Top Activities to Experience in Iceland—No Matter the Season

Boasting a wealth of natural marvels, from massive volcanic craters to black-sand beaches and countless waterfalls, Iceland is the ultimate destination for outdoor enthusiasts. While the country sees its highest tourist influx from June to August, there are exciting adventures year-round. I traveled there in late March and relished scenic drives to waterfalls, relaxing in steamy lagoons, and chilly evenings gazing at the Northern Lights lighting up the sky. To help you get ready for (or just dream about) your upcoming trip, here’s a list of the best things to do in Iceland throughout the year.

Activities Available Year-Round in Iceland

Relax in a Hot Spring

The country’s abundant hot springs maintain a cozy 100°F even when the outside temperature drops. The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, hotel, and restaurant, is a popular stop for travelers en route to and from Keflavík Airport. It’s famous for its unique blue waters, created by light reflecting off the silica in the water, as well as its silica mud masks. Another great option is the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavík, which allows visitors to experience a seven-step ritual that includes an ice bath, sauna, cold mist, body scrub, and more. I spent several hours at both the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon during my visit, enjoying face masks along with body treatments and cocktails.

Explore a Unique Nature Museum

If the weather doesn't cooperate during your visit, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy. Located just a 10-minute drive from Reykjavík, Perlan is a visitor center where travelers can discover Iceland’s natural wonders—ice caves, glaciers, volcanic eruptions, seabird cliffs, and the Northern Lights—through a planetarium, an indoor ice cave walk, and other exhibitions.

Shop in Reykjavík

While I spent much of my time in Iceland exploring by car, I used Reykjavík as my home base and dedicated some afternoons to souvenir shopping at Icemart, savoring pastries from Sandholt and Brauð & Co, and capturing photos of the vibrant homes lining the streets.

Museum Hopping in the Capital

Reykjavík boasts a variety of museums to suit your interests. If you’re in the mood for modern art, the Reykjavík Art Museum features works from both emerging and established Icelandic artists. For a glimpse into history, visit the Árbær Open Air Museum or the Settlement Exhibition to learn about the island's earliest settlers. If you're looking for something unique, The Icelandic Phallological Museum displays hundreds of phallic specimens and includes a themed gift shop for souvenirs.

Explore Hallgrímskirkja Church, Iceland’s Largest

Hallgrímskirkja Church, the largest in Iceland, was constructed over 41 years from 1945 to 1986 in a traditional Gothic style. Visitors can even ascend to the top for panoramic views of the city.

Indulge in a Hot Dog at the Famous Baejarin

After a day of exploring, no visit to Iceland is complete without a stop at one of Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur’s locations for a classic hot dog topped with crispy onions and mustard.

Embark on a Scenic Drive Along the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle—a circular route showcasing many of Iceland’s most beloved natural wonders—is a shorter, year-round alternative to the more challenging Ring Road, which spans 820 miles across the country. The Golden Circle primarily follows well-maintained main roads and features stunning waterfalls along with the natural beauty of Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Geothermal Area.

Activities to Enjoy in Iceland During Spring and Summer

During spring and summer, Iceland enjoys milder temperatures (about 50°F in the summer) and extended daylight, reaching up to 21 hours per day around the summer solstice. This period is ideal for embarking on longer road trips, as the sun remains up and the country’s more remote gravel and F-roads are accessible for a limited time.

While spring and summer offer great outdoor opportunities, Iceland's weather can be unpredictable year-round. It's essential to stay informed about weather conditions and road updates. To avoid crowds, consider setting out early in the morning or later in the evening, especially during the long, bright days.

Discover the National Parks of the Country

Iceland's national parks welcome visitors year-round, but spring and summer present unique chances to explore remote areas and engage in activities like hiking, snorkeling, and bird-watching. At Thingvellir National Park in the southwest, two popular activities include diving and snorkeling at the Silfra Fissure, where you can swim between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. The crystal-clear waters provide visibility of up to 150 meters, showcasing both tectonic plates and the canyon's lava rock formations.

To fully appreciate the beauty of Silfra, I braved the 30°F weather and icy waters to join a guided snorkeling tour through the rocky yet breathtaking channel. After this experience, I can assure you that swimming in Silfra will be far more enjoyable in the warmer months.

