Today we visit Iceland, the surprisingly large windswept island in the middle of the North Atlantic. Today is also a great opportunity to get a little closer to that mythical post I was always planning to write about my 2018 trip to Iceland.

So here goes my attempt to write up some tips for visiting Iceland in under an hour…

Practical advice for visiting Iceland

The weather in Iceland

Whatever time of year you’re visiting Iceland. Prepare for it to be grey, soaking wet and windy. This is part of the charm. If it’s sunny (or not raining) then this is a bonus.

Where to stay

Some countries mostly have hotels, some countries, B&Bs, some countries rental apartments. Iceland favours the guesthouse. Expect them to be expensive, and not so luxurious, but everything you need for a nights rest.

What car to rent in Iceland?

You’ll need a car because of course, you are going to explore Iceland beyond Reykavik. Everyone recommends you need some kind of rugged SUV to drive around Iceland. This is simply not true though, well, unless you’re planning to traverse the unpaved interior roads. I rented the smallest, cheapest car possible (Iceland is expensive!) The car came with studded winter tyres and it was completely fine (if a little underpowered).

What to see and do in Iceland

Here are a few of the places I visited in Iceland. Some are well-known Iceland landmarks, others less so. 

Secret Lagoon Hot Spring

If you fancy relaxing in a thermal lagoon, I recommend the Secret lagoon Hot Spring, (or Gamla Laugin in Icelandic). This place is amazing - it’s far less well known than the Blue Lagoon, but is a lot smaller and quieter. It’s also Iceland’s oldest geothermal swimming pool, dating back to 1891. If relaxing in the soothing warm waters makes you hungry, the Secret lagoon very close to Iceland’s only mushroom farm which has an excellent mushroom cafe. It’s amazing how many ways you can cook mushrooms.

Strokkur

A trip to Iceland wouldn’t be complete without visiting a few geysers. The geyser most people (and tour buses) gravitate towards is Strokkur. If you go with the expectation that it will be touristy, it’s incredible and definitely worthy of a detour. I’d actually go as far as saying the crowds of people actually add to the theatre of seeing the ground explode with towers of steaming water. 

Solheimasandur plane wreck

If you’re up for a long walk through a desolate landscape, then walking to the Solheimasandur plane wreck is pretty amazing. The Solheimasandur plane wreck is a decaying US Navy DC3 that crash-landed in 1973, and since then has sat in its current desolate surroundings. I visited during a torrential downpour, but the walk and wreck site was still beautiful. I probably sound a little cranky, but it is possibly a bit too much of an Instagram location for my taste. I just wanted to chill and take in the desolate, weird place. Go early before the crowds and hope for a rainy day.

Skaftafell and the Vatnajökull National Park

I definitely recommend taking a whole day at least at the Vatnajökull National Park. There are many of incredible hikes around Skaftafell and the Vatnajökull National Park and the trails are all well maintained. The views of the plains and glaciers are spectacular. I recommend taking water, some snacks or a packed lunch.

Svínafellsjökull Glacier

Svínafellsjökull is one of the glaciers I most enjoyed visiting. It’s possible to walk right up to the foot of the glacier (provided you’re extremely careful). It’s easy to get to and won’t disappoint if you enjoy dramatic scenery. When I went Svínafellsjökull was also very deserted.

The most dramatic glacier I visited in Iceland though must be the Sólheimajökull Glacier just outside of Vik.

Hoffell Hot tubs

If you make it as far as Höfn, I really enjoyed relaxing at the Hoffell Hot Tubs. They’re inexpensive, the setting is spectacular and they’re a really lovely place to unwind after a day of hiking. Oh, and the area around Höfn is lovely too - it’s much quieter than other parts of Iceland and has lots of hiking options.