Where To Visit Iceland?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Kirkjufell (Church Mountain)

is the most photographed mountain in Iceland and a natural icon on its own. In a way, it's considered among the most beautiful of Iceland's scenery. Located next to the small town of Grundarfjörður, it rises 463 meters above sea level in an unusual, long, conical shape.

What is the best month to see Iceland?


May and September

are the best time of year to go to Iceland because they offer lower prices and fewer crowds but without the harsh weather conditions found in the winter. Many people worry about whether Iceland is expensive.

Where should I stay in Iceland for the first time?

If you are planning your first visit to Iceland, most likely you want to see the highlights. For many first-timers,

Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, and the south coast

tops the list of places to visit.

Is 3 days enough to visit Iceland?

Iceland is a marvellous country to visit for any length of time, and

even a holiday as short as three days can be maximised

so that this beautiful island will forever be enshrined in your memories.

Is Iceland expensive?

Is Iceland expensive to visit, or is it possible to travel on a tighter budget? According to Numbeo's Cost of Living Index,

Iceland currently ranks as the third most expensive country in the world

. Local banks have also studied the essential travel costs for tourists, and the numbers are staggering.

Is there a black beach in Iceland?

Iceland boasts a number of black awash with silky dark sand including

Diamond Beach on the eastern coast near to Iceland's highest mountain peak Hvannadalshnúkur, and Djúpalónssandur Beach on the west coast near Snæfellsjökull National Park

.

What should you avoid in Iceland?

  • Avoid: Busy and expensive hot springs.
  • Do: Go and find quieter or cheaper hot springs.
  • Avoid: Buying bottled water.
  • Do: Drink from the tap.
  • Avoid: Spending all your time in Reykjavik.
  • Do: Get out and explore the rest of the country.
  • Avoid: Expensive day tours.

How many days in Iceland is enough?


8-12 days

is an ideal amount of time to spend in Iceland as it means you can explore different regions. You could drive around the Ring Road in a full circle to reach the diverse corners of Iceland, from the South Coast to eastern fjords, around North Iceland and over to the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

What is the cheapest month to visit Iceland?

Put simply, the cheapest time of year in Iceland is during its off-peak season; this covers

September to November and January to May

. Visiting Iceland in Autumn or Spring will be kind to your wallet and allow you to visit popular destinations without them being crowded, a win-win!

Is Reykjavik safe?

This year, for the eleventh year running, the Global Peace Index ranked Iceland the safest country in the world, and

Reykjavík, by almost all measures, is consistently ranked one of the top twenty safest capital cities

.

Do they speak English in Iceland?

English has been and continues to be taught as a second language in the schools, so

almost every person in Iceland is fluent in English

. Since Iceland is geographically positioned very close to Eastern Scandinavia, Swedish and Danish are not officially labeled as foreign languages.

What part of Iceland is best to stay?

Because of the access to so many tour options, restaurants, nightlife, services and shopping,

Reykjavik

is arguably the best place to stay in Iceland, particularly if you're only visiting on a short trip like an Icelandair stopover.

Do I have to quarantine if I go to Iceland?

Entry rules for Iceland

All visitors are welcome, regardless of vaccination status, with no requirement to pre-register before visiting. There is no longer a requirement for a PCR test to board aircraft, and

no testing or quarantine upon arrival

.

What should I do on my last day in Iceland?

On your final day in Iceland, what you can do depends on the time you have before your plane departs. If you have an evening flight, you'll have the perfect opportunity to

take a caving tour in Leiðarendi, a lava tube just outside the city, or a whale-watching tour from Reykjavík's Old Harbour

.

How do people spend 4 days in Iceland in winter?

  1. See the northern lights.
  2. Taste some local cuisine.
  3. See the waterfalls in their winter ice “outfits”
  4. Go horseback riding.
  5. Visit a local swimming pool.
  6. Soak in a hot spring.
  7. Stroll around Reykjavik.
  8. Do the Golden Circle.

Is Iceland safe for tourists?


Iceland is not only one of the safest countries in the world

, but it is the safest country in the world and has been every year from 2008 through 2020, according to the Global Peace Index. 1 Petty crime like pickpocketing and robbery is rare, and violent crime is almost non-existent.

Can I use US dollars in Iceland?

Money. Currency: The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic króna (ISK).

Many places (restaurants, bars, tourist attractions) will take US dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish currencies

. Payment: Icelanders usually pay for everything by credit or debit card.

Is the US dollar strong in Iceland?


The dollar also remains strong against the Icelandic krona

, making this island an attractive destination. Natural attractions, such as waterfalls, geysers, sea cliffs, lava fields and the nation's parks, can all be seen for free, adding great value to an already inexpensive trip to Iceland.

Why does Iceland have no trees?

“The main reason is that

the early settlers cut down and burned trees for cattle and charcoal production

, which was a huge industry in Iceland in former times. Forests used to cover around 35% of Iceland's land area, but due to deforestation, we ended up with less than one percent.

Can you find diamonds in Iceland?


The “diamonds” on Iceland's Diamond Beach

refer to pieces of 1,000 year old icebergs that calved off from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, which is an outlet glacier of the largest icecap in Europe – Vatnajökull.

Can you swim in Iceland black sand beach?

Staying Safe at Black Sand Beaches in Iceland


Do not swim in the water

. Do not turn your back on the sea or waves. Do not let children wander the beach unsupervised. Do not climb on icebergs or mounds of ice.

What is illegal in Iceland?

Not only is it illegal to

sell panties, boxers, thongs, and jock straps with the Icelandic flag on them

(that would be disrespectful), it is also illegal to sell or advertise items of foreign origin if the image of an Icelandic flag has been put on them (that would be unpatriotic).

Do Icelanders hate American tourists?

You may be wondering whether Icelanders are friendly or if they hate American tourists. Of course,

Icelanders don't hate tourists

. Iceland has been voted the friendliest country to visit in the world!

What are the dangers in Iceland?

This means that Icelanders have to be prepared for a multitude of natural hazards:

Storms, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and avalanches

. The monitoring of such hazards and an effective system of public warning and response is seen as essential for public safety and welfare.

Do and don'ts in Iceland?
  • Do's. Please be considerate and mindful of the locals. Be open-minded and don't yuck their yum. Rent a car! …
  • Don't. Do not be an ugly tourist and stay safe. DO NOT hike glaciers without a guide. Don't assume their horses are ponies.

Do you need a car to visit Iceland?


Iceland has a good network of bus routes that allow you to see the country without a car

. The key to using public transportation in Iceland outside of Reykjavik is to plan ahead. Check out the map of Iceland's public transportation routes to get a sense of where you can go via bus.

Is Iceland crowded with tourists?

When travelling around Iceland, however, one can clearly see that

Iceland is not overcrowded

. You can, in fact, enjoy large distances of highways or hiking trails without encountering a single soul, even during the high-season summer months.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.