Travelling to Iceland is a guarantee of a permanent change of scenery. Here, all the elements agree or clash to create incredible paintings, unique, varied and unexpected landscapes where you can admire in one day an iceberg, a fjord, then a volcano or a geyser and then swim in the famous Blue Lagoon. Thus, the weather changes every five minutes - the skies multiply the special effects: incredible clouds, unexpected lights, rainbows which cross or overlap, northern lights. Rather young, the Icelandic population is also in movement, which translates into a formidable creative and festive energy... A simple Friday evening spent in Reykjavík will be enough to convince you. Of course, the idea of spending the summer (not to mention the winter) near the polar circle can put some people off... But in Iceland, the 15 °C do not have the same value as elsewhere. By following the indications of the tourist guide of Iceland, you will discover a country unique in its kind and with multiple facets, as well on the level of its exceptional nature - as the double falls of Gullfoss testify - as of its culture with share in the Scandinavian countries.

When to go Iceland ?

Iceland's high tourist season extends from June to August, when the climate is temperate and pleasant with long, sunny days. In May, between September and October, it is the low tourist season. More and more people are visiting the country and enjoying the benefits of the "off-season". Temperatures remain mild although always unpredictable. While campsites are closed, most guesthouses and hotels are open and more and more restaurants are opening. Bus lines do not operate regularly, but with a car rental, you can enjoy all the beauty of the countryside and travel almost everywhere without much difficulty. Between November and February, Iceland is reserved for those who are not afraid of difficult road conditions and cold weather because extreme weather conditions are sometimes harsh in the highlands. However, it should be noted that the country is developing its winter tourism and attracting a new clientele interested in winter sports (skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, etc.) or in observing the northern lights. The seasonality of tourism is therefore gradually fading.

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Practical information for travel Iceland

Your stay in Iceland will depend a lot on your means of transport, in other words your budget. If you rent a car, you will have a lot of freedom to drive around the island, but you will not be able to "penetrate" it, as the central desert is reserved for 4X4. If you depend on buses, you will need more time to travel around the country. But the good news is that buses can get you to all parts of the island during the summer months. To visit the whole island and travel for several weeks, you will need a 4x4.

How long should I stay in Iceland?

In general, we recommend a minimum stay of 2 to 3 days to enjoy Iceland and see enough. To tour the island, we recommend two to three weeks. It will depend on your itinerary and if you really want to go into the Highlands for example.

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How to go Iceland

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How to go alone

Well served, Iceland is an extremely safe country with one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The only potential dangers are related to alcoholism during the evenings that are watered in the capital, on Friday and Saturday evenings. The other instructions that can be given are those related to a sometimes dangerous nature, so there are risks of injury when hiking and it is safer to be accompanied by a guide.

How to go on a tour

Iceland can be discovered in a circuit of 4 to 8 days, essentially in self-tour. Iceland being a very expensive country, it can be more profitable to privilege the circuits to the autonomous trips in order to better budget its stay. However, it is necessary to study well the various offers of the tour operators and to make sure that there are not too many additional expenses because in Iceland that can quickly make increase the note!

How to get around

The airplane is a very popular means of transportation for Icelanders within the country. During the winter, when the roads are unusable, the plane is the only real means of transportation in Iceland. There are also several ferry lines Reykjavík-Viðey, Stykkishólmur-Flatey-Brjánslaekur, etc. Icelandic buses, often 4x4, are comfortable and reasonably priced. Please note: the price of car rentals is quite high.

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Discover Iceland

Iceland was created 15 million years ago, but Mother Nature regularly proves that she hasn't said her last word! From the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 to the one that began in late February 2021 near Fagradalsfjall, volcanism is still shaping Iceland's landscapes.

A land of fire and ice, Iceland's popularity as a tourist destination has only grown in recent years. With its breathtaking landscapes, natural phenomena and distinctive Nordic culture, Iceland is a fascinating place to visit. Its wild and exotic character continues to appeal. But what makes this country so special? From the way of life of the locals to its most beautiful treasures, set sail for an island that will surprise you. Marvel at the aurora borealis, learn about the history of this island with its unique system of parliaments, and discover its wonders.

