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Top Reasons To Go To Iceland Right Now

Last Updated August 23, 2022 William Tang

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Iceland has been on my radar for the longest time.  A lot of it harkens back to my time living in Sweden and being able to see the northern lights from above the Arctic Circle.  Ever since then, I've been itching to get another chance to watch the majestic aurora borealis dance in the sky.

Here's my take on reasons to go to Iceland. Like I discovered in Peru, there's so much more to Iceland than meets the eye.

Read more about Iceland

  • Renting a car in Iceland – what you need to know and how to save money
  • 12 top things to do in Iceland
  • The stories behind the 8 day Iceland road trip
  • 6 day Iceland itinerary
  • Bubble hotel review
  • How to shoot the Northern Lights in Iceland

Best place to book hotels in Iceland

  • For the best prices on accommodations and the most choices, Booking.com has been my go-to choice especially once you reach Genius tier and you can find an additional 10-15% off places to stay.

Table of contents

  • Top reasons to go to Iceland right now
    • Flights are at an all time low
    • Landscapes to make your jaw drop
    • Adrenaline available for all
    • Thermal spas are everywhere
    • Easy to plan a road trip
    • Iceland is a gateway to Europe

Top reasons to go to Iceland right now

Flights are at an all time low

cheap flights are one of the top reasons to go to iceland

I have to say that the Iceland tourism board has done an incredible job these past few years building up marketing and press for the country.  For myself here in Toronto, we've been bombarded with ads all over and I've found that it's made a huge difference.  

Iceland is now top of mind for a lot of us though it's not like a lot of convincing is needed What's really pushed Iceland over the top is the ridiculously low fare that keep coming out.  

Sure, WOW Airlines is no longer around but there are still a lot of airlines that fly into Iceland including Air Canada.

Icelandair also runs a ton of promotions from major cities all over North America that make it affordable to get there.  Standard deals to Iceland can be had for less than $600.

Make sure to use Skyscanner to see what the best deal is for Iceland right now.

Most Popular Car Rental Company in Iceland

Blue Car Rental is who we used when we did our 8 day Iceland itinerary and would definitely rent from them again. They're one of the most well-known brands on the island and have competitive rates.

Check out Blue Car Rental

Landscapes to make your jaw drop

With a country defined by thundering waterfalls, dramatic volcanic landscapes, black-sand beaches and behemoth glaciers, everything you see is guaranteed to be epic.  For such a small country, everything is larger than life and unbelievably otherworldly.  

Here are 5 photos that will have you hooked right away.

trail to get to the secret pool in Iceland
Iceland Sólheimasandur plane wreck
Svartifoss waterfall in Iceland upclose
watching the northern lights in iceland
Kirkjufell in Snafellsnes Peninsula in Iceland

Adrenaline available for all

Climbing a moulin in Iceland at Skaftafell

The adventurous side of you is going to jump for joy in Iceland because there is so much to do.  Snowmobiling, ice climbing, glacier hiking, and dogsledding won't surprise too many people but take a deeper look and you'll realize that there's even more than what you'd expect in a nordic country.

As the temperatures become more mild, you can hop on a saddle and do a little horseback riding or if you're more comfortable in the water, you can snorkel the Silfra fissure, one of Iceland's best-kept secrets.  Adrenaline seekers can also do things like river rafting.

What Should You Pack?

Not sure what to pack for your trip? Make sure to check out our handy packing list for Iceland!

What To Wear in Iceland

Thermal spas are everywhere

inside Iceland's Blue Lagoon

When you get tired from your action-packed day, there are of course opportunities to sit back in Iceland as well.  

The island is rife with geothermal activity which means that there are a lot of hot springs including the famed Blue Lagoon but you also have to go to some of the more off-the-beaten-path hot springs, Secret Lagoon and Seljavallalaug Pool.

Up until this point we also haven't even talked about the capital city of Reykjavik which has much to explore.  There are museums to browse through and a surprisingly fantastic culinary scene to eat through.

Read next: Whether you're at Blue Lagoon or shopping around Reykjavik, don't forget these Icelandic souvenirs before you fly home.

Easy to plan a road trip

Dacia Duster SUV car rental in Iceland

The best way to explore Iceland is to rent a 4×4 and hit the road.  With a total length of 1,332 kilometres (828 miles), there's one ring road that takes you all around the island.  

Navigation is a cinch as there's practically no way to get lost.  There's something to see and do along the way so all you have to do is do a little research on a guide to Iceland to figure out what you want to see and do and literally start driving.

For more inspiration, make sure to read our 8 day Iceland itinerary which is full of tips, and useful recommendations.

Iceland is a gateway to Europe

WOW Airline ground staff with pink vest

Beyond a standalone vacation destination, Iceland is a great pick because it is the perfect layover on your way to Europe.  

Airlines such as Iceland Air and WOW Air offer flight packages that take you from cities like Toronto to Amsterdam with time in Iceland in between.  With fares as cheap as they are, it's a win-win for travellers because for the same price you'd pay for a direct flight to Europe, you get to spend bonus time in Iceland.

In our case, we used WOW Air to first fly into Iceland and then we tacked on another 5 days in Alicante which ended up being the perfect balance of ice and sun.


I don't know about you, but I need to get my butt over to Iceland!  Here's to hoping it happens sooner rather than later.

What you should read next

  • How to rent a car in Iceland
  • Ultimate 8 Day Iceland Itinerary – An Iceland Road Trip Guide
  • Top 12 Things You Absolutely Must Do In Iceland
  • Iceland 6 Day Itinerary Road Trip
  • An Iceland Road Trip Like No Other – 8 Days On Another Planet
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About William Tang

William is the Chief of Awesome at Going Awesome Places which is focused on off-the-beaten-path, outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring others to travel, writing detailed trip itineraries to help others plan their own trips, and providing helpful tips and tricks to guide readers to travel better. He is based in Toronto, Canada but you'll find him on the road more often than not. Make sure to learn more about William to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

author will tang going awesome places profile photoHey, my name is Will and I'm here to help you travel to some awesome places around the world and my home country of Canada by providing insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists.

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