Here are 10 things you need to know about Iceland before you go: tips for surviving the climate, making the most of your holiday and most importantly, not being an inconsiderate tourist leaving permanent damage behind.
1) Do not tread on the moss.
No, never. Especially not for that Insta-perfect shot. That moss will take 70+ years to recover from a single foot and a single foot can lead to hundreds of feet. Keep. Off. It.
2) You don’t need a 4×4.
Almost all of Iceland’s roads are navigable by small cheap city car. The only time you will need a 4×4 is if you’re planning to drive on the Highland F roads – and for that, you’ll need experience driving on lava and through deep fast glacial rivers. Oh, and good luck convincing the rental company to ensure you for that. (They won’t. Go to the Highlands with a tour company.)
3) Don’t buy bottled water.
Apart from the fact that it’s 2018 and we don’t use disposable plastic anymore, the cold water from any tap is just as clean and pure. Don’t drink the hot water – if it smells of eggs, it’s not good to drink. And I know this first hand.
4) It’s a pretty long walk from the Ring Road to that plane wreck you’re all so crazy about.
And no, you can’t drive any closer. It’s at least an hour on foot from the car park to the wreckage.
5) You need to pre-book the Blue Lagoon.
In high season, it sells out weeks, if not months in advance. If you don’t plan ahead, you might only be able to get the 11pm slot – and that’s a lot of money for an hour in the water. Free bonus fact: the Blue Lagoon is really expensive nowadays. Consider one of the public pools instead.
6) Ignore all those cutesy posts and videos about what to pack.
A miniskirt, leggings and a cashmere sweater will not be warm enough, no matter how furry and expensive your boots. Lots of layers are great but they each need to be genuinely warm. Merino is great, fleece is great and your coat should outweigh style with warmth & waterproofness. It’s pretty difficult to look stylish while staying warm in Iceland.
7) The waves at Reynisfjara, “the black sand beach”, are incredibly dangerous.
They can drag you off the beach and to your death. Keep well away from the water, don’t even think about paddling.
8) If you go looking for Northern Lights, expect to not see them.
If you do see them, appreciate how very, very lucky you were. They don’t appear on demand and at one point I had a one in eight success rate at seeing anything.
9) If you camp in summer, take an eye mask.
While Iceland isn’t quite far enough north for true Midnight Sun, I’ve found it often remains light enough to read a book inside a tent without a torch for entire nights on end.
10) Read about the places you’re visiting before you go.
Don’t be yet another tourist who looks at Þingvellir with dead eyes and treats it as a toilet stop, a leg stretch and a few photos of “…whatever, something”. If you go somewhere, why aren’t you interested in knowing where you’re going and why?