Iceland for First-Timers: 7 Surprising Things to Know Before You Go

Many people that make their first visit to Iceland are often surprised when they encounter the 7 things that I point out in this video. I know that these things definitely stuck out to me. While there is an adjustment period when you travel to anywhere new, I think sharing these 7 things will help you to manage your expectations on your adventure in this amazing country.
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Time Stamps for the Video
00:00 - Intro to the video
01:31 - 1st Surprising Thing
04:25 - 2nd Surprising Thing
06:05 - 3rd Surprising Thing
07:12 - 4th Surprising Thing
08:29 - 5th Surprising Thing
10:26 - 6th Surprising Thing
12:10 - 7th Surprising Thing
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All Things Iceland podcast
Hear interviews with natives and ex-pats that dive deep into Icelandic history, language, nature, and culture, as well as learn new Icelandic words and phrases.
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[@MKayyyy177]

Gosh, woman. YOUR SMILE just lit me up. I love how you smile while you talk to us!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Aww, thank you so much.

[@shawnbuchanan01]

My teen daughter has 2 show requests... an All Things Iceland " Vegan" post and also a "University Study Abroad" information post. I told her she can not special order shows.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you for the requests. I'm totally fine with people asking for episodes and I will do my best to try and get some content like that. I have put it on my list. 🙂

[@shawnbuchanan01]

@@AllThingsIceland She grew up in Nothern Europe and has dual citizenship, so a lot of these things were similar to what she is used to ... US university is culture shock, especially for a young Bllack girl who grew up free!

[@janetenney3508]

Beautiful sweater(jumper?) and the view behind you is awesome! Thank you for the vlog. Interesting and full of useful information.

[@AllThingsIceland]

You are so welcome! It's my pleasure to share.

[@antoinebeaupre2386]

What a great icelandic ambassador you are ! You make me nostalgic of my trip with my family in Iceland four years ago. (Fun fact : my mother misses the smell of sulfur, which is kind of an interesting type of nostalgia !) Greetings from Québec ! :D

[@asbisi]

I find the smell of sulfur strangely calming, I understand your mother.

[@anjiryo1683]

At first, on the bus from Keflavik to Reykjavik, I was surprise by the landscape: Lunar. And then, walking in Reykjavik, I was surprise by the sense of absolute peacefulness and safety I could feel while walking around. It's rare to feel so at ease in a city. One of the main reason why I miss the place so much.

[@arlenemaxwellcopeland1644]

I relate to the rotten egg smell. On a school trip with my son to Cumberland Islands, we went to a sea side place where there are wild horses. I went for a sip of water at a fountain, and the smell was so awful, I had to stop and take a look. We were told it's from a well, and the smell was sulfur. The water was not only safe to drink, but very healthy. Hard to believe water with a smell can be safe.

[@eivlysdranoel]

A few of your points are not only Iceland-related, but to be found in most of Europe. The first time I flew to the US as an adult, I was confronted to that added tax I didn't know about, I told the cashier she was wrong with the price. The label showed distinctly a lower price and she couldn't make me pay more. I was really angry and she looked quite astonished. Poor girl.... I made a big fool of myself 😁

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL

[@DJCatsaNova]

Well, she’s not talking about other countries. This channel is about “all things Iceland”

[@ollietsb1704]

I see added-tax on just about every American purchase anywhere I go - price marked clearly, but 'sales tax' or shipping & handling, etc. I think 99% of everything I purchase has some odd, non-displayed money added to the final price.

[@pfemke553]

Indeed, it is a European way, tax is included in the price. We are using point (.) instead of cina (,).

[@lolsxd2011]

You didn't, the US is just retarded in some ways

[@cotter9751]

A welcome list. thanks.

