Iceland is "The Land of Fire and Ice". Although it's part of Europe, Iceland has its own language, currency and government. Reykjavik is the capital city, and about two thirds of the population live in Reykjavik.
The main reason why people travel to Iceland is to experience the vast natural beauty of the country. Iceland is home to some of the largest glaciers in the world, as well as the most active volcanoes. There are so many waterfalls, geothermal areas, geysers, fjords, mountains, and black sand beaches.
As for wildlife, you can go whale watching, puffin watching, and you'll likely also spot some Icelandic horses. If you're lucky, you might see Arctic Foxes in the Westfjords, and you're likely to spot sheep everywhere you go.
What to Know Before You Go
- Currency: Icelandic krona. Cash is rarely used; card payment is preferred and widely accepted.
- Power: Plugs and sockets are type F. Voltage is 230 V 50 Hz.
- Official Language: Icelandic. However, 98% of the population speaks English.
- Capital City: Reykjavík
Getting There and Getting Around
- Flights: The main airport of Iceland is Keflavík International Airport near Reykjavik. Search for the best prices on flights to Iceland with Skyscanner.
- Transportation to Reykjavik: From the airport, buses operate regularly between KEF and the Reykjavik City Center. You can book the bus from KEF to the Reykjavik Bus Terminal with the option of adding a shuttle to your hotel. Book your transfer here.
- Public Transportation: There are no trains in Iceland. Reykjavik has a public bus service to get around town, though the city center is very walkable. Iceland also has ferry services between some destinations. It is possible to book bus tours in Iceland if you do not drive.
- Renting a Car: Renting a car and driving is the best way to see Iceland. We always use Discover Cars to find the best rates on car rentals. Highway 1, aka the Ring Road, is the main highway that encircles the country. A road trip of the Ring Road takes about 10 days to do it properly, though we recommend 2 weeks so you can add in the Westfjords and not feel too rushed. Here's our full guide to renting a car in Iceland.
- Uber: Uber and Lyft do not operate in Iceland.
Best Travel Resources
- Booking.com: This is our preferred choice for booking hotels around the world. We use Booking.com all the time for their wide selection of properties and reliability. In many cases, accommodations offer free cancellation should your travel plans change, and we love having that flexibility.
- VRBO: This is our preferred choice for booking apartments and houses for our travels. We love staying in local neighborhoods and it's also fabulous having a full kitchen to use to save money on food costs.
- Skyscanner: We always search for our flights on Skyscanner to find the best prices and routes.
- Omio: This is our preferred way to book train and bus travel around the world. They have more than 1000 trusted travel partners for trains, buses, ferries and airport transfers.
- Discover Cars: This is our preferred choice for booking rental cars around the world. Compare the prices between multiple car rental companies to find the best rates and options.
- Get Your Guide: This is one of the best places to book day tours and guided trips with over 140,000 experiences in 10,000+ cities worldwide.
- Viator: Viator is another excellent place to find day tours and guided trips with over 300,000 experiences worldwide.
- Take Walks: This is a fabulous smaller tour company offering local-led, small group walking tours throughout Europe and North America. We've taken several of their tours and have been thoroughly impressed each time.
- Airalo: Our preferred eSIM one stop shop. Airalo offers eSIMS for 200+ countries and regions with affordable rates. You'll always stay connected, no matter what.
Here are all of our Iceland travel guides. First, we'll share our overall itineraries and guides to visiting Iceland. Then, we've broken it down into specific cities and regions so you can plan your trip.
- 3 Days in Iceland Itinerary: How to Visit Reykjavik and Beyond
- 5 Days in Iceland Itinerary: An Amazing Road Trip Adventure
- 7 Days in Iceland: An Amazing Ring Road Itinerary
- 10 Days in Iceland Itinerary: The Ultimate Adventure
- Watch Whales, Don't Eat Them: How Tourists to Iceland Can Help
- Ultimate Iceland 2 Week Itinerary for an Epic Adventure
- Renting a Car in Iceland: Everything You Need to Know
Reykjavik and Golden Circle
South Iceland
East Iceland & East Fjords
North Iceland
- The Best Things to Do in Myvatn Iceland
- Namafjall Hverir Geothermal Area Iceland: An Amazing Landscape
- Skutustadir Farm Guesthouse: A Tranquil Escape You'll Love
- Best Things to Do in Husavik Iceland in a Day
- The Best Whale Watching Tour in Husavik, Iceland (Our Review!)
- Best Things to Do in Akureyri Iceland: One Day in Akureyri Itinerary
- Ytri Vik Cottages: The Most Beautiful Place to Stay Near Akureyri Iceland
- Best Things to Do in Hvammstangi Iceland in a Day
- How to Visit the Impressive Kolugljufur Canyon and Kolufossar Waterfall
- The Best Place to Go Seal Watching in Iceland
- A Complete Review of Hvammstangi Cottages, Iceland
