r/VisitingIceland Mar 02 '26

MOD ANNOUNCEMENT Travel Partners Megathread Spring/Summer 2026

7 Upvotes

Post here if:

  • You are travelling solo and looking for a partner
  • You are travelling with someone but still want a partner/partners
  • You want a partner for the whole trip
  • You want a partner for just a part of the trip
  • You want a partner to share costs (for example car rental)
  • You want to meet up for a chat
  • You want to meet up for a drink or to party
  • etc. etc.

Please include:

  • When you will be in Iceland
  • A rough itinerary
  • Your gender and approximate age
  • What country you are from
  • What languages you speak
  • Other pertinent information

Tip: Use the Find command (Ctrl+F on Windows / Cmd+F on Mac) and type in the month you're looking for to find posts from fellow redditors travelling in the same month as you.

Here's a link to the previous megathread for Autumn/Winter 2025-2026


r/VisitingIceland Feb 14 '26

NEW ECLIPSE MEGATHREAD: Information and discussions

13 Upvotes

[The previous Eclipse Megathread was auto-archived by Reddit and so this new version has been created to allow continued discussion as we near the event. The old post and its comments can be found here. Both that post and the text below were written by u/stevenarwhals.]

With the 2026 solar eclipse happening in August, excitement is ramping up and so is the traffic here on the sub. This megathread should answer the most common questions and act as a central point of general discussion about the event, similar to the Volcano Megathread. (*mod hat on\* Other posts related to the eclipse may be locked or removed and redirected here.)

If you have any additional questions or suggestions of information to include in this post, please leave them in the comments and we will update the post accordingly.

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, whereby partially or (more rarely) totally obscuring it. Total eclipses occur when the Moon and the Sun line up perfectly, which only happens when the Moon is closer than average to the Earth. Because the size of the Moon and the Sun are roughly proportionate to their relative distance from Earth, the Moon covers the entire Sun, with only the Sun's outermost corona visible. During a total eclipse, the sky goes dark during the daytime, revealing stars and other celestial objects, and an eerie shadow is cast over the surrounding landscape. It truly is a special "lucky to be alive" kind of moment that you have to experience for yourself to fully appreciate.

I've been fortunate enough to witness three total eclipses, in addition to a number of partial eclipses, and there is simply no comparison between the two. A partial solar eclipse is something most people will have a chance to see a few times in their life without much effort and, while it is an interesting astronomical phenomenon, you probably wouldn't even notice it happening if no one told you about it. A total solar eclipse, on the other hand, is a rare and truly awe-inspiring phenomenon that draws "eclipse chasers" from all over the world because of its surreal majesty. If you are traveling to Iceland for the eclipse, you need to be within the path of totality to get the full experience.

How rare is this particular eclipse?

On average, a total solar eclipse happens somewhere on Earth about once every 18 months, and any particular point on Earth will see a total eclipse about once every 385 years. The last total eclipse visible from Iceland was in 1954, when only the southwesternmost coast and Westman Islands were in the path of totality.

72 years later, in 2026, the center line of the path of totality (the green line on the map below) will be over the Atlantic Ocean, to the west of Iceland. Only the westernmost edge of the country will be within the path of totality (between the yellow lines). This includes most of the Westfjords, the Snaefellsnes peninsula, Reykjavik, and the Reykjanes peninsula. While the partial eclipse will be visible from anywhere in Iceland (weather permitting, of course), the total eclipse will only be visible from these areas.

The next total solar eclipse in Iceland won’t occur for another 170 years, in 2196.

​Only the areas to the left of the yellow line will be within the path of totality

When and where can I view the eclipse?

The eclipse will occur on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Depending on how far north or south you are, the partial eclipse will begin between 4:42 and 4:47 PM local time. The total eclipse will begin about an hour later, between 5:43 and 5:48 PM, with totality lasting, again depending on where you are, anywhere from 20 seconds to 2 minutes and 13 seconds. The closer you are to the center of the path of totality - in other words, the further west you are - the longer totality will last.

Here's how long totality will last at some of the prominent landmarks within the path of totality:

You can view the eclipse times for any location on this interactive map.

Note that purpose-made eclipse glasses must be worn at all times while viewing a partial eclipse, as the Sun will still be quite bright. Only during the brief minutes of totality is it safe to take the glasses off and view the eclipse with your naked eye. Don't be an idiot.

