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ICELAND
Iceland is without a doubt one of the most unique places I’ve ever been to. It has everything you can imagine, from volcanoes to glaciers, from black sand beaches to waterfalls or from hot water springs to lava fields. You will find so many wide-open spaces that it feels like you’re alone in this whole world! Besides, there are so many things to do here like take baths in the hot water spring or go ice caving, that you won’t get bored! There is something to do for everyone. That’s why it’s a perfect destination for adventurous people who are in love with nature as much as I am! Iceland is truly an out of this world adventure that everyone needs to experience once in a lifetime! What are you waiting for?
Continent
Europe
Language
Icelandic
Currency
Icelandic Krona = ISK
1 euro = 145 ISK
1 dollar = 136 ISK
Capital
Reykjavik
Habitants
370.000
Best time to visit
Before visiting Iceland, you need to decide what you want to see the most. Every season in Iceland has something unique to offer that you won’t find in another season. Another reason why Iceland is such a unique travel destination. Just know that you need to expect the unexpected in Iceland with the weather!
With the warmer temperatures and the longer hours of daylight, it’s no surprise that the prices go up immensely. But that’s not without a reason. In the summer months, you could do a lot more in Iceland as all the roads will be open and you can visit the highlands. There will also be lupin fields in some places between June and August and there is a fair chance that you see Puffins, mostly between May and July as they start to fly away in August.
The winter months are basically very cold with very short days. The advantage of this period is that it is low season and you could save a lot of money! And besides, there are a lot of cool activities that you can’t do in the summer like exploring an ice cave or a glacier. Just note that most campsites are closed, but be honest, you don’t want to camp in such extreme temperatures.
Spring would be one of the best times to visit Iceland! The days are getting longer again, closing to the midnight sun, and the temperatures risen again. But the prices aren’t at an all-time high as in the summer months! You still can see the northern lights in April, but you need to be lucky! We were there in April and the chances of seeing the northern lights were very high one night. I practically stayed up the whole night, just to see nothing…
Between June through August, you could experience the Midnight Sun. This means that the sun (almost) doesn’t set. This is one of the best periods to visit Iceland as it has the most sunlight and the weather is better. You could get the most out of your days or you could explore the island when everyone is asleep. It’s an absolute dream of mine to experience the midnight sun!
The rush of the summer months is over, so the prices go down immensely! The temperatures can still be quite good and it’s also the start of the Aurora season, where you can see the northern lights, which is a dream of so many people (including myself!)
Practical information
People from the Schengen area or the European Union can enter Iceland with a valid identity card. Other people need to have a valid passport
Depends on your country of origin (click here to find out if you need a visa)
Iceland uses the power plug sockets that are of type C or F. The standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz
You need to check with your provider as an European. Otherwise, you can buy a local SIM
You can pay throughout the country with credit or debit card! Cash is rarely used in Iceland.
Yes!!! Iceland has been considered to be one of the safest countries in the world. But, petty crimes still happen in the capital city, so still be aware. Also, Iceland is very inclusive for LGBT+ community!
Although Iceland has no trains, it’s still possible to travel around the country with public transportation (by bus, ferry or plane). To do so, it’s best to plan everything in advance. You can find more information about the bus here.
Our trip to Iceland took place in April and we were there for one week, which is practically shoulder season. We still ended up spending way more than our other trips. Always keep in mind that Iceland is an expensive destination to visit.
Our car was around €740 for one week. I looked the same car up for the summer months and the price was multiplied by 3. Now you have a thought of how much Iceland can cost. Gas is also a very expensive purchase. We almost filled up our car daily, which costed around €370 in total.
Our accomodation was between €70 – 100 per night for 2 people. To save on this, the best tip is to sleep in a tent or a van. But keep in mind that this is only possible during the warmer months.
In total, our trip costed around €1950 for 2 people. That is €140 daily per person. Be aware that an average trip to Iceland will cost you between €100 – 200.
Because Iceland has only one big road across their whole country, driving here is a bit different than at your home! But here are some tips to survive driving in Iceland.
They drive on the right side of the road, so you don’t need to adjust to much (for most people). The biggest tip for you is to never stop in the middle of the road! As there are only two narrow lanes, there is not much room to stop. There is still traffic and it could be dangerous to create a collision. If you want to stop to take a picture, drive a bit further until you find a place to park and walk back.
Also, be aware of the speed limit. There are a lot of speed cameras that take a picture of you if you’re driving over the limit. You will get a fine and note that they are not cheap. The speed limit is 90 km/h (55 mph) on paved roads, 80 km/h (50 mph) on gravelroads and 50 km/h (30mph) in the cities/towns.
My last tip, make sure you don’t let your fuel get to low. There are enough places to get fuel, but not in the highlands. Fuel up when you pass a gas station, even if you’re only halfway there. It’s better to be sure than to call someone, because you are without gas.
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