Smack dab in the midst of the Atlantic sits a tiny, sparsely populated, snow-covered island that has soared to the highest of the collective world travellers’ bucket listing.
With so many surreal landscapes and pure wonders deeply shrouded in Viking mythology, it’s exhausting to know the place to start planning. And since we’ve been across the Ring Street a time or two, we’ve amassed an arsenal of property, from journey anecdotes to packing lists to must-sees and might’t-misses that can enable you to determine if this Nordic nation deserves a prime spot in your wishlist, too. Right here’s every little thing you want to know earlier than you journey to Iceland.
Desk of Contents
Experiences in Iceland
Whether or not you propose on fording the fjords, tackling a glacier climb or just bouncing between bistros in Reykjavik, Iceland has loads of experiences to fulfill these seeking a cold-blooded journey.
Extra on experiences in Iceland:
Prime 12 Issues to Do in Iceland
Land of Hearth & Ice: Iceland Geography & Geology
Cast by intense geological exercise, Iceland is a land of dramatic extremes the place steaming energetic volcanoes, icy-blue glaciers, boiling geysers and frigid waterfalls exist facet by facet. Though this difficult terrain is a dream for outside adventurers, it would simply be the nation’s dozens of geothermal springs, or scorching pots because the locals name ’em, that appeal to guests from close to and much seeking much-needed winter warm-up.
Geological marvels await:
Iceland Waterfalls Information
Photograph Essay from Iceland Specific Tour
6 Sizzling Springs in Iceland
Wonders of the World: Northern Lights in Iceland
The world’s most spectacular pure mild present, the Aurora Borealis is a phenomenon that may enchant even probably the most seasonal affective disordered soul. The possibilities of recognizing the ethereal lights improve within the colder months, with vibrant, dancing patterns that provide a quick respite from the lengthy, darkish nights of winter. Earlier than your epic pursuit begins, take a look at our assets on the Northern Lights.
Aurora hunters assemble:
What to Count on on an Iceland Tour
Northern Lights Excursions
Iceland Actions
From the traditional Golden Circle path to the black sand seashores of the South Coast and the otherwordly mud-scape of the steamy Blue Lagoon, Iceland’s actions are as various as its landscapes.
Itinerary worthy actions:
Seasons in Iceland
Though you’d assume Iceland’s seasons have been one thing like ice, icier and iciest, this Arctic nation does, in truth, have 4 distinct seasons in addition to a excessive season and low season for tourism. Crowds are typically thinner within the shoulder months of Could and October, and Autumn could be a significantly magical time to go to. Though days are getting drastically shorter, the windblown landscapes are speckled with crimson and yellow, and early sunsets will depart the surroundings bathed in heat, golden mild. With alternatives to go attempting to find the Aurora Borealis in winter and social gathering all night time beneath the summer time’s Midnight Solar, there actually is not any mistaken time to go to Iceland.
Learn extra about Iceland’s seasons:
Iceland Winter Journey Information
Intrepid Buyer Experiences in Iceland
We wish to assume the landscapes converse for themselves, however often, our clients have phrases that paint a vacation spot completely. Try what Intrepid travellers should say about their journey to Iceland.
Hear what Intrepid clients should say:
Iceland Journey Critiques
An Intrepid Traveler Will get Married on an Iceland Journey
What Occurred After I Travelled to Iceland with Mum
Expertise it for your self
About Iceland
Tradition & Customs
Regardless of dwelling within the shadows of a protracted, darkish winter for a lot of the yr, Icelanders proceed to search out themselves on the prime of the UN’s ‘World Happiness Report.’ As a result of when the times are quick and the wind is whipping, there’s nothing like social gathering to instill some cheer. Icelandic individuals have robust delight of their nation, and a number of other festivals all year long rejoice the nation’s Scandinavian heritage with an emphasis on Viking mythology. A visit to Iceland throughout Thorrablot or the Viking Competition will provide you with an insider take a look at this Nordic nation’s tradition.
