VISIT ICELAND
Known as ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’ (and wind, I would add!), Iceland is famous for its outstanding landscapes and scenery
Currency
kr - Icelandic krona (1000kr≃ 6,5€ ≃ 7$ ≃ 5,7£)
POPULATION
0,38 million
MAIN LANGUAGE
Icelandic
AREA
102,775 km²
TIME ZONE
UTC
FLAG
🇮🇸
Iceland is a Nordic island nation with breathtaking scenery made up of lava fields, geysers, waterfalls, hot springs, glaciers, and volcanoes. It is a country of unspoilt natural wonders and the perfect road-trip destination. The majority of Icelanders reside in the geothermal energy-powered capital city of Reykjavik.
There are a couple of things to know before travelling to Iceland:
Water: Tap water is considered safe to drink in Iceland and is one of the cleanest drinking water in the world.
Driving: Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. The main speed limits are as follows: 50 kph / 31 mph in urban areas, 80 kph / 50 mph on rural gravel roads, and 90 kph / 56 mph on paved roads. Car headlights must be switched on at all times.
Plugs: Two plug types are used in Iceland: C and F, which both have two grounding holes. Iceland operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz frequency.
Tipping: As a general rule - although welcome - tipping is not customary nor expected in restaurants and cafés in Iceland.
Payment: Bank cards - either debit or credit cards - are widely accepted across Iceland, the most common ones being Visa and Mastercard. American Express cards can be used in fewer places, so plan a backup card. The use of cash money is rare in Iceland.
Basic language: Halló = Hello, Góðan daginn = Good morning; Bless = Goodbye; Já = Yes; Nei = No; Þakka þér fyrir = Thank you; þakka þér kærlega fyrir = Thank you very much; Vinsamlegast = Please; Verði þér að góðu = You're welcome; Afsakið mig = Excuse me; Dagur = Day; Nótt= Night; Gott kvöld = Good evening; Góða nótt = Goodnight; Herra = Mister; Frú = Ma'am; Götu = Street; Vegur = Road
Holidays and closing days: Sunday is a closing day for most stores. Moreover, many shops have shorter opening hours on Saturday compared to the rest of the week. There are 11 official public holidays in Iceland: New Year's Day (January 01), Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, First Day of Summer, Labour Day (May 01), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Independence Day (June 17), Commerce Day, Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26), New Years' Eve (December 31). On these days, most businesses and offices will be closed, and many attractions may be shut or have limited opening hours.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information below is provided merely as an indication and applies for short-term tourism visa purposes only. Before your trip to Iceland, or if you are planning to come to Iceland for another purpose (work, studies, ...), check the official information on the Iceland government website: https://www.government.is/
No visa is needed if you are a citizen of one of the following countries:
Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czechia; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg, Malta; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland
Visa-free but limited to a maximum of 90 days for a period of 180 days if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Albania; Andorra; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Brazil; Brunei; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominica; El Salvador; Georgia; Grenada; Guatemala; Honduras; Hong Kong; Israel; Japan; Kiribati; Macao; Malaysia; Marshall Islands; Mauritius; Mexico; Micronesia; Moldova; Monaco; Montenegro; New-Zealand; Nicaragua; North Macedonia; Palau; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; San Marino; Serbia; Seychelles; Singapore; Solomon islands; South Korea; Taiwan; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tuvalu; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States of America; Uruguay; Vanuatu; Vatican; Venezuela
Visa required (Schengen visa) if you are a citizen of one of the following countries: Afghanistan; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahrain; Bangladesh; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Bolivia; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cambodia; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; China; Comoros; Congo; Congo (Dem. Rep); Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast); Cuba; Djibouti; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Kosovo; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mongolia; Morocco; Mozambique; Myanmar; Namibia; Nauru; Nepal; Niger; Nigeria; North Korea; Oman; Pakistan; Palestinian territories; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Qatar; Russia; Rwanda; Sao Tome and Principe; Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Suriname; Syria; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Thailand; Togo; Tunisia; Turkey; Turkmenistan; Uganda; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Vietnam; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe
❄️ December – February: Iceland, being so far north, is often chilly and dark during the winter. It's also breathtakingly beautiful, with mountains blanketed in snow, soft winter light, and the possibility of ice adventures. At this time of year, the glaciers that have shaped Iceland's landscape are getting bigger. The world of caves and caverns that form beneath them can also be explored. No talk about Iceland in winter would be complete without mentioning the northern lights. This incredible phenomenon appears at night in the bright winter skies. During winter, the temperatures in Reykjavik usually range from -2°C (28F) to 4°C (38F).
