Iceland

1. Conduct your research before choosing a stay: One of those factors that should be kept in mind while visiting a holiday destination is to conduct your research regarding that place well. Understand the culture, tradition and how-abouts of the place. Moreover, when it comes to choosing a stay for yourself then it is better advisable to opt for something that is comfortable and convenient to your needs. Choose from a number of resorts, hotels and home-stays and enjoy the culture of Iceland.

2. Enjoy Iceland’s culture for what it is: While the truth about Iceland is that it doesn’t take time for visitors to get used to the culture that prevails in Iceland. In fact, visitors find it extremely easy to understand the culture and work accordingly given how easy-going the place actually is. Enjoy Iceland’s culture for what it truly is.

3. Transportation: The great thing about transportation in Ice land is that one won’t have a difficult time exploring the cities as they are well connected. You need not worry about travelling from places to places. However, hiring a car or bike for your personal need in the place great helps. Don’t miss out on any locations and ensure that you get to see all the primary attractions at your convenience.

4. Carry a map: Iceland is quite expansive in terms of its geographical expansion, however, it is always advisable to carry a map when you’re planning on venturing around the place. The names can get quite confusing and if you lose your way, you may even face a hard time communicating with the locals as there is a high possibility that you may not share the same language with.

5. To tip or not to tip: If you’re staying at a resort or a hotel then it is quite obvious that you won’t be required or expected to end a certain matter with a tip. The same applies to restaurants as well. Most of the times, it is your well-trusted guide that takes care of such situations and if you’re without one then do as you may without feeling obligated.

6. Avoid the crowd: While, Iceland itself is not very crowded, there are thousands of tourists flocking every year. And you already know, the real joy and essence of one place can truly be experienced provided there is lesser amount of distraction. Visitors would quite naturally want to visit Turkey during a time when it’s less crowded. Thus, avoid visiting Iceland during peak periods of March, April, October and November as the hotel and resort bookings get full almost instantly and air tickets get quite expensive too.

7. Drinking laws: Alcohol is quite easily obtainable in this place. The legal drinking age in Iceland is 18 and the night-life is quite sorted as well. Party your heart out while you’re in this place. There are numerous pubs, restaurants and bars that will take care of the wild side in you.

The best time to visit Iceland depends mainly on what you want to do and see.

Iceland has a concentrated tourist season in the months of July and August especially because it is summer and one can witness the midnight sun.

• The summer months makes for an extremely rewarding time for whale watching.
• If you want to see the northern lights then February, March, September and October are typically the best months.
• The shoulder season months of May and September are fantastic times to visit due to good weather and competitive hotel prices. If you want to spot Birds, especially puffins then the months of May and June are the best.

Yes, you need a Schengen Visa for Iceland. Iceland comes in the list of 26 Schengen countries which means that you do not need an exclusive visa for Iceland. A schengen visa will do. A Schengen visa gives you an access to all the 26 countries included in the list of Schengen countries along with Iceland. The Embassy of Denmark handles visa applications for Iceland in India. The visa application is to be filled and submitted to The Embassy of Denmark located in New Delhi. The documents required includes a passport with at least 3 months of validity from the date of arrival in India, and at least two blank pages, latest passport size photographs and any government issued Id.

The tourist visa/short stay visa is valid for a duration of 90 days and takes 16 days to process. The visa fees costs INR 4560 along with INR 1569 VFS service fees.

The currency of Iceland is Icelandic króna. You can get your currency exchanged in Iceland at ATMs, Banks, Hotels and Airport desks. There is a Landsbankinn Bank at Keflavik International Airport which gives you a good mid market exchange rate. ATMs and cashpoints can be found easily in cities and towns. You can get cash, cash travellers cheques and exchange notes with your credit and debit cards from Banks. Although visa and Mastercards are accepted almost everywhere, it is a good idea to keep some cash handy if you intend to visit isolated villages and remote areas.

The local food of Iceland comprises of a lot of seafood, from fermented sharks Hákarl to Hung and smoked meat Hangikjöt and Súrir hrútspungar - Sour ram's testicles.

