120+ Travel Tips to Iceland | Everything You Need To Know
So you want to visit Iceland? I have compiled a list of over 120+ travel tips to Iceland, including personal insights I developed from my family road trip.
P/S: It’s a long post but I promise that it’ll be worth it! 🙂
If you are looking for further travel tips to Iceland, check out my Reykjavik post or other Golden Circle Iceland posts:
Preliminary Point
This was my first time to Iceland so a lot of things may be pretty standard for the veteran Icelandic visitor.
Furthermore, I went in the summer. Summer and winter in Iceland are very different from one another, not least due to the temperature, weather and sunlight available. 24/7 during summer versus 4 hours of daylight during winter. The horror!
I would advise reading up on driving in Iceland if you want to do a self-guided road trip, especially over winter. Many of my tips are centered around navigational issues.
It was also tough learning to drive on the “wrong” side of the road (UK travellers, you are warned!) even though it was summertime! If you are driving, make sure you learn all the local road signs and basic driving courtesies as some of them are quite unusual
Finally, I love feedback.
Leave a comment below if you liked any of my travel tips to Iceland, have some questions to ask or even just to say hi!
And of course, don’t forget to PIN & SHARE!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Essential Things to Know About Iceland
Iceland is not in Europe
Myth Buster: Iceland is its own island nation. It belongs to neither North America nor the European Union.
And for the Malaysians out there, guess what – no visa required! Hooray!
Iceland is the safest country in the world
According to the World Population Review, Iceland is the SAFEST country in the world.
It has a very low crime rate, which makes it a popular place for solo travellers.
Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time
Iceland is on Greenwich mean time and does not observe daylight savings. In the months of October to March, it has the same time zone as London.
For Malaysians, that is 8 hours behind.
Travel Tip: To check the current local time in Reykjavik, weather forecast, temperature & everything else you might need to know, use timeanddate.com
Iceland is a popular film location for Hollywood films, TV shows & music videos
With its stunning and otherworldly landscape, Iceland is a popular film location choice for Hollywood and music artistes alike.
The Wall from Game of Thrones was filmed at Jokulsarlon Iceland, Skogafoss Waterfall featured in Justin Bieber’s music video and the Sólheimajökull Glacier was a film location for Interstellar. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
English is widely spoken everywhere
No need to worry about language barriers.
English is spoken everywhere, and the signs are also in English!
Icelanders are really friendly
One of the best parts of travelling is talking to the locals.
The Icelanders are really friendly and open, so take the time to chat with them. And ask for local recommendations.
Iceland’s population is very small
According to the World Population Review, Iceland’s population hovers around the 339,000. And just over one-third of that population resides in Reykjavik!
Iceland has over 100 volcanoes
Iceland has over 100 volcanoes, many of which are still active.
The most recent explosion happened in 2010 on Fimmvorduhals and in Eyjafjallajokull glacier.
A more sombre fact: The Katla volcano is overdue for an explosion. Keep your eyes on the news!
Iceland is a popular & FREE stopover for North American visitors
Did you know about the Icelandair Stopover?
When flying across the Atlantic, you can stop over at Iceland for FREE. Visit Europe, fly to Iceland, soak in a geothermal and explore Reykjavik (or its nearby surroundings) for a day or two (your stopover can go up to 7 days), then fly home.
No additional airfare required!
The majority of passengers on my Icelandair flight from London to Keflavík were North Americans.
Some of the passengers I met on my flight even informed me that the Blue Lagoon was not worth its cost when there were other cheaper (and free!) options available around Iceland. You will find more information about Blue Lagoon Iceland below.
Read this post on things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland.
The sun never sets in Iceland in the summer
The sun never sets in Iceland during the summertime.
Couple that with the fact that most of the Icelandic attractions are:
- outdoors; and
- free to enter/has no opening or closing time,
and that meant that we were constantly exploring late into the night. Or day. It got confusing. 11.30 pm felt like 6 pm. And I was wide awake, convinced that I had an entire evening ahead even when it was close to midnight.
Not convinced? The above photo was taken at 11.30 pm in front of the Hallgrímskirkja Church – an iconic building in the heart of Reykjavik.
There is an obvious travel tip point to this. You can go off and explore as much as you like without being held hostage to the daylight.
The weather, unfortunately, is a different story altogether. Which will be dealt with below.
Iceland is busiest in the summer
When you get midnight skies like those, why won’t it attract the crowds?
Winter is also a really popular time for tourists but you have got to be a brave soul because the winter is merciless.
Summer, however, has the mildest and most pleasant weather Iceland can offer (even if that sometimes deteriorates into blistering rain and wind.
Yes, I’m still bitter that the weather prevented me from enjoying Dyrholaey Arch). Little wonder that it attracts the most crowd.
“Crowd”, however, is also relative.
I went in July and I never once felt that any place was crowded save for Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon (that was REALLY crowded).
The “crowd” is definitely not on the level of Hong Kong or even Oxford Street, London. Just my two cents.
Iceland’s midnight summer sky is STUNNING
I have never seen midnight skies quite like the ones in Iceland.
While the sun never sets, it does grow dimmer closer to midnight before the sky bursts into a riot of colour. Like an artist that went wild and splattered all of his colours against the sky!
The above photo was taken at the incredible Magma Hotel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, South of Iceland (which you can book via the link here). It is definitely the one place I wish we had stayed longer at!
P/S: Magma Hotel is an affiliate link which means I will get a small commission if you book via that link at no extra cost to you.
Avoid visiting Iceland during Easter
Easter takes place on the 1st and 2nd of April. A time when the weather warms and daylight extends to a glorious 13 hours/day.
Why might you consider avoiding Iceland over Easter? Because Easter is a national holiday in Iceland. Many bars, clubs, grocery & liquor stores, offices, gas stations, hotels, local police stations and schools are shut.
It’s kind of like Christmas in London. Everything including the Tube is shut and you are stranded and alone unless you have a car. Or friends and family to chill with.
Do your bookings for Iceland early
This is a common mantra we heard from all of our friends who had been to Iceland, as well as our tour agent.
Summer is popular, so book your tours and accommodations early to avoid any disappointment.
Confession: We booked our entire trip 2 weeks before we went, and we still got all the places and tours we wanted. Luck, perhaps? Well, I won’t tempt fate if there is something you really want to do or see!
Do a self-guided tour in Iceland
This is one of my top travel tips to Iceland. I can’t recommend self-guided tours enough when visiting in the summer. Winter is a whole other ball game, and one I would not dare attempt without a proper guided tour.
