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Let me inform you about what to not do in Iceland! Iceland is a dream vacation spot for thus many individuals. Even for me, 11 years after my first of 4 journeys, I’m nonetheless fantasizing concerning the subsequent time I return to Iceland.
And it may be REALLY simple to make a serious journey mistake in Iceland. A mistake that can value you cash, time, or embarrassment, whether or not that is your first time in Iceland or your tenth.
I’ve taken the knowledge from my Iceland journeys and have thrown collectively each tip I might consider. Let’s have a look and what NOT to do in Iceland!
(And don’t overlook to take a look at my different Iceland journey planning posts, together with my Iceland Packing List. Open that one in a brand new window!)
Don’t take out a lot (if any) money.
Iceland is a rustic the place you should utilize bank cards for almost all the things. In reality, on my most up-to-date journey, Amanda and I spent two weeks in Iceland, by no means took out money, and put each buy on bank cards. We didn’t want money as soon as.
If you’re into factors, you may earn an insane quantity of factors on an Iceland journey! (Though please don’t try journey hacking except you have got a behavior of paying your invoice off in full each month. If you have already got good habits and need to begin journey hacking, I like to recommend getting began with the Chase Sapphire Preferred.)
So what is going to it’s worthwhile to pay for in money in Iceland? The public buses in Reykjavík, if not utilizing the app. Occasionally you may come throughout a donation-based scorching spring. That’s about it.
Don’t go right into a swimming pool with out showering bare first.
Icelanders love their swimming swimming pools. Just about each city in Iceland has its personal heated outside swimming pool, and locals collect to soak and chat the way in which different nations’ locals collect at espresso outlets or bars.
And they’re VERY strict about one rule particularly: you could bathe bare first. It is an important requirement. Icelandic swimming pools have restricted chemical substances, in order that they depend on individuals preserving squeaky clear to maintain the pool clear.
This is the case whether or not you go to an Icelandic swimming pool, a scorching tub someplace, or a geothermal spa just like the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or my favourite, the Vök Baths.
You ought to know that the majority geothermal swimming pools have open showers — as in an enormous open area the place individuals bathe subsequent to one another, no limitations, utterly bare. Icelanders aren’t ashamed by nudity. Join in, scrub intensely, and get used to it!
If you’re nervous about being bare in entrance of different individuals, select a spa with personal showers. The Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, and Vök Baths all have personal bathe stalls.
There isn’t any various to showering bare. Seriously. As an apparent foreigner, I used to be steadily requested if I had showered bare earlier than getting into a swimming space. Icelanders take this very critically.
Don’t plan an excessive amount of journey in too little time.
This is the most important mistake I see individuals making in each vacation spot — however significantly Americans visiting Europe. The mindset is, “This is the only time I’ll be here, so I need to see everything.”
Please don’t attempt to see all the things. You received’t have the ability to see all the things you need to see. Make peace with that reality, early and infrequently, and plan an itinerary that leaves room for serendipity.
If you’re driving the Ring Road in your Iceland highway journey, I like to recommend a minimal of eight days to take action. (And even these eight days will likely be packed stable.) If it’s much less time than that, you’re higher off basing in Reykjavík and possibly one or two cities inside just a few hours’ drive.
And don’t underestimate the worth of exploring one area of Iceland in depth versus making an attempt to do the entire nation. You’ll be extra relaxed consequently!
Don’t get near the water at Reynisfjara Beach.
Reynisfjara Beach, in Vík alongside Iceland’s South Coast, is among the most well-known black sand seashores on the earth.
It’s additionally one of the crucial harmful locations in Iceland. But you wouldn’t realize it simply by taking a look at it. It appears to be like like a standard seashore with light waves.
Reynisfjara Beach is understood for its “sneaker waves.” These rogue waves can sneak in out of nowhere and destroy all the things of their path, pulling individuals out to sea.
Tragically, vacationer deaths at Reynisfjara Beach aren’t unusual.
To keep secure, native officers suggest preserving a distance of 30 meters (100 toes) from the water. Keep a watch on the water always. And you probably have kids, intently supervise them.
Finally, know that loads of vacationers ignore these warning indicators and will likely be strolling near the water’s edge on the day you go to. Just as a result of different persons are doing it, it doesn’t make it secure. Be sensible right here.
Don’t overlook your head-to-toe waterproof gear.
Packing for a visit to Iceland is critically necessary. You have to be ready for every kind of climate, it doesn’t matter what time of yr you go. And it’ll be WET for no less than a part of your journey.
