Iceland is an island in the Atlantic ocean known as the place of fire & ice, the 2nd biggest island in Europe after Great Britain. The capital is Reykjavik and the population is only 330.000 people.
Everyone who heard I visited Iceland was so impressed and after I returned, I was receiving so many questions about the trip. Well, as much as I would like to, I really doubt I will ever be able to give an accurate answer that truly describes how wonderful, stunning, crazy, and intense ICELAND and my trip was! 
To begin with, the absolute ideal for Iceland is a roadtrip! I did that with a Greek travel agency, so everything was organized and we were split into groups of 5 people driving rental cars. But this is something you can do on your own as well.
In general, you have 2 options:
- You rent a van/campervan and you start the roadtrip which I recommend.
- You stay in the capital Reykjavic and you can have daytrips from there. (this choice though is tiring enough and you cannot see so many things , Golden circle is a must & possible)
Iceland is a country with many variations in the weather especially during winter time and you need to be prepared for everything.
THINGS TO KNOW before your trip to ICELAND:
- Route 1 is the main road in the country, the Ring road that encircles Iceland and this is the absolute road trip. The Golden Circle is a much smaller circle starting and finishing in Reykjavic, a tourist route in southern Iceland, covering about 300 kilometres that contains many important tours and travel-related activities in Iceland. Angel’s tip: During winter, the roadtrip of the whole circle of the island is difficult due to the weather conditions. If this road closes, you have no other options so check often the weather forecast. I was stranded in the hotel for more than 24 hours.
- The currency used in Iceland is the Icelandic Krone (pronounced “krona”). 1 euro = 150 ISK. Icelanders usually pay for everything by card. I didn’t carry cash with me at all.
- Please note it is an expensive country. For example, I paid for a chocolate crepe 15 euros and for a chicken sandwich 20 euros. Angel’s tip: Shop at grocery stores, like we did, to save money, you can save lots of money and they are pretty affordable.
- Native language: Icelandic but they speak English fluently.
- Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) need clear and dark sky, that’s why they can be seen mainly during winter – from September to April. Download Aurora application & happy hunting!
- Iceland is famous for the midnight sun in the summer, a natural phenomenon that occurs during the summer months (June-July mainly) when the sun remains visible 24 hours a day, meaning the sun never fully sets.
- Book in advance some excursions like ice cave, hiking in the glacier, Blue lagoon, even restaurants…
- Icelandic water is drinkable even in the waterfalls, bring your own water bottle and fill it up.
- Hakarl is a famous Icelandic shark snack that you can try.
- If you buy something from Iceland and you fly back to your country, you can get the VAT back! If you buy clothes / souvenirs / gifts of more than 6000 ISK, you can ask the cashier for your tax-free receipt (at the time of purchase). Submit the receipts to the customs office at the Keflavík International Airport and take the VAT back.
CLOTHES
Icelandic weather is very unpredictable. Dress in several layers and bring waterproof clothing and thermal pants/blouses no matter what the season is.
Let me tell you some important things I took with me:
- A waterproof backpack and a small bag for credit cards, phone, keys etc
- Warm clothing / thermal base layers
- Waterproof jacket, pants and parka
- Hiking boots and Crampons Angel’s tip: Crampons can help since many spots are slippery due to ice. Some other months they are not needed.
- Wool socks
- Ski/waterproof gloves
- Buff neck gaiter
- Headwear
- Swimsuit and Flip Flops Angel’s tip: I didn’t have flip flops for the natural springs and I was barefoot but they were necessary.
- Quick-Dry Towel, otherwise you can pay for one
- Waterproof vase for your mobile (for the hot springs)
- Sunglasses
- Power bank
- Thermos/water bottle
- Sleep mask for the summer
- Sun cream
- European electrical adapter if you are not from Europe
- Casual clothes/ jeans for Reykjavik
- Casual shoes for Reykjavik or boots. Angel’s tip: I went during winter and I took 2 pairs, 1 Moonboots and 1 hiking shoes.
DON’T MISS
The Capital. I am sure you have in mind that Iceland is all about stunning nature, black sand beaches, waterfalls, geysers, glaciers, lava fields…. You are right of course! But Reykjavic is beautiful too!
