Is Iceland worth visiting, or is it overhyped by a large tourism budget that is not shy about splashing its cash on travel bloggers promoting the living hell out of it?
It’s a fair question.
You’ve worked hard all year, and you’re craving a break, and the Iceland Instagram algorithm has you under its spell as you plan your next holiday. Maybe you’ve heard how expensive it is, and you’re unsure if it’s worth the effort.
For me, visiting Iceland was a no-brainer as I am on a mission to visit every country in the world, and as I write this, I have visited 154 countries. I know country-counting can give some travellers the ick, but I feel it’s relevant to mention here, given that I am sharing my opinion and have plenty of places to compare it to.
After seeing so much of the world, Iceland was country number 122 for me, and even though not going was non-negotiable, I found myself fighting off some unwanted potential travel snobbery dance through my mind on the flight over from Stockholm to Reykjavik.
I wondered if I was about to spend 10 days in a tourist anti-climax, and whether I would leave the country with not just a lighter bank balance, but also a sense of disappointment.
That’s the spirit!
Here is my honest opinion on whether Iceland is worth visiting, or all hype and noise.
Why Iceland is Worth Visiting (In My Opinion)
What you have heard about the price is true; it is an expensive country to get around in. In fact, it is ranked 7th in the world, so if you don’t have the budget, please save for another time or consider another option. If you have the budget… say bye-bye to it, as you will sure as hell spend it if you visit.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I’ll throw in the spoiler: yes, Iceland is worth visiting if you have the financial means.
Look, I’d prefer it were cheaper, too, but life is meant to be lived, and country 122 knocked my (thermal) socks off. The place is incredible, and when I left for my next destination, I wished I had stayed a couple more days.
Here’s why I loved it, and why I absolutely would go back…
The Northern Lights
Iceland does not have the cornerstone of the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, where glowing lights in the sky appear when charged particles from the Sun smash into Earth’s upper atmosphere near the North Pole.
But I’d like to state the case for seeing them in Iceland if it’s your only shot.
Witnessing the Northern Lights is some serious bucket-list shit. I saw them for the first time in Kirkenes, Norway. It was spectacular, but we had to make quite the hike to make it happen (Kirkenes is located on a peninsula along the Bøkfjorden in northeastern Norway, near the Russian border, although it was worth the logistical slog).
The Northern Lights do not shine differently in Iceland, but practicality is the argument here.
Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, is very accessible from North America and Europe, and if you base yourself in the capital, you’re a hop, skip and a jump away from these places to witness the gorgeous act of nature:
- Kleifarvatn Lake (~30–40 min)
- Reykjanes Peninsula spots (~30–50 min)
- Thingvellir National Park (~45 min)… wide open skies, very popular.
Between September and April, you even have a good chance of seeing them within the city itself.
Still, Iceland tour guides know that this natural phenomenon is maybe the biggest pull for the country, so they know the prime spots to whisk you away to sit and wait with a kick of Brennivín (AKA “Black Death”) while you take in the beauty.
The Clean Air + Feeling Alive
When you combine a tiny population on an isolated island, near-100% renewable energy, and constant Arctic winds, you get some of the cleanest air you’ll find anywhere on earth (top 10 in fact).
Most of us don’t travel for that reason alone, but you certainly feel it on a physical level. Icelandic air is cold, clean, and sharp, keeping you on your toes. I felt more alert, switched on and naturally more inclined to move, which is ideal when you’re in a place with so many hiking spots.
Fewer people also mean less noise and chaos, so you get lower air and noise pollution. Although a note for men travelling to Iceland: the blokes are friendly and polite, but watch out for them when they’ve had one too many on a night out… You may get a few unnecessary shoulder barges, so hold on tight to your beer and keep moving!
Hot Springs Heaven
I wish I could find someone who looks at me the same way I look at hot springs, or any type of hot water spa in general.
I can’t get enough of spa culture, and Iceland’s is up there with the best. Iceland also has a strong sauna and steam room culture, with cold plunges for balance, but where it really sells is its luxury geothermal spas, which use geothermal water pumped from deep underground (naturally heated by volcanic activity, around 37–40°C / 98–104°F).
The water is rich in minerals (silica, algae, etc.) that give it a milky colour and skin-soothing properties.
Imagine soaking in perfectly hot water, surrounded by ancient volcanic rock, overlooking dramatic ocean views, with food and drink facilities at your fingertips, and you come out with healthy, glowing skin.
