Iceland Travel Blog: Expert Tips, Itineraries and Travel Guides

Iceland has a rich and varied history on both the big and small screen. Many famous films and series have been shot on this mystical island, even when the story is set elsewhere.

Thor is the Norse god of thunder, protector of gods and humans, and one of the most widely worshipped gods of the Viking Age. He wields the hammer Mjölnir. Most of his surviving stories come down to us through two medieval Icelandic books, the Poetic Edda (Codex Regius) and Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda.

Considering moving to Iceland? With its enchanting landscapes and northern charm, Iceland has become a sought-after destination not just for travel but also for relocation. If you're wondering how to move to Iceland and start a new life in Iceland, here's everything you need to know.

Driving in Iceland is an adventure: spontaneous stops at remote fishing villages, awe-inspiring natural wonders, and thundering waterfalls. But behind the beauty lie real hurdles. Out on the road, your journey is dictated as much by the whims of Viking weather and rugged terrain as your vehicle’s engine.

Iceland's tourism has settled into a three-year plateau of roughly 2.3 million foreign visitors a year, and the 2026 story is no longer growth but distribution across seasons, regions, and how far ahead people book.

The history of Iceland began with Norse settlers around 874 AD and reached independence in 1944. Sagas, foreign rule, and volcanic eruptions shaped the years between.

Iceland in summer is at its most open. You get about 21 hours of daylight on the June 21 solstice, pleasantly mild weather, puffins on the cliffs, whales offshore, and Highland trails that are closed the rest of the year.

Ragnarök is the prophesied end of the world in Norse mythology: a final battle in which the gods fall, fire and flood destroy the nine worlds, and a green earth rises from the ruins. The main surviving source is the Icelandic poem Völuspá, preserved in the 13th-century Codex Regius.

Shopping in Iceland centers on Reykjavík, where the main shopping streets, two large malls, a weekend flea market, and a cluster of design, book, and record shops are all within a short walk or drive.

Iceland in August is one of the best times to visit. Late summer means mild weather, long daylight hours, good driving conditions, open Highland routes, active wildlife, and major festivals. Early August is excellent for long days and puffin-watching. Late August brings darker nights and the first chance to see the Northern Lights.

Icelandic food is built on a handful of local ingredients: fresh fish, lamb, dairy, and dark rye bread. Centuries of long winters and isolation shaped how Icelanders preserved and cooked these staples, and you can still taste that history today.

The Icelandic souvenirs worth buying are the ones made in Iceland, not imported for the tourist trade: the lopapeysa wool sweater, chocolate and licorice, flaky sea salt, Brennivín and craft gin, geothermal skincare, and fish-leather designs. Buy from local makers rather than generic gift shops.

When traveling somewhere new, many people like to set a rough budget first, and for a country like Iceland, that's a smart move. But how much are things in Iceland?

The Skógafoss Waterfall Way Hike is a 16 km (10-mile) out-and-back trail in South Iceland. It starts at the base of the waterfall and follows the Skógá river upstream past a chain of smaller falls.

Diamond Beach rewards photographers who plan around the light and the tide. Shoot at golden hour, get low to the ice, and keep a safe distance from the waves.

The 10 best Landmannalaugar hikes range from one-hour walks across the lava fields to full-day mountain ascents with over 700 m (2,300 ft) of elevation gain. Trails are generally open from June through September, and which one to pick comes down to how many hours you have and how much climb you want.

Iceland ranks among the world’s most welcoming countries for LGBTQ+ travelers, and Reykjavík Pride, Iceland's biggest gay pride celebration, is the high point on the calendar. In 2026, the festival runs from August 4 to 9, with the main parade on Saturday, August 8. This guide covers what to expect from Pride, the country’s LGBTQ+ rights and history, the gay scene in Reykjavík, and year-round queer events.

Iceland consistently ranks among the safest countries to travel solo. For women especially, it’s hard to beat: low crime, helpful locals, English spoken everywhere, and a tourism infrastructure that makes independent travel enjoyable.

The total solar eclipse in Iceland will happen on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in the late afternoon. The path of totality will cross western Iceland: the Westfjords, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Reykjavik, and the Reykjanes Peninsula. In these areas, the moon fully covers the sun for about 1 to 2 minutes. Everywhere else in Iceland, only a partial eclipse will be visible.

The best Icelandic books to read before visiting Iceland range from Halldór Laxness's Nobel Prize-winning Independent People to the medieval Njáls saga and Arnaldur Indriðason's crime novel Jar City. The genres include history, dark humor, and Nordic noir.