Insider’s Guide: Our Favourite Things to Do in Iceland

Every time I go back in search of more things to do in <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/iceland">Iceland</a>, I feel like&nbsp;there’s something magical simmering just below the surface.From the rich culture of the capital Reykjavík to the&nbsp;stunning landscapes of the countryside, one gets the sense that the number of mystical and unforgettable experiences here is almost unlimited—an impressive feat for such a tiny island!Below, I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite Icelandic experiences.<h2>My Favourite Things to Do in Iceland</h2><h2>Þingvellir</h2>Stand on “the edge of&nbsp;America”Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the mainly underwater border where the tectonic plates of America and Eurasia are slowly spreading apart. A huge rift runs through the country from southwest to northeast, disappearing and surfacing by turns, where the plates are heading in different directions. So although Iceland is politically and culturally part of Europe, half of it lies on the American plate and is moving westwards at an estimated rate of one to two centimetres (0.3 to 0.7 inches) a year.At the ancient parliamentary site of Þingvellir, which lies on this rift, you can stand on the edge of America (geologically speaking) and see all the way to Europe, 10 kilometres (6 miles) away.

<h2>Reykjavík</h2>Reykjavík is the most northerly capital in the world and the largest city in Iceland.Situated on Faxa Bay on the southwest coast, the name roughly translates to “bay of smoke,” in reference to the steam emanating from the area’s hot springs.It was here that Iceland’s first settler, Ingólfur Arnarson, landed in 874. According to the Sagas, when he approached the shore, he threw two carved, wooden pillars into the water and swore that he would settle where they washed ashore.The settlement began as a small fishing village; a charter was granted in 1786 and the city became an episcopal see (official seat of a bishop) in 1796. Reykjavík has been the seat of the Althing since 1843, and it was made the capital of Iceland in 1918.Despite the meaning behind the city’s name, Reykjavík is in fact one of world’s most smoke-free cities, due to its extensive use of clean, geothermal power.More than half of Iceland’s population lives in or near Reykjavík, making it the heart of the country’s cultural, commercial and governmental life. It’s a modern city, but the old centre—including the Parliament House (1881) and the mid-18th c. Government Building—has been carefully preserved.Close to these are the National Library, the National Theatre and the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson. Interesting churches in Reykjavík include the old cathedral near the Parliament, and the new 75-metre-high (246-foot) Hallgríms-kirkja (with a great view over the city from the spire).Other places worth visiting are the University (1911), the National Museum (1863)—which houses exhibits from around the world, items from the Viking age and Iceland’s nautical past—and Culture House Institute, where the priceless Saga manuscripts are on display.

<h2>Volcanoes</h2>Iceland is one of the most active volcanic countries in the world.There are about 200 post-glacial volcanoes, at least 30 of which have erupted since the country was settled in the 9th century.Nearly every type of volcanic activity is represented in Iceland, the most common being fissure eruptions. One of these occurred in 1783, when the Lakagígar, with about 100 separate craters, erupted to create&nbsp;the largest lava flow ever recorded (covering 565 km² (351 mi.²).The gases and ash from this eruption poisoned the grasslands, wreaking tremendous havoc on the countryside. The resulting damage to the farmland brought widespread famine to Iceland, resulting in the starvation deaths of almost ten thousand people.Shield volcanoes of the Hawaiian type, like Skjaldbreiður near Þingvellir, are also numerous, but the only one active in historical times was the new Surtsey volcano.Almost all the cone volcanoes of the Fuji type are ice-covered, the largest of them being Öræfajökull (2,119 m/6,952 ft.), Eyjafjallajökull (1,666 m/5,465 ft.), and Snæfellsjökull (1,446 m/4,809 ft.). Craters created by volcanic explosions are also quite common.<h2>Mount Hekla</h2>Hekla is the third most-active volcano in Iceland after Grímsvötn and Katla (the volcanoes under the enormous Vatnajökull and Myrdálsjökull glaciers). It has erupted 18 times in recorded history, and it is the only ridge-shaped stratovolcano in Iceland where eruptions occur along the same fissure.The volcano is also unique in the composition of its magma: while most volcanoes in Iceland produce basalt, Hekla spews magma with a higher than usual silica content.High-silica magma that cools at the surface produces a fine-grained rock called rhyolite, rather than low-silica magmas that produce fine-grained basalt.This accounts for the unusually colourful landscape in the rocks of the Hekla highlands and in Landmannalaugar.Among the numerous eruptions since the end of the last Ice Age, some have blanketed all of Iceland in a pale pumice stone (the last of these eruptions having happened about 900 BC).

