Europe · Northern EuropeUsable guideIsland country in the Atlantic Ocean
Photo: European Space Agency, Attribution via Wikimedia Commons
Iceland (Icelandic: Ísland) is a stunningly beautiful place if you enjoy strange and desolate landscapes interspersed with glaciers, volcanoes, rivers and waterfalls. It is a place for hiking, ice climbing, kayaking in glacial waters, and relaxing in geothermal hot springs, and there are many tours available for those looking for a less strenuous vacation.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Iceland.
Cards and cash
Just about every establishment in Iceland will accept a credit card, including taxis, gas stations, souvenir stands, and even the most remote guest house, so it is not necessary to carry large amounts of Icelandic currency.
Tipping
In Iceland tipping is not practised.
Icelandic
The official language of Iceland is Icelandic (íslenska), which remains very similar to − although not quite the same as − 13th-century Norse (see Vikings and the Old Norse).
All of them have 4G services, which have equal coverage, covering most of the country.
Mobile networks
The water quality in Iceland is excellent and tap water is always drinkable.
The medical facilities in Iceland are good and subsidised for those with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and passport. Scandinavian citizens must show a valid passport to get subsidised medical costs.
Iceland maintains another old Norse tradition: the custom of using patronyms rather than surnames.g. Guðrún Pétursdóttir (Guðrún, Pétur's daughter).
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
A UNESCO World Heritage site. 30 to 50 km east of Reykjavík. Interesting for a number of reasons: it is the original site of the longest running parliament in the world (the name literally means 'parliamentary fields'), and it's where the North-American and European continental shelf plates are being torn apart.
Iceland's newest national park is Europe's largest national park at , covering about 12% of the surface of Iceland. The park is home to Iceland's highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur, largest glacier, Vatnajökull, the Jökulsárlón ice lagoon, and Europe's largest waterfall in terms of volume discharge, Dettifoss.
Located on the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland, this park is home to the ice-covered volcanic crater that was the setting for Jules Verne's book Journey to the Center of the Earth.
famous outdoor pool and health centre. The spa is in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, south-western Iceland. It is situated approximately 13 km (8 mi) from the Keflavík International Airport and 39 km (24 mi) from Reykjavík. This geothermal spa in the middle of a lava field with its milky blue water is quite surreal. The hot water is sourced from the outlet of the nearby geothermal plant which extracts most of the heat energy and reduces the superheated water to a temperature that humans enjoy.
a lake region near Akureyri in the North of Iceland, Mývatn has an unearthly appearance owing to special types of volcanic craters throughout the lake. There are plenty of activities in this area: Smajfall (desert where sulphuric steam comes out of the ground) and Dimmuborgir (aka the Black City and the Gates of Hell).
the Golden Falls. On the edge of the inhospitable Interior of Iceland about 100 km east of Reykjavík, the river Hvítá plunges down a double cascade to create what many people believe is the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland
the majestic glacial lagoon in southeast Iceland located near Höfn on Route 1. Breiðamerkurjökull glacier retreated quickly from 1920 to 1965 leaving this breathtaking lagoon, which is up to 190 m deep. Ice breaks off from the glacier keeping the lagoon stocked with icebergs all year round.
a region of outstanding natural beauty reachable by bus (or 4x4) from Reykjavík. Situated in the Interior, it gives a taste of the uninhabited highlands at Iceland’s core.
Places in Iceland on the World Heritage List.
Surtsey
Listed 2008
Thingvellir National Park
Listed 2004
Vatnajökull National Park
Listed 2019
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Home of the capital, Reykjavík, and the main entry point for the traveller. Much of Iceland's population lives here.
Sparsely populated, rugged geography with dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.
Snæfellsjökull, the islands of Breiðafjörður and more.
Dramatic lava fields, turbulent waterfalls.
More fjords and the only international passenger-ferry terminal.
Home to the most popular tourist attractions, including the Golden Circle.
Glaciated difficult-to-reach mountains.
Public transport and paid services in Iceland.
By bus
Scheduled trips between Icelandic towns are operated by Strætó bs.
By car
A car offers the most flexibility for travel around Iceland. Numerous agencies rent vehicles, and ferries allow individuals to bring their own car with them.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Iceland.
Finding apps for Iceland…
Other ways to travel:By bicycleBy thumbCarpooling
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Reykjavík · International · KEF
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Reykjavik
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 2° | 2° | 3° | 5° | 8° | 12° | 14° | 13° | 10° | 6° | 3° | 2° |
| Avg. low | -2° | -2° | -1° | 1° | 3° | 7° | 9° | 8° | 6° | 3° | 0° | -1° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 169 | 152 | 153 | 119 | 93 | 83 | 99 | 121 | 181 | 147 | 149 | 172 |
| Humidity | 91% | 91% | 89% | 87% | 83% | 83% | 83% | 85% | 88% | 91% | 91% | 92% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$115
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$315
Per person, per day
Luxury
$820
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $55 | $170 | $470 |
| Food and drink | $30 | $80 | $180 |
| Local transport | $15 | $30 | $75 |
| Activities | $15 | $35 | $95 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
—
We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Iceland. Iceland is generally a safe destination for travelers. Iceland regularly experiences quickly changing weather, dangerous natural features, active volcanoes, and earthquakes. Review our information on weather and natural disasters in Iceland. Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching and pickpocketing. Review our travel guidance for Iceland to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Volcanic eruptions Recently there has been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland. For more details see Extreme weather and natural disasters. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Iceland.
Travel tipsFive countries where women travelling alone find safe streets, easy transport and a warm welcome, with practical advice for each one.
7 min read
Culture & historyWhere to stand, what it costs and when to go for five of the most famous filming locations on screen, from King's Landing to Arrakis.
7 min read
ItinerariesRoute 1, also known as the Ring Road (Icelandic: Þjóðvegur 1 or Hringvegur), is the main highway that encircles Iceland, connecting all of the island nation's major towns, including the capital city Reykjavik.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureIn the Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden there are large sparsely populated areas suitable for wilderness backpacking and multiple day lodge-to-lodge hiking, and areas for day hikes even near most…
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsWith no railroads and sparse population density outside the immediate Reykjavik area, driving is one of the easier ways around Iceland.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureWhale watching is the practice of observing whales, dolphins and porpoises in their natural habitat, enjoyed by millions of people around the world every year.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