How do self-guided tours work?
We identified an itinerary that we liked, informed the tour agent of the things we really wanted to do (that might not already be covered in the itinerary).
The agent then customised the itinerary according to our requests, helping us with all the necessary bookings. Car rental, accommodations, and tours.
Furthermore, the agent also gave us a thick guidebook with all the information we might need on driving in Iceland, and things to see and do nearby.
I liked the self-guided tour because it gave us structure, while also offering the flexibility of skipping certain attractions if we no longer wanted to go. Far better than being held hostage in a bus and getting up at an ungodly hour every day! Oh, millennial woes.
Most of Iceland’s attractions are not located close to each other
Most of Iceland’s attractions require at least an hour’s drive in between.
Throw in the weather, gravel road, and time spent at each location (assuming you don’t get lost!) and that is a LOT of time spent on the road.
As such, try not to be too ambitious with your planning. Although it never hurts to jot down all the nearby sights that you might want to throw in if you have extra time. Just make sure you check Google maps to have a good gauge on the travel time required.
Plan your itinerary early
You only have that much time.
Iceland is one place that really requires a well-planned itinerary to make sure you can visit every spot in the most time and fuel effective manner.
Stay at different locations when in Iceland
One of the best decisions of our Iceland trip was in deciding to stay at different places every night, save for Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
It was a bit of a pain to live out of a suitcase but at the same time, that meant that we didn’t have to spend as much time on the road. I would rather spend more time visiting places then travelling to and from Reykjavik.
Of course, that doesn’t mean having a base in Reykjavik is a bad idea! Plenty of people do it.
Reykjavik only requires ½ to 1 day to explore
Reykjavik is really tiny.
There are only a number of places that are recommended to tourists, including:
- Höfði House
- Sun Voyager
- Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral
- Perlan
- The Old Harbour (Gradinn)
- Harpa Reyjavik Concert Hall
- Þúfa sculpture
- Bæjarins Beztu hot dog stand – food!
- Laugavegur – ultimate shopping street for Reykjavik. The Icelandic equivalent of Oxford Circus or Regent street.
The Ring Road is 1332 km
The Ring Road is the most famous road in Iceland and one that most travellers have gone on.
With a distance of 1332 km, it is possible to cover its entire length in 10 days but it will be rushed.
Iceland’s Lost & Found Hotline
Iceland has a robust lost & found system.
If you have lost something, you can:
- head to the police station
- use the lost & found hotline at 444-1000
- email at [email protected] ; and
- visit its very own Lost & Found Pinterest page, which shows a list of lost items that have been found.
Read the Grapevine for all the latest goss
The Reykjavik Grapevine is a tremendous source of information on all things Icelandic, from the latest Icelandic news to weekend cultural events, recommended bars and food to try, car rental and tours to book.
What to do in Keflavík Airport
Icelandic ATMs are hard to find
Iceland’s ATMs accept most debit and credit cards, including American Express, Diner’s Club, Visa and MasterCard. However, in a country that relies heavily on credit and debit cards, it was quite a trial actually finding an ATM in Iceland to use!
If possible, try to withdraw all the Icelandic krónas you expect to require at Keflavík Airport upon arrival. Exit the baggage claim area and head towards the rental car shuttle (it will be near a statute of a circle of humans).
Keflavík Airport is very small – almost like a small town airport – so you won’t have any problems finding the ATM machine.
It is rare, but you do encounter moments where you need to use cash.
Gas stations only accept cards with pins
Make sure you bring along a card with a pin. If not, the card won’t be accepted and you’d be stuck when trying to buy gas (unless you have spare cash)!
Prepaid gas cards are an alternative
If you don’t have cash or a card with a pin, you can purchase prepaid gas cards at larger towns or in Reykjavik and purchase a prepaid gas card.
Purchase your alcohol in Keflavík Airport
Alcohol in Iceland is NOT cheap.
A top travel tip is to purchase all your alcohol in Keflavík Airport before departing. Your wallet will thank you.
For an idea of the items on offer & relevant costs, you can visit the Duty Free Iceland online store here. The amazing thing is that you can order their duty free items in advance and pick it up upon arrival or departure! Do note however that certain items are only available upon arrival or departure.
There are also no concerns on access as Duty Free Iceland has 4 stores in Keflavik Airport (3 for departure passengers and 1 for arrival passengers), and the shop is always open is there is a flight! For details on where the duty-free shops are located and what they sell, click here.
P/S: Iceland imposes a maximum allowance of 6 units of alcohol & 1 carton of cigarettes / 250g of other tobacco per passenger.
Duty Free Iceland has an amazing Duty Free Allowance Calculator to make sure you don’t exceed your limit here!
Purchase Blue Lagoon products in Keflavík Airport
Even if you didn’t manage to visit the Blue Lagoon, that isn’t a problem. There is a Blue Lagoon shop within the departure lounge that you can visit for all your beauty care necessities.
Don’t forget your tax refunds at Keflavík Airport
When your Iceland trip is over and you return to Keflavík Airport, don’t forget to do your tax claims!
Iceland imposes a 24% VAT tax (Value Added Tax) to items purchased in Iceland that are taken out. 7% applies to certain goods and services such as transportation, alcohol and tour operator services. For a full list, visit Iceland’s Directorate of Internal Revenue page here.
Top Travel Tip on How to Claim your VAT Refund
When you arrive back at Keflavík Airport, turn to your left. You will see Joe & The Juice, with the tax refund office located directly opposite from it. Join the queue (if any), then pass all your receipts at the counter.
Refunds are only available for single purchases that exceed ISK 6,000. Refunds do not apply to food and drinks consumed in Iceland.
There is NO COMMISSION if your refund is via credit, but a 20% commission applies if you want to take your refunds back in the form of cash.
We were not asked to show our purchases, although we had them with us in any event.
Exchange leftover Icelandic krónas
Icelandic króna is rarely accepted outside of Iceland.
If you can, spend your leftover Icelandic krónas at the souvenir shops or visit the bank at the Reykjavik Airport. You can exchange them into one of the more common currencies.
Money, Money, Money
The local currency is Icelandic Króna (ISK)
Icelandic króna is not Euros, neither is Euros the official currency of Iceland.
The local currency is in Icelandic króna. While you are able to exchange your Euros for local krónas, the exchange rates would be pretty bad.