The first eruption in historical times was the devastating eruption of 1104, which covered half of Iceland in pumice rock, either killing or forcing a number of inhabitants to flee as the eruption covered farms in the area.A common Hekla eruption begins with an enormous explosive event, followed by the opening of a fissure and a very spectacular curtain of fire as magma is boiled and extruded. The fissure phase can last days, after which the activity is confined to a single vent spewing torrents of lava.The amount of lava produced since historical times out of Hekla alone is enough to build a one-metre wide, 1.6-metre-tall wall around the whole coast of Iceland.Technically, Hekla erupts about once a century, but the frequent eruptions in the 20th century—in 1947, 1970, 1980, and 1991—have led most Icelanders to tell you that Hekla erupts every 10&nbsp;years.It last erupted on February 26, 2000; farmers in the area will tell you that the groundwater is drying up, a sure sign that Hekla is due to erupt again soon.<h2>Thórsmörk (Þórsmörk)</h2>Thórsmörk, or Þórsmörk (“Thór’s forest”), is named after the Norse god Þórr (Thor), the god of thunder and probably the dearest of the Norse pagan gods to Icelanders.It is known as one of the most beautiful and lush places in Iceland, with the combined action of rivers, glaciers, winds and volcanic activity sculpting the rock into mountains and canyons covered with birches, willows and wildflowers. The land and has been classified as a nature reserve since 1920. Thórsmörk is as forested a place as you’ll ever find in Iceland; its downy birch trees can grow as tall as nine metres (30 feet) tall. Still, locals joke that if you get lost in the Icelandic forest, just stand up and you’ll find your way out! Thórsmörk is squeezed between the rivers Krossá and Markar, and framed to the north, east and south by the neighbouring glaciers Tindfjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull.<h2>Landmannalaugar</h2><h3>Hiking Nirvana</h3>Thanks to the artistic creativity of Mount Hekla, Landmannalaugar has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. &nbsp;This area is trekking and hiking heaven!The landscape is truly exotic—a rugged and colourful land of huge geological variety that features warm springs, fumaroles and boiling mud pools. &nbsp;Rhyolite is the predominant rock feature in the area—one of more than 700 types of igneous rock formed by cooled magma, it comes from relatively low-temperature magma that has erupted explosively and cooled rapidly.&nbsp;Being made up of quartz and mica, it looks a little glassy and is not normally known for its vibrant hues; however, the Landmannalaugar’s geothermal chemistry has cooked the rocks into an infinite variety of subtle colours and variations, making it a visual feast for photographers.The combination of scenic splendour and a true mountain wilderness environment has led to the formation of a number of mountain trails in the area, deservedly earning Landmannalaugar the title of best hiking area in the country.&nbsp;Iceland has to be seen to be believed. Browse our <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/iceland-faroe-islands-hiking">Iceland hiking trips</a> or let us build something just for you with a <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/iceland-bespoke">bespoke trip</a>.

Discover the best things to do in Iceland, from Reykjavík’s cultural landmarks and Þingvellir National Park to volcanoes, glaciers, Thórsmörk and Landmannalaugar. An insider’s guide to Iceland’s most unforgettable landscapes and experiences.

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Whether traversing this exquisite landscape of untamed natural beauty on foot, in a Super Jeep—the ultimate off-road vehicle for straying gloriously off the beaten path—or in the comfort of a private coach, you’ll be in awe. The sense that you are in the company of the elves, trolls and the sword-wielding heroes of Viking fantasy and legend is impossible to shake.

