Iceland Packing List

So, the clue is in the name of the country: Iceland is chilly, especially in winter. The average December temperature is around 2 degrees Celsius (35 Fahrenheit), and it routinely drops below freezing, especially at night.

What really makes you feel the cold is the bitter wind which sweeps across the island, thanks to a lack of tree cover and lots of vast barren landscapes. So you’re going to want windproof gloves, a jacket and hat.

On the jacket, make sure that it is also waterproof. Although you aren’t likely to see much rain, snow, ice, and the spray from waterfalls can all cause you to get a bit damp. And it doesn’t matter how warm your coat is; if it doesn’t keep you dry, you will be very uncomfortable. Down jackets are notoriously good at keeping you warm, but they really aren’t much good in Iceland because they don’t keep the moisture out. So leave the Canada Goose at home and bring something waterproof as well as resistant to the wind! An additional warm jacket for when you’re exploring Reykjavik is a good idea.

Another great way to keep the wind at bay is to wrap yourself in a scarf. You can treat yourself to something fluffy, like cashmere. But any old scarf will do, really, just to keep the wind out!

In terms of footwear, flip-flops and trainers won’t cut it in Iceland. It’s only worth visiting Iceland if you fully embrace the country’s natural environment. Iceland is a land of grumbling glaciers, steep volcanoes, and cascading waterfalls. And to get the most from all of these attractions, you need sturdy ankle support, waterproofing, and comfort. If you don’t already own a good pair of hiking boots, then they’re a worthwhile investment. A good pair will last 10 years or more, and once you’ve caught the adventure travel bug in Iceland (which you will), you’ll be able to take them everywhere, from the national parks of Africa to the Inca Trail in Peru!

A top tip is to make sure you don’t bring brand new hiking boots to Iceland. You want to wear them a bit to avoid getting blisters. So if you’re buying a new pair, make sure you get a couple of weekend hikes under your belt before you fly to Reykjavik.

Thermal base layers are a great idea for Iceland for two reasons. Number one, they keep you warm, obviously. A thermal top is a must, and a thermal set of bottoms is a good idea if the forecast suggests the weather is going to be cold.

The second reason is that a layer of thermals means you can then add a few thinner layers on top, which can easily be stripped off if you get warm while hiking or indoors where there is likely to be heating. If you just wear one or two super-thick layers, you’ll be permanently too hot or too cold. But thermals with a few thinner layers on top mean you can stay at the ideal temperature.

So many travellers to Iceland forget this one, but it’s a crucial part of your Iceland packing list! One of the highlights of a trip to Iceland is a dip in the Blue Lagoon or one of the other lagoons and hot springs that dot the country. And you won’t be surprised to hear that they won’t let you in without a swimming costume!

In today’s world, a decent smartphone is perfectly capable of handling your holiday snaps most of the time. But if you’re visiting Iceland in winter, then a good camera and tripod will come in extremely handy if you want to capture the Northern Lights. Of course, if you’re bringing a camera, then you’ll also need the associated accessories, such as spare batteries, cleaning equipment, and memory cards.

The tap water in Iceland is perfectly safe to drink; in fact, it’s some of the freshest tap water you’ll find anywhere in the world, fed by the country’s glaciers and rivers. So we recommend bringing a reusable water bottle on your Iceland trip, so you can save money and help the environment by using the tap instead of bottled water.

A decent waterproof rucksack is a must for carrying around all of your camera accessories, spare clothes, water bottle, and the like!

Most mobile phones these days have an alarm app, but if yours doesn't, then remember to bring something to wake you up in the morning. Many of us wake up at the same time every day naturally, but your body clock may be thrown off by the long, dark nights of the Iceland winter, and we don’t want you to miss any sightseeing!

Another one that’s easily forgotten given the destination. Iceland in winter is cold and dark, so it is not conducive to sunburn, you may think. In fact, you can still get burned in Iceland in the winter. Because it is cold, you won’t feel the warmth of the sun, so it is easy to forget that it is shining at all. But when swimming in hot springs, you can burn, so it’s good to take precautions and apply some sunscreen. The air is also very clear in Iceland, which makes the sun a little bit brighter when it does shine. So sunglasses are a good idea too.

Did you know that your phone battery won’t last as long in cold weather? That’s because the chemical reactions in the battery slow down in the cold, producing less power. So a portable phone charger is important to make sure you don’t run out of juice before you make it back to the hotel.