first time visit to iceland

About Iceland

Visa information, geography of iceland, general information, the northern lights, volcanic eruptions, sustainable travel, iceland academy, plan your trip, how to get there, accommodation, things to do, map your journey, getting around, visitor numbers, carbon footprint, destinations, the regions, scenic routes, national parks, trip suggestions, towns & villages, inspiration, food and beverages.

The Forest Lagoon is located in Vaðlaskógur forest in North Iceland, only a few minutes drive from Akureyri.

5 golden rules for planning a trip to Iceland

How many days are enough for a trip around Iceland? Putting together an itinerary for a trip to Iceland is great fun but the amount of sights and options can also feel overwhelming. Depending on how many days you‘re planning, what travel type you are, whom you are traveling with as well as the season you are traveling in, you might need some ideas.  

Here are some suggestions on what's doable in a set amount of time. Enjoy! But first: 

• Choose your own must-sees : You‘re an outdoor person? Schedule some hikes on your trip! Like museums? We have plenty of them! The same goes for spas and swimming pools. Make sure the itinerary fits your personal preferences. 
• Plan enough time for driving ! When Icelanders talk about way lengths they usually talk in hours, not in kilometers and for a good reason: 20 kilometers on a gravel road take much longer than 20 kilometers on a freeway. Plus, there will be countless, unexpected photo stops on the way.   Rule of thumb: always add an hour on top of what you originally calculated. 
• Be flexible when traveling in winter: expect trip cancellations, road closures, hotel changes, and itinerary rearrangements, and be cool about it. Here in Iceland, spontaneous changes run in our veins and everybody will be helpful if you‘re in need. 
• Enjoy where you are : hustling from one sight to the next just because it was on your bucket list can end in stress. Enjoy where you are and give Iceland the chance to let its magic work on you. Our landscape is known for having a very soothing effect on people. 
• Leave room for surprises and adventure : Accept that you won‘t be able to see everything in one trip. That gives you the chance to turn left or right from time to time and discover places you’d have never thought of! 

We have some itinerary suggestions for you here below:

Travel ideas.

Here are some itinerary suggestions for your trip:

A 3 day mini-break in West Iceland

Iceland's Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Minibreak North Iceland

What to wear in Iceland

A day-trip from Reykjavík: Discover the Whale Fjord

How to Get to Iceland

Around Iceland in 14 days

New destinations in 2024

A day on the Reykjanes peninsula

Akureyri is a destination for all seasons

Island hopping in Iceland

Reykjavík Weekend Getaway

Key Locations for Viking History in Iceland

The South Coast

Arctic Coast Way

The Eastfjords

The Diamond Circle

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The Westfjords Way

The Golden Circle

Famous film sights in Iceland