Vacation In Reykjavik
Vacation In Reykjavik is a travel book by author Rob Cockerham. It explores the country, culture, and people of Iceland through illustrations, quotations, photographs, and text.
Having yourself a little summer getaway in Iceland? Want to save time and cash while there? Awesome, me too. And no, I’m not just trying to sell you a flight deal. There are some things you can do before you even arrive in the country to help make your trip as smooth and affordable as possible. In fact, these things may be more important to make sure your vacation is a successful one than any deals or tips I could give you once you’re already in Reykjavik.
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city of Iceland and with a population of around 120,000 people, it is its largest municipality. Reykjavik is located in southwest Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxa Bay. The area surrounding the city is home to many glaciers, mountains, volcanoes and hot springs. This beautiful area provides many scenic views which is perfect for exploring on vacation.
Reykjavík is the largest city in Iceland and is located on the country’s southwestern peninsula. It’s has a population of about 123,000 as of 2017. Historically, Reykjavík was settling due to its fishing industry and saw rough times thanks to many earthquakes which separated the city into different parts. The growth really started when the nearby glaciers started to melt and they were able to harvest ice in order to transport it all around the world by ship.
Vacation In Reykjavik
You’ve heard it a million times, Iceland is the land of ice and fire, it’s an easy catch phrase but what does it mean? Find out why Iceland is called the land of ice and fire as we show you an authentic side of our country during your vacation to Reykjavík.
Iceland Travel Restrictions 2022
Since 25 February 2022, there are no longer any COVID-19 restrictions for visitors at the border or in the country. You do not need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test.
I still recommend that you make sure your travel insurance covers COVID-19 medical expenses.
An excellent budget option is SafetyWing, which we’ve used in the past. It’s available to most nationalities and is especially good value for families as kids under 10 are free.
If you want a policy with cancellation cover, check out Heymondo (available worldwide with 5% off for our readers) and True Traveller (for UK and EU residents).
Video: Planning an Iceland Vacation
Dos and Don’ts of Planning a Trip to Iceland
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When is the Best Time to Visit Iceland?
I would happily visit Iceland at any time of year as each season offers a different experience.
Summer
Many people consider the summer months of June to August the best time to visit Iceland.
This is when the weather is warmest, although that doesn’t mean it’s hot. In Reykjavik average temperatures in July range from 9 – 14ºC (48 – 57ºF) and it can be colder in the north.
Summer is the time of the midnight sun with daylight hours ranging from 21 hours in late June to 18 hours in early August.
This is the best time of year for hiking, driving the Ring Road (as roads are clear), and seeing whales and puffins. Most attractions and cafes are open.
The downsides of visiting Iceland in the summer are that it’s much busier and more expensive.
Spring and Autumn
To avoid the crowds and high prices, it’s worth considering visiting in the shoulder season months of April/May (spring) and September/October (autumn).
The weather is cold at this time of year but not as extreme as the winter and there’s a good amount of daylight for exploring.
It’s also possible to see the northern lights in these months, although you’ll have more of a chance in April and October.
The downside is that some attractions and cafes are closed.
We loved visiting Iceland in late September when it wasn’t very busy.
We had around 12 hours of daylight and temperatures of –2ºC (28ºF) to 5ºC (40ºF). We enjoyed autumn colours in some locations, the first snowfall on the mountains, and even the northern lights.
See my guide to visiting Iceland in September for more on what to expect.
Winter
Iceland’s winter from November to March is the quietest and cheapest time of year to visit.
This is the best time of year to visit Iceland for the northern lights, beautiful snowy landscapes, and winter activities like ice caves and dog sledding.
The weather is cold but not as cold as you’d expect (around 0ºC/ 32ºF) and daylight is limited for exploring (only four hours in late December/early January).
The roads are often covered in snow and not all parts of the island are accessible at this time of year—it’s best to stay south. If you aren’t a confident driver, stay in Reykjavik and take tours.
How Long Should You Spend in Iceland?
The average length of stay in Iceland is around seven nights.
I recommend visiting for at least five nights—this is enough time to see some of the highlights within a few hours of Reykjavik such as the Golden Circle and Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
If you want to drive the entire 1332km (828 miles) Ring Road, which circumnavigates the island, the minimum time needed is one week. 10-14 days would be much better, though.
We visited Iceland for 12 nights and liked not being too rushed. We were able to have a couple of rest days when the weather was bad. See our western Iceland itinerary for details of where we went.
What’s the Best Way to Travel in Iceland?
Public transport is very limited so the best way to tour Iceland is with your own vehicle.
Rent a Car
If you can drive, the best way to see Iceland is to hire a car and do a self-drive trip around the island.
We used Rental Cars to find the best deal. We rented a 4WD car, which we appreciated on bumpy gravel roads in the Westfjords, but it isn’t strictly necessary for most Iceland trips.
We found driving around Iceland easy—there aren’t many roads so it’s difficult to get lost and there’s good cell phone signal for using Google Maps.
Renting a campervan is also a popular way to tour Iceland in the summer. You must park in designated camping zones, though.
Take Tours from Reykjavik
Another way to explore Iceland is to base yourself in Reykjavik and take day tours. You can get a shuttle bus from the airport into the city (which is very walkable).
See Get Your Guide for a wide variety of trips such as the popular Golden Circle tour, whale watching on a luxury yacht, hiking on an active volcano, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and many more.
This is the best option if you can’t or don’t want to drive or are visiting in winter and aren’t confident driving on snowy roads. It’s also a good way to travel if you are visiting Iceland on your own.