The Ultimate Iceland Travel Guide
Want to plan your trip to Iceland without having to read a million blogs? Well, our ultimate Iceland Travel Guide is here to cover all the bases!
I've visited Iceland twice, and it's really one of those countries you don't want to go unprepared to. It's a seriously stunning country, and has so many incredible landscapes and activities to experience!
In our Iceland travel guide we're going to share the best places to visit, cool places to stay, how to get around, and so much more. Let's explore!
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📍 Where is Iceland Located?
Iceland is an island country located in between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. It's situated north west of the mainland of Europe, and in the sea between Greenland and Norway.
Iceland Travel Guide: How to Get to Iceland
In order to reach Iceland, you can either fly there, or you can take a variety of cruises that make stops in Iceland.
✈️ Where Do You Fly Into for Iceland?
The most popular airport to fly into to reach Iceland is the international airport in Keflavik, which is just 50 km south west down the coast from Iceland's capital city.
🇺🇸 Can You Fly Direct to Iceland from the USA?
There are quite a few cities that fly direct from the USA to Iceland! The US cities that fly direct to Iceland include Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Raleigh, Seattle, and Washington.
Other cities that fly to Keflavik include Aalborg, Alicante, Amsterdam, Avignon, Barcelona, Belfast, Berlin, Billund, Budapest, Cascais, Cologne, Comox, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Edmonton, Frankfurt, Gander, Gdansk, Glasgow, Goose Bay, Hamilton, Helsinki, Kulusuk, Liege, London, Malaga, Manchester, Milan, Munich, Narsarsuaq, Nuuk, Oslo, Paris, Porto, Prague, Riga, Rome, Rotterdam, Sigonella, Stockholm, Tenerife, Toronto, Vagar, Vancouver, Vienna, Warsaw, and Zurich.
There are also a few cities that fly to Akureyri direct, which are Nerlerit Inaat, Nuuk, Oslo, and Prague.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can try out the calendar feature to see which are the cheapest dates for flying to Iceland.
🛳 Cruises to Iceland
There are a lot of small luxury and expedition cruises that sail around Iceland in the summer months. The bigger cruise lines also cruise to Iceland, typically during Trans-Atlantic crossings to Europe in the Spring, or back to the Caribbean from Europe in the end of the summer/early fall.
While we definitely prefer exploring Iceland on our own, a cruise is definitely a cool way to include Iceland in your travels if you like cruising.
Iceland Travel Guide: Entry Requirements for Traveling to Iceland
A key part of traveling anywhere is making sure you have the right documentation to enter in that particular country. The next part of our Iceland travel guide is going to cover what you need to enter inside the country as a foreigner.
🛂 What Documents Do I Need to Go to Iceland?
In order to visit Iceland, a valid passport is needed. Europeans that are part of the Schengen Zone have free travel to Iceland, while those outside the Schengen Zone need to abide by the 90/180 rule.
The 90/180 Rule
The 90/180 rule states that all people coming from countries from the Schengen Zone have free travel amongst one another. Tourists (those not from the Schengen Zone) can visit a total of 90 days within 180 days. This is important to know, because if you travel to other countries which are inside the Schengen Zone before Iceland, you will need to subtract those days of travel allowance.
For example: you are coming from Europe, where you spent 75 days traveling through Portugal, Spain, and Italy (which are all in the Schengen Zone). Now only have 15 days left in the Schengen Zone, or days that you could stay in Iceland. After leaving the country, if you have used all 90 of these days, you will then have to spend 90 days outside of all Schengen countries before being able to re-enter.
We spend a lot of time in Europe each year, so we always make sure to use the Schengen Visa Calculator to know we are staying within the allowed time period. (It is a serious offense if you even spend 91 days within the 180-day period, so it's important that you make sure to stay in compliance).
🇺🇸 Do US Citizens Need a Visa for Iceland?
US Citizens can visit the Schengen Zone visa-free for a period of up to 90 days with a 180-day period, so they won't need a special visa for Iceland unless they have exhausted their 90 days in Europe.
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Iceland Travel Guide: Local Adjustments for Visiting Iceland
One of the parts of our Iceland travel guide (or any travel guide we write) includes some of the basics you should know before you go. These include the country's language, currency, tipping culture, and more important details for visiting.
🗣 What Language is Mostly Spoken in Iceland?
