How to pack for Iceland

Some helpful tips before packing for Iceland

In wintertime, basically pack your warmest clothes - and in summertime, prepare for everything! Here are our concrete tips and suggestions. 

• Long underwear top and bottom, silk or wool recommended - avoid cotton or cotton blends
• Fleece or similar jacket
• Rain jacket waterproof/breathable fabric (something comfortable over your base layers)
• Light fast drying trekking pants and rain pants
• Wearing layers is always better than bringing a huge jacket that is uncomfortable to walk in.
• Warm hiking boots - it’s important to keep your feet warm, wool socks (no cotton/poly blends)
• Sunglasses + sunscreen - the reflection from snow and ice is very strong as well.
• Other useful packing tips:
• Bathing suit is a must, even in wintertime. We are crazy about the lovely geothermal pools and the hot tub culture is one you shouldn’t miss out on. As for the hard-core ones … why not try out swimming in the North Atlantic at Reykjavík’s artificial beach, followed by a soak in the hot tub?
• Earplugs when staying downtown … for some reason the sound level rises after midnight on Friday and Saturday nights!
• Driver’s license - renting a car, or doing any motorized activity such as quads or snowmobiles?
• Hair conditioner, bathing in all that mineral rich water calls for a good conditioner. Geothermal water may color your jewelry. The Blue Lagoon provides conditioner.
• Motion sickness pills for whale watching and other water activities.
• Rain clothes - the vertical rain in Iceland will treat your umbrella bad!
• Sleeping mask in summertime. The midnight sun is turned on all day and all night
• Sunglasses and sunscreen - believe it or not, the sun burns in Iceland too!
• Casual and casual smart is the norm in restaurants. Showing up in outdoor garments in a fine dine restaurant will not be frowned upon.