You’d be certifiably insane not to want to spend a whole day there, and that’s exactly what I did.
There are 59 accessible geothermal hot springs in Iceland, but the two main players are the Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon. Many soon-to-be Iceland visitors ruminate over which one to choose, so I did all of the hard work for you, with a rundown of both the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon to help you decide.
It’s a tough job, but someone had to do it.
Freedom to Explore (Hiking/Running/Moving)
A lot of trips feel too structured, and some places may feel cramped as you bounce from one destination and attraction to the next.
Iceland feels completely different in that respect; there’s space everywhere, and even if you’re rocking up to see one of the handful of gorgeous waterfalls and battling with hordes of people getting off their coaches or out of their cars, you will cover more ground as you do so without really thinking about it.
If you’re feeling a bit flustered by the battle with the TikTok crowd at your new landmark, you are welcome to step away and take a breather. I found myself exploring a stretch of coastline or simply wandering at times like this.
Pure bliss.
And if you want to explore with intent, Iceland has a myriad of hiking options. One of the reasons why I love running so much is that it’s a wonderful way to see a new place. I try to run in every new country I visit, and Iceland is in my top 5 for sure (just don’t forget a hat if you’re a fellow baldie, as you may have to defrost your ears after running in those sharp winds).
If you identify as an “outdoors type” and are wondering if Iceland is worth visiting, then you owe it to your future self.
Safe and Civilised
Nowhere is a utopia in terms of safety, but Iceland have the bragging rights of ranking number one on the Global Peace Index.
I know I shared my anecdote earlier on about the shoulder-barging Vikings in the pubs, but I genuinely considered leaving it out because I didn’t want anyone to think it was worse than it was. I’ve certainly met badder boys.
Drunk aggro people exist, it’s not a big deal there, and nothing felt sketchy at all in Iceland. It felt safe and civilised with very little sense of risk, and the stats back it up.
Reykjavik is a Unique Capital
Reykjavik is one of the coolest and most unique capital cities I’ve spent time in. It’s small, easy to get around and doesn’t come with the usual stresses of navigating around a big city. The city relies on wildly efficient public transport via buses, with each bus stop given a number.
It’s hard to get lost, and it’s a delight if you do, as the city is an ideal place to wander; the Danish-inspired, brightly coloured houses overlook the ocean, and the coffee culture is on point.
Reykjavik is the perfect base to get the Iceland party started, but I feel people should consider spending more time there if they have the time and money.
Spend 2 days there if you’re on a tighter budget, opt for 5 if you have more.
Unique Contrasting Landscapes
I tend to have to fight off an aneurysm when travel bloggers write that (Destination X) is “like no other,” because it is often inaccurate and usually a throwaway cliché for filler content.
I genuinely mean it when I say nowhere else I’ve been looks quite like Iceland. The closest is the Faroe Islands, due to the intensely lush greenery, but the Faroes are more akin to Scotland or New Zealand in reality.
Iceland stands alone for its unprecedented contrasts in its landscapes. I drove past old lava fields, got seduced by more gorgeous green, then suddenly I’d hit a stretch of jet black sand that looked like it belonged on another planet.
Waterfalls tower over you, glaciers sit pretty in the distance, and the volcanoes are outstanding until you remember they are active and can erupt at any time!
The Famous Tourist Spots Are (Mostly) Worth the Hype.
The most famous places get all the love online: when you see the Golden Circle, Gullfoss, or Thingvellir for the hundredth time, you might be suspicious, thinking it’s all a tourist trap.
But even with all my travels, standing in front of Gullfoss with a rainbow overlooking it was top-notch.
Thingvellir’s tectonic plates and history are genuinely fascinating, and yes, even the often-busy Geysir area is worth a moment, and again, I have to tip my hat to the hot springs.
The crowds are there; you have to expect that with Iceland’s fame, but these iconic spots have earned their fame as stunning landmarks.
I have to confess I didn’t do anything or go anywhere alternative/weird like I often do, but I was more than happy with the well-trodden spots, and I left happy to have experienced them.
Is Iceland Worth Visiting?
Iceland is as expensive as you’ve read about, the weather can be unpredictable, and due to its fame, it can get crowded. That’s the reality.
But it’s not overhyped. It delivers through its landscapes, its atmosphere, crisp, clean air, and the way it makes you want to get out and explore.
If you have the budget, it’s absolutely worth visiting.
The country gets a big, masculine, Viking Thunder Clap of approval from me, and I hope we meet again someday.
