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Activities in Iceland

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Activities in Iceland vary from adrenaline-filled adventures to low-key museum visits. They include whale watching in Dalvik, snorkeling in the world’s clearest waters, hiking in the most remote destinations, and hunting the Northern Lights. Regardless of the season, you’ll always find inspiring and entertaining activities to do with your friends, with family or solo.

Browse the best activities in Iceland and plan an unforgettable holiday with Arctic Adventures!

ACTIVITY TOURS IN ICELAND

Activities in Reykjavik

Spending a day exploring Iceland’s capital is popular for visitors with layover flights or tight itineraries. Here are our recommendations for the best things to do during a day in Reykjavik:

  • Reykjavik Food Walk. Discover authentic Icelandic cuisine through the eyes of local foodies. During this walking tour, you’ll pass by some of the most famous attractions in Reykjavik. Your local guide will tell you all about the charming city and the country’s cuisine.
  • Reykjavik Pub Crawl. This 3-4 hour pub crawl introduces you to Reykjavik’s most beloved bars. A local guide will take you to the most famous cocktail bars, beer pubs, and breweries, as well as a hot dog stand with Iceland’s best hangover food.

Summer Activities in Iceland

Summer is the most popular season to visit Iceland. The weather is gentle, the days are never-ending thanks to the Midnight Sun, and most activities are on offer. Here’s everything you need to do on your trip to Iceland this summer:

  • 4-Day Laugavegur Trek - this 4-day backpacking trip will take you on an amazing adventure in the Icelandic highlands. Hike through the most stunning landscapes of the world-famous Laugavegur trail. 

  • Westman Island, Volcanoes & Puffins tour - This exciting day tour to Iceland’s Westman Islands will let you explore fresh lava fields, climb a volcano, and watch some adorable puffins!
Lots of puffins on Vestmannaeyjar island

Winter Activities in Iceland

  • Golden Circle and Northern Lights. Northern Lights hunting is the ultimate winter adventure in Iceland. Combine it with a Golden Circle tour and make a day of it! During the tour, you’ll visit Thingvellir, Haukadalur Valley, and Gullfoss. Cap the day off with a Northern Lights show.
  • Snowmobiling and Ice Caving. This is the ultimate winter adventure combo. Start your day with a snowmobiling tour across Langjokull (the Long Glacier) and then descend into a natural ice cave. No previous snowmobiling experience is needed and all necessary gear is provided.
People snowmobiling on glacier in Iceland
  • ATV/ Quad Bike Adventure. Explore the Icelandic winter wonderland on this hour-long ATV tour. You’ll ascend and descend Hafrafjall Mountain and witness some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Iceland. Quad bikes can access any terrain, allowing you to reach previously untouched places.

Indoor Activities in Iceland

Besides adrenaline-filled outdoor adventures, Reykjavik has an abundance of indoor activities on offer. Here are a few things you can do regardless of the weather:

  • Whales of Iceland. The trip to the Whales of Iceland museum is perfect for a rainy day. Explore 23-life-sized models of various whale species, dolphins and other sea creatures. Find yourself at the bottom of the sea with available VR equipment. A fun family day guaranteed!
  • Viking Sagas Theatrical Show. Dive deep into the history of Iceland on this theatrical comedy show! It’s family-friendly and an hour of laughter is guaranteed. You’re allowed to take pictures (without flash) so make sure you bring some memories back!
Whale sculpture in Whales of Iceland museum in Reykjavik
  • Reykjavik City Card. The best bang for your buck. The Reykjavik City Card is loved by both travelers and locals. It doesn’t cost a lot but provides free entry to most of Reykjavik’s museums, art galleries, and thermal pools. It also gets you discounts on food, public transport, and many other activities in Reykjavik.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Iceland experiences two seasons: summer and winter. Many of the most popular Iceland activities are available all-year-round, while others are reserved for specific seasons.

Activities available all-year-round: thrilling snowmobile rides, whale watching, snorkeling and diving tours. You can also explore Iceland’s mighty ice caps on our year-round glacier adventures.

Iceland’s summer activities: stunning hiking, kayaking, and rafting tours. Explore Iceland’s incredible lakes and lagoons on boat and jet boat tours before the water freezes.

Iceland’s winter activities: unique crystal caves that form inside Iceland’s glaciers each winter on our ice cave tours! Best of all, winter is the season for chasing the elusive aurora borealis on a Northern Lights tours.

We offer many adventures that are perfect for kids of all ages. Whale and puffin watching tours are fantastic for little animal lovers. Visiting the Blue Lagoon is also fun and open to children from 2 years old.

If your children are younger than 6 years old, a sightseeing trip to Snaefellsnes or the Golden Circle is ideal. It’s a full day packed with waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers.

Love horses? Then get close to nature by riding a horse through Iceland’s lava fields.Older kids might enjoy blood-pumping snowmobiling tours, snorkeling at Silfra Fissure, hiking trips or rafting and kayaking packages.

For mothers-to-be, we recommend activities that are not too challenging. Whale watching, Northern Lights and the Golden Circle are some of the best adventures to join.

Consult your doctor before engaging in certain activities like visiting the Blue Lagoon, glacier hiking or ice caving.

Some tours, unfortunately, are off-limits to pregnant women. Those include snorkeling, diving, and snowmobiling (for 3 mos+).