Highlights
The Golden Circle
A day loop from Reykjavík taking in Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart; the Geysir area, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes; and the two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall.
The south coast
Seljalandsfoss, which you can walk behind, the wide curtain of Skógafoss and the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara near Vík. At Reynisfjara, sudden large waves are a real danger, so stay well back from the water.
Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach
A glacier lagoon at the edge of Vatnajökull where icebergs break off and drift towards the sea, then wash up as chunks of ice on the black sand of the beach opposite. Boat tours run in summer.
Vatnajökull ice caves and glacier walks
Europe's largest glacier by volume covers much of the south-east. Guided glacier hikes run year-round, and natural ice caves can be visited with guides in winter, when conditions allow.
Reykjavík
The small capital has the hilltop Hallgrímskirkja church, the glass Harpa concert hall, colourful houses, good museums and an active café and music scene, and many geothermal swimming pools.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Often called 'Iceland in miniature', with the glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano, the much-photographed Kirkjufell mountain, lava fields, sea cliffs and small fishing villages.
Lake Mývatn and the north
Around Mývatn are lava formations, pseudocraters, steaming vents and a geothermal nature bath. Nearby Húsavík is a centre for whale watching, and Akureyri is the north's main town.
Landmannalaugar and the Highlands
Multicoloured rhyolite mountains and hot springs in the interior, reachable only in summer on mountain roads that require a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a highland bus. It is the start of the Laugavegur trek.
Interesting facts about Iceland
- Iceland's parliament, the Alþingi, was founded at Þingvellir in 930 and is one of the oldest surviving parliaments in the world.
- Almost all of Iceland's electricity comes from renewable hydropower and geothermal energy, and geothermal water heats most homes.
- Icelanders traditionally use patronymic names, so a woman named Anna whose father is Jón is Anna Jónsdóttir, and people are usually addressed by their first names.
- In the Silfra fissure at Þingvellir, you can snorkel or dive in clear glacial water between two tectonic plates.
- Iceland has had a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021, after centuries of quiet there.
Best time to visit
June to August brings long days, with almost no darkness around midsummer, open highland roads and the mildest weather; it is also the busiest and most expensive time. September and October are quieter, with autumn colours and the first northern lights. From roughly November to March, short days, snow and storms make driving harder, but this is the season for the aurora and ice caves. Weather changes quickly at any time of year, so check forecasts and road conditions daily.
Practical information
| Capital | Reykjavík |
|---|---|
| Currency | Icelandic króna (ISK) |
| Languages | Icelandic |
| Plugs | Type C, F |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Not expected; service is included in prices. Leaving a little extra for exceptional service or a great guide is appreciated. |
Getting around
Most visitors hire a car. Route 1, the Ring Road, circles the island and is paved, but distances are long and many side roads are gravel. Mountain roads marked F are only open in summer and need a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and driving off-road is illegal. Strong winds can damage car doors and blow vehicles off the road, so take warnings seriously. Buses connect the main towns and highland bus services run in summer, and many sights can be reached on day tours from Reykjavík. Card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including for fuel.
Staying connected in Iceland
Mobile coverage is good in Reykjavík, towns and villages and along most of the Ring Road. It is patchy or absent in the Highlands, in the Westfjords, on mountain roads and in deep valleys and fjords. Wi-Fi is available in nearly every hotel, guesthouse and café. Because conditions change quickly, being able to check weather and road updates matters. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Iceland eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Iceland
- 112 Iceland: The official emergency app: call for help with your location, or leave a check-in before a hike.
- Veður: The Icelandic Met Office's app for weather forecasts and wind warnings.
- Umferðin: Road conditions, closures and webcams from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration.
- Google Maps: Driving and finding sights; download offline maps for the Highlands and Westfjords.