Iceland is a true beauty, north to south, west to east. When it comes to what to do in Iceland, the possibilities are endless, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. From captivating cultural activities in Reykjavik to legendary lava fields, grottos, hot springs and extraordinary waterfalls, Iceland is a magical place.
Cruises to Reykjavik transport passengers to a laid-back city with plenty of personality. Although it’s small with only about 120,000 residents, there are plenty of interesting museums and galleries. Perlan has natural history on display and features exhibits on the Northern Lights and Iceland ice caves, as well as a rotating glass dome. Iceland has an exciting music scene and museums dedicated to it, including the Iceland Punk Museum and Harpa, a massive concert hall that also occasionally hosts exhibits.
Icelandic food is renowned for its freshness and simplicity. On a food walk through the city, you’ll get to try Icelandic dishes, such as hot dogs (yes really), lamb chops, cod and skyrr, which is a thick, creamy yogurt. If you’re cruising Iceland in fall, warm up with Icelandic hot chocolate.
When it comes to what to do in Iceland and Reykjavik, Viking history tops the list. Retrace Reykjavik’s captivating Viking history at the National and Saga museums. See life-like replicas of Icelandic figures, as well as clothing, weapons and artifacts. Stroll past the iconic Sun Voyager, a sculpture of a Viking ship set next to the sea.
Northern Europe cruises to Iceland feature natural splendors from fjords that cut through jaw-dropping cliffs to black-sand beaches, ice caves, and lava fields. Within easy access from Reykjavik, you can take a Golden Circle tour to three incredible natural areas. Stand between tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park and learn about Icelandic history. You’ll be wowed by the Strokkur Geysir that blasts water almost 50 feet straight into the air about every twenty minutes. And you’ll see Gullfoss, a wide waterfall that dramatically rushes into a river canyon below, filling the gully with prisms and rainbows.
One of Iceland’s most popular attractions, the Blue Lagoon is a spa and bathing experience all in one with staffed consoles that serve drinks and give out mineral face masks. Though it’s the most popular, the Blue Lagoon is just the beginning when it comes to soaking options. The Blue Lagoon isn’t a natural hot spring but run off from a steam power plant. Natural hot springs are all around Iceland and a beloved thing to do in Iceland for both locals and visitors. Many towns have public bathing centers.
Much of Iceland is remote and cruising is a good way to see a lot of Iceland destinations on one trip. Iceland cruises glide into stunning fjords and stop into remote fishing villages. One of these villages, Djúpivogur is perched at the ends of the earth near stunning scenery such as the Hofellsjökull Glacier and the Valley of Waterfalls.
When it comes to what to do in Iceland, flying over Lake Mývatn near Akureyri is one of those bucket-list adventures you’ll remember forever. Get a bird’s eye view of Iceland’s lava-shaped landscapes, the majestic Mývatn and Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in the country.
This list is just the beginning of what to do in Iceland. Book cruises to Iceland today and see this incredible place for yourself.
