Sneaker waves at Reynisfjara.
- Off-road driving.
- Winter driving unprepared.
- Underestimating distances.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Iceland?
Golden Circle, South Coast and Jökulsárlón.
When to see northern lights?
September to April.
Is Iceland expensive?
Yes.
How many days?
Five to seven.