The Ultimate Iceland Travel Guide (Iceland Travel Tips)

Welcome to the Iceland travel guide!

Visiting Iceland had always been at the top of my bucket list, and this summer my husband and I made it happen.

We rented a camper van and did the #vanlife thing for 8 days, while we explored all over Iceland.

Although we love the outdoors, we’d never done anything like that before.

I mean… we enjoy our comfort. My husband, especially. (He even brought his memory foam pillow from home, lol.)

Of course, the land of fire and ice truly had us in awe.

From volcanoes to glaciers, with waterfalls and hot springs in between… it’s the most unique country we’ve been to so far!

That said, taking on an adventure like this can be overwhelming.

That’s why I’ve put together this Iceland travel guide!

Here, you’ll find everything you need to start planning your trip.

Let’s dive in!

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Before You Go…

Language: Icelandic, but English is widely spoken- especially in touristy areas

Currency: Icelandic króna (ISK)

Size: 39,769 mi² (roughly the size of Kentucky)

Credit Cards and ATMs: Iceland is a very modern country, and credit/debit cards are used to pay for almost everything. That means you don’t have to worry about carrying around cash.

Budget: Iceland can be very expensive, as it’s a remote island country where many things have to be imported.

When To Visit Iceland

Being such a nature-focused destination, there are amazing sights to take in all year long in Iceland.

Each season also provides very different activities and experiences. That means the best time to visit will depend on what you’re interested in.

As you can see above, Iceland’s temperatures are probably more mild than you’d expect. This is due to the country’s geography and geothermal activity.

However, keep in mind that the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable no matter the season. It also varies depending on where you are on the island.

It’s a running joke in Iceland that “if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes,” so it’s important to be prepared for anything!

Summer

By far the most popular time to visit Iceland, summer blesses visitors with generally warmer weather and the incredible midnight sun.

This eternal daylight makes summer the perfect time for endless exploring! It greatly increases the amount of amazing things you can do in a day, and means certain areas that closed for the winter are now accessible.

I think summer is the best time to visit Iceland on your first trip. The long days give you a chance to see as many sights as you can, and the good weather makes traveling through the country all that much easier.

Of course, that also comes with the highest prices and crowds.

As far as crowds, you can expect them at the most popular spots, and mostly during the day.

Other than that, there are so many ways to get off the beaten path, that it’s actually pretty easy to feel like you have the country to yourself.

Pro tip: The midnight sun is best experienced in June and July. It peaks on the summer solstice, usually around June 21st. I visited Iceland August 13-August 21, and unfortunately was too late to see the midnight sun. But, I still got to experience very long days, while still saving some money.

Spring and Fall

Both spring and fall can be wonderful seasons to visit Iceland, mainly because of the reduced prices and crowds.

During these months, expect anything from snow, sleet, and rain, to bright sunny days. You might even have a chance to catch the northern lights.

In the fall, you could witness Iceland’s dramatic fall colors. Alternatively, spring brings blooming plants and new energy as winter melts away.

If you’re traveling on a tight budget, consider visiting during the shoulder months of May or September.

This can greatly reduce accommodation and flight costs, while still giving you plenty of daylight and good weather.

Winter

This time of year is when you’ll see the coldest temperatures and the shortest days.

Around Christmastime, think only 4-5 hours of daylight!

Fortunately, Iceland is filled with twinkling holiday lights at this time, as well as the breathtaking northern lights.

Winter is also the ideal time to explore natural ice caves, and soak in natural hot springs surrounded by beautiful blankets of snow.

On the other hand, that snow can make road tripping and accessing certain areas more difficult.

Also, November through February is considered the low season in Iceland, and definitely the most affordable time to visit.

How To Get To & Around Iceland

Iceland’s main international airport is Keflavík Airport, located just outside of the country’s capital Reykjavík.

There, you’ll likely want to rent a car or vehicle to help you explore.

In this Iceland travel guide, I’ll show you how to make the most of your trip, no matter how long it is!

Spending at least a week in Iceland?

If you’re visiting Iceland for at least 7 days, I recommend road tripping the Ring Road, which is the highway that circles all the way around the country.

Driving the Ring Road is THE thing to do in Iceland. In fact, most of Iceland’s most famous sights are stops on the Ring Road.

This is why renting a camper van and road tripping is so popular here. It’s the best way to see many of the country’s most amazing places.

By renting a camper van, you’re combining the cost of your lodging and transportation, which is a great way to save money.

The van will also typically come with a camp stove, giving you the ability to cook your own meals. This cuts down the cost of eating out, which can REALLY add up in Iceland.

On top of that, you have the added flexibility of being able to adjust your itinerary as you go, without being tied to hotel reservations.

If that all sounds great to you, but you might want a little more space and comfort, spring for an RV!

