iceland tourist information office

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• Note that i f you need information about travel to Iceland, services, entertainment or places of interest, you should check out visiticeland.com
• Do you need information or seek cooperation regarding marketing? Then contact our partners at Business Iceland which oversee the important task of promoting Icelandic Tourism abroad.
• Also note that our virtual agent can answer most questions regarding tourism in Iceland and the operations of the Icelandic Tourist Board. See the chat bubble in the bottom right corner of the screen.

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Welcome to Iceland

There are currently no travel restrictions due to COVID-19 in Iceland, neither domestically nor at the border.

Finally the time has come that all travel restrictions have been lifted in Iceland, both domestically and at the border. Thereby all rules regarding limitations on social gatherings and school operations as well as the quarantine requirement for those infected by COVID-19 are removed.

Additionally, no disease prevention measures will be in place at the border, regardless of whether individuals are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

For further information please read the full  Government‘s press release . Information about testing due to symptoms .

Please note that visa requirements may apply.

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Should you need any help planning your trip to Iceland, here is some inspiration:

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Tourist Information & Booking Centers

Are you in need of some assistance with tour bookings?  Would like some safety advises about traveling in Iceland? Or just curious about our beautiful city? Here are information & booking centers with staff members that are happy to help!

What’s On is a Reykjavík Tourist information centre, magazine, and website. We pride ourselves on providing professional service and up-to-date information to our readers and customers.

Guide to Iceland is the largest collaboration in the Icelandic travel industry. On www.guidetoiceland.is you can find the best nature and adventure tours in Iceland.

Traveo is a Reykjavík-based booking portal where you can effortlessly book exciting tours and excursions in Iceland, created by local experts with years of experience in the travel industry. 

Iceland Travel operates with partners around the world. Our product development is built on cooperation with licensed suppliers, on feedback from clients and guests and on ever-changing new trends.

Safetravel connects travelers in Iceland with essential resources to help reduce their exposure to risks and ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience.

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14 things to know before visiting Iceland in 2024

Feb 6, 2024 • 7 min read

Here's everything to consider when planning your trip to Iceland © Cavan Images / Getty Images

The number of visitors to small, ravishingly beautiful Iceland is soaring.

But this tiny country wasn't always so popular, and there are many important things to be aware of ahead of your visit. In these wild landscapes, small errors can lead to life-threatening situations for both the visitor and the search and rescue operations mounted to save them. 

This handy guide will help first-time visitors avoid social embarrassment, travel responsibly and have a safe and informed trip.

1. Keep up-to-date on Iceland's volcanic eruptions

Travelers heading to Iceland in 2024 will be aware there has been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in south-west Iceland, not far from Keflavik International Airport, the main entry point to the capital Reykjavik . No flights have been affected so far, and the rest of Iceland is safe to visit.

The volcanic activity has only affected the town of Grindavik and the local area. All roads to Grindavik and the surrounding area are closed due to danger related to new crevasse openings. Hiking in the area is also prohibited. Icelanders have asked "lava chasers" to respectfully stay away.

The Blue Lagoon , one of Iceland's most popular attractions, also closed for a series of days due to seismic activity in the area but has since reopened.

The UK Foreign Office recommends checking alerts and advice from  Icelandic Met Office  and  Safe Travel Iceland . 

2. Use common sense to stay safe in the wild

Some tourists have been a little foolish in Iceland's incredible landscapes. Visitors have been seen strolling onto the  Sólheimajökull glacier in sneakers and light jackets; a family attempted to drive across Langjökull  glacier in a small SUV. We've also watched a teenager jump into 2°C (35°F) waters at Þingvellir National Park for a dare and witnessed tourists being sucked into the waves at black-sand Djúpalónssandur beach, one of Iceland's best .

Though Iceland's dramatic terrain can be perilous, there are usually no safety rails beside cliff edges and no ropes alongside plummeting waterfalls. Icelanders prefer not to mar beauty with obvious signs, or railings, instead they rely on people to be smart. If there are signs or barriers, heed them!

