What Not to Do in Iceland: 23 Essential Iceland Tips

Last Updated on March 15, 2024

In the last decade, Iceland has become an extremely popular destination. And for good reason! It’s a Nordic island nation that is known for its dramatic landscapes. There you’ll find volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, moss-covered lava fields, waterfalls, fields of wildflowers, and huge glaciers.

From how to pack in and pack out when you spend time in Iceland’s nature, to staying on marked paths when going hiking, like the short hike from Arnarstapi to Hellnar, there’s lots that you should know before visiting this beautiful country.

If Iceland is on your travel bucket list, you’re reading the right blog. This responsible tourism guide covers key travel tips by explaining the things not to do in Iceland.

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Responsible Tourism in Iceland

One of the most pressing issues being faced in Iceland’s tourism industry is overtourism. Iceland has a unique and delicate ecosystem, which is exactly what draws mass numbers of tourism.

But that ecosystem needs to be respected and protected, which can be a challenge when so many tourists are traveling the island. 

Tryggvi Felixson, a tour guide and Chair of Landvernd, the Icelandic Environment Association told Conde Naste Traveler that the growth Iceland saw in the number of visitors up to 2019 was too rapid.

The country was getting close to tipping over into completely unsustainable development. But then, the pandemic came.

Visitor numbers dropped drastically in 2020 and 2021. During that time, Iceland positioned itself for an anticipated major tourism rebound following the pandemic. The government invested more than $12 million in tourism infrastructure and conservation, and worked on improving roads and harbors across the country.

Pre-pandemic, cheap flights to Reykjavik made a long weekend trip to Iceland accessible and popular. But now, Iceland is actively shifting how they market tourism across the country.

Rather than weekend jaunts, they’re encouraging visitors to stay longer, and explore more remote regions beyond the popular routes like the Golden Triangle. Because Iceland is actually quite a big and vast island, spreading tourism out makes it much more sustainable. 

This is exactly why on our trip to Iceland, my partner and I spent just 3 days in Reykjavik and the Golden Circle. We spent the bulk of our trip in further flung regions, and we’re glad we did, because there is so much to see beyond the Reykjavik region of Iceland!

What Not to Do in Iceland: 23 Iceland Tips

So are you ready to learn things not to do while traveling around Iceland? Below are 23 Iceland tips that will help you travel this incredible Nordic island more responsibly. 

1. Don’t Spend Your Whole Trip in Reykjavik

Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, and the largest city in the country. It’s located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay. Most people traveling to Iceland will arrive and depart from Reykjavik, because Iceland’s only international airport, Keflavik, is just outside of the city. 

It makes sense to include Reykjavik in your Iceland itinerary because you’ll definitely be transiting through it. But don’t make this city the focus of your trip.

While Reyjkjavik has plenty to offer, from great restaurants, museums, and nightlife to local tours like whale watching, seeing outside the city will give you a more in depth picture of Iceland. It’s out in the countryside where you’ll get a sense of how vast the island is, and see Iceland’s beautiful landscapes. 

2. Don’t Book Hotels, Tours, or Vehicles Last Minute

Iceland is a small country with a small population, and tourism demand is high. This combo means that hotels, tours, and rental vehicles get reserved fast. This is not a trip that you can book at the last minute, especially if you’re visiting during Iceland’s peak tourism season which runs from mid June to late August. 

The sooner you can book, the better, but aim for at least 3 months in advance. This way, you’ll have more options to choose from. You’ll also find that many companies offer early bird discounts, so reserving early will help save some budget, too.

We booked our van rental through Happy Campers, 6 months in advance. We were able to choose their smallest (and cheapest!) van, and also got a 5% discount from booking early. 

Need a car rental for your Iceland adventures? Discover Cars compares the prices for a vehicle from a variety of suppliers to ensure you get the cheapest rate, and you can reserve your car rental in advance. Reserve a car rental here!

3. Don’t Forget to Pack the Essentials

Iceland has unique weather which means you’ll need to pack some essentials. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the island has a cool and temperate maritime climate. Summer weather ranges from sunny, to overcast, windy, and rainy, and winters are pretty mild.

