Iceland
Dramatic volcanoes, powerful waterfalls, cute fishing towns, and stunning glaciers. Iceland is the outdoor adventure you always dreamed it would be, and then some.
Places to Visit in Iceland
Start With These…
With six visits to Iceland under my belt, I’ve gained a deep knowledge of the Land of Fire and Ice. Below are some of my top starting points for you to plan the best possible trip.
An Essential Iceland Packing List for All Seasons
All My Articles About Iceland
A Complete Guide to Visiting Iceland During the Off-Season
Exploring Eldfell: An Intriguing Volcano on the Westman Islands
My 16 Favorite Photography Spots in Reykjavík, Iceland
My Favorite Experiences in Iceland
The Westman Islands
One of Iceland’s true hidden gems and a summer puffin paradise.
Viewing Reykjavík From Above
Visit Hallgrímskirkja for the best view of Iceland’s capital.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Explore Iceland in a nutshell with stunning landscapes and more.
Planning Your Trip to Iceland
The Land of Fire and Ice is top of many people’s bucket lists, and for good reason. This island in the North Atlantic Ocean is an outdoor-lover’s paradise, with astonishingly diverse nature. From volcanoes to waterfalls and lava fields, Iceland has it all.
Iceland has a handful of international entry points:
- Keflavík Airport (KEF): KEF is Iceland’s main international airport, and where you’ll probably arrive when visiting by air. Keflavík Airport is 45 minutes from Reykjavík by car or bus.
- Seyðisfjörður: This town in the Eastfjords welcomes the ferry from Denmark and the Faroe Islands. From here, you can continue your onward journey by car or fly from Egilsstaðir to Reykjavík.
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Though mainly used for domestic flights, you can get direct flights from London to Akureyri. Moreover, you can fly from Akureyri to Greenland.
You can fly to Keflavík from Europe and North America, with direct flights from New York City, Toronto, London, and many other destinations.
When to Visit Iceland
Iceland offers plenty of memorable experiences year-round. The Northern Lights are visible from September to April, while the Midnight Sun is visible in June and July.
The shoulder seasons are better for cheaper airfares and accommodation. If you visit in September and April, you’ll have good daylight hours for some nice road trips—though the weather might not always play fair.
Summer is the best time to visit Iceland if you want to see puffins. This time of the year also brings many other birds to the country, including Arctic Terns and the Great Skua. You should also visit Iceland in summer if you want to visit the Westfjords and Highlands; the Highlands are inaccessible throughout the rest of the year, while the Westfjords are very difficult to reach outside the summer.
For Reykjavík and the Golden Circle, you can visit year-round.
Practical Information
Money
Iceland uses the Icelandic Króna (ISK). I have only needed cash once on six trips to the country; Visa and Mastercard are accepted pretty much everywhere. 1,000 ISK is around $7.80. To save money on exchange fees, I recommend using Wise.
Safety
Iceland is an incredibly safe country, and violent crime is very rare. Keeping an eye on your belongings in Downtown Reykjavík is wise, but even then, petty crime is very low compared to other countries.
Iceland’s natural environment poses a greater threat to your safety, and respecting it is vital.
- Weather: The weather can change at any time; be prepared and dress in layers.
- Glaciers and Ice Caves: Never hike on glaciers or enter ice caves without an experienced guide.
- Hiking: Many hikes are summer-only, and when you do hike, you should only do routes within your skill level.
- River Crossings: Never attempt river crossings if you don’t know what you’re doing.
- Off-Road Driving: Do not drive off-road (i.e., any F-roads) unless you have a 4-wheel drive. Doing so without the right car is illegal.
- Volcanoes: Don’t visit active eruption sites unless you have a guide or it’s been confirmed safe to do so. For example, you should NOT visit the eruption site near Grindavík.
- Driving: Driving in Iceland is generally safe, but some roads may be slippery in the winter. Moreover, you should note that you’ll be driving in the dark on much of the Ring Road from November to February.
An Important Note About Iceland’s Black Sand Beaches…
I also need to make a BIG point about Iceland’s black sand beaches (e.g., Reynisfjara). The waves here, known as sneaker waves, are incredibly dangerous. If you get dragged out to sea, you’re cooked. Your chances of surviving are very low; several people have died at these beaches.
Stay away from the water, and avoid any parts of the sand that are wet. Even then, you should still stand further back. Never turn your back on the sea, either.
Language and Culture in Iceland
Iceland’s official language is Icelandic, which is closely related to Old Norse. Though it has some similarities with Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian, it is not mutually intelligible with any of these.
Some useful Icelandic phrases to know before you travel are:
- Hæ/Halló: Hello (informal)
- Góðan Daginn/Góðan Kvöld: Hello (more formal)
- Já/Nei: Yes/No
- Bless/Bless Bless: Goodbye
- Takk/Takk Fyrir: Thank you
- Afsakið: Sorry/Excuse me
- Talar þú (pronounced ‘thoo’) ensku?: Do you speak English?
While Icelandic is challenging to learn, many Icelanders speak English pretty well. You’ll have no problems communicating along the main tourist routes, and while things might be more challenging in rural areas, many locals will still understand basic English.
Icelandic culture shares many similarities with the other Nordic countries. Personal space is respected here, and people tend not to talk to strangers. However, Icelanders are friendly and happy to help if you need assistance.
Thanks in part to its stunning landscapes, Icelandic people are very active. Soccer, hiking, handball, and CrossFit are all popular activities.
Iceland’s population has grown significantly in recent years, which is largely due to its admirable recovery after the 2008 financial crisis. The population is closing in on 400,000; as of 2025, just under 390,000 people call Iceland home. Around 17% of Iceland’s population are foreign citizens.
