What can travellers expect in Iceland?
Iceland sits on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and displays volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls and glaciers across an area of around 103,000 km². The Ring Road (Route 1) circles the island for about 1,322 km, connecting Reykjavik in the southwest with Akureyri in the north.
With a population of around 390,000, Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe; over 60% of the population lives in the greater Reykjavik area, with the rest spread across small coastal towns along the Ring Road.
This page summarizes Reykjavik and Akureyri as starting points for South Iceland, the Golden Circle and North Iceland, along with the best time to visit, entry requirements, getting there, and the advisories from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA, as of September 2026.
Sources: Wikipedia · Visit Iceland, Business Iceland
What is Iceland like as a travel destination?
Iceland is a nature-focused destination: volcanic activity, geothermal energy and a harsh North Atlantic climate shape both the landscape and everyday life, visible for instance in geothermally heated outdoor pools in almost every town. The official language is Icelandic, but English works practically everywhere in tourism.
The island sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and counts over 30 active volcanic systems; the Reykjanes peninsula southwest of Reykjavik is volcanically active, so individual areas can be temporarily closed during eruptions.
Geothermal energy covers much of the energy supply, visible in steam columns along the road and in the many public swimming pools that stay warm even in winter; bathing in a hot pool is a firm part of Icelandic everyday life.
Icelandic has changed comparatively little since the Viking Age, so that medieval saga texts remain largely readable for Icelanders today; the sagas are considered the foundation of Iceland's storytelling tradition.
Sources: Wikipedia
Which regions of Iceland are worth visiting?
The two starting points are Reykjavik in the southwest for the Golden Circle and the south coast, and Akureyri in the north for Eyjafjörður and the Mývatn area. The Ring Road connects the two over around 480 km through Iceland's highland surroundings.
Reykjavik and the Golden Circle
Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in the world, can be surveyed from Hallgrímskirkja church on a hill in the centre. Around 50 km to the east begins the Golden Circle with Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian plates visibly drift apart, and where Iceland's first parliament (Alþingi) convened in the year 930; the site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.
Further along the Golden Circle lies the Geysir geothermal area, where the smaller geyser Strokkur erupts up to 30 m high every 8 to 10 minutes, as well as the two-tiered waterfall Gullfoss, which plunges around 32 m into a gorge of the river Hvítá.
South coast
Along the south coast lie the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss, behind whose curtain of water you can walk, and Skógafoss; the headland Dyrhólaey offers views of black sand beaches and offshore rock formations. The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon shows drifting icebergs calving from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier.
North Iceland and Akureyri
Akureyri, Iceland's second-largest town with around 20,000 residents, lies sheltered at the end of the Eyjafjörður fjord and is considered the gateway to North Iceland. From there, around an hour's drive reaches the Goðafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn with lava fields and hot springs, and the coastal town of Húsavík, known for whale watching.
Reykjanes peninsula
On the peninsula southwest of Reykjavik, near Keflavik Airport, lies the geothermal Blue Lagoon; the region is volcanically active, which is why individual areas can be temporarily closed during eruptions.
Southeast Iceland and Vatnajökull
Further east of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon extends Vatnajökull National Park, at around 14,000 km² one of the largest national parks in Europe, surrounding the glacier of the same name, around 7,700 km² in size, listed as a UNESCO natural heritage site since 2019 under "Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice". The park links volcanoes beneath the ice with glacier tongues, ice caves and waterfalls such as Svartifoss with its characteristic basalt columns.
Highlands and Westfjords
Inland lies the Icelandic highlands with colourful rhyolite mountains such as at Landmannalaugar, reachable only in the summer season with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The Westfjords in the northwest are among the most sparsely populated regions in Europe, offering steep bird cliffs and pristine fjord scenery away from the Ring Road.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Visit Iceland, Business Iceland
When is the best time to visit Iceland?
June to August offers the mildest conditions and the best access to the highlands, with highs around 13 to 15 °C in Reykjavik and long days up to the midnight sun. September to March suits the northern lights but brings shorter days, more wind and snow on the Ring Road.