What’s most unique is how quickly the weather changes. Throughout a day, you might experience everything from sunshine, to hail and rain, and even snow (although snow is unlikely in the summer).

It’s important to pack the right clothes for this weather. The key? Layer! Bring several layers that you can add and remove to adjust to the changing elements throughout the day. Be sure to pack: 

• Rainproof jacket and rain pants. 
• Warm sweater or fleece. 
• Many pairs of socks.
• Water resistant or waterproof shoes. 
• Hiking boots or shoes with good ankle support. 
• Any meds you may need.

That last point on packing meds is important. While roadtripping Iceland, pharmacies are scarce. And, pharmacies in Iceland do not stock the same meds you’re used to commonly finding if you’re from the US, Canada, or Europe.

It’s best to be prepared for any illness that might come up, so pack a bit of everything! We brought antihistamines for allergies, Advil for headaches, and some cold and flu medication with us.

In the summer months, Iceland experiences “midnight sun,” also known as “polar day.” It’s a natural phenomenon that occurs because of how close to the arctic Iceland is. During midnight sun, the sun shines 24 hours a day, and never fully sets.

This dramatically affects Iceland’s daylight hours throughout June, July and August, which makes for a surreal experience! To help you sleep during midnight sun, be sure to pack: 

• Comfortable eye mask. 
• Earplugs for added help falling asleep.

Are you planning to camp in Iceland, either in a tent or a camper van? There’s a couple must-bring items that will make your camping experience more comfortable. 

• Microfibre towels because they are quick-dry. 
• Flip flops to wear while showering. 

Finally, I recommend downloading offline maps to your phone if you are road tripping Iceland. While my partner and I had an eSIM and pocket wifi in our van rental, we did find that in more remote regions service was spotty. Downloading offline maps through your map app will ensure you can navigate, even when you’re not online.

Esims are digital sim cards that provide data coverage abroad. They are an affordable and convenient way to stay online while you travel – I use them any time I go anywhere. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo by using code ERIN0985 when you sign up, or apply it at checkout. Get your eSIM right here.

4. Don’t Skip Doing Your Research 

Reading up on a region or country before visiting is always a good practice. It’s a big part of responsible travel because it’s an opportunity to learn (ahead of your trip!) a bit about the culture of a country. 

Researching before a trip to Iceland will help you get familiar with Icelandic customs, traditions, language, food and more. And, it will help reduce how much time you spend on the trip figuring out your itinerary.

Because most travel in Iceland involves busy days with lots of driving, researching your itinerary is a good call because you won’t end up spending time Googling things while on the trip. 

5. Don’t Touch or Step on Moss

Iceland is one of the world’s most volcanically active regions. When volcanoes erupt, molten lava destroys everything in its path. Eventually, that lava cools, becoming solid rocks. In Iceland, this means there are miles and miles of barren lava fields.

Only one thing grows well in these fields… Moss! Over time the wind brings tiny moss spores into the lava fields, enabling moss to start to slowly grow. All over Iceland you will notice these endless fields of moss.

It’s tempting to want to get up close to them, touch the moss, and even walk through it. But touching or walking on Iceland’s moss can damage it permanently, potentially ruining this beautiful feature of the Icelandic landscape. Moss is an important part of Iceland’s ecosystem, and it takes ages to grow. So stick to admiring it from afar! 

6. Don’t Hike off Designated Trails

It’s recommended to never go off trail in most national parks around the world. This is because going off trail can damage or kill plant or animal species, or hurt the ecosystems that surround the trail. This is especially true in Iceland because of the moss that is growing almost everywhere.

You’ll notice that walking and hiking trails are well marked, and there’s plenty of signage reminding you to stay on the trail. 

7. Don’t Drive F Roads Without a 4×4 Vehicle

What are f-roads in Iceland? These rural roads access the highlands of Iceland. The routes take you through incredible scenery, but the roads can be challenging and dangerous to drive. Most of them are made of loose gravel, have many potholes, and go through unbridged rivers. 

