I spent ten incredible days driving around Iceland, exploring waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, black sand beaches and some of the most spectacular landscapes I’ve ever seen.
And yet, I still came home with a list of things I wish I’d done!
That’s the problem with Iceland. No matter how much time you have, there’s always something else you want to experience.
We packed plenty into our 10-day Iceland road trip, and I wouldn’t change most of it. But looking back, there are a handful of experiences I wish we’d made time for.
Some we missed because of bad timing. Others because we were travelling together and had different interests. And a couple simply didn’t fit into our already busy itinerary.
Here are five things I wish I’d done in Iceland, along with how I plan to make them happen when I return.
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Spend More Time in Reykjavik
We had around 36 hours in Reykjavík, and it wasn’t nearly enough.
Before visiting Iceland, I thought Reykjavík would simply be somewhere to spend a night before heading off to see the country’s natural wonders.
And while I still think getting out and exploring Iceland is essential, I completely underestimated how much there is to do in the capital.
I loved the colourful buildings, street art and relaxed atmosphere, but we were so busy that we barely scratched the surface.
There are several things I’d love to do on another visit.
Visit Perlan
Perlan is one of Reykjavík’s most interesting attractions, and I wish we’d made time for it.
It’s an interactive museum exploring Iceland’s natural environment, including glaciers, volcanoes and the northern lights.
The highlights include an indoor ice cave, the Áróra northern lights planetarium show and an observation deck with fantastic views over Reykjavík.
I’d allow at least two or three hours to explore properly.
Be more organised than me and get your tickets in advance here.
Take a walking tour
I love starting a visit to a new city with a walking tour, particularly one of the free tours where you tip the guide afterwards.
It’s one of the best ways to learn about a city’s history, discover places you might otherwise walk straight past and pick up recommendations from someone who lives there.
Somehow, we didn’t manage one in Reykjavík.
Explore more museums and attractions
I’d also love to visit the Reykjavík Maritime Museum, learn more about Iceland’s Viking history and experience the Lava Show, where visitors can watch real molten lava in a controlled demonstration.
And I’d like more time to wander the streets, discover the street art and explore without constantly watching the clock.
Next time: I’m allowing at least two or three full days in Reykjavík.
I could even see myself spending a week there, using the city as a base for day trips.
Before visiting Iceland, I would have dismissed that idea. Now I can absolutely see the appeal, especially for anyone who doesn’t want to hire a car.
Snorkel in Silfra
Of everything on this list, this might be my biggest regret.
Silfra is a water-filled fissure in Þingvellir National Park, within the tectonic rift zone between the North American and Eurasian plates.
The water is incredibly clear, with underwater visibility often exceeding 100 metres.
Imagine floating through that crystal-clear water, surrounded by enormous rock walls, knowing you’re snorkelling in one of the world’s most unusual geological locations.
It looks incredible!
The water stays around 2–4°C throughout the year, so it’s certainly not your typical tropical snorkelling experience.
Most guided tours provide dry suits, thermal clothing, masks, fins and the necessary equipment to help keep you warm.
I’m not particularly keen on cold water, but I think I’d be willing to brave it for this experience.
Why didn’t I do it?
Simon isn’t a snorkeller, and we were trying to prioritise activities we both wanted to experience.
At the time, that seemed perfectly reasonable.
But looking back, I wish I’d just booked a tour for myself.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with splitting up for a few hours when you’re travelling together. Sometimes it’s the best way for everyone to get the experiences they want.
What you need to know
Silfra snorkelling is guided, but it’s still a physically demanding cold-water activity.
You need to be comfortable swimming, meet the operator’s height and weight requirements and complete a medical questionnaire. Some medical conditions or age groups require additional clearance.
The dry suits can also feel quite restrictive, so it’s worth checking the requirements carefully before booking.
Next time: I’m booking a Silfra snorkelling tour, even if it means going without Simon.
He can find something else to do for a few hours!
Ride an Icelandic Horse
Icelandic horses are gorgeous.
They’re small, sturdy and incredibly distinctive, with thick manes and a reputation for being friendly and sure-footed.
They’re also famous for their tölt, a smooth four-beat gait that makes riding them a little different from riding most other horse breeds.
Every time we passed Icelandic horses during our road trip, I wished I’d organised a ride.
I grew up with horses and had my own when I was younger. I don’t get many opportunities to ride these days, but I still love it.
Riding through the Icelandic countryside on one of these beautiful horses would have been a wonderful experience.
Why didn’t I do it?
Once again, Simon isn’t particularly interested in horse riding.
He has joined me on a few rides over the years, but it’s not something he’d usually choose to do.
And with such a busy itinerary, it was easy to leave this one out.
What you need to know
There are horse riding tours throughout Iceland, including options near Reykjavík and along the South Coast.
Many cater for beginners, so you don’t need previous riding experience.
Tours range from short introductory rides to longer countryside adventures.
One important thing to check is the rider weight limit. Icelandic horses may be strong, but operators have limits to protect their welfare, and these vary between riding centres.
I’d also look for a responsible operator that prioritises the wellbeing of its horses.
Next time: I’m booking a short countryside ride.