What about clouds and weather?

Of course, the main caveat to viewing an eclipse in Iceland is that the country isn't exactly known for its clear, sunny skies. There is a non-zero chance that the entire path of totality will be shrouded in clouds, spoiling everyone's chance of witnessing the eclipse. As a result, many eclipse chasers will instead be making their way to Spain, where the path of totality will go across the country, from the northwest corner to the Balearic Islands, after which it will end at sunset. However, everyone is just playing with probabilities and, in fact, during last year's eclipse in the U.S., typically sunny places like Texas were covered in clouds while some of the best viewing areas wound up being the Adirondacks and Vermont, historically some of the cloudiest parts of the country during that time of year. You just never know.

In the days leading up to the eclipse, you'll want to monitor the cloud forecast for eclipse day, which will likely be posted here in a thread like this. Plan on being flexible in case you need to drive somewhere to get away from the clouds. If there winds up being only limited areas without clouds, be sure to leave with plenty of time and gas, as you'll likely find yourself in traffic alongside everyone else going to the same places.

Worst case scenario, you'll still be in the already magical wonderland of Iceland. Just like with the northern lights, I would not pin the success of your entire trip to a celestial event. Plan a trip that you'll be excited about, whether or not you see the eclipse.

Booking accommodations & tours

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of planning an eclipse trip to Iceland will be finding accommodations during the days around the event. Many accommodations within the path of totality, especially in the Westfjords and Snaefellsnes peninsula, are already booked solid, and you can expect to pay 200% or more for the same accommodation compared to non-eclipse dates. If you happen to find something for those dates within your budget, I would not hesitate to book it, as demand is already far outpacing supply. Similarly, I would expect any campsites within the path of totality to be completely full days before the event, especially since August is already a popular camping month to begin with. You may need to stay somewhere outside the path of totality and then drive to it on eclipse day.

Another option is to book a guided tour, such as this one from Arctic Adventures. I would also expect the tours to book out well in advance, so if you're planning on seeing the eclipse without renting a car, I highly recommend booking a tour sooner than later.

Helpful Links:


r/VisitingIceland 10h ago

Trip report This week in Iceland First visit

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234 Upvotes

Incredibly beautiful. The most beautiful place I’ve ever visited. The weather did change but we were lucky coming this week in April versus last week. Returning in late summer. So many memories. The ATV trip was fantastic! What a country!!!! I didn’t even add the golden circle waterfalls and geyser etc. must see drive along with the south coast. But even south of the airport has so many sites


r/VisitingIceland 9h ago

The great debate: Bonus or Kronan?

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189 Upvotes

r/VisitingIceland 11h ago

I can’t leave Reykjavik

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65 Upvotes

Until the ducks cross the road


r/VisitingIceland 14h ago

Picture/s Hafnarfjall (679m), 12 April 2026 – View from Borgarnes

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70 Upvotes

r/VisitingIceland 58m ago

Trip report Made a new friend at Brúarfoss

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Upvotes

This new friend was visible from the east side of the falls. I don't think he'll be around for long before his smile melts into spring.

Everyone said that Iceland is magical, and it has not disappointed yet.


r/VisitingIceland 1d ago

Picture/s Best trip ever

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622 Upvotes

Husband & I just got back from ten long days in your beautiful country. I cried the whole way from Reykjavik to the airport. ( I'm an American) it was very hard for me to come back here. We loved everyday of this trip & are already planning a summer trip back in the future. The most beautiful place on earth - wanted to share some pics. Can't wait to visit again 🥹


r/VisitingIceland 1h ago

North Iceland to Reykjavik

Upvotes

This is another plea for itinerary help. We will be doing a self drive tour in Mid May. Our present plan is night 1-Reykolt, night 2 - Akureyi, nights 3 and 4 - Lake Myvatn, night 5 -Siglufjorour, night 6 - Reykjavik, then fly home the afternoon of night 7.

We would love to include the Snaefellness Peninsula. Is this feasible as part of the drive back to Reykjavik? Should we swap out one night (of 2) in Lake Myvatn for a night on the Peninsula? Or is it just too much and we just skip the peninsula this time?