The best places to taste Icelandic cuisine are

• Dill Restaurant, Reykjavík
• Fiskfelagid Fish Company, Reykjavík
• Grillmarkaðurinn, Lækjargata, Reykjavík
• kaffi hornid, Höfn í Hornafirði
• Lava Restaurant, The Blue Lagoon
• The Laundromat Café, Reykjavík
• Sjavargrillid (seafood grill), Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavík
• Apotek, Austurstræti, Reykjavík
• Kaffivagninn, Grandagarður, Reykjavík

The local language of Iceland is Icelandic. Here is a list of most commonly used greetings in Icelandic to help you communicate better with the locals.

• Hello- Halló
• Thank you- Þakka þér fyrir
• Good Morning- Góðan daginn
• Good Night- góða nótt
• What the price of___? - hvað er verð á
• How far is___? - hversu langt er

Along with all the photographs, and unforgettable memories you would carry along with you, the dainty shopping streets and fleas of Iceland calls for some souvenir shopping.

• Kirsuberjatréð famous for beautiful art, ceramics and handmade objects.
• Kraum in the center of Reykjavik fashionable clothes, stationery, art and accessories.
• Kolaportid Flea Market famous for wool sweaters, fermented fish and old comics.
• North 66°, city center, famous for outdoor coats and gear.
• Reykjavik Draper’s union, across the street from Geysir, famous for handmade bags and aprons made of leather and canvas.
• Aurum famous for scandinavian home decor and jewelry.
• Geysir, Skólavörðustíg 16, soft wool sweaters and blankets, leather boots, bags, and hats.
• Kogga, Old Harbour, ceramics and paintings
• Álafoss, Mosfellsbær famous for hand- or machine-made lopapeysur (Icelandic woollen sweaters).

With around 170 campsites, Iceland offers camping opportunities in summer as well as year around. Here is a list of some of the most popular camping sites in Iceland.

• Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National park
• Grindavik, southwest coast
• Þakgíl, north of Vík
• Siglufirði, northern coast
• Höfn, East Iceland
• Húsafell, Borgarfjörður
• Úlfljótsvatn, Reykjavik
• Egilsstaðir, center of East Iceland
• Ásbyrgi, North of Iceland
• Látrabjarg, Westfjords
• Hellissandur, Snæfell peninsula

Europe’s most powerful and awe-inspiring waterfalls can be found in Iceland. Here is a list of famous waterfalls in Iceland.

• Seljalandsfoss, South Coast of Iceland
• Glymur Waterfall, Hvalfjordur
• Svartifoss Waterfall, Skaftafell, Vatnajokull National Park
• Haifoss Waterfall, South of Iceland
• Brúarfoss, Brekkuskógur
• Aldeyjarfoss, North of Iceland
• Gullfoss Waterfall, Golden Circle Route, Iceland
• Godafoss Waterfall, Akureyri
• Dettifoss Waterfall, Vatnajokull National Park
• Ketubjörg, North Iceland

Iceland is famous for its glacier hiking trails. Have a look at some of the most popular glacier hiking trails in Iceland.

• Glymur waterfall hike, Hvalfjörður
• Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls hike
• Mt. Esja hike, Reykjavík
• Hvannadalshnjúkur summit, Vatnajökull glacier
• Sólheimajökull hike, Reykjavík
• Svinafellsjökull hike, Skaftafell Nature Reserve
• Fimmvorduhals hike
• Landmannalaugar hike
• Glacier hike on Snæfellsnes peninsula
• Hornstrandir, Westfjords

Iceland has some of the most remarkable landscapes on Earth making it a haven for adventure seekers. Here is a list of adventures one can do in Iceland:

• Dip into the Geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon
• Play with puffins on Látrabjarg cliff
• Go Glacier hiking in Sólheimajökull
• Watch whales in Húsavík’s snug harbour.
• Sample the local Hákarl - Shark
• Witness the ethereal Northern lights
• Explore Iceland’s highlands on Icelandic horses
• Bathe in the fuming and sulphurous waters at Askja
• Visit Blue Diamond Cave in Vatnajökull Glacier in Iceland
• Take a helicopter ride over the active Bárðarbunga volcano

Along with the undulating and ethereal landscapes, Iceland also has some notable architecture, that many are unaware about. Here is a list of some of the most iconic buildings in Iceland.