At the very least, it’s a good suggestion (if not a necessity) to pack a water-resistant jacket (both an insulated waterproof jacket, or a waterproof shell worn on prime of an insulated jacket), rain pants, waterproof mountain climbing boots, and a waterproof backpack cowl.
(Incidentally, you may depart your umbrella at house — the aforementioned gear will preserve you dry sufficient, and the fierce Icelandic winds usually destroy umbrellas.)
I’ve seen depressing vacationers in Iceland sporting soaked-through sweatshirts after strolling behind my favourite Icelandic waterfall, Kvernufoss. Hell, I actually was depressing when a mountain climbing path become muddy puddles and I started soaking into my non-waterproof mountain climbing sneakers.
See my Iceland packing record for extra info on what you actually have to pack — and what you may depart at house.
Don’t purchase bottled water.
There is zero cause to purchase bottled water in Iceland, ever. The faucet water in Iceland is secure to drink, in addition to scrumptious, and consistently shopping for single-use plastic provides to the air pollution downside.
My suggestion? Bring a reusable water bottle and replenish everytime you’re close to a faucet. I like my BPA-free Blender Bottle, which is tremendous sturdy and is available in a number of colours.
Don’t go whale watching in Reykjavík.
This could be preventing phrases — however let me communicate truthfully (albeit anecdotally). Almost each pal I do know who has gone whale watching in Reykjavík hasn’t seen any whales. They’ve returned to shore dissatisfied.
Iceland does have whales, however Reykjavík shouldn’t be the most effective locations to see them.
As I used to be scripting this, I texted a pal who I do know went whale watching in Reykjavík. “Did you actually see whales in Reykjavík?” Her quote: “No, we did not. It was a terrible experience. We were on the boat for nearly six hours. It was rainy and cold. [My friend] puked. We saw one puffin, I think.”
Instead, go whale watching in Húsavík, North Iceland. The whale watching right here is excellent — 1,000,000 occasions higher than Reykjavík. Sightings are virtually assured with 98% accuracy. I went on this Húsavík whale watch and had a beautiful time, seeing so many attractive whales!
Of course, that is solely an possibility in case you’re planning to go to North Iceland. And in case you’re not going that far, ask your self if you wish to danger not seeing any whales in your tour. Especially in case you’re solely visiting for just a few days.
Meanwhile, there are so many higher issues to do in Reykjavík. If you’re an animal lover, I extremely suggest horseback using within the lava fields close to Reykjavík. Icelandic horses are a particular, cute breed!
Don’t harm the native setting.
Iceland is a very stunning nation with pure wonders that can stupefy you. Please take the time to maintain the setting protected.
It’s particularly necessary as a result of outside sights are not often staffed in Iceland. They anticipate individuals to behave appropriately. I don’t have as a lot religion in different individuals because the Icelanders do.
Here are some issues to remember:
Don’t disturb moss. Stick to marked pathways in Iceland, and the moss that you simply discover in some lava fields may be destroyed in case you stroll on it.
Don’t drive off-road. Off-road driving is prohibited in Iceland.
Don’t litter. This goes with out saying.
Don’t disturb pure habitats. I virtually punched this dude at Reynisfjara Beach who was CLIMBING INTO THE PUFFIN HABITAT. And as a result of there have been no employees there, no one was stopping him. Don’t be that asshole.
Don’t anticipate hopping nightlife earlier than midnight.
Reykjavík is usually a nice metropolis for partying, supplied you’re okay paying the sky-high drink costs. But in case you exit earlier than midnight, you could be amongst a wholly vacationer crowd in a vacationer bar.
Because alcohol is so costly in Iceland, most Icelanders pregame at house with associates earlier than heading out for the night time. (Yep, identical to we did in school.) And most frequently they received’t present as much as a bar or membership till midnight or so.
If it’s 11:30 PM and also you’re beginning to flag a bit…simply maintain on just a little longer. Your night time’s about to begin!
Don’t velocity.
You will likely be tempted to hurry in Iceland — and I get it. Roads are sometimes empty in rural areas. You most likely received’t see a single site visitors cop in all the nation. What’s fallacious with just a little dashing from time to time?
Well, there might not be cops, however there are velocity cameras. Loads of them. And in case you’re caught dashing, you’ll be fined. Often the advantageous may be a whole bunch of {dollars}.
How will you discover out in case you’re not an Iceland resident? They will alert your automobile rental firm, who will then cost you the advantageous. There’s no option to get out of paying these tickets.
The velocity restrict in Iceland is 90 km/hour in rural areas, 80 km/hour on gravel roads, and 30-50 km/hour in populated areas. If you get a newish rental automobile like I did, it would use GPS to enter the velocity restrict proper subsequent to your speedometer. Very cool!
