Top 10 trips to Iceland

Steaming geysers and hot springs. Blue-white glaciers and glittering icebergs. Barren black fields of lava and misty waterfalls. There are many reasons that those planning a trip to Iceland focus on the country’s raw, primal landscapes. We can make it easy for you take in the best-known highlights, as well as help you to see landscapes that most visitors never even glimpse — you might ride an oversized 4x4 into trackless lava fields or hike into the heart of a dormant volcano.

In the further-flung areas, we can help you venture north to the Troll Peninsula for its rocky coastline and the quirky Herring Era Museum. For in-depth exploration of the island’s culture, we can introduce you to a husband-and-wife team who will teach you recipes from the Epics at the same time they explain the stories themselves.

Here, our specialists have chosen Iceland tour ideas that follow routes our clients enjoy. Of course, your trip will be planned entirely for you, whether you’re looking for wintry adventure or an active trip that gets you outdoors.

Choose your destination

1. The Golden Circle & west Iceland

For a short introduction to Iceland’s cultures and landscapes, it’s hard to beat a visit that concentrates on the Golden Circle scenic drive and the western part of the island. Some of the most impressive highlights and experiences are concentrated into this compact area, including the chance to sample “Viking sushi” fresh from the sea.

Where this trip could take you:

The international airport outside of Reykjavík is a convenient starting point for the Golden Circle. The stunning (and easy-to-navigate) drive takes in Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and the thundering cascade of Gullfoss. After you’ve experienced the Circle, you can head to Langjökull to explore the western part of the island.

Experiences you could have:

Because the Golden Circle is a popular route, some of the best-known sights can get busy, but your specialist will help you arrange your trip so that you can enjoy them at quieter times. You can also immerse yourself — literally — in the region’s geography with a hike into Reykjadalur Valley to soak in a hot-spring river. Or, you can visit the aptly named Secret Lagoon (known locally as Gamla Laugin). Or you might board a raft to plunge into the white-water rapids in the canyon below Gullfoss Falls.

On an Iceland trip to the western part of the country, you can take a tour inside the enormous Langjökull Glacier, following a guide into a tunnel through the ice. Or you can drive around the lava fields, black-sand beaches, and hot springs of Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

If you want to explore the region’s culinary culture, take a private food tour or a cruise on a fishing trawler, where you can taste the catch of the day, raw and still dripping from the icy sea.

2. Iceland’s Ring Road

The Golden Circle isn’t the only scenic loop in Iceland — the Ring Road circles the whole island, making it ideal for those who want a more in-depth exploration. Along the way, you might visit the glittering blue heart of an ice cave or board a boat to explore the icebergs that bob in Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Where this trip could take you:

The Ring Road stays close to the coast in the south and then slightly further inland in the north. Most trips start in Reykjavík and head counterclockwise, as the land gradually gets less and less developed. That said, you could easily go the other way, plunging headfirst into the more remote areas right away.

Experiences you could have:

This is the best way to really experience the depth and breadth of Iceland’s primal landscapes. On the Golden Circle, you can see diverging tectonic plates at Þingvellir National Park, watch geysers erupt at Geysir Geothermal Area, and marvel at the vast rumbling of Gullfoss Falls. Explore a natural ice cave inside Kötlujökull glacier and take a boat into the glacial lagoon to watch bergy bits calve off the Vatnajökull ice cap.

Of course, there’s more than just raw-edged scenery here. Take a guided tour to see a thriving puffin colony or look for elves near Borgarfjörður eystri. In Skjálfandi Bay, you can head out into the Arctic Ocean to look for humpback whales that feed in the rich waters here. And in the northern wilds, you can try riding one of the hardy Icelandic horses that are best known for their five gaits.

3. Iceland’s winter & the northern lights

Though the northern lights are famously elusive, the cosmic lightshow ripples across the sky in Iceland about 100 nights a year. What’s more, the country's low levels of light pollution and long nights mean that there are few ways to catch the aurora than a winter trip to Iceland.

Where this trip could take you:

Reykjavík is a great place to explore the country’s culture in the winter, though it’s best to get away from its ambient lights to get the optimal chance of glimpsing the phenomenon. For that, we suggest visiting Hella, a small town on the south coast.

Experiences you could have:

During the brief daylight of the winter days, you can get out and explore the landscapes in the brisk air. Don crampons to clamber across the icy face of Sólheimajökull glacier on a guided hike, stroll between the diverging tectonic plates in Þingvellir National Park and soak your weary muscles in the milk-blue mineral waters of the Blue Lagoon.

