Icelandic Króna (ISK). Cards accepted everywhere, no need for cash.

Highland F-roads require a 4WD and are only open June–September. Standard rental cars are forbidden on F-roads, fines are heavy.

June 21st the sun barely sets. Bring a sleep mask if you need darkness to sleep.

Download the Vedur Northern Lights app for cloud cover and solar activity forecasts. Drive away from Reykjavik's light pollution for best results.

Country Guide · Iceland

Iceland Travel Guide 2026

Iceland is unlike anywhere else on Earth. A raw, volcanic island where geysers erupt, glaciers calve into lagoons, the Northern Lights ripple across winter skies, and waterfalls cascade off basalt cliffs at midnight in summer sunlight. It's one of the world's most dramatic and otherworldly destinations, and it's surprisingly compact, making it possible to see an extraordinary amount in just a week. Iceland rewards those who venture beyond the Golden Circle. The Westfjords, the Highlands, and the North are extraordinary, and almost empty.

Plan My Iceland Trip

On this page

At a Glance
Best Time
Costs
Getting There
Regions
Things to Do
Hidden Gems
Tips & FAQ

Iceland at a Glance

Best For: Northern Lights, volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, midnight sun, whale watching, and epic road trips
Must-See: Golden Circle, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Reynisfjara Black Beach, Seljalandsfoss, Ring Road, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik
Food & Drink: Fresh lamb, Arctic char, skyr (Icelandic yoghurt), hot dogs (pylsur), fermented shark (for the brave), Brennivín schnapps, Icelandic craft beer

Best Time to Visit Iceland

June – August · Midnight Sun (Best for Road Trips)

Long daylight (up to 24 hrs in June), all roads open including F-roads to the Highlands, wildflowers and puffin colonies (May–August), green landscapes and waterfalls at full flow. Peak season, book everything months in advance.

September – October · Autumn (Best Balance)

Northern Lights season begins, summer prices drop, fewer crowds, and Iceland's landscapes turn golden. September is arguably the best month, mild, relatively dry, and the first aurora opportunities of the year.

November – February · Northern Lights Peak

Maximum darkness for Northern Lights, but cold (-5 to 5°C in Reykjavik), some roads closed, and limited daylight for sightseeing. Best combined with a Blue Lagoon soak and cosy Reykjavik evenings.

March – May · Spring

Northern Lights still possible in March, Easter brings fewer crowds, prices begin rising from April. Puffins arrive from late April. Some highland roads begin opening in late May.

Typical Trip Costs (Per Person)

Budget · £80–£120 / day

Campervan rental (shared), supermarket cooking, free hiking and waterfalls. Iceland's natural wonders are almost entirely free to access.

Mid-Range · £180–£280 / day

Guesthouse or budget hotel, mix of supermarket and restaurant meals, Northern Lights tour (~£60–100), glacier hike (~£70), Blue Lagoon (~£50–80).

Luxury · £400+ / day

Boutique lodge or glacier hotel, fine dining, private Northern Lights helicopter, ice cave tours, and Retreat Spa at the Blue Lagoon.

Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK). Cards accepted everywhere, Iceland is effectively cashless. Key money saver: Bónus supermarket chain. Hot dog from a street stand (~600 ISK / £3.50) is Iceland's best cheap eat. Most waterfalls, viewpoints, and hiking trails are free. ·

Getting to Iceland

Flying In

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is 50km from Reykjavik, served by Icelandair and many European carriers. Flybus coaches connect to Reykjavik (45 mins, ~£20). From London it's a 3-hour flight, Iceland makes an excellent long weekend destination.

Car Rental, Essential for Exploring

A rental car is essential for the Ring Road, South Coast, and Snæfellsnes. Book early, demand is high in summer. For F-roads (Highlands), a 4WD is mandatory. Campervans with a kitchen dramatically reduce food costs and allow wild camping.

Best Regions of Iceland to Explore

Golden Circle

Iceland's most visited day trip from Reykjavik: Þingvellir National Park (where two tectonic plates meet), the Geysir hot spring area, and the thundering Gullfoss waterfall.