Certain places also take in US dollars, Canadian dollars and Euros.
Credit cards are invaluable when in Iceland
Credit cards are used everywhere, including at gas stations and toilets available at the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. You can also use them in shops, restaurants and tourist attractions.
Little wonder that some tourists like to travel to Iceland without bringing any cash with them!
Credit card rates are better than those found at the money exchangers
At least that was the case when we compared our credit card rates to the rates of the money exchangers in London.
Yet another reason to rely on the credit card!
Tipping is not compulsory
Nearly all the bills you will get in Iceland will have gratuity included, so tipping is NOT required. This includes bars, restaurants, taxis and even tour guides, who are all paid well.
Of course, no one will turn down a tip if that is what you want to give!
You don’t need to do everything
Even if it is tempting.
There were plenty of activities and tours that I’d turned down, for lack of time and budget, but which I wish I could do. Kayaking down the Hvita River, ice caving, ice climbing, hiking across the highlands, exploring the Sólheimasandur black sand plains on an ATV… the list goes on.
Instead, we researched, culled and booked only the tours that we most wanted. The most unique ones. And I’m so glad we did so because what we picked, we enjoyed to the hilt without being too exhausted.
P/S: If you’re wondering what our two best tours were, it was the glacier hiking at the Sólheimajökull Glacier and exploring Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon on a zodiac boat.
Icelandic Landscape & Weather
Purple flowers are everywhere!
Come to Iceland in the summer and you will see carpets of purple flowers everywhere.
It was one of the first notable sights we caught upon leaving Reykjavik Airport. These purple flowers are known as “Alaskan Lupus” and, fun fact, they actually aren’t native to the island!
Instead, the Alaskan Lupus was brought to Iceland to help with, among others, soil erosion. Little did the locals know that these flowers would spread so quickly!
There is an ongoing debate on whether these flowers are a welcome addition (they’re stunning & give Iceland’s landscape an amazing purple boost) or a terrible idea (as it suppresses Iceland’s original vegetation).
Which side are you on?
An ever-changing landscape on the Ring Road
The Golden Circle is a road trip that appears on every Icelandic travel guide and the view is stunning.
The further inland we travelled, the more we found thick lush fields of green. We also found yellowish lava fields, desolate stretches of black sand and steep mountains with a thin sliver of a waterfall cutting through it.
The landscapes were different, but the lack of people remained consistent. It was not uncommon to find one little hut huddled in the corner of a mountain, and nothing else but sheep and empty fields.
If you are one for solitude when driving, then Iceland will be your cup of tea.
Spot the Puffins
Have you ever heard of puffins?
Puffins are these funny looking penguin-like birds. Tiny, with a distinctive red beak, they can only be found in very specific locations. This includes the Dyrholaey Arch, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Ingólfshöfði, and on the Westman Islands.
You can not find them in Reykjavik. Instead, you will need to take a day trip + ferry out to find them.
P/S: Some restaurants in Reykjavik sell puffin dishes too!
Beware the sneaker waves
Sneaker waves are waves that look tame and unthreatening but sneak up and drag unsuspecting tourists out into the ocean to lethal consequences.
They are a distinctive feature of the Reynisfjara Beach. The danger is so real that the first thing you see as you walk towards the black sand beach is a warning sign.
Never turn your back on the waves. These waves are truly like no other.
If you’d like an in-depth explanation and warning on sneaker waves, you can read my post on the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
You’re always in danger of being wet
If you don’t like being wet, then you are going to be miserable in Iceland. 🙁
In all seriousness, this danger comes from a number of sources.
Firstly, the rain. Iceland gets quite a bit of rain, and the strong wind makes the rain a fright to walk through.
Secondly, Iceland’s natural resources are pretty wet. Places like the Skogafoss Waterfall will drench you within seconds if you get too close.
Similarly with the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – where you can walk behind the waterfall! – you will be drenched by the spray unless you are properly attired.
Wet + Cold = Miserable
Avoid the above equation at all cost!
Icelandic weather is fickle
Icelandic weather changes on a dime.
In just one morning drive, we might experience bright sunny skies, heavy rain and fog so thick we could barely see more than several feet beyond us.
If you thought London weather was temperamental, you haven’t seen Iceland’s yet!
Further Observations of a Tourist in Iceland
Iceland is full of trolls
If you have been to Scandinavia, you are very likely to have heard of trolls.
They are an intrinsic part of the Scandinavian culture and their likeness fills every souvenir shop you will ever come across (see photo above for illustration).
While troll souvenirs were less prominent in Iceland, they still featured quite a bit. And are also found in a number of Icelandic legends (such as the formation of Reynisdrangar at the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach)!
The names of certain places in Iceland will tell you what it is
It is often helpful to know some basic words in the local language.
In this instance, here are some helpful words to know:
- “Foss” = waterfall (e.g. Gullfoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Kirkjufoss)
- “Jökull” = glacier (e.g. Jökulsárlón, Fjallsarlon)
- “Vegur” = road (e.g. Laugavegur shopping street; Hringvegur aka the Ring Road)
- “Vik” = bay
Now you know what to expect when you see these words at the end of the name of some of Iceland’s attractions!
It is illegal to smoke indoors in public places
Iceland has strict laws concerning smoking indoors in public places.
Public places include bars, restaurants, school grounds, sports facilities, and public areas in apartment blocks.
For full details, visit this link.
Most toilets require payment
Most toilets in Iceland require payment (cash or credit card). This is a sad truth.
Tourist Information Centres are great for tourist information and… free toilets?!
Tourist Information Centers can be found more easily than ATMs in Iceland. They have the benefit of being the centre where you can book your tours, get all the local advice you need, learn about the local culture (some of them have exhibitions), visit souvenir shops and… use the FREE toilets!
If you see a tourist information centre, just drop by. You can gain so much from one visit.
Use the toilets whenever you can
A final point on toilets because honestly, it’s important. Basic travel survival skills.
The truth is that you might find yourself hard-pressed to spot a toilet when you most need it. Certain Icelandic attractions might have toilets (free or paid), but the next few might have none. Plus you aren’t allowed to stop at the roadside whenever you wish (it’s illegal).
Moral of the story: Use the toilets whenever you see them. Unless you know you really won’t need it until you return to your accommodation in the evening.
No indemnity forms required for Iceland tours
I can’t help being a lawyer, looking out for contractual forms that make me sign my life away before going on some adventure.
Curiously enough, we want on 3 separate tours and not a single one of them asked us to execute an indemnity form! Oversight?
