My 34 Favorite Things to Do in Iceland (Based on 8 Visits)

Right, yeah… This is the big one. I’ve wanted to write this article for a very long time, but I also chose to wait until I had visited Iceland enough times before doing so. Having been there on almost 10 occasions at this point (with no plan of stopping anytime soon), I feel like now is the perfect time to share this bumper list of my top things to do in the country. 

Iceland has plenty of amazing experiences for all kinds of travelers. Its outdoor appeal is pretty obvious, and frankly, this is the main reason why I go there. But beyond that, I really enjoy the food and think that its culture is pretty interesting as well. Many of the main sights are worth visiting, but there’s plenty more that you should also see—which might not have been on your radar. 

I have traveled to and around Iceland in several ways. Besides going there on a layover, I’ve also been around the entire Ring Road and also hiked in the wilderness. Based on all of those experiences, I’m bringing you this comprehensive guide with what I think are the best things to do in the country. I also update this guide regularly with new entries, since I still visit the country at least once per year (but preferably more). 

All of these recommendations are based on my own experiences, and I’ve tried and tested each of them. For each suggestion, I have also added when in the year you can do them (and when I think is best to).

The Laugavegur Trail itself is 55km (31.48 miles) long. We completed the hike in three days, and I have to say that it was one of the most physically demanding things I’ve ever done. I say this as someone who does intense training on a near-daily basis. At the same time, it was one of the most fulfilling challenges I’ve ever completed. 

On the Laugavegur Trail, we hiked across a broad range of landscapes. We had to cross rivers, go up mountains, cross snow bridges, go through a black sand desert, and more. I had no mobile reception for most of the trip, but to be honest, I actually quite enjoyed that. When I say that having an unlimited shower when we arrived in Þórsmörk (along with a real meal) felt like luxury, I’m not joking. 

You can only hike the Laugavegur Trail in the summer. It goes through the Icelandic Highlands, and even though I went in August, the weather was still volatile (and pretty cold). You can choose whether you want to spend three or four days hiking the trail, but we skipped the first hut for an overnight stay as it was quite basic. 

How I Hiked the Laugavegur Trail

I did the Laugavegur Trail as part of a trip to Iceland with The Iceland Trail, which is run by the Belgian company Travelbase. All of the logistics were handled for me, including transport to and from the trail. I also borrowed trekking poles, sleeping bags, and tents from them, along with ordering a food pack. 

I recommend that you, like me, do this hike via the Iceland Trail. Besides having everything sorted, I felt much safer hiking in a group. The trail has a lot of challenges for people not used to multi-day hikes, and you also will have no cellphone reception for most of the trip. So, going on your own can be quite dangerous. 

The trail to Kvernufoss is well-marked and easy to follow. If you’re visiting in the summer, I recommend going behind the waterfall for some great photo opportunities. This is not a good idea in the winter, though, as it can be dangerous. 

Anyone with reasonable fitness levels can hike to Kvernufoss. It’s flat the entire way from the car park, which itself is close to Skógafoss and roughly 30 minutes from Kvernufoss. The trail can be slippery in the off-season, but in the summer, it’s not too bad. You’ll need to pay for parking at Kvernufoss, which you can do via the Check-it app. 

On our tour, we saw a blue whale not long after departing Húsavík. This was my second whale-watching tour in Iceland, but the first time that I had seen a blue whale. We were told that this is actually quite rare, so I was definitely grateful for the opportunity.

In addition to that, we saw several humpback whales from our boat. Seeing these animals in real life was an amazing experience, and it’s something that I think everyone should aim for when they’re in Iceland. 

Alongside the whales, we sailed past Lundey—which translates in English to Puffin Island. As the name suggests, we saw *a lot* of puffins. This was a nice bonus that I was not expecting, and I am not complaining about it. 

Which Húsavík Whale-Watching Tour Did I Take? 

