Why go to Iceland
Iceland is the rare place where the landscape does the talking. You can watch a geyser erupt before breakfast, walk behind a waterfall at lunch and soak in a geothermal pool while it snows. The country is also compact enough that a week gives you a real taste, provided you accept that driving is part of the trip.
The honest downside is the price. Iceland is expensive, and the weather changes plans without asking. Travel with a flexible itinerary and a decent waterproof jacket and it pays you back many times over.
What to see: the places worth your time
- Reykjavik's Hallgrímskirkja: the concrete church tower is the city's landmark. Pay for the lift to the top, because the view over the painted rooftops explains the layout of the whole town.
- Harpa and the Sun Voyager: Harpa is the glass concert hall on the harbour, and the steel boat sculpture sits a short walk along the waterfront. Go at sunset, when the light is soft and the crowds thin.
- Þingvellir National Park: the rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart, and where Iceland's first parliament met. Walk the Almannagjá gorge early and you may have it nearly to yourself.
- Geysir and Strokkur: Strokkur blasts boiling water into the air every few minutes, so you don't need to wait long. Stand upwind unless you want a warm shower.
- Gullfoss: a thundering two-tier waterfall on the Hvítá river. The spray in winter turns the rocks into glass, and the paths can be properly icy.
- Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss: two classic south coast waterfalls. At Seljalandsfoss you can walk behind the curtain of water (you will get wet). Skógafoss is a wide, powerful drop with a staircase up the side for the view from above.
- Reynisfjara black sand beach: basalt columns, sea stacks and a dramatic Atlantic. The waves here are genuinely dangerous, with sneaker waves that reach far up the sand. Keep well back from the water.
- Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach: icebergs drift across a glacier lagoon and wash up on black sand like scattered crystals. It is a long drive from Reykjavik, but it is the image most people remember.
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Kirkjufell mountain, lava coastline and fishing villages in one loop, a good alternative if you don't want the south coast crowds.
- Akureyri and Goðafoss: if you have time for the north, Akureyri is a friendly small town and Goðafoss is a broad, beautiful waterfall nearby.
Things to do
Soak in a geothermal spot. The Blue Lagoon is the famous one, close to the airport, and it needs to be booked ahead. The Sky Lagoon in Kópavogur, near Reykjavik, has an ocean-edge infinity pool and a ritual-style spa circuit. For something more local, try a neighbourhood pool such as Vesturbæjarlaug or Laugardalslaug, where you shower without swimwear first (the rule is posted everywhere and strictly followed) and then sit in the hot pots with Icelanders discussing the weather.
In winter, book a northern lights tour or drive out of the city lights yourself on a clear night. Ice cave tours run roughly from November to March. Summer brings whale watching from Reykjavik or Húsavík and puffin trips from May to August. Glacier walks near Skaftafell or Sólheimajökull are worth doing with a certified guide, not alone.
How many days and a suggested route
Three days gets you Reykjavik, the Golden Circle and a taste of the south coast. Five days lets you reach Vík or even Jökulsárlón without feeling rushed. Seven days gives you the south coast properly, or the Snæfellsnes loop plus the Golden Circle. The full Ring Road takes 8 to 10 days at a sensible pace.
A simple week: Day 1, Reykjavik on foot. Day 2, Golden Circle with a swim at Laugarvatn or the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir. Day 3, south coast to Vík. Day 4, onward to Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón. Day 5, drive back slowly, stopping at what you skipped. Day 6, Snæfellsnes. Day 7, Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport.
When to go: weather and seasons
Summer (June to August) means 10 to 15°C, long days and midnight sun in June. All roads are open, including the highland F-roads from late June, though those need a 4x4. It is also the busiest and most expensive time.
Winter (November to March) hovers around freezing in Reykjavik, with short days, a real chance of the northern lights and ice caves. Roads can close with little warning, so check road.is and safetravel.is every morning.
Shoulder months (April to May and September to October) are my favourite compromise. Prices drop, crowds thin, and in September you can see both autumn colour and the first aurora. Whatever the season, pack layers, because wind matters more than temperature.
Where to stay
Reykjavik, 101 area: the centre, around Laugavegur and the harbour, is walkable and lively at night, which also means some noise on weekends. Vesturbær and Hlemmur are quieter and slightly cheaper options within walking distance.
Budget travellers should look at hostels in Reykjavik, which run roughly €40 to €70 for a dorm bed, or guesthouses with shared bathrooms. Mid-range hotels and apartments typically cost €150 to €250 a night in high season. Outside the capital, farm stays and small guesthouses near Hella, Vík and Höfn are good value and often very friendly. Book the south coast early for summer, as rooms are limited.
What to eat and where
Start with Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the harbour hot dog stand. Order "eina með öllu" for one with everything, including crispy onions and remoulade. It is cheap by Icelandic standards and honestly tasty.
Look for kjötsúpa, a warming lamb soup, in cafés and roadside restaurants. Try plokkfiskur, a creamy mashed fish stew eaten with rye bread, and skyr, the thick dairy product that is far better in Iceland than abroad. Fresh langoustine and Arctic char are good on the coast. Fermented shark (hákarl) is a dare; one cube is plenty.
At Laugarvatn you can taste rye bread baked in geothermal ground. In Reykjavik, Brauð & Co is known for its cinnamon swirls, and the Kolaportið flea market has a food hall for local snacks on weekends. Supermarkets such as Bónus and Krónan are where budget travellers save the most: buy sandwich supplies and skyr, and eat out once a day.
Getting from the airport and getting around
Keflavík Airport (KEF) is about 50 km from Reykjavik, roughly 45 minutes by road. Shuttle buses such as Flybus and Airport Direct meet most arrivals and cost around €25 to €40 one way, with hotel drop-off options. A taxi is far more expensive.
In Reykjavik, the centre is easy on foot and city buses (Strætó) cover the rest. For anything outside the city, a rental car gives you the most freedom. Book early in summer, check insurance for gravel and ash, and stick to Route 1 unless your vehicle is suitable. If you don't want to drive, day tours cover the Golden Circle, the south coast and the Blue Lagoon. Fuel is expensive, and fuel stations are less frequent in the east and the Westfjords, so fill up whenever you can.
Rough daily budget
- Budget: roughly €100 to €150 per person, with a dorm bed, supermarket meals and public transport or shared tours.
- Mid-range: roughly €200 to €300, with a private room, a rental car shared between two and one restaurant meal a day.
- Comfortable: €400 and up, for good hotels, guided activities and dinners out.
A pint of beer typically costs €10 to €12 and a restaurant main course €25 to €40. Tap water is excellent and free, so bring a bottle.
FAQs
Is Iceland worth it if I only have three days?
Yes. Reykjavik, the Golden Circle and a swim in a geothermal pool fit comfortably, and you can add a south coast day tour if you are willing to start early.
Do I need to rent a car?
Not strictly, but it helps a lot. Without one, join day tours from Reykjavik. For the south coast and beyond, a car saves time and money if you are in a group.
When can I see the northern lights?
From roughly September to March, on dark and clear nights away from city lights. No guarantee exists, so allow several nights.
Is Iceland safe for travellers?
Crime is very low. The real risks are natural: sneaker waves, icy roads and sudden weather. Follow local warnings and don't cross barriers.
Which currency and payment methods should I use?
The króna (ISK). Cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere, even for small purchases, so you rarely need cash.
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Guide updated 21 Oct 2026