Iceland travel guide
Iceland is a country shaped by fire and ice, where geysers, waterfalls, black-sand beaches and glaciers sit within a few hours' drive of one another. You can soak in geothermal pools, walk beside the icebergs of Jökulsárlón, watch whales from the northern coast and look for the northern lights in winter. Most trips are built around a handful of bases. Reykjavík is the lively capital and the start of the Golden Circle, Selfoss and Vík í Mýrdal open up the South Coast, Höfn leads to the great glacier and its lagoon, and Akureyri and Húsavík anchor the north. Keflavík serves as the gateway for arrivals, and each base gives access to a very different landscape within a day's drive, from lava fields to fjords to ice. Summer brings long daylight and easy driving, while winter suits northern lights and a quieter mood. Iceland suits road-trippers and nature lovers. Plan your itinerary city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Reykjavík.
Before you go to Iceland
- Currency
- ISK kr
- Emergency number
- 112
- Plug type
- Type C, F
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Bargaining
- Not expected
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express
- ATM fees
- Usually none from Icelandic bank ATMs; your home bank may charge a foreign-withdrawal fee
Cities in Iceland
- Reykjavík Iceland's capital and largest city, home to about two-thirds of the national population. A compact, colourful harbour city known for…
- Keflavík The town beside Keflavík International Airport on the Reykjanes peninsula — most visitors' first and last stop in Iceland. Gateway to the…
- Vík í Mýrdal Iceland's southernmost village, ringed by black-sand beaches, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks and Reynisfjara. A key South Coast stop between…
- Akureyri The "Capital of the North", Iceland's second-largest urban area at the head of Eyjafjörður fjord. Base for whale watching, the Diamond…
- Höfn A fishing town in southeast Iceland famed for langoustine ("humar") and as the gateway to Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, and the…
- Selfoss The largest town in South Iceland, on the Ölfusá river — the main service hub and gateway to the Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir,…
- Húsavík A picturesque fishing town on Skjálfandi bay in north Iceland, widely regarded as the whale-watching capital of Europe, with the wooden…
Frequently asked questions about Iceland
- What currency is used in Iceland?
- The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Króna (kr). ₹1 is about 1 kr.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Iceland?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Iceland?
- Tipping in Iceland: not expected.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Iceland?
- Tap water is safe.
- What plug type does Iceland use?
- Iceland uses Type C, F plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Iceland?
- Emergency: 112. Police: 112. Ambulance: 112.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Iceland?
- SIM and eSIM available in Iceland.
- What is the capital of Iceland?
- The capital of Iceland is Reykjavík. Time there: IST - 5 h 30 min.