Iceland is a remote and breathtakingly beautiful Scandinavian island country that lies between the North Atlantic and the Gulf of Finland. It is bordered by France and Norway and has a coastline fringed by Iceland's massive glaciers. Massive glaciers and lush green fields shelter the vast population of Iceland, who in turn, lives on the beautiful green landscapes and geothermal seeped valleys. Most of the inhabitants live in the capital, Reykjavik, which is partially powered by geothermal energy and is home to both the National and Saga museum.
The best way to see all of Iceland is to take advantage of the country's amazing Geothermal Area. Iceland's geothermal area is made up of two distinctly different geothermal areas, namely the Eyre Peninsula and the Golden Circle. The Eyre Peninsula is a geothermal park, which includes a number of active fissures and fissure hotspots where you can visit for an amazing view at the active volcano, Hellispell. The picturesque black lagoon at the Golden Circle consists of geysers, spring pools, spas and boiling mud pools.
You can explore the geothermal areas of Iceland either by foot by car or by bus. If you're a nature lover then the best way to enjoy the Iceland wildlife is to hike the popular route, the Golden Circle route. However, if you prefer to have your sightseeing completed by the use of cars, then you will be able to hire a car from the city of Reykjavik and travel to the various geothermal areas in Iceland.
One of the most popular ways to travel around Iceland is by using a rented car, and the best way to discover the various geothermal areas is to take the route to the Golden Circle. By taking this route you'll be able to drive directly over the geothermal area and view the geothermal feature, which is Iceland's most active volcano, Eyre Peninsula. If you're a huge fan of geothermal features and would like to have a closer look, you should make an appointment to visit the geothermal area at the Golden Circle. When you visit the site of this volcanoes you'll be able to take some awesome pictures of ice-capped volcanoes and also, you will be able to view green vegetation growing around the volcano. If you're travelling at a later date, you can continue your tour by driving on towards the blue lagoon and the geothermal area of Iceland.
Another really worth visiting area is the Kull forest. Although the Kull River is not a tourist attraction, the Kull forest is home to some beautiful scenery including misty valleys and rocky cliffs. If you are a nature lover and have been bitten by the bug for some time, you will find that this is a delightful location to explore. Hiking this route on foot takes you through thick forests with many wonderful photo opportunities.
Iceland Travel Guide identifies three other important areas in Iceland; the Western Highlands, the North Atlantic region and the South Iceland archipelago. The Western Highlands is a wonderful region with a range of nature reserves and awe inspiring scenery. If you love hiking and camping, this is definitely a region you should not miss. In the North Atlantic region, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik is a must visit site as it offers fantastic shopping and night life. The South Iceland archipelago is an area of exquisite natural beauty and is worth visiting even if you aren't a fan of geothermal activity. This is Iceland's largest island, and there are plenty of beautiful things to see and do here.
To get to all of these locations, you will need a car to get around Iceland. One of the best ways to explore the landscape and enjoy the cultural heritage of this small country is by car. You can hire a vehicle and take scenic routes that would take you past some of the key locations in Iceland. The main travel companies will be able to arrange this for you, or if you prefer you can just book your trip online. A good company will allow you to drive the length of the Iceland countryside by car, stopping off at some of its cultural landmarks along the way.
There are also some great photo opportunities along the route of the Iceland Travel Guide, including the popular Ice Cave and the huge volcano that pose a threat to the residents of this town. The Ice Cave is Iceland's largest and offers an exciting view over the crystal blue waters of its surroundings. If you are visiting the area for the first time, it's well worth taking some time to see some of the beautiful places that are on offer here.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Iceland are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Iceland
The Best time to visit Iceland is from May to August. During these months, the temperatures are pleasant, and the days are long.
If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don't need a visa to enter Iceland.
See which forms you may need for entry into Iceland.
The official currency of Iceland is the Icelandic Króna (ISK). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Iceland you can grab amazing Icelandic Króna deals via Wise.com (GBP to ISK).
Wild mammals in Iceland include the Arctic Fox, mink, mice, rats, rabbits and reindeer. Polar bears occasionally visit the island, traveling on icebergs from Greenland. Icelandic waters are rich with marine life, including seals, whales, dolphins and over three hundred species of fish.
Icelandic food? Hákarl, or fermented shark, is a phenomenon that has gone way beyond the confines of the austere Icelandic winter.
You can typically expect to pay around £6.87p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
The official language of Iceland Is Icelandic. The primary language in Iceland is spoken by our nearly 340,000 inhabitants and is our native language. While you will find foreign-language speakers here, the majority of the population speaks Icelandic. You can learn some basic Icelandic before you travel to Iceland and really impress the locals!
The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Króna (It is far less than 10 percent of your total bill but still is appreciated. At a less expensive restaurant, if your meal costs 2,380 ISK (about $20), rounding up to 2,600 ISK would equal a tip of about $2, and in Iceland, such a tiny gratuity is perfectly acceptable.).
The GMT time difference is -1 hours