I took a whale-watching tour run by Gentle Giants, which we got as an add-on when we traveled with Iceland Nomads. We did the speedboat tour, which was pretty fun. I have to say, though, that I did feel a bit seasick while we were out on the water. So, I’d recommend having some seasickness tablets with you if you take this tour. 

We went to Borgarfjörður Eystri as part of the camping trip I spoke about earlier in this article. The visibility was terrible for much of the day while we were in the nearby area, and the rain and wind were not on our side, to say the least. So, we almost skipped this experience. I am so happy that we didn’t, though. 

When we arrived at Hafnarhólmi, we could already see the large colony of puffins from the parking lot. I didn’t realize just how close we could get to them, but there were *so many* when we went to the viewpoint. It was so much fun to watch them for a few hours, and neither my girlfriend nor I really wanted to leave. 

The main reason I’m recommending this spot is that it’s one of the easiest places to see puffins in Iceland. You will need a car to get here, and the puffins will be present from the middle of April until mid-August. We went there in June. 

One very important thing to note, however, is that the road to Borgarfjörður Eystri is not very fun. It goes up a mountainside, and while it’s paved, it can be scary in low visibility. You don’t need a 4WD to get here, but you do need to be careful. 

When you arrive at Hafnarhólmi, you’ll need to pay for parking. To get here, enter “Borgarfjarðarhöfn” in Google Maps. The drive is just over an hour from Egilsstaðir and roughly an hour and a half from Seyðisfjörður. 

You can sometimes actually see the Northern Lights in Reykjavík. I actually got lucky in this respect on a winter trip when I was walking home from dinner. It was a nice and unexpected bonus, but you are much more likely to see them if you get out of the city. The main reason why: There’s simply too much light pollution in Reykjavík and other urban areas, for the most part. 

Stykkishólmur is one of the main towns on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and you need to go a bit out of your way to get here. It’s really beautiful, and since it’s not particularly big, you can easily explore the place in a day. Of course, you can always stay overnight if you want to travel more slowly. 

The main thing to do in Stykkishólmur is go for a stroll around the harbor area and also check out its colorful houses. I have to say that when I visited, I very much had a feeling of “yes, I could probably live here”. On a clear day, you can actually see the Westfjords in the far distance. 

Stykkishólmur has a couple of cafés and restaurants, and I’d also recommend getting fish and chips from the harbor. These were the most expensive fish and chips I’ve ever paid for, but as someone who grew up in the UK (and therefore knows what he’s talking about on this topic), I can say that they were worth the money. 

Getting to Stykkishólmur

Stykkishólmur is best visited as part of a multi-day trip to Snæfellsnes. It’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavík, so it’s quite far away. To get here, you’ll need to take Road 58 to the town. It’s paved and generally well-kept, but bad weather in the winter can make it difficult to get here. 

The easiest way to get here is as part of a loop around Route 54, which is the peninsula’s main road. You will, toward the end of it, then find Route 58. You’ll need your own car to get here, as most tours will not visit the town. 

Compared to other parts of the Highlands, Landmannalaugar feels like relative luxury. I loved relaxing in the hot springs, and the campsite is pretty big. We also did some hiking close to the campsite, which was lots of fun; even if we hadn’t done the main hike, I would still have been happy with this. 

Landmannalaugar has a small shop and quite a big campsite. It was pretty busy when we got here. To reach it yourself, you need a high-clearance 4WD as you’ll travel along an F-road and must also cross a river. It’s not for the faint-hearted, to say the least, and I would therefore recommend getting someone else to transport you there. In addition to traveling with The Iceland Trail, for which transport is included, you can take multiple tours. Highland buses also operate here during the summer. 

My second caveat is to stick to the trails and respect all of the signs. While you can go behind the waterfall in the summer, you cannot do this in the winter. I still recommend going in the off-season, but respect the signs telling you not to go behind the waterfall for your own safety. You should also stick to the trail in general; I’ve seen some people climb up the hill nearby to get photos, despite this explicitly not being allowed. Have fun, but don’t be a douchebag. 

