Iceland tips

[GiveUsACoffee]

Hi! We're planning to go to Iceland in January. A group of 9 mums.

We're planning to visit the Blue Lagoon, plus a snowmobile experience.

Any tips of what to do (or what not to do) would be greatly appreciated.

If you’re not planning on hiring a car you could also book a Northern Lights tour. However, if you’re hiring a car, and have winter driving experience, you may as well just head out on your own. You’ve just as good a chance of finding them (if you’ve checked the forecast), as the guides do.
I’d also suggest going inside an ice cave. We’ve done the Katla Volcano ice cave and Langjökull ice tunnel.
Get touchscreen thermal glove liners so you can still operate your phone and take pictures without exposing your hands to the cold. You’ll want a pair of thicker waterproof gloves over the top of these for when you’re not using your phone.
Take a power bank as the cold will really drain your battery.
If you plan on drinking some I’d recommend getting a bottle or two as you pass through duty-free on landing to save some money. Alcohol (and everything) in Iceland is expensive, so this will save you a little bit!

Go on a Golden Ring trip. It’s a must. Superjeep tour is wonderful. Warmer than snowmobile. Plan your time in Reykjavik. Make sure restaurants can take 9 of you.

I went in the "summer" (it was still quite cold) so different sort of trip and we hired a car and travelled around more.
I would advise that you take snacks and things like tea bags / coffee which will save you a fortune when you get there.
The penis museum was "interesting"

Thanks! Will definitely look out for ice caves to visit. Hadn't thought of that!
Great tips re the gloves. Thank you!

Thank you! We're actually hoping to stay in/near the Golden Circle

Wow! Is it really that expensive. I'll definitely be taking my own

Stating the obvious but don’t forget swimming costumes ( I forgot my dd’s ), and hair conditioner a must if swimming 🏊‍♂️ n blue lagoon , the mineral water makes it very tangled . Have a great time !

It’s like nowhere else ever, amazing. Cold is biting, seriously considered buying a balaclava at one point!
Would honestly be cheaper to take a checked bag stuffed with snacks and booze (and a couple of packs of cards) for the price difference you’ll experience and I’m not a drinker.
Everywhere indoors is toasty warm so pack layers. We went to the Secret Lagoon instead and still had a fab time, depends on your expectations I guess. Were required to have a communal shower (single sex!) naked before donning our cozzies and entering, that was memorable- glad I was with my sisters 😂

Download an app called Icelandic Coupons. They have some great deals and discounts.

We tried to eat cheaply and found a really nice fish restaurant in Reykjavik that wasn't much more than a standard pizza.

We got sandwiches from supermarket for lunch when we had a trip

We did a Icelandic myths and legends walking tour which was something a bit different and fun.

We stayed in central hotel plaza which did a massive buffet breakfast to set you up for day.

You might be better to base your self centrally. There are loads of trips to golden circle run from there and I don't remember seeing anywhere much to stay where there would be other bits to do.

From a Fb group I was on winter trips can get badly impacted by weather so I would want to be somewhere where I can at least wander round shops and have a variety of restaurants.

yes, ridiculously expensive. We went self catering and even that was expensive. The supermarket was full of tourists going “how much?!?”

We recently spent 3 weeks in Iceland, definitely recommend the Icelandic hot dogs for cheap lunches! They are amazing (honestly!) and about a fiver. We had one every other day. Also recommend picking up booze at the airport just before you collect any baggage. The off licenses also keep odd hours we found so good to have a stash of wine!

We roadtripped round the whole country and my favourite bit was diamond beach and the glacier lagoon. But of a distance from Reykjavik but it was incredible. Worth looking into to see if it would work. Definitely have proper walking boots, there were plenty of people in running trainers having a miserable time and slipping on rocks at waterfalls.

We had a toddler with us so didn’t go to the blue lagoon but did go to a fancy spa in the north which was lovely but we equally enjoyed the secret lagoon which is near Reykjavik. It’s the oldest hot springs in Iceland and gives a nice contrast to the fancy, modern ones.