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Know before you go: Iceland

Iceland Tourist Tax

Northern Lights Guide

Iceland is a country that overflows with incredible natural beauty. Despite its small size, Iceland’s nature is incredibly diverse. You can drive from a trek on a volcano to a hike on Sólheimajökull glacier, hence its nickname as the land of Ice and Fire. You could experience 24 hours of daylight or hardly any at all.

The landscape you visit in the summer will be drastically different in the winter. In fact having so much in such a small country is borderline unfair to the rest of Europe. No two visits to Iceland will ever be the same, making it a country that deserves a spot at the top of your bucket list.

Visiting during the summer makes Iceland a lot more accessible, the roads open up and there’s more daylight. In fact, at certain times of the year, they can have up to 24 hours of sunlight. Letting you sit back and relax in one of Reykjavik’s many bars or explore the Golden Circle to yourself. One of my favourite activities here was the Sky Lagoon. Here I could relax with a nice cold beer, enjoying the snowy views, all whilst warm and relaxed in the water.

I balanced my first stay between the city of Reykjavik and just off the Golden Circle in the Álftröð Guesthouse. I know a lot of people who have come to Iceland, but very few who ever left the city. My own trip to Iceland had already gotten off to a rocky start. My beloved car had been almost limping to the airport because of an electrical problem. But I made it to the city to be and signed in at the hotel. Only to be put in what has to be one of the oddest rooms I stayed in.

It was a tiny room, supposedly a twin but just had a double bed. The room had a window with a print of Seljalandsfoss on it. This confused me because our room was in the middle of the hotel. I opened it up only to poke my head out into the hallway. Bizarre, but certainly memorable, and at this point it was 2 am and I was just happy for a nice warm bed.

Reykjavik is the most northerly capital city in the world, and whilst exploring it I realised it’s a city I could see myself living in. Although small, checking out all the coffee shops, the amazing museums, and the quality of the food was a complete joy for me. Reykjavik has a strip of bars each with their own niches and themes. From Punk rock to Latin, or even just one of the best cocktail experiences I have ever come across.

If you want to learn about the first Icelandic explorers then the FlyOver Iceland is a must with an incredible virtual flight experience and hologram cabin. Or having an amazing lunch after exploring the exhibits and planetarium at the Perlan Museum is an experience you will be telling everyone about on your return.

The Golden Circle is a 190-mile route consisting of Icelands’ three most popular tourist attractions. There are a few choices on how to take this route. You can do a day tour, and head to the three main sites, Geysir, Thingvellir, and Gullfoss. These are stunning locations showcasing somr of the best views that nature has to offer. But extend your trip to give yourself a few extra days out of the city and you can open yourself up to some real adventures.

Lots of people hope to see the Northern Lights when visiting Iceland. You have a much higher chance whilst in the Golden Circle due to the lack of light pollution. Back in Reykjavik, they were cancelling Northern Lights Tours due to the low visibility estimates. Our little lodge was so remote though we had a beautiful view. If you want to.give yourself the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights check out my.guide Know before you Go: Northern Lights Edition.

You absolutely can do the Golden Circle in a day, but there are some fantastic spots to visit just off the beaten path. I spent 2 nights outside of Reykjavik, allowing me to do the Golden Circle, but visiting highlights the Secret Lagoon and Sólheimajökull Glacier. If your considering leaving Iceland I’d urge you to stay a week, the combination of nature and a city break makes it a trip you will be treasuring for a lifetime.