Iceland travel blog
Stories, tips and inspiration for your Iceland adventure
Midnight sun magic: what it's really like, and how to not waste it
The midnight sun runs from late May to mid-July. We spent a week in June specifically to experience it — and it was both better and stranger than expected.
Planning Iceland with AI — what it gets right, what it gets wrong
Using AI to plan an Iceland trip in 2026 — what works, where it fails on prices and road conditions, and what still needs human research.
Driving the south coast in a storm: what happened, what we learned
We drove Iceland's south coast in November with orange warnings and 80 km/h gusts. What it was like, what to do, and the mistakes we made.
The Eastfjords surprise — why this is the most underrated part of Iceland
Why Iceland's East Fjords are the most underrated region — Seyðisfjörður, Studlagil Canyon, Petra's stones, and the drive that demands you slow down.
Self-driving F-roads — what you need to know before you go
An honest practical guide to self-driving Iceland's highland F-roads — what they are, which vehicles can legally use them, the real risks, and how to prepare.
Diamond Circle vs Golden Circle — which one actually delivers
Golden Circle vs Diamond Circle — a direct comparison of Iceland's two main tourist circuits with an honest verdict on which delivers more.
Is Iceland's overtourism problem real? An honest assessment
Iceland received 2.1 million visitors in 2023 against a population of 380,000. We look at where overtourism is genuinely a problem and where it isn't.
New Year in Reykjavík — the bonfire, the fireworks, and the full chaos
New Year's Eve in Reykjavík — the bonfire tradition, street fireworks chaos, where to stand at midnight, and December logistics.
The perfect Golden Circle day: self-drive vs tour, what order, what to skip
Three visits to the Golden Circle taught us the right order and which add-ons are worth it. A no-nonsense guide to Iceland's most popular day trip.
Iceland with a toddler: what worked, what didn't, what we'd do differently
We took our 22-month-old to Iceland for 8 days. The waterfalls were a hit. The long driving days weren't. Here's the honest account of family travel in
The Blue Lagoon debate — my verdict after two visits
An honest verdict on whether the Blue Lagoon is worth it after two visits — what you actually get, what you pay, and when it makes sense to book versus skip it.
Iceland packing fails — what I brought that I didn't need and what I didn't bring that I should have
Packing mistakes across three Iceland trips — the gear that was useless, what I bought at inflated prices in Reykjavík, and what actually matters.
A week in the Icelandic highlands: Landmannalaugar to Kerlingarfjöll
Seven days in Iceland's interior highlands: rhyolite mountains, F-road river crossings, and zero signal. What we did and what we'd change.
Westfjords off the beaten path: five days in Iceland's most remote region
The Westfjords see a fraction of Iceland's tourists. Five days driving mountain roads, watching puffins at Látrabjarg, and chasing Dynjandi waterfall.
Skógafoss to Fimmvörðuháls — what the first day actually looks like
Hiking Skógafoss to Fimmvörðuháls in July — the waterfall valley ascent, new volcanic craters, glacier views, and hut logistics.
Why we went to Iceland in winter (and would do it again)
Winter Iceland means 5 hours of daylight, ice caves, northern lights, and half the crowds. We went in January and came back convinced it's the better
The best soup stops on the ring road
The best places for soup along Iceland's ring road — from N1 petrol station cups to guesthouses with lamb soup worth the detour.
Snæfellsnes in a day — what you can actually see
One-day Snæfellsnes itinerary — Kirkjufell, the glacier, the lava fields, Arnarstapi, with timing and what to skip.
Photographing Jökulsárlón: a practical guide for obsessive amateurs
Four visits to Jökulsárlón over two years. Here's what I've learned about timing, light, positions, and why the second visit was better than the first.
Best hidden hot springs in Iceland beyond the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon costs €56 minimum and books out weeks ahead. Here are six hot springs that are cheaper, quieter, and in our experience just as good.
Whale watching in Húsavík — a diary
Whale watching from Húsavík — the boats, the humpbacks, the seasick reality, and whether Iceland's whale watching capital delivers.
The volcano that erupted while we were in Iceland
Being in Iceland during the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption — reaching the site, watching active lava, and the 8-century wait that brought everyone out.
Camper van diary: three weeks around Iceland in a converted Ford Transit
Three weeks living and sleeping in a camper van in Iceland. What worked, what broke, what cost more than expected, and why I'd do it again.
How we budgeted Iceland — real numbers from a two-week trip
Honest breakdown of what two people spent on two weeks in Iceland driving the ring road, including accommodation, food, fuel, and activities.
10 mistakes we made on our first trip to Iceland
From underestimating distances to ignoring gravel insurance, here are 10 mistakes we made on a first Iceland trip — and what to do instead.
Reykjavík on a rainy day
A personal guide to surviving and enjoying Reykjavík when the weather turns hostile — museums, pools, bookshops, and the best bowl of soup in Iceland.
Iceland on a shoestring: two weeks for under €1,800
Iceland has a reputation for being eye-wateringly expensive. We did two full weeks on a tight budget and came back with a running total of €1,740. Here's
Chasing the northern lights: five nights in Iceland, three sightings
Five nights in Iceland specifically to see the aurora. We saw it three times — once spectacularly, twice barely. Here's what worked and what didn't.
Our first ring road trip: 10 days around Iceland
Two first-timers, one rental car, ten days on Route 1. Here's what actually happened — the highs, the wrong turns, and the moments we'll never forget.
Puffin season in the Westfjords
A first-hand account of chasing puffins across the Westfjords in June, from Látrabjarg's cliff edge to the ferry crossing from Brjánslækur.