Don’t anticipate the Northern Lights in summer time.
So many vacationers come to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. But a lot of these vacationers don’t notice that the Northern Lights are seasonal. They’re primarily in the course of the winter months, from September by way of March, when the nights are their longest. You can’t see them in the course of the midnight solar!
Additionally, darkish nights are finest for viewing the Aurora Borealis. You’ll need to keep away from reserving your journey throughout a full moon; as a substitute, purpose to reach just a few days earlier than the brand new moon for a number of days of darkish night time skies.
Your finest wager at seeing the Northern Lights is to guide a tour with an knowledgeable tour information who will take you to one of the best spots for viewing. Keep in thoughts that that is totally as much as likelihood, although. You can’t predict the Northern Lights.
That being mentioned, if seeing the Northern Lights is super-important to you, I’d suggest selecting a extra dependable Northern Lights vacation spot north of the Arctic Circle — like Tromsø or Alta in far northern Norway, or Fairbanks, Alaska.
Either approach, don’t overlook to carry a tripod (both a digicam tripod or a smartphone tripod). You have to take lengthy exposures to get the colours to indicate up correctly, and they’re going to end up blurry in case you don’t have a tripod.
Don’t take a taxi into Reykjavík.
What’s one of the simplest ways to get into Reykjavík? Take the Flybus. This airport bus leaves frequently from the airport, you may guide your ticket prematurely, and you’ll select to both be dropped off on the central bus station or at your resort.
The typical value of a taxi from the airport to Reykjavík is eighteen,000 to twenty,000 ISK ($126-140 USD), in comparison with beginning at 3,500 ISK ($24 USD) for the Flybus.
There’s no cause to take a taxi into Reykjavík. It’s one thing solely rich or unaware individuals do. Even if you wish to go to the Blue Lagoon whenever you arrive, there are Flybuses that go from the airport to the Blue Lagoon.
Don’t splurge on meals.
I like splurging on meals after I journey. Almost all over the place I am going, I attempt to have a pleasant meal to see what the vacation spot has to supply.
I don’t splurge on meals in Iceland. And I say this with kindness. After many journeys to Iceland, many tries of native specialties from fermented shark to smoked puffin to Höfn langoustine, I’ve discovered the outcomes virtually universally disappointing. Most of the time it’s common seafood at finest, and on prime of that, restaurant meals have excessive costs.
(I’ll say that one of the best conventional meal I had was just a few seafood dishes at Naustið in Húsavík, and I had an honest fish & chips at Við Voginn in Djúpivogur. Beyond that? Nothing too memorable.)
So in Iceland, I ended up consuming a variety of scorching canine and soup-and-bread specials as a result of they had been low cost and filling, and since I wasn’t lacking a lot when it got here to the pricier dishes.
Additionally, I don’t suppose alcohol is price it in Iceland more often than not. Alcohol is eye-wateringly costly, marked up at an excellent larger charge than most different bills. I prefer to strive an area craft beer from time to time, and luxuriate in an occasional cocktail, but it surely’s undoubtedly a rarity and never a norm.
I do know some individuals like to purchase alcohol on the Duty Free on the airport for cheaper. If you don’t need to get by way of a visit with out alcohol, that’s most likely your finest finances possibility.
But my suggestion? Eat low cost and splurge on cool actions. That’s the place you’ll get larger worth.
Don’t day journey to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon from Reykjavík.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is a excessive precedence for a lot of Iceland vacationers. And it’s simple to see why — this lagoon is among the most stunning locations in Iceland, blue-and-white glaciers simply bobbing alongside within the water!
Jökulsárlón is situated in southeast Iceland, and certainly there are day journeys to Jökulsárlón from Reykjavík. But individuals don’t notice that Jökulsárlón is a five-hour drive from Reykjavík.
That’s 10 hours in a automobile in a single day.
Is Jökulsárlón price that a lot time in a automobile? I personally don’t suppose so, particularly in case your time in Iceland is restricted. The South Coast has so many attractive pure wonders which can be rather more simply accessible.
What to do as a substitute? I like to recommend a glacier strolling tour on the South Coast. This approach you’ll get to see cool ice, in addition to some waterfalls, with out spending your complete day in a van.
Don’t drive on F-roads in a two-wheel drive automobile.
When you hire a automobile in Iceland, you’ll should make a number of choices. Manual or computerized? (Don’t make the error I did as soon as and order handbook in case you can’t drive stick.) Sedan or SUV? Four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive?
That final query is definitely fairly necessary, as some roads in Iceland require a four-wheel-drive car. Driving them in a two-wheel-drive car is each unsafe and unlawful, because the highway circumstances are significantly gnarly.
