Iceland Things to Do

The world’s northernmost capital city and the gateway to some of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe, it’s no surprise that Reykjavik has become a popular inclusion on cruise itineraries for northern Europe, Scandinavia and Arctic cruises. Most cruise ships dock for 24 or 48 hours in the city, leaving visitors time to explore the center of Reykjavik and tour the natural wonders within easy reach of the city.

Whether you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, hike across some of the world’s most spectacular scenery or explore the northernmost capital city in Europe, there’s plenty to fill a week’s itinerary in Iceland.

If you’re visiting during the summer season, public buses and guided tours run to all the principal sights, but those visiting in low season or hoping to get off-the-beaten track might want to look into hiring a car and driving the circular ring road which runs around the whole country. To get you started, here are three itineraries to help you plan your trip to Iceland.

With vast glacial passes, steamy lagoons and looming volcanoes, Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes are among the world’s most unique. Even the beaches on the arctic isle are extraordinary – shimmering expanses of black sand that trace the south Atlantic coast.

With an abundance of guided tours available throughout the peak tourism months, exploring Iceland’s most famous landscapes is made easy, but if you’re visiting in the off-season or attempting a DIY excursion of more remote sights, you’ll need to consider your transport options more carefully.

Just because its name evokes images of snowshoeing and glacier hiking, doesn’t mean Iceland is only a winter destination; in fact, the summer months are one of the most popular times to explore with extended sunlight hours providing the opportunity to continue tours late into the evening. Here are a few suggestions for what to do in Iceland in summer.

With no trains, limited low season transport options and vast unpopulated landscapes, Iceland makes an obvious choice for a road trip and hiring a car or campervan to get around has become a popular option for travelers.Unless you’re arriving by ferry from mainland Europe, hiring a car on arrival is the best option and there’s a wide range of rental outlets that offer limited or unlimited mileage plans with the option to pick up and drop off the vehicle in different locations.