I recently returned from spending 5 amazing days exploring Iceland. My Russian and I along with two of our friends threw our luggage in the trunk of our rental and hit the road, touring the Golden Circle, the southern coast and ending our trip on the northern peninsula in hopes of catching the northern lights. We saw the beautiful dancing lights and then some on what was one of our most memorable trips in a while!

One week spent road tripping around Iceland not only gave me a chance to marvel at the ever-changing landscapes, but also learn a lot about this magical country. Below are 21 things to know before you go to Iceland that I discovered during my 5 day adventure!

 

 

1. Iceland is known for its unique geography thanks to its numerous volcanoes, 30 of which are active, as well as its lava fields, jagged mountain ranges, glaciers, waterfalls, geothermal pools and black sand beaches. If you turn your head for a second, you’ll surely miss something cool!

 

2. Winter is the best time to visit if you want a chance to catch the northern lights. It’s also the best time to enjoy the magic of Diamond Beach, a black sand beach speckled with large chunks of glacier ice.

 

3. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, plan on visiting Iceland between September and April. We were so lucky to catch a glimpse of them during the end of our trip. I plan on doing a full post on tips for spotting and photographing them now that I finally figured it out!

 

 

4. Icelandic horses are a source of pride and money for the country. Most are bred for sport and once a horse leaves Iceland, it can never return due to the strict livestock import/export rules. Icelandic horses are smaller in stature and resemble ponies, but if you call them that you’ll quickly be corrected!

 

5. Summer is the best time to visit Iceland if you want to visit the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, see lupine fields in bloom and enjoy water activities such as glacier lagoon tours.

 

6. The sun sets late in the winter and the light can linger until after 10pm. During the summer however, Iceland experiences Midnight Sun or 24 hours of daylight due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle. How wild is that? Yet another reason why I want to return to Iceland in the summer!

 

 

7. Pack for all types of weather. It can change within minutes! Although winter temperatures are relatively mild due to the warm air brought in by the Gulf Stream, the wind makes things pretty chilly. I prepared properly for the temps, but not so much for the wind! It was INTENSE! Don’t forget gloves and something to cover your ears. You can thank me later!

 

8. You’ll need a bathing suit regardless of what time of year you visit to enjoy the hot springs. There are several spas located throughout Iceland, the Blue Lagoon being the most popular. There are also some natural hot springs which, if you can find them, are an amazing experience!

 

9. Don’t leave Iceland without trying some of their traditional dishes – fermented shard, lamb and rye bread are a must! We tried all these goodies at Café Loki in Reykjavik on our last night. I highly recommend. And be sure to try their rye bread ice cream!

 

10. You’ll need to rent a car. While you could book a sightseeing tour, the best way to see all that Iceland has to offer is to rent a car and hit the road. Many of Iceland’s attractions are spread out and a car is essential if you want to squeeze it all in. We got a good deal through Firefly.

Travel Tip: Iceland’s weather is unpredictable, which means road conditions can change quickly. You can check the road status in real time here.

 

11. Iceland is incredibly clean. Most cars run on diesel and the entire country is powered by renewable energy sourced from hydro and geothermal power. Pretty cool way to put nature to use!

 

12. Iceland power outlets have European stule 2-prong sockets with 220 volts, so you’ll need a converter and adapter if you travel with items that don’t already have one (like curling irons and hairdryers).

 

 

13. Food can get expensive! As an example, your average hamburger costs about $25. Living in New York, I wasn’t entirely shocked by the prices, but it can add up especially if you’re eating out for every meal. The one silver lining, black caviar is super cheap! Like, less than $10 cheap and it’s delicious! We ate it just about every day on fresh bread with butter and of course with vodka shots! It’s also the only souvenir I brought back with me!

Cost Saving Tip: Stock up on lunch and snack items at the local grocery rather than eating at a restaurant for every meal. This will also save you a ton of time.  We would pack sandwiches in the morning and enjoy lunch in the car in between sightseeing. Locals told us that Bonus had the best deals, but you’ll find the cheapest black caviar at Kronan!

 

14. Alcohol is even more expensive. A $25 bottle of vodka costs about 3 times that! Also, you can only buy alcohol in liquor stores. Don’t let that beer at the grocery stores fool you, it’s only 2.25% alcohol! Also note that both liquor and grocery stores close early. 8pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends, with the exception of a few 24 hour convenience stores.

Cost Saving Tip: Stock up on your booze, if that’s your thing, at the duty free store after landing at the airport. You’ll pass right by it on your way to baggage claim and you can find reasonably priced spirits there.

 

15. Don’t bother buying drinking water. Iceland’s tap water is pure and clean and something they pride themselves on. You may even see some people collecting water directly from rivers and streams, but I wouldn’t advise that. I tried it in Switzerland and spent the last day of that trip sick in bed!

 

 

16. Iceland has a population of just under 350,000 people, with a majority residing in the capital city of Reykjavik. Meaning that once you head out of town, you won’t run into many other cars or people except for at the popular attractions and your hotel!

 

17. Iceland is ranked the 3rd richest country in Europe according to the World Atlas. Despite a dip during the 2008 recession, the country has bounced back to prosperity thanks to harnessing renewable energy sources and its vibrant fishing industry.

 

18. Icelandic is the official language, but a majority of the population knows English, so communicating with locals is a breeze. Surprise a local by greeting them good day in their native language by saying góðan daginn or thank you by saying takk!

 

 

19. Don’t bother withdrawing cash. Credit cards are accepted everywhere, even the bathroom at Skógafoss waterfall, which charges a $2 fee! Just be sure to notify your bank in advance and check to see if you’ll be charged a foreign transaction fee.

 

20. Don’t bother splurging on fancy hotels. Iceland’s hostels, or guesthouses, are spacious, super clean and a great deal! We didn’t book any of our rooms in advance and managed to find some great places on the spot. I don’t usually stay in hostels, but I highly recommend the ones in Iceland.

Travel Tip: If you plan on spending some time on Iceland’s northwest peninsula, check out Hotel Langaholt. It’s situated between a glacier and the ocean and offers some stunning views! It’s also the perfect location for spotting the northern lights! We stayed there two nights and had such a relaxing time! The photo above was taken from the balcony in our room. 

 

21. If you want to skip hotels altogether, consider renting a camper. We passed several sleeper vans and they looked awesome! Many come with kitchens and storage so you can see all of Iceland without ever having to leave your vehicle! If I ever get to go back, I would definitely try this option out. It looked like a ton of fun and it just gives you so much more freedom to explore!

 

Have you visited Iceland? What fun facts would you add to this list? Share your comments below!