The official language in Iceland is Icelandic. Be prepared for a lot of very long words and names that you'll probably have a lot of difficulty sounding out! Icelandic is a hard language, and we really were only able to pick up a few words along our travels.
Do They Speak English in Iceland?
You won't need to worry about Icelandic being a difficult language because the level of English is excellent in Iceland.
Not only do the locals learn English in school, but there are also many people from all around Europe that come to Iceland to work for the summer, and they all have to have a decent level of English to get a job.
💵 What is the Currency Used in Iceland?
The currency used in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona. Currently (September 2024) 1 USD is around 136.45 ISK, 1 euro is around 152.48 ISK, and 1 pound is around 181.19 ISK. Everywhere accepts credit cards, so you won't need to carry any cash on you at all.
🔌 What Plug Adapter Do I Need for Iceland?
Iceland uses the same plug types as the rest of Europe, which are types C & F. The standard voltage in Iceland is 230 V with a standard frequency of 50 Hz.
🚰 Can I Drink the Tap Water in Iceland?
The water in Iceland is some of the cleanest in the world! In fact, not only can you drink right from the tap, but you can also drink right from the waterfalls or glaciers!
We brought a Steripen with us to ensure the water was safe to drink as an extra measure, but it's typically not super necessary.
💸 Do You Tip in Iceland?
Iceland is very much different than the US, as the service industry is not based on tipping. Tipping is not expected, but certainly appreciated, so if someone happens to give great service, you can give a tip of up to 10%.
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Iceland Travel Guide: The Best Places to Visit in Iceland
Now that you know the basics of our Iceland travel guide, here are the best places to visit in Iceland.
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Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, and the most populated area of the country. While it's by no means a massive city, it has plenty of restaurants, shops, and cute streets to explore. Our favorite spots are the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church and the colorful rainbow road.
Reykjanes Peninsula
This is where the famous Blue Lagoon is located, as well as the international airport. But there is much more to the Reykjanes Peninsula, and most of it gets overlooked.
Check out the colorful geothermal springs, the cute black churches, and the stunning cliffs with massive waves crashing down next to them. Reykjanes is also home to the Fagradalsfjall volcano that erupted violently a few years ago.
The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is the most iconic tourist area of Iceland, and is a popular day trip from Reykjavik.
This is the most maintained area of the country, and easy to explore by car or tour.
Some of the highlights of the Golden Circle include Gulfoss waterfall, Kerid crater, Thingvellir Park, Geyser geothermal area, and the Fridheimar Tomato Farm.
Southern Iceland
Southern Iceland is one of the most beloved regions in Iceland, especially for photographers.
Black sand beaches, basalt columns, impressive glaciers, beautiful waterfalls, and vast lupine field are just some of the characteristics that make southern Iceland so special.
Some of the must-see attractions in southern Iceland include the town of Vik, Reynisfjara Beach, Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss, diamond beach, Jokulsarlon, and the abandoned airplane.
The West Fjords
This is one of the most underrated areas of Iceland, and is known for its dramatic cliffs and puffins. With turquoise waters, volcanoes, and a giant set of waterfalls, the raw nature of the West Fjords make it one of our favorite regions.
The Westfjords have beautiful turquoise waters.
East Iceland
The east of Iceland is definitely the furthest point from Reykjavik, and a lot of tourists don't end up making it over there! However, we highly suggest doing a road trip in Iceland and making it over there, because some of our favorite locations are in the east of Iceland.
A few of the top highlights for us are Studagil Canyon, Hengifoss Waterfall, and the adorable town of Seydisfjordur.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Located on the west of Iceland between Reykjavik and the West Fjords, the Snaefellsnes peninsula is one of the lesser-visited areas of Iceland, but is home to some really beautiful nature.
Some of our favorite spots that you can find here are the iconic Kirkjufell, the cliffs of Hellnar, golden sand beaches, lava fields, a bright yellow lighthouse, and a cute black church.
Akureyri
This is the second largest city in Iceland, and is the main hub for exploring the north of the country. Some of the highlights Akureyri are the amazing thermal baths, breweries, and even a mix of both- a beer spa!
The Highlands
When it comes to mind-blowing landscapes, the highlands are certainly the top of the list.
Located in inland Iceland, this area of the country can only be accessed in the summer by some pretty rough roads.
Some of the highlights of the highlands are the massive rainbow colored mountains, sprawling geothermal springs, and some of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland.
