It’s safe to say that Iceland is having a moment. It’s all over social media, and everyone seems to be going or wanting to go. Here are some things to know about visiting Iceland that may or may not surprise you.
It’s not that far.
Iceland can be done in a 4-day weekend from the east coast. Icelandair has capitalized on this by offering some very affordable flights in and out of the country.
English is spoken widely.
Don’t worry about having trouble communicating here. Most everyone speaks perfect English, making it easy for American travelers.
The food. And the drinks. They are expensive.
Let’s talk about food. Iceland eats some unusual foods (puffin, anyone?) and they lean on their plethora of sheep (read: lamb). Also, seafood is extremely popular. Icelandic meats are often fermented which is not always pleasing to American palates. But don’t fret, they also have common offerings like pizzas, salads, etc. That said, their food comes with a hefty price tag. A bagel with cream cheese or a bowl of soup can set you back close to $20. Furthermore, Iceland has a 50% tax on alcohol, making drinking expensive. The water, however, is something Icelandic folks are quite proud of. Do not expect to order any sparkling or bottled water without a raised eyebrow. It can have a sulfur smell to it, but their water is very clean and pure. At least it’s free.
Wildlife is invisible during winter months.
If you’re visiting Iceland with hopes of seeing whales or puffins, you won’t find them. Summer months are best for these sightings.
The northern lights are not visible during the summer months.
Many people associate Iceland with the opportunity to view the aurora borealis, more commonly known as the northern nights. In order to see the lights, you need total darkness, which only occurs in colder months. The summer days are almost 24 hours of sunlight.
Winter is not that cold. Summer is not that warm (at all).
Iceland is a relatively temperate climate. Winter months usually hover around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. That is not to say you will not be cold, as winds can gust and storms blow through regularly. An old Icelandic saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” The weather can go from blizzard conditions to sunshine in no time. Speaking of sunshine, there is very little of it during the winter months. The few hours of daylight have more of a sunset or golden hour affect. Summer months see almost total sun, and temperatures average around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
What to wear?
If all this weather talk has you confused about what to pack, stick with the rule of arctic thumbs: LAYER. Be sure to bring waterproof gloves and jackets for storms and for visiting waterfalls. Most importantly, bring the right shoe gear. Don’t go to Iceland in your sneakers. You will need waterproof snow boots or shoes.
Planes, boats and automobiles.
Affordable flights have already been mentioned, but did you know there are many cruises to Iceland, too? Both large and small boat cruises are a great way to get around and see the sights. This also helps bypass the food/drink expenses in Iceland. If you fly, driving around Iceland is not difficult, but you should be comfortable driving in winter road conditions.
Tumbleweed 