5 Mistakes EVERYONE makes on first trip to Iceland 🇮🇸 How NOT to make them!
The 5 most common mistakes every first time Iceland visitor makes, and tips on how NOT to make them!
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Do you need more helps or suggestions for your upcoming Iceland trip? Comment below if you wish to see more videos covering other Icelandic related tips or mistakes👇
00:00 - Intro
00:35 - To much to do, not enough time! ⏰
01:59 - Not trying authentic Icelandic cuisine 🦈🐑🍻
03:49 - Don't underestimate the weather and alerts 🥶
05:22 - Driving in hazardous conditions 🚙❄️
06:56 - Take a dive into our culture! 🏊♂️
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OUR FAVOURITE DAY TOURS:
The Reykjavík Food Walk ➡️ www.thereykjavikfoodwalk.com/
The Reykjavík Food and Drinks Adventure ➡️ wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/food...
The Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon Tour ➡️ wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/natu...
The South Coast Tour ➡️ wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/sout...
The Snæfellsnes Tour ➡️ wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/snae...
The Northern Lights Tour ➡️ wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/nort...
Snowmobile and Ice Cave Tour ➡️ wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/snow...
Whale Watching Tour ➡️ wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/whal...
The Puffin Tour ➡️ wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/puff...
I didn't make any of these mistakes. Before my very first trip to Iceland, I researched everything intensively for more than half a year. And i had the best time in Iceland. To this day I still don't understand how you can't do this... just like if you want to emigrate. You inform yourself long enough before you set off, period.
Thanks for the wonderful tips!
We arrive tomorrow! I’m excited but quasi terrified of the winds as we’re renting a Campervan! Can’t wait to see Iceland.
Thank you for this video.
Perfect timing. I am arriving Monday, And I have our food tour booked. Hoping we get you as our guide! Love your enthusiasm.
Hey there Sharon! Thank you so much for the comment. You are definitely off to a great start of your trip with that one! 🥳
You forgot the most important newbie mistake....bring 5 times the money you "thought" you were going to need..i remember before inflation prices paying 20 USD for a piece of avocado toast with 1/16 slice of avocado on it..i had only been off the plane 2 hours and was racking credit cards to oblivion.
Yes it’s SO expensive😭. Coming from an Icelandic person.
Another Icelander here, and I fully agree with Guðný about the traditional food: To be avoided by tourists at all costs! Do not let ANYONE talk you into trying e.g. Hákarl, the fermented shark, it is a nasty practical joke a few deranged locals try to play on unsuspecting tourists. If, however, you are an adventurous soul, by all means have a go - at least you now know what you are getting into. Bear in mind that "traditional" Icelandic food is from an era when people were literally starving to death and were desperate enough to eat ANYTHING. What is now "traditional" is what people found not to be poisonous or even lethal. Some of it is actually quite tasty, but only after you have acquired the taste for it.
I tried the fermented shark and I liked it. Ice cream is good and in fact I found all your food good. The walking tour of Reykjavik and I learned that the first part of its name means smoke. The Scots language word for smoke is reek which comes for the same Norse word. We also have our word for the last part. And I don’t mean the Scottish Gaelic language.
@@joancampbell9157 Reekwick?
@@Halli50 yes, but we don’t pronounce the wick, we just leave it out except for two places. Wick and Innerwick then we pronounce it as a w as in we. Innerwick is a little inland from the sea, thus inner. The w in Berwick is silent although lots of visitors make the mistake of pronouncing it.
@@joancampbell9157 What about Prestwick? In Icelandic that could be "Prestvík" or Priest Bay.
@@Halli50 I forgot about that one but your right. That’s one we mispronounce.
We are coming later this year and I’m watching all your videos! Really excited to come, and so thankful for all the videos and tips y’all share.
Hey Janie! Thank you so much for the kind words and we can't wait to see you here soon ❤️
@@WakeUpReykjavik. Hai Guðný can I please have you as my tour guide?? Solo traveller here all way from New Zealand so I'll be swapping the Aurora Australis for the Borealis 😍
Hi 👋- thanks greetings from Chicago Illinois ✌🏼
Hi! Nice to see you here 🥳🇮🇸
Thank you so much! We are planning a trip for next summer! Interestingly enough we haven't been able to find a "hikers itineary" online. We are planning 10-14 days and are not sure if we should explore areas thoroughly or do the ring road. If we want to hike and rent mountain bikes once or twice... what would you recommend? Thank you!
We will be in Iceland beginning next week and staying for 2 weeks, this was very helpful, thank you!!
Glad it was helpful! Enjoy Iceland 🧡
no! not too many things booked. Most favorite things... Walking around Reykjavik so much fun! walking to get Pizza! at flatbakan pizza!!!
Can’t wait for my food walk in mid June!