I’ll see whether I can convince Simon to join me, but if not, I’m going anyway!
See Puffins in the Wild
This one was entirely down to timing.
We arrived in Iceland just a little too late to see the puffins.
And when I say a little too late, I mean we missed them by days!
Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives at sea, returning to Iceland’s coastal cliffs and islands during the breeding season.
They’re generally around from late April or May until August, with June and July offering some of the best viewing opportunities.
By mid to late August, many have already left their nesting sites and returned to the ocean.
Unfortunately, our visit fell just outside the ideal window.
I’d seen countless photographs of these comical little birds with their colourful beaks, and I was so disappointed not to see them for myself.
Where can you see puffins in Iceland?
There are several excellent places to spot puffins during the breeding season.
- Dyrhólaey: On the South Coast near Vík, with puffins nesting around the cliffs during summer. Some areas may be restricted to protect nesting birds.
- Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands): Home to one of the world’s largest Atlantic puffin colonies.
- Látrabjarg Cliffs: In the remote Westfjords, offering spectacular seabird viewing opportunities.
- Borgarfjörður eystri: In East Iceland, with a viewing area at Hafnarhólmi where puffins can often be seen close to the walking platforms.
There are also seasonal puffin-watching tours from Reykjavík, making it possible to see them without travelling far from the capital.
Of course, they’re wild birds, so sightings are never guaranteed.
It’s also important to stay on designated paths and avoid disturbing nesting areas. Puffin burrows can be easily damaged.
Next time: I’ll plan my Iceland trip for June or July, or perhaps May.
And this time, seeing puffins will be a priority rather than something we hope to squeeze in if the timing works.
Take an Icelandic Food Tour
Whenever we travel, I love trying the local food.
I’m always curious about what people eat, why certain dishes are traditional and how food connects to a country’s history and culture.
One of my favourite ways to discover all of this is on a food tour.
You get to sample dishes you might never order yourself, learn the stories behind them and often discover some fantastic little places to eat.
We didn’t do a food tour in Iceland, and I think we missed out.
What would I like to try?
Iceland has some fascinating traditional foods, including:
- Kjötsúpa: A hearty Icelandic lamb soup with vegetables, perfect after a cold day exploring.
- Rúgbrauð: Dense, slightly sweet rye bread traditionally baked using geothermal heat.
- Skyr: A thick, cultured dairy product that’s been part of the Icelandic diet for centuries.
- Plokkfiskur: A comforting dish of fish, potatoes and a creamy sauce.
- Harðfiskur: Dried fish, often eaten with butter as a snack.
And then there’s hákarl, the famous fermented shark.
I’m not going to pretend I’m particularly enthusiastic about trying that one!
But I’d probably give it a go if it was included on a tour. After all, trying unfamiliar food is part of the adventure.
Why didn’t we do a food tour?
We were so focused on driving around Iceland and seeing the natural attractions that food experiences took a back seat.
We tried local dishes along the way, but I would have loved a more structured introduction to Icelandic cuisine.
Next time: I’ll book a Reykjavík food tour for our first day in the city.
It’s a great way to learn what to look for on menus during the rest of the trip, and perhaps discover a few local favourites we wouldn’t otherwise find.
Would I Do Anything Differently in Iceland?
Apart from these five experiences, there’s surprisingly little I would change about our Iceland road trip.
We saw some incredible waterfalls, explored volcanic landscapes, walked along black sand beaches and experienced scenery unlike anywhere else I’ve visited.
Travelling by campervan gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace, and I loved being able to stop whenever something caught our attention.
You can read more about where we stayed in my Iceland Campgrounds guide.
Of course, with more time, I’d love to explore parts of Iceland we couldn’t fit into our ten days, particularly the Westfjords and some of the more remote areas.
But that’s a whole different wish list!
The five experiences above are things we realistically could have included in our original trip with a little more time and planning.
And that’s probably why I still think about them.
There’s Always a Reason to Return to Iceland
Iceland is one of my favourite countries, and I feel incredibly lucky to have spent ten days exploring it.
But no trip is ever going to include absolutely everything.
Sometimes you run out of time. Sometimes the weather gets in the way. And sometimes you make compromises because you’re travelling with someone who has different interests.
That’s all part of travelling.
I’ve also learnt that I shouldn’t always skip something I really want to do just because Simon isn’t interested. We’re perfectly capable of spending a few hours doing different things!
While I have no regrets about the incredible experiences we did have, these five things have given me some very good reasons to return.
And let’s face it, I really don’t need much convincing to go back to Iceland.
If you’re planning your own trip, have a look at my 10-Day Iceland Itinerary for ideas on what to see and how to put together an unforgettable road trip.
You might also like my guides to Driving the Golden Circle and the Diamond Circle
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Flights – Book direct with the airline, always.
Book accommodation – My go to is Booking.com
Hire a rental car – DiscoverCars.com is where I search many car rental companies in one place
Get travel insurance – I use CoverMore for my insurance.
Pick up an eSIM – My eSIM of choice is Airalo
Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator, Get Your Guide and Klook are my first options.
Stay safe with a VPN – I use NordVPN to keep me safe online
Manage your money – I use Wise and ING (Australia) for my travel accounts.
