12 Essential ICELAND TRAVEL Tips | Watch BEFORE You GO!
Summary
TLDRIn this travel guide video, Alexander Ayling shares 12 essential tips for visiting Iceland, including dressing in layers for unpredictable weather, enjoying wildlife encounters, chasing waterfalls, witnessing the Northern Lights, trying local cuisine, soaking in hot springs, saving money on accommodations and food, exploring glaciers and volcanoes, renting a car for flexibility, discovering lesser-known areas, experiencing local culture, and visiting during off-peak hours to avoid crowds.
Takeaways
- 🧳 Iceland is known for its diverse landscapes, including volcanoes, glaciers, and unique geothermal features.
- 👋 The Icelandic culture is rich and welcoming, with a small, tight-knit community that values tradition and folklore.
- 🌍 Iceland's geographical location and geology, including the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, contribute to its distinctive landscapes and hot springs.
- 🧥 Pack for variable weather; Iceland's climate can be unpredictable, even in summer, with temperatures ranging from warm to freezing.
- 🐳 Wildlife encounters are a highlight, with species like puffins, reindeer, and whales, but remember to respect their habitats.
- 💧 Waterfalls are abundant and diverse in Iceland, with over 10,000, making them a must-see part of the natural scenery.
- 🌌 The Northern Lights are best seen from September to April and can be predicted using apps like 'Hello Aurora'.
- 🍲 Icelandic cuisine is unique, with traditional dishes like hakarl (fermented shark) and svolo (boiled sheep's head).
- ♨️ Hot springs are a major attraction, with the Blue Lagoon being the most famous, but there are many less crowded options as well.
- 💸 Iceland can be expensive, so save money by staying in hostels, buying alcohol duty-free, and eating at local markets instead of restaurants.
- 🚗 Renting a car is recommended for the freedom to explore off the beaten path and to visit less touristy areas of Iceland.
Q & A
What are the key features of Iceland's landscape?
-Iceland's landscape is characterized by its volcanic activity, glaciers, and geothermal areas which give it a rugged and otherworldly appearance. It's often described as feeling like you're on a different planet due to this unique combination of natural features.
How has Iceland's history shaped its current landscape?
-Iceland's landscape has been shaped by its history of volcanic eruptions, glacial movements, and geological factors such as its position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These events have contributed to the formation of its unique features like geothermal hot springs and geysers.
What is special about the Icelandic language and how is it related to the sagas?
-The Icelandic language is a preserved form of Old Norse, which has remained unchanged from when Iceland was settled. The Icelandic sagas, which are historical and genealogical records, have helped maintain the language's original form and reflect the early struggles and conflicts of Icelandic history.
Why is Iceland considered to have a magical realism element?
-Iceland is considered to have a magical realism element due to local beliefs in the existence of elves and trolls. There are even small doorways painted on rocks for elves, reflecting a cultural acceptance of these mythical beings as part of the landscape.
How has Iceland transformed economically since the second world war?
-After being one of the poorest countries in Europe post-World War II, Iceland has experienced an economic rebirth. It's now rated as one of the best countries to live in and one of the safest, with tourism playing a significant role in its economic growth.
What is the significance of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to Iceland's geology?
-The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is where the European and North American continents meet, and Iceland sits atop this fissure. This地理位置 gives rise to Iceland's geothermal activity, including hot springs and geysers, which provide the country with natural hot water and geothermal energy.
What is the best way to dress for the weather in Iceland?
-It's important to dress in layers due to Iceland's maritime climate, which can shift rapidly. Recommended clothing includes a waterproof rain jacket, thermals, a mid-layer jacket, and a beanie. Waterproof hiking boots are also essential due to the frequent rain and outdoor activities.
What wildlife encounters are possible in Iceland and what should tourists do to respect them?
-Iceland is home to a diverse range of wildlife including puffins, reindeer, whales, dolphins, and Icelandic horses. Tourists should take guided tours to spot these animals and maintain a respectful distance to protect both the wildlife and themselves.
Why are waterfalls so abundant in Iceland and what are some must-see ones?