Be taught to social gathering Iceland-style:
What Festivals are Celebrated in Iceland
Folklore & Historical past
A large island-shaped whale that feasts on fishermen, simply offended elves with revenge fantasies, child-hungry trolls and a horse with backwards hooves luring riders to their deaths… these terrifying tales are greater than only a darkish and twisted parallel universe of Mom Goose; they’re devices of survival. With such a harsh and difficult panorama, these tales that date again to the twelfth century have been storybook instruments to show kids how you can survive excessive circumstances and respect Iceland’s myriad of naturally lethal environments.
The cheerful locals are more than pleased to debate the mystique surrounding elves and Xmas Lads, though equally protecting and keen to reroute building tasks in order to not disturb their legendary houses. Museums across the nation provide additional appears into the tradition, historical past and folklore of Iceland, and no journey is full with out visiting just a few must-visit mythology spots.
Take a deep dive into Iceland’s historical past:
Overview of Iceland’s Distinctive Folklore
Consuming & Ingesting
With extra journey actions than you’ll be able to depend on two palms and icy temps that threaten to freeze even the hardiest of Viking spirits, meals in Iceland serves two crucial functions: to maintain you fueled and heat. Boasting extra sheep than individuals and over 5,000 km of shoreline, Icelandic fare closely options native lamb, contemporary seafood and skyr, a sort of yogurt that has been a part of the native food plan for nearly a thousand years.
The capital metropolis of Reykjavik has turn out to be a unusual culinary vacation spot the place scorching canines are primarily a meals group, espresso tradition is triumphant (they prefer it scorching, robust and all day lengthy) and seasonality is the secret.
Warning: don’t learn on an empty abdomen:
6 Issues to Eat in Iceland
What to Drink in Iceland
Farm cities & Cities in Iceland
Iceland’s capital metropolis, Reykjavik, is the central hub of our goals: quaint, quirky, completely walkable and an amazing jumping-off level for exploring the island. However away from the excitement, Iceland’s rural farm cities put a optimistic spin on “the center of nowhere.” Many of those “cities” are modest villages, populated with extra flaxen-haired horses and flocks of puffins than precise people and set earlier than screensaver-worthy landscapes. In the event you fancy a slower tempo, can by no means see too many waterfalls and would fairly socialize with locals in a neighborhood scorching spring than in a bar, Iceland is the place for you.
Extra on cities and cities in Iceland:
Our 5 Favourite Small Cities in Iceland
Why You Ought to Go to the Westfjords
Planning Your Journey to Iceland
A visit to Iceland has by no means been simpler because of airline stopover applications. With none extra airfare, you’ll be able to fly between main cities, making a pitstop in Reykjavik and spending as much as seven days exploring the nation. And since we would like you to see as a lot of the world as potential, many Intrepid journeys in Iceland have itineraries which are beneath 7 days, making a stopover just about a no brainer. What are you ready for?
Craft your Iceland itinerary:
5 Day Iceland Itinerary
Why Iceland is ideal for Solo Journey
Iceland on a Funds
Uncover extra on our Iceland journeys
Cash: What to Count on
| Nation Foreign money | Tipping Expectation | Credit score Playing cards |
| Icelandic Króna | Appreciated, not customary | Accepted and inspired |
Issues You Have to Know
Each traveller has most likely had the identical nightmare a couple of times, solely as an alternative of going to high school and forgetting your pants, you’re making some type of embarrassing vacationer blunder, unintentionally insulting the locals or leaving one thing vital out of your meticulously packed baggage. We’ve rounded up all the mandatory “know earlier than you go” info that will help you get organized, get planning… and get higher sleep.
Learn up on the necessities:
Climate in Iceland
Greatest time to Go to Iceland
Do You Want a Visa for Iceland
What to Put on in Iceland
Is Iceland LGBTQIA+ pleasant
What to Pack for Iceland
How Does Iceland Examine
Whether or not you’re deadset on a visit to Iceland and searching so as to add on to your itinerary otherwise you’ve already conquered the Land of Hearth & Ice and also you’re seeking to journey someplace comparable, we’ve obtained you lined. We’ll enable you to get rid of guesswork so you’ll be able to spend much less time evaluating and extra time making an attempt to attain one of the best flight offers.