Not long now 😁
Thanks for the tips. How is the car renting situation ?
I love your stormtrooper helmet!
We do to! 👽
Love your videos. You convinced me to try the local pools when I visit next month. I wasn't sure if they would be different that just a regular swimming pool.
I sure love them! They are definitely public pools, but I feel that they have their own charm to them here in Iceland! 🇮🇸
Only 3 1/2 weeks to go,cannot wait. I have the food tour on my first full day 😊
Woohoo! The perfect start to the trip!! :)
I came to visit about a month ago and I'm delighted to see I didn't fall foul of these mistakes (except the food one - I just didn't have time!). One I would 100% agree with is the local pool tip - I went to one near a sports centre in Reykjavik and it was one of the best afternoons! HIGHLY recommend visitors do this - they're not your average non-Icelandic municiple pools!
Wow well done! That means that you were well prepared 🇮🇸 I am so glad you enjoyed the local pools they sure are my favourite part about living here 🏊♀️
Thank you. We had friends who had visited and recommended we get a local tour guide and I was skeptical at first but now that we've seen this I think that its better we follow your advice. This does not seem like your ordinary trip to Alaska or Florida where we can rent a car and go around sightseeing.
Glad it was helpful! I think that is definitely a great idea :)
wow great video! I should have about 11 to 12 days in Iceland. I want to do the Ring Road (after spending the first night in Reykjavik). How far can I drive in a day on the Ring Road before needing a hotel? I want to book my hotels soon, but I have no idea where I should grab hotels along the road. I don't want them to be too far apart from each other. And I definitely don't want them too close together too.
Great video. Another mistake would be not trying to learn some Icelandic. It's such a beautiful language. If only I could pronounce the 'r' correctly. I've watched videos on how to but I'm starting to think it's down to genetics. Takk fyrir!
I made the most of the days i was there. I want to add that hiking boots are needed and on the windy days safety goggles. I went to the shark museum and ate shark meat. Stock up on food for long trips because places to stop are hard to find. I want to go again because there is so much to see and do.
Our biggest mistake was being there for only 5 days (minus travel days) but we’re already talking about what we’ll see next time!
hiya! thanks for the epic tips !!!! i was wondering, im travelling for the first time to Iceland on the 12th of june for 6 days, do you think i will be able to travel the ring road? im a photographer and im really excited about landscapes!!!
Thanks for Watching! 🧡 generally June is easily travelled (the gravel roads will depend on your vehicle though), so I would just follow safetravel.is, drive safe and get ready to enjoy! 💫
Can someone tell me what card I need to use as I know it's cashless I want to use Monzo can I use this I'm stressed
After nine trips to Iceland in the last 24 years, I can agree with all the points you presented here. I've done guided day trips, rented cars to explore and have even stayed entirely in Reykjavík with no car. Each way has its merits but, like you said in your first point, don't try to do too much. The local pools are a must-try to go every day-especially after your flight over, it's a great way to beat jet-lag and meet locals and other travelers. Regarding dining: If you don't mind paying for a Michelin-star restaurant Dill and Öx are each a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One thing I will add: if you go in the off-season Reykjavík has a ton of cultural activities including a vibrant theatre scene and, in the first week in November, The Iceland Airwaves music festival. Nice channel, Guðny, and good presentation, takk…
Thanks for a great comment with some fantastic pointers! I agree with them all and we hope to see you here for your 10th trip! 🧡
Hey, what would you recommend doing for a week in Iceland. Stay in Reykjavik and do day trips. Or rent a car
What's the current promo code for the walking food tour? I will be there in OCT 2023. Thanks! PS. “LOCAL” (promo code) doesn’t work for Reserve Now/ Pay Later on TripAdvisor.
Hey there Cynthia :) Thanks for watching our video and taking the time to write a comment! Since we do not run TripAdvisor we can't add any promo codes to their site, so the promo code is only valid when you book directly through us! You can do that on www.wakeupreykjavik.com - hope that helps!
