An out-of-this-world land of natural hot springs, rugged mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, and the northern lights, a trip to Iceland guarantees a magical experience to visitors. This beautiful island, with its warm, welcoming people, has not only incredible sights but also a plethora of engaging and fun activities. Here is our all-inclusive Iceland travel guide, which tells you everything you need to know about planning a trip to Iceland.

Start off by discovering how long to stay in Iceland and the best time to visit Iceland. If we were to recommend, we would say that Iceland in December allows you to experience its fabulous winter glory, while the glimmering northern lights take over the skies of Iceland in October. When it comes to what to see and visit in Iceland, we have got your back. From the vibrant capital of Reykjavik and the Myvatn Nature Baths to the classical Maelifell Volcano and the multicolored Landmannalaugar, our travel guide has documented all the intriguing places to visit in the country, just for you.

Taking an epic road trip, walking on a glacier, visiting the roaring waterfalls, journeying into the quirky landscape of the highlands, and hiking through a scenic trail, all these make the list of the top things to do in Iceland in our guide that will come in handy throughout your journey. 

Top Destinations in Iceland

Discover the highlights of Iceland.

Go Sightseeing in Reykjavik

Go Sightseeing in Reykjavik

Experience the enchanting charm of Reykjavik, a vibrant city brimming with cultural treasures and natural wonders on a sightseeing tour. From awe-inspiring landmarks to captivating museums, Reykjavik offers an array of sights that will leave you spellbound. Immerse yourself in the rich history and unique architecture as you embark on an unforgettable journey through this Icelandic capital. View Tours

Embark on a Golden Circle Tour

Embark on a Golden Circle Tour

Embark on a Golden Circle Tour and witness awe-inspiring natural wonders. Explore Thingvellir National Park's rift valley, marvel at the majestic Gullfoss waterfall, and experience the erupting Strokkur geyser. Visit Kerið crater's vibrant volcanic landscape and immerse yourself in Hveragerði's geothermal park. With so much to explore, you'll have a gala time in Iceland's Golden Circle. View Tours

Wander Through the South Coast of Iceland

Wander Through the South Coast of Iceland

Discover Iceland's enchanting South Coast, where breathtaking waterfalls, black sand beaches, and mighty glaciers await. Marvel at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, walk on Reynisfjara's dramatic black sand beach, and explore Sólheimajökull glacier. Encounter puffins, seals, and maybe even whales. Immerse yourself in Iceland's stunning natural beauty. View Tours

What to do in Iceland

Top things to do in Iceland

When to visit Iceland

Read the below travel guides to find the best time to visit Iceland.

°C°F
  • Excellent
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor
  • JanAvg Daily: 2 ° CAvg Nightly: -1 ° C
  • FebAvg Daily: 2 ° CAvg Nightly: -1 ° C
  • MarAvg Daily: 2 ° CAvg Nightly: -1 ° C
  • AprAvg Daily: 5 ° CAvg Nightly: 1 ° C
  • MayAvg Daily: 8 ° CAvg Nightly: 4 ° C
  • JunAvg Daily: 12 ° CAvg Nightly: 7 ° C
  • JulAvg Daily: 13 ° CAvg Nightly: 9 ° C
  • AugAvg Daily: 13 ° CAvg Nightly: 8 ° C
  • SepAvg Daily: 9 ° CAvg Nightly: 5 ° C
  • OctAvg Daily: 6 ° CAvg Nightly: 2 ° C
  • NovAvg Daily: 3 ° CAvg Nightly: 0 ° C
  • DecAvg Daily: 1 ° CAvg Nightly: -2 ° C

Iceland at a Glance

Quick facts about Iceland.

CAPITAL CITY

Reykjavík is the capital city of Iceland and the northernmost capital of the world. Reykjavik is a small city relative to other capitals in the world. It is also a Unesco City of Literature, the first non-native English city to gain such a status.

SIZE

103,000 km². This makes Iceland the second largest island in Europe after Great Britain and the 18th largest in the world. Iceland spans roughly 500 km from west to east and 300 km from north to south.

COUNTRY CODE

+354 is the country code for Iceland when making a call from another country.

CURRENCY

The official currency of Iceland is the krona (ISK). While exchange booths are readily available in Iceland, many hotels and restaurants accept US dollars, Canadian dollars, and euros, as well as the currencies of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Paying with cards is common in Iceland.

