We often joke about Iceland as being quite literally an out-of-this-planet place, for its unique natural and geographical features that are hard to find anywhere else. From black beaches to its waterfalls surrounded by geometric black lava columns, this island is sure to blow your mind away and offer you a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

When to visit Iceland?

I visited Iceland for the first time in January 2019. The reason I chose to visit during the winter season was to get the chance to see the Northern Lights, which can be seen from there between September and April. Despite the cold weather, you can’t help but enjoy the exceptional nature and the view of the brown and black mountains draped with the white veil of snow.

However, I decided to visit Iceland again during the summer season to see the other face it has to offer. Basically, the Icelandic summer is three months of daylight around the clock, which was a very interesting experience for me. The summer season in Iceland also means green landscapes with occasional rain, and a temperature ranging between 12 to 22 degrees Celsius.

In conclusion, you can visit Iceland any time of the year, depending on the kind of experience you are looking for.

What to visit Iceland?

1- The South Shore Adventure

It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature I can’t even begin to describe the beauty of this road. Hailed as Iceland’s most scenic road, the adventure can go as far as the lovely village of Vik, where you can take a peek at Reynisdranger’s famous rocks. On this road, you will be able to see some of the famous waterfalls, whose names I still struggle to pronounce 😂، like Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, as well as Dyrholaey and its black bleaches.

2- Kirkjufell and the Western Side of Iceland:

One of the things that set Iceland apart is its diverse nature. Every single side of this island has a special geographical characteristic. All Game of Thrones fans would recognize Kirkjufell mountain with its distinctive tapered top and the marvelous waterfalls in front of it. The mountain is a two-hour drive from Reykjavik, that is if you could resist stopping to snap pictures of the breath-taking scenery every now and then, in which case the drive could drag on for four hours, if not more!)

3– Diamond Beach and the Glacier Lagoon (Jökulsárlón):

This is absolutely a must-see natural phenomenon with the crystal pieces lying over the black, cold beach. You can check it out in this video.

The Diamond Beach is connected to the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, which feeds the beach with all those crystal pieces. The lagoon has a rest and leisure area where you can observe some of the wildlife there, like seals.

Those are just a few of the many attractions to visit in Iceland, such as the Golden Circle with its hot springs, Fjadrargljufur canyon, and more.

4– Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon:

This is a 1 KM long canyon located on southern side of Iceland. It has a very unique shape of rocks on both sides and a perfect spot for hiking and photography, especially that it is less crowded than other touristic sites in Iceland.

What activities can we do in Iceland?

There are many places to visit and things to do in Iceland, which include but are not limited to:

The Blue Lagoon:

This man-made hot water lake is a must-visit for anyone visiting Iceland. It’s rich in sulfur, salt, and white silica, which can be useful for skin problems, not to mention its relaxing properties. There is transportation available from and to Reykjavik city.

TIP: After using the lagoon, the hair can become stiff from the silica. The best way to get rid of this stiffness is by washing your hair three times with shampoo.

Northern Lights:

Iceland is known to be one of the best locations to watch the Northern Lights during the autumn, winter, and spring seasons, while it’s still dark enough nights to see the dancing lights in the sky. Although you can estimate when the Northern Lights may appear in the next couple of weeks, sometimes they are hard to catch. You will need to go as far away as possible from the city and its light pollution to have a good view of the Aurora Bolaris, and it definitely needs patience.

You can check out more information on how to predict northern Lights through this video.

Whale Watching:

This is another exciting activity, which you can enjoy in the comfort of a heated yacht, to witness the beauty of sea life – including different kinds of whales living in the Icelandic sea. The best time for this activity is from April to early October.

Horse Riding:

The Icelandic horse has a very unique shape and is smaller in size compared to other breeds. During my summer trip to Iceland, I was able to see many horse frames on the sides of the road while driving, especially in the summer.

What about accomodation in Iceland?

Reykjavik is one of the most expensive cities in the world when it comes to accommodation. To find a proper hotel room with a private bathroom in the center of the city would be challenging, if not expensive. Many of the available options are hostels and guest rooms, or sometimes private rooms but with shared bathrooms (a very common option there).

What to wear when I am in Iceland?

This is a very important topic that most of us should consider way before embarking on the beautiful journey to Iceland, and it makes a huge difference depending on the time of the year. Read more about what to wear in the “What to wear on an Icelandic trip?” article.

Transportation

Reykjavik is connected with a good public transportation system, which you can use to explore this beautiful city. However, if you are looking for a more convenient means of transportation, then you should go for the rental option. There are several renting agencies located in Keflavik International airport. It is always recommended to rent a 4×4 vehicle for trips out of the city. The rates can be high, especially during the summer season, so make sure to book one in advance.

On arrival, if you have not decided yet on your means of transportation, I recommend taking the Flybus from the terminal to Reykjavik city. It is safe, convenient, and affordable, costing only IK 4,599 per trip (around $37).

Money? No issue!

When it comes to money, you do not need to worry about carrying cash, as the entire country is equipped with contactless payment options, even in remote areas. I personally made the mistake of converting cash from Euro to Krona at a German airport, which not only was not necessary but also cost me 30% of the converted amount due to the exchange commission! (Each $1 equals around 125 IK)

I hope this information will fuel your excitement to visit Iceland and share your own experience in it, which is guaranteed to be a trip to remember!

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When to visit Iceland?