-Iceland's location at the tectonic plate boundaries, combined with its mountainous terrain and abundant precipitation, results in over 10,000 waterfalls. Must-see waterfalls include Dettifoss, Dynjandi, Seljalandsfoss, and Gullfoss.
How can tourists best experience the Northern Lights in Iceland?
-The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, can be seen any time of the year but are best witnessed between September and April. Tourists should venture away from city lights and use apps like 'Aurora Alert' to increase their chances of seeing them.
What are some unique aspects of Icelandic cuisine that tourists should try?
-Icelandic cuisine includes unique dishes like hakarl (fermented Greenland shark), svole (boiled sheep's head), and skyr (a type of yogurt). Tourists should also try fresh seafood dishes, as the country has an abundance of fresh seafood due to its nutrient-rich oceans.
Why is it recommended to rent a car when visiting Iceland?
-Renting a car allows for the freedom to explore Iceland at your own pace, stopping wherever you wish. It's especially recommended for accessing less touristy areas and experiencing the full breadth of Iceland's diverse landscapes.
What are some tips for saving money while traveling in Iceland?
-To save money in Iceland, consider staying in hostels or renting a camper van, book accommodations early, buy alcohol at duty-free shops, grocery shop instead of eating out, avoid bottled water, and use free public Wi-Fi where available.
Outlines
🌍 Introduction to Iceland's Wonders
Alexander Ayling introduces the video, sharing his enthusiasm for Iceland's unique landscapes and history. He provides an overview of Iceland's geographical location, its population, and its historical settlement by Norse explorers. Ayling discusses Iceland's striking landscapes, shaped by volcanic eruptions and glacial movements, and mentions the country's position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which contributes to its geothermal activity and hot springs. He also touches on Icelandic culture, including the preservation of the Old Norse language and the belief in mythical creatures like elves and trolls. The economic transformation of Iceland post-World War II is also highlighted, emphasizing the country's shift from poverty to being one of the best places to live in the world, largely due to tourism.
🧳 Travel Tips for Iceland
The video script advises on practical travel tips for visiting Iceland. It emphasizes the importance of dressing in layers due to the unpredictable weather and recommends specific clothing and gear, such as waterproof jackets and hiking boots. Ayling also discusses the necessity of being prepared for various weather conditions, even in summer, and suggests bringing a bathing suit to enjoy Iceland's geothermal hot springs. He provides tips on wildlife encounters, advising viewers to take guided tours to see animals like puffins and whales, and to respect local attitudes towards these creatures, including the Icelandic tradition of not eating whale meat. Ayling also encourages travelers to chase waterfalls, a must-do activity in Iceland, and to explore the country's diverse wildlife.
💧 The Power of Water in Iceland
This section delves into Iceland's waterfalls, formed due to the country's location on the tectonic plates and its abundant precipitation. It mentions Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Iceland and the second most powerful in Europe, known for its impressive water volume and height. The script also recommends other notable waterfalls such as Dynjandi, Seljalandsfoss, and Gullfoss, which are part of the popular Golden Circle Tour. Ayling encourages viewers to explore these natural wonders and provides additional resources in his Iceland guide for more detailed planning.
🌌 The Aurora Borealis and Icelandic Cuisine
Ayling discusses the phenomenon of the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, which can be seen from September to April, and recommends an app to increase the chances of witnessing this natural light display. He also explores Icelandic cuisine, highlighting traditional dishes like hakarl (fermented shark) and svol (boiled sheep's head), which reflect the country's history of utilizing every part of the animals they hunted. The script also touches on the modern culinary scene in Iceland, which combines Nordic dishes with fresh seafood.
🏞️ Hot Springs and Saving Money in Iceland
The script extols the virtues of Iceland's hot springs, with a special mention of the Blue Lagoon, and encourages visiting multiple hot springs for their healing properties. It also offers advice on saving money while traveling in Iceland, such as staying in hostels or camper vans, booking accommodations early, buying alcohol duty-free, and grocery shopping instead of eating out. Ayling advises against buying bottled water due to the excellent quality of tap water and recommends using free public Wi-Fi and e-sim cards for data to avoid roaming charges.
