4 Things to Know About Visiting Iceland

Imagine a country with a vibrant green and wild landscape, the air so clear you can see hundreds of miles away, and a land so pure and primordial that it doesn’t even seem real.

This is Iceland, one of the safest countries to visit for first-time travelers and solo travelers. I’d never felt safer and at peace anywhere when I visited last year. Everybody was friendly and welcoming, and you didn’t feel the need to look over your shoulder. I’m counting down the days until my next visit.

But in the meantime, here are several things you need to know about Iceland before you visit the country.

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Iceland is Expensive

Particularly their restaurants. But it doesn’t have to be. Try the local cuisine, yet be mindful of how much you spend. It can nearly clean you out as most of their food is imported. I recommend sticking to the cheaper option, like gas station food. I promise you it’s wildly different from the food at gas stations in the States. I still dream about their coffee and their hot dogs.

Pro Tip: Whatever you do, do not eat the fermented shark. It’s a tourist trap, and according to a blog I read some time ago, it tastes like regret.

Gas is another expensive thing in Iceland. The gas prices are astronomical. When driving around Iceland and you need to fill the car, do not press the “Fill to Full” option as it is the most expensive option. Use a credit card that has no foreign transaction fees. If possible, I recommend going into the gas station and putting down an estimated amount to fill the car. For example, 10,000 ISK or more to fill the car (approximately USD 75 when this blog post was written). You might have to put down more as not even that amount can fill the vehicle.

However, if you rent from Blue Car Rental, they offer a discount on gas at one of the more popular stations, ÓB+Ólis. The other highly recommended gas station is N1, which you will see more commonly on the road.

Weather is Unpredictable But Very Windy

The weather varies and can be drastic in its changes. One day, it’ll be rainy with low-hanging clouds and dense fog. The next day, it'll be beautiful blue skies with minimal clouds. But the one constant? The wind. It can get super windy, especially on the South Coast.

I witnessed someone who parked their car away from the wind (meaning the trunk, or boot, facing the wind). My eyes bugged out watching as a powerful gust nearly wrenched the door off the hinge.

So yeah, the weather can vary, but it’s super windy.

The Local Cuisine is Divine

The food is incredibly fresh, and the meat (if you’re a carnivore like me) melts in your mouth. I’ve tasted some delicious dishes in my travels, but I will always think about Iceland’s cuisine. Specifically, the lamb stew I got when I first arrived in Reykjavík. The bread is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. It beats France for me.

And the butter… anyone up for me doing an ode to the Icelandic butter?

Aside from the bread, meat, and vegetables, Iceland does offer a yogurt called skyr. When I got home, I bought some “Icelandic skyr” at my local grocery store, all while muttering, “It’s not the same.” It sure isn’t.

The food in Iceland is just different.

Again, I reiterate: STAY AWAY FROM THE FERMENTED SHARK.

Best Time to Go – Summer

I haven’t gone to Iceland in any of the other seasonal months except summer… which I highly recommend as a time to visit. The days are longer, and you get to experience the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun. Sadly, there are no Northern Lights. Just much longer days where the sun bounces for about two or less hours.

Keep in mind that summer is a popular time to go, but many tourists visit the South Coast, Þingvellir National Park, and Snæfellsjökull National Park as they are closer to Reykjavík. Well, given the fact that most visitors are in Iceland for a short amount of time. 

I hope I put your mind at ease… and convinced you to go to Iceland. It is truly a life-changing experience, and I think everyone should go at least once in their lives.