Iceland
Iceland Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
You have probably seen the pictures with waterfalls plunging in deep canyons, ice floating in blue lagoons, and endless fields of lava. Iceland is literally a country of fire and ice. This Iceland travel guide will provide you with all you need to know to plan your trip to Iceland.
Ready to Dive Right In? Explore These Routes
Why Visit Iceland?
Iceland is a place that people want to visit because it has nature that's completely different from the rest of Europe. You can get to Iceland on a short flight from the United Kingdom.
Beautiful Landscape and Natural Wonder
Þingvellir National Park lets you stand between two tectonic plates. Steam rises from geothermal vents, lava fields cover large parts of the countryside, and black sand beaches show how volcanic eruptions have shaped the coast for centuries. Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe and covers about eight percent of Iceland, feeding icy lagoons filled with floating blue ice.
A Playground for Icelandic Adventures
When you travel through Iceland you can spend your days hiking glaciers and riding on Icelandic horses. You can relax in geothermal pools and hunt the northern lights. Summer offers near-constant daylight so you’ll have more time to complete hiking trails and explore the highlands.
ReykjavÃk and Culture
Reykjavik has colourful houses, creative restaurants and stunning modern buildings located in close proximity to each other and the city is easy to explore on foot. HallgrÃmskirkja church rises above the rest of the city, and from the top you get wide views over the rooftops and out towards the sea.
What to do in Iceland
What to do in Iceland? Let's take a look at what you should not miss when visiting Iceland.
Golden Circle and National Parks
The Golden Circle is typically part of any trip of Iceland Visit. This classic route is 300 kilometers and connects Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, geothermal areas and Gulfoss waterfall in a day. The Geysir area has some boiling pools and the Strokkur geyser is a volcano that erupts every few minutes.
Image by Sharon Ang from Pixabay
South Coast and Glaciers
Heading east along the South Coast, you will see even more of the natural power of the country. Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss are two of the most photographed waterfalls. Further on, the black sand beaches near Vik are in sharp contrast to white icebergs floating in Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Image by adriankirby from Pixabay
Unique Routes and Lesser Known Sights
Beyond the Golden Circle, many travellers complete the Ring Road, the main highway that goes around the whole island for about 1,300 kilometres. This route passes fjords, fishing villages and wide open highland views that change by the hour.
Planning a full circle? Read this 1 Week Iceland Road Trip for a complete loop packed with must see stops.
Image by Ludovic Charlet from Pixabay
Geothermal Experiences
The most famous geothermal experience is the Blue Lagoon and is located next to dark lava fields. It is a convenient start or end of a trip to Iceland. Most towns have heated pools with warm water and open air.
Image by Aline Dassel from Pixabay
What to do in Reykjavik
Reykjavik is good as a first stop or last night before flying home. You can visit Harpa Concert Hall, have a walk around the old harbour area and see the modern Icelandic dishes, which focus on local food such as lamb and, of course, seafood. Museums, such as the National Museum of Iceland, give you a good overview of the country’s history from the Viking settlement period to Iceland as we know it today.
Image by Marcel Dominic from Pixabay
Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Many travellers base their entire Iceland visit on a single question: can you see the northern lights in Iceland? The answer is yes, but it is important to take into account timing as well as location. The northern lights can be seen from late August to mid April with the darkest months being from October to March when you have the best chance of seeing the lights. Long nights are your friend here as you want some real darkness not twilight.
Image by Darren Quigley from Pixabay.
Solar activity also plays a part, so checking the Icelandic Meteorological aurora forecast on the day itself is recommended. Areas outside Reykjavik work best such as Thingvellir National Park along the Golden Circle route or on the open landscape of Vik where there is little light pollution.
When Should You Go to Iceland? A Seasonal Comparison
Iceland changes dramatically across the year. Daylight hours, road access and Northern Lights visibility all depend on the season.
Summer: long daylight, best for road trips
Autumn: fewer visitors, early aurora
Winter: Northern Lights and ice caves
Spring: quieter months and increasing daylight
Wondering about the best time to visit Iceland in your situation? We’ve written a complete seasonal guide to Iceland with detailed breakdowns of daylight, weather, road conditions and Northern Lights.
Where to stay in Iceland?
