Iceland Travel Blog: Expert Tips, Itineraries and Travel Guides

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.

Iceland is considered one of the world's safest countries thanks to its low crime rate, strong social trust, and a stable society where people look out for one another. Safe streets, clean air, reliable emergency services, and welcoming locals all add to how at ease travelers feel here.

The best time to visit Iceland is June to August, when the Midnight Sun keeps the country in daylight up to 21 hours a day, every road is open, and the highlands and Westfjords are accessible. If you came here looking for a single sweet spot, that is it.

The best things to do in Iceland are guided ice caves, glacier hikes, Silfra snorkeling, Northern Lights chasing, and lava caving: the experiences our guides have led for over 40 years.

The best Asian restaurants in Reykjavík are Ramen Momo, Ban Thai, FINE, Asia Food, Hraðlestin, and Yocha for bubble tea, all within a 15-minute walk of Laugavegur street in central Reykjavík. Most are family-run by chefs from the cuisines they serve, with per-person prices ranging from 2,500 to 8,000 ISK ($18 to $58 / €17 to €54).

Most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours at the Blue Lagoon, the geothermal spa on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland. The exact length depends on which package you book, how busy the lagoon is, and whether you add masks, drinks, or spa treatments.

Landmannalaugar hot springs are natural geothermal pools in Iceland's Fjallabak Nature Reserve, where you can bathe outdoors. Cold water from melting snow on the surrounding mountains runs down and meets hot water rising through the ground at the edge of an old lava field. Where the two mix, the temperature stays between 36 and 40°C (96 and 104°F) year-round.

In Iceland, runes and staves are two distinct symbol systems: the Younger Futhark, a 16-letter Viking-age alphabet and galdrastafir, intricate magical sigils recorded in Icelandic grimoires from the late 16th to 19th centuries.

Jörmungandr is the Midgard Serpent of Norse mythology, a sea monster so enormous he encircles the entire world and bites his own tail.

Snowmobiling in Iceland is possible year-round on Langjökull and seasonally on Vatnajökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers.

Katla, Iceland's most powerful subglacial volcano, hasn't erupted since 1918 and isn't erupting now. Here's what scientists have measured recently, what an eruption would look like, and what it means for travel to Iceland's south coast.

Plan a one-day North Iceland itinerary from Akureyri east to Lake Mývatn for a scenic day in the north without committing to a multi-day circuit. The trip covers whale watching, a scenic drive, Goðafoss waterfall, the main Lake Mývatn attractions, local lunch, and an optional geothermal bath.

Iceland is one of the few places in the world where your seven-year-old can hike a glacier in the morning and soak in a geothermal pool before dinner. That combination of wild nature and effortless logistics is exactly why families keep coming back.

Did you know that Iceland is the unofficial waterfall capital of the world? There are so many that some smaller ones don’t even have official names. Here are the 20 best (and most accessible) waterfalls you can include in your itinerary.

Iceland has more active volcanic systems per square kilometer than almost anywhere on Earth. That's because the island sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and above a mantle hotspot. Learn about the 15 most significant volcanoes in Iceland.

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is treated as one of the world’s wonders, and it’s on many travelers’ must-visit lists. Thanks to the Sky Lagoon, locals and tourists can now continue enjoying Iceland’s natural geothermal waters in a less crowded place. So, which one is better?

Soft, chewy, crisp, salty, and sweet, Icelandic candy reflects the country itself: bold, a little unexpected, and very easy to get attached to.

Planning a trip to Iceland’s most famous geothermal spa? From water temperature and booking slots to what to pack and shower rules, these 15 FAQs cover the details that make your soak stress-free.

Iceland's volcanoes do far more than sit on the horizon. They shape the country's lava fields, craters, geothermal areas, and black sand beaches, and volcanic activity is a recurring part of life here rather than a distant geological story.

Curious about horse riding through Iceland’s lava fields? This guide explains what the ride is like, why it works so well for beginners, and how it stands out near Reykjavík.