Things to do in Iceland 

Attractions  

• See the beautiful northern lights glow in the sky during the winter months.
• Take a dip in the geothermal baths dotted around the country.
• Explore one of the many hiking trails or mountainous areas the country has to offer.
• Visit one of Iceland’s black beaches, such as Reynisfjara – a black sand beach surrounded by black basalt cliffs.

Nightlife

Nightlife isn’t typically the first thing that springs to mind when people think of Iceland, but Reykjavik is actually home to a number of bars that are perfect for enjoying an evening drink in. One of the most popular spots for a night out in Reykjavik is Laugavegur as it is filled with restaurants and bars, some of which are even themed!

Dining Out

Much of Icelandic cuisine consists of fresh produce that has been grown locally in geothermal greenhouses around the country. Fish and meat dishes are very popular in Iceland, in particular lamb and various white fish. There is a great range of restaurants in Iceland, from fine-dining establishments to more budget friendly options so there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes and budget.

For Families  

Iceland is a great destination for a fun and educational holiday. There are many tours available which will take you around to show you the sights and areas of natural beauty, while also teaching you about how they came to be formed and about the country in general. Kids will love the whale and puffin watching tours in particular, which allows them to see these amazing animals up close in a safe and humane way. The puffin tours have an age limit of 10 years old, but if your child is too young there’s still a chance to see puffins around the South Coast and the Westfjords.

Beaches

While Iceland is not the destination for a traditional beach holiday, a visit to one of Iceland’s black beaches is a must. These are black sand beaches surrounded by cliffs made of black basalt where the Atlantic Ocean washes ashore with great force and the wind is extremely powerful. Reynisfjara beach in particular has become a popular tourist destination not only because of its beauty, but also due to it being featured in many movies and TV shows including Game of Thrones and Star Wars.

Shopping 

The majority of major shopping destinations in Iceland can be found in Reykjavik, where the main street Laugavegur can be found. This street is lined with boutiques and various other stores where a range of goods can be bought. If you’re looking for authentic Icelandic goods, smaller shops can be found hidden throughout the country such as Thorvaldsens Bazar, Reykjavik’s oldest shop, where you can buy goods such as handicrafts.

Food and Fun Festival

Taking place annually in late February/early March, the Food and Fun Festival sees chefs come from all over the world to Reykjavik to make tasty dishes out of Icelandic ingredients, which are then sold in some of the finest restaurants in the city for a set price.

Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Iceland depends on what you want to do on your holiday. If you want to see the northern lights, its recommended that you visit during winter, between February and March or September and October in particular. Just be prepared to wrap up warm, as temperatures are often freezing – sometimes reaching as low as –30*C! In June and July temperatures will be warmer, and visitors could get to experience the midnight sun, when the sun doesn’t set until 12am and rises again around 3am.

Local Info

Currency

The currency used in Iceland is the Icelandic krona.

Time Zone   

There is no time difference between Ireland and Iceland.

Getting around  

Many tourists choose to rent a car on their holiday to Iceland as this gives them the freedom to go wherever they want when they want. Taking the bus is also a viable option, with a number of companies offering bus tours around the whole country.