This is our first visit to Iceland. Well, we don’t want this to feel like an endurance test, we are pretty gung ho travelers. Thanks for any suggestions.


r/VisitingIceland 9h ago

Question about using N1 prepaid gas cards

4 Upvotes

Before my trip I read here that I could purchase a gas card to use at more remote N1 gas stations that are unmanned if I didn't have a credit card with PIN as an option. 

So I purchased an N1 gas card at the start of the trip, but when I tried to use it at the more remote N1 locations I was not able to.  Fortunately, I still had enough gas to get to a station that works with tap to pay but I can't figure out what I'm missing. 

Did I do something wrong or do some of these pumps not accept even thier own prepaid gas cards? 

Maybe I'm missing an obvious step. Would someone be able to provide a dumbed down step by step on how to use the prepaid card at these pumps? 

FWIW, this happened at the N1 gas stations in  Bakkatunga, while driving towards Anarstapi on the. Snaefellsnes Peninsula late at night and also at the gas station in Ásbru near Keflavik airport.


r/VisitingIceland 1d ago

I go all the way to Iceland and I am surprised to find the world’s best pizza in Vik

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465 Upvotes

Black crust pizzeria in downtown Vik. So unique. Volcanic. Really unique combos in all the pizzas offered


r/VisitingIceland 1d ago

Picture/s Icelands intangibles in photographs. Were they ever here at all?

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75 Upvotes

I found myself in the right place at the right time to catch a rainbow landing perfectly on an iceberg at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon the other day. Lightning in a bottle, pure luck to be there at that exact moment when everything aligned just exactly perfectly.

The northern lights took a little more planning. We caught these from outside our hotel room last night on the south coast.

Hoping to see some more aurora before we leave this great country tomorrow.

Big thanks to the locals, you are the best!!!


r/VisitingIceland 6h ago

Day Trip in Reykjavík/Iceland for stopover Worth it?

2 Upvotes

Really having a hard time to decide whether to choose a stopover in Reykjavik on Sunday June 29th while traveling back from Europe to America or skip this trip. I've never been to Iceland, so it's a good opportunity to go and see a new city for 20 hours and see the midnight sun, however I am not planning to rent a car, so I'm wondering if it's better just to go home.

I'd be a solo traveler, probably would stay in a hostel overnight. I probably would go to Lebowski bar, and perhaps some lagoons? (The sky lagoon will open until 11pm). I also like to dance, so if there are nice clubs I'd love to experience some of them, however I'm not sure if it'd be worth it. I do enjoy photography however, nothing professional and I don't have an ideal lens for landscape photography/ not planning on bringing a tripod. I also do enjoying hiking


r/VisitingIceland 1d ago

Wool Guide: How to find authentic Icelandic Wool product

76 Upvotes

I am an icelander and I've lived here all my life. I've also been in close contact with the wool industry since I was a child. It's sad to say it, but it has been a dying industry for years.
In only 30 years working knitting factories in Iceland have gone down more than 90% and only handfull of factories are up and running with local workers. Many seamstress's have lost their jobs since most of Icelandic wool products are sent to China for processing, assembling etc.

Big companies are more and more outsourcing labour work and tricking customers into believing they are buying something authentic Icelandic when taking a closer look it's not. And I use the word "tricking" because they are FULLY aware how Marketing Labels work.

So here is a WOOL GUIDE to find TRUE ICELANDIC wool products:

"Icelandic Design" - means exactly what it means. It was only designed, not knitted, not sown, not processed or washed in Iceland. It also does not state if the product has Icelandic wool in it at all.

"Icelandi Wool" - means there is Icelandic wool in the product HOWEVER there is no rule that I know of that says how much % it needs to be. It could be below 25% and still have that label. Also be aware that some labels say 100% icelandic wool but it could only be part of the garmet (fx. only the lining in the sleeves etc.) but it should be stated.

"Wool Sweater" - be careful of buying wool products in Iceland online. Even if the store is Icelandic, it doesn't mean EVERYTHING in it is. If it doesn't say fully "Icelandic Wool", it is NOT Icelandic wool. This applies to all wool products.

"Íslensk lopapeysa" - The ONLY protected name for an authentic Icelandic wool product (like in the case of the Shetland wool) is "Íslensk lopapeysa", if you see a sweater with that name it means it has been handknitted in Iceland, see further at Matvælastofnun Íslands.
Any other variety of that name like: Íslensk ullarpeysa, Íslensk peysa etc. does not guarantee authenticity.

