Traveling in Iceland

Travelling around Iceland and it’s amazing landscapes can be an unforgettable experience and has a lot to offer adventurous travelers. It's is very important that you familiarize yourself with Iceland's road conditions as they're very different from most other countries. Our travel guide offers you the opportunity to navigate Iceland like a pro with our handy travel tips.

Close

Traveling in Iceland


Traveling in Iceland

Driving in Iceland  

Travelling around Iceland and its amazing landscapes can be an unforgettable experience, but a good trip can end terribly if you're not careful when driving in new and unknown conditions. It's essential to familiarize yourself with Iceland's road conditions, especially rural roads, as they're very different from other countries.

Gravel roads, one-lane bridges, blind rises, wandering sheep and volatile weather are some of the things to be aware of before you depart on your road trip. When travelling in the countryside there are a lot of gravel roads, and many accidents occur where the road changes from a paved surface to a gravel because of failure to reduce the vehicle's speed. Make sure to slow down for gravel roads, especially when meeting other cars, passing blind corners or approaching blind rises since gravel roads are often narrow.

All passengers in a vehicle are required to wear safety belts and drivers must follow speed limits, which are marked on traffic signs. Please note that Iceland's weather can change rapidly therefore you should always adjust your speed to the conditions. You can check the weather forecast at www.vedur.is or telephone 902-0600. Remember these things before starting your journey and you'll finish your trip with good memories. 

These driving tips are based on information from the Icelandic Road Traffic Directorate at Borgartún 30. Please visit their webpsite www.umferdarstofa.is for further details and to download a brochure that is particularly useful for foreign guests driving in Iceland.



Recreational Activities in Iceland 

Iceland's natural contrasts has a lot to offer adventurous travelers. Want to experience the magical world of  a glacier by snowmobile or 4-wheel drive jeep? How about river rafting down glacial rapids or kayaking in a fjord? Icelandguest.com offers a variety of excursions and activity tours for individuals and groups.

Those looking for a more relaxing adventure can try horse riding  through stunning lava landscapes or try whale watching, bird watching or sea angling.  Or take a guided tour to untouched parts of Iceland's interior or around the magnificent coastline. Northern lights tours are another popular activity in wintertime.

For hikers, Iceland has unlimited trekking opportunities, ranging from an easy afternoon hike to a week-long wilderness trek, in all areas of the country. Some of the best hikes can be found in the remote areas of the Westfjords, the Landmannalaugar wilderness area and Reykjanes, which is practically in Reykjavik's backyard.

Swimming is also popular in Iceland, both for Icelanders and visitors. There are a great number of high-quality swimming pools in Iceland, mostly due to the wealth of geothermal heat. The capital area has a number of indoor pools though outdoor thermal pools are more common, and can be found around the country. Pools are open year-round, regardless of weather. Swimming outdoor in Iceland's pure air is a refreshing experience, particularly when snow falls in the wintertime.

If you enjoy skiing, there are a number of good ski hills around Iceland, including Blafjöll near Reykjavik and Hliðarfjall near Akureyri in North Iceland.