Things to do

Around Iceland there are plenty of fun things to do and see for people of all ages. We have collected some of the most interesting sights for you and your family to see. Iceland is commonly divided into geographical regions with each region differing in culture and landscape, therefor all attractions are grouped by region and are also marked by price, season and location.

Page shortcuts Reykjavík Reykjanes South Iceland West Iceland Westfjords North Iceland East Iceland
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    Reykjavík

    The capital Reykjavík is the natural starting point for any visit to Iceland, whether you are interested in visiting museums, going for a swim, shopping or enjoying nature.

    • Reykjavík Zoo and family park

      Reykjavík Zoo and family park

      All seasons
      0 - 1000 ISK
      Map
      This is always fun with play parks and the icelandic farm animals
      Múlavegur 2 - 104 Reykjavík
    • Tjörnin - The Pond

      Tjörnin - The Pond

      All seasons
      Free
      Website Map
      Tjörnin is a natural pond and home to countless ducks, swans and geese. Apart from being a great place to frame a photograph, it’s also a great place to wander and a popular destination for families in Reykjavík, who are often seen feeding bread to the bustling birdlife.
      Between Fríkirkjvegur and Tjarnagata. 101 - Reykjavik
    • Nauthólsvík - Geothermal Beach

      Nauthólsvík - Geothermal Beach

      All seasons
      Free
      Map
      In the summer of 2000 the Geothermal beach in Nauthólsvík was opened. Golden beach sand was brought in and big seawalls were built which form a lagoon where the cold sea and hot geothermal water fuse together.
      Nauthólsvík
    • Smáratívolí

      Smáratívolí

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website Map
      Located in the Smáralind Shopping Center in Kópavogur close to Reykjavík. Some of the attractions: Arcade, 7D Cinema, Laser Tag and mini bowling
      Hagasmári 1
    • Whales of Iceland

      Whales of Iceland

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Map
      Whales of Iceland is the biggest whale exhibition in the world
      Fiskislóð 23-25
    • Activity Park Reykjavík

      Activity Park Reykjavík

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Map
      A fun outdoor amusement park, with mini golf, paintball, laser tag and a big pirate ship where kids can play.
      Gufunesi
    • Sculpture garden Einar Jónsson

      Sculpture garden Einar Jónsson

      All seasons
      Free
      Website Map
      Located downtown close to the church Hallgrímskirkja. The garden is open all year round, entrance is free and it is a popular site to visit in whatever season.
      Eiríksgata
    • Botanical garden

      Botanical garden

      All seasons
      Free
      Website Map
      Botanical garden with beautiful plants and trees. Located next to the family park. Has a nice cafe, where you can sit outdoors and it is also possible to sit indoors.
      Laugardalur
    • Árbæjarsafn

      Árbæjarsafn

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Map
      A real favourite place in the summer is the Árbær open air museum.
      Kistuhyl 4
    • National Museum of Iceland

      National Museum of Iceland

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Map
      The role of the museum is to increase and relay knowledge of Icelandic cultural heritage, from the nation´s earliest settlement through to the modern day.
      Suðurgötu 41
    • Swimming

      Swimming

      All seasons
      0 - 1000 ISK
      Website
      Check out this website that lists the pools, location, opening hours. There are many fun geothermal pools around Reykjavík to try and also in the neighbouring towns.
    • Hidden world walks

      Hidden world walks

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website Map
      Hafnarfjördur is renowned for having one of Iceland's largest colonies of elves, dwarves and other spiritual beings, which (translating from the Icelandic) are collectively called "Hidden Folk". The Hidden Worlds tour takes you to their homesites.
      Strandgata 6 Hafnarfjörður
    • Bláfjöll skiing area

      Bláfjöll skiing area

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website Map
      The ski areas of Bláfjöll and Skálafell are both only 25 minutes away from the city. Bláfjöll is south west of the city and Skálafell east of the city. Both areas have great ski slopes for downhill skiing and snowboarding as well as tracks for cross-country skiing.

