Iceland Travel Guide
We based ourselves in Reykjavik on our first trip to Iceland and used the city as a starting point for everything else, including the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, South Coast, glacier activities and a helicopter tour. Since then, we have kept planning a return trip, which is why this Iceland section now includes both what we actually did and the guides we have built while researching the next one.
Start with our Best Things to Do in Iceland for First-Time Visitors guide, then use the Reykjavik, hotel, food and seasonal guides below to plan the details.
Reykjavik
Planning your first Iceland trip? Start with the flagship guide, then use the supporting guides below for Reykjavik, hotels, food and timing.
Reykjavik was our base during our first trip to Iceland, and it worked well because the city is compact, easy to get around and convenient for day trips. We used it as our starting point for the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, South Coast and glacier activities, then came back to the same apartment each night. Start with our Iceland first-time visitor guide →
Know Before You Go: Iceland
Best Time to Visit:
We went in July for the long summer days, but the right season depends on what you want to do. See our Best Time to Visit Iceland guide for the full seasonal breakdown.
Getting Around:
Renting a car gave us the most flexibility, especially for the Golden Circle and South Coast. If you do not want to drive, Reykjavik also has plenty of organized day tours.
Currency:
Icelandic króna (ISK). Credit cards are widely accepted.
Language:
Icelandic, but English is commonly spoken.
Tipping Culture:
Tipping is not expected, as service charges are usually included, but rounding up is appreciated.
Travel Tip:
Reykjavik worked well as our base for a summer trip. If we return specifically for the Northern Lights, we would split the stay and spend at least a night or two outside the city.