The Westman Islands
If you're looking for a great off-the-beaten path adventure, then the Westman Islands are the perfect place to explore.
We love the Westman Islands for their unique lush green islands surrounding the main island with tiny hunting huts on them, the elephant shaped rock, an iconic black church, and the beautiful rainbow soil of the volcanoes there.
The Westman Islands are a set of unique islands part of Iceland.
Fun Things to Do in Iceland
Now that you know all of the best places to visit in Iceland, it's time to share all of the fun activities that you can sign up for!
💧 Chase Waterfalls
Iceland has over 10,000 waterfalls, all of which are free of charge to visit! There are some truly breathtaking ones, and we actually have chosen our 12 favorite waterfalls for you to add to the top of your list.
Iceland has some of the best waterfalls in the world.
Not driving? Here are some waterfall excursions you can sign up for:
🧖🏻♀️ Soak in Thermal Springs
Iceland is full of hot springs, and with the arctic chill and intense outdoor activities there's no better way to relax!
The most famous set of thermal baths in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon, but there are also so man other great ones scattered around the country that you can choose from.
If you'd like to sign up for a tour that includes thermal baths, make sure to check out some of the options below:
🐧 Look for Puffins
Iceland is home to the cutest birds on the planet! The endangered puffins are a unique sight to see, and in certain parts of Iceland you can experience seeing them, such as the cliffs of Hvallatur, the Westman Islands, or Puffin Island in the north of Iceland.
🧊 Explore Glaciers
Glaciers are melting around the world, but luckily Iceland is full of them! The most popular is Jokulsarlon in the south, but there are actually a lot of incredible glaciers to explore.
In the winter months you can actually trek along the glaciers, and even explore the unique ice caves that are formed! This is one of those activities you can't do on your own for safety reasons, but it really is worth doing at least once in your life.
We trekked Perito Moreno in Argentina and absolutely loved it! Next time we're in Iceland, we'll surely make sure to book ourselves on a glacier trekking experience here as well.
Here are some fun glacier excursions you can sign up for:
🐳 Go Whale Watching
Whale watching is one of the most special experiences in the world, and Iceland is one of the top destinations for it! You can find excursions from all over, where you're almost guaranteed to see these magical creatures up close.
🤿 Snorkel Between Tectonic Plates
Snorkeling is a fun way to explore under the sea. But in Iceland you can actually snorkel between volcanic canyons and experience crystal clear waters at Silfra.
🌌 Watch the Northern Lights
What makes Iceland special in the winter is the incredible show that the sky puts on at night. Go with locals on a tour so that you can find the best spots, and so that you can learn how to photograph them properly.
We visited in the summer, so unfortunately weren't able to do this one, but it is high on our bucket list for the future!
❄️ Go Snowmobiling
Here's another super fun winter activity to add to our Iceland travel guide. Ride around in a snowmobile, and site see in a more unique way than ever before.
🐴 Ride Icelandic Horses
Iceland has some of the most beautiful and unique horses in the world. Meet them, ride them, and explore the beautiful sceneries around them.
🏍 Go On a Quad Bike Safari
There's nothing like exploring on a quad, and these ATV adventures will bring you to some epic spots in a super fun way.
🚣♂️ Go Kayaking
Row in turquoise waters, next to a glacier, or facing an iconic volcano!
🍞 Learn Geothermal Bread Baking
Explore to ancient form of break making in Iceland, and one of the most unique cooking methods in the world!
🚁 Take a Helicopter Tour
With such iconic landscapes around the country, there's no better way to see them than from a bird's eye view. Check out one of these helicopter tours for some of the most incredible views you'll ever see.
🛁 Soak in a Beer Bath
Beer baths are our favorite, and there is actually a really amazing one right in Akureryi. Unfortunately we got there right before they were closing, so we only got to enjoy their scenic brewery while we were there. We suggest heading there early as there are limited spots!
🎣 Go Fishing
Iceland is known for their fresh fish, and these fishing excursions allow you to catch a variety of fish, and some even cook them onboard with you for a tasty lunch.
🛶 Go White Water Rafting
Want a bit more of an intense experience? White water rafting in Iceland is the ultimate activity for the adventure-seekers out there. here are a few of the different options you can try.
🚡 Try Zip Lining
There's no better combo than epic landscapes with adrenaline-pumping activities! Check out these various zip lining experiences you can try around the country.
