For a very long time, Iceland was a relative no person within the journey world. It didn’t have the recognition of Western Europe or the fame of different Nordic international locations. However thanks to Instagram and funds airline choice (i.e. the now defunct WOW air), Iceland has exploded in reputation amongst vacationers over time.
In my view, Iceland is the proper leaping off level for a solo feminine traveler. Its sweeping landscapes and pleasant folks will make you need to return time and again. My journeys have been incredible experiences, and although folks say Iceland is overtouristed, I’ve had loads of wonderful experiences with out loopy crowds.
So what precisely are you able to anticipate from a solo journey to Iceland? Learn on and discover out.
Solo Journey Security
One of many largest considerations for aspiring solo feminine vacationers is security, which is why Iceland makes an amazing place to begin. The World Peace Index ranked Iceland because the world’s most peaceable nation for over ten years! In truth, Iceland is the one Nordic nation that has truly gotten extra peaceable over the previous decade.
Iceland generally is a good spot to “disconnect” from the world and embrace nature. However for those who want WiFi to message family and friends, Iceland has you coated. I used to be shocked by the 3G protection I had even on hikes that appeared utterly faraway from society.
Even with statistics and WiFi entry in your facet, use regular precautions when exploring a brand new place. Pay attention to your environment, and hold copies of your passport. In order for you to exit late at evening, particularly for those who’ll be ingesting, it’s a wise thought to have a buddy with you. It’s a great factor there are many alternatives to make buddies there in hostels!
Solo Traveler Friendliness
Iceland’s fame as an extremely protected vacation spot makes it a hotspot for fellow solo vacationers. Try the hostel scene for companions, particularly within the capital metropolis of Reykjavík. It may be an amazing place to discover folks to be a part of you on extra unbiased adventures just like the Golden Circle or Ring Street.
Regardless that Icelandic is the official language of the nation, most Icelanders perceive English completely properly. Most of the folks I met right here may’ve handed as North American with their flawless accents. It was nice to have this consolation, particularly since Iceland’s points of interest can take you to some distant locations.
Issues to Do
You may entry Iceland’s lush landscapes alone, even in case you have as little as 48 hours on the island. However I recommend spending extra time right here, particularly if you need to go to points of interest on the opposite facet of the nation.
I extremely advocate a automotive (particularly a camper van) as your type of transportation when visiting the island. Its flexibility is ideal for solo journey. You will be wherever you need, everytime you need—preferrred for these moments you need to go off the overwhelmed path. Iceland has roughly the identical space as Kentucky, so driving across the island is a greater than manageable process.
After getting your automotive, contemplate taking Iceland’s ring highway to totally discover its dramatic surroundings. The epic highway journey is round 800 miles of freeway, and the views really feel such as you’re on one other planet. You’ll have to drive your self to put your digital camera down with the variety of Instagram-worthy moments. Plus, there are many furry buddies to meet alongside the best way like horses and sheep.
You need to take no less than every week for the highway so that you don’t really feel the necessity to rush via the whole lot. Having the ability to admire the magnificence of the nation at your tempo is among the finest components of touring alone! However hold a watch out for highway circumstances that may impression your potential to journey from one vacation spot to the subsequent. Once I toured via the highway, the wind and rain had been so robust that typically the roads had been closed due to flooding, so hold monitor earlier than you go. You may learn my full listing of ideas for the ring highway right here.
The Golden Circle is an alternative choice for those who’re shorter on time that hits a number of the hottest pure points of interest in Iceland. It’s a brief drive from Reykjavík and will be carried out in a day. The 190-mile round route focuses on three websites: the Geysir Geothermal Space, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Þingvellir Nationwide Park. The route is complete of Iceland’s geographic variety, and by the point you end your drive, you’ll perceive why folks name Iceland the “land of fireside and ice”.
One factor I want I did once I accomplished the Golden Circle was snorkel on the Silfra fissure inside Þingvellir. The fissure’s clear spring waters make it one in all Iceland’s coolest wonders, and swimming between two tectonic plates is unquestionably one thing on my bucket listing for subsequent time. It’s additionally a good way to meet different vacationers.
Typically I most well-liked to discover Iceland’s surroundings on foot, which was simply doable with the number of hikes out there in the course of the brief summer time. Fimmvörðuháls hike is Iceland’s hottest hike that provides some wonderful glacial and waterfall views (and the way usually can you discover glaciers on an island?!) The Laugavegur Path is one other visually breathtaking look into the Icelandic wilderness. Nationwide Geographic even ranked this path of their prime 20 on the planet. Each hikes take a number of days, so I like to recommend sleeping in reservable huts as your tent will seemingly get moist on the path.