F-roads can be challenging to drive. You need to be able to assess driving conditions as you go. For example, when crossing rivers you’ll need to assess the current, depth and the nature of the riverbed before driving in.

It’s also recommended to wait for another vehicle to arrive at a river crossing before attempting to cross, so that someone is there to help if something goes wrong. 

To drive on f-roads, you must be driving a 4×4 vehicle (which most tourists rent). Attempting to drive these roads without a 4×4 is dangerous because there’s a high likelihood of getting stuck along the way. 

For the f-roads that include river crossings your vehicle will also need to have high clearance. It’s also good practice to only drive f-roads if you’re in a group of 2 or more people. This way, if anything goes wrong you have support. And, make sure you’ve got mobile data or wifi access to call for help in the event of an emergency.

Because of weather conditions and other safety concerns, Iceland’s f-roads are only open for a few months per year, during summer. Some of the roads open in June, while others aren’t open until July. They usually close around mid to late September. You can see at this website more information about when and which f-roads are open. 

8. Don’t Drive Off-Road in Iceland

It’s important to never drive off-road in Iceland. It’s actually illegal to do so, because it’s dangerous both for you, and for Iceland’s fragile ecosystem.

It might seem harmless to simply drive through an open field or onto an empty beach, but doing this can cause damage to Iceland’s landscapes as well as animal habitats that may go unnoticed to you. Going off-road can result in large fines, so don’t risk it.  

9. Don’t Ignore Speed Limits on Iceland’s Roads

Speed limits in Iceland are taken very seriously. The limits will vary depending on what type of road you’re on, and if the weather is bad, it’s recommended that you drive below the limits. The speed limits are strictly enforced, mainly by cameras that will snap a picture of your license plate.

Don’t risk speeding in Iceland. It’s dangerous for you and other drivers, and you may get a hefty fine of several hundred USD. 

Speed limits in Iceland:

• In towns and cities: 50kmh / 30mph
• Rural gravel roads: 80kmh / 49mph
• Rural paved roads: 90kmh / 55mph

Always keep an eye out for signage posting exact speed limits! 

Driving on gravel roads in Iceland:

Gravel roads are extremely common across Iceland. These roads can do a lot of damage to your vehicle, so it’s important to follow some simple rules for driving on gravel. First, drive slow. This will help reduce how many flyaway stones hit your vehicle, potentially causing damage.

You’ll also want to drive cautiously, examining the road ahead for large potholes. It’s really easy to lose traction on gravel roads, especially if the gravel is a bit loose. If you start to skid, stay calm, press in the clutch, and gently turn your wheel in the direction you are skidding until you regain control. 

10. Don’t Ignore Signage Around Iceland

All over Iceland, particularly at popular tourist sites, you’ll see signage sharing all sorts of reminders and warnings. For example, at Reynisfjara Beach in South Iceland there is signage in the parking lot letting visitors know that they shouldn’t get too close to the ocean because of the dangerous waves.

It’s important to keep an eye out for this signage because it will guide you on how to respect Iceland’s ecosystem, and keep yourself safe.

11. Don’t Get too Close to Volcanic Activity

Volcanic activity is common in Iceland, which means depending on when you go you may have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a volcano. For example, Fagradalsfjall volcano started erupting on March 19, 2021, and was active for six months.

During that time, hundreds of thousands of visitors from around Iceland and abroad came to witness its lava flows. During that period, reports and video came out of people getting dangerously close to the lava flows.

Seeing a volcanic eruption is a magical experience. I experienced it myself when I hiked Volcan Acatenango in Guatemala for views of the actively erupting Volcan Fuego. But there are risks involved with this type of adventure because volcanoes are highly unpredictable.

If you have the chance to see volcanic activity while in Iceland, just be sure to keep a safe distance, remain aware of your surroundings at all times, and never walk or touch molten lava. While it may appear to be cooling, below the hardened surface there could be hot lava still.  

