Iceland

Iceland is a young island still being built by volcanoes and glaciers. Waterfalls drop off cliffs beside the road, black sand beaches meet the North Atlantic, and in winter the sky can turn green overhead. It is small enough to drive around in a week and wild enough to feel remote the whole way.

Why it is on my list

The Ring Road and the Northern Lights. Route 1 loops the whole island in about 830 miles, and a winter night away from city lights is the best chance to see the aurora dance.

Best time to go

• Northern Lights: late September to early April, with the darkest skies from October to March. Clear nights matter more than cold ones.

• Midnight sun: June and July bring near endless daylight, puffins on the cliffs and every road open.

• Shoulder season: May and September offer lower prices, fewer crowds and a bit of both light and dark.

• Winter driving: December to February means short days, ice and sudden closures. Check road.is before every drive.

• Whales and puffins: puffins nest from May to August. Whale watching runs most of the year, best in summer.

Where to stay

• Reykjavik: the best base for restaurants, nightlife and tours, with the Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle close by.

• South coast (Vik, Hella): waterfalls, glaciers and black sand beaches within easy reach.

• Akureyri and Lake Myvatn: the north, for geothermal fields, whales and fewer visitors.

• East Fjords and Hofn: quiet towns near Vatnajokull glacier and the ice lagoon.

• Known names: Hotel Budir on Snaefellsnes and Ion Adventure Hotel near Thingvellir are well-known, design-led stays.

Getting there and around

• Airport: Keflavik (KEF), about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. Icelandair and several US carriers fly nonstop from New York, Boston and other cities in about 5.5 hours.

• Rental car: the easiest way to do the Ring Road. Book early for summer and choose 4WD for winter or the highlands.

• Buses and tours: Reykjavik Excursions and Straeto cover main routes. Winter aurora tours leave daily from Reykjavik.

• Highlands: F-roads open only in summer and need a 4x4 and river crossing experience.

• Domestic flights: short hops from Reykjavik to Akureyri save a full day of driving.

What to eat

• Lamb soup (kjotsupa): a hearty bowl of local lamb and root vegetables, found everywhere.

• Fresh fish: Arctic char, cod and langoustine, often caught the same day.

• Hot dogs (pylsur): try one with everything at Baejarins Beztu in Reykjavik.

• Skyr: thick, tangy dairy that is closer to yogurt than most yogurt.

• Rye bread (hverabraud): traditionally baked in geothermal ground and served with butter.

What to drink

• Brennivin: a caraway schnapps nicknamed Black Death, usually sipped cold.

• Craft beer: Einstok, Borg and Kex all pour well, and Reykjavik has many taprooms.

• Coffee: strong, plentiful and often free to refill at cafes.

• Tap water: glacier fed and excellent.

Don't miss

• Golden Circle: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss in one loop.

• Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon: icebergs drifting to the sea, with Diamond Beach beside it.

• Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss: two of the most famous waterfalls on the south coast.

• Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Kirkjufell mountain, lava fields and small fishing villages.

• Geothermal baths: the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon or the quieter Myvatn Nature Baths.

• Ice cave tours: natural caves under Vatnajokull, available in winter with a guide.

• Dettifoss: Europe's most powerful waterfall, in the northeast.

Day trips and side trips

• Reykjanes Peninsula: lava fields and volcanic landscapes near the airport.

• Westman Islands: a ferry from the south coast to a volcanic island with puffins.

• Husavik: the whale watching capital, in the north.

• Landmannalaugar: colorful rhyolite mountains and hot springs in summer.

Festivals and events

• Iceland Airwaves: Reykjavik music festival, usually in November.

• Secret Solstice: has run as a midnight sun music festival in June, so check whether it is on.

• Reykjavik Pride: usually in August.

• Culture Night: citywide street events, usually in August.

• Thorrablot: a midwinter feast of traditional foods, usually in January and February.

Music and dance

• Live scene: a small country with an outsized music reputation, from Bjork to Sigur Ros.

• Harpa concert hall: Reykjavik's glass waterfront venue hosts the Iceland Symphony.

• Rimur: traditional chanted verse, sometimes performed at cultural evenings.

Nightlife

Reykjavik is tiny but social, and weekends run late. Bars are lively, drinks are expensive and the summer sun makes late nights feel unreal.

• When people go out: Friday and Saturday, with the crowd arriving after midnight.

• Where the action is: Laugavegur and the streets around it, with live music venues and cocktail bars.

• Good to know: many locals start the evening with drinks elsewhere because bar prices are high. Happy hours help.

Photography spots

• Kirkjufell: the arrowhead mountain with a waterfall in the foreground, best with aurora.

• Reynisfjara: basalt columns and black sand. Watch sneaker waves and stay back from the water.

• Jokulsarlon: sunrise over the icebergs is the classic shot.

• Stokksnes: Vestrahorn mountain over dunes near Hofn.

• Drones: allowed under EU style rules, but banned in some national parks and protected areas and near people. Check local signage and permits.

Cost of living

• Overall: $$$$$, often pricier than New York.

• Coffee: about $5 to $6.

• Local lunch: about $18 to $25, soup deals are cheaper.

• Dinner for two: about $110 to $160 with a drink each.

• Beer: about $10 to $12 at a bar.

• Mid-range hotel: about $200 to $320 per night in season.

• Daily budget: about $250 to $400 per person with a rental car.

Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world, so plan carefully. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

• Wi-Fi: fast and reliable almost everywhere, including remote guesthouses.

• Coworking: Reykjavik has a handful of coworking spaces and many laptop friendly cafes.

• Time zone: GMT year round, 4 to 5 hours ahead of US Eastern.

• Visa: a long term visa for remote workers exists, so check current rules.

• Nomad rating: 3/5. Great internet and safety, held back by cost.

Good to know

• Language: Icelandic. English is spoken almost universally.

• Currency: Icelandic krona (ISK). Cards work everywhere, even for small items.

• Plugs: Type C and F, 230V.

• Entry for US citizens: visa free for up to 90 days in the Schengen area. Check current rules, including ETIAS.

• Getting around apps: road.is and Vedur for weather, Hreyfill and Hopp for rides in Reykjavik.

• Tipping: not expected, service is included.

• Water: tap water is safe and very good.

• SIM/eSIM: eSIMs work well, and coverage is good along the Ring Road.

Useful phrases

• Takk: thank you.

• Godan daginn: good day.

• Skal: cheers.

• Fyrirgefdu: excuse me or sorry.

• Ja and nei: yes and no.

Meeting people

• Social scene: friendly but a little reserved. Hostels, tours and hot pools are the easiest places to chat.

• Apps: Facebook groups for expats and travelers, Meetup and Couchsurfing events in Reykjavik.

• Etiquette: shower naked before entering any public pool. It is a firm rule.

• Stay smart: respect nature signs and landowners, and do not move off marked trails on moss.

Staying safe

• Iceland is among the safest countries in the world for crime.

• Nature is the risk. Check weather and road alerts daily and register trips on safetravel.is.

• Never turn your back on the ocean at black sand beaches.

• Emergency number is 112.