The lawyer in me is flummoxed.
P/S: In case you were wondering, the tours I went to were the Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike,
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Zodiac Boat Ride, and a visit to the Vatnshellir Cave (aka Journey to the Center of the Earth)
Free, password-less WiFi is found everywhere
We had our UK SIM (which allowed us to use our data for free in Iceland) and Wifi dongle in the car, which kept us in constant contact with the outside world. And crucially, to Waze!
But even without all those, free WiFi could be found everywhere, including at gas stations, restaurants and hotels. In fact, most of the hotels we stayed at didn’t even require a password for us to access the WiFi.
It is possible to cycle along the Ring Road!
Although I’m not sure this is something I would ever do.
We saw a number of cyclists cycling along the Ring Road, massive backpacks on their backs.
It looked really dangerous, so I’m not sure that it is something I would recommend. But it is certainly something that people are doing over the summer.
Farmers work well past 10.30 pm during the summer
Another observation we made on our Iceland road trip.
We would often be travelling along the road, only to encounter a massive tractor on the road, or even ploughs working the fields at 10.30 pm!
1 week is the bare minimum for visiting Iceland
Iceland may be an island, but there is so much to see. Especially if you are a nature / hot spring lover.
You can opt to cover the South West coast of Iceland in 1 week, which is what we did. It is by far the most touristy due to the plethora of incredible attractions available.
Alternatively, do a trip around the entire island in 7 days. Do be aware that you will have to spend ages on the road!
Personally, I’m glad we stuck to just South Iceland. Even with 7 days, it didn’t feel like enough time. It was a whirlwind. And our itineraries were also affected by the unpredictable (and oft-times wild) weather.
The shower water smells like sulphur
The sulphur smell was pretty strong every time I showered in my accommodations.
Shower before entering the swimming pools
Iceland has strict policies requiring its bathers.
All bathers must shower first with soap before entering the swimming pools.
The attendants will be around to make sure everyone complies, or they will send you back for a shower first.
P/S: Showers are expected to be done naked!
Moving Around Iceland
A list of travel tips to Iceland will never be complete without discussing its transportation system. Or rather the driving/hitchhiking/tours you will be doing to get around the island.
How do you intend to get around Iceland? Let me know in the comments below!
You can hitchhike around Iceland
Because Iceland is so safe, it is not uncommon for travellers to hitchhike around the island.
Definitely a good way to save money if you are travelling on a budget!
Icelandic Roads are tiny (i.e. Ring Road)
Don’t expect highways when travelling along the Ring Road.
The roads are little more than country roads, and they don’t have any streetlights!
Some of the roads leading to tourist hot spots are made of gravel.
The best choice is to book a 4×4 otherwise you may end up being disappointed at being unable to travel along F-roads (which are mountain roads in the Icelandic highlands).
Hint: Dyrholaey Arch is located at the end of a steep gravel road.
Most Icelandic addresses are given in GPS coordinates
Which was pretty tricky since it wasn’t something we were used to (see next point for the reason why)!
Don’t expect to manoeuvre around Iceland by putting in the postcode into Google Maps.
GPS doesn’t always work
GPS doesn’t always work in Iceland. Sometimes you might lose your signal, or the location you input just can’t be found.
My advice would be to also turn on Waze and have a physical copy of the relevant maps on standby at all times.
Remember those Tourist Information Centers? This is where local maps will prove their worth.
Watch out for the Icelandic sheep!
Iceland isn’t Australia or New Zealand. You won’t find huge hordes of sheep scattered across its vast green plains.
What you will find are random scatterings of sheep, without a fence between them and the road. Sheep that are known to dash across the road without warning!
You really don’t want to ram into a sheep. Car insurance doesn’t cover damage from animals and you will also need to compensate for the loss of said sheep.
Watch your speed limit!
There are strict speed limits when driving around Iceland. Always keep an eye out and make sure you stay within the limit.
If you speed, you will likely be caught by the many speed cameras found everywhere.
There are also boards placed by the road that will give you a green smiley face if you drive past within the speed limit, and a red face if you are beyond the speed limit.
Fines can go up to $550 for speeding in 30 km/h residential areas! Your car rental agency might even add on their own penalty fee, which would not be great.
How do they penalise you? Via your credit card. Our credit card details were taken when we first collected our car.
30km/h near town areas and up to 90km/hour on the road
Some general observations when driving:
- Along the open “highway”, the speed limit tends to be around 70 to 90 km/hour; whereas
- The speed limit gradually goes down to 70 km/h before dropping to 50 km/h in town areas. It might even hit 30 km/h.
Keep your car headlights on 24/7
It is a legal requirement to keep your car headlights on 24/7 when driving in Iceland.
This is because the weather changes really fast and often without warning.
Air pressure varies a lot
Maybe it is just me, but my ears were popping quite often during our one week in Iceland. It was a strange experience.
Petrol prices are a killer
One of the biggest costs in Iceland will be your petrol prices.
Make sure you budget enough for your car usage, and also pick the right fuel!
Always fill up your car tank when it is half full
It was pretty hard for us to find gas stations when we most needed it. Sometimes we would go for long stretches without finding a single gas station. Not the best situation to be in since much of Iceland is uninhabited.
To save yourself the unnecessary worry, fill your tank whenever it gets half full. You will need to return your rental car with a full tank in any event.
Pedestrian lights switch really fast
An important thing to note when you’re walking around is that the pedestrian lights don’t last very long. So don’t dawdle!
Stock your car with snacks
Just in case you get hungry or peckish, always pack your car full of snacks. After all, snacks are one of the best parts about a road trip!
ALWAYS hold onto your car door when exiting the vehicle
Always, always hold onto your door when you are exiting or entering your vehicle.
The winds can get very strong. This is a travel tip that we constantly received when travelling in Iceland.
Park your car in the direction of the wind
With wind speeds of up to 50mph, parking your car in the direction of the wind is a good travel tip to avoid destroying your car doorstop.
That being said, make sure you continue to hold onto your door when exiting or leaving the vehicle.
Finding car park spaces in Reykjavik is hard
Reykjavik is like a typical European small town. It was not constructed with vehicles in mind. The roads are tiny and the buildings huddled together.
That made finding a car park space a real pain. Especially if you are like us and are staying near commercial areas like Laugavegur.
Don’t drive off-road or park by the roadside in no parking zones
It can be tempting to drive off into the sunset or park along the road to capture a breathtaking side of Iceland but don’t do it.