[@miradjurdjevdan]

I prepared for my recent trip to Reykjavik in September by watching your videos. I brought my own snacks, went to Bonus, yet brought Icelandic butter to bring home! I’m glad for all the tips on all things expensive in Iceland.The rest of Europe speaks British English, but Iceland speaks American English, which was so cool. I had an amazing trip,Falgradsfjall Volcano was active on September 13th and the Southern Coast was beautiful. I cannot wait to come back and drive the ring road.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yay!! So glad to hear that. 🤗

[@johnlomax2502]

It doesn't matter how much it is, Jules. That background landscape with you and your gorgeous sweater is a serious selling point. 😍😉

[@AllThingsIceland]

😊

[@lesliehamilton6151]

The smell is so true. Our first day in Reykjavik at a cute store, my hubby and I both thought they had a sewer backup, so we left the store. We did later go back and make a purchase as we held our breath! We had such a wonderful experience on our trip in August. Our most appreciated tip was to buy the bug net for your head to go to Lake Myvatn. The people who did not have these nets were seriously jealous!

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL I can totally relate to thinking that the sewer was backing up. Yes, the nets are great for summer!

[@HollyNelson25]

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise! We are so excited (and prepared) for our trip - thanks to you!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yay!! So glad to hear that and my pleasure 😊

[@EmorettaRobinson]

Thank you for an explanation on the costs and money there. I was wondering about that. I appreciate it.

[@AllThingsIceland]

My pleasure

[@kimlyne9700]

I just got back from Iceland on Tuesday, I LOVED it! Can’t wait to visit again.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yay!! So glad to hear that.

[@dingbatkilla]

Going there next month. It is a long awaited dream come true. Only surprised about the surfer bit. I watched a few videos and no one has mentioned it. Thanks for that!

[@mismiserables]

I've always wanted to visit Iceland since I was a child. I'm watching all these videos so when the day comes that I get the opportunity to go there I can be aware of all this stuff. Thanks for making these videos

[@M.J750]

Hey Jewells thanks for the cool 😎 video I look forward to catching your next zoom video & those glaciers look awesome 🤩

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@OopsThereItIs]

Thank you for this! Iceland is my dream trip that I’ve been annoying my husband about. Being from Utah, red Martian landscapes, few trees, and unpredictable weather are all common. And the smell of sulfur reminds me of Yellowstone. Knowing that tax is included in the listed price will be extremely helpful. One extremely annoying thing about the States is the tax rate being different everywhere you go.

[@yeshayaamichai1512]

Love the new intro!!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you!! 🙂

[@maclenoir]

Sounds weird, but after being away from Iceland for more than a year (pandemic), I couldn’t wait to smell and taste sulfur in the hot water. I think what surprised me most in my initial trip were the “odd” hours when stores were open and the lack of signage to protect tourists (e.g., sneaker waves at Reynisfjara). This year, I noticed more ropes and paving in/around Geysir to protect those from accidentally walking in hot water streams. What most impressed me (then and now) was the great pride that Icelanders have in protecting the landscape, especially the moss. It made/makes me more protective of their landscape, such that I react when I see damage done.

[@hjfj90]

WOW, Loving the colorful sweater with the snowcap mountains. 😊

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks so much 😊

[@BaKimura03]

Headed there in July so I’m geeked

[@lanilok3696]

I’m so enjoying your videos. I signed up for your travel resources plus the packing list. This will be my first trip but my partners will be his fourth. I’ve told him some things I’ve learned from you that he didn’t know. So thank you, Jewells.

[@AllThingsIceland]

My absolute pleasure. I hope you have an amazing time.

[@ChipyRose]

Thank you for your video. I just came back from Iceland and can’t stop reminiscing about my trip. I learned about you from an article on the Reykjavik Grapevine 👍🏼 One very surprising thing during our trip was the non-existence of laundromats 😱 we were on a campervan for 14 days and got soaked from head to toe. Some campgrounds have one or two machines but there is always a long line to use them. We had to sleep on the floor of a tiny washer/dryer room at the campground until the machine was available at 2am. I would google “laundromat nearby” and all I would get was a restaurant with that name on Reykjavik 😡 later I learned that the larger towns have a laundry “service” where they will wash for you … yet I still don’t know how to find more about it. We also learned the difference between “water resistant” and “waterproof” when our water resistant jackets (which we had used in Alaska and the Andes) did not stop the thin sideways rain from soaking us throughout. We had to rush and buy waterproof jackets from Icewear. Thanks again for all the great information. Keep it coming ☺️🇮🇸❤️

