Iceland Nightlife: 10 Best Iceland Bars

With so many options, you might be wondering where to stay in Iceland. If you have travelled before, you know that taking care of the little things before you arrive at your destination saves a lot of time and stress. There's nothing worse than getting off your flight in a foreign country and not knowing where to go from there. Here are the 10 best places to stay in Iceland for your next visit, listed in no particular order.

For many of us, Iceland is still a country surrounded in mystery and viking myths. The wild landscape is what lures most visitors on trips to Iceland but what about the Icelandic cuisine? Icelandic cuisine has changed little since the time of the vikings, and the basic ingredients have remained unchanged: lamb, skyr, potatoes, fish, and plenty of seafood. While the staples have remained the same, Icelandic chefs have added a generous dose of imagination to current Icelandic cuisine, resulting in creative twists but traditional dishes. Read on to learn how to expertly navigate your food palate while checking out Iceland’s food menus. To make sure you make the most of your trip to Iceland, we’ve rounded up a list of the top 12 things to do in Iceland to help you plan your all-important itinerary. If you are short on time to explore destinations outside of Reykjavik, read our top things to do in Reykjavik article as well.

Iceland is a tempting travel destination for avid admirers of nature and landscapes. Decked up wall to wall with fascinating geysers, glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, and ice caves, nature truly goes no-holds-barred with Iceland. Whether you crave the adrenaline rush of a glacier hike and ice-caving adventure in Vatnajökull National Park, seek the thrill of whale-watching in the Northern Atlantic waters of Húsavík, or yearn to explore the geothermal wonders of Geysir in the Golden Circle, Iceland promises an abundance of experiences. With several captivating options in front of you, planning a trip to Iceland may appear rather daunting. So, here’s our comprehensive guide to planning a trip to Iceland, covering everything from budgeting to itinerary suggestions.

While traveling in a foreign land, relying on the local public transport systems is usually the easiest and cheapest way to get around. While it’s true that Iceland does have a public transport system called Strætó, it won’t get you much further than Reykjavik and the Golden Circle in a reliable fashion. Therefore, most visitors opt for car hire in Iceland instead. Renting a car in Iceland will give you the freedom you need to explore all that Iceland has to offer at your own pace. You could even travel the entire 1,332 km of the Route 1 ring road, the major artery of Iceland that connects most of the inhabited parts of the island. The twists and turns of Icelandic roads can often drive people mad, literally! But having the time to sightsee from the comfort of your own car is one of the best ways to take in the awe-inspiring Icelandic scenery. However, before you set out on your adventure, it’s important to know what to expect when it comes to driving in Iceland.

The South Coast of Iceland offers countless sites of interest for travelers that must not be missed on your Iceland trip. From volcanoes to waterfalls to glaciers to lava fields, the area that stretches from Vik to Selfoss perfectly encapsulates Iceland’s moniker: ‘The Land of Ice and Fire.’ While in Selfoss, explore popular tourist attractions such as the Kerid Crater and Volcano Eyjafjallajokull. In your Vik tour, be sure to marvel at captivating landmarks such as the Skógafoss waterfall, the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, and Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. From volcanic landmarks to seaside paradise, a trip from Vik to Selfoss unveils a series of natural wonders at every turn.

While on your Iceland trip, embark on a remarkable journey through the iconic Golden Circle, the most popular tourist route, and let it guide you to the vibrant community of Vik, Iceland's southernmost town. With three famous sights—Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss—Golden Circle makes for an enchanting destination and is a must-visit for every traveler. Make your first stop at Thingvellir, where the Eurasian and North American continental plates meet, and discover the historical significance of this ancient Icelandic parliament site. Experience the geothermal wonders of Geysir as it unleashes powerful bursts of hot springs into the air. Be captivated by the roaring beauty of Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most stunning waterfalls. After your Golden Circle tour, head straight to Vik, Iceland's southernmost town, which awaits with its captivating basalt beach of Reynisfjara and the striking rocky plateau of Dyrhlaey.

Skogafoss, which literally translates to “forest waterfall”, is a true natural wonder, captivating visitors the world over. With a 60-metre flow of gushing water in a near perfect rectangular shape, Skogafoss is one the largest waterfalls in Iceland. One of Skogafoss’ signature characteristics is its ability to produce a beautiful single or double rainbow when the sun reflects off its constant, powerful spray. This unique sight also makes Skogafoss one of Iceland’s most photographed locations! Skogafoss, along with another stunning waterfall, Seljalandsfoss are two major highlights of the Golden Circle in Iceland. We’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your visit to Skogafoss waterfall, including a suggested itinerary so you can see all the incredible sights Iceland’s southern shore has to offer.

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis as the scientific term goes, are one of the most captivating natural beauties one can witness in life. They were originally named after Aurora, the Greek goddess of dawn. And when witnessing them in person, one can definitely understand how they came to be associated with divine connotations. If you have never seen the northern lights in person or through image; picture a dark night sky with lengthy trails of neon green, blue, and violet blending together in a wonderful symphony. Ordinary rainbows are perhaps the closest natural phenomenon to this wonder, and a comparison to them really does not do the northern lights justice. They are definitely a sight that is necessary to witness at least once in everyone’s life.

Thorsmork (Þórsmörk) is one of the best hiking destinations in Iceland, known for its stunning landscapes comprising mountains, glaciers, forests, and ravines. You can easily take a trip to Thorsmork from Reykjavik by car or bus, although you can also take the scenic route by hiking between the two destinations. If you are traveling in a vehicle from Reykjavik to Thorsmork, you will encounter notable stops such as the majestic Seljalandsfoss waterfall, the fascinating Stakkholtsgjá Canyon, and the picturesque town of Selfoss en route. At Thorsmork, or the Valley of Thor, you can take in the awe-inspiring beauty of this secluded mountain ridge whilst admiring the majestic Tindfjallajökull and the famous Eyjafjallajökull glaciers that it is tucked between. Read on to find out more about how to get to Thorsmork from Reykjavik on your Iceland trip.

Ideally, the best time to visit Iceland is during the summer, which falls between June and August. It is when all the roads are open, and the weather is stable. However, picking the best time to visit largely depends on your preferences and the experiences you want. If you are traveling to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, October and April are the best months to visit. If you are planning a trip to Iceland for whale watching, the best time to visit is between April and late September. And if you are visiting Iceland to see the winter wonders, such as glaciers and geothermal spas, the ideal time to visit is between November and March. Read on for more details on the best time to travel to Iceland.

Glaciers and ice caps make up more than 10% of the entire land area of Iceland. That equates to just under 12,000 km² of Iceland’s 103,125 km². So it’s safe to say that if you plan on visiting Iceland in the near future, you’ll most likely come face to face with huge masses of slow moving ice. Brr. And if the thought of giant frozen rivers of ice doesn’t fill you with enough awe already, many of Iceland’s glaciers hide volcanic activity. For example, active volcanoes such as Grímsvötn and Bárðarbunga are hiding under the Vatnajökull ice cap. Iceland is known as the Land of Fire and Ice, after all. In no particular order, here’s a list of the top 10 glaciers in Iceland for you to visit!

Iceland is a nature lover’s paradise, full of incredible landscapes and natural wonders that you simply won’t find anywhere else on earth. While there are plenty of reasons to embark on different Iceland tours, the diverse hiking trails in Iceland are icing on the cake. With so many incredible trails to choose from, it can be hard to decide which to tackle during your visit to Iceland. To help make it easier for you, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 short day hikes in Iceland. The best part? You don’t need any permits for these day hikes! Note: If hiking is not your thing then check out the best things to do in Iceland and some of the great things to do in Reykjavik.