13 Sep Top 3 Things to Do in Iceland

ICELAND. What a beautiful country full of waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, volcanos, and so much more. While we were planning our trip to Iceland, we came across the dilemma of having too much to do and too little time. Whether visiting for a weekend or a whole week, no amount of time seems as though it is enough to experience everything Iceland has to offer. While people (including myself right now) will try to persuade you concerning their favorite experiences, always choose what is best for your adventure and time frame. That being said, let us dive into my top 3 things to do in Iceland. 

Need some more inspiration to kickstart the planning for your Iceland trip? Check out my (very detailed) Nine-Day Road Trip Itinerary for Iceland as well as my Top 10 Things to Do in Iceland.

Contents:

1) Hiking to and Jumping in Stuðlagil Canyon

2) Glacier Lagoon Kayaking in Jökulsárlón

3) Hiking to Fagradalsfjall Volcano

1) Hiking to and Jumping in Stuðlagil Canyon

• Time: 2 hours 
  • Hiking: 1 mile / 30 minutes each way for a total of 1 hour 
  • Exploring, swimming, photography: 1 hour 
• Article for more information: My Favorite Activity in Iceland: Hiking to Stuðlagil
• Nearby lodging: Eidavellir Apartments and Rooms

Directions

The viewpoint on google maps takes visitors to a platform from where they are unable to hike down into the canyon. To hike into the canyon, drive instead to Stuðlagil East Side Parking, which is a small parking area with a restroom. Cross the bridge and drive all the way to the end of the road to another parking lot to cut down on hiking time.

Follow the trail leading out of the parking lot. The path is fairly clear, as it is alongside the canyon. There is one gate to pass through (pretty sure it is just to keep sheep inside the fence). Shortly after passing the viewing platform on the other side of the canyon, begin the rocky descent down into the canyon itself. It is not too difficult, for the rocks act as stepping stones. 

Looking for other canyon views in Iceland? Then head to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon in the southeast. Looking for more basalt rock columns in Iceland? Then head to Svartifoss Waterfall in the east or Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in the southeast.

Turquoise glacial river surrounded by basalt rock columns

General Information – Top 3 Things to Do in Iceland

First up on the list of my top 3 things to do in Iceland is Stuðlagil Canyon (or as I affectionately call it: Stud Canyon). I will be honest – I absolutely did not expect for this to be my number one experience in Iceland. Is it beautiful? Of course. The turquoise blue water surrounded by basalt rock columns offers a view unlike any other. BUT, how did it end up as my number one? 

After maybe 15 minutes, we saw something unexpected – someone jumped in the water. This is water that has run down from a GLACIER. Then after another 15 minutes or so, we saw even MORE people jumping in. It was not just one or two more people. No. At this point, there were multiple groups jumping in, totaling around 10 to 20 people. I looked at my boyfriend and said: I’ll jump in if you do. We just laughed about it for a moment and continued to explore. Then 10 minutes later, he says to me: okay, let’s jump in. I was not expecting that response, for we did not bring our swimsuits and the water was freezing. 

Nevertheless, we jumped in. I am pretty sure all of the air in my lungs left my body when I hit the water, and I felt as though I jumped into the middle of an ice cube. But I loved every second of it. Why? It was unplanned and unexpected, an adrenaline-pumping experience, possibly the most beautiful place I have ever swam. Might I say, it was a hidden gem of the trip.

Why not check out some other hidden gems in Iceland? Additionally, check out the best places to swim in Iceland.

Swimming in the glacial river at Stuðlagil Canyon

2) Glacier Lagoon Kayaking in Jökulsárlón 

• Time: 2 hours 
  • Meet the tour guide, get dressed, and walk to the water: 1 hour
  • Kayaking: 1 hour 
• Article for more information: What to Know Before Going Glacier Kayaking in Jökulsárlón, Iceland
• Nearby lodging: Laekjarhus Farm Holidays

Important Notes – Top 3 Things to Do in Iceland

Book kayaking in advance! There are a variety of companies that do boat tours on the lagoon, but only one or two companies offer kayaking. Tickets can thus sell out pretty fast. Additionally, the price is around $165 for a tandem kayak.