Getting Around Iceland
Iceland does not have a train network, but it does have a network of long-distance buses. As a tourist, renting your own car is by far the easiest way to get around most parts of the country. Some islands, such as the Westman Islands, are connected by ferry.
Driving in Iceland
Iceland’s Ring Road, also known as Route 1, connects much of the country and is a popular tourist route. The road is 1,322 kilometers (820 miles) in total and goes past many of Iceland’s main attractions, such as Skógafoss. If you plan to drive the whole Ring Road, I recommend allocating at least 10 days to truly enjoy it—and ideally, closer to 2-3 weeks. When driving in Iceland, you will drive on the right.
While the Snæfellsness peninsula is not on the Ring Road, you don’t need a 4×4 vehicle unless you plan to drive on the F roads here. Having one might be a good idea in winter, though, as road conditions often aren’t as good.
Speed Limits in Iceland
If you’re driving in urban areas, the speed limit is normally 30 to 50 km/h (19 to 31 mph); in Downtown Reykjavík, the speed limit is 30 km/h.
When driving elsewhere, the speed limit is 80 km/h (c. 50 mph) on gravel roads, 90 km/h (55 mph) on paved roads, and 60 km/h (37 mph) on throughways. Speed limits are strictly enforced; you’ll find speed cameras in multiple locations, and fines for exceeding the speed limit are hefty. This useful document has more information about speed limits and driving safely in Iceland.
Don’t be afraid to drive slower in certain conditions. We’ve done this multiple times when encountering fog and other adverse weather.
F Roads
Iceland has a number of F roads, which are unpaved and typically in rural areas. You’ll find numerous F roads in the Highlands and Westfjords, in particular.
Driving on F roads without a 4-wheel drive is illegal, so if you plan to visit these, make sure that you rent the right vehicle. Keep in mind that many F roads are closed for much of the year; you can only access the Highlands for part of the summer, for example.
You may have to cross rivers when driving on F roads in Iceland. For the bigger ones, you’ll need a larger 4-wheel drive. Note that rental companies do not insure damage caused to cars when crossing rivers in Iceland.
Road Closures in Iceland
Iceland’s weather is often harsh, and road closures can occur year-round; you should prepare for them even more if you visit during the off-season. You can find a map of all open and closed roads in Iceland here.
How to Rent a Car in Iceland
Many major rental companies operate in Iceland. For our April 2024 trip, we used Hertz and picked up our car from Keflavík Airport. Parking in Downtown Reykjavík is annoying if your hotel doesn’t have complimentary parking, so you might also want to consider picking up your rental from Reykjavík when you’re ready to head out into nature. If you choose to do that, you can get an airport transfer from Keflavík Airport.
Flying Around Iceland
While expensive, several domestic flights operate in Iceland. Whereas you’ll arrive in Keflavík Airport when traveling from Europe and North America, Reykjavík Domestic Airport serves flights throughout the country. You can fly to Akureyri, Ísafjörður, Egilsstaðir, and many other towns.
Flying may also be a viable option if you plan to visit Grímsey—the only part of Iceland above the Arctic Circle. If you fly in Iceland, prepare for potential cancellations during the off-season; I had a flight to Akureyri canceled last-minute due to a blizzard on a 2021 visit.
Long-Distance Buses
Long-distance buses connect several towns in Iceland, making them a viable option if you’re visiting without a car. In many cases, you need to book in advance; you can read more here.
I don’t recommend using long-distance buses unless you have the time to play by their schedule. Even then, I still don’t think it’s the best option. You often can’t get direct services to where you want to go; for example, you need to change in Selfoss when traveling from Reykjavík to Vík. If you’re not driving, basing yourself in Reykjavík and booking tours is—in my opinion—a better option.
Public Transport in Urban Areas
Reykjavík has a comprehensive bus network that will get you to most places in the Capital Region. It’s pretty efficient; if you want to save some money on accommodation, consider staying outside of Downtown Reykjavík and getting the bus into town.
To buy bus tickets for the Capital Region, you’ll need to use the Klappið app (available on iOS and Android). If you’re visiting Akureyri, you can hop on the free city bus to get to where you need to go.
Ferry
You can reach islands like Heimaey and Grímsey by ferry; you should book these in advance. Ferries are typically well-run, affordable, and comfortable. You’ll often be able to bring your car on board.
If you’re visiting Reykjavík between June and August, you can take the ferry to nearby Viðey.
Tours
If you’re visiting Iceland without a car, I recommend basing yourself in Reykjavík (or Akureyri) and taking guided tours. You can take tours to many tourist hotspots, such as the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and Snæfellsnes.
Tours mean that you’ll have less time in each area, but they at least provide an opportunity to see some of Iceland’s most stunning sights.
Food
I truly believe that Icelandic cuisine is the most underrated in Europe, especially if you like seafood. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t all fermented either. Reykjavík has several excellent seafood restaurants, and you can enjoy lobster soup, fish and chips, and much more.
In addition to seafood, lamb is a popular dish in Iceland. Rye bread is also a staple; it typically tastes sweeter than what you’re used to. Skyr has successfully been exported globally, meanwhile, and is hailed for its high-protein content.
Iceland has several bakeries, such as Brauð & Co. in Reykjavík and Hjá Góðu Fólki on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Definitely stop at some of these while you’re traveling around the country.
Entry Requirements
While Iceland is not in the EU, it is in the Schengen Area and EEA. Citizens of the EU, Nordics, EEA, and Switzerland can stay for up to 90 days without any special visas.
You can stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period if you’re from the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many other countries. In some cases, you will need a visa to visit Iceland. Your visa requirement may depend on other factors, such as whether you have a residence permit in another Schengen country. You can check whether you need a visa to visit Iceland on this page.
Suggested Iceland Itineraries
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