Explore the land of midnight sun and Northern Lights

Hike volcanic landscapes and glacier trails on small group or private bespoke trips through Iceland, with boutique lodge stays and guides who know every path.

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Replete with lava fields, glacier-cut valleys and geysers that remind you who’s really in charge, Iceland feels like creation hit pause and left the landscape gloriously unfinished. Hike beneath midnight sun or chase the northern lights, soak in geothermal springs and keep an eye out for elves (locals take them seriously). Wild, raw and otherworldly—Iceland is a force of nature.

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Hike glaciers, snowmobile across lava fields and soak in geothermal pools on a tailor-made Iceland itinerary. Custom adventure far beyond the Golden Circle.

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Welcome to a land of untamed natural beauty and wild abandon.

Discover a land of untamed natural beauty and wild abandonment, akin to a scene from&nbsp;The Lord of the Rings.&nbsp;A vast fantasy playground where mystical creatures are still believed to roam the lava fields and the lofty summits of Mt. Esja, and Snaefellsness offer routes to the centre of the Earth. It's the adventure of a lifetime with experiences that can only ever occur in Iceland—like&nbsp;snorkelling between tectonic plates. As entrancing as it is welcoming, this is the trip your family will talk about for years to come.For families with teens; designed for ages 14+

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Journey to the otherworldly realms of Iceland and the Faroe Islands, where nature’s untamed beauty is on full display. Your adventure begins in Iceland, where you'll hike across the icy expanse of Solheimajokull’s glacier, along bubbling rivers and volcanic craters. Venture south to the Rykjanes Peninsula and wander along its rugged coastline to reach the healing waters of the Blue Lagoon. A quick flight then whisks you to the Faroe Islands, where dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls frame charming, secluded villages. Trek the breathtaking “Lake Above the Ocean” and witness the legend of the "Giant and the Witch," still stuck at sea.&nbsp;Explore the historic village of Kirkjubøur and meet local farmers to discover the secrets of life on these isolated lands. With stunning hotels to retreat to along the way, you’ll quickly forge a deep connection to this magical corner of the world.

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Head north—way north—to Iceland and the Faroes, where landscapes feel plucked from fantasy novels. Hike glaciers and volcanic moonscapes, then soak in the Blue Lagoon’s surreal warmth. In the Faroes, trek cliffsides, discover villages so charming it’s downright suspicious, and meet locals eager to spill island secrets.

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Two remote and otherworldly destinations come together in this unique and special journey. With rugged cliffs plunging into crashing seas, sweeping green fjords, and dramatic volcanic landscapes, the Iceland and Faroe Islands itinerary immerses you in raw, untamed beauty. We designed this trip to be an ode to exploration—a chance to tread paths less travelled, bask in the tranquility of wild landscapes, and feel the sheer force of nature at its most majestic.

Spend 5 nights hiking the Faroe Islands' dramatic sea-stack coastline in a small group. One of the world's most remote and spectacular walking destinations.

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Step into a land shaped by volcanoes and glaciers, where storytellers whisper tales of Elves and the Aurora Borealis dances at night. In the winter, Iceland’s snow-covered landscapes are on full display, and dawn and dusk seem to last forever. On this adventure, you'll trek through glaciers and ice caves in the Stokksnes Peninsula and witness nature's heart-stirring beauty as you travel along the south coast. Immerse yourself in the healing waters of the Blue Lagoon and at night, look up and take in the glittering expanse of the northern sky.

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Winter in Iceland? Think craggy glaciers, soaring volcanoes, and mythic elves—basically a fairytale, with better scenery. Trek across Stokksnes Peninsula’s icy wonders, wander through caves of sparkling blue ice, and unwind in the Blue Lagoon’s steamy embrace. Nights bring endless twilight and dancing northern lights—Mother Nature’s version of Netflix bingeing. (Spoiler alert: it’s highly addictive.)

Insider’s Guide: Our Favourite Things to Do in Iceland

By Orsolya Kako

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