I’ve been fortunate enough to experience the wonderful world of Iceland and I truly believe everyone should make it a point to experience it as well. Iceland is jam-packed with incredible wonders to see and experience. Read on for my top picks for the absolute best things to do in Iceland in summer.
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Looking For The Best Things To Do In Iceland In Summer?
You are in the right place! Iceland is probably the coolest (no pun intended) place I’ve ever been to. In fact, it’s my husband’s all time favorite trip we’ve ever taken!
Iceland is one of those places that feels like another planet. There are volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs; it’s all here, and it’s incredible. My husband and I visited during the summer, and honestly, it quickly became one of our favorite destinations ever.
If you’ve been dreaming about visiting Iceland, summer is the perfect time to go. The days are long, the weather is mild (by Iceland standards), and almost every road and natural wonder is open for exploring.
There’s so much to see that it can feel a little overwhelming to plan, so I’ve narrowed it down to my top 10 things to do in Iceland in summer. These are the experiences that stood out most to me and that I’d recommend to anyone visiting this magical country.
If you haven’t already, be sure to read my post on how to plan a trip to Iceland so you can make the most of your time there.
Don’t have time to read this whole article?
Book this amazing multi-day tour to get the most out of your trip to Iceland!
Top Things To Do In Iceland In Summer
Drive The Ring Road
Driving the Ring Road is one of the best ways to see Iceland. Route 1 circles the entire country for about 828 miles, which is roughly the same distance as driving from Boston to Myrtle Beach. It’s wild to think about, right?
Most people spend a week or more making the full loop, stopping along the way to see volcanoes, glaciers, black sand beaches, waterfalls, and tiny towns that look straight out of a storybook.
The summer months are the most popular time to drive the Ring Road since the days are long and the weather is mild. You can do it on your own with a rental car or join a guided tour (my top 3 guided tour picks are below) if you’d rather leave the driving to someone else.
Either way, it’s the perfect way to experience Iceland’s ever-changing scenery.
📸 Here’s a map showing the Ring Road route around Iceland. You can see how it connects all the major sights.
If you’re planning to explore Iceland’s South Coast as part of your drive, you’ll love my guide to the amazing South Coast of Iceland spots you need to see.
Some folks opt to do a self-guided tour of the ring road, while others opt for guided tours by area experts. If you choose to do a guided tour, here are some of the most highly rated tours, varying in length.
Best Ring Road Guided Tours
Bathe in The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is probably the most famous spot in all of Iceland, and for good reason. This dreamy geothermal spa is known for its milky blue water, rich in silica and sulfur, which makes your skin feel amazing.
It’s only about 15 minutes from Keflavik Airport and around 45 minutes from Reykjavik, so it’s wicked easy to visit. Many people stop here either right after landing or before heading home. Some tours even include it as part of the Golden Circle route.
If you prefer a more peaceful experience, try going early in the morning before the crowds arrive. But honestly, there’s never really a bad time to relax in the warm 100°F water surrounded by lava fields.
The Blue Lagoon also has a hotel, restaurants, saunas, steam rooms, and a shop where you can buy their skincare products. You get a silica mud mask with your ticket, but you can upgrade to try extra masks for the full spa experience.
Expert Tip: Either keep your hair completely out of the water or drench it in the provided conditioner before you go in, and don’t rinse it out. The silica in the lagoon can make your hair extremely dry and stiff if you skip this step.
If you’re thinking of visiting, check out my post on the top 10 best Iceland Blue Lagoon tours to help you choose the perfect one for your trip. Otherwise, here are my top 3 picks.
Explore Reykjavik
Reykjavik is small, but it’s full of charm and personality. It’s a great base for exploring Iceland and the perfect city to spend a day or two wandering. My husband and I loved strolling the streets, taking in the colorful buildings, popping into cute shops, and stopping for coffee at a local café.
One of the city’s most iconic sights is Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, which towers 240 feet high. Right out front stands the Leif Eriksson statue, a gift from the United States, honoring the Viking explorer who is believed to have reached North America long before Columbus. Seeing both together really makes you feel the history and character of Reykjavik.
The city is very walkable, and exploring streets like this leads naturally to fun spots like the Rainbow Road, which I’ll highlight next.
If you’re planning your trip, be sure to check out my post on how to plan a trip to Iceland for tips on timing, transportation, and saving money while you’re there.
Walk the Rainbow Road
Just a short walk from Hallgrimskirkja, the Rainbow Road is one of Reykjavik’s most photographed streets. It was first painted for the city’s Pride Festival back in 1999, and in 2019 it became a permanent art installation. It’s such a joyful and colorful symbol of love and diversity – you can’t help but smile when you’re there.
The street is lined with cute shops and cozy cafés, perfect for a quick stop or a coffee break. It leads right up to the Cathedral I just mentioned, so you can easily combine a city stroll with sightseeing.
Walking this street also gives you a sense of Reykjavik’s charm – colorful buildings, friendly locals, and little surprises tucked into side streets. It’s the perfect spot for photos and to soak up the city’s happy, creative vibe.
See The Northern Lights
Seeing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, was on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. As I’m sure it’s on yours! It’s one of those natural wonders that simply feels magical in person.
Peak viewing season in Iceland is September through March, but we were lucky enough to see them in mid-August from our hotel balcony in Reykjavik around 1:00 am. Even though the sun doesn’t fully set in summer, late August gives you a chance to enjoy the long days and still catch a glimpse of the Lights at night.