Cool, so we’ve got those out of the way. Regardless of when you go, Seljalandsfoss is beautiful and easy to reach. From the parking lot, where you’ll need to pay for parking if you drive yourself, it’s a short walk. You can also see Seljalandsfoss from the Ring Road. 

Do I Need My Own Car to Visit Seljalandsfoss? 

No, but you can do this if you want. Seljalandsfoss is an easy drive from Reykjavík, and you can absolutely do it as part of a day trip. However, I recommend instead including it as part of a longer trip along the South Coast.

Still, the hardest things are often the most worthwhile. Once you get here, you will—besides being in one of the most beautiful places in Iceland—have plenty of hiking opportunities. The canyon behind the campsite is well worth seeing, and it’s pretty easy to walk along the trail. On the way, you’ll see a couple of waterfalls, too. 

While I was here, I also did the blue hiking trail with my girlfriend. This was of moderate difficulty, and it took us a few hours to complete. We wanted something that wasn’t too strenuous before we continued with our trip, and this was precisely what we were looking for. 

The trail was quite steep in the beginning, but it’s doable as long as you have the right hiking equipment. We then got some amazing views of the surrounding areas before heading back down into a valley and then back to the campsite. 

About That Road…

When I say “not for the faint of heart”, I mean it. The road to Þakgil technically is not an F-road, but it might as well be. I strongly recommend using a 4WD to get here, and also that you understand what is involved. 

Firstly, the road is completely unpaved and goes up the side of a mountain. You also have no guardrails, and I have to say that driving up is not fun if it’s raining. The road is not accessible at all during the winter, either. 

We had a lot of potholes on the way to and from the campsite, along with blind spots while we were going up and down. If you do decide to go, be patient and take your time. In my opinion, the campsite is worth the journey, though—if you visit in the summer. 

I really enjoyed this café, which is right next to the main road on the peninsula. While we were here, we shared some cakes and also got a couple of coffees. The cakes were very good, and I also enjoyed being in the conservatory area. You’ll find a small shop here, too. 

In addition to snacks and drinks, Hjá Góðu Fólki serves proper meals if you’re feeling hungry. The café is open throughout the summer, but if you’re visiting in the winter, I strongly recommend checking the opening hours before you travel. 

11. Stay Overnight in Þórsmörk

When: June to August

Þórsmörk is one of the easiest places to access in the Icelandic Highlands, and if you get the chance to stay overnight, I can 100% recommend it. The national park is where we finished the Laugavegur Trail, and it’s a lovely place to relax after the end of a long hike. 

In addition to ending (or starting) the Laugavegur Trail in Þórsmörk, you’ll find a number of other trails here. I did one that was quite straightforward, which went through much of the forested areas here. You can do easier or more difficult hikes, too, depending on your skills and preferences. 

At Þórsmörk, you’ll find three campsites. You can also pay for indoor accommodation if you’d prefer to not camp outside. The national park is only accessible during the summer. 

If you choose to drive here, you’ll need a 4WD. You will, however, need to cross multiple rivers—I don’t recommend driving yourself unless you know what you’re doing. If your vehicle gets stuck, you will void your warranty. 

While here, we both got some ice cream that was made locally. You can also buy several cheeses and other products. The ice cream was surprisingly affordable, and the same is true for the other food you can purchase here. It’s not a place to have a meal, but it is a good stop for a break. 

In addition to getting ice cream and other foodstuffs, you’ll also find a small shop here. We also spent some time with the cows and goats, which was very nice. 

If you visit in the summer, you shouldn’t have any problems. In the winter, I personally wouldn’t feel so comfortable going along the mountainside road to get here. It’s a good stop if you’re going to the Westfjords. I recommend going here if you’re visiting with kids, but even though we didn’t go with any, we still had fun. 