[@Erika1965]

I used your packing list for my trip last June, it was very helpful! I travelled with one backpack so I only carried what was on your list and had a great fortnite 👍🏽 the rule of the roundabouts was explained to me but there weren't that many in the country. When I got back on the south west I'm afraid I already had forgotten about the rule 🤷🏻‍♀️ Luckily it was not that busy on the roads

[@AllThingsIceland]

So glad to hear that the packing checklist was helpful, and that you had an awesome trip.

[@rickskidmore3075]

Great information. Not really surprised by any of them. As a geologist, the sulfur smell sounded logical. But you mentioning the smell reminded me when I went to Europe for the first time while on Active Duty AF. When I got of the airplane, it smelled old. Thank you for the advice on the roundabouts. I grew up in a town with a roundabout or circle as we called it. However, here is NE Ohio, roundabouts are being built all over the place and it has to do with safety as you said. I went through 4 of them yesterday. Still hoping to visit Iceland in the next year or so. Airbnb seems to be the best lodging to help with the cost of food. Again, keep up with the great videos.

[@promoguy8]

HI! Thank you for the great. information. I'll be on a 10 n night cruise in July. What should I expect that time of year?

[@cestusfr]

What surprised me the most was the HUGE number of speed bumps in Reykjavik. You can't go 20 meters without a speed bump! T___T;

[@GeekFurious]

And we've had them since... the 80s.

[@Vaverka00]

Btw - use your no international transaction fee card everywhere. No one is using cash there and you shouldn't be either -- you ll pay a withdrawal fee at ATM and they tend to never have any change , so they round up ; )

[@AllThingsIceland]

Very true and great addition. Thanks 🙂

[@Vaverka00]

@@AllThingsIceland Thank you, Jules - you are one of the best Iceland bloggers out there : *

[@Erika1965]

Very true, I withdraw 10.000 kroner (about 70 euro) but never used them in 14 days. Even at a public toilet I could use my debet card.

[@Sindrijo]

A lot of newer houses use heat-exchangers to avoid the sulfur-smell (e.g. they use the geo-thermal water to heat up the cold-water supply).

[@ecnalreleam]

I did heavy research before going, so the only ones that surprised me was the last 2. However, those were just because I underestimated them. The smell of sulfur in the shower was more intense than I anticipated and I didn't expect the country to be half as fantasy-like as it is.

[@matthewmason3171]

I spent a lot of time trying to learn some Icelandic before my trip and was a little disappointed by the fact that no one even tried to speak Icelandic, it was always English. I was rewarded by a short conversation at a gas station in the middle of nowhere with a sweet old lady who was very happy that I responded in Icelandic.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yea, it can be tough at times, especially in the downtown area and places where many tourists visit. Glad you were able to find someone to chat with while you were here.

[@finniscul1343]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS

[@brettany_renee_blatchley]

*Thank You* 😊❤😊❤😊❤😊

[@iKwadwoBen]

Watching you speak is heartwarming ❤️. Please how is life for international students. I got admission there this yr

[@owenbensmith3118]

I have a super nose and was scared of the smells at first but honestly it’s fine by day 2 I swear it!

[@manowerapitiya1471]

Hi Jewells, Don't want to get too technical, what about power plug ins. Is it a 240 Volt type 'C' or 'F' system. Do hotels offer 110 Volts type 'A' and 'B' adapters too? 💡 May have a problem with my camera gear charging equipment 📸. Counting my days down to Reykjavik 🌋. Mano (Baltimore) 🗽

[@gowbunnell8754]

90 year old, Wish could return, had very enjoyable year, years ago exploring island s backcountry

[@poldariser8686]

I'm going there November 2022 and I can't wait. Yay!