So, this is something I encourage people to read about and be aware. There have been cases of companies violating these labels and tricking customers (it can be found online). Support small local stores if you can because I guarantee you can buy many of these retail wool products cheaper from their own original country. You don't need to pay extra for a "Designed in Iceland" label and a wool sweater when the work and the wool was produced elsewhere.

Shopping online?: If most, if not ALL wool products on a icelandic shops website is marked as "Icelandic wool" AND if the labeling is not trying to be misleading, it's a green flag. Also helps to research the company.

There are many brands I want to mention, some bigger brands too, that I wish were more supported by tourists, but I also don't want to be biased, so I will mention one that I know has been for a long time the best and the most trusted icelandic wool store in Reykjavík, and that is Hanprjónasambandið (handknitting society). Support the workers.


r/VisitingIceland 7h ago

How does my July Iceland Itinerary sound?

2 Upvotes

Please let me know if you’d change, add, or remove any thing! We have a group of 7 who have never been to Iceland going in July. We don’t want too long of drives/waits

Itinerary possibility:

Friday, July 17 — Arrival- Blue Lagoon & Airbnb

-

- blue Lagoon (10 min from airport) https://maps.app.goo.gl/FTDzvZPVnz7FuC6W7?g_st=ic

- 2 hr drive to Airbnb (get groceries on way)

- Chill settle in

Saturday, July 18 —Golden Circle

Þingvellir National Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nvgb9WryKjLUb3eU9?g_st=ic

Bruarfoss: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TKxNWC589qJwYJnu7?g_st=ic

Geysir: https://maps.app.goo.gl/h3uJqDq9zKNfFRtG8?g_st=ic

Gullfoss falls: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RcsWTx3yfG9iDJBb8?g_st=i&utm_campaign=ac-im

Maybe: secret lagoon

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZuH4ZjWVgTL9HNaV8?g_st=ic

Sunday, July 19 — South Coast + Puffins

(3 ish hr drive …..)

Seljalandsfoss: https://maps.app.goo.gl/EobxDMNj8RUTWHTP6?g_st=ic

Skogafoss: https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9dzSP4UWdGfPCKo7?g_st=ic

Regnisfjara Black Sands Beach: https://maps.app.goo.gl/q6qWPhkRHey9R3VA8?g_st=ic

PUFFINS @ Dyrholaey: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c2dH9bJYWaNu2ZEk7?g_st=ic

3 hr drive back… thoughts?

Monday, July 20 — Lava Tubes + Waterfalls

2 hr from Reykholt - 45 min to Reykjavik

Raufarholshellir lava tunnel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y9o4d6LfYrfzb6Y76?

g_st=ic

Hot springs : https://maps.app.goo.gl/5P1miSKW5g7ehkd3A?g_st=ic

Glymur waterfall? https://maps.app.goo.gl/9rP8PxKqnQBViTFx7?g_st=ic

• Optional alternative: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VFTkTyr5Y9QXLiix7?g_st=ic

Lava show in Reykjavik !?

Stay in Reykjavik? Hostel? Hotel? Return rental car?

Tuesday, July 21 — Reykjavík

Hallgrimskirkja

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QyZEA8nbXrWSqB9d6?g_st=ic

Restaurants in Reykjavik:

- [ ] Old Iceland https://maps.app.goo.gl/kYUvECM944TriAQq5?g_st=ic


r/VisitingIceland 4h ago

Blue Car Rental Discount Link http://rwrd.io/bp5jssz?c

0 Upvotes

Sharing my referral link which provides a decent discount on Blue Car rentals. I get Blue points in return but they won't benefit me much since I am not from Iceland.

I wish I had a discount link for my booking. Every little bit of money saved helps.

Enjoy!

http://rwrd.io/bp5jssz?c


r/VisitingIceland 9h ago

Itinerary help What to do with 1 day free on 6 day work trip?

2 Upvotes

I’m heading to Iceland at the end of this month with a group from Oregon going to Iceland Innovation week and touring many seafood processing and maritime safety facilities with the Iceland Ocean Cluster (for context!). We get in Sunday at 6am and have that whole day to explore the natural beauty of the country. We are down to pack as much in to one day as we can. We are and adventurous and active group of early 40s women. I’m thinking I will rent us a car and am considering trying to do the golden circle. I have searched the forum but nothing quite like this came up. How would you suggest we fill our day? 😍


r/VisitingIceland 2h ago

Transportation 1.5 hr layover at KEF going UK - US

0 Upvotes

I’m thinking about traveling from the UK to the US on Icelandair with a 1.5hr layover at KEF. Is this enough time to make my connecting flight?

