Planning a Trip to Iceland: All You Need to Know

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’s inner cities feature some of the most underrated European bar scenes today. Aside from tourists, the locals themselves have been known to spend some time in their hometown bars. If you want to hit the bar after a long day of hiking, touring or even soaking in the hot springs of Iceland, we have gotten you covered! Here is a list of some of the best go-to bars to hit when on a trip to Iceland.

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.

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.

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.

Aptly named ‘The Gateway to Hell,’ the Hekla volcano in the south of Iceland is a deadly force with a shocking history of destruction. This reputation caused people in the middle ages to believe that Hekla or Hecla was the entrance to Hell. That however, hasn’t stopped brave travellers from exploring one of Iceland’s active volcanoes!

Stretching more than 300 kilometres or 190 miles, the Golden Circle in Southern Iceland is the most popular tourist routes. The name Golden Circle, or “gullni hringurinn” in Icelandic, refers to the circular route that loops all the way from Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik, to the country’s southern uplands and back. The gold part of the name originates from one of the most notable stops along the route, the Gullfoss waterfall, which means Golden waterfall. In addition to Gullfoss, there are two main attractions along the route; the Thingvellir National Park and the geothermal area in Haukadalur, which is comprised of the two geysers Geysir and Strokkur. Other notable stops along the route include the Kerid volcanic crater, the town of Hveragerdi, and the Skalholt cathedral. While all areas in Iceland are famous for being beautiful, The Golden Circle region covers a large part of the tours in Iceland, travel-related activities, and some of the most scenic highlights in the whole country. Below we enlist eight important landmarks and attractions in the Golden Circle (not in any particular order).

Despite being one of the smaller ice caps of Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull volcano is one of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland and the world. This is thanks to its most recent eruption in 2010 that resulted in the evacuation of 800 people, caused electrical storms and earthquakes and grounded flights across Europe. Fortunately, another nearest volcano, Katla, that shares its geology did not erupt this time around. Historically speaking, when Eyjafjallajökull erupts Katla often follows suit. Eyjafjallajökull is a stratovolcano that is completely covered by an ice cap that covers 100 square km. The volcano is 1651m tall and has a partially open crater of just under 4km in diameter with three main peaks. Eyjafjallajökull is found in Southern Iceland and is a great diversion for anyone driving the south shore road on their Iceland trip. The south of Iceland is easily accessibly via road. Let's find out what we can do on and around this magnificent volcano.