12. Don’t Buy Bottled Water

Giving up bottled water is a great way to reduce your environmental impact (less plastic consumption!) and become a more sustainable traveler. It’s easy to avoid buying bottled water in Iceland, because water is available for free, all over the country.

In fact, it’s said that Iceland’s water is so clean it’s safe to drink the water from streams and rivers, which usually originates from one of Iceland’s many glaciers. For example, the water that flows over Bruarfoss, an Iceland waterfall near the Golden Circle, comes directly from a distant glacier.

Be sure to bring large refillable water bottles with you to Iceland, and then simply fill them up in taps or streams as you travel.

I’ll admit, we were a little nervous to drink directly from the rivers and streams, so we brought our Grayl water filtration system to filter water from those sources just in case.

You can definitely get by with filling up every evening at your campsite or hotel, though!

13. Don’t Leave Litter or Organics Behind

This tip isn’t specific to Iceland. No matter where you are in the world, be sure to pack in and pack out. “Packing in and packing out” is the practice of leaving zero trace when you’re exploring nature.

This means you should avoid leaving any litter behind, even if it’s organic. If you end up with litter while adventuring in Iceland, hold onto it and dispose of it properly when you can.

14. Don’t Camp On Undesignated Land

It used to be that while traveling Iceland you could “wild camp.” It was fine to pull off the road to hunker down for the night, anywhere you wanted.

But in 2015, the Icelandic government made it illegal to camp in tents, trailers, caravans, campervans, etc, outside of designated campsites. The only exception is if you have written permission from the owner of the land that you’re camping on.

This change was made in response to growing numbers of tourists. The government recognized that mass numbers of wild campers could harm Iceland’s fragile ecosystem. Now, there are tons of public campgrounds that you can go to after a day of exploring. 

No reservations are needed, and many campgrounds have great amenities like hot showers, kitchens, and more. No matter what kind of vehicle or camping equipment you have, and no matter where you are in the country, you must go to a designated campsite overnight in Iceland. 

15. Don’t Start Any Campfires 

You should never start a campfire in Iceland, in fact, campfires are illegal on public land. This is because of how fragile the ecosystem in Iceland is. Fires have the potential to harm thousands of years of growth on Iceland’s landscapes.

To be honest, it would be hard to start a fire anyways. There are very few trees in Iceland which means it’s nearly impossible to find firewood. 

16. Don’t Touch or Feed Wildlife

Across Iceland you’ll see all kinds of interesting wildlife, including puffins and arctic foxes. It’s important to practice responsible wildlife tourism when you come across these beautiful creatures! Touching, approaching, or feeding wildlife can impact the relationship that wildlife has with humans.  

For example, animals who get used to being given food will often start relying on that, versus hunting or foraging for food that’s available in their environment. It can be harmful if this becomes a habit for that animal. The best way to enjoy wildlife encounters in Iceland is to observe from a distance.  

17. Don’t Take Sand or Rocks 

In an effort to protect Iceland’s ecosystem, anything natural cannot be taken out of protected areas of the country. This includes plants, fossils, minerals, and lava rocks. While it isn’t clear if or how this is enforced, it’s generally a good practice to follow the Aliyyah Eniath saying: 

“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.”

We did notice that lava rocks are often sold in gift shops around Iceland. This would be the most appropriate way to bring a (literal) piece of Iceland home. You may just want to ask whether it is really from Iceland since many items in gift shops are imported from elsewhere.

18, Don’t Skip the Swimming Pools

Iceland has many geothermal pools, and it’s all because of its location. Iceland is positioned directly over a rift in continental plates and it has a high concentration of volcanoes. This creates geothermal energy, which Iceland harnesses to use as energy. And, it means Iceland has plenty of hot springs! 

Soaking in geothermal pools is a longstanding tradition in Iceland, going back as far as the 12th century. Today every town or neighbourhood in Iceland has their own public swimming pools, many of which are heated by geothermal water. The public pools are a place to relax and socialize, while soaking in the mineral rich waters!