The peninsula is included when you pay for parking at Vestrahorn, and it’s a good place to go birdwatching. The views out to the ocean are also great, especially on a clear day. 

If you’re driving past the Eastfjords anyway, Stokksnes is worth the detour. You don’t need a 4WD to get here, but the road to the parking lot is unpaved. During the winter, it can be slippery; in the summer, you should have no problems passing through. 

When you arrive, you can pay for parking in the café. After that, you can drive through to the peninsula after scanning the QR code. If you want to, it’s also possible to stay overnight nearby; if you stay at the guesthouse, you can get unlimited access to the surrounding region for your stay. 

My personal favorite thing to do at Skógafoss is to take the stairs near the waterfall to the trail behind it. While the full trail would take you too long for a short visit, it is worth doing at least some of it. When I was here, I walked for around 45 minutes before going back. We passed several waterfalls and also got a cool view of Skógafoss from the top. 

Back at ground level, Skógafoss is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the country. You can get quite close, but you will get wet, and I suggest bringing a good waterproof jacket with you. There are crowds here regardless of when you visit, but to be honest, it’s not so busy when the tour buses leave. 

The hike to the viewpoint starts close to the visitor center. You’ll see a map here, and the walk in one direction takes around an hour. It’s mostly flat, and to be honest, it wasn’t that hard when we went. You will need to cross one bridge on foot, and the trail can be snowy/icy in the winter, but it’s very easy to access in the summer. We did the Skaftafell/Svínafell hike.

While on the trail, you will pass nesting birds in the warmer months. We were followed by some plovers, but they left us alone after we walked away from their nest. Keep walking, and you should be fine. 

When you get to the end of the trail, you’ll have some amazing views of the Svínafellsjökull glacier. Parts of the guardrails were broken when we were here, so be careful and avoid standing too close to the edge. I also should point out that this hike is to the viewpoint; you should not, under any circumstances, walk on the glacier on your own. Doing so is incredibly dangerous (and by that, I mean you will be risking your life). If you want to hike *on* a glacier in Iceland, the only way to do it is via a guided tour. 

Puffins are a bonus if you visit in the summer, but in my opinion, the Westman Islands offer much more than that. It’s a super interesting place to learn more about volcanoes in Iceland, for example. Eldfell famously erupted in 1973 and destroyed much of the main town on Heimaey, along with forcing an evacuation of the island. We went to the excellent museum dedicated to telling the story of this eruption and also the creation of Surtsey in 1963. 

While wandering around the town, we also walked along a trail that took us to the remains of many houses destroyed by the 1973 eruption. Seeing these was amazing but also somewhat haunting and incomprehensible. We also hiked Eldfell, which was a fun experience. The hike is challenging in some areas, but we got to the top without major problems. It can be quite windy when you reach the summit, though. 

You will spend pretty much all of your time on the main island, which isn’t very big and is easy to drive around. The main town has some nice cafés, including Vigtin Bakhús—which is close to the harbor. 

Getting to the Westman Islands (+ Where I Recommend Staying)

We took the ferry from Landeyjahöfn. It’s a two-hour drive from Reykjavík, and for the most part, you will drive along the Ring Road to get here. We booked our tickets in advance; you can also take your car with you when you purchase that particular ticket. 

We were here on a particularly moody day, and in my opinion, this made everything look even more photogenic. It was quite cold when we were here, and my hands were freezing—even though we went in the summer. You don’t need to spend a huge amount of time at Fjallsárlón, but I do think that it is worth a stop. 

If you do plan to take photos here, I strongly recommend using a weather-sealed camera. It’s very easy to destroy your camera in Iceland in general if you aren’t careful, and Fjallsárlón is no exception. You’ll need to pay for parking when you arrive, and this is separate from Jökulsárlón. 

I recommend visiting Fjallsárlón if you’re already on your way to Jökulsárlón or to/from the Eastfjords. It’s doable on a day trip from Skaftafell National Park, too, but I wouldn’t recommend day tripping it from anywhere further away than that. 

