From Free to Bougie: Top 7 Experiences in Iceland

Iceland has so much to see and do. The sheer beauty of the place is remarkable. I spent 8 days in Iceland attempting to experience all I could.

Here are my top 7 sights and experiences from my 8-day road trip around Iceland, from free to bougie.

For reference, my trip was from late September to early October.

For the full story of my epic Iceland road trip, click here.

#7 Free

The Open Road

The one-hour drive from Hofn to Diamond Beach is truly a sight.

There are waterfalls at every turn, green moss-covered fields for miles, leaves turning from green to a deep reddish pink, mountains, oh, and a random red chair in the middle of nowhere. Yes, a red chair bolted to the top of a rock.

The chair is located about 12 miles east of Höfn. It was put there by the Lon Guesthouse to get attention, and it works!

This drive was free: just the cost of the rental car that we already had and some petrol (gas), but we were going that way anyway.

Here’s an essential thing about the green moss that I must share. DO NOT WALK ON IT! It takes a long time to grow because of the cold temperatures. Avoid the urge to touch or step on the moss. While it may appear soft and inviting, even minimal contact with the moss and lichen can result in permanent harm.

The guideline is straightforward: admire it with your eyes, not your hands. I only learned about this while reading blogs about Iceland in preparation for my trip. I’m glad I knew ahead of time.

I did see some people walking in the fields, stomping on the moss to take selfies. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the information that I had. Take time to learn about Iceland’s natural wonders before your visit to keep it beautiful and thriving.

Try and leave this world a little better than you found it.”

Robert Baden-Powell

#6 Djupalon Lagoon and Djupalonssandur Beach

Mysterious and Beautiful

Djupalon Lagoon and Djupalonssandur Beach are easy to access. There is a path from the parking lot directly to the beach and lagoon.

This beach is famous for its striking black sand. While its dramatic scenery makes it a photographer’s dream, the strong currents mean it’s more suited for beachcombing and admiring nature than for swimming or diving adventures.

Scattered along the beach are rusted metal remnants of the Epine GY7, a British trawler that wrecked in 1948. 

The wreckage consists of orange-hued iron fragments strewn across the beach, their rusty tones creating a stunning contrast against the deep black sand.

The wreckage reminds sailors of the challenges of navigating the waters around Iceland. 

#5 Studlagil Canyon

A Must-See in Iceland

Next on the list is Studlagil Canyon. There was a small parking fee, but not much. I put this on the list because I have never seen anything like it in all my travels.

It’s so unique and, of course, beautiful. I’ve heard that it looks totally different in the summer with teal blue waters, but even in the fall, it was a sight.

I followed other hikers down into the canyon. Although the view from the top is also stunning, I highly recommend climbing down if you can.

#3 Haifoss, Granni, & Hjalparfoss Waterfalls

My Personal Favorite

I put this in the middle even though I believe the parking was free.

Getting there was an adventure all on its own, driving miles down a gravel pothole-filled road. I wondered many times if this waterfall was going to be worth it. Spoiler, it was!

This is one of my favorite waterfalls of all time. Sorry, Nayaca Waterfall, you’ve got a competition. (Nayaca Waterfall in Costa Rica was my longstanding favorite for at least a decade.)

Once you make it down the road, you have a good hike down the mountain to the waterfall’s base, but wait, there’s more. This location has three waterfalls, and you can walk right up to one. The views all around are amazing. The colors of the flora changed to a bright red against the green moss, well, possibly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

We saw less than 10 people total the entire time we were there. I’m not sure if it was the time of year or if people didn’t want to do the drive, but in my opinion, it was so worth it.

I recently discovered that the road to Haifoss Waterfall is only open from June to September, with the summer months being the most crowded. I feel so lucky we had an open road and no crowds in late September! Apparently, just in time!

#4 Ice Cave Tour

An Unexpected Thrill

We drove across a field to our destination, where it was time to gear up with crampons—metal spikes that strap onto your boots to keep you steady on the ice. Luckily, the tour group provided them for everyone.

From here, we made our way to the ice cave, an actual cave made of ice. I felt like a true explorer, decked out in crampons and a helmet, trekking through an ice cave—seriously? I absolutely loved it!

The Black Volcano—technically a subglacial volcano—is a stunning combination of ice and volcanic ash that looks like something out of another world. I wasn’t expecting to love this tour as much as I did, but it completely blew me away. Maybe it was the thrill of stepping onto a glacier for the first time, or the magic of exploring my very first ice cave, but it was an experience I’ll never forget.

#2 Blue Lagoon

Believe the Hype

I’ll be honest. I wasn’t really that pumped about going to the lagoon. Maybe I didn’t want to get into a swimsuit, or maybe I didn’t know what to expect, which stresses me out sometimes when I’m not sure what to wear.

This experience was incredible!

The entire process is a bit strange. You enter a women-only locker room, and the men enter another. You get a locker and put clothes and personal items in it.

The only thing I had with me when I left the locker room was my bathing suit and a hair tie, no shoes.

They warned me not to take your phone, so I left mine in my locker. I wish I had taken it to get some fabulous photos, but I was nervous. I didn’t realize they sold waterproof phone cases at the spa bar.

We have a few videos from my friend’s GoPro.

I recommend taking a waterproof phone case with you. I didn’t check the price at the spa, but I’m sure it’s not cheap.

Remember to take something to put your hair up and put the suggested conditioner in it. If you don’t, the minerals in the water will dry out your hair.

And take off your jewelry. The minerals can tarnish jewelry. I learned this lesson at the mud baths in Sicily!

Once you’re in the water, oh boy, it’s so lovely.

Definitely a must-do. The Blue Lagoon has dynamic pricing, so the cost will vary depending on day and time. Or you can book ahead through Get Your Guide.

#1 The Bougie

Private Helicopter Tour with Landing

I took a helicopter ride over Reykjavik and landed on volcanic rock!

This was incredible, as we got to see the blue lagoon from above, the coastline, and the city. We also landed on top of a mountain of hardened volcanic rock.

The tour was less than an hour, but it was worth it. This is the tour we took: New Volcanic Area Helicopter Tour.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is not something I would generally opt for.

How many times did I say “best day ever”? Possibly every-single-day in Iceland.

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We planned our Iceland trip several weeks before going, which is not recommended. If I had to do it over I would have started researching and planning months prior.

Iceland is incredible, and I am so grateful I got to go. Would I return? Absolutely! Whatever Iceland sights or activities are on your bucket list, I wish you the best in planning and exploring!

Happy Travels!