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Europe Visited 2022 • ⏱️ 5 min read

Iceland

When to go, what to see, and how to prepare for a first road trip in Iceland.

Typical Icelandic landscape with mountain and lake
The contrasting landscapes of Iceland between fire and ice

Table of Contents

Introduction

Iceland, an island of contrasts, is a dream destination for nature lovers. Between volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and northern lights, every corner of the island offers breathtaking landscapes. This guide will help you plan your first road trip in Iceland, giving you advice on the best time to go, the must-see sites, and essential preparations.

Icebergs in the Jökulsárlón lagoon
Geyser erupting
Gullfoss waterfall

When to Go?

💡Best Time

The ideal time depends on your priorities: winter adventure or full summer exploration.

  • Summer (June - August): Roads open, very long days, but more crowds.
  • Shoulder seasons: Beautiful light, changeable weather.
  • Winter: Northern lights, roads sometimes closed.
"

There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.

— Icelandic proverb

Must-Sees (7-10 days)

Golden Circle

Þingvellir National Park
Geyser erupting
Gullfoss waterfall
  • Þingvellir: Birthplace of the Icelandic parliament and tectonic boundary
  • Geysir: Active geysers and hot springs
  • Gullfoss: Spectacular two-tier waterfall

More info on the complete Golden Circle guide .

South Coast

⚠️Watch Out for Waves

On the black sand beaches, keep your distance from the ocean. Rogue waves are frequent.

  • Seljalandsfoss: Waterfall you can walk behind
  • Skógafoss: Powerful 60-meter waterfall
  • Vík: Village and black sand beaches
  • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Floating icebergs
Glacier lagoon with icebergs
The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, a unique natural spectacle

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

"

Iceland in miniature: all the country’s landscapes concentrated in one single region.

Check out our detailed Snæfellsnes itinerary so you don’t miss a thing.

Practical Tips

💡Essential Preparation

Good preparation is the key to a successful trip to Iceland.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Essential Gear

  • Technical layered clothing
  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Waterproof windbreaker
  • Crampons for winter

Check out our complete gear list for more details.

❗Environmental Respect

Iceland is fragile: stay on marked trails and do not pick anything.

Practical Information

Everything you need to know before heading to Iceland.

🇮🇸 Iceland

🏛️

Capitale

Reykjavik

👥

Population

380,000

🗣️

Langue(s)

Icelandic, English

💵

Monnaie

Icelandic Krona (ISK)

🕐

Fuseau horaire

UTC+0 (no daylight saving time)

🔌

Type de prise

Type C and F

📞

Indicatif

+354

🚗

Conduite

Droite

🛂 Visa pour Iceland

Visa non requis

Pour les ressortissants de nationalité française

⏱️

Durée autorisée

90 days

📋

Type de visa

Schengen Area

Note: Iceland is part of the Schengen Area. A valid ID card or passport is sufficient for EU citizens.

🔗 Site officiel
kr ISK

💵 Icelandic Krona

Taux approximatif: 1 € ≈ 150 ISK

💡 Conseils pratiques:

  • • Credit cards are accepted absolutely everywhere, even for small amounts
  • • No need to withdraw cash - everything is paid by card
  • • Prices are high - plan your budget accordingly
  • • No tipping in Iceland

Estimated Budget

💰 Daily Budget in Iceland (road trip) (par jour)

Catégorie Estimation

Car rental

4x4 recommended, shared by 2-4

40 - 80 €

Gas

High fuel prices

20 - 35 €

Accommodation

Camping / Guesthouse

30 - 80 €

Meals

Mostly supermarket groceries

25 - 50 €

Activities

Site entries, excursions

15 - 50 €

Total estimé

130 - 295 €

Packing List for Iceland

🎒 Essential Gear

Cliquez pour cocher les éléments (sauvegardé localement)

🧥 Technical Clothing (6)

📷 Photography Gear (4)

🚗 Road Trip Essentials (5)

⛺ Camping (if applicable) (4)

Summer vs Winter: Which to Choose?

⚖️ Summer Travel (June-August)

✓ Avantages

  • ✓ Midnight sun - endless days
  • ✓ All roads are open (F-roads accessible)
  • ✓ Mild temperatures (10-15°C)
  • ✓ Puffins and abundant wildlife
  • ✓ More pleasant camping

✗ Inconvénients

  • ✗ Peak tourist season
  • ✗ Higher prices
  • ✗ No northern lights
  • ✗ Some sites very crowded

⚖️ Winter Travel (November-March)

✓ Avantages

  • ✓ Northern lights possible
  • ✓ Magical snowy landscapes
  • ✓ Fewer tourists
  • ✓ Ice caves accessible
  • ✓ More affordable prices outside holidays

✗ Inconvénients

  • ✗ Very short days (4-5h of daylight)
  • ✗ Roads closed or dangerous
  • ✗ Below-zero temperatures
  • ✗ Less itinerary flexibility
  • ✗ Some activities impossible

Useful Resources

To deepen your research:

Iceland awaits you with its natural wonders. Prepare to be amazed by this land of extraordinary contrasts.