⛷️ Exploring Glaciers and Volcanoes
Ayling discusses the glaciers and volcanoes of Iceland, recommending guided tours for activities like hiking, ice climbing, and snowmobiling. He emphasizes the importance of safety when exploring these natural formations and mentions the unique experience of witnessing an erupting volcano from a safe distance. The script also suggests renting a car for the freedom to explore off the beaten path and to discover lesser-known areas of Iceland that are rich in local culture and tradition.
🎶 Immersing in Icelandic Culture
The final section of the script encourages visitors to engage with Icelandic culture by exploring street art, attending cultural events, and understanding the local history through museums. Ayling shares his interest in the Icelandic music scene and suggests researching and experiencing local music both before and during the visit. He also recommends attending the Iceland Airwaves festival if traveling in November and advises reversing one's clock during the summer to avoid crowds by visiting popular spots at night when they are less crowded.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Iceland
💡Vikings
💡Geothermal
💡Northern Lights
💡Puffin
💡Waterfalls
💡Hot Springs
💡Glaciers
💡Over-tourism
💡Icelandic Horses
💡E-sim
Highlights
Iceland is a land of contrasts, with volcanoes, glaciers, and a rich Viking history.
Alexander Ayling shares 12 essential travel tips for visiting Iceland.
Iceland's unique landscape feels otherworldly due to its volcanic and glacial activity.
Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, with over 30 active volcanoes and abundant geothermal activity.
Reykjavik, the capital, is powered by geothermal energy, and the water smells slightly of sulfur.
Icelandic language has remained unchanged since the 9th century and is related to Old Norse.
Icelandic sagas are historical records filled with tales of heroes, wars, and magic.
Icelanders believe in elves and trolls, adding a magical realism element to the country's culture.
Post-WWII, Iceland transformed from one of Europe's poorest countries to one of the best places to live.
Tourism is key to Iceland's economic rebirth, but over-tourism is becoming an issue.
Layered clothing is essential due to Iceland's unpredictable weather.
Iceland is home to diverse wildlife, including puffins, reindeer, whales, and dolphins.
The Icelandic horse is a unique breed, hearty and descended from Viking horses.
Iceland is a top destination for whale watching, and visitors can support preservation by not eating whale meat.
Iceland has an abundance of waterfalls due to its geological composition.
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, can be seen from September to April.
Icelandic cuisine is a blend of Nordic dishes and modern trends, with some traditional dishes being an acquired taste.
Hot springs are遍布 Iceland, with the Blue Lagoon being the most famous.
Iceland can be expensive, but there are ways to save money like staying in hostels and buying alcohol duty-free.
Glaciers cover 11% of Iceland, and guided tours are required for safety.
Having a rental car allows for exploration of Iceland's diverse landscapes away from the tourist trail.
Discovering lesser-known areas of Iceland can lead to unique cultural experiences.
Icelandic culture can be experienced through street art, local markets, and music festivals.
Visiting during the summer off-peak hours can help avoid crowds at popular attractions.