Regardless of which one you choose, it doesn’t really matter. Given how close it is to Reykjavík (and how beautiful it is), I recommend that basically everyone adds Þingvellir National Park to their Iceland itinerary. When you arrive, you’ll find a number of hikes that you can do. 

Visiting Öxrárfoss is a good idea, and alongside that, I also enjoy visiting the church in the valley. When we stayed overnight, we did a longer hike from our campsite, too. 

You can visit Þingvellir year-round, and it takes less than an hour to drive here from Reykjavík. When you arrive, you can leave your car at the visitor center or one of the other parking lots here. You will need to pay for parking; your ticket covers all of the main lots and will be valid for the whole day. 

If you choose to stay overnight, the campsite is a bit busier than some of the others in Iceland. It’s also quite basic, but nonetheless, I thought it was a good base to explore the national park in more detail. 

The valley is accessible during the summer, and it’s really beautiful. It genuinely felt like we were in some kind of elf’s fairytale. We were also lucky that there weren’t so many other people when we got here. 

While in Gjáin, we did a relatively easy hike which lasted for a few hours. It took us to Gjárfoss, which is a nice—albeit small—waterfall. We also went into the forested area and got to see a preserved Viking farm as well. It was super interesting, and we really enjoyed our stay overall. 

You can access Gjáin during the summer; we had a 4WD, which I think is a very good idea to have. You’ll need to go on an unpaved road to get to the top parking lot, and it was quite bumpy. If you haven’t driven on similar roads in Iceland, it can feel a bit uncomfortable. 

There is also a lower parking lot at Stöng; if you park here, you won’t need a 4WD. However, you’ll need to hike to the waterfall and valley. You can park at either car park for free, and to get here, it’s a two-hour drive from Reykjavík. I therefore suggest visiting as part of a bigger trip along the South Coast; to get here, type “Gjáin parking lot” in Google Maps. 

We had two pools at Grettislaug, and they were quite warm (and in some areas, borderline boiling). It was a nice way to relax after a day of driving around the north of the country. Once we paid for our admission to the pools, we had unlimited access for our stay. 

You can visit Grettislaug from April to the middle of October. One very big word of warning… Arctic Terns nest close to the pool, and let’s just say that they can be quite aggressive. When walking to the pool, you will probably be dive-bombed. For what it’s worth, they didn’t bother me in the evening—but in the morning, they were not happy with our presence 😅. They did, however, leave us alone while we were in the pool. 

Arctic Terns attack the highest point, so if you hold something above your head, they’ll swoop at that. Keep walking, don’t look up, and prepare to be haunted by their shrieks for the next six months 🤣. 

At Grettislaug, you’ll need to bring your own swimming gear and towels. You also must shower before you get in the pool. I think that your experience will be much better if you camp overnight instead, so consider doing this. 

Getting to Grettislaug

Grettislaug is just under two hours from Akureyri by car. You don’t strictly need a 4WD to get here, but I do strongly recommend having one. The final part of the road here is unpaved, and there were a lot of potholes when we drove here. Another thing to keep in mind is that the road there is quite narrow. 

To get to the swimming pool, type “Grettirs pool” into Google Maps. 

Note: If you don’t stay at Grettislaug, your best option is to stay for a night in the nearby town of Sauðárkrókur. You can search for accommodation here if you’d prefer to do that. 

You can see most of Reykjavík’s highlights in a day, but it’s also a nice place to stay overnight. Whether you plan to spend one or two days in the city, I’ve written a complete itinerary covering both. So, you may want to check that out once you’ve finished reading this article. 

You can visit Iceland’s capital city year-round. Winter is my personal favorite time to visit, but it doesn’t really matter when you go. While you’re here, I also recommend going to see Mount Esja from the waterfront; if you want to base yourself here, it’s ideal for nearby day trips. 