From Reykjavík’s ports, whale watching is one other fashionable exercise yr spherical. Species just like the minke whale and pilot whale flock to Iceland’s waters as a feeding floor. You may even encounter the notorious humpback whale in your tour! Summer season makes for probably the most snug viewing expertise, however examine the native climate earlier than reserving a visit, as dangerous climate can cancel your tour.
Many vacationers additionally come to Iceland to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Due to the nation’s excessive latitude, you possibly can catch the pure phenomenon from September to April. There are a selection of packaged excursions that can take you from Reykjavík to areas with low mild air pollution. Nonetheless, the lights are onerous to predict so an aurora look isn’t assured on a given journey. I discovered that taking a automotive gave me the power to anticipate the sunshine shows with out the stress. Try the Aurora Forecast for up to date projections of the lights.
However for those who envision your go to to Iceland as place to loosen up somewhat than discover, Blue Lagoon makes for a tranquil solo getaway. The well-known geothermal spa will get its water 2000 meters under the floor and ranges in temperature between 98°F – 104°F. It’s touristy for positive, but it surely leaves an amazing final impression earlier than heading dwelling. There are even devoted buses that go between the lagoon and the Reykjavík’s Keflavík airport.
When to Go and What to Deliver
It goes with out saying that the season you resolve to go to Iceland will impression what you’ll be seeing and doing. Within the summertime, the solar can shine previous midnight whereas winters might depart you with fewer than 4 hours of daylight. The excellent news is that Iceland is a year-round journey that experiences a lot milder temperatures than the remainder of the arctic, so there’s all the time one thing to do.
If you happen to’re keen to catch a number of the midnight solar, summertime is a becoming time to journey. You’ll simply discover buddies among the many lots of the vacationers in the course of the nation’s excessive season. Exploring Iceland’s landscapes even be snug to expertise each in automotive and on foot. Nonetheless, costs will often skyrocket and it could be onerous to reserve lodging with the inflow of holiday makers.
The winter season is a superb time to go for those who’re extra anticipating a quiet and intimate expertise. The colder months are a main time to catch the Northern Lights, as they’re unimaginable to see in the summertime. Temperatures drop from 50 levels Fahrenheit in September to 20 to 30 levels to the coldest a part of winter, so it’s not a tundra by any means. Nonetheless, highway circumstances will likely be more durable to navigate so cross-country journey received’t be as straightforward as it’s in the summertime.
I like to recommend visiting in the course of the spring or fall, the place you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in hotter temperatures regardless of occasional snowfall. You should have the distinctive potential to make the most of winter and summer-oriented journeys with out the crowds of the summer time.
The spring and fall may also be less expensive and simpler to plan, as lodging and excursions won’t have the excessive season costs. I paid half the price for a camper van by renting within the fall somewhat than the summer time. However ensure to analysis the opening and shutting dates of the points of interest, as some will change hours all through the in-between seasons.
Irrespective of while you resolve to go, ensure you pack accordingly. Within the hotter months, I like to recommend making ready for gear like rain boots and a water-proof jacket. Although the winter season is surprisingly gentle, convey heat garments to hold you dry when Iceland’s climate takes a frigid flip. Sturdy footwear is important for exploring the nation’s rugged terrain. And naturally, don’t neglect a digital camera for the numerous photographic alternatives you’ll have! I’ve written a weblog put up devoted to the best Iceland packing listing which you’ll try right here.
If you happen to’re affected by a critical case of wanderlust, Iceland’s wonders are the proper treatment. It’s straightforward to love the nation as a solo feminine traveler with loads of alternatives for thrills with out being harmful.
After visiting Iceland, I puzzled if different international locations would ever attain the bar it set. Clearly, each nation is particular. However there’s a motive why I discover Iceland a wonderful place to begin as a solo feminine traveler. You’ll depart with an appreciation for a rustic’s distinctive magnificence, and earlier than you realize it you’ll end up planning your subsequent solo journey.
For extra data, you possibly can try my complete information to fearless solo feminine journey right here.
Are you considering of planning a solo journey to Iceland? Do you will have helpful ideas for a first-time solo traveler? Let me know!
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