Smack dab in the course 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 laborious to know the place to start planning. And since we’ve been across the Ring Highway a time or two, we’ve amassed an arsenal of belongings, from journey anecdotes to packing lists to must-sees and may’t-misses that may provide help to resolve if this Nordic nation deserves a prime spot in your wishlist, too. Right here’s the whole lot you could know earlier than you travel to Iceland.
Desk of Contents
Experiences in Iceland
Whether or not you intend 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:
Top 10 Things to Do in Iceland
Land of Fireplace & Ice: Iceland Geography & Geology
Solid by intense geological exercise, Iceland is a land of dramatic extremes the place steaming lively volcanoes, icy-blue glaciers, boiling geysers and frigid waterfalls exist facet by facet. Though this difficult terrain is a dream for out of doors adventurers, it would simply be the nation’s dozens of geothermal springs, or sizzling pots because the locals name ’em, that entice guests from close to and much seeking much-needed winter warm-up.
Geological marvels await:
Iceland Waterfalls Guide
Photo Essay from Iceland Express Tour
6 Hot 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 essentially the most seasonal affective disordered soul. The possibilities of recognizing the ethereal lights enhance within the colder months, with vibrant, dancing patterns that supply a quick respite from the lengthy, darkish nights of winter. Earlier than your epic pursuit begins, try our sources on the Northern Lights.
Aurora hunters assemble:
What to Expect on an Iceland Tour
Northern Lights Tours
Iceland Actions
From the basic 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 suppose Iceland’s seasons had been one thing like ice, icier and iciest, this Arctic nation does, actually, have 4 distinct seasons in addition to a excessive season and low season for tourism. Crowds are usually thinner within the shoulder months of Could and October, and Autumn generally is a notably magical time to go to. Though days are getting drastically shorter, the windblown landscapes are speckled with crimson and yellow, and early sunsets will go away the surroundings bathed in heat, golden mild. With alternatives to go trying to find the Aurora Borealis in winter and get together all evening below the summer season’s Midnight Solar, there actually is not any unsuitable time to go to Iceland.
Learn extra about Iceland’s seasons:
Intrepid Buyer Experiences in Iceland
We wish to suppose the landscapes converse for themselves, however sometimes, our prospects have phrases that paint a vacation spot completely. Take a look at what Intrepid travellers need to say about their journey to Iceland.
Hear what Intrepid prospects need to say:
Iceland Travel Reviews
An Intrepid Traveller Gets Married on an Iceland Trip
What Happened When 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 12 months, Icelanders proceed to seek out themselves on the prime of the UN’s ‘World Happiness Report.’ As a result of when the times are brief and the wind is whipping, there’s nothing like an excellent get together to instill some cheer. Icelandic folks 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 offers you an insider take a look at this Nordic nation’s tradition.
Study to get together 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 had been storybook instruments to show youngsters how you can survive excessive situations and respect Iceland’s myriad of naturally lethal environments.
The cheerful locals are very happy to debate the mystique surrounding elves and Yuletide Lads, though equally protecting and prepared to reroute building initiatives in order to not disturb their legendary houses. Museums across the nation provide additional seems to be into the tradition, historical past and folklore of Iceland, and no journey is full with out visiting a number of must-visit mythology spots.
Take a deep dive into Iceland’s historical past:
Overview of Iceland’s Unique Folklore
Consuming & Consuming
With extra journey actions than you possibly can depend on two palms and icy temps that threaten to freeze even the hardiest of Viking spirits, meals in Iceland serves two essential functions: to maintain you fueled and heat. Boasting extra sheep than folks and over 5,000 km of shoreline, Icelandic fare closely options native lamb, recent seafood and skyr, a sort of yogurt that has been a part of the native food regimen for nearly a thousand years.
The capital metropolis of Reykjavik has turn into a unusual culinary vacation spot the place sizzling canine are primarily a meals group, espresso tradition is triumphant (they prefer it sizzling, robust and all day lengthy) and seasonality is the secret.
Warning: don’t learn on an empty abdomen:
6 Things 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 desires: quaint, quirky, fully walkable and an incredible 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. If you happen to fancy a slower tempo, can by no means see too many waterfalls and would quite socialize with locals in a neighborhood sizzling spring than in a bar, Iceland is the place for you.
Extra on cities and cities in Iceland:
Our 5 Favorite Small Towns in Iceland
Why You Should Visit the Westfjords
Planning Your Journey to Iceland
A visit to Iceland has by no means been simpler due to airline stopover applications. With none further airfare, you possibly can fly between main cities, making a pitstop in Reykjavik and spending as much as seven days exploring the nation. And since we wish you to see as a lot of the world as potential, many Intrepid journeys in Iceland have itineraries which are below 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 perfect for Solo Travel
Iceland on a Budget
Uncover extra on our Iceland journeys
Cash: What to Anticipate
Issues You Have to Know
Each traveller has in all probability had the identical nightmare a few times, solely as a substitute of going to high school and forgetting your pants, you’re making some sort of embarrassing vacationer blunder, by accident insulting the locals or leaving one thing essential out of your meticulously packed baggage. We’ve rounded up all the mandatory “know earlier than you go” info that can assist you get organized, get planning… and get higher sleep.
Learn up on the necessities:
Weather in Iceland
Best time to Visit Iceland
Will My Phone Work in Iceland
Do You Need a Visa for Iceland
What to Wear in Iceland
Is Iceland LGBTQIA+ friendly
Iceland Water Safe to Drink
What to Pack for Iceland
How Does Iceland Evaluate
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 Fireplace & Ice and also you’re trying to journey someplace related, we’ve bought you coated. We’ll provide help to eradicate guesswork so you possibly can spend much less time evaluating and extra time making an attempt to attain one of the best flight offers.
