1. Don’t Stop on the Road for Photos 📸➡️🚫 Pull over at safe spots only – roads are narrow & dangerous. It’s tempting, we get it. The Icelandic roads pass through jaw-dropping landscapes — glaciers to your left, waterfalls to your right — and you want that photo. But pulling over on narrow highways is incredibly dangerous and can cause serious accidents. Iceland doesn’t have wide shoulders on most roads, so always wait for designated parking areas or safe pullouts. That perfect picture is not worth the risk.
“We saw a car just stop in the middle of the road near Vík — and traffic had to swerve around. Please don’t be that tourist.”
2. Don’t Underestimate the Weather🌦️ Icelandic weather changes fast — always layer up. In a single hour, we went from sunny skies to horizontal rain to snowfall — and back again. Icelandic weather is no joke. Pack for four seasons every day, even in summer. Layers, windproof jackets, waterproof boots — trust us, you’ll need them.
“Our sunny hike at Landmannalaugar turned into a whiteout by the time we came down. Thankfully, we were layered up.”
3. Don’t Go Off-Roading 🚙❌ It’s illegal & damages fragile landscapes.
It might look like a lunar playground out there, but off-roading is illegal and causes permanent damage to Iceland’s delicate volcanic landscape. Stick to marked roads and F-roads (mountain roads) — and only if you have a 4×4.
“We watched someone get fined $1,000 for leaving the track near the Highlands. Authorities don’t joke around.”
4. Don’t Touch or Move the Moss 🌱 This iconic green moss can take decades to regrow. That soft, dreamy moss covering the lava fields? It takes decades to grow — and seconds to kill. Once damaged, it might never recover. Avoid stepping on it for photos or curiosity.
5. Don’t Enter Hot Springs Without Checking ♨️ Some are dangerously hot or private. Always confirm first.
Yes, Iceland is full of natural hot springs — but not all are safe or public. Some are too hot, some are on private land, and others require advance booking. Always check online or ask locals before jumping in. We nearly went into one that looked perfect — until we touched it and it was boiling!
6. Don’t Skip the Ring Road Planning 🛣️ Plan fuel & food stops in advance — towns are sparse. The Ring Road (Route 1) circles the whole island — but services are few and far between. That means long stretches without gas stations, restaurants, or even washrooms. Plan your fuel, food, and stays in advance.
7. Don’t Ignore Parking Rules 🚫 Tickets & fines are common — follow signage strictly. Even in remote spots, parking rules are strictly enforced. Always read the signs — and don’t assume it’s free. Fines are common, and tickets can be mailed internationally.
8. Don’t Wear Jeans for Adventures 👖 Wet denim = cold misery. Go waterproof or thermal. Waterfalls, rain, snow, spray — Iceland is always a bit wet. And jeans? They soak up water like a sponge and stay wet for hours. Go for quick-dry, thermal, or waterproof gear instead. We hiked to Skógafoss in jeans and regretted it within 5 minutes. Our legs froze the whole way back!
9. Don’t Feed or Approach Wildlife 🦅🦭 It’s harmful and dangerous — observe from afar. Icelandic wildlife — puffins, arctic foxes, seals, and birds — are beautiful but not tame. Feeding or approaching them stresses them out and can be harmful. Respect their space.
10. Last but not the least, Don’t Rush the Trip 📍 Iceland is not just about Instagram spots — take it slow. Iceland isn’t meant to be “done” in 3 days. It’s not about ticking off sights, but about soaking in the magic of nature — the stillness, the silence, the surreal moments.
“One of our favorite memories wasn’t a famous spot — it was just sitting by a glacier lake with coffee in hand, watching the sun set.”
✨ Have you made any of these errors while in Iceland? Let us know in the comment section by writing back to us! 👇
Two Yellow Jackets 