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If you’re looking for an Iceland bucket list, then you came to the right place. I spent four nights and five days in Iceland at the beginning of August 2017 and it still wasn’t enough time to get deep into the country and its Icelandic roots. I’d recommend about a week or more if you’re trying to complete all regions of Iceland and dig into its roots in just one trip.
During my trip I covered Reykjavik, the western region of Iceland, and the southern region of iceland. Since I visited during Iceland’s summer, there was 24 hour daylight which gave us lots of time to explore and not a lot of time to sleep. If you want to maximize your time then definitely come around the summer solstice.
Iceland is a country that attracts tourists because of its natural beauty, hot springs, beautiful outdoor views, glaciers, and much much more. Iceland is one of the top 5 most expensive countries in Europe, so be very cautious if you’re traveling on a budget here.
The capital of Iceland and where 80% of the countries population lies. Find amazing authentic Icelandic cuisine, explore its history, and check out the city’s night life.
One of the most unusual buildings in Reykjavik and in the country. The lutheran church is located in Reykjavik so be sure to stop by to check it out before or after grabbing some food down the street.
Just a short drive away from Reykjavik. Stand in both North America and Europe right over where the two continents meet. Take a stroll through the national park to see beautiful trails, views, see the prime minister’s summer home, and maybe even scuba dive between the plates at Sifra!
Gullfoss is a part of the Golden Circle located in the southern region of Iceland. It’s a beautiful untouched force of nature that is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. Walk right into the mist of the glacier runoff and maybe even catch some rainbows on a sunny day.
Also a part of the Golden Circle Tour. A natural geysir and part of nature that shoots up every 5-10 minutes. The geothermal area bubbles before it erupts and it’s truly an amazing sight.
A beautiful black-sand beach on the southern coast. Climb up the basalt columns or go into one of the caves for some great photo ops. Try wearing open toed shoes here or you’ll end up with tons of sand in your sneakers!
One of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls that you can walk behind. Be sure to wear waterproof pants and a raincoat to avoid getting cold and wet.
Another amazing waterfall that’s just a short drive away from Seljalandsfoss. You can take a staircase up to the top of the waterfall for some more amazing views.
Seeing the glaciers HAS to be a priority on your Iceland bucket list. The glaciers in Iceland are AMAZING! Take a boat through the glaciers if you have the option to, to get deep into the lagoon. The views are awesome and the water is so clear.
Don’t get me wrong, the Blue Lagoon was absolutely beautiful, but don’t get your hopes up if you’re expecting some out of this world experience. I spent about 2 hours in the beautiful silica-filled lagoon where I laid back and relaxed with a drink in my hand and a silica mask on my face.
Click here to book online in advance if you want the cheap options and be cautious because the lagoon gets pretty crowded later in the day. I’d suggest going early morning if you’re looking for some good photo ops and less crowds.
Of coure foos has to be a part of the Iceland bucket list! Food in iceland is going to expensive. For reference, a burger converts to about $20. If you’re on a budget then I’d suggest getting your groceries from Bonus. But, if you get the chance to try Icelandic cuisine, do it! One of my favorite foods while being in Iceland was the lamb and pork dipped in bearnaise sauce. Almost all restaurants will serve some type of this meal.
Brautarholt 22, Reykjavík, Iceland
A small buffet style restaurant in Reykjavik that serves authentic Icelandic cuisine and probably my favorite place I ate during my stay. The wait staff was very welcoming and the food was delicious. Click here to view the menu options!
Renting a car is pretty much a must. All the sights on your Iceland bucket list are spread all throughout Iceland with a good car ride length between them. Renting your own car also gives you the freedom to run on your own time schedule.
Don’t worry, all rental car services offer wifi with their rental cars.
Gas in Iceland is going to be expensive and credit cards require a pin at the pump, so be sure to call your banks ahead of time to make sure you have a pin!
If you’re on a budget then hitchhiking is a great option. Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world and most roads are one way.
Taking a tour bus is also an option but it doesn’t give you time freedom. If you can rent a car over taking a bus then I’d highly suggest doing so!
Just around the summer solstice is Iceland’s busiest season of the year. The weather gets warmer and tourists still get to experience the natural beauty of Iceland.