3. Plan ahead when hitting the road

Having your own wheels in Iceland is a wonderful treat: it allows you to roam the grand countryside at your leisure. Always prepare before setting out: investigate driving times and road conditions (via the Icelandic Road Administration ), weather forecasts, safety issues and, if you're walking in nature, trail conditions and requirements.

Plan an itinerary that's realistic for you. Ask locals, who will know the tricks and troubles of each place. You don't want to be caught on a hillside in fog or sleet (whether on foot or in your car) with no food and water and no idea how to get back to safety.

Safe Travel is a site run by ICE-SAR (Icelandic Search & Rescue), with travel and weather alerts and information, a smartphone app (useful in emergencies) and procedures for filing a travel plan.

4. Do not drive off-road

Never drive off-road. It's illegal and incredibly damaging to the fragile environment. Cavalier tourists leave tracks where they've flouted the rule, and those tracks entice others to do the same. Even with a 4WD, stick to marked roads.

5. Always shower with soap before taking a dip in hot springs

Part of the unique gift of Iceland's volcanic landscape is the excellent natural hot springs you'll find from the town center to the fjord side. It's practically a national pastime to hit the local hotpot, soak and gossip. It is, however, an absolute mandatory hygiene and etiquette rule to wash thoroughly with soap before donning your swimsuit to enter the hot springs and pools.

Most pools are untreated with chemicals, so cleanliness is a real factor. Whether you're at the famous Blue Lagoon  or the remote Krossneslaug, there's no quicker way to disgust an Icelander than to jump in dirty. You should also take your shoes off and put them on the rack provided as you enter the changing room.

6. Dress appropriately for hikes and pack proper outdoor gear

Bring good maps and appropriate gear, plus (you've heard it before): common sense. Consult a proper hiking or cold-weather packing list. Consider this – if you had no access to a car or building, would you be warm and dry enough in what you are wearing?

Never go hiking in jeans. Don't climb on glaciers without proper guidance. Don't try fording rivers in subcompact cars. And don't go camping without hardcore waterproof tents. With proper gear you can relax and enjoy all that beauty, no fear required.

Being prepared can open up great wilderness areas such as the Westfjords' beautiful Hornstrandir Nature Reserve , known for its Arctic foxes, spectacular birding cliffs and unspoiled hiking and camping.

If you need additional equipment once in Iceland, Reykjavík has a bevy of suppliers for gear purchase or rental, including  Fjallakofinn .

Another good information source is Ferðafélag Íslands (the Icelandic Touring Association), which runs many huts, campgrounds and hiking trails.

7. When driving, stick to the right road for your vehicle

Know which roads are accessible in the type of vehicle you're driving. Beyond Iceland's main Ring Road (Route 1), fingers of sealed road or gravel stretch out to most communities until you reach the F Roads, bumpy tracks only passable by 4WD.

F roads are truly unsafe for small cars. If you travel on them in a hired 2WD, you will also invalidate your insurance. Steer clear, hire a 4WD or take a 4WD bus or super-Jeep tour. Similarly, trying to ford a river in a 2WD vehicle or low-slung 4WD is asking for trouble.

8. Take a tour of the more remote or dangerous landscapes

Iceland's tour operators are a professional and knowledgeable bunch and can get you out into rugged country via super-Jeep, amphibious bus, snowmobile, helicopter and more. Going on a tour can offer insights and guidance through dangerous landscapes you shouldn't tackle alone.

9. Understand the impact of tourism on Iceland

Iceland has a population of around 366,000. Before travelers started arriving in droves (with numbers that topped 2 million per year in 2019), most Icelandic sights , from thundering waterfall Skógafoss and basalt beach Reynisfjara to the wild interiors at Landmannalaugar & Þórsmörk, had no need for big car parks, safety placards or hordes of park rangers.

Developing an infrastructure that can cope with its appreciative new visitors while maintaining the untouched feeling of one of the world's most unique landscapes has been a major challenge for Iceland.