When you are planning a trip to Iceland you have to think about where you want to stay. Iceland is a lot bigger than it looks on a map.
Image by Emma from Pixabay
ReykjavÃk and South Iceland
Reykjavik is the most convenient station for many travellers. It puts you within easy reach of the Golden Circle and the South Coast and there are restaurants, museums and services all close together. From here, day trips to waterfalls and black sand beaches are realistic with no need to change accommodation every night.
South Iceland, including Selfoss, VÃk and the glacier regions in the southeast, works well if you want to see waterfalls and ice lagoons. Staying further east brings you closer to Vatnajökull and some of the country’s most impressive coastal viewpoints.
North Iceland
North Iceland with Akureyri as its main hub is very different from the capital area. Lake Myvatn is nearby with geothermal areas, volcanic craters and bizarre rock formations. This region is nice for road trips around the island to explore more remote terrains.
Westjords and the East
The Westfjords is a paradise for those that enjoy solitude and winding roads. Villages are small, distances are longer. East Iceland does have some fishing towns and fjords, and these are the ones you might miss on a shorter itinerary.
You can figure out where you are going to stop for the night based on the longest drive. It’s a good idea to sleep near the area that you are looking forward to seeing the next day. This makes the morning much easier.
Getting Around in Iceland: A Guide to Iceland’s Roads
How do you travel around in Iceland? Most of the travelers opt for self-drive since there is limited public transport outside the major routes.
How long does it take to drive around Iceland?
The main road, Route 1, circles the country for 1,300 kilometers. In theory, you could drive it in about 17 to 20 hours without major stops, but this defeats the purpose. Most people take seven to ten days to cover the distance so there's time to stand for waterfalls, coastal calls and small towns along the way.
What side of the road does Iceland drive on?
Driving in Iceland means driving on the right hand side of the road. Speed limits are generally 50 kilometers per hour in towns, 80 kilometers per hour on gravel roads and 90 kilometers per hour on paved rural roads.
Do you need a car in Iceland?
For most itineraries the answer is yes. Renting a car enables you to make stops along the way to see viewpoints and to make changes to plans, in case of weather changes, and in locations not covered by standard bus trips.
Check road conditions every day especially in the winter when sections of Icelandic roads close due to snow and wind.
Is it Expensive to Travel to Iceland?
This is a very fair question that people ask before booking flights. Iceland may have a reputation of being expensive, so let’s take a look at the average prices.
Average prices of accommodation and attractions in Iceland
Practical Tips for Traveling Through Iceland
A little preparation goes a very long way here. Here's what our Go-Guided travellers always look out for when travelling through Iceland:
Check road conditions every morning before you drive, weather can change quickly
Pack waterproof layers and sturdy shoes at all times, including summer
Book a car and important accommodation well in advance in peak season
Keep your fuel tank topped up in the event of driving through remote regions
Stay on marked paths, stay near cliffs, lava areas and geothermal spots
Download offline maps before leaving Reykjavik. Mobile signals may fail in rural areas
Ready to Map Out Your Ireland Route?
We hope this Iceland travel guide has given you a clear starting point for your trip. Stay tuned for more inspiration, itineraries and practical tips to help you shape your perfect Iceland adventure. And don’t forget to check out our Go-Guided app, where you can create your own route or use routes shared by other travellers for free!
FAQs About Traveling Through Iceland
Where is Iceland located?
Iceland is situated in the North Alantic Ocean between Greenland and Norway, just below in the Article Circle. It is part of Europe, but more geographically close to Greenland rather than to mainland Europe.
What language do they speak in Iceland?
The official language is Icelandic, which is rooted in Old Norse. English language is widely spoken, therefore communication is not problem for UK visitors.
How long is the flight to Iceland from the UK?
Flights take three hours from London to Keflavik. From Scotland, flight times can be shorter.
What to wear in Iceland?
Layers are the best approach, including the thermal base layers and warm mid layer as well waterproof outer jacket. Durable shoes are required for any weather situation.
Do you need a visa for Iceland?
Iceland is part of the Schengen area. Citizens of the UK can stay with a visa for up to 90 to 180 days. Please check current entry requirements for Iceland before you travel.
Is there Uber in Iceland?
Uber is not operating in Iceland. However Taxes are available in cities, but that can be expensive, that is why many visitors rent a car.