First trip to Iceland - 20 essential tips

The land of fire and ice is on the wish list of many travellers. In this article, I've put together all the tips for your first trip to Iceland. Based on my experience travelling the Ring Road as well as the Golden Circle route, this Iceland guide for first-time travellers provides all the information you need.

I have several tips for visiting Iceland, ranging from how to drive in the country to what to pack for your first trip to Iceland.

Iceland is a captivating destination for any traveller: volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls at every turn and lunar landscapes have created a landscape that is hard to resist. Travelling to Iceland is great at any time of the year, whether you're looking for continuous sunshine or the Northern Lights. If you're planning a trip to Iceland, these tips will make your adventure easier.

General tips for your first trip to Iceland

Take an eye mask

If you're travelling to Iceland for the first time during the summer, be prepared for sunlight... at night. In other words, almost constant. Although the permanent light allows you to spend many hours getting to know the country, it becomes confusing, even annoying, when you get tired and go to bed and the sun is still out.

If you choose hotels in Iceland, you shouldn't have this problem, as many have thick curtains that block out the light. If you're camping, you'll need an eye mask to sleep more soundly.

Don't forget your earplugs

Constant sunlight doesn't just affect us humans, animals also seem to go mad from all the light. And by going crazy, they almost drive us crazy too. My visit coincided with the longest day of the year, in June, when the sun hardly sets. 

E I suffered the effects of madness of some birds that I couldn't identify. All I know is that the deafening noise lasted all night (or all day, because there really is no night). So buy some earplugs. I use one of these and it works well.

Always have food

Always have food with you, even if it's just a few snacks. In Iceland, you can travel long distances without finding any trace of civilisation or an establishment open to satisfy your hunger. Even in the most touristy places, cafés may be closed. So pack some protein bars or a snack in your rucksack.

On your first trip to Iceland, you'll notice that along the Ring Road the petrol station chains are always the same, with little or no variety of food, poor quality and expensive. 

An alternative is to buy locally sourced quality products directly from the people who produce them. Icelandic farmers have decided to make a business of the tourist boom and many sell good local produce, including meat, fish, eggs, fruit and vegetables. So if you see a farm, ask if they sell you any supplies.

Watch out for the sheep... suicidal

In the Icelandic countryside, many flocks of sheep, herds of cows and horses roam freely, with no fences to restrict their movements. They are everywhere. 

And as attractive as they may be to photograph, they can also cause problems, as they often throw themselves - some would say suicidal - onto the road. Therefore, when driving, pay close attention to animals on the roadside, as there are reports of accidents every day.

If the eye masks don't work, the birds make too much noise and you can't sleep, then you can always... count sheep to fall asleep.

Alcohol with water

Icelanders have a strange relationship with alcohol. When you visit Iceland for the first time you'll notice that alcoholic drinks are sold exclusively in specific shops called Vinbudin.

In supermarkets you'll find a drink that imitates beer, but isn't beer. It's a drink that imitates the flavour of beer, but eliminates the intoxicating effect. If you want real beer, you won't find it in the supermarket.

Soak in a natural hot spring

In Iceland, thermal baths are much more than just a recreational activity. Public open-air bathing in heated pools is a tradition in Iceland that dates back to the time of the Vikings.

For Icelanders, swimming pools and public baths function as a kind of community centre where people of all ages and professions gather to chat with friends, relax after a hard day's work or recover from a long night of drinking.

Watch out for the weather on your first trip to Iceland

In many cases and countries, the weather is a conversation stopper. However, in Iceland when you talk about the weather it's because the situation is or could be serious. The weather is unstable and at certain times of the year it's dangerous, so it's advisable to always know the forecast for the following day.

Be prepared for all types of weather. Rain is common and the clouds are some of the most dynamic I've ever seen - which is great for photography. No matter the season, storms and wind can be common and we can find all four seasons in a single day. 

Tap water is great

Icelandic water is one of the purest on the planet. And it flows everywhere, in the form of fantastic waterfalls and glaciers, for example. The water that comes out of the tap is also excellent for drinking.

The only thing to note is that sometimes turning on the tap can bring a smell of rotten eggs. This is because Iceland runs on geothermal energy and the country's hot water smells of sulphur. However, if you leave the cold water tap running for a while, the smell goes away and your drinking water won't smell like rotten eggs.

You don't need to exchange a lot of money

In Iceland you can make payments by bank card almost everywhere, as there are facilities to do so. Cash is rarely used, so travelling with credit or debit cards is recommended.

I use the Wise card and the Revolut card to avoid bank fees and commissions. I always travel with both.

Take the right equipment

If you're planning to go near a waterfall - and it's very likely that you will - be prepared to get wet. That's why it's best to take waterproof equipment, such as a raincoat, waterproof trousers and hiking boots.

The climate in Iceland varies greatly at any time of year and the terrain can be slippery. This is especially true near Iceland's main waterfalls. 