- Devote at least one night there as it has nice nightlife and stroll around the city center, admire Hallgrimskirkja church, Rainbow street, the lake Tjornin & Sun Voyager. You can find many interesting museums as well.
- You can book “whale watching” experience as well. I did it and it was so awesome (but a bit seasick due to the weather) Ships depart from Reykjavik port! Link to book here .
- Restaurants I recommend in Reykjavik: Grillmarket, Salka, Duck & Rose and Flatey Pizza for Italian, Krost, Skal, Sjavargrillio, Sumak, Íslenski barinn,Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur for hot dogs, Restaurant Mika for Italian and chocolates,
FUEGO Taqueria for tacos, Valdis for ice cream!
- For sandwiches to-go, visit Hlollabatar.
MUST DO when in ICELAND:
- Many start their trip by visiting the “Thingvellir National park”: where the Eurasian plate meets the North American Tectonic plate. It is beautiful.
- Iceland has 269 glaciers. A glacier is a giant mass of ice that moves slowly over land. It’s an incredibly long process and Earth’s glaciers formed over thousands of years — so every glacier you’ll encounter is an ancient creature. Must visit in Iceland is the biggest in Europe: Vatnajokull which covers approximately 10% of the country. Angel’s tip: Don’t miss to explore the natural ice cave situated in Vatnajokull! It is located quite high up on the glacier, so you will hike a bit to reach it.
- Waterfalls are endless, some impressive ones are: Seljalandsfoss, Gullfoss, Skogafoss (famous for the rainbow created often in front of it), Svartifoss, Kirkjufell, Dettifoss.
- Due to the high rate of volcanic activity in Iceland, it is home to some of the most famous geysers in the world. Don’t miss to visit one. Strokkur is a famous one.
- Relaxing in hot springs is a must, I loved Blue lagoon & Secret lagoon. Seljavallalaug natural geothermal pool is an oasis too. There are plenty of amazing free nature hot springs located all around the country but the ones mentioned above are not. There is so much thermally heated water on the island, so bathing is one of the most popular leisure activities not only for residents but for visiting tourists too. Angel’s tip: Especially for the Blue lagoon you need to book specific time some days/weeks in advance. Prices start from 60 euros per person.
- Solheimasandur plane wreck was cool! (Veryyyy windy though) Angel’s tip: After you park, you can take a bus or walk till there. When I visited, it was so windy that I could not walk at all, bus was a lifesaver and I recommend it!
- Fradratglojufur gorge & Stuðlagil Canyon are astonishing. During winter they are full of snow often though, so it is not worth it like in spring or summer time.
- Búðakirkja church is very instagrammable. A tiny wooden church dating back to the 19th century in a scenic natural area with a lava field, in the middle of nowhere. Angel’s tip: Don’t expect to spend more than 30 minutes here. It is just a 10 min detour from the main road 🙂
- Dyrholaey nature reserve is amaaazing! The views, the beach, the famous arch, the lighthouse. Once you are on top of the highest area of Dyrhólaey (highly recommended!!) you will have a breathtaking view to all directions. The Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the endless black coastline, the huge black arch of lava reaching up to the sea that the peninsula thas gotten its name from…. Did you know that Dyrhólaey literally means “the hill island with the door hole”? Angel’s tip: You can walk all the way to the top to enjoy the views or take the car and park directly to the parking area close to the lighthouse.
- Don’t skip a visit in some awesome beaches the country has. 3 must-visit are Diamond beach known for its “diamonds” (famous for its black sand and icebergs that wash up on the shore, resembling sparkling diamonds) , Reynisfjara black beach and Ytri Tunga known for the 🦭 seals.
- Kerid crater is just WOW. A volcanic crater lake in the Grimsnes area of South Iceland. It is close to the 3 major sites that comprise Iceland’s world-famous Golden Circle sightseeing route.
- Iceland has many volcanoes that you can discover & hike. Katla is the most famous & active one. I visited Fagradalsfjall that had the most recent eruption.(August 2022) Did you know that on average every 5 years there is a volcano eruption?
FUN FACTS for Iceland
- There are no mosquitoes in Iceland.
- Iceland has no trains
- No McDonalds here
- Beer was illegal till 1989
- In the middle of the summer, there is only daylight.
MY ICELAND ITINERARY / WINTER EDITION:
- I had a flight from Athens, Greece to Reykjavik (Keflavik airport) via Vienna.
