A guide to Iceland’s animals

The arctic fox is Iceland’s only native land animal. They’ve been around since the last ice age over 10,000 years ago and are still an important part of Iceland’s wildlife today.

These animals are well adapted to Iceland’s cold conditions, even changing their coat from brown or gray in the summer to white or blue-gray in the winter to blend in with their snowy surroundings. They survive on birds, bird eggs, berries, seaweed, and various other foods. 

You’ll find these creatures across Iceland, but particularly in more remote regions like the Westfjords. For a chance to see them in person, take a trip to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, where they’re a protected species. You can also head to the Arctic Fox Centre in the Westfjords village of Súðavík – this is a not-for-profit center dedicated to researching arctic foxes, hosting exhibitions for people to learn more about them, and sometimes raising rescued foxes at their property.

Wondering if there are reindeer in Iceland? Yes! While not a native animal in Iceland, they were introduced from Norway in the 18th century to help with farming. Nowadays, they roam mostly free across the rugged terrain of East Iceland, and are monitored by local organizations.

If you want the chance to spot one yourself, head to the East Iceland highlands, including around Snæfell mountain in the summer months. In the winter, they tend to move south and come closer to the coastline.

You can have a close-up encounter at the Reindeer Park close to Egilsstaðir, where two rescued reindeer reside.

The horse in Iceland is much more than a farm animal; it’s a cultural symbol. Smaller, stockier, and fluffier than other European horse breeds, Icelandic horses have been bred here since the country was first settled.

Today, they are protected, with strict import and export rules that state that no other horse breed can come into the country, and once a horse leaves, it can’t come back. This is mainly to stop the spread of disease.

You’ll find horses throughout Iceland’s countryside, but Skagafjörður in North Iceland is the place to go to see them up close. If you’re staying in Reykjavík, you can still get your fix with our horseback-riding experiences across the nearby lava fields or at Laxnes Horse Farm, only 20 minutes from the capital.

Want to find out more about these friendly animals? Read our article all about Icelandic horses.

Another species that was introduced to Iceland by the Norse, there are over 400,000 sheep in Iceland today – that’s only slightly more than the number of humans!

These farm animals are well adapted to Iceland’s unique terrain and challenging weather conditions, making them a core part of the country’s history and economy. Lamb is a staple of Icelandic cuisine, and the wool is used for making lopapeysa, traditional Icelandic sweaters.

During the summer, the sheep are free to graze in the highlands, and you’ll likely spot them if you’re driving outside Reykjavík (be careful when you see any on the side of the road, as they have zero road sense!).

Come September, they’re rounded up as part of réttir, a nationwide event that’s accompanied by celebrations and local events. If you attend one of these events, you might also spot an Icelandic sheepdog, another animal brought over by the Vikings.

Icelandic dogs and cats warrant a mention, for a number of reasons.

The Icelandic sheepdog is Iceland’s only native dog breed, originally brought by Viking settlers to help herd and guard sheep. Known for its friendly, alert nature and thick weather‑resistant coat, it’s well adapted to Iceland’s rugged climate and terrain.

Interestingly, dogs were banned in Reykjavík for around 60 years, from 1924 to 1984. During this time, it was illegal to keep dogs as pets within city limits. This was due to both a shortage of housing in the city, and also for hygiene reasons. The result is that today there’s a thriving cat population in downtown Reykjavík, and many of the cats freely roam their neighborhood, gaining some sort of celebrity. There’s a popular cat cafe, a cat-themed walking tour, and even celebrity cats with their own Facebook page.

The most iconic of Iceland’s birds, puffins are a key part of the country’s cultural identity. Seeing an Atlantic puffin in the wild is a highlight for many visitors during the spring or summer, no doubt excited to admire their colorful beaks and distinctive black plumage. In fact, around 60% of the world’s puffin population make their way to Iceland to nest in the early spring and then leave again at the end of the summer.

With millions of these adorable birds around, you’re likely to see them perching on rocky cliffsides or diving into the water in search of fish.

You can take a tour from Reykjavík harbor, but other prime locations for puffin-watching include Látrabjarg cliffs in the Westfjords, Borgarfjörður Eystri in East Iceland, and Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands), off the south coast.

While less well-known than the puffin, the gyrfalcon is actually Iceland’s national bird. It’s native (as opposed to migratory), and it used to be on Iceland’s coat of arms (from 1903 to 1919), before the current design was introduced. The bird still holds a special place in Icelandic culture, symbolising power, strength, and freedom.

It’s the largest falcon species in the world, with a wingspan of up to 1.3 meters (just over 4ft). If the size doesn’t give it away, you’ll recognize it by its speckled white and brown/gray plumage and yellow-banded beak.

Gyrfalcons can be hard to spot, but you might be lucky if you head to the lake Mývatn area in North Iceland. The birds are most prevalent in North and East Iceland.

Spotting a golden plover is a special sight, as it’s widely believed that when these birds start appearing, that means spring has arrived in Iceland. Like many of Iceland’s seabirds, the golden plover spends the spring and summer in Iceland, before migrating south for a warmer fall and winter.

You’ll be able to recognize these birds, called lóa in Icelandic, by their gold-flecked feathers and delightful birdsong. They can be found across moorland and heathland during the spring and summer months.

These small and somewhat aggressive seabirds (called kría in Icelandic) are ubiquitous in Iceland in summer, where they come to nest from May to August – and are infamous for dive-bombing anyone who gets too close to their nests! 

They’re most remarkable for their journey: they travel from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year, covering more distance than any other bird species in the world.

The all-black ravens are a familiar and striking presence in Iceland, thriving across lava fields, cliffs, and coastal villages. Highly intelligent and adaptable, they play a notable role in Icelandic folklore and Norse mythology, where they’re linked to Odin and seen as symbols of wisdom and foresight. Their deep croaks, curious nature, and bold behavior make them unmistakable year‑round.

With over 20 species calling its waters home, it’s no wonder Iceland is known as one of the best places in the world for whale watching. 

The most commonly spotted species include minke and humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Orcas have been spotted in the winter, and there’s also been the occasional blue whale sighting. 

Whale-watching tours operate from Reykjavík, and from a number of other towns in Iceland. If you have time, we recommend heading to Húsavík, near Akureyri in North Iceland. This pretty fishing village is known as the whale-watching capital of Iceland. The best time to visit for whale watching is between April and October, but some tours run throughout the year. Read our guide on whale watching in Iceland to find out more.

Iceland is also home to several species of seal, and you can often spot them relaxing on Iceland’s beaches and rocky shores or bobbing in the waters near the coast. Harbor seals are the most common, with their gray-brown coats and big, round eyes. You could also spot a gray seal, which tend to have longer snouts and sturdier bodies.

Seals can be seen across Iceland and sometimes even in the waters around the capital. For your best chance, head to the Ytri Tunga beach on the Snæfellsnes peninsula to see the seal colony there relaxing on the sand. Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in South Iceland is a seal hotspot where you’re likely to see them swimming through the icy waters. The area around Hvammstangi in northwest Iceland is another good spot for seal sightings, and the town is home to the Icelandic Seal Center, a research center and museum.

Seals are protected under Icelandic law and there are strict rules about getting too close, so make sure to keep your distance and try not to disturb them.