These roads are known as F roads, or highland roads, and are primarily restricted to the Icelandic Highlands (mainly the middle of the nation).
If you’re driving the Ring Road, you don’t want to fret about this — the Ring Road is secure to drive with a two-wheel drive car in the summertime months, together with most simple detours. You ought to get a four-wheel drive car for winter journey, regardless of the place you’re going.
On prime of that, there are gravel roads. It’s authorized to drive them in a two-wheel drive automobile, and I did so just a few occasions (just like the gravel highway to the east facet of Dettifoss waterfall, and the very tough gravel highway to Múlagljúfur Canyon). The key’s to go slowly and look ahead to potholes.
There was one highway that we determined shouldn’t be tried in our two-wheel drive car: the drive to the second car parking zone on the east facet of Studlagil Canyon. There had been so many potholes and uneven stretches that we determined to stroll as a substitute — which took an additional half-hour every approach however was the correct choice.
Don’t step off path in geothermal areas.
There are locations in Iceland the place the geothermal exercise is off the charts. Hverir, within the Lake Myvatn area, is a spot the place you may watch the Earth sizzle, plumes of steam making their approach by way of cracks.
You don’t need to step off the marked paths in locations like these. Loads of what appears to be like like stable floor is definitely a skinny layer over boiling water. You might scald your self or worse.
This is one other place the place Iceland operates on the consideration system, anticipating individuals to observe the foundations. Be a rule-follower right here!
Don’t bathe within the morning.
Kind of a bizarre one right here, however hear me out. I feel showering at night time is a good concept in Iceland.
If you’re staying in lodging with shared bogs — which is the case at most finances lodging in Iceland — there will likely be a line of individuals ready to bathe within the morning. This is far worse in case your guesthouse has (gasp!) just one rest room.
That, and you’ll wash all of your mountain climbing grime off at night time. Always good earlier than you sleep.
Besides that, it’s a lot simpler to get out very first thing within the morning and hit the highway in case you roll off the bed, dress, wash your face and brush your enamel, and simply HIT THE ROAD. Make essentially the most of your daylight. And in case you head out early, you’ll see locations earlier than they get crowded!
Don’t assume a camper van will prevent cash.
Traveling Iceland by camper van is a very talked-about factor to do. And why wouldn’t it’s? Travel the nation on a whim, cease the place you need to cease every night time.
The downside is that folks suppose {that a} camper van is a less expensive possibility than staying in finances inns. It’s not.
If you worth it out manually, hiring a camper van for, say, 10 days, will work out roughly the identical and even probably greater than a automobile rental and staying in finances inns. Keep in thoughts that you simply additionally should pay for campsites, as wild tenting shouldn’t be allowed in Iceland.
Hire a camper van if you would like that sort of Iceland journey, particularly. Don’t do it since you assume it’ll prevent cash.
Don’t guide the Blue Lagoon last-minute.
The Blue Lagoon is the preferred attraction in Iceland. As a end result, it books up in a short time, and infrequently sells out utterly.
The Blue Lagoon is situated near Keflavík Airport and a few 45-minute drive from Reykjavík metropolis, so I like to recommend visiting the Blue Lagoon both proper whenever you arrive or proper earlier than you permit. It’s rather more handy that approach.
I extremely suggest reserving your slot on the Blue Lagoon no less than a month prematurely, in case you’re touring in the course of the summer time months. If you’re visiting Iceland within the winter, you will get away with reserving nearer to the date.
Read More: Things People Don’t Tell You About the Blue Lagoon
Don’t solely keep in Reykjavík.
True story — I dated a man who advised me he had been to Iceland too, and had one of the best time. He went for 2 nights, partied his ass off in Reykjavík, and flew again to New York with out leaving town limits.
Reykjavík is a enjoyable metropolis. Trust me on that. But it’s not what makes Iceland particular. What makes Iceland particular is the pure setting. And a bonus — the pure websites are often free to go to.
This is to not drag individuals who guide Reykjavík lodging for his or her complete keep — you are able to do that! I’ve carried out that thrice! You do it by reserving numerous cool day journeys, or by renting a automobile and driving your self.
My prime suggestions for day journeys from Reykjavik embody the South Coast, the Golden Circle, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and one thing else that catches your curiosity. I personally cherished snorkeling between the tectonic plates at Silfra in Thingvellir National Park; horseback using is enjoyable, too.
Read More: Best Things to Do in Reykjavík, Iceland
More on What NOT to Do:
Planning a Trip to Iceland:
Cool Places to Visit in Iceland:
Have you been to Iceland? What are your ideas?