Transcripts
want to visit Iceland the land of
volcanoes glaciers fire ice and Vikings
you're in the right place stay tuned in
this video I'll share with you my 12
essential travel tips for making the
most of your time in Iceland one of the
coolest places in Europe if you're new
here my name is Alexander ayling I'm a
full-time Creator here on YouTube and
have been making content traveling the
world for the last 10 years I've been to
Iceland a few times and I'm going to
share with you some of my best tips but
before we get into them hit that
subscribe button if you're not already
subscribed give this video a thumbs up I
know we can get it over 5 000 likes and
drop your comments with your tips or
questions down there in the comment
section something so unique about this
little island it's got like a magnetic
attraction and I think it's got
something to do with the otherworldly
feel of the landscape there this
beautiful rugged raw natural feeling but
it's so unique because it does kind of
feel like you're on a different planet
but before we jump into tips let's bring
everyone here up to speed with a little
bit of history geography and pertinent
information about Iceland Iceland
located in the North Atlantic Ocean
Northwest of the United Kingdom and in
between Greenland and Norway is about
the size of the state of Kentucky in the
USA and has a population of around 350
000 people it was settled by Norse
explorers in the 9th century and over
the centuries it's witnessed volcanic
eruptions glacial movements and those
geological factors have shaped its
rugged and otherworldly Landscapes
Iceland's geography is truly remarkable
it has over 30 active volcanoes and
while I'm filming this video there is a
volcano there that is currently erupting
doesn't happen all the time but it is
fairly common and it's that volcanic
activity that Iceland it's Unique Look
not to mention all of the geothermal
activity which gives Iceland its
beautiful and healing Hot Springs
Iceland's geology is truly remarkable it
sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge so where
the European and North American
continents meet there's a fissure and
Iceland is right there on top and it's
those geothermal areas that give Iceland
its hot springs and geysers providing
Iceland with natural hot water and
geothermal energy one of the first
things you'll probably notice when you
go there is when you take a shower the
water is very hot and it does kind of
smell a little bit sulfurry that's
because it's heated with geothermal
power in fact the city of Reykjavik the
capital is also powered by geothermal
energy but what really makes Iceland
unique are the people there's something
really beautiful about it with only 350
000 people it's a small tight-knit
community in fact when I first visited I
actually walked up to the president's
house the equivalent of the White House
in Iceland and knocked on the door I was
greeted by his assistant who literally
gave me the phone number of the
president
hello hello is the president here no I'm
sure if you give him a phone call
um if you call 540 that's how small and
close-knit and quaint Iceland is it's a
beautiful thing the language of Iceland
is a dialect of Old Norse Japan
Scandinavian language that existed when
Iceland was settled 1150 years ago but
this common Norse tongue evolved into
Norwegian Swedish and danish while in
Iceland it was preserved in its original
form through the language and through
what are known as the Icelandic sagas
and while the Icelandic sagas are
primarily a genealogical and historical
record they are epic they have cursed
weapons blood feuds love triangles War
all of it wrapped up into this heroic
prose the sagas reflect the struggles
and the conflicts of the early Icelandic
history in fact there really is
something mystical and magical about
Iceland maybe it's because icelanders
believe in the existence of elves and
trolls you may be traveling through
Iceland and see a rock cropping with a
tiny little doorway painted on it yeah
that's for the elves because the elves
exist and they live in the highlands and
in the hills and it's kind of cool when
you realize like yes there is a magical
realism element here where elves exist
Trolls Exist and you better be careful
for both of those when you travel there
cave trolls anything else and in recent
history right after the second world war
Iceland was actually one of the poorest
countries in Europe now it's rated one
of the best countries to live in in the
world one of the safest countries and it
has had this amazing economic
rebirth really even after the 2008
financial crisis they completely
restructured everything and it's now one
of the best places to live in the world
and one of the ways they've done it is
through tourism tourism is an industry
that continues to grow in Iceland but
because it's become so popular over
tourism is actually an issue so the one
thing before we start off I would like
to reiterate is to be a good ambassador
of your country come be a good traveler
and make the most of your experience
there by trying to connect with the
locals tip number one
dress in layers Iceland is a maritime
climate in the North Atlantic Ocean it's
just below the Arctic Circle so the
