5 Things To Know Before Heading To Iceland

Heading to Iceland? Read up on some expert VRX tips before packing your bags!

The water smells like s***: Yes, you read that correctly! But fear not, this is some of the cleanest, best-tasting water you will ever have. Filtered by volcanic rock, this sulfur-smelling water goes through many natural processes before coming out of your tap. It’s perfectly safe to drink, and I highly recommend it!

The Midnight Sun: Iceland is geographically located north, very north, close to the Arctic Circle. This results in the sun having some unique movements throughout the year. During the summer, the sun never fully sets, resulting in long summer days. The same goes for Iceland's winter months, specifically peaking around the start of the year. Winter offers about 4-5 hours of daylight (which means more opportunities to see the Northern Lights!). Here’s a great recap of the sun’s cycles by Guide to Iceland.

Low In Crime: Iceland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. According to the U.S.’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (or OSAC), this is because of Iceland’s “high standard of living, lack of tension between social and economic classes, small population, strong social attitudes against criminality, high level of trust in law enforcement, and a well-trained, highly-educated police force.” Sounds pretty convincing if you ask me! That being said, Mother Nature is a force to be reckoned with and you should definitely heed the advice of professionals during any excursions you may find yourself on. Don’t be “that tourist” who does something stupid and winds up in the headlines for it. 

Don’t Eat Out As Much: Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of restaurants and opportunities to try some incredible food, but if you’re planning to budget out your trip a little bit, consider stocking up at some of the local grocery stores. There are stores such as Kronan, Netto, and Bonus, which has a funny looking pig as its mascot. Grocery shopping will be similar to back home, with much more budget-friendly prices that will stretch your Icelandic króna!

It’s worth the hype: If you’re on any form of social media, you’ve probably seen someone wearing a silica mask at the Blue Lagoon, or taking plenty of selfies in front of massive waterfalls. I often get asked “is Iceland worth the hype?” or “isn’t Iceland just overrun with tourists now?” While Iceland's tourism boom has certainly been noticeable over the last decade, it’s for good reason. In my opinion, it is absolutely worth the hype, not only for the sights and stunning nature but also for the people and one-of-a-kind- experiences you’ll find while exploring this tiny country. So book your trip, you won’t regret it!

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