Inside, you can take a cooking class with a husband-and-wife team who’ll teach you how to make Icelandic dishes and explore their roots in the traditional Icelandic sagas.

From Hella, you can explore the southern coast with a visit to some of the region’s most impressive waterfalls — including Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss — as well as see Reynisfjara's black-sand beach. And, if you’re lucky, you can take advantage of the dark sky to watch the aurora light up the Arctic night.

4. North Iceland

Few visitors venture north on a tour of Iceland. By focusing your trip there, you can explore a side that few people ever see. That might include a private tour through the Krafla volcanic area, where massive fissures snake across the landscape for miles.

Where this trip could take you:

After arriving in Reykjavík’s international airport, it's easy to catch a taxi to the smaller domestic airport nearby for a brief flight to Akureyri, Iceland’s second largest city. From there, it’s a short drive to any number of worthy destinations, including Lake Mývatn and the Troll Peninsula.

Experiences you could have:

Even more than in the rest of Iceland, a visit to the rugged, remote northern coast is about plunging into the landscape and exploring it in various ways. You might soak in the steaming waters of the Geosea baths, overlooking Skjálfandi Bay. Or you can board a traditional fishing boat to look for whales and try your hand at casting.

Scenic drives — on your own or with a driver — along the Troll Peninsula give you a chance to take in the coastal scenery. You’ll see bare-rock mountains streaked with snow, mossy green fissures, and the wind-blown veils of various waterfalls, including the thundering length of Dettifoss.

For a taste of the local culture, you can visit the Icelandic Emigration Center, examining the history of Icelandic migrants to North America, or the Herring Era Museum in Siglufjörður, which depicts the 20th-century history of the town.

5. Iceland’s hidden highlights

Containing your tour of Iceland to the southern side of the island, you’ll have access to more options than in the remote north. It’s also a great destination for an in-depth look at some of the less-visited sights on the island, like the verdant, craggy landscape of the world’s largest lava field.

Where this trip could take you:

You’ll find most of the southern coast is an easy drive from the capital. On a tour of Iceland’s south, can easily jump between places like the volcanic Westman Islands, the scenic Eastfjords, and Vatnajökull National Park. The roads here are easy to navigate if you want to drive yourself.

Experiences you could have:

You can avoid the crowds by taking a boat through Fjallsárlón — the less-visited sister lagoon of Jökulsárlón glacier lake. There, you’ll see the same dramatic glacial scenery with fewer fellow visitors. Along the rarely seen Eastfjords, you can take in soaring mountains, glimmering lakes, and tiny fishing villages that dot the coast.

To see the world’s largest lava field, take a 4x4 tour through the mossy-furred Eldhraun lava field, created by an 18th-century eruption of Laki. The knobbly wheels on the so-called Superjeep will let your guide take the bumpier, rougher routes and reach the far-flung waterfalls, canyons, and lava formations that few ever see.

You might also dive into the elf folklore of Iceland, as well as aspects of its rural life, with a guided tour of the tiny village of Borgarfjörður eystri.

6. Classic Iceland

Many of the country’s classic sights are concentrated in the western part of the island. That makes it a great option for a first-time visitor who wants to see all the highlights easily, including a visit to the ice caves of Langjökull glacier and a boat tour past the iceberg floating in Jökulsárlón lagoon.

Where this trip could take you:

Most of the most impressive sights of the west coast are in an easy reach of the capital. What’s more, the scenery along the drives is at least half of the pleasure of a visit here. You might head up to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, see the Langjökull glacier, or travel along the renowned Golden Circle.

Experiences you could have:

On your drive from the airport to the capital, you can stop at the photogenic Blue Lagoon to soak in the warm, milky-blue waters. In the city itself, consider a guided food tour that lets you explore the country’s distinctive cuisine..

You can get even more up-close with your food on a boat trip into Breiðafjörður Bay, where the fishermen will pull up a net full of freshly caught “Viking sushi”, which you can eat right on deck, still glistening from the sea.

The country’s second-largest glacier, Langjökull, has a series of tunnels that you can explore with a guide. In Þingvellir National Park, on the Golden Circle, you can pull on a dry suit to snorkel through the fissure between the slowly diverging tectonic plates.