    Reykjanes

    The Reykjanes peninsula hosts the Keflavík International Airport and the Blue Lagoon, the Reykjanes peninsula is a destination in its own right with rugged landscape featuring volcanic craters, caves, lava fields, geothermal waters and hot springs, in addition to a variety of restaurants, museums, churches, lighthouses and festivals.

    • Blue Lagoon

      Blue Lagoon

      All seasons
      5000 - 10000 ISK
      Website Map
      The Blue Lagoon (Icelandic: Bláa lónið) geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland.
    • The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n´roll

      The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n´roll

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website Map
      Many people know Icelandic artists such as the Sucarcubes, Björk, Sigur Rós and Of Monsters and Men. What’s their story? What’s their background? And how did these bands become so successful coming from the tiny population of Iceland? At the Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll you can walk through the history of Icelandic pop and rock music throughout the years.A fun museum about Icelandic rock music. The first exhibition by The Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll is about Iceland's biggest popstar, Páll Óskar a.k.a. Paul Oscar. The exhibition is titled "Paul Oscar - A Popstar's Private Collection".
    • Gunnuhver

      Gunnuhver

      All seasons
      Free
      Website Map
      Iceland´s larges mud pool at present prominent, highest up in the Gunnuhver group. It is 20 meters wide across a rim of mud, boiling vigorously. Two ramps are located at the Gunnuhver group, on close to Gunnuhver itself where you can look down to the spring and hear the vigorous noice, see the boiling water and feel lthe power bursting from the ground and the steam on your face.
    • Gokart and Paintball

      Gokart and Paintball

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website Map
      Fun place where you can try Gokart and Paintball.
      Suðurgötu 29, 260 Reykjanesbær
    • Skessuhellir (Troll Cave)

      Skessuhellir (Troll Cave)

      All seasons
      Free
      Map
      The Giantess is a full scale giant and sits fast asleep in her rocking chair in the kitchen. She some time's occasionally snores and passes gas. The giantess is a creation by a woman named Herdís Egilsdóttir and is based on her books about the giantess in the mountain, which first came out in 1959.

    South Iceland

    The South of Iceland is the part of the country where most tourists visit. Here you will find the countries biggest agricultural region and several towns. The landscape consists of both highlands and lowlands. What is the most characteristic of the south of Iceland are the sandy and flat coastline.

    • Animal Park Slakki

      Animal Park Slakki

      All seasons
      Free
      Map
      Animal Park Slakki is located in Laugarás. In the garden there are animals, pets and birds, playgrounds, putting courts, minigolf and much more..
    • Horse Farm Eldhestar

      Horse Farm Eldhestar

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website
      All kinds of riding tours for beginners and more experienced riders, from one hour in the surrounding area and also multiday tours.
    • Ghost tours

      Ghost tours

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website Map
      The Ghost Center in Stokkseyri is a ghost museum that features all of Iceland’s most famous ghosts.
      Hafnargata 9 Stokkseyri
    • Kayak tours

      Kayak tours

      All seasons
      5000 - 10000 ISK
      Website
      We travel on kayaks along the unique lagoons of one of Iceland's most beautiful coastline and through a broad water area west of Stokkseyri
      Stjörnusteinar Stokkseyri

    West Iceland

    West Iceland is one of Iceland's most geologically diverse regions. Its natural wonders are a nearly exhaustive sampling of all that Iceland has to offer, ranging from slumbering volcanos and majestic waterfalls to a variety of flora and wildlife.

