12 fantastic things to do in Iceland in summer
12 fantastic activities to enjoy in Iceland in summer. Nature tours, sightseeing and experiences for a perfect summer trip to Iceland.
Summer is a fantastic time to visit Iceland.
Long days and milder temperatures mean you will have plenty of opportunities to admire Iceland’s mighty waterfalls, awesome geysers and admire the country’s unique landscapes and wildlife, something that is unique to this season.
To enjoy Iceland in summer, you need appropriate gear and a plan. You can find here my packing list for summer in Iceland and below the best activities to do in Iceland in summer.
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The best things to do in Iceland in summer
Go puffin watching
Puffins are one of the cutest animals you can see in Iceland and the season to see them is the summer.
Starting form spring, companies offer puffin watching tours and they are are fun at all ages. Some to consider are:
1.5 Hours family friendly Puffin watching tour from Reykjavik, by Elding Adventure at Sea – this is one of the best things to do in Reykjavik for kids!
Puffin watching Boat Tour from Reykjavik by Special Tours Iceland: 1h boat tour from reykjavik Harbor.
This is a fun tour with an English-speaking guide that will bring you close to islands near Reykjavik where you can see puffins in their natural environment. Binoculars provided.
Puffin watching RIB tour by Whale Safari (kids age 10 and up): small group tour from Reykjavik Harbour with wildlife guide. Cost includes the use of overalls, binoculars and safety equipment.
Go whale watching
If you have always dreamed of going whale watching, Iceland is the place for you!
In summer, several whale watching tours allow you to see these majestic animals in the wild. Most tours also include a stop to see puffins!
Some to consider are:
Half Day whale and puffin watching tour from Reykjavik: 100% sightings guarantee for the puffin tour, in case you do not see whales a second ticket is offered for free
Reykjavik small group whale watching tour from Reykjavik: small group tour on a luxury yacht.
Whale safari and puffin RIB boat tour from Husavik: 2.5-hour whale and puffin tour in an RIB speedboat. The minimum age limit for children on the RIB speedboats is 7 years or minimum 130 cm in height.
Go horse riding
Icelandic Horses are unique. They are a special breed that only lives in Iceland and they have a special gait that makes them stand out.
They are also super cute!
There are many ways to meet Icelandic Horses. Some experiences you may like are:
Icelandic Horseback Riding Tour from Reykjavik – you can choose the tour based on your riding experience (beginner, intermediate or advance) and explore lava field and Icelandic nature like a Viking!
Black San Beach horse riding Tour from Vik – this one will have you riding on one of the most iconic beaches in Iceland!
Family friendly horse riding tour in in Skagafjörður – a great tour for little ones (guide and gear included)
Full-Day Horse Riding & Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik – a great tour to combine sightseeing of Iceand’s famous Golden Circle and a fun outdoor experience.
See a real Geyser
Did you know that the word ‘geyser’ comes from the name of a locality in Iceland? The locality in question is home to fantastic geysers that regularly erupt, creating a fantastic show of geothermal power!
Follwing the well marked paths, you will see geysers and geothermal pools: one of them erupts regularly so the sighting is guaranteed!
You drive here yourself or take a tour of the Golden Circle that includes it such as this one: Golden Circle small group tour from Reykjavik in a minibus
Top tip: I took a day trip along the Golden Circle on my first trip to Iceland. If you want to read about it and what the experience looks like, you can read all about it here.
See Iceland’s beautiful waterfalls
iceland has some fantastic waterfalls and the summer is one of the best moment to see them, since the water power it at its highest.
Some of the most beautiful waterfalls to see in Iceland are:
Gullfoss – an incredible, large waterfall, very easy to reach from Reykjavik. Breathtaking!
Skogafoss – a beautiful, tall waterfall that you approach from its base. A set of steps allow you to climb to the top. One of the best and handily located on the Golden Circle Main route!
Kirkjufellsfoss – an Icelandic waterfall made extra special by the backdrop of Mount Kirkjufell on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. A visit here is one of the best things to do in Iceland in summer, especially if you come late in the day, when the summer sun is still high and the light out this world.
Goðafoss, one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland, it is also known as ‘The Waterfall of the Gods’ and feature in interesting Iceland legends.
Visit Þingvellir (Thingvellir)
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National park is one of the mosyt famous places in Ireland and a must see for history lovers.
As well as being a place of great natural beauty, the park is Unesco World Heritage site and holds the seat of the first Icelandic parliament.
It is a great place to visit in Iceland in summer when you can easily enjoy the trails and walks of the area.
Go snorkeling between tectonic plaques
If you are the adventurous type, then you will adore the opportunity to go snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure, which separates the tectonic plaques of tectonic plates of North America and Europe!
Find all the specs of this thrilling adventure here.
Explore the Golden Circle by car or bus
The Golden Circle is a circular route in the West of Iceland famous for connecting some of the most interesting and famous spots in the area.
In summer, you can easily drive the Golden Circle yourself and see the National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and geyser or you can join one of the many tours available such as this one.
Enjoy Iceland thermal springs
Another fantastic things to do in Iceland in summer is to soak into the country’s thermal springs!
You can choose between a wild experience in one of the many free springs you will encounter while driving, or you can opt for a more structured activity such as a visit to the iconic Blue Lagoon.
Summer is a fantastic time to experience it, much better than winter when the cold can be bitter as soon as you leave the water!
Make sure you book well in advance as it is very popular. The official site is this one.
Visit Vik’s Black Sand Beach
Vik’s Black beach is one of the most famous and most powerful places in Iceland.
The beach has incredible black sand but what makes it even more unique is the unparalleled power of the waves that crash here!
When we visited, our guide said this is where the Gulf Stream hits land – indeed, the waves are walls of water, they are unbelievable!
This is not a beach for swimming and it is a very dangerous one, so you need to stay well away from the water but it is stunning and a must see.
Visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is one of the most scenic natural areas in western Iceland. It is home to some of the most iconic Iceland landscapes and it is where you can see craters, waterfalls and fishing villages.
Taking a tour of this area is a fantastic way to visit this incredible stretch of coast.
Enjoy Reykjavik
Wiht all this nature to enjoy, you may think you can skip Reykjavik however, reykjavik is a lovely city and I recommend you spend at least a day here!
The city center has some interesting sights and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to enjoy. You can read our Reykjavik itinerary and highlights here.
I hope you enjoyed this quick overview of some of the best summer activities in Iceland. Safe travel planning!
The best summer activities in Iceland: pin this!