[@AllThingsIceland]

Awesome!! I hope you have a fabulous time.

[@poldariser8686]

@@AllThingsIceland Thank you. 😁

[@tobe2714]

I’m visiting, for the first time, in 37 days. I am so excited! I want to rent a vehicle, while I’m there, but I’m a bit apprehensive about driving there, due to the terrain. I’ve been trying to learn more about it

[@IndigobluBeauty]

@to be did you go yet? Hoe was it?

[@ohslimgoody]

That sweater and hat, I need that in my life. I love it.

[@wendykoepnick489]

Lol. These are so true. I think I was most shocked by trees. I knew about the forest in the east, but as I drove around I saw trees. It blew my mind. You mentioned the roundabouts, no big deal. We have them in Washington state. In Easten iceland, there are so many one lane roads. That was crazy. They have pullouts to let traffic pass by. Also, so many sheep. I expected a lot of sheep, but wow.

[@gelcoat6793]

We are visiting Iceland in next week. Can you talk about how Fly bus works. I read that they will drop off spot or drop off in front of the hotels you you are staying. Is it recommended to buy tickets in advance online. If so if you miss the Bus schedule can we still use our tickets for the next schedule or day

[@reecy2002]

Throughout the trip we didn’t smell the sulfur in the hot water until the last 2 days. We thought there was something wrong with the water system at that one Airbnb 😂 (oh the ignorance!) I thought I was a roundabout master until the day we were returning the rental at the airport 😂 I was exiting and got honked. I didn’t know the inner lane had the right of way. It just seemed logical that the outer lane would have the right of way to exit. Oh well 🤷🏽‍♀️ learned my lesson. Can’t wait to go back!

[@ÞorkellSigvaldason]

To be fair about the roundabouts Iceland uses different rules for them than most other countries. It's a leftover from when we switched from driving on the left to driving on the right.

[@GeekFurious]

It depends also where you are. Some places get their water from tanks that are filtered. And I always have to remind myself about the roundabout. I made a pretty bad error in July that thankfully didn't land me in an accident.

[@ellayon5489]

U part of my wish to meet you when I get to Iceland 🇮🇸✌️✌️✌️😁. So wish me luck plsssss 😂

[@TheLifetraveler1]

Hey Jewells, I've been to Iceland once before about 6 years ago. I walked past that big, tall church downtown and did not know, it had an observation tower in it. Because photography is my passion. With Play Airlines now flying there, I plan to make another trip soon. I saw waterfalls and walked all over downtown Iceland. But there is a whole bunch that I am sure I missed as I see these various videos. What do you suggest I put on my list (photographical beautiful places)? Thank, brotha to sista.

[@aggi999]

I just realized you're standing in Mosó, my hometown where I grew up, I don't have a number on how many times I've gone for a run on that path behind you

[@jennifermoorhead7017]

Iceland is on my bucket list for the future. I live in the USA.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you!

[@ericfluellen8957]

Love that background and digging that hat and sweater.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thank you!

[@Aliassuk]

Hello. Greetings from Glasgow Scotland. Thanks to you I got the same jumper you’re wearing in this video. Love the Christmasy colours. I got his with custom charges in UK about £53 on top of the £200 I paid for the jumper bought directly from Iceland Knitting Association website following your other video recommending them. A very expensive jumper I just say. It should be delivered soon. Any suggestion on how to buy more but to avoid UK custom charge would be appreciated. I guess the cheapest way to buy more in the future would be to wait until I visit Iceland? I also bought a wool jumper from Icewear and I wasn’t asked for custom changes. I wonder why it was different with Iceland Knitting Association. Any insight would be helpful x thanks so much

[@janaiwilliams1141]

Where did you get that sweater so cute!

[@fraa888grindr6]

Another excellent video! Great info, but I particularly enjoyed #5 Roundabouts. Having driven the entire US, drivers in the Northeast drive really well in them, but California drivers are notorious speeders & tailgaters, so the roundabouts become more like 4-way stops which defeat the purpose.