Bathing in a hot spring is common in Iceland, so I suggest you pack a swimsuit.

Watch out for sudden waves

Sneakerwaves are extremely dangerous. A Sneaker Wave is described as the moment when a disproportionately large coastal wave appears in a set of waves without warning. These waves can (and have) swept inattentive holidaymakers out to sea.

In Iceland, these waves are common along the South coast and, after the tragic deaths of some tourists, warning signs have been installed in some places, such as Kirkjufjara Beach and the black sand beach of Reynisfjara. Don’t take unnecessary risks and always respect the warnings.

Facilitate language and communication

Something you'll notice on your first trip to Iceland is that almost the entire population speaks English. Even so, it's interesting to know the meaning of some words, such as:

Yes: Já
No: Nei
Thank you: Takk
Good morning: Gódan daginn
Glacier: Jokull
Waterfall: Foss

It's easy to see whales

The waters around Akureyri teem with sea creatures, mainly whales and dolphins. Encounters with rare species such as blue whales and orcas are much more common in the north of Iceland, making it the perfect destination to head out to sea in search of these gentle giants. 

When I was in the northern capital, I couldn't help myself and took a whale-watching tour. And fortunately, I did see several whales close by.

Photography is easy... and difficult

Bring extra batteries and cards as you'll be taking lots of photos. The landscapes are splendid and you'll want to stop every ten minutes to take photos. 

You may not be able to capture as much of what you see as you would like, because the light in Iceland is demanding and requires technical and compositional knowledge. If you want to increase your photographic knowledge or learn how to shoot, join my photography workshops.

Driving tips

Follow the appropriate route

There are countries where much of what there is to see appears on the route between point A and B and goes beyond the final destination. New Zealand and Iceland are two such places.

That's why I recommend that you don't overload your daily itinerary too much. Driving distances tend to be longer than you think and you'll need a lot of time to explore and enjoy the natural beauty on your first trip to Iceland. There are so many beautiful places to photograph that you'll stop a lot.

The hours of light vary greatly in each season. If you visit in summer, you'll have endless hours to travel, but in autumn and winter everything will be different. In winter, there may only be four or five hours of light.

If you have the time, you can travel around the country to suit the wind and the scenery, but if your holidays are numbered, as they usually are, then you'll need to plan more carefully. Leave enough time to get out of the car, explore nature, walk to a waterfall and marvel at a glacier.

The best way to get to know Iceland is to hire a car. That's how I spent several days getting to know this fantastic country.

Be aware that if you hire a normal vehicle - without 4×4 traction - there are several roads on which you cannot drive. Because the terrain doesn't allow it and because it's illegal. These are generally the F roads.

If you want to drive on these roads - and there are many reasons to do so - hire a 4×4 vehicle. It's also important to note that the "F" roads are closed during certain months of the year. In fact, they are often only open between June and September or October.

You'll be driving a lot

Unless you have a lot of time on your hands, it's best to hire a car and choose a region of the country to visit. Even so, you'll be behind the wheel for many hours. The country may not look big on the map, but many of the roads are narrow and winding, so it takes a long time to get anywhere. And because the scenery is so incredible, we drive even slower. If you plan to drive the entire Ring Road (as I did), then book at least 10 days in Iceland.

Top up the deposit when you can

In Iceland, there are many places where we have the pleasure of not seeing any other human being or any other sign of civilisation. And this is fantastic, as it gives you a feeling of extreme freedom. However, if the fuel tank is almost empty, and you start to get cold sweats because the diesel or petrol might not be enough to get you to your destination, it won't be so interesting any more. 

It's therefore wise to top up the tank when it's half full. Don't risk it, because you'll probably have to return the hire car with a full tank.

Comply with driving rules

Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. You won't find many police cars, but there are speed cameras. And unless you want to receive an unexpected fine, it's best not to be heavy-footed.

The maximum speed limit on Iceland's roads is 90 km/h on the main motorways, 80 km/h on gravel roads and 70 km/h in tunnels.

Watch out for the state of the roads

Before setting off by car, check whether there are any closed roads, even during the summer, as the country's climate is very unstable. Check the state of the roads on this site. If you plan to leave the main motorways, register your route with the authorities on the website safetravel.is. The emergency number in Iceland is 112.

Saving tips

One of the things you'll notice on your first trip to Iceland is that it's a beautiful country that you don't want to leave. Unless... you're on a tight budget. Iceland, like all Scandinavian and Nordic countries, isn't cheap, but there are ways to get around the problem and cut costs when travelling around the country.

I wrote an article with 16 ways to save money in Iceland.

Internet and Wi-Fi

The most affordable way to access the internet is to buy this eSIM (with a 15% discount). Discover the world without worrying about roaming and access high-speed internet in over 190 countries.

Money

I use the Wise card and the Revolut card to avoid bank fees and commissions. I always travel with both.

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