To me, Iceland is one of those near-impossible places where every turn feels like a movie scene and every day delivers a new dose of wonder and awe. But the most important thing to know before visiting Iceland is that nearly all of the top experiences are conditional on the very unpredictable, potentially volatile weather. Because of this, I would never recommend anyone allow less than five days to visit. So, with flexibility in mind, here are my five best things to do in Iceland.
The Five Best Things to Do in Iceland
1.) Drive the Golden Circle (With Stops at the Icons)
If you have ever aspired to offend Mother Nature herself, then forgoing a drive around Southern Iceland’s Golden Circle would be a high contender. There is no trip to Iceland without including the Golden Circle, as it contains some of the island’s most stunning geological attractions. You can quite literally stroll between continents at Þingvellir, watch mighty Geysir’s younger cousin Strokkur blast boiling water into the sky, and feel the spray from the country’s most accessible and prime-time waterfall, Gullfoss. The route, which is easy to drive on your own or take a full-day tour from Reykjavik, is truly packed with scenery that begs to be photographed, and provides the perfect blend of folklore, ancient lava fields, and “out of this world” energy.
2.) Take a Helicopter Flight With a Glacier Landing (Weather Permitting!)
If driving Iceland feels like embarking on your own saga that even the great Icelandic explorer, Leif Erikson, would be envious of, there is nothing that can compare to flying over it. Taking flight in a helicopter over Iceland feels like being lifted into a dream you never realized you had been longing for. The crater lakes, endless lava fields (often dotted with Icelandic moss), a random waterfall cascading into a seemingly endless crevice, all of this pristine beauty will hit you in the chest so powerfully that you may feel your breath catch and your eyes blur momentarily as they well up with the happiest of tears. And then comes the highlight – a landing right on a glacier. Stepping out onto such an icy expanse feels like touching down on another world that humanity was never meant to indulge in. Yes, it is cold, but your heart will be so full of joy that the temperature will be nothing more than an afterthought. It certainly was for me!
Unfortunately, you cannot plan for a helicopter flight on any particular day or for a specific touchdown sight because the Icelandic weather can be very unpredictable and change quickly. You should contact a helicopter tour company beforehand, inform them of your preferred flight path and touchdown location, and be flexible.
This could be the highlight of your trip, and, if it is in your budget (as it can be pricey), you will be distraught if you only allow for a helicopter ride on one particular day when the weather decides to have a laugh, culminating in the worst flight cancellation of your life.
3.) Hunt the Northern Lights
There is nothing quite like standing under the Arctic sky – wearing more clothing layers than you thought possible – waiting for the solar system’s most magical light show. Hunting the Northern Lights can be equal parts adventure, cosmic treasure hunt, and bare-bones luck. You must follow the forecast closely, chase the clearest of skies, and hope the aurora gods are feeling generous. When those neon-green ribbons finally streak across the sky, sometimes swaying peacefully or dancing vigorously, it will leave you in absolute jaw-dropping, wide-eyed wonder. Just be sure to charge your camera (and an extra battery or portable charger that you must keep nice and toasty in a zipped pocket) because otherwise you will find out the hard way that batteries hate the cold. Furthermore, keep every single evening of your Icelandic adventure open for aurora chasing because one night the skies could be clear and another completely clouded over.
4.) Explore the Katla Ice Cave
Although it is not the most mesmerizing ice cave in Iceland, it is one of the few that are accessible year-round, and full-day, round-trip tours are available from Reykjavik or Vik. (By the way, such ice caves are only accessible with a licensed glacier guide, as they are too dangerous to explore alone.) Visiting the Katla ice cave is like stepping inside a frozen cathedral sculpted by nature. Your eyes will feast on shades of iridescent blues and whites streaked with patterns of black ash. Even though you will find yourself strapping on crampons and wearing helmets, this ice cave tour is suitable for children and adults alike. So, if you are searching for the ultimate “Instagramable” family photo, the Katla ice cave as a backdrop will be difficult to beat.
5.) Sink Into Relaxation at the Blue Lagoon
After days of non-stop adventuring, you will be in need of perhaps the best “Spa Day” of your life. The Blue Lagoon is a steaming, silica-filled sanctuary of pure bliss powered by none other than volcanoes. Sure, it’s famous, but time slots are tightly controlled, so you will never feel cramped, and you can remain as long as you wish. Float through milky-blue geothermal waters, lather on Mother Nature’s best mineral-rich face mask, and let Iceland’s chilly air kiss your shoulders while the lagoon keeps the rest of you perfectly warm. Such an experience is indulgent, iconic, and the very definition of “ahhhh.”
The Best and Worst Times of Year to Visit Iceland
Before I send you off to planning your Icelandic adventure, it would be wrong of me to not mention something about the times of year that you should and shouldn’t visit Iceland.
Summer: Lots of tourists! Better weather. Puffins! No aurora because you’re right below the Arctic Circle, so it’s just too light at night. Bad time of year for the Katla Ice Cave, although you could still visit if it’s important to you. It’s a nice time of year to rent your own car and drive around the whole island. This is a good time of year for a helicopter flight.
Fall/Autumn: Yes, perfect. Your sweet spot I would say would be around Halloween or a week or two before it. You can still have chilly weather during this time of year, so be prepared! It’s a good time of year to see the aurora and go for a helicopter ride. Come Thanksgiving time and early December, the weather will turn brisk to say the least.
Winter: It will be butt-ass cold! Prepare to be utterly miserable if you are not accustomed to wet, freezing, icy, snowy, sleety, windy weather. I would say avoid at all costs, however, late winter is considered to be the optimal time to visit the Katla Ice Cave. The helicopter tours, well, let’s just say they’re not going to happen.
Best of luck trying to see the aurora if you’re close to the coast because it’ll be cloudy. Your best chances to see the aurora is if you hire a guide to take you far inland. Your camera batteries (including your phone) will die much faster because of the cold. Have a power bank and two extra batteries you keep in a warm zipped pocket if you shoot with a digital camera body. Make sure you have gloves that you can use on your phone screen (yes, these exist). Otherwise, your fingers will become too cold to use your phone screen. Your vision might go blurry because of the cold, so bring clear safety goggles if you plan to be out in the elements for long stretches of time.
Spring: This time of year can be a “mixed bag” because it can be quite pleasant or really rainy, cold, and cloudy. Again, it’s the best time of year for visiting the Katla Ice Cave. Your chances of seeing the aurora are pretty good, but don’t expect to plan on seeing them on one specific evening. Allow room to see them every single evening you visiting the country. Generally if you hire a private guide (like what my mother and I did), they will know when the conditions are the best and will keep their evenings free. The helicopter tours might be able to take off or not. The glacier flights have a high chance of cancellation.
There are few places on Earth where one can experience nature in its absolute rawest form – Iceland happens to be the most marvelous of them all! This island of quite literal fire and ice is wild, whimsical, and wonderfully weird, all in the best possible ways. With these five adventures packed into your five-day trip, I promise you will leave with memories that feel like scenes plucked straight from the world’s coolest fantasy novel.
Like this article and want to see related content? Click here to see even more beautiful photos from our Icelandic adventure.
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