ICELAND The Insiders' Guide Your guide to Iceland’s scenic wonders, top adventures, and must-do experiences by our local experts. Contents Overview Contents & Surrounds Reykjavik Reykjavik Overview 3 East Iceland 32 Top 10 Experiences in Iceland 3 The Highlands 34 Climate and Weather 5 Where to Stay 6 Vatnajökull National Park 36 Getting Around 7 Adventure in the National Park 38 Greater Greater Cultural Highlights 8 Iceland Pronunciation Guide 10 Adventure in Iceland 39 Best Side Trips 11 Camping 40 Responsible Tourism 13 Hiking and Trekking 41 Visa Information 14 Diving, Kayaking, and Rafting 42 National Park Winter Activities 44 Vatnajökull Reykjavik and Surrounds 15 Caves and Glaciers 45 Reykjavik Must See and Do 16 Iceland's Hot Springs 47 Nightlife 18 How to See the Northern Lights 48 Day Trips 19 Where to See Wildlife 50 Adventure Greater Iceland 21 Essential Insurance Tips 51 Outdoor South Iceland 22 Our Contributors 52 West Iceland 25 See Our Other Guides 53 Northwest Iceland 27 Get a Quote 54 North Iceland 29 2 Welcome! From thundering waterfalls to Viking legends to the mesmerizing Northern Lights, Iceland is for lovers of nature and culture alike – and despite its chilly name, you won’t find friendlier people anywhere. Our Insiders' Picks Contents of the Top 10 Westfjords Experiences Akureyri in Iceland Lake Mývatn Overview Stand behind a waterfall Snaefellsnes Peninsula East Fjords Iceland features stunning waterfalls Vatnajökull Þingvellir National Park of all sizes and descriptions, but at National Park Reykjavik Seljalandsfoss, in South Iceland, you can actually walk behind the & Surrounds Reykjavik Reykjavik curtain of water. Vik Swim between two continents Go inside a volcano At the Silfra Fissure in Þingvellir National Take a cable car into the massive Park, you can snorkel or scuba dive in the magma chamber of the volcano Greater Greater crack between the North American and Þríhnúkagígur – the only place in Iceland Eurasian continents. Fed by Langjökull the world where this experience glacier, the water in the fissure is is possible. Don’t worry – it’s been famously clear, with exceptional visibility. dormant for 4,000 years. National Park Sink neck-deep in Vatnajökull a hidden hot spring Natural hot springs are everywhere in this geothermal country, and if you’d prefer to soak in solitude rather than among the throngs Adventure at the Blue Lagoon, head to the Outdoor secluded Lanbrotalaug spring on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or Hörghlíðarlaug, overlooking the sea in Blue Lagoon the Westfjords. 3 Explore an ice cave The astounding cave in Langjökull glacier is the largest man-made ice cave in Europe – but for walls and formations of a truly stunning electric blue, visit the Crystal Ice Cave within Vatnajökull glacier. Contents Walk on a black sand beach Landscapes don’t get much more impressive than Reynisfjara, on the Southern coast. Competing with the black sand for your amazement is an enormous cliff made of volcanic Overview basalt columns. Off shore are the rock formations called Reynisdrangar, said Hvitserkur to be trolls turned to stone by the breaking of dawn. Vatnajökull is so vast that it covers not & Surrounds Go paddling with puffins one, but several, active volcanoes. The Reykjavik For walls Kayakers on gorgeous Breiðafjöður views are epic as you cross this massive and Bay in West Iceland are likely to have ice field and explore its ridges and formations close encounters with these adorable cravasses. of a truly birds, along with seals and even stunning whales. Gaze at the Aurora Borealis Greater Greater electric Iceland Winter nights are long in Iceland – blue, visit Hike on one of Europe’s all the more time to view nature’s the Crystal largest glaciers greatest light show. The Northern Ice Cave The biggest glacier in Iceland, Lights are visible here from mid- within September to early April. National Park Vatnajökull Vatnajökull glacier. Join the Djamm (Party) in Reykjavik Reykjavik is world-renowned for its nightlife, and the party doesn’t even get started until after midnight. After Adventure mingling with the townsfolk and Outdoor sampling Brennivin (aka “Icelandic Black Death”) at local institution Prikið, head to Paloma, the best place to dance till daybreak. 