What Is the Best Way to See Iceland?
There are many opinions out there regarding the best way to see Iceland. This blog post explores a few different options and lists the ideal way for solo travelers to experience this scenic country.
From showstopping waterfalls to colossal glaciers, Iceland’s cavernous lands need no grand marketing scheme to attract travelers. The sheer massiveness of its diverse landscape intrigues modern tourists in the same way it once spoke to the Vikings. Seemingly contradictory scenes of geothermal pools resting amid snow-covered grounds mesh together perfectly on this one island, the celebrated “Land of Fire and Ice.”
Personally, my trip to Iceland began on the best possible foot it could have, as the travel group I met up with spotted Anna Kendrick at the airport. Her response when asked why she was visiting? “Well, it’s Iceland.”
Iceland has become one of those countries that need no further explanation as to why it should be visited. The name alone strikes up impressive imagery of otherworldly panoramas best experienced with one’s own eyes.
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Additional Blogs for Planning Your Trip to Iceland:
What Type of Trip Should You Take to Iceland?
Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavik is a Hallmark-type setting accompanied by Scandinavian design and a high-spirited nightlife. But confining one’s trip to this single capital city on the island would be an injustice to the more remote marvels found in the vast countryside. Road trips have subsequently become a phenomenon in Iceland, with travelers lodging in individual camper vans for the entirety of their trip to immerse themselves in the full Icelandic way of life. This nomadic lifestyle is intriguing to many who are looking for an unrepeatable pilgrimage of sorts.
Going in as a solo traveler, however, especially one that does not feel confident driving in snowy conditions despite being from the north, I was not keen on navigating the blizzard-prone roads in a country that is notorious for its unpredictable weather patterns. While I usually enjoy performing hours of research when planning a trip, Iceland was different for me. The research overwhelmed me, as I kept happening upon surface-level blogs that didn’t quite seem to dig into the heart and soul of the country. I wanted a distinctive experience that took me into Iceland’s depths.
With the bar set high, I happened to come across a TikTok video of a travel group dining in a greenhouse in Iceland. Intrigued by this affair, I landed on the website of the said travel group to see if this particular itinerary would be offered again. Lo and behold, the guided trip would be led again that upcoming March, greenhouse and all. March was already on my radar as an ideal time to visit, as the northern lights are reported to be strong.
Who I Booked My Trip to Iceland With: After looking over the itinerary and finding solace in the Black Friday sale they were promoting, there was no second-guessing myself when I clicked the button to reserve my spot on the Iceland tour with Travel World Culture (TWC), a company specializing in organizing group trip packages to places where the guides have only traveled to or lived in for an extended period of time. With an emphasis on being a traveler rather than a tourist, I knew I had found my people.
Rounding up a group of friends to willingly travel to Iceland with you might seem out of reach, especially as traveling with friends, in general, takes a while to coordinate schedules. For adventurous souls wanting to meet like-minded people and dig past the surface of a destination, I recommend taking the leap and traveling with a group like TWC. My airport transfers, daily itinerary, group tours, select restaurant reservations, and hotel accommodations were all taken care of in advance, giving this solo traveler peace of mind in her transit and allowing me to explore Iceland without a car. TWC offers a variety of group trip packages as well as remote work months, introducing travelers to the culture of a destination thanks to their local connections. If you decide to book a trip with TWC, whether you choose Iceland or not, put ‘Amanda E’ as a reference so they can see I referred you to their website!
What Is the Best Month to Visit Iceland?
Renowned for its numbing winter temperatures and its summer midnight sun, Iceland’s contrasting seasons leave travelers wondering when the best month to visit is. The northern lights abound in the winter months, green ribbons dancing in the sky on a clear night. Frosty snowstorms freeze up the likes of waterfalls and coat the backs of Icelandic horses. The summer months bring greenery and fields of blooming lupine fields. The otherwise rare sight of the sun is an almost-24-hour occurrence on these warmer days. Because of the contrast that Iceland presents, one could easily spend time on the island throughout each season and still not have seen all that there is to see.
If You’re Going in Search of Northern Lights: When planning your preferred month to visit, it will depend heavily on your personal preferences and motivation behind taking the trip. Personally, my goal was to see the northern lights without it being in the depth of winter. For this reason, March posed a perfect opportunity to travel here, as the temperatures seemed bearable compared to a winter in my hometown, and the chances of seeing the northern lights were high. Although I personally did not see these lights in their most vibrant surfacing, seeing as the cloud coverage shielded our vision, March is still an excellent time to view this spectacle. September through March is referred to as the peak viewing season, and while unpredictable weather patterns make it a difficult sight to chase after, your chances of seeing them will be heightened in these months.