    • Bjössa róló

      Bjössa róló

      All seasons
      Free
      Map
      A playground built by local handyman Björn Guðmundsson, Bjössa Róló is a playground made entirely of recycled and discarded materials.
      Borgarnes
    • The Troll garden in Fossatún

      The Troll garden in Fossatún

      All seasons
      Free
      Website
      The Troll-garden consists of hiking paths, with signs and information and illustration of trolls, troll-games, troll-statues and other things. Guests can take a troll-walk or compete in troll-games while enjoying the beautiful surrounding and view. A totally unique location by Troll-waterfalls and good food is the restaurant´s speciality with coffee house style dishes and stylish home-made cooking.
    • The Settlement Center

      The Settlement Center

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website
      In two exhibitions The Settlement Centre tells the Saga of The Settlement of Iceland and the history of Egill Skallagrimsson. It gives the traveler a good foundation for further knowledge when traveling in West Iceland. You get an Ipod before entering the exhibition which tells you the story. You can choose from 12 languages and there are both children and adult guides.
    • Trip to Flatey Island

      Trip to Flatey Island

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website Map
      When crossing Breidafjordur Bay from Stykkisholmur to Brjanslaekur or back, there is a possibility to stop off at the charming island of Flatey where time literally stands still. Most of Flatey´s houses are from the 19th century, so strolling around the island gives one the impression of travelling back in time.
      Flatey Island
    • Into the Glacier

      Into the Glacier

      All seasons
      15000 and above ISK
      Website Map
      Into the Glacier is a man-made ice cave. The ice tunnel and the caves are located high on Europe‘s second largest glacier, Langjökull.

    Westfjords

    The Westfjords are in the far northwest of Iceland a sparsely populated, rugged territory intertwined by fjords.

    • Vigur

      Vigur

      All seasons
      5000 - 10000 ISK
      Map
      Puffins, eiders, guillemoths and arctic terns are this island's magnets, and they are all abundant.
    • Reykjafjordur by fjord Arnarfjordur

      Reykjafjordur by fjord Arnarfjordur

      All seasons
      Free
      Website
      The swimming pool in Reykjarfjodur, a fjord that is going into the big Arnarfjodur, is a full size swimming pool heated by natural water that runs in the pool all year around.
    • Seal watching

      Seal watching

      All seasons
      Free
      Seals are incredibly beautiful and entertaining creatures and they are also said to be quite curious. Seal watching is a wonderful activity for the entire family.
    • Hiking

      Hiking

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website
      Hiking with or without a guide is always a popular mode of travel and many hiking trails exist.
    • Rauðisandur

      Rauðisandur

      All seasons
      Free
      Map
      A beach called Rauðisandur (literally meaning,red sand), and that is about 10 km of red sand in different hues, depending on the weather. Cafe Kirkjuhvammur is located there. The best thing to do there is to grab your camera and enjoy the beautiful beach with a long walk.
      451, Vesturbyggð

    North Iceland

    The north of Iceland is a land of contrasts. Its long valleys and peninsulas are interspersed with mountains, lava fields and smooth hills carved out by rivers. The North is home to Iceland's second largest urban area, Akureyri, rich in culture and history.

    • Dimmuborgir

      Dimmuborgir

      All seasons
      Free
      Map
      Dimmuborgir is a large area of unusually shaped lava fields east of Mývatn in Iceland. The Dimmuborgir area is composed of various volcanic caves and rock formations, reminiscent of an ancient collapsed citadel. The dramatic structures are one of Iceland's most popular natural tourist attractions.
    • Hlíðarfjall Ski Resort

      Hlíðarfjall Ski Resort

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website Map
      Mt. Hlídarfjall is 5 km from Akureyri and is open from the beginning of December till end of April. The elevation in the skislopes ranges from 500 m to 1000 m above sea level, and there is therefore plenty of snow during the winter.
    • Laufás Museum

      Laufás Museum

      All seasons
      Free
      Map
      The old rectory at Laufas is under the administration of the Akureyri Museum. The oldest part of the farm was built in 1840 and in the years 1866-1870. The old rectory at Laufas is considered to be the prototype of the Icelandic architecture (many gables side by side), but much larger than most other such complexes.
    • The Botanical Garden