Explore Beyond Reykjavík

Route 1 circles Iceland, covering about 800 miles, and most locals suggest taking at least 5 to 7 days to traverse it. In southern Iceland, travelers will encounter Vik, a coastal town famed for its black-sand Reynisfjara beach (be cautious of the powerful waves), Vík I Myrdal Church, the Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck, and the highly Instagrammable Skool Beans Cafe located in a school bus. As you head east, make sure to stop at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, as well as the Eastfjords, home to friendly fishing villages like Djúpivogur, Stöðvarfjörður, and Reyðarfjörður. In northern Iceland, you'll find the nation's largest waterfall, Dettifoss, and Vatnajökull National Park.

Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife

Spring and summer bring a rich variety of wildlife throughout Iceland. During these months, puffins gather on sea cliffs across the nation to mate, with the largest colony found in the Westman Islands off south Iceland—an ideal spot for bird-watchers seeking waterfowl and seabirds. Summer is also prime time for spotting orcas, blue whales, humpback whales, and marine life such as seals and dolphins. Some of the finest whale-watching tours, offered by companies like Gentle Giants, are based in Húsavík.

Experience a Buggy Tour

An ATV buggy tour presents a fresh way to navigate Iceland's rugged landscapes and gravel paths. South Coast Adventures provides three guided tours ranging from one to five hours, taking visitors to stunning waterfalls, sandy fields, and scenic viewpoints throughout southern Iceland.

Consider Camping

For those wanting to immerse themselves in Iceland's natural beauty, camping is an excellent choice, particularly during the spring and summer months. Although Iceland boasts vast open spaces, camping is restricted to designated areas. Campers can select from various experiences, including campervans, tents, or even glamping. It's highly advisable to reserve campground spots well in advance during the bustling summer season.

Activities to Enjoy in Iceland During Fall and Winter

From November to March, the coldest months bring limited sunlight and harsher weather, but they also mean fewer tourists. This period is perfect for engaging in winter-specific activities, though it's wise to reconsider extensive road trips due to potential road closures and hazardous snowy or icy conditions. When I visited in March, the chill was still noticeable, leading me to take shorter excursions around the Golden Circle and to Vik.

Hunt for the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are best observed in Iceland from September through mid-April. Numerous hotels and tour companies, including Reykjavík Excursions and Icelandair, provide tours that take you from Reykjavík to areas with minimal light pollution, such as Thingvellir National Park. Optimal viewing conditions include clear skies, low or no moonlight, high solar wind activity, and minimal light interference.

If you’ve rented a car, you can also chase the lights across the Icelandic countryside. However, their visibility can be unpredictable. To witness the lights in all their brilliance, I needed to make two trips to Thingvellir National Park, so be sure to leave room in your itinerary for multiple attempts. Regularly checking the aurora forecast will help you determine if it's worthwhile to venture out for a view.

Discover glaciers and ice caves

The winter months provide a chance to explore natural glaciers and ice caves that form as temperatures drop. From November to early May, visitors can wander through breathtaking blue ice caves and traverse glacier ice while wearing specially designed hiking boots. Notable locations include the Katla ice cave in southern Iceland, the man-made Langjökull Glacier in the west, and both the Skaftafell ice cave and Vatnajökull Glacier in the southeast.

Participate in winter sports

Skiing is a favored winter pastime for Icelanders, and visitors can explore several ski resorts to enjoy the snowy terrain. Akureyri in northern Iceland and the Bláfjöll ski resort near Reykjavík are among the top destinations for skiing in the country. Additionally, snowmobiling tours are frequently available across the Langjökull Glacier and often include ice cave exploration.

Accommodation options

Iceland offers a wide variety of accommodations, including hotels, Airbnbs, and bed-and-breakfasts. Whether you plan to commute daily from Reykjavík or stay in a new hotel every few nights, you'll have plenty of choices.

For a tranquil, wellness-focused getaway, the Retreat at Blue Lagoon provides exclusive lagoon access, stunning volcanic scenery, and an on-site spa and dining options.

Planning to visit during the prime Northern Lights season and don’t want to miss any of the spectacle? The Bubble Hotel offers clear bubble pods that let you enjoy the night sky right from your bed.

Experience the thrill of Iceland’s adventures by staying at Eleven Deplar Farm in the secluded northern region. Enjoy activities like hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, kayaking, fly fishing, and skiing during the day, then unwind at the farm's spa in the evenings.

For more inspiration about Iceland, take a look at our list of underrated activities in Iceland and our top 7 accommodations in Iceland.