This is my plug for kayaking in general because I love kayaking. Over a year ago I bought myself the Intex Challenger inflatable kayak from Amazon, and I have utilized it countless times since. Bonus – it fits two people.

We only booked two excursions during our time in Iceland, and glacier kayaking was one of them. The other was snorkeling in the Silfra fissure, which is a rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. However, Iceland is full of other incredible excursions, so you might have a hard time deciding which to book.

Kayaking around the Glacier Lagoon on a tour

General Information

This one basically explains itself. Kayaking in a glacier lagoon – AMAZING. I expected this to be my number one experience in Iceland, though Stud Canyon did sneak up on me and steal that spot away. Jökulsárlón (aka the Glacier Lagoon) is a spectacular sight even if not in a kayak. There are icebergs floating all along the water and a glacier in the distance. 

There are a couple of different ways to get on the lagoon: a boat ride or kayaking. Kayaking obviously requires a little more effort, but I think it is worth it. We were right on top of the water and had the ability to physically touch some icebergs (well not the big ones, but we tried to pick up some smaller chunks of ice). A guide took us around the lagoon, highlighting the largest icebergs of the day. Due to safety reasons, we could not kayak too close to the large icebergs, for it is possible they could tip over or a piece could break off at any second. As the portion of the iceberg below the surface melts, it throws off the balance of the iceberg and thus can cause it to tip over. 

It was an experience unlike any other, which is exactly why it is second on my list of the top 3 things to do in Iceland. We kayaked alongside icebergs in glacial waters and even saw seals swimming nearby. We also learned a lot about Iceland and glaciers from the kayak guide. For example, only about 10% of an iceberg sits above the surface while the remaining 90% sits below. 

Want to see more seals while in Iceland? Then head to Ytri Tunga Beach on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. There are tons of seals there.

Iceberg in the Glacier Lagoon

3) Hiking to Fagradalsfjall Volcano – Top 3 Things to Do in Iceland

• Time: 2.5 hours 
  • Hiking: 45 minutes each way for a total of 1.5 hours
  • Exploring, photographs: 1 hour
• Nearby lodging: Guesthouse Pavi

Directions

Fagradalsfjall Volcano on google maps is the parking lot for viewpoints A to B. After starting the trail, visitors must decide to walk left or right. We chose to go left (which put us on the backside of the volcano) and had fantastic views. 

Continue on the trail for as long as possible. Eventually the trail mostly disappeared, and we then found ourselves walking over and along rocks.

Fagradalsfjall Volcano is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is full of other worthwhile attractions to visit. For example, you can spend the day relaxing in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon.

Looking onward to Fagradalsfjall Volcano

General Information

Last on the list of my top 3 things to do in Iceland is hiking Fagradalsfjall Volcano. Interestingly enough, my boyfriend and I had the same top three activities with just a slightly different order. Hiking the volcano was his number one while Stud canyon was number three. Seeing an erupting volcano up close with lava spewing down the sides is something neither of us will ever forget. 

The volcano started erupting in March 2021, and we were lucky enough to visit Iceland in August 2021 while it was still erupting. During the hike, we could see how the cooled lava rock completely filled in the valleys and crevices of the mountain. We made a short stop along the cooled lava rock to test its strength as we stepped along the edges. While we continued to make our way along the path, the volcano started to appear. 

Then we got even closer. It is hard to explain in words what it is like to witness an erupting volcano. We could see the bright red lava shoot out of the top of the volcano, cascade down the sides, and then disappear from eyesight as it turned black. Over and over and over; it was mesmerizing. We probably could have spent all day sitting on some rocks and watching the lava.

There you have it – a pretty solid list of the top 3 things to do in Iceland (if I do say so myself). 

Lava erupting from Fagradalsfjall Volcano

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Looking to explore an ice cave while in Iceland?: Best Ice Cave Tours from Reykjavík. 

Looking to book a multi-day trip to ease the planning?: Best 2-Day South Coast Tours of Iceland.