Iceland has zero tolerance for this, and are very protective of their environment.
A $2,000 fine for driving off-road just isn’t worth it.
Don’t DUI
Pretty obvious travel tip, but do note that Iceland has zero-tolerance for driving under influence.
DUI fines can go up to $ 750 and a two-month driving permit ban.
Icelandic Food & Drinks
Food in Iceland is amazing
I LOVED every dish I had in Iceland. The lamb was tender, the fish was fresh and flaky, and the pizza I had were some of the very best!
That said, Reykjavik is a very cosmopolitan place. You can easily find European food around the city; not just Icelandic food. And burgers and pizzas were easy to find even outside of the capital city.
Good food can be found at petrol stations
Petrol stations like N1 also serve as popular food stops. And their food is really tasty!
A popular food stop among Icelanders and visitors alike.
Lamb, lamb, lamb and more lamb
We saw so many lamb dishes in Iceland. If you are a lamb fan, you will be in heaven!
Fermented shark is a must-try, even if you end up hating it
Before I went to Iceland, every food post I read about Iceland made a mentioned about the infamous fermented shark. How terrible it was. The smell. The taste. Everything.
So, of course, I had to try it.
Honestly? It was really underwhelming for me. I barely smelt anything. And the taste was more akin to sashimi that had gone a little bad.
I ended up popping three fermented shark cubes into my mouth, and the taste remained just as… underwhelming. Maybe all the intensely flavoured Malaysian food has given me an immunity to it.
But I’m still glad I tried it!
P/S: The local server informed us that fermented shark isn’t really something that the locals eat. It tends to be ordered by the tourists. Oops.
Icelandic Meat Soup
I LOVED the Icelandic meat soup, even if I couldn’t really see how it differed from other types of meat soup (see photo above for illustration).
For the Malaysians, Icelandic meat soup is akin to our ABC soup albeit with more ingredients.
But the flavour was incredible. Highly recommend.
Icelandic dried fish with butter (Harðfiskur með smjöri )
Harðfiskur með smjöri is a popular Icelandic snack, albeit among the older generation only.
According to our lovely Icelandic server, his grandfather loves to chew on this VERY hard, dried fish. You can even purchase a whole bag of it from supermarkets like BONUS!
We bought a bag from BONUS, and also tried it at a local Icelandic bar in Reykjavik (you can see it in the photo above; it came with local Icelandic butter). I quite enjoyed it. As an added bonus, it’s a really healthy snack!
Try Skyr
Skyr is an Icelandic yoghurt that again featured in MANY travel blog recommendations so of course, I had to try it.
Honest Truth: I thought skyr was alright. I had it almost every morning for breakfast but it didn’t strike me as particularly outstanding. It was nice. But other travellers have sworn that it was the best yoghurt they had ever tasted so definitely put this on your must-try list. I would advise making your own verdict.
Water in Iceland is free & so fresh!
Forget spending money on bottled water. NEVER do that.
Iceland is known for its incredibly fresh AND free water. There is no danger in drinking tap water.
Fun Fact: Inspired by Iceland ran a campaign encouraging tourists to drink Iceland’s FREE tap water instead of bottled water to cut down on plastic use.
Alcohol can only be purchased in Vínbúðin shops
Alcohol selling is controlled and can only be purchased at Vínbúðin shops, which have specific opening days and hours.
Visit Brauð & Co in Reykjavik
Brauð & Co is one of the most popular bakeries in Reykjavik and sells delicious cinnamon rolls. If you love bread, make sure you drop by!
The bakery is housed in a colourful building, and you can smell it from a distance away.
Personal Verdict: I found the cinnamon rolls to be far too sweet for my liking. And it didn’t strike me as particularly outstanding as compared to all the other cinnamon rolls I’ve had before.
Iceland on a Budget
Iceland is one of the most expensive countries to visit – ergh – so being budget-friendly is CRITICAL.
That said, here are some of my best travel tips for lessening the hole in your wallet when in Iceland!
Shop for food at the local supermarkets
Dining out will BURN a meteoric hole in your wallet. But you can lessen the cost by purchasing your food from the local supermarket.
There are plenty all over the island, including the famous pink pig (this supermarket is known as BONUS).
Bring your own snacks
We bought quite a lot of snacks for our road trip. Energy bars, chocolate, pita bread (I love these), crisps are just some of the things you can pack.
Make it some and light. Something you can easily slip into a bag as you leave your car. That can be your hiking snack! Or a meal.
Bring your own water bottle
Most of Iceland’s water originates from the spring and is free of your usual chlorine, nitrate and calcium. It also tastes incredibly fresh and can be obtained from many places.
The most common source? Tap water!
And a more unusual source of water? When you go glacier hiking at the Sólheimajökull Glacier (see photo above)!
Fun Travel Tip: When glacier hiking, you will be taught how to drink water the Viking way! Learn more by reading my glacier hiking guide.
Go camping
There are plenty of campsites around Iceland and are certainly a cheaper alternative to staying in hotels.
Some campsites even provide basic amenities such as a toilet, shower and WiFi. However, you may need to pay to camp and costs range from ISK 1,000 to ISK 2,500 per person/night.
Never camp near farmland unless you have received explicit permission from the farm owner. Most farmers will agree to let you camp on their land for a nominal fee.
If you are travelling in a tent trailer, campervan or collapsible camper, then you must camp in the designated camp spots. It is illegal to camp in the wild.
Bring your own warm clothes
Don’t underestimate the weather in Iceland.
For tropical blooded me, it was FREEZING even in July. I was wearing four layers most of the time, including gloves and hat, just to stay warm. Overkill for some, perhaps, but not for me!
It’s much cheaper if you don’t have to shop in Iceland.
If in doubt, bring more warm clothes. Layering is key. And try to ensure that those clothing pieces are easy to take off (when in the car) and put on (when you’re about to get down).
Make sure your clothing attire is appropriate
The keyword when it comes to clothing is WATERPROOF. Chances are that you will be heading somewhere that will leave you drenched.
The Skógafoss Waterfall, for instance, is a massive waterfall you can walk write up to. The drawback is the spray from the waterfall, which will leave you drenched. You don’t want to be drenched. Make sure you have waterproof boots, pants, top, raincoat, and a hat.
Similarly, if you are going on a hike, make sure you have proper hiking gear. Or glacier walking, where your boots have to have proper hard soles.
