What To Pack For Iceland

Before we visited Iceland, I thought it was constantly a winter wonderland. Snowcapped mountains, frozen lakes, and icy roads. I could not have been more wrong! Iceland in the spring and summer is a gorgeous time to visit! The flowers are in bloom and it is green as far as the eye can see!

Why the name Iceland? There is a myth that the founder of Greenland wanted more settlers to come and live in Greenland instead of Iceland, thus enticing settlers with a “Greenland”. Not sure if this is 100% true, but it is a great example of false advertising.

In contrast to popular belief, Iceland is not always cold. In fact, New York can actually get colder than Iceland in the winter! Iceland’s temperatures average 32 (0 C) in the winter and 60 (20 C) in the summer.

Iceland’s temperatures may not fluctuate nearly as much as the weather – meaning it can be raining one minute and sunny the next. When the weather is constantly changing it is hard to know what to bring on your trip. But packing the right clothes will have you worry-free! This guide will show you exactly what to bring!

If you are not a fan of extreme temperatures, I recommend traveling to Iceland in the spring. The weather is warming up, but you do not have the summer crowds just yet.

Iceland In The Spring:

We visited Iceland in late April, and the temperature ranged from around 40 (5 C) in the morning, then got to around 50 (10 C) in the afternoon. We were very lucky and only had a few mornings/afternoons with light sprinkles, but nothing to ruin the trip.

Side note: If you are traveling to the south of Iceland, keep in mind the winds are strong there. On one of the days, we experienced 30-40 mph winds! It was intense. The wind is one of the main damage to cars in Iceland. 

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Base Layers:

I am a firm believer in layers. Iceland can have some chilly mornings, and it is better to remove a layer rather than be cold and miserable for the day. I love my Under Armour long-sleeve base layer. The leggings are also fantastic, and it was perfect to wear this as a set under my wet suit while snorkeling Silfra.

I wore these black leggings under my jeans while we explored Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. They were awesome as I could still wear comfortable jeans with a stylish sweater and still stay warm!

Hiking Clothes:

Iceland is an outdoor’ s paradise! From hiking glaciers to horseback riding it is hard to stay indoors. I brought two pairs of waterproof pants. They are great for those unexpected showers and easy to wash! I also wore these over my leggings when we visited waterfalls. They were perfect and dried so fast!

Boots:

I recommend bringing a pair of hiking boots to Iceland. I love these Timberland boots. They are waterproof which makes them perfect for exploring waterfalls (I also wore thicker socks with the boots, to keep my toes warm).

Jacket:

My favorite parka of all time is my North Face Parka. I feel so cozy and warm and I love the hood in case of rain or wind. Another great thing about this jacket is it is waterproof. I never had to worry about grabbing an extra jacket or poncho.  I did wear this jacket most of the time, it kept me nice and toasty and dry when we went behind the waterfalls!

Swimsuit:

Iceland is full of natural hot springs and lagoons and swimming in them was one of my favorite things to do in Iceland. So of course, you need to remember to bring your swimsuit on your trip! Along with sandals (for the showers) and a few extra towels. I got these from Victoria’s Secret.

Extras:

• 1 airport outfit (sweatshirt, sweatpants, and Nikes)
• Warm gloves (I didn’t wear mine as much just because it is harder to operate my camera)
• Hat, in case of rain or wind
• Don’t forget your passport!
• Don’t bother with an umbrella, the wind is too strong and won’t be worth it
• Iceland is a cashless country and will accept most credit cards

Room Items

To feel like I am at home and to be absolutely comfortable in a hotel room, here are the essential items I pack:

Slippers (I have smaller footies I pack if I am just using my carry-on)

Pillow Case (Always buy a king size to fit any hotel pillow)

Washcloth (I pack this, so I don’t have to put my face or mouth on any hotel towels)

Antibacterial foam soap (I cannot stand those bars of soap used in hotels, so I bring my own!)

Laundry bag  (This one explains itself, keep those dirty clothes separated from your clean ones)

Airplane Bag

For any trip I have my suitcases, I also like to bring an airplane bag with all the flight essentials. 

Headphones (These work perfectly for movie watching and are noise canceling!)

A good book (I love my Kindle!)

Passport Case (Here is one I use, I can fit my ID, credit cards, and cash)

Blanket (I freeze when I fly)

Airsickness meds

Disinfectant wipes

Save room for any snacks you purchase at the airport and a water bottle.

Camera Gear:

• Panasonic Camera – This is what we use to take all our travel photos
• Camera Lens
• Backpack – great for a plane bag as well as a day bag

Iceland is such a beautiful country! We felt as if you only had a small taste and would love the opportunity to visit again! If you are traveling to Iceland be sure to check out these travel guides!

Until the next destination!

If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!