Postcard Press Picks:
For Traveling to Iceland
The Northern Lights. The Midnight Sun. The Blue Lagoon. You can find all of this and more on one tiny, North Atlantic island: Iceland. It has become one of the most popular travel destinations over the past decade, and it seems like there’s always an article about why Iceland should be on your bucket list. And why shouldn’t it be? It’s on ours!
Iceland has so much to offer. It’s consistently near the top of the quality-of-life index (2nd in the world), a forward-thinking society, a leader in environmental conservation and gender equality, and an LGBTQ-friendly destination. No matter what time of year, Iceland has its advantages (just plan ahead for that winter ice caving experience!), and there’s always something to do in this nature-lovers paradise.
And thanks to its convenient location—it’s just a short hop from the East Coast—you can visit the country on its own or, even better, make it a stopover on your way to or from Europe. Travel with one of the Icelandic carriers, such as Icelandair, and they’ll let you spend multiple nights in the country without any additional airfare. There are so many great reasons to visit, so Postcard Press is here to help with our picks for traveling to Iceland.
Must-See Attractions
Every destination has multiple “Top 10 Must-Do” lists, and many times, you’ll find several worthy sites for shaping your itinerary. A great place to start is with a travel guide, such as Lonely Planet. Find those sites that fit your interests and make sure to do some extra research on whether or not you’ll find them rewarding.
- The Crazy Tourist gives us the 25 Best Things to Do in Iceland: https://www.thecrazytourist.com/25-best-things-iceland/.
- Culture Trip is a good site to find a variety of articles and guides for any destination, usually written by locals or people who have lived in the destination. Check out 10 Things To See & Do In Iceland: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/iceland/articles/a-cultural-trip-to-iceland/.
- Iceland is diverse with something for every type of traveler. If it’s your first time visiting, check out 12 Amazing Things To Do In Iceland On A First Time Visit from the blog Hand Luggage Only: https://handluggageonly.co.uk/2017/02/26/12-amazing-things-to-do-on-a-first-time-visit-to-iceland/.
- There are activities that can be explored all year long in Iceland, but also some unique activities specific to the season:
- Journo On The Run explores 40 Unique Things To Do in Iceland in Winter: https://journalistontherun.com/2018/01/02/things-to-do-in-iceland/.
- The Telegraph has 29 Reasons Why You Should Visit Iceland This Spring: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/iceland/articles/iceland-the-best-things-to-see-and-do/.
- It’s All Bee tells us Why Summer’s the Best Time to Visit Iceland: https://www.itsallbee.com/2018/06/summer-in-iceland-in-july/.
Hidden Gems
As we always recommend, it’s important to get off the beaten path and away from the tourist hotspots so you can further experience the culture of the country and find a deeper appreciation.
- Atlas Obscura is always a good place to look for Unusual Attractions: https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/iceland.
- Iceland With A View shares their list of Iceland Hidden Gems: 5 Less Traveled Places: https://livelifewithaview.com/iceland-hidden-gems/.
- If you want to go on a road trip through Iceland, here are 5 Epic Hidden Gems to Seek Out from the Travel Girls: https://wearetravelgirls.com/iceland-road-trip/.
- And Ben Goes Places explores 10 Hidden Gems in Iceland: https://bengoesplaces.com/hidden-gems-iceland-1/.
Foodie Adventures
One of the best ways to experience a country’s culture is to embrace the local cuisine. The local staples can tell you a lot about the country’s history and its people. Research the must-try dishes before you go, and be on the lookout for new eats to add to your culinary repertoire.
- Serious Eats has an excellent Intro to Icelandic Food. Everyone should start here: https://www.seriouseats.com/2012/04/guide-to-food-iceland-fish-whale-skyr-hot-dogs.html.
- If you’re looking for a list of must-try dishes, check out Extreme Iceland’s Iceland Bucket List: Food: https://www.extremeiceland.is/en/blog/3185-iceland-bucket-list-food-to-eat.
- If you’re looking for specific places to best sample the local cuisine, Culture Trip put together
- 11 Places in Iceland Perfect for Food Lovers: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/iceland/articles/11-places-iceland-perfect-food-lovers/, and
- Best Seafood Restaurants to Visit in Iceland: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/iceland/articles/best-seafood-restaurants-to-visit-in-iceland/.
Day Trips
Being an island, there aren’t a lot of day trip options outside of Iceland, but if you’re planning to be based in Reykjavik for the duration of your stay, there are many ways to see more of the country. And if you really want a unique experience, you can plan a day trip to Greenland!
- For day trip idea, check out The Crazy Tourist’s 15 Best Day Trips from Reykjavik: https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-day-trips-reykjavik/.
- It’s going to be crazy expensive and you may need to do some self-education to fully experience the location, but if you can swing it, a visit to remote Greenland may be worthwhile. The Travel Addicts shared their experience here: https://traveladdicts.net/day-trip-to-greenland/.
Practical Information
Being a respectful traveler goes a long way no matter where in the world you are going; however, it’s still a good idea to research country-specific tips and advice to make your journey more rewarding for everyone.
- Everyone may not enjoy your sarcastic humor when abroad; in fact, it’s something you should avoid in Iceland according to TripSavvy’s 9 Things Not to Do in Iceland: https://www.tripsavvy.com/things-not-to-do-in-iceland-1626369.
- How best to learn about visiting your destination than from those who live there? Forbes went directly to the source for these Top Dos and Don’ts According to Locals: https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicahoughton/2018/05/29/iceland-top-dos-and-donts-according-to-locals/#25895919722a.
- The Casual Travelist has an excellent 25 Tips You Should Know for your First Trip to Iceland: https://casualtravelist.com/25-travel-tips-iceland/.
Have you been to Iceland? Help out your fellow travelers and leave your recommendations in the comments!
nice blog! Thanks!
Amazing post! Really nice..