Svartifoss is quite small compared to the likes of Skógafoss, but its main appeal is the basalt rocks it flows over. If you’re into photography, this is one of the most beautiful waterfalls you’ll find anywhere in Europe—let alone in Iceland. 

The hike here isn’t too difficult, and I have written a complete guide to visiting Svartifoss. It’ll take you between 45 and 60 minutes to get here, and the path is easy to follow. I went here in April, and while it was muddy, I didn’t have too many issues with the right hiking shoes. In the winter, you should be extra careful as it can be slippery. 

Svartifoss is not really something that you do on a day trip from Reykjavík. When we hiked here, we stayed for a few nights in Vík—which is 1 hour and 40 minutes away by car. We based ourselves at Black Beach Suites, and I recommend doing the same if you’re not camping overnight in Skaftafell National Park.  

When you drive here, type “Skaftafell Parking” into Google Maps. 

Snæfellsnes’s reputation as being “Iceland in miniature” is well-deserved. My absolute favorite place here, besides Stykkishólmur, is the area around Snæfellsjökull National Park. However, all of it is worth seeing. 

While most people visit Snæfellsnes for Kirkjufell (also known as the Game of Thrones mountain), it has much more to offer. And on that note, I actually think that you can find the best views of Kirkjufell from other parts of the peninsula (though, admittedly, the waterfall and mountain view from the car park is cool). Even though the small black church—Búðakirkja—was very busy when we went, the hiking area behind it was worth our time. 

The best way to travel around the peninsula is to basically follow Route 54 around. From Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes is around two hours away by car. You can visit year-round, but road conditions can be very difficult in the winter. This is also one of the windiest parts of Iceland, despite being against some stiff competition. So, if possible, I’d recommend driving here between May and early October. 

Day Tour or Overnight?…

I’ve done both, so I am very much the right person to answer this question. 🙂

If you’re driving around the Snæfellsnes peninsula yourself, I would very much advise against taking a day trip. While it is close to Reykjavík, there’s quite a lot to see when you get here. If you try doing everything in a day, you won’t get to enjoy everything. If you really decide to drive on a day trip, you should do this in the summer when the daylight hours are much longer. 

So, yeah… if you’re driving yourself, I suggest staying overnight. The best places to base yourself are in Ólafsvík or Grundarfjörður, both of which are close to each other and also around the main route on the peninsula. You can check availability and book your accommodation here. 

Joining a guided tour from Reykjavík to Snæfellsnes is a better choice if you visit in the winter and don’t feel comfortable driving in unpredictable weather or on slippery roads. This would be my personal choice in these instances, anyway. You can also do a day tour if you don’t have a car, since public transport here is scarce (and you won’t be able to do a day trip if you take it, regardless). 

As the name suggests, you’ll get black crust pizza here. It’s not burnt, though, so don’t worry. I love the four-cheese pizza, but I’m sure that you’ll enjoy whichever option you pick. 

When I went here in the summer, there was a big queue outside. Luckily, though, it moved quite fast. We also visited during the off-season, and on that occasion, it was much easier to get a seat straight away. 

Black Crust Pizza is close to the other main shops and restaurants in Vík. You can park your car anywhere in the town center. 

You can actually see Reynisfjara from Dyrhólaey and get a better view of this, another black sand beach, and the sea columns close to Reynisfjara. The nature reserve is also a great place to go bird-watching; we saw plenty of fulmars when we were here. In the summer, you can see Arctic Terns and more. However, you aren’t allowed on the site between 19:00 and 09:00 from May to late June to avoid disturbing the birds as they nest. 

Dyrhólaey has some cool views of the other surrounding areas, and I thought the lighthouse was pretty interesting as well. You can visit year-round, weather permitting; you may have more difficulties in the winter. Moreover, it can get very windy here—and in the winter, I’d recommend a 4WD if you do go to the upper parking lot. 

When you arrive here, you can choose from two car parks. We personally chose to park our car in the upper parking lot. When you pay for your parking fee, it’ll cover both parking lots. To get here, type “Dyrhólaey parking upstairs” in Google Maps.  

