You’ve seen the photos. The neon green aurora dancing over a black sand beach, the electric blue ice caves, and the tiny red-roofed churches sitting lonely against a backdrop of jagged basalt mountains. Honestly, Iceland has become so Instagram-famous that it almost feels like a movie set. But here’s the thing—most people just stick to the same three or four spots, take the same photo, and leave without ever really seeing the country.
2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for the island. Between a rare total solar eclipse in August and the solar maximum making the Northern Lights go absolutely haywire, the "Land of Fire and Ice" is about to be very, very busy.
If you're planning a trip, you need to know which iceland things to see and do actually live up to the hype and which ones are just tourist traps with better marketing.
The Big Hits: What’s Actually Worth Your Time?
Let’s talk about the Golden Circle. Everyone does it. It’s basically the "starter pack" for Iceland. You’ve got Þingvellir National Park, where the earth is literally tearing itself apart between two tectonic plates. Then there’s Gullfoss, a waterfall so powerful it feels like the ground is shaking under your boots. And, of course, Strokkur, the geyser that shoots scalding water 20 meters into the air every few minutes like clockwork.
Is it crowded? Yeah, it’s basically Disney World for people in Gore-Tex. But honestly? It’s still worth it. There’s a reason these spots are famous. Just go at 7:00 AM or 9:00 PM (thank you, Midnight Sun) to avoid the tour bus swarm.
The Blue Lagoon vs. The New Guys
The Blue Lagoon is the big one. It’s iconic. It’s also expensive and often fully booked weeks in advance. If you want that classic milky-blue water, go for it. But if you want something that feels a bit more "real," check out the Sky Lagoon right in Reykjavik. It has an infinity edge that looks out over the Atlantic, and the "seven-step ritual" they do is actually pretty relaxing.
If you’re heading north, the Mývatn Nature Baths are a solid alternative. It’s way cheaper, less crowded, and the water has that same sulfurous, "I’m soaking in a volcano" vibe. For 2026, keep an eye on Laugars Lagoon on the South Coast—it’s the newest geothermal spa hitting the scene and it’s expected to be the "next big thing."
💡 You might also like: St Paul Minnesota on Map: Why Most People Get the Geography Wrong
Iceland Things to See and Do Beyond the Postcards
If you really want to feel the soul of this place, you have to drive. Get a 4x4. Get away from the crowds.
The Westfjords are basically the final frontier. While 90% of tourists stick to the South Coast, only about 10% make it up to the northwest. The roads are terrifying—gravel paths hugging the edges of sheer cliffs—but the reward is Dynjandi. It’s a waterfall that looks like a bride’s veil draped over a mountain. You’ll likely have it almost to yourself.
The 2026 Total Solar Eclipse
This is the big one. Mark your calendar for August 12, 2026. Iceland is sitting right in the path of totality. The best spot to see it? The Snæfellsnes Peninsula or the Westfjords. Imagine the sun going pitch black over a glacier while the birds go silent. It’s going to be spiritual. People are already booking campervans for this, so if you're reading this in early 2026, you’re already late to the party.
Hiking the Highlands
Most people don't realize that the interior of Iceland is a vast, uninhabited desert of volcanic ash and neon-green moss. You can only get there in the summer (July and August) via "F-Roads." Landmannalaugar is the crown jewel here. The mountains are made of rhyolite, which means they’re literally shades of pink, orange, and blue. It looks like a painting.
Don't try this in a Toyota Yaris. You will lose your bumper in a river crossing. Seriously. Rent a proper SUV or take a "Super Jeep" tour with a local who knows how to read the water.
🔗 Read more: How Far Is Flagstaff From Grand Canyon: The Shortcuts and Scenic Routes No One Tells You
The "Tourist Eruptions" and Volcanic Reality
We can't talk about Iceland without talking about the volcanoes. The Reykjanes Peninsula has been incredibly active lately. Since 2021, we’ve seen multiple eruptions near Grindavík.
Here’s the deal: these aren't usually the "explosive" kind like Eyjafjallajökull in 2010. They’re fissure eruptions—long cracks in the earth oozing molten lava. When they’re active, and if the authorities say it’s safe, it’s the most incredible thing you’ll ever see. But—and this is a big but—volcanoes are unpredictable. Gas pollution is a real danger. Check SafeTravel.is every single morning. If they say a trail is closed, stay out. The Icelandic search and rescue teams (ICE-SAR) are volunteers; don't make them come save you because you wanted a selfie with a lava flow.
Specifics You Shouldn't Skip
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Huge chunks of ancient blue ice floating out to sea.
- Diamond Beach: Right across from the lagoon. The ice washes up on black sand and looks like, well, diamonds.
- Reynisfjara: The famous black sand beach with the basalt columns. Watch out for "sneaker waves." They will literally pull you out to sea. Don't turn your back on the ocean.
- Stuðlagil Canyon: In the east. It has the most incredible basalt rock formations you’ve ever seen. It was hidden under a river for decades until a hydroelectric dam lowered the water level.
How to Not Be "That" Tourist
Icelanders are incredibly welcoming, but they’re also getting a bit tired of people behaving badly. Nature here is fragile. That moss you see everywhere? It takes decades to grow back if you step on it.
- Don't drive off-road. It’s illegal, it ruins the landscape, and the fines are massive.
- Buy the insurance. All of it. Gravel protection, sand and ash protection—just do it. Icelandic wind can literally rip a car door off its hinges.
- Drink the tap water. It’s some of the cleanest in the world. Buying bottled water in Iceland is basically a crime against your wallet and the environment.
- Respect the weather. If the digital road signs say "Lokað" (Closed), they mean it. The wind can flip a van.
Actionable Steps for Your 2026 Trip
If you're ready to book, here is how to actually make it happen without losing your mind.
Start by choosing your "vibe." If you want the Northern Lights, you need to go between September and April. For the 2026 Eclipse, you must be there in August.
Next, book your car. The rental market is already tightening up for the summer season. Look into companies like Blue Car Rental or Lotus—they include most insurances in their base price, which saves you a headache later.
Download the Veður app (weather) and the 112 Iceland app. The weather changes every five minutes. I’m not kidding. You’ll have a blizzard, a rainstorm, and a rainbow all within the same hour.
👉 See also: Seville to Lisbon Bus: How to Actually Cross the Border Without Losing Your Mind
Finally, venture north or east. The South Coast is stunning, but the Arctic Coast Way in the north offers a much more quiet, rugged experience. You can see whales in Húsavík, soak in the GeoSea infinity tubs, and see Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
Iceland is expensive, windy, and sometimes smells like rotten eggs (that's the sulfur in the water), but there is nowhere else on this planet that makes you feel so small and so alive at the same time.