[@jrcpas]

Interesting info. Are there restrictions for Philippine citizen who wish to visit Iceland ?

[@hordescoffeecwest6203]

But, I still like your cheer. And I will listen to your information and influence. You have a very positive way about you that I like. Please continue with your logic on the culture and life style of the Icelandic People.😎

[@AllThingsIceland]

Aww, thank you very much.

[@rosagranados9179]

That's so funny I literally live 7 miles down the road from Lynchburg and worked on the tasting tour. We got a free bottle of black label Jack Daniels every month. 😊

[@sheytzelgarcia4841]

I’m going on November and coming from and always summer country, weather is gonna be tough 🤧

[@rochellemckinney3220]

The taxes included and the roundabouts are surprising to me😆

[@Ceelle2]

Well...I don't drink so not a problem with the cost. The sulfur may be an issue for me. I'm kind of sensitive to smells. Ok with roundabouts. Most Scandinavians speak English very well. It was true in Copenhagen (less so in the countryside). Your videos have inspired me to visit...after the pandemic.

[@NotSoEntertaining.]

Iceland has been my travel list for awhile. I’d love to see the Northern Lights up there. If you have any advice or tips about planning a trip specifically for that, it’d be appreciated. Love your videos!

[@syolyte]

Her blog/website

[@NotSoEntertaining.]

@@syolyte thanks!

[@jcortese3300]

Is it legal for you to make your own alcohol, like in a jug under your sink and some yeast?

[@simonewilliamson6766]

OMG that sulfur smell kept me from drinking the water for days!! lol, I thought it was dehydration that made it taste delicious when I relented and drank some.

[@ÞorkellSigvaldason]

The sulfur smell is from hot water. While that is perfectly drinkable the cold water is sooo much better to drink.

[@hordescoffeecwest6203]

And Iceland has had several lava vents that have opened up and most of the time it happens right in the middle of town. That is extremely risky endeavor that could literately break a wallet or Bank account.

[@einsiol]

There have been no volcanic event inside towns in Iceland, there is only one event in the 1970's where a fissure opened up at the edges of a village on an island south of Iceland (Heimaey). Volcanic event have not posed any real danger in the past 100+ years. After around 1200+ years, Icelanders have figured out where not to build their homes. :D

[@kiiyannahudson]

Hi can you vlog your day in Iceland, I’m really interested in the surroundings there.

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yes, for sure 😊

[@vincesoto2316]

Thanks for the video.. we aren't renting a car and gonna manage our way around with the bus system and taxis . Was wondering if you have takes on public transportation.. we will be arriving Nov 1st.. hopefully to see some northern lights!! Thanks

[@AllThingsIceland]

My pleasure. I took the bus for the first two years I lived here. it is certainly doable to travel by bus everywhere in the Reykjavík area. I assume you plan to book bus tours for things outside of the city. For the city, there is a bus app called Straeto. It is much easier and convenient to pay with the app then with money, so I recommend downloading that. Plus, on the app, you can track to see where the bus is on the map around the city. I hope you see the Northern Lights too.

[@vincesoto2316]

@@AllThingsIceland thanks for the info..will download the app .. love the videos!!

[@vincesoto2316]

And yes we have some tours booked.. also taking the bus to the blue lagoon.. so the app will be a big help..thanks again

[@Jameskonigchr]

The restaurant at the IKEA is reasonably priced!

[@roxanataleb7191]

Hi I'm seriously interested in visiting Iceland to see the northern lights specially, can you tell me what months of the year you would have the best chance of watching this nature spectacle??

[@AllThingsIceland]

October through March is the typical season. The shorter the days, the better possible chances you have to see them, so November, December, January and February have longer nights.

[@GeekFurious]

I just realized where you are... like 100 meters from where some of my family lives.