The most budget-friendly option is to car camp. Whether you rent a car and camping gear, a car with a roof tent, or simply camp in the back of your car, the options are endless.

This was a little too roughing it for our taste, haha!

If camping isn’t your thing, you can choose to rent a car and book hotels all along your route.

Although this will require more strict planning, as well as a bigger budget, this is certainly the most comfortable way to visit Iceland!

Spending a few days in Iceland?

You can definitely visit Iceland for just a few days, too!

A great way to visit Iceland is actually on a stopover across the Atlantic. Depending on your flight, you may even be able to do this with no extra charge.

Or, maybe you simply don’t have the time or budget to stay in Iceland for an entire week.

There’s still so much you can do!

I suggest booking a hotel in Reykjavik, and making that your home base. From there, you can explore the city and take some really cool day trips.

Do you need 4WD in Iceland?

If you’re visiting in the summer, or just exploring around Reykjavik, 2WD is generally completely fine.

The exception is if you want to visit the Highlands, which is the interior of the country.

These roads are marked as F Roads, and 4WD is required to drive on these roads.

This is because they are very poorly maintained, full of gravel and potholes, and some even include river crossings.

It’s also recommended to have 4WD if visiting in the winter. Not every road is maintained in the winter, and it’s best to have 4WD in snowy and icy conditions outside the city.

Other than those situations, 2WD will serve you well all throughout the Ring Road, the Golden Circle, and more.

What To Do In Iceland

If you want my in-depth list of the BEST things to do in Iceland, you should head over to my 20 Best Things To Do In Iceland post.

But I’ll show you some of the highlights here!

Road Trip the Ring Road

Route 1, or the Ring Road, is the highway that circles all around the country of Iceland.

Driving the Ring Road is THE thing to do in Iceland. In fact, most of Iceland’s most famous sights are stops on the Ring Road.

On the way, you’ll visit massive waterfalls, take in sweeping vistas, and stop through the adorable towns of Vik and Seydisfjordur.

If you have at least 7 days to spend in Iceland, I highly recommend doing this road trip!

Drive the Golden Circle

If you only have a few days in Iceland, fret not. You can still see some really beautiful places by visiting the Golden Circle.

You can take one of many tours that leave from Reykjavik, or you can easily drive yourself.

Some of the highlights on the Golden Circle include Thingvellir National Park, the waterfall Gullfoss, and the geyser Strokkur.

Explore Reykjavik

Iceland’s capital is one of my favorite cities I’ve visited. It’s a big enough city to have nice amenities and places to eat, while still being very charming.

I recommend walking around the downtown area, as there are lots of nice restaurants and shops to check out.

For the BEST food in Iceland, definitely eat at Kröns Street Food. Also, if you want to pick up a locally made Icelandic sweater, you must visit the Handknitting Association of Iceland shop.

Of course, the iconic church Hallgrímskirkja is worth a visit. There, you can pay to take an elevator ride to the top, which offers beautiful views of the city and the harbor.

Chase Waterfalls

Did you know Iceland has over 10,000 waterfalls?

A few of the most popular are Dettifoss, Skogafoss, and Seljalandsfoss.

Pro tip: Did you know that you should NEVER pay for water in Iceland?

Iceland’s water is so clean that it’s perfectly fine to drink from the tap.

Not only that, it’s usually ok to drink straight from the stream! It often coming straight from the glacier.

Only tourists that don’t know any better buy water bottles. 😉

Soak in the Blue Lagoon

Probably one of the most iconic activities here, visiting the Blue Lagoon is definitely one of the best things to do in Iceland.

Here, the water is geothermally heated to the perfect temperature, and the silica and other minerals in the water are said to be great for your skin.

Also, each reservation includes a complimentary first drink and a mud mask, which is a nice touch.

Pro tip: LADIES! I HIGHLY recommend tying your hair up into a high bun! Or else, the silica in the water will make your hair extremely knotty and you will be untangling your hair for days lol.

Blue Lagoon reservations: bluelagoon.com

What To Pack For Iceland

Being prepared for any type of weather, no matter the season, is really the name of the game in Iceland. Especially if you’re going to be doing lots of outdoors activities.

That means layers, waterproof clothing, and a beanie and parka– yes, even in the summer!

Also, a rain jacket is an absolute must when visiting Iceland.

Although it actually didn’t rain a single day on my trip, I wore my rain jacket almost every day.

This is because there are SO many waterfalls to visit, with LOTS of spray!

Another essential is a reusable water bottle.

Now that you know how clean Iceland’s water is, make sure to fill up your water bottle at any chance you get!

Next, I highly recommend heading over to my Iceland Packing List post, so you don’t forget anything!

Happy travels!

That’s it for this Iceland travel guide! Got any questions? Let me know in the comments! xo

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Posted By: Arabella · In: europe, iceland, travel