Iceland in November: Everything You Need to Know for Your Trip

Map from Wanderlog

Note: Foss in Icelandic means waterfall: Gullfoss, Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss. If you see a word ending in “foss,” or see it on a road sign, there’s likely a waterfall nearby!

• Have dinner and spend the night at Ion Adventure hotel.
  • This is one of the best places to stay to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. 
  • There’s a relaxing thermal pool on site.
  • This hotel is pretty isolated, so the only nearby restaurant is the one at the hotel.

Southern Iceland: Day 3

• Grab breakfast at the hotel and prepare for a day of waterfalls and black sand beaches! 
• Drive to Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi, two unique waterfalls (1.5 hours from Ion Adventure Hotel).
  • You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi is located in a cave nearby.
  • There’s a small cafe, restrooms and a gift shop on site.

• Continue driving to Skógafoss (25 minutes).
  • Skógafoss has a viewing platform at the top that offers amazing views. 
  • The stairs to the top are about a 7-10 minute climb.

• Check out Reynisfjara black sand beach (30 minutes).
  • This beach has other-wordly rock formations and was a filming location for Game of Thrones.
  • Be very careful at this beach, the waves and tides are extremely strong.  

• Drive to the picturesque town of Vik (10 minutes).
  • Have lunch at the Iceland Soup Company
    • If you have time, also check out their lava show.  
  • Walk along the Black Sand Beach in Vik. 
  • Take in the views from the Vík i Myrdal Church.

• Stop at the Sólheimajökull Glacier on the way back to Reykjavik (30 minutes).
  • Take a quick walk/hike here for impressive glacier views. 

• Return to Reykjavik for the night (2 hours).
  • On the drive back you’ll likely see some places to pull over and say hi to Icelandic ponies. 
  • Hotel recommendations (all central):  
    • Alda Hotel
    • Hotel Von
    • Exeter Hotel
    • Hotel Ódinsvé

• Have dinner and drinks at one of Reykjavik’s awesome restaurants.
  • Restaurant recommendations: 
    • Tapas Barinn (Spanish style tapas with an Icelandic influence)
    • Bastard Brew & Food (craft beer and upscale pub food)
    • Brass Kitchen & Bar (Icelandic food and great desserts)
    • Reykjavik Fish (casual fish and chips, the best in the city!)
    • Reykjavik Chips (fast food style, great fries!)

Reykjavik: Day 4

• Have breakfast/brunch at a delicious cafe.
  • Brunch recommendations:
    • The Laundromat Cafe
    • Sandholt
    • Emilie and the Cool Kids

• Shop around Reykjavik
  • There are great, local shops all around the downtown area, especially on Laugavegur street. 
  • This is a great place to do some holiday shopping!
• Visit the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church
  • Explore the interior and then head to the bell tower for epic city views. 

• For those who want a relaxing day in Reykjavik, check out the new Sky Lagoon and spend the day pampering yourself. 
• Take a food tour (or another fun tour)! I love taking food tours when I travel, it’s such a fun way to learn more about the local culture and traditions. 
  • Reykjavik Food Walk
  • Reykjavik Food Lovers Tour
  • Beer and Food Tasting Tour in Reykjavík
• Say goodbye to Reykjavik and head to the Northern Lights Inn in Grindavik (1 hour drive).
  • This is another great place to see the Northern Lights! 
• Have dinner at Max’s restaurant at the Northern Lights Inn. 
• Sleep well, hopefully see the Northern Lights, and head to the airport in the morning. 

Note for Reykjavik: If you’re feeling adventurous, a volcano hike is so much fun and such a unique experience. These hikes are usually around 6 hours (total time) and are absolutely worth doing. 

Volcano hikes near Reykjavik:

• Small Group Volcano Hike with a Geologist
• Hike to Fagradalsfjall Volcano – Private Tour
• Fagradalsfjall – Entire Day Volcano Tour & Sightseeing

Often, travelers visit Iceland as a stopover for a day or two on their way to mainland Europe. Even in November with limited daylight, you’ll still be able to see great highlights in just a couple days. Check out my guide for how to spend two days in Iceland for a trip itinerary!

Driving in Iceland in November

When planning a trip to Iceland, at any time of year, one of my biggest tips is to rent a car. 

While it is possible to get a taxi into Reykjavik, walk around the city, and take only guided tours, having a car provides so much more flexibility and will allow you to really make the most of your trip. 

