# Whattodo.is

> Local Iceland travel advice for foreign visitors — what to do based on where you are, when you are visiting, the weather, road conditions and the time you have. Static, citation-friendly, last reviewed against Icelandic official sources (SafeTravel, road.is, vedur.is).

Site: https://whattodo.is/
Author: Whattodo.is editorial team
Language: English
Generated: 2026-05-27T16:41:14.894Z

## Quick start

- [What to do in Iceland today](https://whattodo.is/what-to-do-in-iceland-today/): the finder filtered by region, month, weather, time and transport.
- [Iceland by month](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/): twelve seasonal guides.
- [Things to do in Iceland](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/): every activity.
- [Places to visit](https://whattodo.is/places/): every place we cover.
- [News and travel updates](https://whattodo.is/news/): road, weather and safety updates.
## Things to do in Iceland

- [Family friendly things to do](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/family-friendly-stops/): Iceland is one of the easiest countries in Europe to travel in with kids — here are the activities, sights and rest stops that work best for families.
- [Free things to do in Iceland](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/free-things-to-do/): Iceland is expensive — but most of the natural wonders are completely free. Here's how to plan a trip that doesn't drain the bank account.
- [Glacier hikes](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/glacier-hikes/): Guided glacier hikes in Iceland let you walk on the ice with crampons — easy half-day options run year-round from the South Coast.
- [Hot springs and geothermal pools](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/hot-springs/): Iceland is built on geothermal heat — hot pools range from the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon to free natural pots in the wild. Here's how to choose.
- [Ice cave tours](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/ice-cave-tours/): Ice cave tours in Iceland let you walk inside a glacier — natural blue ice caves run from October to March; man-made tunnels run year-round.
- [Local food experiences](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/local-food/): What's actually worth eating in Iceland — lamb soup, langoustine, skyr and street-food fish — and where to find it without paying tourist prices.
- [Museums in Iceland](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/museums/): Iceland's museums punch well above their weight for a country this small — here are the ones genuinely worth your time in Reykjavík and along the South Coast.
- [Northern lights](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/northern-lights/): Iceland is one of the most reliable places to see the northern lights — but you need darkness, clear sky and aurora activity, all at once.
- [Photography stops in Iceland](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/photography-stops/): A curated list of the most photogenic stops on Iceland's main travel routes, with notes on light direction, best time of day and access logistics.
- [Rainy day ideas in Iceland](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/rainy-day-ideas/): Iceland gets a lot of rain — museums, geothermal pools, cafés, hot springs and indoor stops to keep your trip moving when the weather closes in.
- [Waterfalls in Iceland](https://whattodo.is/things-to-do/waterfalls/): Iceland has hundreds of waterfalls — most are free, year-round, and a short walk from the road. Here's how to pick which to see.

## Places to visit in Iceland

- [Diamond Beach](https://whattodo.is/places/diamond-beach/): Diamond Beach is the black-sand beach opposite Jökulsárlón where icebergs that drifted out of the glacier lagoon wash up on the volcanic sand.
- [Höfn](https://whattodo.is/places/hofn/): Höfn is a small fishing town in Southeast Iceland — the practical base for Jökulsárlón, Stokksnes and Vatnajökull, and famous locally for langoustine.
- [Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon](https://whattodo.is/places/jokulsarlon/): Jökulsárlón is Iceland's most famous glacier lagoon, on the South Coast near Vatnajökull, where icebergs from Breiðamerkurjökull drift through to the sea.
- [Reynisfjara black-sand beach](https://whattodo.is/places/reynisfjara/): Reynisfjara is Iceland's most famous black-sand beach, with basalt columns and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks — and dangerous sneaker waves.
- [Seljalandsfoss](https://whattodo.is/places/seljalandsfoss/): Seljalandsfoss is a 60 m waterfall on the South Coast you can walk behind in summer — one of Iceland's most photographed falls.
- [Skaftafell](https://whattodo.is/places/skaftafell/): Skaftafell is a wilderness area inside Vatnajökull National Park, with marked hikes, glacier views, and the basalt-column waterfall Svartifoss.
- [Skógafoss](https://whattodo.is/places/skogafoss/): Skógafoss is one of Iceland's biggest classic waterfalls — a 60 m wall of water on the South Coast that you can walk right up to.
- [Stokksnes (Vestrahorn)](https://whattodo.is/places/stokksnes/): Stokksnes is a peninsula east of Höfn beneath the dramatic Vestrahorn massif — black sand, dunes and reflected mountains, one of Iceland's iconic photo spots.
- [Vík í Mýrdal](https://whattodo.is/places/vik/): Vík is Iceland's southernmost village, a natural base for the South Coast — Reynisfjara black-sand beach, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and onwards to glaciers.

