Iceland is one of our all-time favourite destinations, so we already know you’re going to love it. To help you get even more out of your trip, we’ve compiled a handy guide of things to know before travelling to Iceland...
Weather in Iceland
Iceland can get down to -5°C in winter and as high as 20°C in summer. It’s a year-round destination with springs and summers filled with hikes into national parks, whale watching and a festival fever that’ll party long into the morning hours – thanks to the midnight sun. In winter it’s all about ice. Thanks to the sub-zero temperatures, you’ll have frozen caves, falls and glaciers galore to explore and more snowy slopes than you can count to ski and snowshoe across. Of course, Northern Lights hunting is an absolute must during the winter months too.
What to Pack for Iceland
If we’re talking about literal things to know before travelling to Iceland, it’s thermals. If they’re not your best friend before, they will be by the end – whatever the season. Temperatures tend to fluctuate and rarely give warning so it’s always best to have woollen underlayers at the ready. Speaking of wool, Iceland is no stranger to it. In fact, knitted jumpers are one of the country’s wardrobe staples. Head to vintage shops like Spúútnik and Gyllti Kötturinn for a retro number or stop by the Handknitting Association of Iceland for a one of a kind locally knitted pullover.
Travel in Iceland
One of the most important things to know before travelling to Iceland is how you’re going to travel around it. Despite not having a train service, it does operate a reasonably good bus service (especially in Reykjavik). Buses do run in and around Akranes, Borgarnes, Hveragerði and Selfoss but tend to be less reliable. Fortunately, Icelanders have thought of a solution – GPS and Wi-Fi. Track the buses as they make their way to you and enjoy onboard Wi-Fi once it’s arrived. Driving is also an excellent way to experience Iceland. Its ring road (that runs around the circumference of the island) means that you can see much of the island very easily and we can make sure you’re equipped with the best rental car for the journey.
Food in Iceland
Food in Iceland has long had a reputation for being quite basic. But times have changed. Now you can find a variety of delicious food, flavours and cuisines and we go as far to say that Reykjavik is now considered a bit of a foodie haven. From Michelin-stars to views over Iceland’s charming capital, there’s not much Iceland can’t do. Warming soups are very popular, as well as seafood (both fresh, fermented and dried) and – of course – its array of unusual traditional dishes such as sour ram’s testicles and sheep’s head.