Can I do the ring road with a driver guide
Hey there! Yes, if you would find such a serviceI am sure that would not be a problem :)
I've been visiting Iceland since 1997. My wife and I took our two children (aged 9 and 7 at the time) one snowy April. We stayed in a little cottage in Elliðahvammur near the lake. It was a different experience in those days. The Blue Lagoon was a few kilometres away from where it is now. There were just a few wooden buildings. It wasn't too expensive and there weren't many people there! When we went to Gullfoss there was only us and a young German couple on honeymoon. But one of the highlights was going to a local swimming pool. I think we went to Arbæjarlaug. It was so great. I've been to the new Blue Lagoon. It's a cool experience. But it's so expensive and not ideal for children in my view. If you have kids take them to the swimming pool. Especially wonderful if it's snowing a bit. Sitting in the warm water with snow flakes on your head is amazing. We've been back many times as have our children who are now grown up and they are still in love with Iceland. But haven't taken our grandchildren yet but we will!! Just writing this is making me want to go back again. 🤣
Wow, thank you so much for writing this great comment 🧡! Árbæjarlaug is definitely one of my favorite local pools that we have here and I am so happy to hear that you guys got to experience that. We have some other fantastic ones so be sure to check out Laugardalslaug when you visit with the grandkids! 🙌
I am very tempted to take a tour of the ring road. I do realize that the ring road doesn't hit all the truly beautiful areas of Iceland and I know you should only attempt the ring road in summer. But I'm not someone who enjoys camping. I also would like to take this road trip solo. so I have a few questions. 1. Within a one day travel time period can a local cheap motel be reached each day or are parts of the ring road too remote? 2. I'm not a drinker but I enjoy my cannabis where it is perfectly legal where I live in Connecticut. What are the laws in Iceland regarding cannabis? 3. I wouldn't feel comfortable in a group or crammed in with a driver I don't know throughout the ring road but is there an option to rent a car and a tour guide that you can follow across the ring road or at least parts of it? 4. Are electrical cars available for rental and would that make the ring road trip more affordable? Are their adequate charging stations?
Hey there! Thanks for watching and wow, great questions! I would love to help 😀 1. Yes, it definitely can be reach in 1 day. 2. It is illegal here in Iceland, sorry! 3. Not that I am aware of, either you drive on your own or you join in a group - but there are some small groups available. Unfortunately we don't have a ring road tour so I am not an expert in this matter! 4. Yes they are, it depends since electric cars will also cost more to rent, and then they don't necessarily have charging stations all around the ring road so although it is doable it might not be as easy to do I hope this helps at all!
Gudny, a glitter bomb of fun!
Thank you for the kind comment 🎊🥳
@@WakeUpReykjavik. Anytime, anywhere, anyhoooow!!!
Do we need international driver's licenses to drive in Iceland? (Coming from Canada)
Hey there! A European, Canadian or American driver's license is sufficient and international driver's licenses are not necessary when driving in Iceland :)
Do you have halal authentic food?
Would it be better to stay in the one place for a week (reykavik) and do the day trips. Or rent a car and stay in different places
Hey there Brian! It does depend on the experience you want, but personally I would advise day trips from Reykjavík! ☺️
62 days from my first visit and I already feel like I should have booked more time 😫
Hi, is your food tour suitable for people who don't eat meat? xx
Hey there! Yes it is, just note it as you book in and you will get tasty alternatives 😋
It would help if you listed your email or web site prominently. I would like to look in to the Golden Circle tour and the Reykjavik Food walk, but moved too fast for me
Heyyy there David! Thanks for watching 🧡 send us a line at info@wakeupreykjavik.com for some assistance with booking! ☺️
The number of people who land in Iceland and have noooo idea how to check Veður or the roads is too damn high.
Right! It's a simple but important tip to know! 🌤️
In particular, I second #5! It is a huge mistake to not visit a local pool. We stopped at several on our trip to West Iceland, and were blown away by how inexpensive and wonderful the local pools are - usually with several different outdoor soaking tubs of different temperatures, and great views to boot. She's not kidding: even tiny towns with 200 people have a nice pool. Sure, some tourists freak out about the very strict requirement to shower naked beforehand (because Icelandic pools use minimal chlorine, it's necessary to be really clean), but I've never understood that. Message to my fellow Americans: if you've ever been to this thing called the *gym*, you showered naked. Really not that big a deal. Go to a public pool, spend a fraction of what you would at the fancy spa hot pots, shower naked amongst people of the same sex, put your suit on and enjoy a good soak. Bonus: our experience at public pools was there were more friendly locals than tourists!
Mistake 2. Not trying authentic Icelandic cuisine --> *Looks at Iceland food prices* ...yeah, I could live with mistakes 😅
When I went to Iceland, I went on a guided tour around the ring road. I had an amazing time. I did my research before my Icelandic adventure so I made sure that I took suitable clothes for all weather conditions. Though one of the women on the tour, decided that her idea of suitable clothes for Iceland was high heeled boots, skin tight jeans and a mickey mouse poncho from Disney world. All she did was moan because she got cold and wet.
Oh man! Smart move from you - Iceland is such a special place that if you gear up and are ready for everything, you can't have a bad time I think!
@@WakeUpReykjavik. It was the best holiday that I have had. I so want to go back to Iceland. I'll use some of my retirement money to go back to Iceland.
If you don't mind - what was the name of the tour company?
Very helpful, thank you. Definitely won't be trying sheep's face 🤮
Thanks for the EXTENDED advertisement for your tours. I’m really not that interested in $150 worth of MEAT! I don’t eat meat and would not be able to eat $150 worth of food in a couple hours!
A very unpleasant presenter.