      The Botanical Garden

      All seasons
      Free
      Website Map
      The garden is on of the northern most botanical gardens in the world. The Public Park was opened in 1912 but the Botanic section in 1957. There are about 6600 alien taxa growing in the garden in beds and nursery and around 430 species of the native taxa. The park is very popular both by locals and visitors.
      Eyrarlandsholt
    • The Christmas garden

      The Christmas garden

      All seasons
      Free
      Map
      The fire glows and crackles in the fireplace. Christmas melodies and aroma in the air. Only ten minutes drive from the center of the town of Akureyri, in the Jólagarðurinn or Christmas garden you'll find the magical world of Christmas. On the outside the fire-engine red house resembles a cookie house but once inside you discover Christmas decorations from all over the world, alongside with traditional Icelandic Christmas items and variations of selected handicrafts from local craftsmen/women.
      Akureyri
    • Regional Museum Dalvík

      Regional Museum Dalvík

      All seasons
      0 - 1000 ISK
      Website Map
      The museum’s collections includes a great number of items, most of them contributed by local people in Dalvik, Svarfaðardalur and Árskógsströnd. That includes a large number of icelandic birds and mammals, and some marine creatures also, along with collections of grasses, shells, eggs and rocks.The museum includes exhibits on a number of people from Svarfaðardalur who became nationally famous.
      Karlsrauðatorg, Dalvik 620
    • The Icelandic Seal Center

      The Icelandic Seal Center

      All seasons
      1000 - 5000 ISK
      Website Map
      The award winning seal museum in Hvammstangi is an exciting and informative museum. Information about the seals found in and around Iceland as well as around the world. Information can also be found on the role of seals in Icelandic culture and traditions, including the role held by seal hunting. The museum also holds exhibitions on the wildlife found around the Hvammstangi area with special emphasis on bird life and marine life.
      Strandgata 1, Hvammstangi

    East Iceland

    The east coast of Iceland is home to the country's largest forest, lush farmlands and a range of small fjords and islands. Thanks to the East's many natural harbors, a variety of fishing villages and small seaside communities border the coast. The biggest town in the region is Egilsstaðir, with a population of 2,300. The only car and passenger ferry that sails between Iceland and the European continent calls at Seydisfjörður once a week in the summer months and intermittently the rest of the year.

    • Bustarfell Museum

      Bustarfell Museum

      All seasons
      Free
      Website Map
      Bustarfell Museum is a quaint, centuries old, Icelandic turf and stone house and is one of the best preserved farms of its kind in Iceland.
      Vopnafjörður
    • Heritage Museum

      Heritage Museum

      All seasons
      0 - 1000 ISK
      Website Map
      The East Iceland Heritage Museum located in Egilsstadir takes a lively approach to the preservation of local culture and traditions with spinning and weaving presentations given during the summer months. The diverse artifact collection includes a restored turf farmhouse and a variety of ’hands-on’ items for guests to truly experience and understand the legacy of the regions’ past. The folk museum also boasts a cafe and a small shop featuring local Icelandic design and craft.
      Egilsstaðir
    • Petra´s Minerals

      Petra´s Minerals

      All seasons
      0 - 1000 ISK
      Website Map
      Geologically speaking, the East Fjords are one of the oldest areas in Iceland, and have the most diverse types of rocks and minerals. The magnificent exhibit of rocks at this museum have been collected over a lifetime by its owner Petra Sveinsdottir and are on display in her house and garden. More than 90% of the minerals and semi-precious stones were found in the surrounding Stodvarfjordur area.
      Fjarðarbraut 21, 755 Stöðvarfirði
    • Kárahnjúkastífla Dam

      Kárahnjúkastífla Dam

      All seasons
      Free
      Map
      Kárahnjúkastífla Dam is the largest of its type in Europe, standing 193 metres (633 ft) tall with a length of 730 metres.