Quick Guide: Iceland
Landing in Iceland, the landscape felt like another planet. Lava fields, glaciers, and waterfalls everywhere — this is where nature still rules.
What we think you NEED to know
- Rent a car or campervan. A 2x2wd is often enough, but from November-April you must drive with studded winter tires. A 4x4wd is required year round to drive on F-roads leading more mid land.
- The feeling of freedom, opportunities, and room for spontaneity due to driving and “living” in a campervan. There is a near zero tolerance for drinking and driving, with a blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of 0.02%.
- Iceland is expensive in general. But almost all nature attractions is free, and only some require a small parking fee of 1 EUR/1 USD. And you can, as we did, bring some food and snacks from home.
- It is not permitted to park outside of designated camp sites. You won’t need to as there is plenty camp sites and the slots for campervans costs only about 15 EUR/17,5 USD pr night.
Our key moments
- Watching puffins return to their nests at Borgarfjörður Eystri in the evening is one of our most special memories. Amazing being almost all alone with the puffins.
- Discovering an unknown and unexpected waterfall on a sign, Vestdalsfoss, which become one of our absolute favorites.
- Driving through the diverse and changing landscape from West ⟶ North ⟶ East ⟶ South ⟶ West was astounding and awesome! Especially the East of Iceland.
- The feeling of freedom, opportunities, and room for spontaneity due to driving and “living” in a campervan.
High season: June-August
Low season: November-April
Currency: Icelandic króna ISK
1 ISK = 0,7 EUR/0,8 USD
Population: 390.000 people living on 103,000km2
Location: on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Europe and North America
Weather: is always susceptible to change on a moments notice
Driving in Iceland:
The roads are in general in very good shape. Easy to drive there. There is not a lot of street lighting outside of towns. Be aware of changing and sometimes harsh weather conditions.
There is a mainroad all the way around the country. This road is called Highway 1 or the Ringroad.
Unpaved and more challenging roads are called F-roads. Only allowed to drive with a 4x4wd.
This will be NICE to know
- Puffin season is from late April till early September, and afternoon till sunset is the best time a day to see puffins close up.
- Iceland has some delicious Arctic Pale Ale with only 2,25% alcohol. Perfect when getting in to camp after a long, adventurous day.
- Going early in high season means more flow in the waterfalls. Visit later and there is less, making some more blue (like Hraunfossar).
- The further you explore outside of “the Golden Circle Area” and Southwest of Iceland, the less people and other tourists.
- Downside of high season = almost zero chance of Northern Lights due to midnight sun. Downside of low season = few light hours a day.
Driving in Iceland:
The roads are in general in very good shape. Easy to drive there. There is not a lot of street lighting outside of towns. Be aware of changing and sometimes harsh weather conditions.
There is a mainroad all the way around the country. This road is called Highway 1 or the Ringroad.
Unpaved and more challenging roads are called F-roads. Only allowed to drive with a 4x4wd.
Our favorite locations
- Borgarfjörður Eystri Cliff located far East (free and almost nontouristed place to watch countless of puffins).
- The North and East of Iceland in general. Incredible landscapes with one of our favorite waterfalls from the entire world (Vestdalsfoss).
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. One of Iceland’s top nature attractions, and we fully understand why. Very cool and fascinating place.
This Quick Guide is just a glimpse of Iceland. For us, it was the first country where we realized our adventure of Chasing Endless Horizons. Maybe it will be that for you too – or just a cool trip.
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