weather shifts a lot it can be fairly
warm one second and then it can be wet
and freezing cold the other even in the
middle of the summertime in July and
August it can snow so it's definitely
worth being prepared and packing right
the average summer temperatures in icing
are around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius
which is like in the 50s Fahrenheit but
there's wind chill there is often rain
so you need to be prepared I definitely
recommend bringing a good shell
waterproof rain jacket for the outside
long sleeve wool thermals both bottoms
and tops as well as a mid layer jacket
so that you can pop those on and off
depending on what the temperature is
doing also a good beanie or a toque as
they call it in Canada put one of those
in your bag keep that with you because
it can get cold quick
don't forget a good pair of waterproof
hiking boots a lot of the activities in
Iceland are in the outdoors they are you
know on glaciers or hiking on volcanic
rocks so you want to have a good solid
set of protective Footwear hiking shoes
with good support good bases good tread
and waterproof make sure they are
waterproof the last thing you want is to
have wet feet and be walking around all
day with wet feet in cold climates it's
a bad recipe if you're visiting in the
Autumn or in the winter make sure that
you pack warmer clothes average
temperature in the winter time is right
around freezing it does snow quite a lot
it's dark in the middle of the winter
because it's so high up I should clarify
that due to Iceland's High latitude
being near the polar region in the
summertime time there is light it is
bright and the sun barely goes down so
you have very very long days and in the
winter time the sun barely comes up and
you have very very very long nights so
definitely do your research before you
visit and pack accordingly and lastly
don't forget to bring a bathing suit
because I highly recommend you hit as
many of the geothermal hot springs
around the country as possible if you
don't you are missing out on one of the
best aspects of visiting Iceland tip
number two Wildlife encounters Iceland
is home to a diverse range of wildlife
including unique species like Puffin
reindeer whales dolphins and a lot more
take a guided tour to spot these
majestic creatures in their natural
habitat remember to maintain a
respectful distance to protect both
yourself and the animals being an island
most of the wildlife is in the coastal
area and in the nutrient-rich oceans
that surround Iceland and because of
those rich oceans there's a lot of sea
life whales Dolphins seals and lots of
sea birds but the most popular animal in
Iceland is definitely the Icelandic
horse smaller than a normal horse
Icelandic horses are descendants of the
small viking horses our hearty animals
built to withstand the climates of
winters in Iceland as well as Icelandic
law that ensures no other horse breeds
are allowed to be imported and any
exported animal may not return so if you
want to bring an Icelandic horse home
with you it's going to have to be for
life there's no returns on that okay
Iceland is a great place to go whale
watching due to the fact that there are
so many whales around Iceland but it is
worth mentioning that Iceland is
actually one of only three remaining
countries in the world that practices
commercial whaling so what you can do to
help stop that is support whale
preservation through going whale
watching also do not eat whale some
restaurants in Iceland serve whale on
their menus as kind of like a novelty
meet don't order it if you don't order
it then the demand goes away and we're
one step closer to making whaling
illegal in Iceland tip number three
Chase waterfalls we all know the classic
advice given by Destiny's Child don't go
yeah we all know but actually in Iceland
you want to go chasing waterfalls
because it's got some incredible ones
Iceland is located where the North
American and Eurasian plates meet
resulting in an ever-changing landscape
the layers of the Earth's crusts
composed of solidified lava known as
Basalt form sudden ridges and cliffs the
country's mountainous terrain and
abundant precipitation including rain
snow and Glaciers contribute to its
multitude of waterfalls and cascading
slopes with over 10 000 estimated
waterfalls Iceland showcases a
remarkable display of Nature's Beauty
please excuse my pronunciation I
probably will butcher some of the
following words in this video detifoss
is Iceland's most powerful waterfall and
it's actually the second most powerful
waterfall in all of Europe the
waterfall's name directly translates to
Tumbling Falls it's 330 feet or 100
meters wide and sends an impressive 7000
cubic feet of water per second crashing
over 144 foot or 44 meter Cliff you may
recognize this waterfall from the
opening scene of Ridley Scott's film
Prometheus where the first life on Earth
Sprouts up right from this waterfall it
does kind of feel like that ancient even
though it's quite new some other great
waterfalls to check out in Iceland are
din John the waterfall in the west
fjords cellulin Foss waterfall located
on the south coast of Iceland which is
one of the most photographed waterfalls
in the country and arguably the most
famous waterfall in the country golfos