The further you are from city lights, the better your chances of seeing the auroras. The Aurora Forecast app is great for checking probability and planning the best viewing times and locations.
There are many Northern Lights tours available from Reykjavik, although seeing the lights is never guaranteed. We can’t control nature, after all!
Hike A Glacier
Iceland’s glaciers are otherworldly, and getting out on one is an experience you’ll never forget. We explored Sólheimajökull, which is about a 2-3 hour drive from Reykjavik – perfect for a day trip.
If you have more time, Vatnajökull Glacier in Skaftafell National Park is massive and even appeared in Game of Thrones.
On Sólheimajökull, you strap on crampons and a helmet and explore the ice formations and crevasses up close. The ice can be blue, white, or streaked with black ash from nearby volcanoes – it’s surreal.
Expert Tip: bring a refillable water bottle; glacier melt water is some of the purest and coldest you’ll ever taste!
Try one of these glacier hikes in Iceland in summer for a truly unique experience! It was probably the most surreal of all the amazing things we did in Iceland!
Voyage Behind A Waterfall
You get to experience a perspective like no other when you actually venture behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall! This 200ft curtain of thundering water will absolutely take your breath away.
You should expect to get wet here, so come prepared with waterproof boots, pants, and jacket. (Note: I have my whole Iceland Summer Packing List here for your convenience.)
You can see just how much water and mist comes off of the falls in the picture above. Fortunately my husband and I came prepared!
The Eyjafjallajökull glacier feeds Seljalandsfoss and is a popular stop on South Coast tours. Here are a few of my top tour picks for exploring various Icelandic waterfalls.
Eat Local Cuisine
Icelandic food is way more approachable than you might think. While you can still find traditional dishes like fermented shark or boiled ram’s testicles, most meals are fresh, modern, and delicious.
Think locally sourced fish and lamb, root vegetables, herbs, and Skyr – Icelandic yogurt that’s technically classified as a cheese.
Of course, my husband and I had to do the tourist thing and try fermented shark. It came with a shot of Brennivín, Iceland’s local spirit known as “Black Death.” It has a strong, caraway-flavored kick and is surprisingly the perfect pairing to wash down that uniquely flavored shark.
Definitely a taste you’ll never forget!
You absolutely just have got to stop at an amazing local restaurant in Vik called The Soup Company. Here you can sample some of the most delicious soups anywhere. The red hot lava soup in a black bread bowl is absolutely incredible.
Ride Iceland’s Unique Horses
Icelandic horses are a breed all their own. They’re shorter and stockier than most horses, incredibly hardy thanks to Iceland’s harsh climate, and super friendly. My husband and I loved getting up close with them and seeing why Icelanders adore these horses so much.
One of the coolest things about Icelandic horses is that they have two extra gaits beyond walk, trot, and canter. The tölt is smooth and comfortable, and the skeið, also called the flying pace, is super fast and exhilarating. Riding one of these horses through lava fields, mountains, or along the coast is an experience you won’t forget.
There are tons of tours for all skill levels. A few of our favorites:
Best Horseback Riding Tours In Iceland
Visit A Black Sand Beach
Iceland’s beaches are unlike anywhere else in the world. Forget white sand and palm trees. Here you’ll find dramatic black sand, crashing waves, and towering basalt cliffs that look straight out of a movie.
Legend says these basalt stacks were once trolls turned to stone. Here you can even catch a glimpse of beautiful little Puffins!
The most famous black sand beach is Reynisfjara, located near the village of Vik on Iceland’s South Coast. It’s about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavik and absolutely worth the trip.
The deep black sand comes from volcanic rock that’s been ground down over time, and the contrast with the bright blue water is unreal. National Geographic even listed Reynisfjara as one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire planet!
While the view is stunning, the waves here are no joke. Sneaker waves can appear suddenly and are extremely powerful, so never turn your back to the ocean. Stay well back from the water’s edge and you’ll have an unforgettable experience.
Here are some top rated tours to take you to Iceland’s incredible black sand beaches.
Explore the Golden Circle
After spending time on Iceland’s black sand beaches, head inland to explore one of the country’s most famous routes: the Golden Circle. This popular loop packs in some of Iceland’s best sights, all within a day’s drive from Reykjavik.
One of the main highlights is Strokkur geyser, which erupts every few minutes and sends boiling water shooting high into the air. My husband and I got a little too close to the action and didn’t think about the wind, so we wound up getting soaked.
It was hilarious, and thankfully, not hot enough to burn!
The landscape around the geyser is otherworldly, with steam vents, bubbling pools, and that classic Icelandic mix of mossy hills and rocky terrain. It’s an incredible place for photos, especially when the geyser blows against a bright blue sky.
Not far from Strokkur, you’ll find Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. The thundering double cascade crashes into a deep canyon, and if you catch it on a sunny day, you might even see a rainbow in the mist.
The third stop on the Golden Circle is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can literally walk between two continents. The North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet here, creating dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear fissures.
If you don’t want to drive, there are tons of great tours that include all three stops, plus some extras like craters or hot springs.
Here are a few highly rated Golden Circle tours to check out:
When coming to Iceland in summer, you want to be prepared to experience all these wonderful places, so be sure to check out my packing list for Iceland in summer.
Additional Helpful Iceland Information
I really love Iceland, and enjoyed every experience I was fortunate enough to have. Here are more of my articles surrounding Iceland that you may find useful in your vacation planning.
Must See Spots In The South Coast of Iceland
The Golden Circle Iceland – Everything You Need To Know
Iceland Summer Packing List – Everything You Need To Bring