Depending on the time you arrive you can choose a hotel close to Reykjavik or close to the airport , I stayed in Grastheinn hotel .
See below the ideal itinerary during winter for 1 week trip :
Below are the spots included in the Golden circle and some more from the south Coast and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. As I mentioned before, during winter, the Ring road is not accessible many times due to weather conditions and many closed roads.
Golden Circle is the most famous of all scenic routes in Iceland and most people start with it to get a taste of Iceland’s epic landscape, since it combines spectacular landmarks and historically significant places in a circular sightseeing tour.
DAY 1️
- Thingvellir National park with Oxararfoss waterfall
- Geysir Strokkur
- Gullfoss waterfall
- Secret Lagoon to relax
Convenient Hotel: Kanskarinn
DAY 2️
- Seljalandsfoss waterfall
- Skogafoss waterfall
- Solheimajokull glacier
- Solheimasandur plane wreck
- Reynisfjara black beach
Suggestion for Hotel: “Laki” close to Vik village 
DAY 3️
The area around Vik village is simply breathtaking & it is arguably the crown jewel of Iceland.
- Skaftafell National park
- Vatnajokull Glacier to hike and visit the ice cave
- Svartifoss waterfall
- Jokulsarlon lakesea
- Diamond beach
Suggestion for Hotel: “Laki” close to Vik village
DAY 4️
- Stjornarfoss waterfall
- Fradratglijufur canyon
- Dyrholaey nature preserve
- Soheimajokull Geothermal pool
- Kerid crater (a lake inside an extinct volcano crater)
Suggestion for Hotel: “Fron” or any hotel in the capital, Reykjavik 
DAY 5️
Time to visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula which is a day trip from the capital with less than 3 hrs driving.
- Ytri Tunga famous for the seals
- Budakirkja church
- Kirkjufell mountain & waterfall
- Shark museum in Bjarnahofn (if open since it is closed some months)
Suggestion for Hotel: “Fron” or any hotel in the capital, Reykjavik 
DAY 6️
- Reykjavik city
You can add a Whale watching / ships depart from Reykjavik port.
Suggestion for Hotel: “Fron” or any hotel in the capital, Reykjavik 
DAY 7️
- Fagradalsfjall volcano or another the previous days
- Blue lagoon
Suggestion for Hotel: any hotel close to the airport , I stayed in Grastheinn
Angel’s tip: Every night look for dark spots if the sky is clear to see the Northern lights. In case you see it in a bright spot, take the car and drive to a spot with less lights ofr better observation!
Angel’s tip: Download the “Aurora” application and check every day the possibility of seeing the Northern lights. If the percentage is high, check the best places around you.
Please note that North Iceland during winter is a bit difficult due to weather conditions, strong winds and heavy snow can significantly inhibit visibility so be careful. This was something I faced during my trip in March, all roads in that part were not accessible. But if weather is ok when you visit and you are in Iceland for more, there are plenty other stunning things you can explore.
Check the weather here and the roads here.
THE ABSOLUTE ROAD TRIP (MAINLY DURING SUMMER)
Do you have more days and you visit ICELAND with nice weather? Go for the absolute road trip ! Europe’s best road trip circles Iceland, from Reykjavík to Reykjavík, on the 800-mile Highway 1 — the Ring Road.
The Ring Road includes, as per above map, the Golden circle, the South & Southeast Coast, the East Iceland (Eastfjords), the Diamond Circle in the North and the West Iceland with the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Things you cannot miss in the Ring road apart from the above:
- Hike the Studlagil Canyon.
- Visit the Godafoss waterfall and Dettifoss waterfall, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe.
- Admire Lake Myvatn, a volcanic lake which is one of the largest lakes in Iceland and swim in the Myvatn Nature Baths. The baths are a set of geothermally heated pools and steam baths found in the Lake Mývatn area.
- Hike in the Asbyrgi canyon, a huge glacial canyon with phenomenal rock formations.
- Visit Husavík town on the north coast known as the ‘whale watching capital of Iceland’ , Akureyri the second largest settlement in Iceland and Seydisfjordu, a picturesque & colorful town in East Iceland with a bright blue-white church and a rainbow painted on the road.
ICELAND IS EPIC! Enjoy!
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