🌱 March – May: Snow begins to melt in April, making way for greenery and more powerful waterfalls. Numerous birds - and whales! - make their way back after having spent winter in warmer latitudes. Compared to the summer peak season, spring is the off-peak season, which means reduced pricing and fewer visitors. Additionally, because there is greater availability than in the summer, it is much simpler to reserve lodging and rental vehicles. Since the weather is unpredictable, you may experience both cloudy, windy, and sunny days with comfortable temperatures.
☀️ June – August: Summertime is great to enjoy Iceland. You'll be able to take advantage of the long daylight hours and the hottest weather of the year. It is the only time of the year when highlands are accessible. If you wish to explore this lonely and beautiful location, the roads typically open in mid-June, depending on the weather. Be aware that only 4x4 cars can travel on these mountain routes, and the driver must feel comfortable driving on rocky, gravel roads and navigating unbridged rivers. On another note, Summer is also the best time to see puffins in Iceland, as many colonies settle there between May and August. During summer, the temperatures in Reykjavik usually range from 7°C (45F) to 15°C (59F).
🍂 September – November: Iceland's autumn is incredibly vivid, with the foliage turning from a vibrant green to deep hues of red, yellow, and orange. It's breathtaking to witness waterfalls surrounded by colourful trees and moss-covered lava fields in their vibrant autumnal hues. Also, the Northern Lights season starts as early as September.
Pick an (Icelandic) destination
Make your choice from the list below or the map to access all the articles related to specific cities or regions of Iceland.
Reykjavik
The world's most northerly capital
GOLDEN CIRCLE
Circular 300 km routes passing through 3 main attractions
SOUTH COAST
An astonishing medley of natural sights
SNAEFELLSNES
'Iceland in miniature' western peninsula
MYVATN
An area in the north centred around a shallow lake
ICELAND HIGHLIGHT ATTRACTIONS
ADMIRE OTHER-WORLDLY BEACHES
Some of Iceland's beaches feature black sand due to the sand being crushed down from black volcanic rock created when lava cools and solidifies. The most famous example is Reynisfjara beach - pictured above.
WALK AROUND REYKJAVIK
Cosy cafes, vibrant clubs, welcoming pubs, and colourful wooden row homes abound in Reykjavik. Home to one-third of the country's population, this city is full of life.
CHASE COUNTLESS WATERFALLS
One of Iceland's most recognizable features is the impressive amount of waterfalls throughout the country.
GO ON A MULTI-DAY ROAD TRIP
The 'Ring Road' or 'Route 1' is a national road that circles the entire country, with a length of 1322 km (820 mi). Driving this road is, by far, one of the best ways to experience Iceland.
EXPLORE SNAEFELLSNES
This peninsula - easily accessible all year round - is like a 'best-of' of what Iceland has to offer: lava fields, waterfalls, hot springs, black and golden sand beaches, and many wildlife spotting opportunities.
HIKE IN MYVATN AREA
Mývatn is a small area in Northern Iceland, named after a volcanic lake, featuring an impressive diversity of landscapes: volcanic lake, hot springs, geothermal area, craters, and lava fields.
DRIVE THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
This famous route, doable in one day, passes by Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall, three of Iceland's most well-known natural landmarks.
JOIN A WHALE-WATCHING TOUR
Whales from 23 different species have been spotted in Icelandic waters. The best places to embark on whale tours are Husavik or the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, though tours are also available from the capital Reykjavik.
ETHICAL WILDLIFE TOURISM IN ICELAND
Did you know?
Iceland’s national emblematic animal is the Gyrfalcon.
ALL ICELAND BLOG ARTICLES
REYKJAVIK
Coming soon
GOLDEN CIRCLE
Coming soon
SNAFELLSNES
Coming soon
