Iceland Travel Guide: The Best Things to do in Iceland

When I first heard about Vikings, I was mesmerized by their courage, their strength, and variety of hairstyles and clothes. I wanted to know more about their history, and so I have found one of the homes of Northern Lights. All I can say, I have instantly fallen in love with Iceland, even if I only saw it in pictures.

I have discovered through my research that this island country has many dramatic landscapes. It offers a range of breathtaking sights, everything from geysers to volcanoes. Iceland is one of the places you must visit at least once in a lifetime.

I have instantly started saving money for my trip to Iceland. I ended up visiting the island three times until now. I have discovered a lot of its amazing landscapes and I know there are still plenty to see.

Iceland has a lot to offer all year long. But, depending on the time of the year you want to visit it, you will see some of the most wonderful nature miracles.

The Best Time To Visit Iceland

As I said, it depends. One trip to Iceland is not enough to see all the marvels Iceland offers you.

One of the things you must see in Iceland is the Northern Lights. To see how green, purple and blue waves appear and move on the sky is an incredible experience.

The best time to visit Iceland to see the Northern Lights is from September to March. Aurora Borealis is only visible in total darkness, so the best chance to see it is in the winter months when the night is longer. Also, take into consideration that you must travel outside the city, to increase the possibility of seeing it.

Of course, Iceland offers a lot of amazing landscapes with beautifully colored cliffs and wonderful beaches. Because the roads are often unpaved in this part of the island, the best time to visit it is April – August. Because of the harsh winter conditions, these roads are closed during the cold season.

Related post: You can also see the Northern Lights in Sweden!

What To See In Iceland

From its active volcanoes or geysers to its dreamy beaches or mesmerizing waterfalls, Iceland is such a unique place. There are a lot of wonderful places to visit and so little time. I would recommend a trip of at least seven days to see at least a part of what Iceland has to offer.

Reykjavik

The northern most capital in the world is home to Viking museums and beautiful architectural buildings.

Golden Circle And Blue Lagoon

With an easy-to-book-trip from Reykjavik you can visit geysers and volcanoes and take a bath and relax in the beautiful waters of the Blue Lagoon.

Remember you must buy your ticket for Blue Lagoon before you start your trip. Being such an amazing, yet so crowded destination, the tickets are sold almost instantly. But relaxing in a geothermal spa is a must.

Whale Watching

A tour from Reykjavik costs from $97 per person. Because there’s always a chance to miss the whales, most companies offer you another ticket valid for two years, so you’ll have another chance to spot the whales.

Because nature is such a wonderful aspect of our world, I always aimed at protecting it the best I can. Choose a company that respects the safety distances and does not harm the whales and their environment.

Although tours are offered every month of the year, the best time to spot the killer whales or humpback whales is between June and August.

Related post: Did you know you can also whale watch in California?

The Waterfalls Of Iceland

There are a lot of wonderful waterfalls to see in Iceland. One of the most amazing waterfalls of Iceland is the Skogafoss waterfall, where you will be able to see the double rainbow.

Another impressive work of nature is Seljalandsfoss waterfall, where you can pass behind this amazing 60-meter-high waterfall.

Geysers

You cannot visit Iceland and not go to see the famous geysers. The most well-known Geyser of Iceland is pumping water out of the ground every 4-5 minutes. It is an incredible work of nature and I can say that I was deeply impressed by the landscape.

Of course, there are a lot of things to see in Iceland, if you have time. You also must see the Diamond beach, Jokulsarlon glacial lake or the volcanic beach of Reynisfjara.

You will discover some amazing landscapes in blue and green tones, that best describe Iceland. For some of them you will need a tour and to pay for a ticket.

The Best Way To Travel

Since Iceland is an island, the only way to get there is by plane. Plane tickets vary from 200 – 400 euros for flights from Europe, and from $450 – $650 for flights from the USA. You can activate a flight alert on Kiwi or Skyscanner and you can catch a cheap plane ticket.

But once you will get there, you will be more aware of the distances between the places you want to visit. Depending on the roads and the time of the year, you can rent a conventional or a 4×4 car. Prices vary, but those dreamy landscapes are worth it!

Of course, if you do not want to drive, there are a lot of tours available and prices vary from $90 to $200.

Where to Stay

Because Iceland is mostly represented by dreamy landscapes, there are not as many hotels as you would expect. However, tourism is part of Iceland, so you will surely find a place to stay.

I always try to book a room right after I know the dates I will be there. If you plan your trip ahead, you will find rooms in the most amazing places.

Depending on your budget, you can choose from a wide range of hotels or small and cozy hostels. I always choose the hostel option because I only need a place to sleep, being on the road all day.

In the summer you can also find a place to camp and wake up with an amazing view. Take into consideration that the maximum temperatures hit 25 Celsius degrees.

Conclusion

Iceland offers a lot of breathtaking landscapes which will deeply impress you. From the green and purple Aurora Borealis to the dark beaches and blue lagoons, the beauties of Iceland will leave a mark on you.

Depending on your budget, try to see the most you can in Iceland and do not hesitate to buy those tickets the second time. It will be worth it no matter how many times you visit!

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After booking your adventure to Iceland, be sure to purchase travel insurance. I always purchase travel insurance. You should too!

Do you want to travel to Iceland? Or, have you already visited this magical land? Let us know in a comment below.

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