If You Want to Experience the Midnight Sun: Those seeking the midnight sun and warmer excursions, however, should opt to visit in the summer. Here, Iceland’s vibrant landscape comes alive, from purple flowers to viridescent pastures. From season to season, the atmosphere is bound to hold a different complexion inviting travelers back into its welcoming arms. March presented plenty of reasons for me to visit within those dates, but others’ priorities might beckon them to choose another month.
How Many Days Do You Need in Iceland?
My TWC travel guides, who have been to Iceland on numerous occasions, admitted to still not having seen all that Iceland has to offer, leaving me to believe that one would need months to see the country’s attractions. However, dedicating 30+ days to exploring Iceland is not a practical goal for the majority of individuals. While traveling to and from Iceland is a relatively easier trip to make than one might originally think, the majority of travelers only visit the Land of Fire and Ice once in their lifetime. Selecting dates for your Iceland trip will most likely depend upon the time of year you wish to visit and the best airfare deals, which can also influence the amount of time you spend in the country. My group trip with TWC lasted a duration of eight days, which was a perfect introduction to embracing Iceland like a local, seeing various highlights, and dining in unique restaurants. While most of our excursions were able to be reached within a few hours of Reykjavik, those wanting to spend more time outside of the capital city might desire an extra week added to their itinerary to allow for more time in the countryside and more remote regions.
Where to Stay in Iceland in Winter
From city-center hostels to scenic cabins with waterfalls in their backyard, Iceland’s selection of accommodations is all-encompassing. If you haven’t already committed to living out of a campervan, or perhaps you desire a night of luxury in between your camping quests, the hotels below make excellent resting stops for the night. Feel immersed in Iceland’s culture and Scandinavian design in these aesthetic stays.
Exeter Hotel
Located steps away from homey cafes and the acclaimed downtown hot dog stand, Exeter Hotel is a fresh inn with ultramodern design, friendly staff, and a relaxing sauna. Each morning, we were offered a complimentary breakfast that puts any Holiday Inn to shame. From curated jams to flavorful chickpeas, we had an entire buffet’s worth of European delicacies to fuel our bodies with. Come afternoon and evening, this breakfast hub transformed into a trendy restaurant with savory menu items.
The hotel offered free lockers for convenient luggage storage during check-in and check-out so we could explore the city at our leisure while our rooms were not able to be occupied. Upon exiting the hotel, we had easy access to a lookout point and memorable walking routes taking us into the heart of the city within around five minutes. Exeter Hotel proved to be a chic home base for us to return to each day after lengthy tour excursions.
View prices and availability for Exeter Hotel here!
Black Beach Suites
Despite our easily-adopted love for our Reykjavik living arrangements, our group spent a much-desired night in the beautiful countryside of Vik. Here, we were met with striking views of the violent waves, picturesque churches set amid a field of mossy greenery, and jagged cliffs that are lined with puffins come summer. Upon settling into our accommodations for the evening, our group was delighted to warm up in the sophisticated Black Beach Suites. Situated in an optimal viewing place for the northern lights, clear nights present guests with high chances of seeing this moving spectacle.
Check prices and book your stay at Black Beach Suites here.
Our one night in this TWC-favorite was, unfortunately, clouded with stormy conditions, eliminating our chances of seeing the lights. If I return to Iceland someday, Black Beach Suites will definitely be included in my itinerary, even if I’m not there during the prime northern lights season. Even without seeing the glowing sky, staying here was a highlight of the trip. As we left the windy black sand beach, we dried off in our suites, allowing me the chance to walk out onto a patio during the beautiful golden hour, peering at the Icelandic horses in the distance.
Mere steps away from a hostel and lodge titled The Barn, the other TWC travelers and I were able to partake in a late-night competitive game of Uno before calling it quits for the evening and returning to our elegant abode.
Now that I’ve outlined my best technical tips for the best way to see Iceland, I invite you to visit my post summarizing the highlights and local favorites that you should not miss in Iceland. Just as Iceland cannot be fully explored in a week, it cannot be given full justice in one blog post. Have fun planning!
