How to Plan Your First Trip to Iceland

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Whether or not Iceland is the only stop on your vacation itinerary, keep this in mind: Icelandair allows a free seven-day stopover on their international flights. So if you’re en route to Paris this summer, take a few extra days off from that work vacation time and stop in Reykjavík. But beware: you probably won’t want to leave. Who needs a croissant anyway?

Getting away in the long winter months is imperative, but leave the months of December through February for the tropical beaches. Unless, of course, you love being in the dark for most of the day and don’t mind your destination being even colder than the frosty hometown you were looking to escape. Iceland is ideal in the summertime, when the days are extremely long and the temperatures are warmer. No, you can’t see the Aurora Borealis in August, but we’d rather not get frostbite while looking up to the sky.

Swimming and Iceland might not be two words that you’d think would go together, and maybe you’re right. After all, you’re not going to take too many plunges into a backcountry arctic lake. In any case, don’t forget to pack a bathing suit when you travel to Iceland. There are hot springs all over the country and you’d be a fool not to go take a soak in one whenever possible. There are few things more healing.

If you’re flying to Reykjavík, save your money and cancel the order on that Icelandic Rosetta Stone you just bought. Almost everyone in Iceland is friendly and speaks English (better English than Americans even), so feel confident that you won’t run into any translation problems. If you’ve ever heard someone speak Icelandic, you already know that there’s not a prayer of attempting to learn it at this point.

Iceland is full of langoustine, a delicious small crustacean that you’ll want to order at any seafood restaurant. Think of it as mini-lobster, which technically, it is. There’s little need to order much else (except a Reyka martini or two), so if you’ve bought your ticket to Iceland, stay away from shrimp and lobster for a week or two before departing. It’d be like overloading on Carlo Rossi the week before traveling to Napa.

Taking a backpack instead of a suitcase to Iceland might make you feel a bit like your 15-year-old self en route to that first traveling-around-Europe adventure. However if you plan on doing any camping while there (and you should), leave the leather duffel at home. Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and to really experience it, you need to get out of your car and sleep under the stars. And this is Iceland camping we’re talking about, so leave the whiskey at home and opt for a few swigs of vodka around the fire.

The full days of sunlight in Iceland are a blessing and a curse. It’s dreamy to think about the sun being overhead almost all day. You have more energy, you can be outside longer, and drinking hours are all sorts of wacky. But the light doesn’t make sleeping any easier, so don’t forget an eye mask and some earplugs. Even if you don’t end up using them (though trust us, you will), you’ll be glad to have them. And if you’re really sensitive to such things, which a lot of people are, try bringing a few sleeping pills in the ol’ Dopp kit.

It’s always tempting to stop by and get a bunch of pretty foreign currency when landing in a new place, but Iceland is on point with credit cards. Gas stations, taxis, and even small bed and breakfasts in remote towns will most likely take plastic. So call your bank before you go, tell them you’ll be traveling, and save the trouble of having to carry a big wad of bills in your pocket.

There are a lot of long straightaways down beautiful stretches of road in Iceland. It’s tempting to cruise, especially with no sign of police and radars in sight. Though, cops have been known to bust people for speeding from miles away and you’ll have to pay on the spot. So consider yourself warned. In addition to the law enforcement issues, there are cameras all over the country that monitor your Kilometers Per Hour. If you’re over the limit and they take your picture, you’ll find out about your speeding ticket way after you’ve returned the rental car.

This might be against your Free-Spirit traveling mindset, but having a knowledgeable guide show you around the country for a few days is a great way to see and learn about Iceland. There’s so much history and so many magnificent places in the tiny country that you’ll only find when in the presence of a knowledgeable guide. There are many options for guides, so make a few calls prior to leaving and find one that specializes in whatever it is you’re interested in experiencing, whether it’s visiting a national treasure or sipping on one. Don’t leave without enjoying the smooth tasting vodka of Iceland’s first distillery, Reyka, at a bar or restaurant in its homeland.