Complete Iceland Travel Guide|Step on the Land of Ice and Fire Under the Aurora
Who can resist an island kissed by the aurora, covered by glaciers, and nurtured by volcanoes? Known as "the most alien place on Earth," every scene in Iceland looks like it stepped out of a fairy tale! This super detailed guide helps you avoid 90% of the pitfalls and easily explore Iceland~
1. Must-See Before You Go: Don’t Miss These Preparations
1. Best Travel Time
Aurora Season (September to April next year): The top priority! The peak aurora hours are from 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM. It’s recommended to choose cloudless, low light pollution suburbs (like Þingvellir National Park). Remember to download the “Aurora Forecast” app to check the real-time aurora index (KP≥3 means you have a chance to see it).
Ring Road Season (June to August): In summer, Iceland almost has no night (“midnight sun” is super romantic), the ring road is fully open, you can visit Mývatn in the north, the East Fjords, and see puffins! But if you want to chase the aurora, don’t pick summer~
2. Visa & Transportation
Visa: Schengen visa (Iceland is a Schengen country), prepare 1-2 months in advance, need to provide itinerary, employment certificate, bank statements (recommended balance 50,000+ RMB). Visa centers are in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Transportation Options:
Self-driving: The first choice for the Iceland ring road! But in winter, you must rent a 4WD car with snow tires (regular 2WD cars can get stuck in snow). Bring a translated driver’s license (Trip.com can help with this). Note that Iceland drives on the left with the steering wheel on the right, some remote roads have no signal, so download offline maps in advance.
Group Tours: If you don’t want to drive, choose local small groups (under 20 people). There are aurora tours, Blue Lagoon tours, glacier hiking tours, and Chinese-speaking groups are very convenient to avoid communication barriers.
3. Essential Items
Clothing: Windproof and waterproof jacket + pants (Iceland’s wind is very strong! Regular jackets won’t hold up), fleece thermal underwear, snow boots (anti-slip is most important), scarf, gloves, hat (don’t forget ear muffs, frozen ears really hurt).
Others: Power adapter (Iceland uses European two-round-pin plugs), power bank (phone battery drains fast when taking photos outdoors), sunglasses (snow glare is dazzling), sunscreen (UV is strong, apply even on cloudy days), thermos (a sip of hot water is so comforting).
2. Classic Routes: How to Play in 5-7 Days?
1. Golden Circle 1-Day Tour (A Must for Beginners)
Iceland’s most classic short route, close to Reykjavik, can be done round-trip in one day:
Þingvellir National Park: The boundary between the Eurasian and American tectonic plates, you can see lake water in the fissures, super stunning!
Gullfoss Waterfall: One of Iceland’s largest waterfalls, water splashes on rocks creating golden light, perfect for photos.
Geysir Geothermal Area: See steaming hot springs, the “Strokkur” geyser erupts every 10 minutes, reaching up to 30 meters high. Remember to find a good spot in advance~
2. South Coast Ring Road 4-Day Tour (Covers All Highlights)
Day 1: Reykjavik → Blue Lagoon (soak in the hot spring right after landing to relieve fatigue, remember to bring a face mask, the hot spring water is super hydrating) → Reykjavik (stroll the old town at night, eat lobster soup with bread).
Day 2: Reykjavik → Vík (stop at the black sand beach, black volcanic sand with waves creates a great atmosphere, be careful not to get swept away!) → Skógafoss Waterfall (you can climb stairs to the top for a panoramic view).
Day 3: Vík → Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (a must-visit in Iceland! Blue ice chunks float on the lake like gems, you can take a boat tour to see the ice up close) → Diamond Beach (ice chunks from the glacier lagoon wash up on the beach, sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight).
Day 4: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon → Reykjavik (on the way, visit Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, you can walk behind the waterfall for photos, it feels like a “water curtain cave”).
3. North + South 7-Day Ring Road (For Deep Travelers)
Based on the south route, add the north’s Mývatn (soak in natural hot springs, see geothermal areas), Goðafoss Waterfall (super symmetrical shape, freezes around in winter), Akureyri (Iceland’s “Capital of the North,” with fjord views). The East Fjords’ lesser-known villages are also worth visiting—fewer people, beautiful scenery, every photo is wallpaper-worthy.
3. Must-Do Activities: Don’t Miss These
1. Glacier Hiking
Put on crampons, follow a guide into the glacier’s interior, see blue ice caves and crevasses, like entering an ice castle! Recommended Sólheimajökull Glacier (close to Reykjavik), beginners can join, lasts 2-3 hours, remember to wear anti-slip shoes.
2. Aurora Chasing
Besides Þingvellir, you can go to Kirkjufell Mountain (low light pollution, wide view), Snæfellsnes Peninsula (see aurora and sea at the same time). Be patient when chasing the aurora, don’t keep staring at your phone, look up at the sky, the aurora might appear the next second!
3. Eat Icelandic Food
Lobster Soup with Bread: Reykjavik’s “Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur” is very famous, the lobster soup is rich, paired with crispy bread, super satisfying.
Roast Lamb Ribs: Icelandic lamb has no gamey taste, tender meat, served with potatoes and vegetables, great value.
Icelandic Hot Dog: Don’t underestimate hot dogs, they include onions, pickles, and sauces, the taste is amazing, many locals love to buy them.
4. Notes: Pitfall Avoidance Guide
1. Don’t Step on Moss: Iceland’s moss takes hundreds of years to grow, it’s hard to recover if damaged. Always obey “No Entry” signs.
2. Book Accommodation Early: During peak seasons (December to February, June to August), accommodation is very tight, especially in Vík and northern small towns. It’s recommended to book 2-3 months in advance. Choose guesthouses with heating and kitchens so you can cook yourself (Iceland’s prices are high, cooking is more cost-effective).
3. Watch the Weather: Iceland’s weather changes rapidly, sunny one moment, snowing the next. Check the “Vedur” (Icelandic Meteorological Office) forecast before departure. Don’t drive in blizzards, safety first.
4. Don’t Overplan: Iceland’s road conditions are complex, driving is slow. Don’t schedule too many spots in one day, or it will be rushed and not enjoyable.
Iceland is truly a place you don’t want to leave once you arrive. When you see the aurora dancing in the night sky and glaciers glowing blue under the sun, you’ll feel all the effort was worth it~ Save this guide and start your Iceland journey! If you have questions, feel free to ask me in the comments~