Don't Overlook These Amazing Budget-Friendly Things To Do On Your Trip To Iceland

The steeple of Hallgrimskirkja rises like a sharp stalagmite out of the Reykjavik skyline, and its striated gray facade has wowed visitors for years. This imposing Lutheran church stands at the top of the hill in the very center of Iceland's capital, and the tower is visible from miles away. The full structure took about four decades to build and was consecrated in 1986, making it far younger than other famous churches of Europe. Tourists can enter the building for free, attend a service, or just walk around the minimalist choir when it's open. There's also a plaza out front featuring a brawny statue of Leif Eriksson.

But the best part of visiting Hallgrímskirkja is its tower, which rises 244 feet above the street. The elevator to the top costs the equivalent of about $7, but the ascent is fast and the 360-degree views through the medieval-looking windows are incomparable. There is no better view of Reykjavik, and you can see the simple analog clock from the inside.

The cycling season may be short this far north, but the entire city of Reykjavik is well-connected with bike paths, and summer tourists can rent a ride from several different shops. This part of Iceland is remarkably level, so you can pedal from the downtown waterfront to the Grótta Island Lighthouse, at the very tip of the peninsula, in less than a half-hour. You can then continue along the coast, skirting the airport and venturing into one quiet suburb after another.

Indeed, many of the towns in the Reykjanes region have multi-use paths running between them, so you could theoretically spend a sunny day walking or cycling from one village center to another. Some of the more intrepid travelers to Iceland bring their own bicycles and either take a spin around the developed southwest or take more ambitious bike tours around the island. Icelandic drivers tend to be respectful of bicycles, and the twin-lane paths are often separate from pedestrian walkways, making two wheels a great way to explore.

You've probably heard of hot springs, but have you heard of a geothermal beach? Nauthólsvik is peculiar not only for its warm waters and jacuzzi-like pools but also for being within Reykjavik's city limits. Indeed, the beach is just south of the city's domestic airport, and you will likely see small planes flying overhead. The highest daily admission is the equivalent of $6, and visitors can spend all day sunbathing in the sand or warming themselves in the conspicuously sultry waters. Although the heating is technically geothermal, warm water is artificially pumped into the cove, so the pleasant temperatures follow a predictable schedule. The beach has restrooms and places to change, and special hot tubs are available as well.

Note that many of the towns and neighborhoods in Iceland have their own indoor swim centers, which typically have heated pools and even waterslides. These are extremely affordable and can be enjoyed any time of year, even in the dark of winter.

The moment you say "Iceland," someone almost always responds, "Oh, go to Blue Lagoon!" This hot-spring development has become a world-famous wellness center, and if you have money to burn, Blue Lagoon is a rewarding place to relax. Influencers routinely photograph themselves among its steaming waters or inside the space-age spa, and you're pretty much guaranteed a good time.

But Iceland has lots of hot springs, and many of them are cheap to visit and more natural in character. The Reykjadalur Valley is located about an hour away from Reykjavik, and this misty river flows directly out of the mountains. The soothing waters gurgle over a rocky stream bed, and visitors can soak, splash, or sun-bathe in any arrangement they like. The creek is framed with boardwalks and simple changing stations, so that visitors can slip into swimsuits and stow their belongings on dry walkways. You'll have to drive to get there, and there is a park admission fee, which is best paid online. You'll also have to hike into the hills to reach the springs, but if you're in decent shape, getting there is half the fun.

Luckily, there were no fatalities when this U.S. military plane expended its fuel and crashed into the dark sands of Sólheimasandur in 1973, so you probably won't disturb any restless spirits as you poke around its rusty ruins. The "abandoned DC plane" has lost its wings, windows, and most of its interior, but the fuselage remains largely intact, attracting many adventurous travelers to this obscure spot on the southern Icelandic coast. People have come here for decades to gaze at the ruins, but it's particularly popular among photographers and drone operators, who try to capture this haunting husk against the barren backdrop.

Sólheimasandur is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavik, and you'll have to pay for parking in the designated lot. But the land is free to visit, and travelers are free to explore the plane as much as they like. More than one tourist has climbed on the plane's roof; just be careful around the jagged old metal.

The vast majority of Icelanders live in and around Reykjavík, but towns and villages are spread out along the full periphery of the island. Many of these places are sleepy fishing towns, which have been the backbone of Iceland's economy since time immemorial. Others are colorful, storybook villages that cater to tourists and host regular festivals and events. Populations range from a few hundred to a few thousand, but all have a walkable Main Street with (at least) basic amenities.

In recent years, modest seaside villages like Vik and Ísafjörður have transformed into getaways for kayaking and horseback riding, and even the remote fjord of Seyðisfjörður on the far-eastern coast offers its share of epic vistas and outdoor activities. Local houses are often rented out during the winter months, so real bargain-hunters may find a way to affordable stay in rural Iceland for extended periods. Nearly every town is connected by the national bus line, so you don't even have to rent a car.

The Ring Road is quickly becoming one of the most famous highways in the world, as it circumscribes the island with smooth, dependable pavement and extends 821 miles from Reykjavik and back again. The act of driving this road and admiring the endless succession of peaks and glaciers along the way has been added to many a bucket list in recent years. There isn't a single toll booth along this route, except for the Hvalfjarðargönginn tunnel, which you can navigate around. Except for car rental, gas, and lodging along the way, taking this journey is extremely kind to your wallet. Also, the best stops on Iceland's Ring Road may easily be your trip's highlights. 

So, what if you don't feel like renting a car? You can take advantage of the Strætó bus system, whose 18 rural routes cover the entire Ring Road (and more). You can leave the driving to someone else and pay a fraction of the price, as long as you have a little patience and reserve places to stay along the way. For really adventurous travelers, Iceland's interior attracts more and more bikepackers every year, who pedal their way down the remotest roads and camp as they go.

Fact: Iceland goes for a full month, from mid-June to mid-July, without experiencing "night." This period of 24-hour sunlight is the most invigorating on the Icelandic calendar, and it naturally triggers the tourism high season. That said, the "midnight sun" doesn't match what many people imagine: The sun doesn't linger straight above and shine at a high noon position for 30 days. More dramatically, the sun makes a strange journey toward the horizon, casting long shadows and a gloaming light, before turning around and easing back across the sky. You wouldn't know how strange this is unless you looked at your watch, realizing that sunrise and sunset are basically the same, even at 2 a.m.

Icelanders celebrate this season with "midsummer" festivals and concerts. The most famous event is the old folk tradition of Jónsmessa, which both celebrates John the Baptist and involves rolling (naked) down grassy hills. You don't have to partake in this free-spirited ritual, nor must you believe in the elves and talking cows that allegedly come out of the woodwork around this time. But if you do decide to tumble down a heath in your birthday suit, remember: It's free!