We spent 8 days visiting Iceland in October, and within that week we experienced rain, snow, sunshine, crazy winds, waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, the Northern Lights and just about everything in between.

I absolutely loved Iceland, but it’s also a country you need to prepare for.

It’s expensive. The weather is unpredictable. And there are definitely a few things first-time visitors should know before booking their trip.

Here are 9 mistakes to avoid when visiting Iceland for the first time, based on my own experience.

mistakes to avoid in Iceland — Arrowhead Mountain on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula tour

9 Iceland Mistakes to Avoid when Visiting Iceland

Not packing for every type of weather
Eating out for every meal
Spending too much money on hotels
Thinking you need to rent a car
Spending your entire trip in Reykjavik
Expecting the Northern Lights to look like Instagram
Skipping guided tours
Trying to cram too much into your trip
Expecting fermented shark to actually taste good

Mistake #1: Not Packing for Every Type of Weather

If you’re visiting Iceland, do not underestimate the weather.

We visited in October, and it felt like we experienced a new season every day.

We had the true Iceland experience. Rain, snow, sun, wind, cold. Everything

Some of the most important things we packed were:

Waterproof hiking boots
Thick coat
Hiking pants
Sweatpants
Thick socks
Hat
Gloves
Hand warmers

You’re going to be walking around waterfalls, wet trails, snow and all kinds of different terrain.

Pack for the weather and don’t assume the forecast you see a week before your trip will be exactly what you get.

For a more in-depth look at what you need for Iceland, check out my Iceland Packing List.

Visiting Iceland black sand beaches — Black Sand Beach in Iceland

Mistake #2: Eating Out for Every Meal

Iceland is expensive. And food is one of the easiest ways to blow through your budget.

A lot of food has to be imported, so eating at restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day can get expensive very quickly.

We were college students when we visited, so that definitely wasn’t happening.

Instead, we went grocery shopping and bought things like:

Peanut butter and jelly
Ramen
Breakfast food
Granola bars
Snacks for our tours
Easy dinners we could make ourselves

We still ate out and tried local food like fish and lamb, but we didn’t need to eat at a restaurant for every meal.

Taste of Iceland: 3 Authentic Reykjavik Restaurants Worth Visiting

If you’re staying for a week, going grocery shopping and preparing meals at home can save you a TON of money.

Click for a more in depth look on How I Visited Iceland for Under $1,700

Mistake #3: Assuming You Need a nice Hotel

Hotels in Iceland can be very expensive too.

If you’re trying to travel on a budget, look at Airbnbs, guesthouses and other accommodations before automatically booking a hotel.

We stayed in an Airbnb in Reykjavik, nothing fancy, small guest home with a bed room, bathroom and kitchen. And that is all we needed for 8 days

Not only can the room itself be cheaper, but you’re also able to cook some of your meals. Two savings in one.

You don’t need a luxury hotel to have an incredible trip when visiting Iceland.

For us, our accommodation was mostly a place to sleep, warm up and get ready for the next adventure.

Mistake #4: Thinking You Have to Rent a Car

You absolutely do not need a rental car to visit Iceland.

We didn’t rent one at all during our 8-day trip. Instead, we took guided bus tours.

I honestly think it’s one of the best ways for a first-time visitor to experience Iceland.

You don’t have the extra expense of renting a car, especially with the insurance in Iceland it can get quite pricey. Also don’t have to worry about parking, road conditions, figuring out where everything is, what is worth seeing or what isn’t.

Instead, we could get on the bus, grab a coffee, relax and let someone else handle everything.

If you love road trips and want complete freedom, renting a car can obviously be great.

But don’t feel like you NEED one. Check out my article on How to Visit Iceland Without Renting a Car

Mistake #5: Spending Your Entire Trip in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is definitely worth exploring.

But you don’t need several days there.

I’d recommend spending about half a day to one full day exploring the city.

Walk around. Check out the shops. Grab a drink. Try some local Icelandic fish or lamb.

And definitely visit Hallgrímskirkja, the famous church overlooking the city.

But after that?

Get outside Reykjavik.

The waterfalls. Volcanoes. Glaciers. Black sand. Mountains. Hot springs.

That’s why people visit Iceland.

Mistake #6: Expecting the Northern Lights to Look Like Instagram

This might be controversial… But I think the Northern Lights are a little overrated. I know I know, it might be a bad take. But let me explain.

They’re still really cool, and I’m glad we got to experience them.

But don’t expect to look into the sky and see the bright green colors you see on postcards and Instagram.

When we went, the lights weren’t nearly as visible to the naked eye. You have to take pictures into the night sky with your phone and hope they pop up on there.

We took a Northern Lights bus tour where our guides drove around looking for clear skies and areas without much light pollution.

We eventually saw them a little bit, which was awesome. Just be sure to manage your expectations.