Avoid 66 North. Shop at Icewear instead
If you do intend to shop at Iceland, avoid 66 North. 66 North is talked about in nearly every Iceland travel tips blog, and the clothing is incredible and luxurious, but so EXPENSIVE.
Instead, I discovered Icewear. Icewear is an Icelandic shop that offers a wide variety of Icelandic themed clothing at a fraction of the price at 66 North. Perfect to purchase a souvenir from, or to layer over your clothes.
I found Icewear as often as I found 66 North around Iceland.
P/S: This is a travel tip that I haven’t found on any other articles on Iceland. Let me know if you find it helpful!
Avoid Iceland’s taxis
The taxi rides in Iceland are very expensive, with 3 km costing up to ISK 1590 ($13). Avoid at all cost if you’re on a budget!
To estimate taxi costs, visit Numbeo.
Visit Iceland’s free hot springs
Forget the Blue Lagoon. Iceland is full of hot springs and some of them are free!
Djúpavogskörin and Seljavallalaug come highly recommended.
What To Pack In Your Suitcase
Eye Mask
If you are visiting Iceland in the summer and are a light sleeper, bring your eye mask.
The light tends to filter into the room from under the curtains, and it never goes away.
Shades
The light can get pretty glaring, especially on the glacier or on the road.
Bring your shades and protect your eyes.
Swimsuit
Swimsuits are an important piece of clothing to bring to Iceland.
While you can never swim in Iceland’s beaches, you can visit its swimming pools, geothermal hot springs and hot tubs. Some hotels might even have hot tubs free for its guests to use.
Hardy hiking boots
Even if you don’t intend to go on a day-long hike, I would still recommend bringing sturdy hiking boots. You will be walking a lot and not all grounds are even.
Definitely not the place to bring your heels and dress unless you remain in just Reykjavik!
Gloves
Gloves deserve a category of its own because it was a true lifesaver. Always bring your gloves. Your fingers will thank you especially when you’re on the glaciers.
Waterproof Clothes
Wherever possible, make sure your clothes are waterproof. At the very least, make sure you have a raincoat.
Windproof Jacket
A windproof jacket can be a real lifesaver.
If you have never been to a cold country then here is a quick travel hack: when it gets really cold, it is less about the temperature outside then it is about the wind. It can be below 0°C and you would feel warmer than if it was, say, 10°C, because of the wind.
Layering is important, but a windproof jacket is a gamechanger!
DON’T bring your umbrella
The winds are too strong in Iceland. DON’T bring your umbrella.
Just make sure your clothes are waterproof, that you have a raincoat and a spare set of warm dry clothes ready in the car.
SIM Card
You can either get a local SIM card, rely on the wifi that is provided in the car you rent or use an existing SIM that gives free data when in Iceland.
If you want to purchase a local SIM card, there are three carriers found in Iceland: Síminn, Nova and Vodafone.
If you’re coming from the UK, you can continue tapping into your data for free! Three, Giffgaff and O2 all worked splendidly. At no extra cost.
Download these travel mobile apps into your phone
As a millennial traveller, I find that one of the best travel hacks is to download the best mobile apps there is for each location I’m headed to.
In this instance, these are the top 13 FREE Travel Apps I think every traveller needs when visiting Iceland.
112 Iceland
112 is the Icelandic equivalent to 999 or 911. It links you straight to the Icelandic emergency services including the police, fire and ambulance services.
If nothing else, have this on your speed dial. Better yet, download the 112 Iceland app. It is supported by GPS and gives you the option to “Check In”, i.e. it registers your last known GPS location with the Icelandic authorities. Handy if you end up with a place with no signal.
Travel adaptor
Iceland uses the two round prong Continental or European power socket.
The standard voltage is 220V, 50 Hz frequency.
Pocket WiFi
If you do not already have a SIM that gives you free data to use around Iceland, invest in a Pocket WiFi that you can bring around with you. You can rent one from the car rental company.
Reason why you must get a Pocket WiFi: One word – safety. Data isn’t a luxury when exploring the wild landscapes of Iceland. You must always be able to contact someone if things go awry. Sometimes, there are things we just need to spend on and this is one of them.
Besides, it never hurts to do a live Instastory when in Iceland to inspire the envy of friends and family back home, yes? 😉
Iceland in Winter
Iceland only has 4 hours of daylight in winter
Daylight can drop down to as little as 4 hours a day!
Bear that in mind when travelling around Iceland and planning your itinerary.
You can see the Northern Lights
Iceland is a popular place for Northern Light seekers.
You won’t see any during the summer, but chances are higher during the wintertime.
There are many popular places for Northern Light sightings in Iceland, especially the black sand beaches which are vast, empty plains. Perfect for some sky gazing.
Go skiing or snowboarding in January to April
Iceland is popular among skiers, with many ski resorts found near Reykjavik.
You can even go arctic heli-skiing in the Skíðadalur Valley to experience some of the longest runs and best Icelandic summits!
Things to Avoid in Iceland
Avoid buying alcohol outside Reykjavik Airport
Avoid purchasing alcohol outside the duty-free in Reykjavik Airport if you are on a budget.
For an idea of the prices you will be facing, Iceland Magazine & All About Iceland gave some good examples:
- 1 litre of vodka costs ISK 7,300 (or USD 65.7)
- A ½ litre of Viking / Gull lager or beer in a Reykjavik bar costs ISK 1,200 (USD 10.8)
- A bottle of house wine costs ISK 4,500 (USD 37)
- A bottle of tequila costs around ISK 6,500 – ISK 12,000 (USD 53 – USD 98)
- A bottle of whisky costs around ISK 5,500 – ISK 15,000 (USD 46 – USD 121)
Avoid 10-11 purchases
10-11 is a pricey supermarket chain, with prices sometimes being thrice as expensive as its cheapest counterpart.
Skip 10-11 and head to other popular budget supermarkets like BONUS, Netto and Kronan.
Skip Þingvellir National Park
This might not be a popular opinion, but the Þingvellir National Park felt like a total waste of time and money. It might be a UNESCO World Heritage Site but I felt that there were too many points against it.
The car park fees by the visitor centre were exorbitant. The visitor centre guides were very unfriendly and unwilling to give advice on what to do. Furthermore, apart from walking past large columns of rocks, the highlight – the Öxarárfoss waterfall – felt like a real joke.
The Öxarárfoss waterfall was really tiny. Required quite a bit of walking to find as we had parked by the visitor centre. And finally, the incredible pictures that flood the internet is really down to angling. As the photo below shows me doing.