In Reykjavik there are two popular geothermal pools, Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon. These are both fancier, spa-style pools. For a more traditional experience, head to Sundhöllin in Reykjavik, which is one of the oldest public baths in Iceland. 

19. Don’t Try to Predict Icelandic Weather

A popular saying in Iceland is that if you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes. While we didn’t find that the weather changed that quickly, it’s definitely true that throughout any given day the weather evolves, and is basically unpredictable.

Iceland’s weather is a result of the island’s northern position in the Atlantic Ocean, right within the Gulf Stream. The best thing you can do to prepare for it? Pack the right things!

Be sure to bring layers of clothing with you so that you can add and remove items according to the temperature. It’s also a good idea to bring several pairs of socks. If your feet end up wet during the day, you’ll want a fresh pair. In the winter, you’ll need a very warm winter jacket (and snow pants are a good idea, too). In the spring and summer, rain gear is essential. 

20. Don’t Turn Your Back to the Ocean

Iceland is known for its many beautiful beaches. There are several magical black sand beaches across the country, like Reynisfjara Beach, Diamond Beach, and Djúpalónssandur Beach. While visiting these beaches, it’s hard to imagine being in danger, but unfortunately, the unpredictable sneaker waves on these beaches can be deadly. 

Sneaker waves are larger than average swells that can suddenly and without warning surge dozens of feet higher up onto the beach than expected. The reason these waves are so powerful is because the sea is very deep close to the shore. As a result, the waves are unbroken when they reach the beach. 

On Reynisfjara Beach, several people have been caught by surprise by sneaker waves and then dragged out to sea. The currents in the ocean are so strong, and the waves are so dangerous, that it’s nearly impossible to rescue someone who’s been pulled out.

While visiting Iceland’s beaches, particularly Reynisfjara Beach, be extremely cautious. Don’t turn your back to the ocean, and don’t get too close to the water.

21. Don’t Bother Taking Out Cash

Cash is no longer widely used in Iceland. Across the entire country, everything, including small purchases like a cup of coffee, can be paid for with a debit or credit card. 

We brought some Icelandic króna with us for our trip. It was nice to have, but totally unnecessary. We never purchased anything that was cash only. On our next trip to Iceland, we won’t bother with taking out króna. 

22. Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is essential to pack for every single trip you take! Travel insurance provides support, compensation, and medical care when things go wrong while on a trip.

Depending on your policy, it can provide support and compensation if your luggage is lost, if you slip and break a bone, or if you need to return home early due to an emergency in the family. Basically, it’s a financial safety net for your valuables and for emergencies. 

It’s also important to get insurance for any vehicles you rent in Iceland. Because of Iceland’s occasionally tough driving conditions and unpredictable weather, it is not at all worth it to risk getting coverage for driving. One gust of wind could take the door right off your car!

23. Adhere to Iceland Laws Around Alcohol

Iceland has strict laws around alcohol use. The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20 years old, which is higher than many countries. And, there are stric regulations around the sale of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits.

Drinking and driving is explicitly forbidden in Iceland. According to Icelandic Traffic Law, Act no. 77/2019, the maximum permitted level of alcohol in a driver’s blood is 0.02%, and a level of 0.05% or up is punishable. 

In Iceland, alcohol is sold in state-controlled stores called Vínbúð. These stores have limited opening hours during the day, and most of them are closed on Sundays. As an alternative, grocery stores in Iceland sell low-alcohol beer.

Iceland FAQ

The Do’s and Don’ts in Iceland

Iceland is a unique region of the world, which means there’s unique tips to know ahead of traveling there. What’s most important is to follow the advice and instructions of locals, pay attention to local signage, stay on the roads and trails, and be conscious of protecting Iceland’s incredible nature. And, be sure to take The Icelandic Pledge before you go.

I hope this guide covering 23 things not to do in Iceland is helpful! Happy travels.

More from Pina Travels:

• My Stay in the Reykjavik Natura Hotel, Iceland
• How to Hike From Arnarstapi to Hellnar
• 14 Southern Iceland Waterfalls You Can’t Miss
• How to Visit Brúarfoss in Iceland