MAIN AIRPORT

Keflavik International Airport is the main airport in Iceland that serves both domestic and international flights. It is on the Reykjanes Peninsula, 50 km from the capital city. Over 30 leading airlines, including Icelandair, serve this airport with scheduled flights to over 90 destinations. COD: KEF. Closest City: Njardvik

VISAS

US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and British passport holders are all exempt from visas for up to 90 days. Iceland is a member of the Schengen region, a group of 26 European nations with similar entry and exit rules that permit unrestricted travel between members.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Iceland is Icelandic, which is an Indo-European language. English speakers, however, will have no problem conversing with the locals, as it is widely spoken in major cities. Iceland is additionally home to 11 other spoken languages. Learning a few welcoming and essential phrases of the Icelandic language (Hello - Halló, thank you - Takk) is nevertheless a great way to integrate with the community.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

When there is an emergency, call 112. It is supported by civil defense, police, fire, ambulance, rescue teams, kid protection committees, and coast guards. They can be reached through phone, message, or even the 112 Iceland app. By tapping the red emergency button, the app will instantly text the contact center with your GPS location.

WHAT'S UNIQUE

Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice, as it is home to the largest glaciers in Europe and the most active volcanoes in the world. This is also the only place in the world where you can snorkel in the space between two tectonic plates. This is because Iceland is located where the North American and the Eurasian plates meet.

How long to stay in Iceland

Read about the ideal duration to stay in Iceland.

FAQs for Iceland

Read the most frequently asked questions and answers about traveling to Iceland below.

  • Is it expensive to travel to Iceland? How does credit card system work?
  • What is the best time of year to visit Iceland?
  • What currency is used in Iceland?
  • Is a visa required when traveling to Iceland? Is Iceland a safe location to visit?
  • Is English spoken in Iceland? Is it better to learn some basic communication phrases?

Sustainable Travel – How to travel through Iceland responsibly

In line with Bookmundi's vision, we wish to provide our travelers with a sustainable travel experience through Iceland. As part of this effort, we carbon offset any Iceland tour that you purchase through us. You can read more details about our carbon offsetting efforts.

Here's what you can do to travel to Iceland more responsibly:

  • Carbon-offset your trip to Iceland via Icelandair, an airline committed to sustainable air travel. The moment your tour starts in Iceland, and if you have purchased your tour through Bookmundi, we will carbon-offset your tour from its starting point to its ending point. You can also use the public transportation system or rent a hybrid or electric vehicle to travel inside the country.
  • While you are in Iceland, make a small contribution to Landvernd, a leading NGO aimed at conserving the pristine natural landscapes of Iceland including glaciers, volcanoes, and the wilderness. You can also volunteer with Earthwatch on their Iceland project targeted at protecting killer whales.
  • To travel responsibly in Iceland, you can purchase goods and services that bear eco-labels and restrict your meat consumption. Since the water in Iceland is as pure as it gets, purchasing bottled water is also unnecessary.

Iceland travel tips and insight

  • Many hostels in Iceland, like other Scandinavian countries, impose a cost for bed sheets if you do not bring your own (pillows are free). Most hostels charge a linen fee that starts at 1350 ISK, but many hostels are starting to provide it for free these days.
  • Iceland is a very safe place to travel to. The only dangers are a negligible amount of minor crime and constantly shifting weather. Here, the wind is strong and can take your car's doors off. Surprisingly, this is a common phenomenon. So, when renting a car, always make sure you have full insurance coverage.
  • Iceland has harsh penalties for drug possession and drunk driving. Also, smoking is not permitted in restaurants, or on public transportation.
  • If you are traveling to Iceland from June to August, make sure to book your hotels and airlines well in advance. Summer is the best time for a road trip to Iceland, as the winter season could be quite dangerous. Traveling between October and April to best spot the Northern Lights.
  • Iceland will be chilly no matter when you visit. Ensure that your luggage is well-stocked with layers, including thermal underwear, cozy socks, scarves, and gloves.

Ready to customize your Iceland Vacation

Book your trip when it is perfectly designed and customized, just for you.

  • Harpa Groiss
    Harpa GroissTravel Expert in Iceland
  • Andrés Úlfur Helguson
    Andrés Úlfur HelgusonTravel Expert in Iceland
  • Michele Bardasi
    Michele BardasiTravel Expert in Iceland
Looking for a different destination? Explore here
Customize Tours Bookmundi

Why book with Bookmundi

FINEST SELECTION

Hand-picked selection of the best multiday tours and trip packages globally.

BEST PRICE

We guarantee you the best price. Found a lower price? We will match it.

CUSTOMERSUS

4.8 stars of more than 25,000 trip ratings.

Reviews.io badge