Pictures and images Iceland

Hjalteyri, ancien village de pêcheur au nord d'Akureyri. brytta - iStockphoto.com
Les phoques ont élu domicile dans le fjord d'Isafjörður. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Paysage d'Hekla. Tomaz Kunst - Shutterstock.com
Observation des baleines vers Husavik. Alex Cimbal - Shutterstock.com

The 12 keywords Iceland

1. Northern Lights

This natural phenomenon is the result of solar winds rubbing against the Earth's atmosphere. The result is a fabulous spectacle to be admired as soon as night falls, under clear skies, from late August to early April. The best time to see the Northern Lights is from October to March, between 8pm and 2am.

2. #Hot baths

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Among Iceland's most famous "lagoons" is the Blue Lagoon, which has become very popular in just a few years, but there are a plethora of free, wild hot springs to discover during your stay. Others have also opened their doors all over the country, including the Vök Baths, the Sky Lagoon and the Hvammir hot springs.

3. #Crater

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Volcanic eruptions, both explosive and effusive, are the source of most of Iceland's craters. On the Laki fault, it is possible to discover a row of no less than 115 craters. Testimony of a catastrophe, that of the eruption of Laki in 1783-1784, this alignment forms one of the many tourist places of Iceland.

4. #Farm

Some travelers decide to tour Iceland simply to see the multitude of abandoned farms that are found there. Several of them have been converted into museums, while others remain uninhabited. You can even stay there! Of course, there is a plethora of farms dedicated to breeding.

5. #Ice

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With Europe's largest glacier, Iceland has well earned its name of "land of ice". One eighth of its surface is covered by glaciers, which in places reach a thickness of almost 1,200 m. But global warming is not far off. But global warming is just around the corner... Ice is also the perfect place for a wide range of sporting activities.

6. #Lainage

If Iceland is famous for its ceramics, it's even better known for its woollens (the famous Icelandic sweater), knitwear and other textile productions with geometric jacquard patterns. The oldest Icelandic knitting patterns date back to the last quarter of the 16th century. They were even exported to northern Europe as early as the Middle Ages.

7. #Fishing

The Icelandic economy is based primarily on fishing and its by-products. Reykjavík, Akureyri, Grindavík and Heimaey are among the main ports of the country. But there are still dozens of small localities where fishing is done by hand. Thus, in the fjords of the East is a charming fishing village, located in a grandiose decoration, Djúpivogur.

8. #Runtur

When the skies darken, Reykjavík's streets remain lively, giving young people the opportunity to enjoy themselves in nightclubs. And these traditional weekend nights have a name: runtur. The streets are packed with people, shouting, singing and drinking. Leaving the impression that a hurricane has passed through..

9. #Sulfur

You're bound to encounter the smell of sulfur on your trip. Near Geysir, for example, solfataras release steam mixed with hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur can even be found in commonly used water (as you'll see when taking a shower), but it's not dangerous.

10. #Legends

Elves are part of Icelandic mythology, strongly rooted in the imagination of a population very fond of the Huldufolk ("hidden people") legends. Among the local legends, there are also often so-called haunted places (some of which are mentioned in the guidebook), and trolls behind certain rock formations.

11. #Viking

The sagas contain many stories of famous Viking heroes. This name was given to the Scandinavian navigators who crossed the seas from the end of the 8th to the beginning of the 11th century. During this period, they also developed a veritable art form, producing wood carvings, fabrics and hangings, as well as goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares.

12. #Volcanism

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As a "hot spot" - i.e., located at the boundaries of tectonic plates - Iceland's increased volcanism is shaping the country. The most active volcanoes in Iceland are Hekla, Krafla and Grimsvötn. The Eyjafjöll and Bárðarbunga volcanoes are the best-known, having erupted in 2010 and 2014 respectively.

You are from here, if...

You respect nature: don't drive off-road; stay on trails when hiking in national parks so as not to destroy fragile plant species or disturb animals, some of which are endangered.

Don't let the irresistible urge to swing your foot against the small piles of stones you come across while hiking overwhelm you. These heaps of stones (cairns) are used to point travellers in the right direction, and represent a heritage of Icelandic culture.

You respect popular beliefs in the existence of trolls, elves and other creatures, whatever your own convictions.

You don't judge the Icelandic way of life by looking at the outside of your home. It's the interior design that Icelanders prefer to show off their personality.

In swimming pools , you have no qualms about washing yourself naked before putting on your swimsuit and entering the water.

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