While renting a car is an added expense, and gas is expensive, so are taxis and guided day-long tours. 

In the winter, once it starts to snow, you’ll want to rent a 4-wheel drive car. It’s a safer and more reliable option. 

The good news is, driving in Iceland is relatively easy. Most roads are just two lanes and there is rarely a lot of traffic, besides in the center of Reykjavik and surrounding area.

Tips for driving and renting a car in Iceland

Automatic vs Manual Car

• When renting a car, if you don’t know how to drive a manual, make sure you reserve an automatic. Unlike in the US, there are a ton of manual cars  in Iceland, so make sure you select the type of car you’d like to drive. Automatics are often, unfortunately, more expensive. 

Gas vs Diesel 

• In Iceland, you’ll find that many vehicles use diesel, no matter their size. This isn’t a problem, just be sure you know if your car takes gas or diesel so you don’t  accidentally put the wrong fuel in when filling up. 

Cost of Gas 

• Gas is a major expense when visiting iceland. Gas prices are usually somewhere between $7-9 a gallon, with diesel being slightly less. A small Honda with a 12 gallon tank, for example, will be around $100 to fill up. 

What side of the road do they drive on in Iceland?

• In Iceland you drive on the right side of the road and pass on the left, like in the USA.  

Can I drive in Iceland with a US license?

• Yes, if you’re from the US, Europe or Canada you can use your license without needing an international driver’s license. If you’re from a country outside of these regions, there may be additional documents needed. 

Packing for Iceland in November

When packing for Iceland any time of year, layers are your best friend. You’ll want sweaters, long sleeves, hats, gloves and a scarf. A warm, waterproof jacket is also necessary – the weather goes from snow, to rain, to wind very quickly. 

If you’re partaking in any adventurous outdoor activities, a glacier hike, a volcano hike, snowmachining, etc. you’ll also want waterproof snow pants. However, if you’re following the itinerary I shared above, just regular jeans/pants are fine. 

For shoes, warm, waterproof boots will be your go-to. Those are the only shoes I brought for my November trip and they were really all I needed.

Q&A: Visiting Iceland in November

Do I need to bring cash/where do I exchange money?

• Something I love about Iceland is that everywhere (in my experience) takes credit cards. I’ve never needed cash when traveling in Iceland, even for the smallest purchases. While you can exchange money at the airport, or take cash out of ATMs, it’s not necessary. 

Is it expensive to visit Iceland?

• Yes and no. The short answer is that Iceland is not a super budget-friendly destination. Eating out is extremely expensive, as is gas and many guided tours. 
• On the other hand, grocery shopping for breakfast and lunch items and making your coffee at the hotel/AirBnb will save you money. There are also affordable hotels and AirBnbs across most of Iceland, especially in Reykjavik. 

Can you drink the water in Iceland?

• Yes! Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the tap water is very safe to drink. 

What is the food like in Iceland?

• Many meals in Iceland are heavily meat-based. Due to the climate, there are not many vegetable farms (besides greenhouses), so most produce is imported. Dairy products, like yogurt, ice cream and cheese are often locally produced and very delicious. 

Is Uber available in Iceland?

• No, but there are taxis. 

Is tipping customary in Iceland?

• No, in Iceland servers, and those in the service industry, are paid a livable wage and tipping is not customary or expected. I’ve had tips returned to me at restaurants and also had a waiter decline when I tried to leave a tip. This, of course, won’t be the situation every time and if you’d like to leave a tip for great service, in most instances, I’m sure it’s appreciated. 

What type of adapter do you need for Iceland?

• Iceland uses the same standard Europlug socket as most of Europe, the one with two round prongs. The standard voltage is 230V, which is higher than the 120V in the US. I use this universal adapter and it works great!

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November is a great time of year to visit Iceland if you’re interested in cold-weather activities and maybe even seeing the Northern Lights! I hope you found this guide for Iceland in November to be helpful. If you have any questions, want more information, or have anything to add to this post let me know in the comments.

Be sure to also follow us on social media for tons of travel inspiration and mini-guides: @twosistersabroad.

More Iceland Guides for Your Trip

• Best Places in Iceland to Visit on Your Trip
• Itinerary for a Perfect Weekend in Iceland
• 18 Essential Tips for Planning an Amazing First Trip to Iceland

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♡Kate

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