🇮🇸 Iceland – Mini Travel Guide: Volcanoes, Glaciers & Midnight Sun Wonders
Scroll down for dramatic landscapes, natural hot springs & epic adventures you won’t find anywhere else.
Basic Info
Population: ~390,000
Language: Icelandic
Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK)
Time zone: UTC+0 (no DST)
Annual tourists: ~2–3 million/year
Expats/digital nomads: Reykjavík, Akureyri
Foreign retirees: Few due to cost & climate
🧭 Essential Information
- Visa rules: Schengen area (most visitors: 90 days in any 180).
- Laws/customs: No off-road driving; respect fragile nature.
- Languages: Icelandic; English widely spoken.
- Currency exchange: ATMs common; cards preferred everywhere.
- Safety: Very safe; natural hazards from weather & terrain.
💰 Cost-Related Factors
- Cost of living: Very high.
- Tipping: Not customary; service included.
- Average prices: Meal €20–35; coffee €4–5; SIM €15–25.
- Budget options: Hostels, camping, supermarket meals.
- ATM & cards: Cards accepted everywhere; minimal cash needed.
🌤️ Climate & Weather
- Pattern: Cool summers, cold winters; rapid weather changes.
- Best time: Jun–Aug for mild weather & midnight sun; Feb–Mar & Sep–Oct for Northern Lights.
- Hazards: Sudden storms, slippery roads, volcanic activity.
🏥 Health & Safety
- Healthcare: Excellent quality; limited outside main towns.
- Insurance: Essential for visitors.
- Vaccinations: Routine only.
- Food/water: Tap water exceptionally pure.
- Emergency: 112.
🚍 Transportation
No rail network; buses between towns; car rental popular for Ring Road; domestic flights to remote areas.
📶 Connectivity
Good 4G coverage in towns; SIMs from Síminn, Vodafone Iceland, Nova; plugs Type F.
🏨 Accommodation
Guesthouses, boutique hotels, farm stays, hostels, and eco-lodges.
🍜 Food & Drink
Top 10 Dishes
- Lamb Soup (Kjötsúpa)
- Plokkfiskur (fish stew)
- Skyr
- Hot Dogs (Pylsur)
- Arctic Char
- Langoustine
- Fermented Shark (Hákarl)
- Lamb Shank
- Rye Bread (Rúgbrauð)
- Fish & Chips Iceland-style
Top 10 Drinks
- Brennivín
- Icelandic Beer (e.g., Einstök)
- Glacial Water
- Hot Chocolate
- Reyka Vodka
- Blueberry Liqueur
- Craft Cider
- Herbal Teas
- Kaffi (coffee)
- Malt & Appelsín (Christmas mix)
Top 10 Desserts
- Kleinur (fried dough)
- Vínarterta
- Skúffukaka (tray cake)
- Ice Cream
- Pönnukökur (pancakes)
- Rhubarb Pie
- Ástarpungar
- Karamellur
- Almond Cake
- Chocolate Lava Cake
🎒 Things to Do
Top 10 Attractions
- Blue Lagoon
- Golden Circle (Geysir, Gullfoss, Þingvellir)
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Vatnajökull National Park
- Reykjavík
- Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss
- Diamond Beach
- Dettifoss Waterfall
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Westfjords
Museums & UNESCO
- National Museum of Iceland
- Perlan Museum
- Aurora Reykjavík
- Þingvellir National Park (UNESCO)
- Cultural House
- Maritime Museum
- Settlement Exhibition
- Húsavík Whale Museum
- Árbæjarsafn Open Air Museum
- Lava Centre
🪨 Hidden Gems
- Highlands (Landmannalaugar)
- Askja Caldera
- Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
- Þórsmörk Valley
- Kirkjufell Mountain
- Hveravellir Hot Springs
- Stuðlagil Canyon
- Hvítserkur Sea Stack
- Vestrahorn
- Eldhraun Lava Field
🎉 Festivals & Holidays
Þorrablót
National Day (17 June)
Reykjavík Arts Festival
Secret Solstice Festival
Airwaves Music Festival
Verslunarmannahelgi (Merchants’ Weekend)
Christmas in Iceland
New Year’s Fireworks
First Day of Summer
Food & Fun Festival
🗣️ Useful Words
Halló – Hello
Bless – Goodbye
Takk – Thank you
Já – Yes
Nei – No
Góðan daginn – Good day
Góða nótt – Good night
Hvað kostar þetta? – How much is this?
Hvar er klósettið? – Where is the toilet?
Skál – Cheers
🌍 Culture & Lifestyle
Close connection to nature, small tight-knit communities, creative arts scene, strong tradition of storytelling & sagas.
🤝 Social Aspects
Friendly and helpful locals; great for solo travellers; strong outdoor culture.