waterfall which you'll probably see if
you head out into a Golden Circle Tour
one of the most popular road trip routes
in Iceland if you want more help and
detailed information for planning your
trip to Iceland check check out my
Iceland guide it's linked in the
description of this video and it's got
all the information to help you make the
most of your time in Iceland best
restaurants places to stay hotels
activities all the information you need
and one easy to use mobile friendly
guide that you can download and use
offline it's got Maps it's got
everything check it out tip number four
witness the Northern Lights Iceland is
one of the best places on Earth to
witness the Northern Lights also known
as the Aurora Borealis we've probably
all heard of the northern lights but
what are they auroras or the lights we
see in the night sky result from solar
storms on the sun's surface electrically
charged particles emitted by the Sun
travel towards Earth with some being
captured by the planet's magnetic field
these particles collide with atoms and
molecules in the Earth's atmosphere
causing them to heat up and glow
creating the Aurora's distinct patterns
and curtains of life this activity is
concentrated in the polar region because
of the way that Earth's magnetic field
works so when's the best time to see the
Northern Lights well they can be
witnessed any time of year but you have
a way better chance of seeing them
between September and April just Venture
away from the city lights and cross your
fingers if you want to increase your
chances check out the app hello Aurora
which will help you decide whether or
not tonight would be a good night to go
look for the Northern Lights tip number
five try the local Cuisine Icelandic
Cuisine is a unique blend of Nordic
dishes and modern culinary Trends mostly
based off of fresh seafood but there are
a few traditional dishes in Iceland that
are definitely not for the faint of
heart the first is hakkaro which is
fermented Greenland shark what fermented
shark Yes you heard it right let me
explain how it works hot carl is a
Greenland shark one of the biggest and
longest living shark species in the
world it lives very deep down in the
cold Waters of the area around Iceland
back in the day the shark was hunted for
its liver oil and then when they got it
there was all of this meat the problem
is Greenland shark's flesh is actually
toxic due to the high levels of uric
acid and what essentially serves as an
antifreeze in the shark's blood to keep
it from freezing down there in the very
cold temperatures it either needs to be
boiled multiple times or it can be
buried fermented and then hung out to
dry for a couple of months if you do
that it removes the toxins and the meat
is then edible edible is open to debate
because the flavor is very unique and
it's not for everyone kind of like if
blue cheese was soaked in ammonia that's
what I would call it would I eat it
again probably not not unless it was a
survival situation let's just leave it
at that another interest interesting
Icelandic dish SVO this is a traditional
dish back from when people ate every
part of the animal nowadays we have such
an abundance of food we have the ability
to be picky about what types of cuts of
meat we want to eat this dish is
essentially a boiled sheep's head cut
right down the middle slapped on top of
some mashed potatoes or some mashed
turnips and there you have it oddly
enough the best place to eat this dish
is at the local bus station in the mirin
Mathis restaurant which is actually one
of the oldest restaurants in the country
land of lamb oh my God although I'm not
sure I would recommend eating this
before taking a long bus ride it just
sounds like a recipe for vomiting
okay tip number six my favorite part Hot
Springs let me say it again Hot Springs
Iceland has over 45 natural hot springs
and over 300 thermal pools in the
country icelanders love to swim they
have great swimming facilities even the
smallest towns in Iceland have their own
indoor heated thermal pools but there
are 45 incredible Hot Springs across the
country and I highly recommend visiting
as many as possible the most famous is
the Blue Lagoon which is about 45
minutes outside of the capital Reykjavik
or 15 minutes away from the airport in
keflavik so if you arrive in Iceland
rent a car you can do so with the links
in the description of this video and
then drive straight to the Blue Lagoon
and soak off that jet lag soak off that
airplane get ready for your incredible
trip by diving right in to The Healing
Waters of the Blue Lagoon but there are
a lot more hot springs that aren't as
crowded as the blue that are definitely
worth mentioning I've included a list of
my favorite hot springs in my Iceland
guide so check that out in the
description there's a lot of great
information in there all the maps all
the info you need to get soaking in
Iceland and thank you because with each
purchase of the guide I'm able to make
more content for you here for free on
YouTube Tip number seven save money
where you can because Iceland adds up I
can't make a video about Iceland without
talking about the fact that it's
actually quite an expensive place to
visit why is it expensive well it's an
island in the North Atlantic and it
