Iceland. The name doesn‘t sound too inviting but still there is something cool about it. And now we get to the question that plagues every traveler – what to expect and how to pack for a journey to a country like Iceland
Nothing is more frustrating than being underprepared and to have forgotten something crucial. You don‘t want to spend precious holiday-time locating this or that in an unfamiliar place. You must begin by doing some research. In the case of this small island right on the edge of the Arctic, the climate and the weather are the main factors. I should begin by telling you that Iceland is not as cold as the name would suggest. But then again it‘s not warm either – believe you me. In summer time we might see as much as 18-20°C with the average of about 11°C. The mean temperature for the whole year is about 4°C and in winter time it stays closer to 0°C. Precipitation per year is around 1000 mm and it tends to be quite windy. When all this is taken into consideration this is what you should pack:
Clothing
- Layers!!!
- Layer 1 – Woolen shirt, woolen long johns/leggings/thermals
- Layer 2 – Fleece/down/wool jacket/sweater, soft (fleece) pants
- Layer 3 – Water- and windproof jacket and trousers
- Thick hat
- Gloves
- Woolen socks
- Hiking/waterproof boots
- Something dressy for a night out in Reykjavik!
Other smart things
- For Arctic Trucks-driving you need your driver‘s license
- Your camera
- Phone charger
- Extra battery and memory card
- Electric adopter (Iceland has the standard European plug)
- Bathing suit and towel (in case you run into a natural pool)
- Eye mask for sunny summer nights
- Sunscreen is always important, even in Iceland Note: For outdoor activities – No cotton!