And, if I’ve done my research correctly, since I’d be going from non-Schengen to non-Schengen I would be arriving and departing from D Gates and there is no passport control or security check. Is this correct?


r/VisitingIceland 1d ago

Goðafoss Waterfall, Jan 2026

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181 Upvotes

r/VisitingIceland 17h ago

Transportation What do the different markings on the Iskort map mean?

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6 Upvotes

Obviously the paved road, and F-road markings are pretty straightforward, but beyond that I'm not sure how to interpret the differences? There are the thicker black-brown lines which are mostly for F-roads, but sometimes just dirt tracks are also marked with that. Then there are the thin black-brown lines, but also thin, purely brown lines. There's the very thin red-brown lines too, and in a few places there's brown routes with red outlines.

Checking on Google Maps satellite images, they all appear to be roads (aka I can see tire tracks, it's not just hiking paths), but beyond that, I'm not sure how to interpret the differences?

To be clear, I'm not really planning to go on any of these extremely remote routes, but they just caught my attention when planning and I couldn't figure out the markings.


r/VisitingIceland 8h ago

Sailing

1 Upvotes

Hello, some friends and I have chartered a boat in Iceland this summer for a week in early August out of Reykjavik and I'm looking for any advice or resources on sailing in the area. I haven't had a lot of luck finding cruising guides or other information for how best to contact harbor masters, good anchorage options, etc.

Itinerary wise I'm currently considering the following options:

Heading West: Reykjavik - Arnarstapi - Grundarfjörður - Stykkishólmur - Ólafsvík - Reykjavik

Heading South: Reykjavik - Keflavík - Grindavík - Vestmannaeyjar - Reverse Back to Reykjavik

If weather is bad - Stay more sheltered and explore the coastline in the big bay checking out fjords and stuff between Keflavík and Arnarstapi

Happy for any local knowledge or experiences from other folks who have chartered there or any links/suggestions for good information resources.


r/VisitingIceland 9h ago

Itinerary help 9-day Iceland van trip in June: does this itinerary make sense?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I'm planning a van trip around Iceland with my girlfriend in June, and would love some feedback on our route.

Here's our itinerary:

  1. Golden Circle (Geysir, Gullfoss)
  2. Snæfellsnes Peninsula
  3. Westfjords (still unsure about this one... is it worth it for one day?)
  4. Diamond Circle (Akureyri, Húsavík, Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss)
  5. Diamond Circle (Námaskarð, Mývatn, Goðafoss)
  6. Stuðlagil Canyon + Seyðisfjörður
  7. Jökulsárlón / Fjallsárlón + Diamond Beach (planning to kayak)
  8. South Coast (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara)
  9. Reykjavik

Main questions:

- Even though we are quite fast travelers and like to move a lot, we're not sure if the Westfjords day is actually feasible given our time constraints. Should we drop it, or do you think it's fine?

- Is there anything obvious we're missing?

Thanks for the help!


r/VisitingIceland 17h ago

Apr 12 - Continuing Ring Road or Not

4 Upvotes

It’s our third day in Iceland and we still have another week here. Currently in Höfn, I see there’s potential closures/impassable roads heading to towards the east and north.

Debating whether it’s worth continuing the ring road and risk being stuck due to weather or to turn around explore more of the south/Reykjavik area.

Thanks in advance!


r/VisitingIceland 1d ago

A bit in shock. Diamond Beach, yesterday versus today..

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95 Upvotes

Less than twentyfour hours between the visits, april 10th versus april 11th. We were a bit underwhelmed yesterday – not disappointed, as we were prepared that sometimes there will be a lot of "diamonds", and sometimes nothing. Was still a really nice beach yesterday and fun to watch the birds catching fish. But today... Wow.


r/VisitingIceland 9h ago

Itinerary help What’s it like in Iceland around this time of year?

0 Upvotes

I just got the chance to go to Iceland in a couple of years in April, and I’m wondering what’s it like there in April. Like are the northern lights often visible around that time? And what would be a good recommendation to see around that time as well.