needs to import a lot of stuff and that
has to be shipped there or flown there
and that costs money so it ends up
making things a lot more expensive but
that's more of a macro economic
conversation for the premises of this
video I'll share a couple of little tips
to help you save money when you're in
Iceland first off one of the most
expensive parts of the trip for you
apart from airfare will be your
accommodation hotels are quite expensive
in Iceland so consider staying in some
of the high-end hostels there's a few
great ones in Reykjavik not to mention
there's campsites or guest houses or you
can just rent a camper van and travel
around the country in camper van so
there are some options to help you keep
your costs down with accommodation one
of the other tips is to book early the
later you book the more expensive it's
going to be so book early you can book
your accommodation using the links in
the description of this video next up if
you're planning on drinking buy your
alcohol in the duty-free when you arrive
into Iceland you will be paying
duty-free prices so you're going to be
saving a lot of money there are a lot of
additional taxes on alcohol in Iceland
so alcohol is quite expensive and then
when you get to like a bar all of those
costs
are going to add up and translate into
quite an expensive beer or glass of wine
or mixed drinks so you're actually
allowed six units of alcohol when you
arrive into the country so if you're
planning on drinking buy your booze in
the duty-free at the airport good news
is you don't just have to be sitting in
your hotel room or or your camper van or
wherever you decided to stay you can
actually drink in public in Iceland so
you can just walk out into the beautiful
park right there in the middle of
Reykjavik and have a cocktail watching
the sunset for a very long time in the
summer because it doesn't ever actually
really go down so you can drink in
public save money buy booze at the
duty-free also grocery shopping is going
to be much cheaper than eating out at
restaurants for every meal the most
expensive grocery store in the country
is called 10 11 so avoid that one
instead check out the cheaper
alternatives like Neto Cronin or bonus
another thing never buy bottled water
the water in Iceland is really really
good right out of the tap so just bring
a refillable water bottle and you will
save a ton of money because bottled
water in Iceland is just for tourists
it's a tourist trap and you will save a
lot of money by not buying bottled water
and then lastly you can use free public
Wi-Fi all over Reykjavik and you can
also use Wi-Fi and cafes or in your
accommodation so you don't need to pay
for heavy roaming charges although I
would recommend that you get an e-sim
and I've linked down in the description
of this video a great company where you
can get an e-sim for your trip to
Iceland and that way you get data and
you can still log on to Wi-Fi when
you're in your accommodation or use the
free Wi-Fi around Reykjavik but then
when you decide to venture further out
which I definitely recommend you do you
will have data on your phone okay tip
number eight explore the glaciers
Iceland is home to vast glaciers and ice
caps Glaciers are large thick masses of
ice that form on land when fallen snow
gets compressed into ice over many
centuries because Iceland has cold
Winters where snow falls heavily and
Mild Summers where most of it doesn't
melt these glaciers stick around in fact
icing has 269 named glaciers and 11 of
the country is covered in ice just a
little tip the name for Glacier in
Icelandic is Joker there are plenty of
tour operators who run different types
of Tours out to the glaciers you're not
allowed to actually access the glaciers
without going on a guided tour just
because some of these Glaciers are huge
I'm talking about like bigger than 8 000
square kilometers so it's very easy to
get lost out there or to fall into the
ice so definitely don't try to visit the
glaciers yourself but go with a good
tour operator you can go hiking you can
go ice climbing you can go snowmobiling
which was super fun and it's just a
really incredible opportunity to get out
into a place where you're literally
surrounded by Ice as far as the eye can
see it's a unique feeling and I highly
recommend you check it out on that note
it's also worth discussing volcanoes
Iceland has over 30 active volcanoes and
like I said one is erupting right now
but that is something that you can do
it's one of the few places in the world
where you're able to approach an
erupting volcano and obviously you stay
at a safe distance don't get too close
but you can watch the world forming this
primeval eruption of magma and the
building of new land it's a fascinating
thing it's on my bucket list I haven't
seen it happen yet but I have half a
mind to drop everything bioticket to
Iceland and go watch that volcano erupt
and if you are in Iceland during an
eruption and it's safe then go and check
that out but how are you going to get to
the volcano tip number nine rent a car
while public transportation is available
and there are plenty of Private Tours
that can get you to these places I
highly recommend getting a rental car
for yourself personally I love having
