Iceland is truly like no other country on Earth: bursting with otherworldly scenery shaped by active volcanism, it’s a place where you can experience the midnight sun or the Northern Lights and immerse yourself in the adventure and mystery of medieval sagas.
That’s why, in the past decade alone, tourist visits to Iceland have skyrocketed.
It’s still very possible to get off the beaten path in your Iceland itinerary, but doing so requires more intentional planning and preparation than in years past.
The reward? An authentic Iceland experience filled with welcoming culture, truly adventurous outings and awe-inspiring views you just might get all to yourself.
In this post, we’ll unpack the newly updated 2023 Iceland itinerary we use for our Yoga Adventure, giving you an inside look at how we strike a balance between can’t-be-missed attractions and hidden gems.
And because venturing off the beaten path makes preparation even more important, we’ll share exactly what to pack for Iceland. Below you’ll find the essentials from the exact packing lists we provide to keep our adventurers comfortable in Iceland during both summer and winter!
Into the Quiet Wild: Iceland Itinerary off the Tourist Path
The days of seafaring adventures and Viking chiefs are long gone, and today, Iceland’s unique geothermal scenery, welcoming culture and captivating mythology are known across the world.
Iceland is experiencing a (well-deserved!) tourist boom. The small country sees about 2 million international visitors each year (not including pandemic years), up from 500,000 in 2008 and about 100,000 in 1985. It’s an exponential curve that shows no signs of slowing down.
As a traveler looking for the perfect Iceland itinerary – one that balances amenities and awe without getting you lost in the tourist crowd – it doesn’t make sense to rely on advice that’s even a couple of years old. Things are changing fast!
Take the Golden Circle, for instance.
Iceland’s Golden Circle is a popular tourist road trip that gives you the chance to soak in the country’s natural beauty and visit three major attractions in one day: Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall. In recent years, the Golden Circle has become extremely traveled and built up with tourist infrastructure. While accessible, it’s become far from an authentic Iceland experience.
With all this in mind, we recently overhauled the itinerary for our Iceland Yoga Adventure. We kept a few major tourist attractions we believe are still worthwhile, and we added a lot of off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Popular Attractions We Kept in our Iceland Itinerary
Reykjavik Food Tour and Luxe Hotel
Reykjavik is a small city by international standards, but it’s still the biggest population hub in Iceland and deserves some dedicated time (even if you’re seeking solitude!). We start our Iceland itinerary with a walking food tour of the charming city, and we also circle back at the end to explore the otherworldly colors of the nearby Reykjanes Peninsula. We spend all our Reykjavik nights in a cozy, luxurious hotel in the city center.
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a picturesque and popular luxury spa. While the lagoon itself is man-made, it’s fed by geothermally heated, silica-rich water that’s known for its skin-calming properties. Thanks to the ticketed entry system, the Blue Lagoon is still a serene and worthwhile stop.
Unique Destinations We Added to our Iceland Itinerary
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
The Snaelfellsnes Peninsula is home to the striking Snæfellsjökull National Park and a perfect jumping-off point for excursions to hidden viewpoints and hikes (we won’t give away our guides’ secrets here!).
What makes it even better? The locally sourced cuisine, dark skies (perfect for Northern Lights viewing!) and a stay at the boutique Hotel Búðir, which offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding wilderness.
Húsafell Canyon baths
There’s nothing more quintessentially Icelandic than a hot spring, especially after all the hiking you’ll be doing! Remote and fed by natural hot springs, the geothermal pools at Húsafell Canyon offer a rustic contrast to the luxe Blue Lagoon.
Arnarstapi fishing village
A quaint village full of charming houses and (legend has it!) guarded by a half-ogre, half-giant spirit, Arnarstrapi is a beautiful place to refuel and stroll as you soak in Iceland’s fishing history.
That’s just a taste of our Iceland itinerary. You can read the full day-by-day breakdown here!
What’s in your Bag? What to Pack for Iceland
So, what do you pack for an adventure off the beaten path in Iceland?
First and foremost, dress for comfort and for the weather – you’ll be spending lots of time outdoors!
Iceland has a wet and mild climate (for its far-north latitude, at least!). Temperatures hover in the 50-60° Fahrenheit range in the summer and around the freezing point in the winter. Precipitation is common year-round.
With that in mind, here are the essentials for packing for Iceland any time of year (see below for winter add-ons!):
- Wind-proof jacket
- Swimsuit (for the hot springs!)
- Sturdy hiking shoes or boots, preferably waterproof
- Warm sweaters for chilly evenings and layering
- Comfortable long pants, ideally non-cotton so they’ll dry quickly
- Underwear and socks
- Sleepwear
- Daypack for hiking excursions
- Refillable water bottle
- Toiletries
- Power adapter. Iceland uses two-prong, round outlets. Traveling from the US, you won’t need a power converter.
What to Pack for Iceland in Summer and Winter
The main difference between what to pack for Iceland in summer and winter is the weight of your jacket, plus a few extra winter items.
For a summer Iceland trip, you’ll want a light to medium-weight jacket that’s wind and water-resistant.
For a winter Iceland trip, you’ll need a heavier jacket with down or synthetic insulation and a wind and water-resistant shell. You can accomplish this with two separate layers, or a single, heavy jacket. It’s also wise to bring along…
- Waterproof ski pants
- Microspikes, such as Yak Tracks
- Warm wool socks
- Long underwear and other layers so you can add and take off as needed during excursions.
Breathtaking Adventure Awaits in Iceland
Ready to lace up those boots to trek to a secret waterfall… and then wrap up the day with a hot spring soak?
We’re not surprised. Iceland has a way of beckoning adventurous souls.
When you join us for a Yoga Adventure, you’ll follow an expertly designed itinerary (with plenty of secret surprises thanks to our local guides!) to make the most of your trip to Iceland. You’ll adventure off the beaten path and immerse yourself deep in local hospitality – with daily yoga sessions to help you stay present and feel your best.