[@AllThingsIceland]

🙂

[@donnalouison3288]

I love your sweater.... when I am coming to iceland I will contact u

[@AllThingsIceland]

Thanks 😊

[@MrEmikk]

I like a fresh cup of sulfur coffee!...with cream and sugar of course.

[@AllThingsIceland]

LOL

[@BostonsRandJ]

I found out the stupid way not to try an umbrella but wear a tight knit cap. AND the shower thing when you go to a lagoon...

[@svenbeowulfsson641]

Icelandic is the language of the Vikings. If you ask why this language is not also spoken in Norway, you must know that Norway has been a plaything of different powers in Northern Europe for many centuries. Only in 1905 Norway became independent. Before that it had become Danish in the Middle Ages and also the Germans played around Bergen and in the north, in the area of the Lofoten peninsula in terms of fishing a big rol. It was about the cod as a fasting food for the Catholic population of the Middle Ages. The fish was dried, hence its name stockfish or klippfisch and transported south by ships. This is still done today. Thus, the language of the Vikings slowly changed and then only the language of the ruling class was spoken, and that was Danish. Because around 900 AD many Vikings fled from the emerging Christianity and the monarchy in Norway, the colony in Iceland was also established. There they spoke and still speak the old language of the Vikings.

[@roberthurse4078]

The sulfate and the trees 😅 thankful you mentioned the booze because bbygirl I need my wine

[@S1mplyK4th]

go to Vestmannaeyjar please

[@julie-annbiggs3878]

The smell of the water

[@hartinone]

She is pretty cool and also good looking. Health and happiness Jewel

[@richard70588]

is it easy to get a job there?

[@hordescoffeecwest6203]

A couple of questions 1 how many epic eruptions? 2 Is the pyromaniac flows and fisher's wide spread? 3 Can they pinpoint the next Volcanic vent

[@AllThingsIceland]

There have been large eruptions in the past. When you say "epic", I guess you mean disastrous. Laki was one of the worse, if not the worse in living history in Iceland. That was centuries ago, Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 was certainly a big enough to cause disruption in air travel and to nearby farmers. I don't know the answers to the other questions but maybe a geologist can fill you in.

[@jtwalkes]

Trying to plan a trip to Iceland for Sept 22, just for 5 day. Can you give me your top 3 places we must see?

[@cslaton1902]

The sulfur added to gas sets off my asthma in the States. But in the water? Oh boy.

[@einsiol]

The sulphur is in very small amounts, I'm very asthmatic myself and never felt it being an issue, so no need to worry about that :)

[@cslaton1902]

@@einsiol Thank you! 😊

[@anthonyj961]

Are you able to see the aurora borealis as yet?

[@AllThingsIceland]

Yes, we've had some decent northern lights experiences so far.

[@anthonyj961]

@@AllThingsIceland Thank you so very much. That's my bucket list item.

[@MegaAnita11]

ég hef aldrei fundið lykt af heitu vatni úr krananum eða sturtunni, ég bý í reykjavík btw

[@hordescoffeecwest6203]

That is the main reason why I don't want to live in Iceland. And I know its more probable that I could die from a car accident or a stray bullet. But, lets be realistic? Iceland has on several occasions had some recent and past devastating eruptions that have displaced thousands. So, you can see my hesitation right? Im sure its a beautiful place...

[@tinaquintana9810]

I probably would take cold showers. I can’t stand the smell of sulfur!

[@Nofurtherquestions]

Sales tax isnt a thing over all of Europe and most of the world.

[@adlermannheim6092]

Please, please, U.S. citizens, do not come to Iceland, if you are not familiar with periods and commas in european currencies! It will cost you a fortune and you will be eaten by Trolls!

[@AllThingsIceland]

😂😂😂

[@hartinone]

Thanks. I just cancelled my flights

[@adlermannheim6092]

@@hartinone :-) .... but honestly, we just booked our 2024 trip to Iceland with our 4x4 camper and ferry transfer from Denmark as in 2022. Regarding all the currency issues for US Citizens etc. it costs now 30% more, even for europeans like me