Locations Visited: Reykjavik, Selfoss, Vik
Would visit this country, if you love the outdoors: hiking, glacier hiking, ice cave tours, whale watching, hot springs (lagoons), rainbows, rock climbing, kayaking, winter sports, etc.!
Currency: Icelandic Króna
Language: Icelandic, but English is widely spoken
When to Visit: June to August (summer) for outdoor activities or September to March (winter) for the Northern Lights
~Visited: September 2018
Minimum Stay: 3 to 5 Days
Electrical Outlet Type: Type C and Type F
Visa Needed: No, you just need a passport. However, starting in 2026, you will need an ETIAS authorization!
Vaccination(s) Needed: No vaccine needed to visit this country
Daily Spending Budget (including: accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities/excursions): $150 to $350
Best Transportation Option: Car and Buses
Rating Scale for this Destinations:
Overall Rating – 8/10
- Accessibility: How easy is it to travel to this place (fly, drive, cruise, train, etc.)? – 8/10
- Plenty of flights from the US, especially from eastern USA
- Pro Tip: I miss WOW Airline, they had such great deals! PLAY Airline is the new affordable alternative.
- Friendliness: Are the local people friendly and welcoming to tourists? – 10/10
- People are friendly, welcoming, and accommodating! Some of the nicest and warmest people I have ever met!
- Affordability: Is this place affordable to visit? Is it expensive to travel to this place? – 5/10
- Accommodations and restaurants are expensive; Iceland is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world
- Walkability: How is the public transportation in this place? Is this place walkable and easy to navigate? –5/10
- Not familiar with any public transportation and only walkable in downtown Reykjavik. You will need to book excursions/activities and transportation in advance or rent a car
- Safety: Is this place safe, especially for solo travelers, female travelers, disable travelers, and minority travelers? – 10/10
- Felt very safe here, able to walk around solo at night, and no obvious discrimination toward me. People were very welcoming to diversity.
- Health Concerns: Should I be concerned with water quality, sanitation, and/or exposure to health risks? (the higher the rating, the least concern) –10/10
- No water quality, sanitation, or health risk exposure concerns while visiting this country.
- Culinary Arts: How is the food? Are there plenty of food options? – 10/10
- The food was great, and there were plenty of options!
- Relaxation: Is this place relaxing? Will I feel rested after my trip? –8/10
- Depends on your definition of relaxation. If you’re outdoorsy or enjoy ending your day in a hot spring, then relaxation/rest is fully covered. Otherwise, this may not be the most relaxing trip.
- Enjoyability: Does this place provide a variety of activities and excursions? Is it a fun place to visit? – 9/10
- There is no shortage of activities and excursions for those who love the outdoors, but it does offer some city life.
Recommended Things to See and Do:
Reykjavik: Perlan Museum, Hallgrimskirkja Church, Sun Voyager, the Icelandic Phallological Museum, Reykjavik Art Museum, Reykjavik Maritime Museum,Harpa
Outside of Reykjavik: Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, Geysir, Northern Lights, Glacier Lagoon (Jokulsarlon), Black Sand Beach (Diamond Beach or Vik), Waterfalls (Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss), Thingvellir National Park, Sky Lagoon, Svartifoss, Laugarvatn Fontana
Pro Tip: Properly pack for the weather
Recommended Restaurants:
Reykjavik: Olifa – La Madre Pizza,Reykjavík Kitchen, KRÖST, La Primavera, Dill, Lebowski Bar, Nebraska, Ox
Outside of Reykjavik: Sjafavpakkhúsið and Skipper in Stykkishólmur, Kaffi Krus in Selfoss, Fridheimar in Selfoss, Sudur-Vik in Vik, Ingolfsskali Viking Restaurant near Selfoss
Foods to Try: Lamp,Fish, Langoustine, Plokkfiskur (fish dish), Kjotsupa(lamp soup), Skyr(Icelandic yogurt), Pylsa(Icelandic hot dog), Ice Cream and Cheese, Rye Bread and Butter, Snudur(chocolate covered cinnamon roll)
Recommended Accommodations:
Reykjavik: Reykjavik Lights by Keahotels, Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel, Grandi by Center Hotels, Sand Hotel by Keahotels, Exeter Hotel
Outside of Reykjavik: Hotel Ranga, the Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, the Northern Lights Inn, ION Adventure, Skálakot Hotel, Hótel Húsafell, Deplar Farm, Vogafjós Farm Resort
Recommendations/Final Thoughts: Iceland is another country that should be on everyone’s bucket list, it has so much to offer: great people, great food, beauty, adventure, and lagoons! There is so much to love about Iceland!
What are your recommendations and thoughts about this location? Please share below!