Skip the Búðir Black Church, Snæfellsnes peninsula
I can only sigh at this one.
The Búðir Black Church was one of those attractions that was always mentioned in those travel tips to Iceland itineraries so we went off to find it. The above photo is what we saw on the main road, before turning left to head towards the Búðir Black Church.
After passing by a small hotel, we arrived at the Black Church. We couldn’t go in; not even pass the gate.
The only people around were tourists, many of them with tripods.
Honestly, we had to go out of our way to find this black church. There was nothing else to see! Except for this sight to our left.
I’m still not too sure why this appears as a must-see on so many Iceland itineraries, but my travel tip is to skip this.
Skip the Blue Lagoon
I know I’m going against the trend. I might even lack authority in stating this, given that I never went to Blue Lagoon Iceland. But I have always been wary of places that:
- charge exorbitant fees; and
- draw most of their visitors/income from international tourists.
That said, these are some of the reasons I avoided the Blue Lagoon (and don’t regret doing so!):
Firstly, there was no time. Despite making full use of the 24/7 summer light, leaving at 9 am and returning to our accommodation at 11.30 pm, we still ended up doing only a small fraction of all the things that Iceland had to offer.
This was due to
- the weather;
- the long driving distance between most Icelandic attractions; and
- the physical exhaustion from being always on the go & travelling. Even if you are just a passenger, it is still tiring to travel around all the time!
Secondly, there were many fascinating alternatives to Blue Lagoon Iceland. Waterfalls, glacier hikes, lava cave explorations were just some of the things to do. Furthermore, you can easily spend either an hour or a full day at many of these attractions.
For instance, the Skógafoss Waterfall is a stunning waterfall that draws the crowd in the summer and winter. I spent around an hour just exploring the base.
However, you can also take the steep staircase to the right of the waterfall. Go up, arrive at the viewing platform, and get a spectacular view of the Southern Iceland landscape all the way out to the Atlantic Ocean.
If you are even more adventurous, you can even go on some of the full-day hikes that originate from Skógafoss Waterfall.
Thirdly, the Blue Lagoon Iceland is often congested. Tickets always run out, and visitors are always advised to book in advance. Personally, I’m not a big fan of congested areas so this was another major turnoff.
Finally, the cost. Blue Lagoon Iceland is not cheap. Prices start at USD 95 for an adult, going up to USD 623 for a 4-hour spa. This is not even including its accommodations, which start at USD 594 (ISK 73,700) a night!
There are plenty of alternatives if you are looking for a geothermal spa in Iceland.
Suggested Alternative: A common alternative is the Mývatn Nature Baths, which starts at USD 36 (or ISK 4,500) for one adult, which free entrance for children below the age of 12 years old accompanied by parents. That is a HUGE price difference!
Skip the Sun Voyager
Unless you have extra time and/or love sculptures, I would skip the Sun Voyager. It is a sculpture located by the Harbour, which is great for photo taking only.
Tours and Activities You Must Do in Iceland
Having been all negative, here are some travel tips on the tours and activities I would recommend you do when in Iceland.
Glacier Hiking at the Sólheimajökull Glacier
Glacier hiking is one of the most unique activities you can do in Iceland. The Sólheimajökull Glacier is the perfect introduction for glacier hiking newbies or those who are wary of overtly strenuous hikes.
Come here for the experience, and leave with great memories. If you’re looking for a full review of the glacier hike, including the tours you can take (some depart from Reykjavik!), you can read my Sólheimajökull Glacier travel guide here.
The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is highly commercial but the boat ride was truly spectacular.
The best way to see this magnificent glacier lagoon is to go on its boat rides. There are two options:
- the amphibian boat, or
- the zodiac boat.
The amphibian boat is a large, yellow boat that goes around the lagoon slowly.
But if you want a little thrill, go for the more intimate zodiac boat ride! Our guide drove at speed around the lagoon, brought us right up close to the gloating glaciers and even let us eat some 1,000-year-old icebergs!
Oh, and we spotted some baby seals swimming and sunbathing on the ice.
Want to know more? Read my complete travel guide to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon here.
Visit the Diamond Beach (Breiðamerkursandur) together with Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
The Diamond Beach is located across the road from Jokulsarlon Iceland. No more than a 5 minutes’ drive from one side to the other.
It’s a unique beach to find large (and small) pieces of glacier that have washed ashore. Take pictures, pose with it but do not, in any scenario, climb onto it (read my post to find out why)!
Definitely one of the most unique beaches we saw, and a quick and easy place to access for FREE!
Iceland’s black sand beaches are one of its most unique, and free attractions. The beaches are black because they are made of real volcanic rock!
One of the best black beaches to visit is Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. At the Reynisfjara Beach, you will find not just the black sand beach, but also basalt columns, caves, the Reynisdranger sea stacks (former sea trolls!) and puffins.
Want all the details? Read my travel guide for Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach here.
If you want more options on black sand beaches to visit, check out my list of the Best 8 Black Sand Beaches to visit in Iceland.
Visit at least one major Iceland Waterfall
Not all waterfalls were made equal.
That said, Iceland is famous for its waterfall and no travel itinerary would be complete without including at least several in a trip.
Some of the top waterfalls to visit, in my humble opinion, include the Skógafoss Waterfall and the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.
Go on a free walking tour in Reykjavik
Free walking tours are one of the best ways to discover a city and Reykjavik is no different.
Looking out for the interesting street art in Reykjavik
There are lots of interesting street art in Reykjavik, especially near Laugavegur.
Keep your eyes peeled for them!
Go drinking with Appy Hour
If you fancy a drink in Reykjavik, use the Appy Hour app. It alerts users in real-time of the happy hour specials happening in Reykjavik. This includes the happy hour period and relevant costs, so you can plan in advance.
Go on the Harpa Concert Hall Guided Tour
The 30 minutes guided tour for the Harpa Concert Hall is not free but it was a great experience and one I would recommend. Especially if you love going behind the scenes!
Harpa as a building is gorgeous from every angle. Unless you are there for a concert, you are likely to get a sneak view of its halls unless you go on the guided tour. We were brought to the purple recording room as well as the main concert hall.
The Harpa Concert Hall was also full of funny pun announcements like this one.
You can purchase a guided tour ticket online here or in person at the box office. It costs ISK 1,750 per adult and ISK 1,500 for students, seniors and people with disabilities.