that autonomy that freedom to be able to
stop wherever I want when I'm driving
around I see a place that looks
interesting I'm able to pull over I can
go explore it at my own Leisure at my
own time without having to be you know
shuttled back into a bus and driven off
on somebody else's schedule Iceland is a
safe place to drive there are great
roads although some of them can be like
four-wheel drive only so kind of just
depends on like how intense you want
your trip to be you can rent Camper vans
like I've said also four-wheel drive
Camper vans but for most extensive
purposes you're fine with especially in
the summertime with a regular you know
two-wheel drive car there's plenty of
different companies that rent cars in
Iceland I've linked a great website down
there that has super competitive prices
so check that out as well one of the
best parts about renting a car is that
you can really get off of the tourist
Trail many people who visit Iceland they
end up just staying in Reykjavik and
then hopping on a tour going doing the
Golden Circle Loop and then not seeing
really anywhere else in the country when
you have your own car you have the
ability to go and explore the whole
island and there's so much to see out
there it's it's actually quite
mind-boggling one of the most memorable
parts of my trip to Iceland was renting
a car and going out to an area known as
the Western fjords the scenery was
absolutely stunning
small little towns little churches
Icelandic horses incredible mountains
dropping off into the sea waterfalls
just unreal scenery and you wouldn't
really be able to see that or experience
it properly without renting a car so
definitely rent a car when you go even
if just for a few days that would lead
me to my next tip tip number 10 which is
to discover the lesser-known areas
Iceland is more than just its famous
landmarks Venture off the beaten path
and discover places like the Western
fjords land monologue and the remote
horn strander Nature Reserve there are
so many little corners of Iceland that
are not overrun with tourists and where
people are still living local
traditional Lifestyles personally for me
that's the coolest part of travel is
experiencing how other people live and
how the locals live and trying to
experience the Traditions the history
and the culture of a place and if you
get lost while doing it don't worry
that's all part of the adventure and
those will be the stories that you tell
when you finally return home tip number
11.
experience the local culture you can
explore reykjavik's vibrant street art
scene visit local markets like
colaportio and attend cultural events to
experience local Icelandic life couple
of tips here first off icelanders are a
little bit shy but they're incredibly
friendly once you get them out of their
shell don't be afraid to ask questions
to stop a local on the street if you're
lost and ask for advice icelanders are
super super nice there are plenty of
museums which will help you understand
Iceland's unique history and culture but
one of the coolest things for me at
least when visiting Iceland was learning
more about the Icelandic music scene
icelanders are very musical it's
probably got a lot to do with the long
dark Winters there's nothing really
distracting you from locking yourself
inside and mastering a musical
instrument but Iceland has a strong
musical tradition and some really really
great bands making super unique music
right now musicians like Bjork of
monster and Men Kaleo and sigor Ross
just to name a few so while you're
researching your trip to Iceland head
over to like Spotify or wherever you get
your music and search for Icelandic
music playlists before you go it's worth
researching if there are any music
festivals happening in Iceland and if
you're visiting in November then don't
miss out on the famous Festival Iceland
Airwaves alright my final tip tip number
12 reverse your clock if you're visiting
in the summer chances are you will not
be alone that is the peak season for
tourism but here's a little tip that
might help you avoid some of the crowds
switch your clock up because the sun
does not really go down the days are
very very long and the nights have
Sunshine so instead of visiting some of
the most popular spots some of the most
popular waterfalls in the middle of the
day consider going in the middle of the
night somewhere which might have 300
other tourists at noon will have very
very few people at midnight then you can
come back and sleep during the day and
do it on all over again you don't
necessarily need to do this for your
entire trip but it is worth considering
doing it for an evening or two to try to
experience a lot of these places with a
lot less people so I hope you enjoyed my
tips for Iceland once again go down into
the description of this video purchase
my Iceland guide it's where I have all
my practical information destinations
activities restaurants accommodation all
of that and more is in my icing guide
but if you enjoyed this video which I
hope you did please give it a thumbs up
make sure you're subscribed if you're
not already turn on those notifications
and have a wonderful time in Iceland
I'll see you in the next video peace
[Music]
thank you
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