The northern lights should be a part of your Iceland bucket list, but you’ll have to give up warmer weather for the beautiful lights. The best months to visit for these is usually February-March and September-October.
During these months the sun is out for the majority of the day, which gives you more time to fit more sights into your itinerary.
Just driving through Iceland will leave you with breathtaking views. You’ll be forced to stop to capture some amazing pictures that even a camera can’t capture. Take many pictures and take even more mental pictures.
English Speaking
Most people in Iceland speak very good English so don’t be afraid to ask. They usually are very friendly and welcoming to tourists, but be respectful of their culture as well.
Don’t waste your money spending money on bottled water. The water from Iceland is probably the best water I’ve ever drank because it comes fresh out of the streams! Drinking the cold water out of the tap is perfectly ok, you’re even able to drink the water from streams and waterfalls throughout Iceland.
Don’t be surprised if you experience all 4 seasons just in one day. This makes packing clothes for layering so important! The mornings are quite breezy but if the sun comes out mid-day, it can get really warm.
Iceland is going to be expensive and you’re going to have to accept that before your trip. Meals, accommodation, gas, and almost everything you buy will cost a pretty penny, so be cautious of this when shopping.
The hot water in Iceland is full of Sulfur and smells kind of like rotten eggs. It’s ok to shower in and brush your teeth, but don’t swallow it. Don’t get grossed out by the smell because it’s just Iceland’s natural source of hot water.
The weather changes throughout the day. I’d recommend bringing a rain coat, waterproof pants, and waterproof hiking shoes. A lot of the sights are outdoors, which requires you to be prepared for any type of weather that comes your way.
Iceland is almost a cashless society, so use a card if you have the option to do so! I’d recommend using a card with no international or ATM fees to avoid extra charges throughout your trip. I use Charles Schwab as my international card.
Check out some of my favorite tools and companies I actually use when I travel.
Need a Bank Account for Life Abroad? Wise is the best option for travelers, study abroad students and expats. I use it as my everyday checking account since it lets me hold and spend in multiple currencies without getting hit with a bad exchange rate every time I cross a border.
Want to Travel for Free & Skip the Foreign Transaction Fees? I put my spending on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card and let the points cover flights and hotels I'd otherwise be paying for out of pocket. I've been able to use the points I earn on this card to pay for flights, hotels and meals all around the world!
Please Don't Forget Travel Insurance! Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never go on a trip without it. My two favorites are:
Need a Flight? I personally love using Google Flights to track prices and compare dates before I commit, the flexible date view alone has saved me a lot of money. Skyscanner is another great search engine to find cheap flights because it searches sites and airlines around the globe, so you know no cheap deal is being left on the table.
Getting Around Southeast Asia? Book your buses, trains, and ferries with 12Go Asia. One search shows you every route and price, so you're not digging through ten different local booking sites.
Need a Place to Stay? Book your hotel with Expedia, where I start looking, especially when I want to bundle flights and stays together. Hotels.com is my backup when I want to compare prices or I'm chasing their rewards program for a free night.
On a Tighter Budget? Hostelworld is where I go for hostels. It has the largest inventory out there, and you can search for dorm beds or private rooms depending on what you're after!
Want a Free Way to Travel? Try TrustedHousesitters! You look after someone's home and pets while they're away, and in exchange you get free accommodation (minus the subscription fee). It's a great option if you're traveling long term and want to cut costs. I personally use this as a host and a sitter, and it's truly great!
Need Inspiration or Just Want to See What's Out There? Go Guides is a solid resource for destination guides, must-see landmarks, local markets, best beaches, and things to do, browsable by place or by theme. It's a good stop whether you already know where you're headed or you're still looking for your next destination.
Check out my full packing gear guide for everything I bring on international trips, or browse my favorite travel finds on Amazon for quick links to it all.
Check out my full resource page for every company I use when I travel. I list them all in one place so you can go from planning to booked without digging through old blog posts!
Hey there, I'm Angelique!
I'm a Filipina-American, Chicago native living abroad and running my online design agency from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over a decade of traveling in, and yes, I still pinch myself. With family split between the US, UK, and SE Asia, travel has always been part of my story. This blog is where I share the honest side of living and traveling abroad, the places I explore, my best study abroad tips from personal experience, and the little hacks that make this life actually work. Glad you're here, friend!
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