South Coast

Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, black sand beaches at Reynisfjara, and the Vatnajökull glacier, Iceland's most dramatic and photogenic stretch.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The 'Iceland in miniature', a volcanic peninsula with Snæfellsjökull glacier (Jules Verne's entrance to the Earth's core), lava fields, fishing villages, and seal colonies. Far less crowded than the south.

Westfjords

Iceland's most remote and least visited region: dramatic fjords, towering bird cliffs (Látrabjarg, Europe's largest seabird colony), hot pots, and wild Arctic fox sightings. Genuinely off the beaten path.

Highlands

Iceland's uninhabited interior, only accessible in summer by 4WD on F-roads. Landmannalaugar's multicoloured rhyolite mountains, Þórsmörk valley, and vast black lava deserts unlike anywhere on Earth.

North Iceland & Akureyri

Iceland's northern capital: whale watching in Húsavík (the whale watching capital of Europe), Mývatn's volcanic lake area, and the dramatic Dettifoss waterfall, Europe's most powerful.

Top Things to Do in Iceland

Natural Wonders

Chase the Northern Lights (September–March)
Walk behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, one of Iceland's most unique experiences
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, icebergs floating to the black sand Diamond Beach
Hike on Sólheimajökull glacier, guided glacier walks from £60
Geysir hot spring area, Strokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes
Snorkel between tectonic plates at Þingvellir's Silfra fissure
Midnight sun drive on the Ring Road (June–July)

Culture & Experiences

Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, book weeks ahead in summer
Reykjavik's Hallgrímskirkja church and Harpa concert hall
Whale watching from Húsavík or Reykjavik harbour
Puffin watching (May–August) on sea cliffs near Vík or the Westman Islands
Hot pot soaking at a local community pool (every town has one)
Laugavegur hiking trail, 4-day trekking route through volcanic highlands

Hidden Gems in Iceland

Westfjords

Iceland's least visited region, a maze of remote fjords and Europe's largest seabird cliff (Látrabjarg) with millions of puffins and razorbills. The drive in is long but rewards with complete solitude.

Kerlingarfjöll

A dramatic geothermal mountain area in the Highlands with boiling hot springs, steaming vents, and stunning multicoloured rhyolite peaks. Only accessible by 4WD in summer, almost tourist-free compared to Landmannalaugar.

Borgarfjörður Eystri (East Iceland)

A remote fjord in the East, famous as the best place in Iceland to see puffins up close at their nesting burrows. The surrounding Dyrfjöll mountains are stunning and the village is tiny and charming.

Snæfellsnes Secret Spots

Beyond the glacier, the peninsula's Arnarstapi coast, Djúpalónssandur black pebble beach, and Búðakirkja (Iceland's famous black church) are stunning and far quieter than the south coast.

Mývatn Nature Baths

The same geothermal water experience as the Blue Lagoon but in North Iceland, with fewer tourists and a fraction of the price. Surrounded by bizarre lava formations and volcanic craters.

Hólmavík & Strandir Coast

The southern Westfjords coast, Iceland's most remote accessible area. The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft and wild, empty coastline make this feel like a genuine Arctic edge-of-the-world experience.

Packing Tips & FAQ

What to Pack

Waterproof jacket and trousers, Iceland's weather changes every hour
Warm thermal layers, cold even in summer near glaciers and at altitude
Sturdy waterproof hiking boots (essential for waterfalls and lava fields)
Swimsuit, for hot pots, Blue Lagoon, and geothermal pools
Sunscreen, Arctic UV is intense in summer, especially on glaciers
EU/Type F plug adapter if travelling from the UK

Quick FAQs

Currency? Icelandic Króna (ISK). Cards accepted everywhere, no need for cash.
F-roads? Highland F-roads require a 4WD and are only open June–September. Standard rental cars are forbidden on F-roads, fines are heavy.
Midnight sun? June 21st the sun barely sets. Bring a sleep mask if you need darkness to sleep.
Northern Lights tip? Download the Vedur Northern Lights app for cloud cover and solar activity forecasts. Drive away from Reykjavik's light pollution for best results.