Do

1. Take a walk through a lava field: one of the best is found on the Snaefellsness peninsula. This experience will be unique and one for the books.

2. Be flexible: With inconsistent weather patterns, one may never know what to expect. So always have room for a change of plans.

3. Take the Icelandic pledge

This is a very mindful oath for the visitors, that makes them promise to be responsible and respectful throughout their visit to Iceland.

4. Relax at geothermally heated pools: what better way than to spend time soaking in warm water when it’s cold around. Iceland has a lot of hot springs and pools to offer. Each is better than the other.

5. Check roads: A day prior to leaving out on those roads, do thorough research regarding their routes, conditions, and closures. This will make traveling easier.

6. Expect to see a lot of waterfalls: from Gullfoss to Dynjandi, you’ll find a lot of waterfalls around. Each one is marvelous in its own way.

7. Look out for the Northern lights from September to mid-April: use apps and websites like Aurora app and Vedur website, for guidance. Stay in places with zero light pollution, like the countryside. You can also take a northern lights tour from Reykjavik.

8. Use a tripod and long exposure: make sure to have a very stable and still base as it’ll be hard to focus the always in motion lights.

9. Enjoy delicious hot chocolate and cake: do this! I pleas you to try these delicacies, including the famous cinnamon buns at the local homey cafes of Iceland.

Fill up with petrol when you can: You never know when will be the next time that you come across a gas station. So fill up your tank at all the chances you get.

11. Drink the tap water: the waters are clean, hygienic, and tasty. Carry around a reusable bottle with you, so it’s easier to refill it.

12. Enjoy the midnight sun: visiting in the summer season will let you have this unique experience of witnessing sunlight 24/7. You won’t regret this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of getting to see the sun shining at all hours of the day.

Don't

1. Feel the need to tip: it’s not considered a mean or rude thing to do but it’s not necessary either.

2. Wild camp: camping in the wild is prohibited now. Your campervan or tents need to be put up in specifically assigned campsites.

3. Drive in a storm: you don’t want your car getting blown off the road by the strong winds or get its windscreen hit by volcanic rocks in terrifying sandstorms.

4. Walk on the ice at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: we never know when the ice will break due to its lack of rigidity and stability. The water underneath is cold to the point of fatality.

5. Risk your life for a photo: we git it, this country is full of picturesque places, but we don’t want you crossing any limits for the sake of a photograph.

6. Stop on the road: no matter how badly you feel like stopping to absorb the beauty around, don’t pull over unless there’s a parking area. Better safe than sorry.

7. Rush: you don’t have to do everything in one single day. Stop, breathe and take time to appreciate the scenic beauty around slowly.

8. Litter: Don’t ruin the natural beauty of this gorgeous place. Show some respect and manners.

9. Drive off-road in any vehicle: this will cause harm to the landscapes and affect the scenery in a bad way. Plus, you’ll have to pay some fancy fines.

10. Take rocks or pebbles as souvenirs: why take away things that don’t belong to you. It’s better to let them stay in their own home.

11. Get too close to cliff edges or the surf: you might end up falling and getting yourself killed by the wild waves. A number of tourists have lost their lives this way in the past years.

12. Feed horses: it’s harmful to their health. Instead, you can visit horse farms like Sturlureykir, pay a small fee and interact with these adorable animals in an authentic way.