Highlights of Iceland for first-time visitors

By Iceland specialist Mareesa

When I first visited Iceland, I knew I’d ventured to a place unlike anywhere I’d been before. The rawness of its landscapes, the huge variety of experiences you can have in just a short space of time, and the traces of history and mythology everywhere you go create a one-of-a-kind trip that always leaves me wanting more.

As a first-time visitor, your options are far from limited. But, to get the best all-round experience of Iceland, I suggest a route that takes in the Golden Circle and the South Coast, where many of the country’s highlights are congregated. That said, I can easily adapt and extend your trip to other areas, too.

Thermal spas & city exploring in Reykjavík

No matter what your Iceland trip looks like, you’ll always spend at least part of your time in its capital, Reykjavík. It’s a relatively compact city, so I suggest exploring on foot with a guide — I can arrange for you to join a private walking tour, with or without food stops to sample the city’s tastiest dishes, from free-range lamb and Arctic char to plokkfiskur (fish hash), pylsa (Icelandic hot dog), and ice cream.

You’ll wander along Laugavegur, one of the country’s oldest shopping streets, with its distinctive rainbow-painted road, as well as visiting the omnipresent Hallgrímskirkja, whose stark 74.5-m (244-ft) tall design was inspired by the volcanic basalt columns found around Iceland.

Outside of the tour, you might want to spend a morning or afternoon exploring Perlan Museum, which is bursting with interactive exhibits on natural history. From the observation floor, you can take in far-reaching views over the city.

At the end of a busy day, I suggest unwinding at Sky Lagoon, a geothermal spa set on the coast just outside the city. Here, you can soak in the soothing waters of the infinity pool, looking out across the water to distant mountains and glaciers. If you’re there in winter, you might see the northern lights shimmering above you. Or, in summer, you can bathe in the warm glow of the midnight sun.

Insider’s tip: Reserve an evening for visiting Hús máls og menningar, a bookstore that doubles up as a live-music venue — the atmosphere is invigorating, and I felt just like a local.

The Golden Circle’s waterfalls, geysers & unlikely food experiences

Whether you’re touring the Golden Circle on a guided day trip from Reykjavík or staying a night or two to explore it in depth, the loop is like a highlights reel of Iceland’s natural wonders. You can stand dwarfed by the thunderous two-tiered waterfall of Gullfoss, watch geysers spurt boiling water up to 30 m (98 ft) into the air, and visit the spot where Icelandic parliament was held from the time of the Vikings until the 18th century in Þingvellir National Park.

The park is also where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet, and you can walk through Almannagiá, a canyon that was formed by the plates splitting apart. Or, for something more immersive, I can arrange for you to snorkel between the continents along the Silfra fissure in a lagoon filled with clear, glacial water.

Elsewhere in the region, you could visit the geothermal bakery on the lakeshore of Laugarvatn. Your guide will demonstrate how rye bread is naturally baked in the ground at an average temperature of 100°C (212°F). Then, you’ll get a chance to sample a fresh batch of geothermally-baked bread, accompanied by salted Icelandic butter and smoked trout.

I also love visiting Friðheimar tomato farm for lunch. It’s somewhere I just didn’t expect to come across in Iceland — a green oasis among the country’s dark volcanic terrain. I can arrange a private behind-the-scenes tour of the greenhouse for more insight into their tomato cultivation. Then, sit down to the best tomato soup I’ve ever tasted, accompanied by homemade bread and a “Healthy Mary” — a non-alcoholic take on the Bloody Mary mixed with lime, ginger, and honey.

Insider’s tip: live like a (very luxurious) Viking by staying in a turf-roofed cottage at Torfhus Retreat. Food is a particular highlight, with chefs creating a locally sourced set menu that changes daily, served in a Viking longhouse.

Landscapes & adventure on Iceland’s South Coast

Volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers, ice caves, rainbow-streaked hills, and black-sand beaches… I probably don’t need to elaborate on why the South Coast is where I most enjoy spending time while in Iceland. What’s even better is that there are so many ways you can explore the region, often with a shot of adrenaline for good measure.

The best way to take in all of these highlights is on a private quad bike tour of the region. Your guide can shape the day around your interests while providing local insights into the places and landmarks you explore. They’ll also cook a barbecue lunch for you, including Icelandic lamb chops, salad, and grilled potatoes — I couldn’t believe the preparation my guide had gone to, and it was made even more special as we dined inside a cave on one of the black-sand beaches.

One of the key stops — and the place where I truly fell in love with the country — is Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Its thin but powerful stream of glacial water pours gracefully over a cliff, feeding a network of waterways that flow out to the nearby sea. I loved following a path into a cave behind the cascade to see it from behind, taking in views over the surrounding water-braided countryside. Be prepared to get wet, though, and take care where you tread, as the rocks can be slippery.

There aren’t many places you can venture inside a cave made of ice, so if you’re game for adventure, I suggest joining a small-group guided tour of Katla ice cave. Part of a series of ice caves beneath Kötlujökull, an outlet from the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Katla’s undulating walls of blue, white, and black ice have formed mesmeric patterns and sculptures that make it hard to look away. Your guide will explain how the cave was formed as you explore it inside and out, and there’s plenty of time to take photos.

Another way to embrace Iceland’s wild side is to ride an Icelandic horse on Víkurfjara — a black sand beach next to the village of Vík. With a private guide, you’ll ride a short distance from stables to beach, then spend up to an hour riding among the striking scenery, taking in views of the town, and surrounding mountains as you breathe in the bracing sea air. You might even get to try out the tölt — a gait that’s somewhere between a walk and a trot. It’s unique to Icelandic horses, developed to navigate the country’s rough terrain.

Insider’s tip: if you’re there in summer, visit Seljalandsfoss at around 11pm to experience the buttery-orange light of the midnight sun reflected in the water.

Is it easy to get around Iceland?

It’s very easy to get around in Iceland thanks to its main ring road, which encircles the whole country. If you’re visiting between May and September, you can drive yourself easily — the roads are generally quiet and well-maintained, and our on-the-ground team are on hand should you need assistance.

Outside of this time, or if you’d prefer not to drive, I can arrange for you to explore with a private driver-guide who’s experienced in navigating the wintry conditions.

There’s also the option to catch internal flights if you want to explore different regions of Iceland within a time limit.

How much time do you recommend spending in Iceland?

Setting aside roughly one week gives you enough time to enjoy your first taste of Iceland in the places I’ve mentioned. However, we can easily extend this if you wanted to explore more of the country. For example, you could add on time in the north to spot whales off the coast of Husavík — known as the whale-watching capital.

When do you recommend visiting Iceland?

If you like to keep active and want to make the most of Iceland’s landscapes, I recommend visiting between May and August. The days are long, you have a wider choice of experiences, and migratory puffins and whales are around. However, if you want a chance to see the northern lights, you’re best to visit between late September and early April.