• Harpa concert hall and conference centre, Austurbakki, Reykjavík
• Kjerag Panoramic Hotel
• Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík
• Hofsós Swimming Pool, ofsósbraut, Hofsós
• Höfðatorg Tower 1, Reykjavík
• Icelandic Institute of National History, Reykjavík
• Budir Church
• Snaefells Sofa Visitor Center, Vatnajokull National Park
• Hof Residence/ Studio Granda, Skagafjörður Fjord
• Reykjavík Cathedral, Reykjavík

Witnessing Northern lights or Aurora Borealis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The best time to experience northern lights in Iceland is in the months of September to mid-April. The northern lights appear on full dark nights so these months are the best time. Also the probability of witnessing northern lights depends upon the duration of your stay. It is expected you stay for at least 7 days in Iceland. Also if the sky is clear and there is no precipitation or clouds like in summers, you can experience northern lights. It is advisable to check out with the meteorological department before heading out to watch the northern lights.

Wading in warm, mineral rich, geothermal waters is the favourite pastime of people in Iceland. Here is a list of best hot springs in Iceland to calm your mind and soothe your body.

• Blue Lagoon, Reykjanes
• Nautholsvik geothermal beach, Reykjavik
• Landbrotalaug, Reykjavik
• Grjótagjá, Lake Mývatn
• Leirubakki, Hekla
• Viti, Askja
• Landmannalaugar, Fjallabak Nature Reserve
• Gamla Laugin, Flúðir, Golden Circle area
• Snorralaug, Reykholt
• Grettislaug, Varmahlíð

Iceland provides you unforgettable whale watching experiences all year round. Take a look at the places you can go whale watching in Iceland.

• Daivik Village, North Iceland
• Húsavík Island
• Reykjavik marina
• The Golden Circle
• Grimsey Island
• Skjálfandi and Eyjafjörður bays
• Old Harbor in Reykjavík

Iceland is home to over 30 active volcanoes making it the most volcanic places in the World. Here is a list of some of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland.

• Eyjafjallajökul, Suðurland
• Katla, beneath the Myrdalsjökull icecap
• Hengill, south of Þingvellir
• Hekla, south of Iceland
• Eldfell, Heimaey island, Vestmannaeyjar
• Snæfellsjökull, Western Iceland
• Grímsvötn, South-East Iceland
• Askja, Dyngjufjöll mountains
• Vatnafjöll, Southeast of Hekla
• Esjufjöll, SE part of the Vatnajökull icecap
• Hverfjall, northern Iceland
• Theistareykjarbunga, northeastern Iceland
• Torfajökull, north of Mýrdalsjökull and south of Þórisvatn Lake
• Eldgjá, South of Iceland
• Herðubreið, north-east Iceland

There is certainly no shortage of beautiful beaches in Iceland but some are simply more beautiful and we couldn’t help but list the best beaches to visit in Iceland.

• Reynisfjara Beach near Vik (South Iceland)
• Budir Beach (West Iceland)
• Kirkjubol Beach (West Iceland)
• Nautholsvik Beach in Reykjavik (Greater Reykjavik Area)
• Álftanes Beach (Greater Reykjavik Area)
• DJúpalónssandur, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• Grótta, Seltjarnarnes Peninsula
• Sandvík, Reykjanes Peninsula
• Breiðavík, Westfjords, Iceland
• Sandvík, Reykjanes Peninsula

The ice caves of Iceland are truly mesmerising and there are many ice cave tours you can go about exploring. Here is a list of some of the most famous ice caves to visit in Iceland.

• Crystal Cave in Vatnajökull Glacier in Iceland
• Northern Lights Ice Cave
• Blue Diamond Cave in Vatnajökull Glacier in Iceland
• Glacier Cave by Katla Glacier in Iceland
• The Waterfall Cave in Vatnajökull Glacier in Iceland
• Svínafellsjökull Ice Cave, Skaftafell National Park
• Lofthellir Ice cave
• Breiðamerkurjökul ice cave, near Vatnajökull
• Eyjafjallajokull ice cave
• Kverkfjoll ice caves, north east highlands of Vatnajökull