Iceland Travel Guide: Local Food & Drink
Eating out in Iceland can certainly add up quickly. Being on a tight budget, we decided to do most of our shopping at the supermarkets, and found some great local products that weren't too expensive!
🍣 Icelandic Foods to Try
- Skyr: a very thick Iceland yogurt
- Seafood salads: Typically mayo-based, you can find shrimp, salmon, and other delicious seafood salads for very affordable! We bought these and spread them on fresh baguettes.
- Hardfiskur: a salty dried fish snack (it wasn't our favorite- but worth a try!)
Iceland has excellent seafood, and is big on soups. We definitely suggest trying at least one bowl of fish soup, as it's a great traditional dish (a bowl of soup is around $30, but worth it to try at least once).
One thing we love about Iceland, is that all of the food is super fresh and high quality. It's certainly pricey, but if you can afford it, then it's amazing to be able to dine at all of the cozy restaurants and support the locals.
Another thing to not is that chicken and beef are not local, so they are actually very expensive. The salmon is actually the same price, so enjoy as much salmon as you can while you're there!
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How to Get Around Iceland
The next part of our Iceland travel guide is to help you get around the country. With so many great places to visit in Iceland, it's important to to know the most efficient way of getting around.
🚗 What is the Best Way to Travel Around Iceland?
The best way to travel around Iceland is definitely by renting a car. You can easily do so by booking a car online, and picking it up at the airport.
We wrote an entire guide about renting a car in Iceland which we suggest reading, but one very important thing to note is that it is crucial that you book your car in advance. This is because cars book up quickly, and are much more affordable the earlier you book.
Having a car allows you to explore all of the hidden gems in Iceland.
🚘 Do I Need a Car in Iceland?
Being that Iceland has so much to see, and many of the cool things to do are spread out, having a car really is the most ideal.
If you don't feel comfortable renting a car, you can either join a group trip, or you can use Reykjavik as your home base and do day trips from there to experience the different surrounding areas.
🚕 Is Uber Available in Iceland?
Uber is not available in Iceland. However, you can find taxis in Reykjavik, and there is also an app called Hopp, which is a similar ride sharing service like Uber.
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Iceland Travel Guide: Where to Stay
I've done Iceland twice, and both times I did them very differently. Here are the different options that you can choose:
- Keep Reykjavik as your base and do day trips
- Rent a car and stay at hotels along the way
- Go Camping - either bring a tent, stay in your car, or get an camper van
Of course, each style is very different, and depends largely on your budget and traveling preference.
We loved car camping because it saved us a ton of money, and allowed us to be the most efficient with our time. If you don't want to rent a car, then having Reykjavik will certainly be your best option, and if you want a happy medium but have a larger budget, you can rent a car and stay in hotels or Airbnbs.
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🛌 The Best Areas to Stay in Iceland
Here are some of the top towns or cities where you'll be able to find accommodation:
- Reykjavik: the capital and the most options
- Vik: the most popular town for exploring the south
- Akureyri: the second biggest city, and the hub for exploring the north
- Seyðisfjörður: an adorable town in the east of Iceland
- Hellnar: a cozy seaside village on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
🏨 Unique Hotels in Iceland
Here are a few really cool hotels to visit in Iceland:
- Floating Igloo Hut: hut floating in the middle of a glacier lagoon
- Panorama Glass Lodge: a stunning lodge made completely of glass out in nature
- Iceland Igloo Village: traditional dome-style igloos
- Aurora Igloo: cute glass igloo in the south of Iceland
- Glamping & Camping: adorable barrel style glamping in the Westman Islands
- Golden Circle Domes: luxury domes near the Golden Circle
Glamping & Camping in the Westman Islands
Is Iceland Safe?
When we were traveling around Iceland, we were actually car camping. The number of times we got asked "is that even safe?" was incredible.
For 13 years Iceland has been ranked the number one safest country in the entire world! There is pretty much no crime there at all, and locals and tourists alike have a lot of trust amongst one another.
🌚 Is Iceland Safe to Walk at Night?
Iceland is completely to safe to walk around at night, and if you are planning on visiting Iceland in the summer, it will actually feel exactly the same as the daytime, just with less people around.
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Iceland Travel Guide: Other Things to Know About Traveling in Iceland
Now you have almost all of the info you need for an epic Iceland trip! But we have a few more details to share in our Iceland Travel Guide, so don't go anywhere just yet.
