Iceland is located in the remote North Atlantic Ocean. However, that doesn’t stop the “land of ice and fire” from being a top destination on many travelers’ bucket lists.
From its stunning natural wonders and ethereal beauty to the myths and legends of Icelandic folklore: it’s no wonder over two million tourists visit Iceland every year.
If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to do in Iceland, here are some exciting and unique things to do, including the best places to visit in Iceland.
1. Take A Road Trip
One of the most popular adventures among travelers is to take a road trip along Iceland’s main roads. It’s one of the best things to do in Iceland if you want to cover a lot of sightseeing ground. It’s easy to rent an Iceland camper van and do a DIY road trip through the country. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking Iceland scenery. Plus, you can sleep along the way in your camper van and conveniently stop at campsites for overnights. Popular Iceland road trip routes include The Golden Circle, Ring Road Route 1, and the South Coast along the Ring Road.
2. Attend the Secret Solstice
Icelandic festivals are a great expression of Icelandic culture. With that in mind, if you want to experience Iceland’s party scene first-hand, a festival should be at the top of your itinerary. One of the most iconic Iceland festivals is the Secret Solstice festival. A high-energy annual event, the festival takes place over three days when Iceland experiences 24-hour sun in June. Seeing the midnight sun during this summer celebration is an experience you won’t forget.
3. Swim in the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous Iceland attractions. It is a geothermal spa that is filled with heated seawater and earns its name from the striking turquoise color of the pools. The water is said to have healing properties, containing silica and other minerals that can treat certain skin conditions. Whether this is scientifically proven or not, spending a good few hours relaxing in these piping hot pools is certainly a blissful experience that can heal any tired soul!
4. Take a Whale Watching Tour
Iceland is one of the best places to see whales, so much so that the northern town of Húsavik has been nicknamed the whale watching capital of Europe. The shores of Iceland have an abundance of whales and other aquatic life. From humpback whales to white-beaked dolphins, you can spot over twenty species of whale, dolphin, and porpoise on a tour.
Apart from Húsavik, you can hop on a tour from Reykjavík and Akureyri ports.
5. Watch the Northern Lights
Due to the concentration of the earth’s magnetic fields on the poles, the Northern Lights can only be seen in the north and south hemisphere. As a result, Iceland is one of the top spots in the world to visit if you want to witness them first-hand. In fact, no trip to Iceland in winter is complete without experiencing these ethereal lights dance in the night.
Also known as Aurora Borealis, this Iceland must-see attraction is brightest around March and September.
6. Visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Visiting the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is one of the top things to do in Iceland if you don’t have much time. Why? It has a variety of landscapes that are representative of various parts of Iceland. It’s even referred to as “Iceland in Miniature” or “Iceland in a Nutshell”.
A two-hour drive from Iceland’s capital city Reykjavík, Snæfellsnes is a breathtaking combination of lava fields, caves, waterfalls, and other volcanic features. Its main attraction is the Snæfellsjökull glacier that sits on a volcano on the peninsula’s tip.
7. Visit Iceland’s South Coast
Iceland’s South Coast is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Iceland. Taking a trip along the Ring Road route will lead you to many sights and adventures. Reynisfjara beach is one of the most popular black sand beaches in the country and a must-see landscape. In fact, it was even voted one of National Geographic’s Top 10 non-tropical beaches. The south is also home to the famous Sólheimasandur wreckage of a US Navy plane that crash-landed in 1973.
8. Hike to Vestrahorn Mountain
Vestrahorn is a 454-meter tall scree mountain located in South East Iceland. It is probably one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland. And, let’s face it, if you’ve seen it in a travel magazine, you should definitely add it to your list of things to see in Iceland.
This mountain has a spectacular appearance under the Northern Lights, reflecting the green lights onto the surrounding water. It is best viewed from the Stokksnes peninsula, about a six hour drive from Reykjavík.
9. Admire the Dynjandi Waterfall
When they say that Iceland landscapes will take your breath away, they’re referring to sights like the Dynjandi Waterfall. Situated on the Dynjandivogur Bay in the Westfjords, Dynjandi is touted as one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Iceland. It sits in a nature reserve that has a camping area, so if you’re looking for what to do in Iceland in a camper van, add this location to your list.
Are You Ready to Visit Iceland?
Take an adventure to see and do all of these Iceland attractions with your Rent.is camper van. Talk to us to learn more about these sights and plan your Iceland camping trip!
