All Posts, Country Guides, Europe Guides · Iceland Travel Guide Iceland is a country of extremes – extreme beauty, extreme landscape, extreme weather. and extreme FUN. I’ve never had so much fun discovering a country than I did in Iceland. The way this small country changes its landscape behind every turn is mind-boggling. In no other place will you spot gushing geysers, iceberg-filled beaches, lava fields, a sneak peek behind a waterfall, and, of course, the Blue Lagoon. Iceland is a destination that should be at the top of every traveler’s bucket list! Quick Tips Capital: Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in the worldPopulation: 364,000Currency: Icelandic Krona (click here for current conversion rates)Visa: 90-day Schengen visa on arrival for most nationalities (click here for more info)Safety: Ranked #1 on the Global Peace Index (USA is ranked #128), meaning Iceland is currently the safest country in the world!Time zone: UTC +0 When to Visit Of course, the best time to visit Iceland will depend greatly on what you want to experience. Below are some highlights for each season: High Season – June to August Tourists flock to Iceland during its summer months due to its nice weather and long sunshine hours. As such, expect peak hotel prices and prebooking is essential – at least 4 months in advance. Summer is the best time for a road trip through Iceland. With warmer weather and no worry of snow, the driving conditions are perfect.You’ll have the advantage of the midnight sun, with up to 21 total daylight hours. This makes for the perfect sightseeing.The optimal time for whale watching is from April to SeptemberVisit the puffins, Iceland’s favorite adorable bird, from May until August Shoulder Season – May and September Cooler weather with the occasional snowThe optimal time to visit for cheaper accommodation prices and fewer crowds vs. the high season Low Season – October to April Iceland certainly lives up to its name during the winter months, with ice-covered waterfalls and ice caves just waiting to be explored. The Northern Lights are the biggest attraction during this time, with late September to late March being the best months to spot them.It is recommended to not road trip during the winter as the road conditions can get bad rather quickly. Instead, opt for guided tours to take you to Iceland’s most beautiful winter wonderland destinations. Top 5 Bucket List Experiences 1. The Blue Lagoon Going to Iceland and not enjoying the Blue Lagoon is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. This iconic hot-spring, with its baby blue spa in the midst of a black-lava field, is the perfect retreat to relax after sightseeing. Located just 30 minutes from the international airport, I recommend visiting this other-worldly spa on the last day of your Iceland trip before flying out. 2. Snorkeling Silfra Fissure For the most unique snorkel experience, don’t miss floating through the clearest water in the world at Silfra fissure. Silfra – a fissure created by the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates cutting through Iceland – is the only place in the world where you can snorkel between two continents, and you don’t even need to bring your passport! 3. Diamond Beach Located 4 hours southwest from the capital city of Reykjavik, Diamond beach is one of the most popular attractions in Iceland. Here, icebergs from the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon have washed ashore and lie stranded on a stunning black sand beach. The contrast of the crystal clear icebergs against the black sand beach is what makes this stunning beach so iconic. 4. Drive the Golden Circle With its black sand beaches, geysers spouting from geothermal fields, and more waterfalls than you can count, The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most popular tourist route. While technically driving the golden circle is 3 hours round-trip, allow 1 full day to see the best of Iceland’s stunning landscapes. 5. See the Northern Lights From late-September to late-March, Iceland can experience as little as 4 hours of daylight per day. But, this makes for the opportune time to watch the Northern Lights (or Aurora Borealis) light up the sky. It is recommended to join a Northern Lights tour rather than hunt them yourself, as the tour guides are experts at finding this bucket-list phenomenon. Other Things to See and Do in Iceland Ice Caves- What better place to see an ice cave than in ICEland? Visiting Iceland in the wintertime means you get to take advantage of its winter activities, with the most popular activity being Ice Caving. You’ll get to venture into these crystal caves and see Iceland from below. Hot Springs– Iceland may be known around the world for the Blue Lagoon, but not many people know that Iceland is home to other natural hot springs. Located near the Golden Circle, visit ‘The Secret Lagoon’ for a less-crowded and cheaper alternative to the popular and expensive Blue Lagoon. Puffins– If you are a bird lover, be sure to visit Iceland during the months of May to August to spot these adorable little creatures. You’ll find puffin colonies along the coastlines of Iceland. Sólheimasandur Plane wreck– hike out to an abandoned plane wreck on the south coast of Iceland for an increasingly popular sightseeing excursion in Iceland. Crashed in 1973, all passengers survived this wreck and the weathered plane is now on display for all to see.Whale watching– Iceland has become one of Europe’s best whale-watching destinations. Visit during the months of April to September to experience these majestic creatures in action.Visit Reykjavik– Of course, no visit to Iceland is complete without spending some time in Iceland’s capital city. Home to multi-colored houses, museums, and Iceland’s largest church. Dos and Don’ts Dos Be respectful. Iceland has been a victim of its own popularity in recent years, with some popular locations even shutting down due to over-tourism. Be sure to respect Iceland’s natural beauty and never trespass through unwanted areas. Be prepared for any and all types of weather. Even the locals say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes!” Donts Drive off-road. Not only is this dangerous, but it’s also strictly forbidden and punishable by hefty fines.Don’t buy bottled water. Iceland has some of the purest tap water in the world, so take advantage of the free drink! Good to Know Airport– Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Located 30 miles (48km) southwest of Reykjavík, KEF is Iceland’s main hub for international flights. Getting around– Renting a car is the most common way for visitors to get around. I highly recommend this option as you have the freedom to stop at any beautiful landscape you spot along your route. Money- Iceland is almost a cashless society, so you don’t need to have Icelandic krona cash on hand, even in the most rural parts of the country. As long as you have a Visa or Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees, you’ll be able to pay for everything from roadside restaurants to souvenir shops. Tipping– Tipping is not expected in Iceland. You may spot a small tip jar next to cash registers, but there is no need to tip unless you want to. Language– Icelandic can be a daunting language to all foreigners. I’ve never seen so many consonants in one sentence! Luckily, most locals do speak English, but if needed, below you’ll find some basic words and phrases in Icelandic: ENGLISHICELANDICPRONOUNCEHelloHallóHah-lowThanksTakk tah-kYesJá y-owNoNeineyGood DayGóðan daginngo-thah-n die-in Ready for your dream trip to Iceland? CONTACT US TODAY visiting Iceland soon? Check out my other Iceland blog posts: How to Plan the Ultimate Iceland 4 Day Road Trip10 Things To Know Before Visiting IcelandSnorkel the Silfra Fissure – Iceland Bucket List10 Places You Absolutely Cannot Miss in Iceland DID YOU LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT FOR LATER!