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon. There’s never a guarantee you’ll see them, and even when you do, they might not look like the pictures.

Northern Lights in Iceland (Not my picture)

Mistake #7: Skipping the Guided Tours

The tours were one of my favorite parts of our Iceland trip.

Tours that I highly recommend you check out

And I loved all of them.

Volcano Iceland Tour — volcanoes Iceland Tour

You get transportation, a guide who actually knows where they’re going and the ability to see a ton without worrying about driving.

If I had to pick a few experiences for a first-time visitor, I’d recommend:

Golden Circle: Great introduction to Iceland, hits all the main spots

Snæfellsnes Peninsula: One of my favorite tours of the entire trip. A more remote location, less people, and the views are insane

Volcano hike: One of those experiences you won’t forget.

Blue Lagoon: Yes, it’s touristy. But it’s touristy for a reason, the Blue Lagoon was tons of fun, there is transportation there and transportation from there to the airport as well.

And if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, Iceland has some incredible filming locations.

Check out my article on Iceland Game of Thrones Filming Locations Every Fan Should Visit

Mistake #8: Trying to Cram Too Much Into Your Trip

Don’t try to see the entire country in three days.

For example, we had 8 days, and there were still things we didn’t get to experience.

Give yourself enough time to actually enjoy the places you’re visiting instead of constantly rushing to the next stop.

A first trip should include:

Reykjavik
Golden Circle
South Coast
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Blue Lagoon
Northern Lights tour (season permitting)
Volcano or glacier experience

You can always come back and should come back in a different season. Our tour guide told us the country is completely different in the summer than it is the winter and vice versa. So, we will definitely be back in the summer.

Looking for some hidden gems? Check out my article on “Hidden Gems of Iceland: 8 Places Other than the Golden Circle you Need to See”

Mistake #9: Expecting Fermented Shark to Actually Taste Good

This is a fun one I felt I had to include.

We decided we HAD to try Iceland’s famous fermented shark.

We paid around €10 and received about five tiny pieces with some soy sauce.

It was disgusting.

However, I’m glad I tried it because it’s one of those funny travel experiences you remember forever and a story to tell your friends.

But don’t order fermented shark expecting some incredible Icelandic delicacy.

Try it for the experience.

Take the picture.

Have a laugh.

Then eat some real Icelandic food

You’ll thank me later.

Fermented Shark in Iceland — This is the little container the shark comes in. It’s basically little cubes you eat with a toothpick

Is Iceland Right for You?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably doing your research for Iceland. Smart. Here’s the easiest way I can explain Iceland.

If your perfect European vacation is sitting outside at cafes in warm weather, walking through cities and relaxing with a glass of wine…

Iceland probably isn’t the first destination I’d recommend.

But if you want to:

Chase waterfalls
Walk through snow to hidden lakes
Hike volcanoes with crazy winds hitting you in the face
See glaciers
Look for whales and puffins
Chase the Northern Lights
Experience landscapes you won’t see anywhere else

Go to Iceland.

That’s what makes this country so special.

FAQ’Ss

How many days should you spend in Iceland for your first trip?

I’d recommend around 7–8 days if you can.

That gives you enough time to see Reykjavik and take several day trips without rushing through everything.

Do you need to rent a car in Iceland?

No.

We spent 8 days in Iceland without renting a car and relied on guided bus tours. For first-time visitors, I think tours are one of the easiest ways to see the country.

Is Iceland expensive?

Yes.

Food, hotels, transportation and activities can all be expensive.

Buying groceries, staying somewhere with a kitchen and choosing your paid experiences carefully can save you a lot of money.

Is the Blue Lagoon worth it?

YES

It’s touristy, but we had an awesome time. If it’s your first trip to Iceland, I’d experience it at least once.

Want Help Planning Your Iceland Trip?

Iceland is an incredible destination, but figuring out tours, transportation, accommodations and how to fit everything into your trip can get overwhelming.

That’s exactly why I created my custom travel planning service for busy professionals and first-time travelers.

I’ll build a personalized itinerary around your:

Budget
Travel dates
Interests
Travel style
Must-see experiences

Whether you want to chase waterfalls, explore Reykjavik, see the Northern Lights or figure out how to visit Iceland without renting a car, I’ll help put the trip together for you.

👉 Learn More About My Custom Travel Planning Service Here

Final Tips Visiting Iceland

Don’t make these mistakes when visiting Iceland!

Don’t feel like you need to eat out every day. Buy groceries to make food yourself. You’ll save a lot of money.

Bring clothes for every season, especially if you’re visiting in the spring or fall.

Be prepared to walk a lot. Bring thick socks and good, comfortable shoes.

Just be smart, you know your budget, and most importantly, have an amazing time

If you have any questions, email me at travel@thecubicleexplorer.com