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VeggieTravelGirl

Personally experienced by Veggie Travel Girl

Iceland Experiences

Unforgettable Experiences in Iceland

Iceland is one of those destinations where the experiences are just as incredible as the landscapes. I’ve soaked in geothermal lagoons around the country, snorkeled between tectonic plates, walked across a glacier, explored an ice cave, and ridden an ATV across a black sand beach. These are Iceland experiences I’ve personally tried and would consider when planning your own trip.

Flying my drone over a deep, turquoise river canyon in Iceland© VeggieTravelGirl

♨️ Geothermal & Wellness

One of my favorite parts of traveling around Iceland is experiencing its geothermal bathing culture. I’ve visited everything from Iceland’s famous lagoons to smaller geothermal pools around the country.

  • Iconic Geothermal LagoonReykjanes Peninsula

    Blue Lagoon

    Iceland’s most famous geothermal lagoon and one of the country’s most recognizable experiences. A classic option for travelers looking for the iconic Iceland geothermal experience.

  • Geothermal LagoonReykjavík

    Sky Lagoon

    A modern geothermal lagoon experience near Reykjavík and an easy option to combine with time in the capital.

  • Geothermal LagoonAkureyri / North Iceland

    Forest Lagoon

    A geothermal bathing experience surrounded by nature in North Iceland. A natural addition to an Akureyri or Ring Road itinerary.

  • Geothermal BathsEast Iceland

    Vök Baths

    A geothermal bathing experience in East Iceland and a great stop while traveling Iceland’s Ring Road.

  • Geothermal Sea BathsHúsavík / North Iceland

    GeoSea

    A North Iceland geothermal experience that fits naturally into a Húsavík or North Iceland itinerary.

  • Seaside Geothermal BathsHauganes / North Iceland

    Hauganes Beach Baths

    A smaller seaside geothermal experience in North Iceland for travelers looking beyond Iceland’s largest and most famous lagoons.

  • Aerial view of Laugarvatn Fontana's geothermal lagoon pools on the lakeshore in the Golden Circle, Iceland© VeggieTravelGirl
    Geothermal + Food ExperienceGolden Circle

    Laugarvatn Fontana

    A geothermal experience along the Golden Circle that also offers one of Iceland’s most interesting food traditions.

    🍞 Don’t Miss: Geothermal Bread

    At Fontana, you can experience Icelandic geothermal bread traditionally baked using heat from the earth.

  • Traditional Geothermal PoolFlúðir / Golden Circle

    Secret Lagoon

    A more traditional geothermal bathing experience that fits naturally into a Golden Circle itinerary.

🧊 Ice & Glacier Adventures

Exploring an ice cave beneath Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland© VeggieTravelGirl
Glacier Adventure

Glacier Hiking

Walking across an Icelandic glacier gives you a completely different perspective than simply seeing one from the road.

Good to know: Glacier hiking is a physical activity, so travelers should choose an experience appropriate for their fitness and comfort level.

Inside the blue Katla ice cave in South Iceland© VeggieTravelGirl
Ice CaveSouth Iceland / Vík area

Katla Ice Cave

Going inside an Icelandic ice cave was one of the most surreal experiences of my trip — a chance to experience Iceland’s ice and glacier landscapes up close. Ice caves naturally change, so every visit can look a little different.

🌋 Only-in-Iceland Adventures

Snorkeling through the glacial water of Silfra fissure between tectonic plates in Þingvellir National Park, Iceland© VeggieTravelGirl
Snorkeling + AdventureÞingvellir National Park

Silfra Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates

One of the most unique adventures I’ve done in Iceland — snorkeling through incredibly clear water at Silfra between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

ATV riding across a black sand beach near Vík, Iceland© VeggieTravelGirl
ATV + Black Sand BeachVík / South Coast

Black Sand Beach ATV Adventure

Exploring Iceland’s black sand landscape by ATV was one of the most fun ways I experienced the South Coast — adventure, volcanic landscapes and Iceland’s famous black sand scenery in one ride.

Plan your trip

Which experience is right for you?

For relaxation
Blue Lagoon • Sky Lagoon • Forest Lagoon • Vök Baths • GeoSea • Hauganes Beach Baths • Laugarvatn Fontana • Secret Lagoon
For adventure
Silfra Snorkeling • Glacier Hiking • Katla Ice Cave • Black Sand Beach ATV
For the Golden Circle
Laugarvatn Fontana • Secret Lagoon • Silfra Snorkeling
For South Iceland
Glacier Hiking • Katla Ice Cave • Black Sand Beach ATV
For North Iceland
Forest Lagoon • GeoSea • Hauganes Beach Baths
For East Iceland / Ring Road
Vök Baths
For a Reykjavík-area trip
Sky Lagoon • Blue Lagoon
For a geothermal + food experience
Laugarvatn Fontana

I’ve personally experienced every activity included in this guide, so these recommendations are based on my own travels around Iceland.