We went to the Reykjanes Peninsula as part of a longer trip in Iceland; since we’d already seen much of the south, we were on the lookout for something new. One place we went to while here was the Seltún geothermal area. 

Although Iceland has plenty of geothermal areas, many of the others I’ve visited were much busier than this one. But besides the lack of crowds, I thought the area was—in general—really nice. The colorful rocks are also super interesting. We spent around 45 minutes here, and it was a nice stop on the way to our next destination. 

When you’re here, make sure that you stick to the paths. The area is paved with wooden steps. You’ll need to pay for parking when you arrive; you will also find some toilets here, which are worth using as there aren’t many other facilities in the area. Seltún is just over 40 minutes from Reykjavík. 

We mainly stopped here to take photos, and we spent around 10 minutes here. The main attraction is the view of the lake. You don’t need to pay for parking here, but the parking lot is small. There were some other people when we were there, but not too many. 

Kleifarvatn is very close to Seltún, and I recommend doing both of them on the same day. 

When my girlfriend and I decided to later explore the Snæfellsnes together (even though I had been, she had not), we deliberately decided to stop in Borgarnes for lunch. The Settlement Center’s lunch buffet was excellent, and I would happily stop here again. 

The menu changes, but we had some lasagna and various other dishes while we were there. I may or may not have had eyes bigger than my stomach, but that’s not for me to say 🫢. Either way, it was delicious. The staff were friendly, too, and the dining area was really well-designed. 

Even if you don’t visit the Settlement Center itself, you can eat lunch here. You can pay for the buffet when you arrive. We did not need to reserve a table, despite visiting in the peak tourist season. The food wasn’t much more expensive than what we’ve paid in other restaurants elsewhere in Iceland, but the quality was very high. Borgarnes itself is just over an hour from Reykjavík. We parked our car close to the Settlement Center; the parking lot is small, but we didn’t have issues. 

The town is quite small, and you can see everything in a few hours. I would, however, also be happy to stay for a night or two. The main attraction is the rainbow street, but beyond that, it’s full of cute houses. Many artists live in Seyðisfjörður, so it’s quite a creative town as well. You will find a handful of places to eat, too. 

If you do come here, you’ll need to cross over a mountain road. It’s paved, but the visibility can be terrible sometimes. When we went here, snow was still covering the mountains—even though it was summer. It was also very foggy, so we had to drive quite carefully. 

Seyðisfjörður can be quite busy when the ferry from Denmark docks, but it’s still a nice place to spend a bit of time. While you’re here, I recommend checking out the waterfall close to the town as you’re on your way back. 

Getting to Seyðisfjörður

The town is just under 30 minutes away from Egilsstaðir. You can visit year-round, and the road here is usually cleared. However, winter weather can sometimes mean that it’s closed at short notice. 

Siglufjörður itself went through a decline in the late 20th century, and I have to say that the atmosphere still felt a bit tired when I was there. Then again, that could also have just been because of the weather. Either way, the town’s harbor area is really beautiful and worth visiting. I still enjoyed my visit, and I will definitely return in the future. 

Despite its decline toward the end of the last century, Siglufjörður has since been building itself back up and is on the rise again. I am very optimistic about its potential over the next few decades, and it has huge potential, in my opinion. While you’re here, you will find a number of attractions worth seeing, too—such as the Herring Era Museum. 

If you decide to stay overnight, you’ll find a popular hotel right next to the waterfront. Siglufjörður is just over an hour from Akureyri, and buses also operate here. However, driving will be more convenient. 

In the winter, you can go skiing in the area nearby. The road is usually passable, but it can be closed if the weather is bad. For what it’s worth, we saw very few tourists; there were literally like two other families when we visited in the summer. 

