Iceland Travel Tips – Six Things That Surprised Me
Iceland is an extraordinary country everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. The isolated, northern Atlantic island has unworldly landscapes, a unique population with a distinctive culture, and challenging weather beyond expectations. Here are Iceland travel tips, and more, I wish I would have known before heading to The Land of Fire and Ice:
Expect to Meet more Foreigners than Locals
Meeting locals is a memorable, enjoyable experience for travelers who like to explore and learn about various cultures. As a frequent solo traveler, I love having in-depth conversations with people from other nations, especially those native to the country I’m visiting. Unfortunately, Icelandic people are rather elusive; tours were guided by foreigners, European tourists sat near me, and restaurant staff were from other countries. One of my guides declared that immigrants outnumber natives in Reykjavik.
Perhaps opportunities to meet Icelanders were limited due to the short time I spent in the country. Maybe it was the cold, damp climate that discouraged me to stay out longer, or it could have been because I missed out on the most significant social activity: hanging around the pool.
Bring a Swim Suit
In Iceland, every town, village, and city has at least one public pool where locals socialize, exercise, and relax. The pool serves as an oasis to escape the long, dark winter months and helps keep the population’s mental health intact. A swimsuit is necessary to experience the phenom; unfortunately, I didn’t think of bringing one and missed out on the fun. Hence, one of the best Iceland travel tips is to bring a swimsuit, no matter what time of year; it is just as important as a raincoat.
Prepare for Seriously Bad Weather – A VIP Iceland Travel Tip
Who expects warm, sunny beach weather in Iceland? Probably nobody. However, everyone should prepare for rain and damp, chilling winds no matter what time of year you go. Therefore, an important Iceland travel tip is to bring rain gear, a hat, and gloves – even during the summer months.
I traveled to Iceland in late September and thought a hooded raincoat, baseball cap, and boots would suffice – was I wrong! It rained every day, and the fierce wind chilled me to the bone. A Dutch tourist wore a warm winter jacket and ended up buying a knit cap because she was afraid her ears would get frostbitten. Prepare for nasty, cruel weather; you will be glad you did.
Expect Different Scenery from other European Countries
Do you associate fairytale-like castles and elaborate cathedrals when envisioning a drive through the European landscape? Maybe vineyards and chalets come to mind? If so, Iceland will surprise you with its sparse population, simply designed buildings and lack of ornate places of worship. Not much is built with stone, most architecture is metal, stucco, or concrete.
Iceland is young compared to the rest of Europe and untouched by the Romans. Religion is not diligently practiced as in other parts of the continent, therefore churches are not that large and elaborate; I did not see any baroque-styled cathedrals or fortresses in the southwest part of the country.
Luxury mansions are discreet or nonexistent. Compact, modest homes speckle the countryside where people cluster close together. Perhaps this is to preserve the delicate lava field vegetation and that much of the glacier-covered land is uninhabitable.
Appreciate and Respect the Beauty of Lava Fields
What comes to mind when you think of lava fields? Plains of black and grey rock that are not very eye-appealing? This is what I envisioned. However, I was blown away by the colorful blankets of moss covering hills of lava beds looming past the horizon. Buildings are sporadic, and a single highway is the main thoroughfare to get around the preserved countryside.
Iceland protects the fragile ecosystem of more than 600 moss species destroyed when crushed by footsteps; several of these fields took centuries to develop into what they are today. Because of their delicacy, there are strict laws and a lack of railings and other safety aids. Hence, an Iceland travel tip is to wear proper foot gear to climb hills on slippery surfaces with little assistance.
Discover Icelandic Creativity
Visiting museums and listening to local music uncovers how creative Icelanders can be. The Culture House, an art museum featuring local talent exclusively, houses a wide array of pieces of various mediums and exhibits that relate to The Land of Fire and Ice. Icelandic music, a distinctive, soulful blend of indy, folk, and alternative rock, is unlike anything played on American radio. Lengthy, dark Icelandic winters inspire big-time progressive ingenuity and artistry within the small population.
Summary of Iceland Travel Tip Advice
Majestic waterfalls, stunning lava fields, and black beaches will fascinate those fortunate to visit the Land of Fire and Ice. However, prepare for less-than-friendly weather and slippery paths when discovering the wonders this little country has in store for those who brave the elements. The last Iceland travel tip is stay six nights and bring your swimsuit. Maybe you will chat with Icelandic natives who might reveal hidden secrets of their unique culture and mind-blowing landscape.
Smart Solo Travel in Europe 