☀️ Weather in Iceland
Most people assume that Iceland is just cold year round. While it is certainly frigid in the winter with a lot of snow, the summer months can actually get quite warm. In August, I even found myself comfortable in a dress and sandals!
The one constant with the weather in Iceland though, is that it is so unpredictable. One moment it can be a bit warm and sunny, and the next minute it can be horribly windy, cold, and rainy.
Winters are long, dark, cold, and snowy, while summers have 24 hours of sunlight, and can have overall much better weather.
📆 What is the Best Month to Go to Iceland?
There are two incredible times to come to Iceland, and it's during the winter, and during the summer.
🥶 Visiting Iceland in the Winter
While the winters can be a bit brutal weather-wise, this is when you'll have the best chance to see the northern lights, and be able to experience glacier hiking. This can be from September to April, but the peak months would be during from November to February.
🌞 Visiting Iceland in the Summer
During the summer you can have the opportunity to experience the Midnight sun, which is truly spectacular.
Summers in Iceland are extremely special, and from the end of June to early August is best for seeing the beautiful lupines, having warmer temperatures, and having hours of golden hour and colorful skies.
This is certainly the most expensive time to visit, and when you'll find the most crowds though. If you'd like to beat the crowds and don't mind a bit more temperamental weather, then you could visiting in early-mid June, or mid-late August.
👗 What to Wear to Iceland
Any Iceland travel guide will tell you to dress comfortable, and warm while in Iceland.
Pretty much all of the activities in Iceland are outside, and due to unpredictable weather you'll definitely want to layer up. With all of the amazing waterfalls in Iceland, you'll also want to bring some waterproof gear with you such as a poncho, rain jacket, and rain boots.
Due to dramatic landscapes, we took a lot of fancy outfits with us to Iceland. Keep in mind these were solely for pictures, and we would only change into these briefly for our photos.
🎒 Packing For a Trip to Iceland
Here are some of the things we definitely suggest bringing with you on your trip to Iceland:
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Steripen as a second-check for clean water
- Umbrella
- Poncho
- Jacket and plenty of layers
- Sneakers or Hiking Boots
- Eye mask (if you are visiting in the summer)
- Lotion or vaseline (our skin got super dry)
- Zippered Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
- Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Standard Lens (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
- Wide Lens to capture great panoramas (we use the Sony GM 14 F1.8)
- Telephoto Lens to capture wildlife (we use the Sony GM 70-200)
- Tripod to get pictures while no one is around or for multiple shots from far away (We use the Rangepod Tripod)
- Drone (Our Mavic Mini 4 Pro held up well even with the strong winds!)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & waterproof)
- Travel Adapter (we use Insignia travel adapters as they are affordable and reliable)
- Case Mate waterproof Phone Pouch for the hot springs (we use Case Mate Phone Pouch)
- Filling Snacks such as protein bars and trail mix (this will save you money and be great for the outdoor activities)
- Travel toiletries (our favorites are from Sheer Alternatives because they're all natural and 100ml)
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🤔 Is it Worthwhile to Visit Iceland?
One thing we're sure every Iceland travel guide will have in common is that it is absolutely worthwhile to visit Iceland!
It is a country with such a variety of landscapes, that you'll truly feel as if you're on a different planet. It's wild and natural, unlike a lot of other beautiful countries which have a ton of infrastructure and feel more like an amusement park.
While it can seem to be a very expensive trip to take, you can also find ways to travel to Iceland or similar countries on a budget.
⏳ How Many Days in Iceland is Enough?
We did 6 days road tripping around Iceland and it was definitely a great amount of time to see a lot of the highlights around the country.
That being said, we definitely would have liked at least a few more days, so that we could have done our trip at a more relaxed pace.
If you are visiting Iceland in the winter, 4-6 days would probably be perfect, as it would be ample time to be able to visit the various hot springs and glaciers around the country.
If you are visiting Iceland in the summer, then we would suggest 7-10 days. This will be perfect to experience the highlights of the Ring Road, West Fjords, Westman Islands, and the Highlands. If you want to explore more slowly or really hit more hidden gems, then you could easily spend two weeks enjoying everything that Iceland has to offer.
We recommend spending at least a week in Iceland.
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We hope you've enjoyed our Iceland travel guide, and that it has greatly helped you to plan your trip to the land of fire & ice!
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