Station data show a cool, year-round humid climate without a pronounced dry season: even in June, the driest month, Reykjavik still receives over 80 mm of rainfall, with September and December the wettest.
Reykjavik and Akureyri (North Iceland) throughout the year
| Reykjavik | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Low °C | -2 | -2 | -1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | -3 |
| Rainfall mm | 169 | 152 | 153 | 119 | 93 | 83 | 99 | 121 | 181 | 147 | 149 | 172 |
| Akureyri | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| Low °C | -5 | -5 | -4 | -1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 4 | -0 | -3 | -6 |
| Rainfall mm | 110 | 96 | 100 | 87 | 86 | 71 | 98 | 104 | 126 | 132 | 125 | 121 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station REYKJAVIK (2 km, 15 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station AKUREYRI (3 km, 2 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Reykjavik reaches its warmest month in July at around 15.1 °C; in January, the daytime high sits at around 3.5 °C, with nights just below freezing. Akureyri lies more sheltered in its fjord and shows similar summer values to Reykjavik, but colder winter nights down to around −6.3 °C in December.
From late May to late July, the midnight sun provides nearly continuous daylight; conversely, from November to January it stays light for only a few hours a day. The northern lights are most likely to be visible between September and March under clear, dark skies.
Parts of the highlands in the island's interior are reachable by vehicle only from late June to September; outside this period, many highland tracks remain closed because of snow.
Sources: Visit Iceland, Business Iceland
What do you need to enter Iceland?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals need no visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days: Iceland is a Schengen member but not part of the EU, and a valid passport or ID card is sufficient (as of September 2026). The current information from the relevant official bodies remains authoritative.
- Switzerland: as a Schengen associate, Swiss nationals enter with a passport or ID card; consular matters for Iceland are handled by the Swiss representation for the Nordic countries.
- Germany: according to the Federal Foreign Office, a passport, provisional passport, ID card, provisional ID card or children's passport is sufficient, valid for the entire length of stay.
- Austria: according to the BMEIA, a passport or ID card valid for the entire length of stay is sufficient; the Austrian embassy responsible for Iceland is located in Copenhagen.
- Other nationalities: different visa rules apply; the Icelandic embassies and consulates provide information.
Iceland is a full Schengen member but, as one of the few European countries, does not belong to the EU; this affects customs and VAT rules but not passport-free travel within the Schengen area.
The current information from the FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, the BMEIA and the Icelandic authorities at the time of travel is authoritative.
Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
What vaccinations and health precautions are needed for Iceland?
No vaccination is required for entry. healthytravel.ch recommends the standard vaccinations per the Swiss immunization schedule; there is no malaria risk in Iceland, nor is there a relevant tick risk as in Central Europe.
According to healthytravel.ch, all travellers should be vaccinated against poliomyelitis, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, measles-mumps-rubella and chickenpox; hepatitis A is among the usual recommendations for travel abroad, including shorter stays.
For travellers aged 65 and over, as well as people with chronic conditions, healthytravel.ch additionally names the flu vaccination as worthwhile; the CDC further recommends hepatitis B for unvaccinated people of any age.
The biggest health challenge in Iceland is not infectious disease but weather and terrain: hypothermia, sunburn from wind and high-altitude sun, and injuries on slippery glaciers and waterfalls are, according to tour operators, the most common incidents.
Medical care is of a high standard but thinly distributed outside Reykjavik; for hikes in the highlands or on glaciers, travel insurance covering search, rescue and evacuation costs is advisable.
Sources: healthytravel.ch, Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
How safe is Iceland for travellers?
Iceland is considered a very safe travel destination, and crime is low. The biggest dangers, according to the Federal Foreign Office and the BMEIA, are natural hazards: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and rapidly changing weather.
Iceland lies in a seismically active zone with regular minor earthquakes, especially on the Reykjanes peninsula; several volcanoes show ongoing activity. During eruptions, authorities close off affected areas and send text warnings to mobile phones in the region.
