How to enter Iceland.
Even if it does not belong to the European Union, for Italians who want to enter Iceland it will be sufficient to show a valid identity document (the identity card valid for expatriation is perfect). We went during covid time, when restrictions and PCR were the order of the day.
Official website.

Language.
The official language of Iceland is Icelandic, but to communicate it will be enough to speak in English, because most of the population knows it.

Currency and exchange.
The official currency is the Icelandic krona, and since the credit / prepaid / debit card is accepted everywhere (even in the bathrooms it can be used !!!), we advise against any change / withdrawal of cash.

Getting to Iceland.
The plane is undoubtedly the most used way to reach the Nordic Island, with direct flights from major Italian cities several times a week, without stopping in the summer (duration about 4h 30 minutes from Milan Malpensa, 5h from Rome).

For lovers of campers or diehards of their own car, there is the possibility of reaching Iceland by ferry, both from Scotland and from the nearest Denmark, with a stopover on the Faroe Islands (almost 3 days of navigation).
For more info visit this site: en.smyrilline.fo

Internal Travel.
To explore the island, having an extension equal to one third of Italy, a car is required. We strongly recommend that you:
- rent the car directly in the airport
- arrive at the rental as soon as possible with the reservation at hand, due to the number of tourists in the summer.

The rental desks are located right inside the airport, after collecting your luggage. Vehicles are parked immediately at the exit, without the need to take a shuttle.

The infamous F Road: manual for survival.
For the choice of the car, you have these 3 possibilities: rent a normal car, a basic 4X4 or a real off-road vehicle.

The choice of car depends on your itinerary, but remember that to travel the streets with the word F it is mandatory to have a 4X4 (or you may have problems with the police, in addition to the risk of getting stuck !!!)

Choosing your itinerary based on your driving experiences is fundamental, because there are roads that cross challenging points with holes and fords, which in periods of flooding of the rivers can only be crossed with a lot of caution, experience and cold blood!!!

We had chosen a basic 4X4 because the F roads we traveled, 35, 347, F26 and F208 (up to Landmannalaugar) were easy and without fords (Ps: if you get stuck in the river, the insurance does not respond !!!)

We refer to the official Icelandic website to find out all the open and closed F roads, including real-time warnings and alerts.

If you want to explore only the famous golden circle, you can rely on a tour with a tourist bus.

Useful info: in winter all the F roads are closed, so taking the Ring, or 1, is a must.

Another useful piece of information: you will almost always find the petrol stations along the main road, the 1. Make sure you have enough fuel if you decide to take the F road!

Safety.
Iceland is a safe island, crime is practically non-existent!

Eating.
Along road 1, in the main towns, there are supermarket chains that on average close around 8 pm, including Sundays.
Bonus
Kronan
Nettó

Skyr was our main food during the day, while in the evening we almost always ate in local restaurants, which serve salmon and the famous lamb. Don't disdain the cherry tomatoes too, they are a Made in Iceland delight! (Click here if you don't believe it).

While in Reykjavik you will find an offer of ethnic restaurants typical of a cosmopolitan city, the same cannot be said for the Highlands and the more remote areas.

Accomodation.
Choosing an accommodation to sleep in is an easy task, as Iceland is well-stocked with accommodation facilities, with high standards. However, we recommend that you book the facilities well in advance (months in advance), especially if you decide to stay in more remote areas. Prices are high.

Climate.
The Icelandic climate is very different from the Italian one, typically cool temperate or Mediterranean (although due to climate change we are tropicalizing!).

While in winter the Icelandic climate is very rigid, with real snowstorms and a few hours of sunlight available, in summer the temperature varies between 12 and 23 degrees with very long days, tending to cloudy (in our lucky case there was a clear sky almost every day).

What to pack.
In winter, pack your suitcase with clothes as if you were going skiing, in summer you prefer spring clothes, with space also dedicated to something heavier.

A waterproof jacket is mandatory, hats or scarves for those who can't stand the strong wind.

Even for those who will not go trekking we strongly recommend resistant and waterproof shoes, with a suitable sole to guarantee stability.

Remember to also bring a towel and swimsuit: spas and hot pools are pure pleasure!

A sunscreen could always come in handy, but if you forget something you can always buy it directly on the spot!

Power outlets.
The electric current in Iceland is 220 volts, 50 HZ AC. The electrical sockets have two plugs, type C and type F, the same as the Italian one.
Useful link power sockets.

Telephone / internet coverage.
The phone takes practically everywhere, both in Reykjavik and in the polar desert, both for calling and surfing the internet.