7. Active outdoor Iceland

Shaped by the immense natural forces of wind, water, ice, and fire, the landscapes of Iceland are ideal if you like to be physically active during your trips. The country offers unusual ways to explore, including the chance to ride a mountain bike over the world’s largest lava field.

Where this trip could take you:

Many of the best opportunities to get outside are along the southern coast, though it’s best to skip the compact capital if you want to concentrate on being active. You might go to Vík, the southernmost village in the country, scenic Reykjadalur Valley, or the tiny community of Hof near Vatnajökull glacier.

Experiences you could have:

Take to the water with a guided white-water rafting trip down Brúarhlöð Canyon on the Hvítá River or paddle a kayak between the many floating icebergs on Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. For yet more icy fun, you can also don crampons for a guided hike through Sólheimajökull glacier’s eerily beautiful ice formations.

For more land-based adventures on your trip to Iceland, you could climb into a rugged 4x4 known as a Superjeep for a drive to Landmannalaugar, where you’ll follow a guide on a hike across the stripey rhyolite mountains and soak in a geothermal hot spring to relax your aching muscles. You can also spend a day exploring the wilds of Vatnajökull National Park.

8. Family trip to Iceland

Iceland’s many otherworldly landscapes make it a great option for family trips. Many children love the fairytale quality of the island and there are plenty of playful ways to explore, including a chance to meet some of Iceland’s farm animals and wildlife.

Where this trip could take you:

With children along, you’ll likely want to stick to the well-developed southwestern coast, where you’ll find the Golden Circle, and plenty of hotels and restaurants suitable for younger visitors. The capital is a great place to spend a few days, with plenty of hotels to choose from and easy access to the coast for maritime adventures.

Experiences you could have:

You might go for a ride on the stocky Iceland horses, known for their unusual gait, or you can visit a farm near Hraunfossar waterfall to meet and play with the island’s Nordic goats, a singular breed that dates to the earliest settlers. For wilder animals, join a guide to see seals basking on Ytri Tunga beach or consider a whale-watching cruise, which will also offer a chance to see puffin colonies.

9. Iceland’s south coast

An in-depth exploration of Iceland’s south coast is a great way to really delve into both the country’s primal landscapes and its singular culture. You might combine explorations of the national parks with time spent riding the country’s unique horse breed on a black-sand beach.

Where this trip could take you:

Most of the country’s highlights are contained in a triangle between the Blue Lagoon in the southwest, Hof about halfway along the south coast, and Langjökull glacier slightly inland. It’s easy to hop between these locations on the region’s well-maintained roads.

Experiences you could have:

The near-Arctic extremes of the island are why most visitors visit Iceland and there’s plenty of ice to explore in this area. You might hike on the surface of Vatnajökull, Iceland's largest ice cap, or take a boat out into the berg-dotted depths of Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. You can also head into Langjökull glacier to explore the extensive network of blue-white tunnels that lace its icy heart.

In warmer climes, you can take a guided tour of the south coast, visiting the dark-sand beaches, rugged sea stacks and mountains, feathery waterfalls, and steaming hot springs. There are plenty of walking trails for getting off the road and soaking up the landscapes.

You can also visit the region’s man-made (but naturally powered) sights, such as during a multi-course lunch at a geothermally heated greenhouse that grows tomatoes. At the Krauma Geothermal Baths, you might relax in the steamy warmth saunas or soak in more hot springs.

10. Luxury Iceland

Iceland might be a rugged country, but you still have plenty of options for indulgent comfort. If you want to elevate your trip, it’s easy to opt for private guides and luxurious hotels anywhere you go, as well as options like helicopters for the best birds-eye views.

Where this trip could take you:

Though there are plenty of luxury options across the island, most of the ones we like best are found in the southwest, near the capital, home of the renowned and exclusive spa associated with the Blue Lagoon. Additionally, you can head to the Troll Peninsula.

Experiences you could have:

Offering a wide range of tailored activities, Deplar Farm is an excellent place to stay on the Troll Peninsula if you want to explore Iceland’s myriad facets. You might go for a guided hike or take a small boat cruise to spot humpback whales in Eyjafjörður. You can also visit during the winter months, when you can go snowshoeing or snowmobiling, or strap on cross-country skis.

Back in the capital, you can climb into a helicopter for a sky-high exploration of a dormant volcano and the slowly separating tectonic plates at Þingvellir National Park. This is also a chance to explore the remotest corners of Þórisjökull glacier, reachable only by helicopter.