According to the Federal Foreign Office, sudden snowfall, ice and strong wind must be expected at short notice, especially in autumn and winter; road closures on parts of the Ring Road are not uncommon during this time.
Everyday crime such as pickpocketing can occur in Reykjavik depending on the neighbourhood and time of day, but overall remains low. On hikes to waterfalls, glaciers and coastal cliffs, barriers and warning signs should be taken seriously, since accidents caused by underestimating the terrain are the most common source of danger.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
How do you travel to Iceland and around the country?
International flights land practically exclusively at Keflavik Airport (KEF), around 50 km southwest of Reykjavik, with nonstop connections to 88 destinations in 24 countries. Within Iceland, the Ring Road (Route 1) connects Reykjavik with Akureyri and the rest of the coastal towns over around 1,322 km.
| Route | Mode | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| KEF Airport – Reykjavik centre | bus or rental car | around 45 min, 50 km |
| Reykjavik – Akureyri | domestic flight | around 45 min |
| Reykjavik – Akureyri | Ring Road (car) | around 5–6 h, 385 km |
| Reykjavik – Gullfoss (Golden Circle) | car | around 1 h 45 min |
| Full Ring Road (Route 1) | car, complete loop | around 1,322 km |
With 88 nonstop destinations in 24 countries, Keflavik (KEF) is Iceland's only major international gateway; Icelandair serves 60 destinations from there, alongside budget carriers such as easyJet and Wizz Air. The longest nonstop route goes to Portland (USA), around 8 flying hours.
From North America there are dense connections including to New York, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver; from Europe, Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki and London are among the busiest routes from Keflavik. Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna and Zurich have multiple weekly direct connections.
Akureyri Airport (AEY) connects the town several times a day by domestic flight to Reykjavik in around 45 minutes; international direct flights exist there only during isolated seasonal periods.
A rental car is practical for the Ring Road, since public transport outside Reykjavik is sparse; in winter, four-wheel drive and winter tyres are advisable on many stretches.
Sources: FlightConnections · Wikipedia
What currency do you need in Iceland, and how do you pay?
The national currency is the Icelandic krona (ISK); card payment is standard practically everywhere, even at remote petrol stations and for small amounts. Tipping is uncommon, since service is already included in the price.
Iceland is among the least cash-dependent countries in the world: card or mobile payment works practically everywhere, even at hiking car parks with self-service kiosks; carrying a larger cash reserve is rarely necessary.
Prices for accommodation, food and activities tend to be high by European standards; travellers often plan a more generous budget than they would for Central Europe.
Tipping is not expected, since service is already included in restaurant prices. Particularly satisfied guests occasionally round up the bill.
Sources: Visit Iceland, Business Iceland
Where is the best place to stay in Iceland?
In Reykjavik, most travellers stay centrally around the main street Laugavegur or the old harbour, and in Akureyri in the compact centre by the fjord. Along the Ring Road, most travellers stay in small coastal towns with guesthouses rather than large hotels.
Reykjavik offers accommodation from design hotels to guesthouses, mostly in the centre around Laugavegur or within walking distance of the old harbour; travellers renting a car often find cheaper parking options outside the centre.
Along the Ring Road, farm hotels, guesthouses and small inns with few rooms dominate; during the peak season from June to August, booking early is worthwhile, since the supply outside the larger towns remains limited.
What do you eat in Iceland?
Traditionally, Icelanders eat plenty of fish and seafood, lamb, and geothermally baked rye bread; the Icelandic hot dog with fried onions is considered a popular street food classic in Reykjavik.
Fish, above all cod, haddock and salmon, is a cornerstone of the cuisine; lamb from freely grazing sheep is known for its mild flavour, thanks to the short, herb-rich grazing season.
Skyr, a spreadable dairy product with a long Icelandic tradition, is found nationwide and often served with berries. The Icelandic hot dog ("pylsur") with fried and raw onions is widely considered the unofficial national dish.
Fermented shark (hákarl) and other traditional preserved dishes are eaten today mainly on special occasions such as the midwinter festival Þorrablót, rather than as everyday food; for travellers they are more of a culinary curiosity than standard fare.