10. Travel responsibly and sustainably

Remember the basics of responsible travel: don't litter, reduce your environmental footprint, leave places better than you found them, and protect wild animals and natural flora. This applies to popular sights like the Golden Circle as well as the wild interior where it's just you, the glaciers and volcanoes.

11. Appreciate the open-minded creativity of Icelanders

Icelanders are a generally hardy and open-minded group with a dry but vibrant sense of humor. They tend to speak impeccable English and are game for a chat, or to tell you about their favorite places to go. Respecting local etiquette and laws (along with not whingeing about the weather, or how hard it is to get to the natural wonders) will go a long way in endearing you to them and open opportunities for local connections.

They are also broad in their curiosities – it seems like half of Icelanders are in a band or making some sort of art or craft. They're used to thinking big and having fun. Why not get out there and join them.

12. Take the weather seriously

You may encounter bus tours and droves of visitors in popular places, but Icelandic weather is highly volatile, no matter where you are. A sunny day can quickly turn to snow flurries, and the stakes get even higher as you head into the true wilds. Never underestimate the weather – plan ahead with forecasts from the Icelandic Met Office .

13. Remove your shoes indoors

Icelanders often remove their shoes when they head inside. Pack flip-flops or slippers for indoors.

14. Yes, you can drink the tap water

It's pure and wonderful; Icelanders will look at you askance if you ask for bottled water.

This article was first published Jul 8, 2015 and updated Feb 6, 2024.

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Tourist Information Centres

They can be found all over the country. Their staff provide information on the weather forecast, interesting places, help book events and much more. Maps and brochures are also available at these centers.

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The world you have never seen in ICELAND

Discover iceland.

Discover Iceland tourist destination by following the best guide to Iceland. Think of Iceland and there are several familiar associations: hip Reykjavík, the beautiful therapeutic Blue Lagoon, or perhaps our musical exports Björk or Sigur Rós. But this land of boiling mud pools, spurting geysers, glaciers and waterfalls is also an adventure playground. Its breathtaking landscape is an inspiration to artists and photographers. Iceland is the least densely populated country in Europe, with a pure, unpolluted and truly magical landscape. Iceland’s summers are surprisingly warm, lush and green, with days lengthening until midsummer, when the sun dips down to the horizon but never sets. During winter you can marvel at the amazing, undulating green, blue, yellow and pink lights of the aurora in the night sky, and the winters are not as cold as you might imagine. And if they are quite cold, you could stay at your cozy hotel and grab a cup of hot cocoa and visit the 5 Star Online Casino where you will get extremely low wagering bonuses that will minimize the risk and requirements when it comes to betting with your own money. Regardless of when you visit, you can be assured of the warmth of the Icelanders’ welcome and their desire to share their culture and make every effort to ensure that your stay is a pleasant one.

Tourism in Iceland

People from all over the world come to see and experience Iceland’s nature, culture, calm, and peaceful atmosphere. There are a lot of tourists that visit Iceland, around 1,5 million per year and contribute from 5% to 10% on the country’s GDP.

Business Iceland is a public-private partnership established to lead the promotion and marketing of Iceland. The job of Business Iceland is to promote and encourage demand for Iceland’s vast array of products, services, investment opportunities, and as an exotic location for film and television shooting.

Íslandstofa takes care of branding and marketing for Iceland and Icelandic export industries, supports Icelandic companies in entering foreign markets and paves the way for foreign investment in the Icelandic economy.

Iceland’s Online Casino

We asked some of the local people, and they said that there are a few of Iceland’s online casinos, but they are not very popular among the people because they are new. They have ads on local websites and Facebook, and some people have given it a try, and they are positively surprised by the variety of slots games that are available.

Pick Your Online Casino

On Iceland tourist boards you will not find any land casinos, video poker, slot games or blackjack rooms. There are some bingo games available, and sports betting is legal, but Iceland’s government does not bother if you play on foreign online casino. We have some friends that live in Iceland, and they say that even the Icelandic people play on the mobile casino that comes from a different country.

