Thing to do 
Thing to do in Iceland
Free things to do in Iceland
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.
Key facts
- Time needed
- Varies
- Best months
- may, jun, jul, aug, sep
- Seasons
- all-year
- Price level
- free
- Free?
- Yes
- Family friendly?
- Yes
- Difficulty
- easy
Free vs paid in Iceland
- Free: waterfalls (most), beaches, glacier lagoons, hot springs (most natural ones), hiking trails, national parks (mostly), churches, scenic viewpoints, the aurora.
- Cheap: local town swimming pools (sundlaug, 1 000–1 500 ISK).
- Pricier: glacier tours, ice cave tours, super-jeep, Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, restaurants, fuel, car rental.
How to lower the cost
- Self-drive over guided. A 5-day car rental + fuel is usually less than 3 days of guided tours.
- Pack lunches from supermarkets (Bónus, Krónan).
- Drink tap water — it’s excellent.
- Use the local pools instead of (or alongside) the spa lagoons.
- Camp in summer (June–Aug) if you’re hardy.
Frequently asked questions
Are Iceland's waterfalls free?
Yes. A few have paid parking but the falls themselves are free.
Is the Blue Lagoon worth it?
Tastes vary, but the local sundlaugar (city/town pools) are 10–15× cheaper and a more authentic experience. Both are valid for different reasons.