## Regions of Iceland

- [East Iceland](https://whattodo.is/regions/east-iceland/): East Iceland is the quieter side of the Ring Road — fjords, fishing villages, hiking and reindeer, anchored by Egilsstaðir and Seyðisfjörður.
- [North Iceland](https://whattodo.is/regions/north-iceland/): North Iceland mixes geothermal landscapes, waterfalls and whale watching — Akureyri, Mývatn, Goðafoss, Dettifoss and the Diamond Circle drive.
- [Reykjavík](https://whattodo.is/regions/reykjavik/): Reykjavík is Iceland's capital and where most trips start — a small, walkable city with museums, food, geothermal pools and the best day-trip hub on the island.
- [South Iceland](https://whattodo.is/regions/south-iceland/): South Iceland is the most visited region — waterfalls, black-sand beaches, glaciers and Vík, all reachable from Reykjavík on a paved road.
- [Southeast Iceland](https://whattodo.is/regions/southeast-iceland/): Southeast Iceland is Iceland's glacier country — Vatnajökull, Jökulsárlón, Skaftafell, Höfn and Stokksnes, all anchored by the harbour town of Höfn.

## Road trip routes

- [Golden Circle](https://whattodo.is/routes/golden-circle/): The Golden Circle is Iceland's classic day-trip loop from Reykjavík — Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss in a 230 km drive, doable year-round on paved roads.
- [Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón](https://whattodo.is/routes/reykjavik-to-jokulsarlon/): 370 km of the Ring Road from Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón — the full South Coast highlight reel, doable in one long day or split comfortably over two.
- [Reykjavík to Vík](https://whattodo.is/routes/reykjavik-to-vik/): 187 km of the Ring Road from Reykjavík to Vík — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull and Reynisfjara, all on a paved, year-round road.
- [South Coast (Reykjavík to Höfn)](https://whattodo.is/routes/south-coast/): The full South Coast — 460 km of Route 1 from Reykjavík to Höfn, covering every major stop. Best as a 3–4 day road trip.
- [Vík to Höfn](https://whattodo.is/routes/vik-to-hofn/): 270 km of the Ring Road from Vík to Höfn — Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and Stokksnes, the most scenic stretch of Route 1 by far.

## Iceland by month

- [Iceland in April](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-april/): April is shoulder season at its best — long days, fewer crowds, no ice caves but a feeling of spring after a long winter.
- [Iceland in August](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-august/): August keeps the summer benefits — warm weather and all Highland roads open — but adds returning darkness, and by late August aurora is back on the menu.
- [Iceland in December](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-december/): December is Iceland's darkest month — shortest days of the year, Christmas markets, ice caves, aurora hunting and full-on winter atmosphere across the country.
- [Iceland in February](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-february/): February is similar to January but with more daylight — the sweet spot for winter Iceland trips: ice caves, aurora and increasingly photogenic light.
- [Iceland in January](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-january/): January is deep winter — short daylight, real snow, the best chance of ice caves and one of the most atmospheric months in Iceland.
- [Iceland in July](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-july/): July is Iceland's peak season — warmest weather, 20+ hours of daylight, every Highland road open, but the most crowded and most expensive month to visit.
- [Iceland in June](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-june/): June is midnight sun in Iceland — 21 hours of daylight, the start of the Highlands season, lush green landscapes and the busiest tourist month after July.
- [Iceland in March](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-march/): March is shoulder season — late winter but with rapidly returning daylight, lingering ice caves, and the equinox aurora window.
- [Iceland in May](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-may/): May is when Iceland blooms — long days, milder weather, puffins returning, and the start of the boat-tour season at Jökulsárlón.
- [Iceland in November](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-november/): November is full winter in Iceland without the Christmas premium — ice caves open, strong aurora season, short days and dark, atmospheric light all day.
- [Iceland in October](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-october/): October is the start of proper aurora season — natural ice caves open, prices drop, weather becomes more variable but rewards are high.
- [Iceland in September](https://whattodo.is/iceland-by-month/iceland-in-september/): September is a quieter sweet spot — autumn colours, returning darkness, the start of natural ice cave season and reasonable prices.

## Itineraries

- [3 days in South Iceland](https://whattodo.is/itineraries/3-days-south-iceland/): A reasonable 3-day plan covering Reykjavík → Vík → Jökulsárlón and back, with daily options that flex for every season, weather and pace of travel.

## Guides

- [Things to do in Iceland](https://whattodo.is/guides/things-to-do-in-iceland/): A practical, region-by-region overview of the best things to do in Iceland — built around what's actually possible given the weather, the roads and your time.

## News and travel updates

- [How to check road conditions before travelling in Iceland](https://whattodo.is/news/how-to-check-road-conditions-in-iceland/): A short practical guide to road.is, Veður.is and SafeTravel — what to check before you drive in Iceland, when to check it, and how to read each warning.
- [Why weather changes quickly in Iceland — and what it means for your trip](https://whattodo.is/news/why-weather-changes-quickly-in-iceland/): A short editorial explainer on Iceland's volatile weather, with practical advice for travellers about how to plan around it.
- [What travellers should know before visiting glacier areas in Iceland](https://whattodo.is/news/what-travellers-should-know-before-glaciers/): Glaciers in Iceland are accessible, photogenic and dangerous if you don't follow the basic rules — here's what every visitor should know.