4 Climate and Weather Iceland’s climate is surprisingly mild, and despite what many think, the country experiences four distinct seasons. However, Contents the popular Icelandic joke “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes” is entirely accurate – weather in Iceland is very unpredictable. Overview Spring Beginning in April, spring breathes life Godafoss, in the Diamond Circle back into the country, and longer days melt snow to reveal verdant green fields. Though most of the country is safely brown, and orange. Storms batter the & Surrounds accessible, sunny days can quickly turn to countryside, leaving behind a crispness Reykjavik Summer rain or even snow. Temperatures hover in the air, and temperatures linger is best for between 32-50°F (0-10°C). It's a great between 32-50°F (0-10°C). exploring time to explore popular spots around This is one of the best times to the furthest the south coast and Golden Circle circuit catch the northern lights dancing over reaches of without the summer crowds. Iceland’s surreal landscapes, especially Greater Greater the country, Iceland at Kirkjufell Mountain or Jökulsárlón including Summer Glacier Lagoon. the June signals the start of the Icelandic uninhabited summer, bringing with it the most Winter highlands stable weather and long, sunny days. Stretching from November until National Park which are Vatnajökull Temperatures can reach up to 68°F March, the dark winter months are the inaccessible (20°C), but spells of misty rains can also stormiest, bringing with them snow for the rest bring it back down to a chilly 50°F (10°C). and ice that close smaller roads and of the year. Summer is best for exploring the possibly parts of the main route as well. furthest reaches of the country, including However, temperatures are remarkably the uninhabited highlands which are mild with the average just below 32°F Adventure inaccessible for the rest of the year. (0°C), actually warmer than New York. Outdoor The freezing temperatures offer Fall the best opportunities to experience Summer vanishes at the end of August, the electric-blue ice caves beneath the and the landscape turns to hues of gold, behemoth glacier Vatnajökull. 5 General Where Cost Guide Cost of a street- to Stay food meal – kr. 515- 1,550 (US $5-$15) Traveling in Iceland is easy Cost of a casual and safe, and as the country restaurant meal – becomes even more popular, kr. 1,550-2,580 (US there are an increasing number $15-$25) Contents of options for accommodation Cost of an upscale restaurant meal – and transport, from no-frills kr. 3,620-5,680 (US to ultra-luxe. No matter what $35-$55) for entree you choose, you’ll travel among only; kr. 6,720- 9,300 (US $65-$90) some of the most stunning including appetizer, landscapes in the world – and entree, and dessert Overview many that look like another Cost of a cup of Reykjavik coffee – kr. 310-620 planet altogether. (US $3-$6) Cost of a beer – kr. Hostels and guest houses offer guests the chance to meet the 930-1240 (US $9- These are plentiful in Reykjavik and animals, chat with farmers, and learn $12) & Surrounds Reykjavik Reykjavik along the Ring Road. A simple hostel about life in rural Iceland. Rates start at Car rental – kr. dorm bed ranges from kr. 3,100-5,160 around kr. 10,320 (US $100) per night. 3,100 -20,670 (US $30-$200) per day (US $30-$50) per night. Guesthouses Camper van rental and B&Bs are more homey, and include Hotels – kr. 10,330-31,00 breakfast or a guest kitchen. Rates Icelandic hotels run the gamut in style (US $100-$300) per range widely, as can the level of service, and cost. Characterless rooms start at day Greater Greater but expect to spend at least kr. 10,320- around kr. 10,320 (US $100), with more Hostels – kr. 3,100- Iceland 5,170 (US $30-$50) 15,490 (US $100-$150) per night. plush options costing as much as kr. per night 41,250 (US $400) per night. The latter Guesthouses – kr. Apartments are most often found in Reykjavik, but 10,330-15,500 (US Apartment rentals are gaining in you’ll find some surprisingly elegant $100-$150) per night National Park popularity in Iceland, particularly in options in the countryside. Farmstays – kr. Vatnajökull Reykjavik, where a stylish one bedroom 10,330 (US $100) per night rents for around kr. 15,490k (US $150) Camping per night. In the countryside, a modest Camping is the most economical way to cabin or cottage costs kr. 10,320-20,650 see Iceland, but it’s only recommended (US $100-$200) per night. during the short window from June Adventure to September. There are dozens of Icelandic Outdoor Farmstays official campgrounds around Iceland. hotels run These are a great option for cozy The average cost is around kr. 1,030 (US the gamut accommodation in the countryside. $10) per night, and most don’t require in style Often located on working farms, they reservations. and cost. 6 Getting Reykjavik, but rarely practical outside the capital region. Fares are standardized Around and tipping is not expected. They’re not cheap, though. The 30mi (48km) ride Iceland is 39,769 mi² (103,000 from the airport to Reykjavik is around kr. km²), much of it sparsely 12,920 (US $125). A 10-minute ride from populated, rugged, and remote.