Top 12 Must-Do Activities for Your First Trip to Iceland

Iceland is a beautiful country to visit and one of the most unique when it comes to the most epic places to see! And, although a first-time visit to Iceland is an exciting prospect, there’s a heap of planning and logistics to be made to ensure a nice smooth trip. This is exactly why I wanted to share some of the best things to do on a first trip to Iceland.

Honestly, the whole country is as diverse as you can imagine, with the most incredible hikes, quaint towns, dramatic landscapes, and stunning ice caves all within one beautiful country.

Now, as it’s your first visit, you’ll probably be thinking about starting in the southwest of Iceland. This is where nearly all international flights arrive and depart, making it a good starting point for your adventure.

Most of these attractions are within a 5-hour drive from Iceland’s international airport, Keflavik, and easily reached by main arterial roads. This all makes it a bit easier to visualize the driving involved.

Take a little look at some of the best things to do on a first trip to Iceland.

1.) Bathe in the Blue Lagoon

Iceland is known the world over for its famous geothermal heated pools, with the Blue Lagoon being one of its most pristine!

Head across to the Blue Lagoon (around a 10-minute drive from the airport) and spend a good few hours relaxing in these piping-hot pools. Alternatively, you can stay at The Retreat, for an extra special treat.

Now, the lagoon can get busy, so book your tickets in advance and make sure to visit at less busy times. Usually, first thing in the morning is a little quieter.

Also, If you arrive in winter, you can head to the Blue Lagoon and watch the sunrise, a magical experience that is well worth doing!

2.) Spot the northern lights

No visit to Iceland is complete without (at least looking for) the Northern Lights.

If you’ve rented a car, it’s best to head out of the towns and seek some darker rural areas. We drove about 30 minutes out of Reykjavik to see them clearly in the dark and within the national park itself.

The months around March and September are the brightest for the northern lights, but you can be lucky and see them at any time of the night.

When the lights are strong, you’ll notice them dancing overhead regardless of the small amounts of light pollution from the towns. Always keep your eyes peeled for those dancing swirls.

Now, you can book this incredible Northern Lights tour, which is great if you don’t drive (or just don’t fancy driving). The tour picks up from Reykjavik and takes around 4 hours. It’s incredible. Best of all, they will know all the places to go to avoid light pollution.

That being said, if you have a car, then you can go out alone. It just depends on what suits you best.

3.) Go Whale Watching

There is an abundance of whales that call the shores of Iceland home. Join this incredible whale-watching tour that departs from Reykjavik and try your luck at spotting some of these majestic animals in the wild.

Taking approximately 3-4 hours, it’s the perfect way to see whales in their natural habitat. Just be aware that sometimes the tours can overrun a little, so have a buffer for any plans just in case.

4.) Eat Local Icelandic Cuisine

Traditional Icelandic cuisine is a little unknown outside of Iceland but that doesn’t mean it’s not delicious!

Head to one of the delightful restaurants in Reykjavik and try local dishes like Harðfiskur, which consists of dried fish and is a firm favourite!

If you want to explore but don’t drive, book this 3-hour foodie walking tour in Reykjavik for a great way to try Icelandic cuisine.

You’ll get to sample various local dishes across different shops, restaurants, and stalls, making it a delicious culinary adventure.

5.) Bake Hot Spring Rye Bread in the Earth

There are few places where the heat of geothermal activity can bake bread in the ground. Iceland is one of these places! Head over to the Fontana Hot Springs, or even to some hotels and restaurants that offer a baking experience.

Work up an appetite and spread the delicious bread with lashings of butter.

6.) Watch the Sunset at Vik & Dyrhólaey

One of the best places to watch the sunset is Vik and Dyrhólaey.

Head here to see the sun slowly descend over the horizon, all whilst standing on the iconic black beach that Iceland has become so famous for. It is a beautiful place to visit in Iceland.

7.) Drive the Golden Circle

One of the main routes visitors to Iceland take, the Golden Circle encompasses quite a few incredible sites you won’t want to miss. Including the iconic Strokkur Geyser (that erupts every few minutes) and Gullfoss, which looks stunning in both winter and summer.

The Golden Circle can take about 4-5 hours to complete, but it’s best to give a little extra time to relax and enjoy this stunning route. It is one of the best things to do on a first trip to Iceland.

8.) Visit the Capital City, Reykjavik

The capital city of Iceland, Reykjavik, is one place you’ll likely spend an evening or two. Head here on weekends when the bars are filled with live music, friendly locals, and an amazing atmosphere.

9.) See the Roaring Skógafoss

Skógafoss is approximately 2 hours east of the airport, and it is one of Iceland’s most popular waterfalls to visit.

Entry is free to Skógafoss, and if you arrive early in the morning, or late afternoon, you’ll notice the crowds dissipate, leaving the waterfall just for you. It’s lovely.

10.) Explore the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

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

Head over to Jökulsárlón and see the incredible landscape that surrounds this region. It truly is an impressive sight. You can pop out onto the lagoon via boat trips that happen here.

If you don’t have a car, book yourself onto this epic Jökulsárlón tour. It’s an incredible way to see the ice caves of Vatnajökull Glacier on a tour from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, with expert guides ensuring your safety.

11.) Go Troll Spotting on Horseback

Horseback riding is a beautiful experience in Iceland, especially with the friendly Icelandic horses that are so full of character.

Head out onto the tundra and keep your eyes peeled for Icelandic trolls! Legend has it that they live in the little grassy humps scattered all over the country.

Make sure to book an Icelandic horseback tour and discover the natural beauty of Iceland. It’s an excellent way to experience its dramatic landscapes. Just ensure to book in advance as places tend to fill up quickly during peak seasons.

12.) Walk Behind a Waterfall at Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss waterfall is approximately a 10-minute drive from Skógafoss, so it’s well worth doing these simultaneously.

One of the best things about Seljalandsfoss is that you can walk behind the falls themselves, an incredible experience!

Remember, when conditions get really dicey, the path behind the waterfall is closed off for safety. If that’s the case, don’t be too disappointed; after all, it’s for your own safety.