Their GDP is high, and their tax is law, they don’t need the extra tax revenue that can be provided from gambling. It’s not declared the happiest country in the world for no reason.

Nature´s variety show

Geologically speaking, Iceland is a very young country; its creation began less than 20 million years ago and is still progressing today. Volcanic eruptions in the Mid Atlantic Ridge, on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, created a mountain which grew above sea level, resulting in an island. So Iceland truly has a volcanic origin.This Iceland Travel Blog is a travel guide where you can find travel torus and the most wanted Iceland tourist destination.

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Iceland Tourism Blog offers you a great variety of tours, some covering large parts of the country, others small areas at a time.There are traditional Iceland travel tours as well as tours quite different from what can be experienced elsewhere. There are nature tours with striking landscapes, young lava fields, roaring waterfalls and majestic glacial ice-caps. In addition, there are organized day tours, and weekend and holiday tours all year round with Icelandic touring clubs where the emphasis is on hiking. As you can see this blog is the best travel guide to Iceland.

Pround Numbers

Facts about Iceland

Iceland is an island of 103.000 km2 (39,756 sq.miles), about one-third larger than Scotland or Ireland. Its highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur, rises to 2.119 m and over 11 per cent of the country is covered by glaciers, including Vatnajökull, the largest in Europe. If you are mountain lover, you might be interested in discovering some tourism information about Iceland, with a little help of this Iceland Tourism Blog.

Tallest Mountain is 2119m

Longest river is 230km

Tallest waterfall is 190m

Largest glacier is 8300km2

Choose from where you want to travel.

Under the Ministry of Industries and Innovation there is the independent authority of the Iceland Tourism Board, who depends on tourism to prosper. Visit the Iceland Tourism Information Office and get to know all possible activities you can do while staying in Iceland.

Iceland Travel Guide This Iceland Travel Blog offers you practical information and useful tips, so you don’t miss the most famous landmarks, mountains, glaciers, caves and many more things in Iceland that are worth to be visited. So many fun activities to try. You can check out Lake Thórisvatn from a different perspective and book a boat. The experience is equally enjoyable as Lake Tahoe boat rentals . You can travel to The best Travel Guide to Iceland can help you plan your holiday, whether you travel during summer or winter season .

Just pack and go! Let leave your travel plan to travel experts!

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About Iceland

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A space-like odyssey

With all of its otherworldly experiences, a trip to Iceland will take your breath away. Not literally, though. We have oxygen.

Thinking of spending

$ 0 in space.

Here’s what that money would get you in Iceland.

Hopefully we convinced you Iceland is better than space. 

But if not, maybe you’ll listen to our billboard.

The otherworldly regions of Iceland

Iceland is commonly split into seven geographical areas, each one different from the others. They offer endless opportunities to experience something that is out-of-this-world.

Best of all, they don't require years of training or supplementary oxygen to visit. Are you ready to explore strange new worlds? Expand your universe with the top three otherworldly experiences from each region!

Inner-planetary exploration

With so much to see and do, you’ll be happy you can stay longer than 15 minutes.

Volcanos of Iceland

Vatnajökull National Park

Diving and snorkeling in Iceland

Geothermal pools

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Iceland Tourism Cluster is a project based collaboration of different companies

The main objective of the Tourism Cluster Initiative is to promote competitiveness and value creation within the Icelandic tourism industry, and to develop a co-operating forum for different stakeholders where the main focus is on linking them together and opening up for interaction between them.

The members of Iceland Tourism Cluster Initiative are 45 from all over the value chain of Tourism. The cluster network  consists of travel agents, tour operators, hotels, attractions and activities, restaurants, airlines, public relations, IT solutions, maintenance service, engineer service, banks, foreign exchange, law firms, educational institutions and retail.

The members of the Iceland Tourism network agree to:

• Enhance and reinforce collaboration and cooperation
• Increase innovation in the tourism business
• Improve professionalism and quality
• Strengthen the infrastructure
• Be responsible in their work

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