Children under the age of 17 years old can join for free!
Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church for the best views of Reykjavik
This Lutheran Church is one of the most iconic buildings in Reykjavik.
It also offers some of the best Reykjavik panoramas so it is a place to visit if you have the time.
Visit the Icelandic Bar in Reykjavik for authentic Icelandic food
The Icelandic Bar (or Íslenski Barinn) was recommended to us by a lovely girl at the Tourist Information Center. Just off the road from Laugavegur, this is a great place to sample some Icelandic food.
You can see the menu here.
Some of the food we ordered included: fermented shark, the Kjötplatti – Meat platter (lamb, whale, & reindeer meatballs), traditional Icelandic meat soup, and lamb shank. Every dish was incredible!
Highly, highly recommended!
Conclusion
And that’s it!
A compilation of my best travel tips for visiting Iceland.
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30 Comments
Nyxie
Beautiful guide! Really makes me want to make the trip. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Iuliya
You’re welcome!! Glad you found it helpful 🙂
Loh Teck Yong
Wow, that’s a long list of useful advice! Thanks!
But can you elaborate and explain why we shouldn’t purchase alcohol outside of the airport? For example, how expensive is a bottle of local spirit or wine? If you have the information, it would be helpful if you could suggest certain local brands and put up a price comparison chart or something.
Also, if you are going to Iceland again, could you take some photos of the independent bookstores in the country? And let us know what bookstore chains operate in Iceland. I think it would be interesting information for bookworms like myself.
Since you said English is widely spoken over there, I imagine they sell English books in the bookshops?
Iuliya
Ooh you raise very interesting points for me to cover and include in this post.
For an idea of the alcohol rates outside, I’ve updated Point 105 on “Avoid Buying Alcohol Outside Reykjavik Airport”.
In comparison for the duty free prices from Duty Free Iceland at Reykjavik Airport, I’ve updated the information for Point 26 “Purchase your alcohol in Keflavik Airport”.
In gist, you can visit the Duty Free Iceland online store to purchase your items in advance for pick up upon arrival and/or departure! Link: https://www.dutyfree.is/en
And I never thought of bookstores as we didn’t have the time to look it up, but it is now on my radar. Thank you!
Travelgirlto Ann
I love this guide. I totally agree with visiting Braud &Co! Love their pastries. I would also a a wind proof jacket to your list of items to bring. Also, I rented a pocket wifi from my rental car place and it was a lifesaver. Highly recommend.
Iuliya
Oooh YES. Amazing suggestions which I shall be adding in now! Thank you!!
Theresa
You basically did all my homework to go to Iceland! Thank you for such detailed post!
Iuliya
You’re welcome!! Glad it was helpful 😀
Kristi @ Way Beyond The Norm
What a great post! Iceland fascinates me. Beautiful place! Kind of crazy that addresses are given in GPS coordinates.
Iuliya
Exactly! Or just the name of the place so… you either find it or you don’t?!
Reina E Conboy
Loved your very thorough guide of Iceland. Makes me want to go there! Iceland is definitely on my bucketlist for the future, when I go I’ll definitely refer to this post!
Iuliya
Glad it was thorough for you!! Iceland is such an amazing place to visit 😀
Michelle
This is such a great post! I love your tip to stay at different locations so that you can get a feel for the different areas within Iceland!
Iuliya
I’m glad you liked it! I had my initial doubts about it because it seemed like such a pain to live out of a suitcase but as we were travelling around Iceland, I was SO thankful for that decision!!
Jenn | By Land and Sea
Wow, there is so much information in this post! I would really like to visit Iceland some day. It sounds like a great place, but I know it’s struggling with overtourism right now too. Saving this for later – it is so helpful!
Iuliya
So glad you found this helpful! 🙂
To be honest, it really didn’t feel like there were too many tourists at all! Most of the time, it felt like it was just us or a small handful of people 🙂 but it is certainly important that everyone keeps to the local environmental laws!
Annick
These are very useful tips for visiting Iceland. I’m looking forward to visiting in the Fall but I’m afraid to drive myself so I’ll be looking for tours. Good to know that I don’t need too much time in Reikjavic
Iuliya
I definitely won’t drive around if you’re afraid!! And I’m excited for you to be visiting Iceland! Feel free to reach out if you need any tips. I hope my travel post has helped.
Kristina
What an informative post!!
Iceland is right on the top of my list. I would love to visit during the summer months to witness that stunning sunset. Great to read that almost everyone speaks English and crowede isnt too crowded 😂🙂
Iuliya
Glad that you found it informative!! Summer is definitely a great time to visit; hope you get the chance soon!
Candy
Thank you for this incredible article! I’m hoping to finally get to Iceland next year and this is invaluable information!
Iuliya
Glad you found the information helpful!! 🙂
Becki
WOW, what a comprehensive list of things about Iceland. I visited once in winter, which was stunning as I got to see the northern lights, but your pictures of the midnight sun look epic! I need to go back one day!
Iuliya
The midnight sun was absolutely stunning! And I’d love to revisit Iceland in the winter although I’m not sure I can withstand the cold!
Sage
Iceland has been on my bucket list for decades, ever since my family moved to Europe from the US for the first time. I learned a lot from your post (for when I finally get to visit). For example, I had no idea about the free stopover option!
Iuliya
Yes, the free stopover is AMAZING! Definitely something to take advantage of!
Best time to see northern lights in Iceland
Your article is so comprehensive with so many great tips that are real and really “useful” to anyone travelling to Iceland. We’ve been there, and reading your article just made us realize that we see things somehow similar, as we also skipped Blue Lagoon, we also skipped some other “must-see attractions” that should not even be on a “must-see list”. We like the way you wrote it and your genuine and unique style of not being afraid to name things and give proper advice.
We visited Iceland for a 10 day trip we rented a car from the airport and we did our own itinerary: the Ring Road, also the Golden Circle (without the Blue lagoon) and we managed to see the Northern Lights in October, which was amazing.
Iuliya
Thank you so much for your kind words! Glad you found this useful and real. 🙂 And that we have similar travel values!! Northern Lights is definitely something that is still on my bucketlist!
Faith Tan
Hi,
Thank you so much for the travel tips to Iceland. I find it very helpful.
Question: Malaysia banks issued 6 digit pin credit card. Understand Iceland accepts 4 digits pin . How do you pay for things in Iceland?
Appreciate your help. Thanks
Iuliya
We used credit cards 🙂