I’ll Warn in Advance About the Tunnels Into and Out of Siglufjörður…

Single-lane tunnels are not fun to drive in, if you ask me, and you will need to go through one on the way to Siglufjörður. There are pullover spots to let traffic pass, but you will need to pay extra attention. Sheep can sometimes be inside the tunnel, too, so drive slowly. 

To be honest, I liked the tunnel out of Siglufjörður even less. It was foggy when we drove up the mountain, for starters. On top of that, there were sheep close to the entrance, and it wasn’t very enjoyable in general to drive through. Despite this, I think that the town is still an enjoyable place to visit and worth dealing with the tunnels in and out. 

Despite this, I still thought that the hike there was fun. On the way, you’ll also see plenty of other waterfalls anyway. The path is easy to follow, and while there are some steep edges, it’s nothing that I was worried about. Then again, this was because I stayed very far away from the edge. 

The hike to Hengifoss took us an hour one-way. Some parts of the trail are steep, but for the most part, I think it’s quite easy for anyone with basic fitness levels. Make sure you have proper hiking clothing, though. 

To get here, the parking lot is roughly half-an-hour from Egilsstaðir. Enter “Hengifoss parking” into Google Maps; you’ll need to pay a fee when you arrive. You will find toilets, places to fill your water bottle, and a café when you’re here. We also ate lunch at the picnic tables. 

My top reason for visiting Jökulsárlón is bird-watching. So far, I’ve found it to be one of the best places in Iceland to see skuas. When you see them flying up close, they are *huge* and a bit scary. Luckily, we weren’t close to their nests and therefore didn’t get divebombed… I don’t think that would have been very fun. 

Otherwise, Jökulsárlón itself is very scenic. During the summer, the crowds are quite big here; the only place I’ve seen that’s busier in Iceland is Seljalandsfoss. However, this is just something that you deal with when you’re there. 

If you’re driving yourself, I’d recommend staying overnight in Höfn, which is a 50-minute drive away. Even from Vík, Jökulsárlón is a very long drive. Unless you’re joining a guided tour, this isn’t something you can realistically do on a day trip from Reykjavík. 

When you arrive at Jökulsárlón, you’ll need to pay for parking. This also includes the nearby Diamond Beach, which I personally think is overrated. However, since you’ll already be in the area, you can always stop there for a few minutes. Oh, and when I was there, I saw some couple’s phone tripod get knocked over by a wave… so maybe don’t do set that up here. 🙂

The main joy of Hvalfjörður is admiring the scenery. We went here after visiting Þingvellir and on our way to the Snæfellsnes peninsula; it’s a 30-minute drive from the national park. 

You can also go to Hvalfjörður as a detour when you drive from Reykjavík to Snæfellsnes. Most people use the tunnel, but the fjord is another way to go. You will find a handful of spots where you can stop your car to take pictures. 

Hvalfjörður is best visited in the summer, as the roads will be easier to drive on. Since not so many people use this route now, it doesn’t get priority clearing compared to other roads in Iceland. Therefore, it can be quite slippery. The good news, however, is that the road around the fjord is at least paved.

From Reykjavík, Hvalfjörður is around an hour’s drive away. You can also go here on your way back to the capital from Snæfellsnes. 

While I feel like canyons in Iceland can sometimes be quite overrated, this was not one of those. The hike here took around 15 minutes from the main part of the Laugavegur Trail, and it was quite tricky in some parts. It’s not harder than much of the Laugavegur Trail, though. 

Although the views here are amazing, the drop is sudden, and it’s hard to see where the edge is. So, I suggest being extra careful here. The weather wasn’t so great when we went, but it was still worth an extra detour. 

Like the rest of the Laugavegur Trail, you can only visit the canyon in the summer. 

Your Complete Guide to the Best Things to Do in Iceland

Writing this guide took a very long time, both in terms of actually putting it together and going on each trip to do the first-hand research needed. However, I think it’s the best of its kind on the internet, and I hope that you found at least a couple of things to do while you’re in Iceland that sound interesting.