A Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, very volcanically and geologically active. The interior consists of a plateau of sand and lava fields, mountains, and glaciers. Many glacial rivers flow from the highlands in the centre of the island to the sea through the lowlands creating some jaw-dropping scenary. Iceland is known as “the land of fire and ice”, thanks to some of the largest glaciers in Europe and some of the world´s most active volcanoes. It is also a land of contrasts, light and darkness, due to the long summer days with near 24 hours of sunshine are offset by short winter days with only a few hours of daylight.
Steenaire from San Francisco, USA, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The warmer months, from mid-May until end September, offer long days and pleasant weather is more frequent, making this period the most popular with tourists. June, with its 24 hours of daylight, sees the peak of tourists affluence. Nevertheless, it worth noting that the key aspect of Icelandic weather is that, even during these season, bad weather with rain and intense winds is not uncommon. Iceland remains relatively warm (considering its latitude) until end of September or beginning of October, so planning a September visit can be ideal if you appreciate fewer crowds and cheaper prices. May, just before the high season starts, provides ample daylight for exploring and warm temperatures, but if you’re keen on exploring some of the more remote areas such as the highliands, it may not be the best time to visit, as some roads may remain closed due to snow until June.
There is, however, another side of Iceland that can only be discovered during the winter months. Iceland offers prime opportunities for enjoying northern lights, exploring ice caves and glacier hiking. Given that December sees almost no daylight, it is worth considering the months of February and March to make the most of your trip during the winter season. Also, taking a dip in one of the many hot spring pools in Iceland is even more pleasant during the cold winter months, and more importantly, far quieter, although the natural pools in more remote areas may not be accessible.
Snorkelling and Diving: the best time to dive would be April to October. During June you may be able to do a midnight sun dive. The water temperature and visibility are relatively stable across the year. Water temperature ranging from 4ºC all the way up to 10ºC.
Marine wildlife: the peak months for whale watching are June and July. In northern Iceland, you will have a wider window to enjoy visits from humpbacks, minkes, and dolphins, which ply the Atlantic from May to August; a few humpbacks even stick around until the end of the year. Blue whales pass through in the summer, too.
Birdwatching: the best time for a birdwatching trip is definitely late May to early June when all migrants have arrived and birds are very conspicuous, defending their territories. At this time of year there is also 24-hour daylight so the very keen can stay out round the clock. 12 million Atlantic Puffins nest on the cliffs and islands of the country and from May to September there is plenty of locations to get close sightings of these birds.
Hiking and other outdoor activities: the country is home to some of the most diverse landscapes in the world. Summer is the main hiking season in Iceland. During this time of year, the weather is pleasant and the valleys and forests are in full bloom. You can expect temperatures ranging between 10-20°C, with the highlands being the only exception. Even in the summer, the Highland region can reach near-freezing temperatures. The chances of encountering bad weather are lowest between June and August so this season is your best bet for exploring the Icelandic outdoors.
Northern lights: the best way to optimize your chances of seeing the northern lights in Iceland is by visiting from late September to late March, it is dark after 6 pm, and one enjoys maximum chances. In November, December, and January, the nights are the darkest, allowing you to start seeking the aurora borealis from mid-afternoon and continue until nearly noon the next day if you are so inclined.
Arctic foxes: Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, an isolated peninsula in the northwestern corner of Iceland, is the best place to spot Arctic Foxes. It is possible to see foxes in other parts of the country, but it is considered quite rare. Icelandic summer nights are the right time to see Arctic Foxes. During the daytime, they stay in and around their dens. But at night, the foxes are more active and visible. It should be noted that organised trips to Hornstrandir occur only in May, June, July and occasionally August; for “winter shoots”, where the white fur is crucial, further planning will have to be made in advance.
The Icelandic Króna is the official currency. Typically 110 to 160 krona per Euro and 100 to 140 krona per US Dollar.
Icelandic is the official language of Iceland and it derives from a North Germanic language similar to Old Norse that has changed little since Iceland’s Viking history. Most Icelanders know and speak English though, since it’s a mandatory subject in primary schools, and many Icelanders are multilingual in other Nordic or European languages.
Iceland is an associate member of the Schengen Agreement, which exempts travellers within the 26 EU countries from visa border controls. For nationals from outside the Schengen area, a valid passport is required for at least three months beyond date of entry. For information on passport and visa requirements as well as the Schengen area regulations, visit the website of the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration.
Credit and debit cards are very common forms of payment for people who travel to Iceland. In fact, locals rarely use cash since most merchants accept credit and debit cards even for small purchases. VISA and MasterCard are the major credit cards in Iceland: both are serviced by all banks in the country. ATMs are the most practical and reliable way to get cash at fair exchange rates. Upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport, you will easily find ATMs and the currency exchange desk, both run by Landsbanki Íslands, which has fair exchange rates. ATMs are found in most villages around Iceland, though not all are accessible 24 hours.
The shopping hours in Iceland can vary, but most shops are open between 09:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Friday, usually with shorter opening times during the weekends. In general hours tend to be longer during the summer months and shorter from September to May. Bars and restaurants generally open from 10am to 1am and 3am to 9 or 10pm, while supermarkets do typically open from 9am to 9pm.
Time: Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), or UTC +0, and does not adjust to daylight savings time.
