Five Travel Tips Every Iceland Tourist Must Know

For the last few years, it seemed any time a photo caught my eye, it was of Iceland. I’d underestimated the country’s beauty, a characteristic that helped it claim the No. 1 spot on our list of must-see international travel destinations for 2015.

So I made the nearly 3,000-mile journey from Chicago, reserving my first night in Iceland for the sight I was most excited to see: the northern lights. The skies were clear on the Reykjanes Peninsula coastline that night, but our tour guide warned us that there was no guarantee the borealis would appear. I brushed her off at first, astounded by how brightly the stars twinkled against the night sky. Four hours of bone-chilling cold later, the darkness seemed to mock our search.

Around 1 a.m., just as our guide was calling it quits, the northern lights suddenly appeared, impossibly grand in a sky that had been black just moments before. It was remarkable—emerald plumes tinged with ruby, dancing at a tempo the eye could just barely keep pace with.

If you’re set on seeing the northern lights and finding other great things to do in Iceland, here are five things I recommend.

1. Seriously, be patient with the borealis.

If the northern lights are the impetus for your trip to Iceland, visit between late September and mid-April, when they’re most visible. It’s best to take a northern-lights excursion your first night in Iceland—that way, if the lights are a no-show, you’ll have time to try again.

Most of the vantage points are coastal, leaving you at the mercy of soul-chilling winds. But the clear night sky and salty sea air set a beautiful scene; dress in warm clothes so you can enjoy it. You might even want to bring a blanket and a bottle of wine for extra warmth, and a book or a travel telescope to help pass the time. (Remember, it can take hours!)

One last thing: while the northern lights are naturally breathtaking, the human eye is incapable of seeing them as clearly and colorfully as they appear in photos. If you want to capture the borealis in its full glory, bring a DSLR camera or trade email addresses with someone who did.

2. Swim at the Blue Lagoon.

Iceland claims two of National Geographic’s 25 wonders of the world. One is the northern lights. The other is Blue Lagoon, a geothermal lagoon dug out of an expanse of volcanic rock.

I’ve never felt like more of a boss than I did on the day I spent at Blue Lagoon.

It began with an in-water massage I’d prebooked via email. The service was less expensive than at many other destination spas, and took place in a dang lagoon. I highly recommend it.

Afterward, I swam around and marveled at the water. It’s turquoise, it’s milky, and it’s naturally loaded with skin-softening minerals—basically, it’s what I imagine is on tap in Beyoncé’s bathtub.

3. Take the Golden Circle tour (and dress like Bear Grylls).

Iceland’s famous Golden Circle tour makes stops at the continental divide at Þingvellir, Gullfoss waterfall, and Geysir (a geyser). Wear your warmest layers for the first two destinations. The wind is relentless, especially at Gullfoss—and that’s coming from someone who lives in the Windy City. At one point I jumped in the air, and I swear the gales carried me down the path.

Geysir is dormant, but its “little brother,” Strokkur, erupts every 5–7 minutes. The steam from Strokkur and the small hot springs that surround it make for very slippery ground. I saw several people bite it, including a woman in my tour group who fell and sprained her arm. One guy took a tumble while standing still. I didn’t even know that was a thing. My advice? Bring tractioned boots.

4. Seek out Icelandic food.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Reykjavik’s culinary scene, but a Domino’s next door to my hotel wasn’t it. There are a lot of American fast-food joints in Reykjavik, and a wide range of international restaurants. Icelandic cuisine, it turns out, can be a little harder to find.

For authentic Icelandic food, go to Sægreifinn, a restaurant in Reykjavik Harbor. The owner is a former Coast Guard chef and fishmonger who created a world-renowned lobster soup sweet and buttery enough to live up to the hype. The place isn’t fancy—you sit on cushioned buoys and pour your own water—but the minke-whale steak made me feel adventurous, and the arctic char was last-meal good. (Tip: If you really want to feel adventurous, sample the “rotten shark” at Cafe Loki.)

5. Be a discerning shopper.

Laugavegur, one of the main drags in downtown Reykjavik, has the most merch per mile. Among the tourist shops, prices vary wildly. I saw traditional Icelandic sweaters selling for anywhere from around $110 to upwards of $185. So if you want one, shop around.

As you’re shopping, keep an eye out for the magenta Tax Free icon. On qualifying purchases of more than 4,000 krónur, you can be reimbursed on the 15% tax. Simply file for your reimbursement at the airport.

Photos: Aurora Borealis by Moyan Brenn under CC BY 2.0 [cropped from original]; Soup photo courtesy of Sægreifinn; all other photos by Kelly MacDowell, Groupon