Be Kind to Iceland

Be kind to Iceland. I wanted to write a post about how amazing Iceland is (and I will go into that), but I think a lot of people know this now. I have read posts recently that Iceland is becoming overly touristy, and I have read how those tourists aren’t always respecting the Land of Fire and Ice. This post is about how insanely awesome this place is but also about how we can be kind to Iceland.

Of the places I’ve been and the places I’ve read about, I think Iceland is the greatest country on this planet.

Iceland has incredible, rugged scenery, it is one of the best countries for women (it was the first country to elect a female president), its citizens are friendly and kind, it is one of the safest places you can visit (almost no crime exists there), their literacy rate is 99% (they loooove books), you can see the Midnight Sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter, they have ZERO McDonald’s and zero mosquitoes, they have a legit penis museum, and Iceland is eco-friendly (using a higher percentage of renewable energy than any other country).

Phew. That’s a lot.

Downtown Reykjavík from Hallgrímskirkja church.

My experience in Iceland

I visited Iceland in February of 2014, around when everyone’s obsession with Iceland began. Iceland had 500,000 tourists in 2010 and now draws over 2 million each year.

Flights were $500 from Boston (where I was living at the time) to Reykjavík. This was a solo trip for me because I couldn’t find anyone to join me in Iceland in February  because winter. I spent 6 days doing the usual touristy things in Iceland – I used Reykjavík as a home base, took a tour of the Golden Circle, saw the Northern Lights, visited the Blue Lagoon, ate fish stew, and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning with the rest of the people in Reykjavík (they truly know how to party).

While I was there, the locals tried to tell me about how safe it is. They used this example: If you leave your purse on the street in Iceland as you are going home from the bar, it will still be there in the morning with your money still in it.

I believe them.

One night I accidentally forgot my purse in a bar, and it was untouched when I returned.

Everyone was so kind and helpful. From the tour guides to restaurant workers everyone was willing to answer any question I had. I am always a little more anxious while traveling solo, but I never felt uneasy while there. I walked around the city alone and never worried. Furthermore, I made new friends, and we were told by a local which geothermal pools to visit. It was just so easy to be there.

AND THE NATURE. Iceland is an outdoor-lovers paradise. It has SO much to offer from volcanoes to waterfalls to black sand beaches to incredible snorkeling to geysirs and mountains. I would love to go back someday and do more hiking and camping.

I actually did go back! A decade later! I took my toddler in the summer, and we had a phenomenal time. I highly recommend Iceland for travel with kids. Check out 20 Tips for Iceland Travel with a Toddler.

Gullfoss waterfall in winter.

Be Kind to Iceland.

We all know how amazing it is. How do we keep it that way? Here is an excellent blog on if Iceland is overcrowded with tourists, written by someone who has immense Iceland knowledge and is experiencing the new tourism first-hand.

I am here to offer a few suggestions on how you can visit this incredible place and not have a negative impact on it. Some of this advice may seem obvious, but I am constantly amazed at how little some people know about traveling ethically and responsibly.

Witnessing the Northern Lights is one of the coolest things I have ever experienced.

1. Eat and shop locally.

If you have the choice between a local cafe and Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, the choice is obvious. Choose restaurants and shops that support local businesses. If everyone does this, it can have a huge impact on a place.

Iceland has become more expensive to visit in recent years, but please continue to support local.

For great ideas on how to save money while traveling Iceland, visit How to Visit Iceland without going Bankrupt. 

2. If you are planning to spend a lot of time in nature, always follow the Leave No Trace Principles.

These principles especially apply to campers. Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize fire impacts, respect wildlife, and be considerate of others.

If a sign says “don’t go past this point,” don’t go past that point.

3. For the love of God, do not go where you shouldn’t.

If a sign says “do not cross” do not go there just to get a great picture. Don’t go off-roading. If an area is roped off, don’t walk over the rope. You may think you are just one person but if everyone thinks that, you can end up with millions of tourists doing the wrong things. It’s not safe, it’s not good for that environment, and it’s not fair to the locals who had been visiting that place for years without a bunch of obnoxious signs. Sometimes rules are in place for a reason – in this case they are protecting the environment and you. Follow them, especially when you are in someone else’s country.

4. Go off the beaten path.

Iceland has some very clear tourist destinations. While they are sought after for good reason, there is plenty to see in Iceland. Much of the travel tends to be concentrated in small areas, which means more human impact in just a few spots. If you have the ability to rent a car and see more of the wildness, do that! Visit more of the Western side of Iceland, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by fewer other tourists.

Can you spot the tiny church?

5. Do your research when booking accommodations.

Evidently, Iceland has been having some issues with the use of Airbnb. 30% of overnight accommodations are booked using Airbnb, yet not every Airbnb is rented out legally. The owner of the Airbnb is required to register their listing as a business so that it can generate revenue for the country. Because they are not registering their Airbnbs, it has become more difficult for renters, especially in Reykjavík. (I am not the best at explaining this, but from what I’ve read it is not good for the locals.)

If you choose to go the Airbnb route when booking your stay in Iceland, make sure it is registered. You also have the option of staying at a local hotel or hostel – I highly recommend Loft Hostel.

6. If you are visiting a geothermal pool, shower beforehand.

I learned this on my first night in Iceland. One of the greatest things about this amazing country is that they have geothermal pools galore, and they keep them open all year long. It was the middle of winter when I was there, but I was still able to sit outside in the snow while soaking in a hot pool. But you MUST fully shower before entering to remove the chemicals from your skin and to respect the local rules.

7. Listen to locals.

(I’m saying “local” a lot but for good reason.)

I almost always follow what a local tells me to do or not do. In Iceland, this definitely applies. Whether it’s which restaurant to try or which tour to go on or safety advice, always listen!

When I was in Iceland, the country had quite the blizzard. At the time, I was selfishly concerned about my own trip, so when our glacier walk was cancelled I was really upset. The local tour guide kindly explained why it would be unsafe to go on a glacier during a blizzard – slipping, being unable to see, getting blown away, etc. – and I was glad the decision was up to the tour guide and not un-knowledgeable me. The weather can change quickly and become unsafe; listen to locals if they tell you something is a bad idea.

One of the MANY waterfalls you will see. Be kind to them 🙂

8. Do your research.

Read what you can about Iceland before you go. Follow the advice on this post but also google more ways to be a responsible traveler in Iceland. Or check out this post on 101 Simple Responsible Tourism Tips that you can apply to your visit to Iceland or anywhere. Tourism boosts their economy, but tourism also can have negative effects on nature, the local economy (see airbnb reason above), and Icelanders’ opinions of foreigners.

And don’t we want to leave Icelanders with a better impression of the place we call home?

9. Don’t buy plastic water bottles.

The water in Iceland is pure, safe, and delicious. They are a very “green” country and try to limit their use of plastic. Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up whenever you can. And order tap water when you are in restaurants.

By all means, visit Iceland.

I hope you visit Iceland. And I hope you find it as enchanting and wonderful as I did. I also hope that you keep all this advice in mind and leave this amazing country better than you found it.

To start planning, read my post on The Best Time to Visit Iceland – Summer or Winter?

For tips on how to travel more responsibly for yourself – check out how to make your own Travel First Aid Kit and How to Stay Healthy while Traveling.

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