What culture and festivals shape Iceland?
Iceland has 3 UNESCO sites, including the historic parliamentary site of Þingvellir. The medieval Icelandic sagas still shape the country's cultural self-understanding today, and music festivals such as Iceland Airwaves in Reykjavik draw an international audience.
Þingvellir is considered the birthplace of the Icelandic nation: from the year 930, the Alþingi, one of the oldest still-existing parliamentary institutions in the world, convened there, and the site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.
The volcanic island of Surtsey, formed by an undersea eruption in 1963, has been a UNESCO natural heritage site since 2008 as a largely untouched research area for the initial colonization by plants and animals; it is not open to the public.
The Icelandic sagas, written down in the 13th century, tell of the island's settlement from the 9th century onward and are considered the foundation of modern Icelandic literature; the annual Iceland Airwaves music festival in Reykjavik showcases the country's lively contemporary music scene.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
What experiences are worthwhile in Iceland?
Highlights include the Golden Circle with Geysir and Gullfoss, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on the south coast, the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavik, as well as whale watching and the Goðafoss waterfall around Akureyri.
Golden Circle and south coast
The Golden Circle can be driven as a day trip from Reykjavik in around 6 to 8 hours and connects Þingvellir, the Geysir geothermal area and the Gullfoss waterfall. Further east along the south coast lie the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, as well as the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with its drifting icebergs.
Reykjavik and Reykjanes
The Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes peninsula is the country's best-known geothermal spa, lying on the way between the airport and the capital; in Reykjavik itself, Hallgrímskirkja church and the Harpa concert hall define the skyline by the harbour.
North Iceland from Akureyri
From Akureyri, around an hour's drive reaches the Goðafoss waterfall and Lake Mývatn with its lava formations and mud pots; the nearby coastal town of Húsavík is considered one of Iceland's best starting points for whale watching.
- Vatnajökull National Park: Europe's largest glacier with ice caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.
- Westfjords: remote, sparsely populated fjord landscape in the northwest, reachable via a detour from the Ring Road.
- Landmannalaugar: colourful rhyolite mountains in the highlands, reachable only in the summer season with a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Visit Iceland, Business Iceland
How do you travel responsibly in Iceland?
Iceland's nature is fragile: moss and volcanic soil often take decades to recover from trampling damage, which is why staying on marked trails is one of the most important rules for travellers.
- Drive and walk only on marked paths and car parks; off them, moss and volcanic soils can be irreversibly damaged.
- Strictly respect barriers at waterfalls, glaciers and in the volcanic areas of the Reykjanes peninsula.
- Travel outside the main season of June to August to avoid overcrowding at popular spots such as the Golden Circle.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany
Which countries can Iceland be combined with?
Iceland lies apart from the rest of continental Europe's usual routes; the most obvious combination is a stopover in Scandinavia, since many airlines connect Reykjavik via Copenhagen, Oslo or Helsinki.
Because of its isolated location in the North Atlantic, Iceland is rarely combined overland with a neighbouring country; instead, a stopover in a Scandinavian capital on the way there or back is a natural fit, such as Copenhagen or Oslo, among the busiest routes from Keflavik.
Travellers with more time can combine a trip with Greenland, reachable from Iceland with shorter flight times than from any other European country; such combined trips remain the exception, however, and require separate planning.
Sources: FlightConnections
Who is Iceland suited for, and who might prefer to skip it?
Iceland suits travellers who want to experience natural phenomena such as volcanoes, glaciers and geysers on a clearly structured route, usually by rental car along the Ring Road. It is less suited to anyone seeking a cheap holiday or a mild summer climate.
Iceland is a good fit for nature and photography enthusiasts, hiking and glacier fans, and anyone wanting to combine a winter trip with the northern lights. The compact Ring Road also suits first-time visitors without much experience travelling in remote regions.
Iceland is less ideal for budget-conscious travellers: accommodation, food and activities are priced above the Western European average. Travellers seeking warm bathing-weather summers or dense urban culture will find sparsely populated landscape rather than city life in Iceland.