Reykjavik Keflavik Airport located in the western part of Iceland, close to the town of Keflavik and at 50 kilometers from the capital Reykjavik, is Iceland only international airport. Most domestic flights depart from Reykjavik Airport, located much closer to the city, and reaches a number of domestic airports around the country.
Public transport is expensive and limited to buses but relatively efficient. It consists of the national bus company Straeto and several private companies like SBA Nordurleid, Reykjavik Excursions, Sterna which often cooperate (e.g. by setting similar prices or sharing vehicles). The buses drive daily during the period approximately from 1st of May to 15th of October and less frequently in the cold season. You can buy a “bus passport” from one of the private companies mentioned to travel all over Iceland by buses as you like or you can buy for each travel separately. In the interior special truck buses are utilized and therefore also the prices are higher. The ticket for the city bus costs 400 ISK (2.6 €, 3 $) and it allows you unlimited number of transfers within 75 minutes of the purchase. The tickets can be purchased on the bus
If you are more than one person travelling longer distances (more than 90km), it might be cheaper to rent a car. The rent-a-car prices differ but if you are travelling on a budget, you should be able to rent a standard 4×2 car for around 10.000 ISK (64 €, 78 $) per day. A company called Friend in Iceland offers good prices and friendly service. Please note that the interior of Iceland cannot be reached by an ordinary car, you will need a 4×4 vehicle and good driving skills in order to travel safely there.
Campervans in Iceland are another option and a popular way to travel around Iceland at your pace. Iceland’s Route 1, or the Ring Road as it is popularly known, is an excellent and almost entirely paved two-lane road. With the exception of a small gravel section in the East Fjords, any type of vehicle is suitable for completing the round tour around Iceland during the summer months. Iceland F-roads, typically servicing more remote areas such as the Highlands, require 4×4 vehicles. There are some 4×4 campervans with roof tents that are suitable for F-roads and the Highlands. Please note that rental companies know what they are talking about when they specify that a particular vehicle is not suitable for F-road conditions, so do not drive on these roads unless you feel prepared and have an appropriate vehicle. Most highland roads are closed until the end of June or longer due to wet, muddy conditions that make the roads impassable. When opened, most of these roads are only suitable for 4×4 vehicles. This link provides relatively up to date information about the current conditions on the roads in Iceland.
Ferries in Iceland operates a ferry service between Iceland and Demark from late March through late October, with stopovers in the Faroe Islands. Within Iceland, numerous ferry services connect the mainland with nearby islands, such as Videy (near Reykjavik) and Heimaey in the Westman Islands (in the southwest).
It is illegal to go off-roading in Iceland, the environment is very delicate and off-roading can destroy the fragile environment.
Be sure to place all rubbish in the bins at campsites, if there’s not a rubbish bin around, take your rubbish with you until you can dispose of it properly.
Stopping in the middle of the road.
Buying bottled water, the tap water in Iceland is as clean as water can get, so save your money and spare the environment by using a refillable water bottle instead of stocking up on bottled water.
For centuries, Icelanders had not choice but to maintain a simple diet that reflected the harsh natural circumstances in which they lived. Nowadays, thanks to technological developments, things are very different and you can find almost anything your culinary heart desires. Important parts of Icelandic cuisine are lamb, dairy, and fish, the latter due to the fact that Iceland has traditionally been inhabited only near its coastline. Other local ingredients include seabirds and waterfowl (including their eggs), salmon and trout, crowberry, blueberry, rhubarb, Iceland moss, wild mushrooms, wild thyme, lovage, angelica, and dried seaweed.
The main dishes are: “Skyr”(made from pasteurized skim milk and a bacteria culture, it’s technically a type of soft cheese, but it tastes more like Greek yoghurt with a milder flavor), “Harðfiskur”(made from cod, haddock or wolffish which is dried in the cold Iceland air until it’s cured by bacteria, locals eat it as a high protein snack or doused in salt and butter), “Rúgbrauð”(icelandic rye bread, traditionally baked in a pot that’s buried in the ground next to a bubbling hot spring, the resulting bread is dark brown, dense, spongy and tastes quite sweet), “Hangikjöt”(smoked lamb, it is consumed as a warm dish, traditionally served with cooked potatoes, bechamel sauce, peas, and pickled red cabbage), “Plokkfiskur”(is the national stew in Iceland, a simple but tasty mix of cooked and mashed fish, typically cod, flour, milk, potatoes and onions, seasoned with salt and pepper).
Power converters may be required for small electrical appliances depending on where you’re visiting from as Iceland uses Northern European electrical standards (50 Hz/220 volts) and uses the standard Europlug socket with two round prongs (types “C” and “F”).
There is a medical center or hospital in all major cities and towns in Iceland. Citizens of EEA countries must bring their EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card), otherwise they will be charged in full. Non-EEA citizens are not covered by the EEA regulations and will be charged in full, so a trave insurance policy covering any medical treatment costs may be recommended if you are practicing dangerous sports. Additional vaccinations beyond those typically administered to all individuals are not required to enter Iceland.
The cost of service is included in all prices at restaurants, hotels, taxis, etc, so tipping is therefore not customary in Iceland, but is nonetheless appreciated when offered. Iceland is a scarcely populated country that has become a popular tourist destination, therefore, it can difficult to find accommodation or rental cars in the high season, so book well ahead.