Iceland in November and December? Really? I saw an Icelandair promotion on Instagram which I couldn’t resist. The catch? It had to be late November to the start of December 2022. But I could – easily – enthuse Oriol to come along for a road trip in the South and West of Iceland. 

From 26 November to 4 December 2022 Oriol and I travelled to Iceland. To keep planning simple, we booked the ‘Iceland Glacier & Hot Spring Winter Road Trip 8 Days / 7 Nights‘ package at Iceland Tours. The package included the rental car with a mobile WiFi device, the accommodation and a roadmap. 

Obviously the pdf provided much more information than just this map.

Popular with friends

I feel like I had the most feedback from friends, colleagues and acquaintances regarding this trip than any other. My guess is the ‘differentness’ of Iceland, the exoticism of Iceland but also the proximity and feasibility of Iceland make it so attractive to my said friends, colleagues and acquaintances. 

It’s not hard to see why. Every landscape is worth a postcard. The name, the location and its nature as volcanic island make Iceland something to aspire to. 

Our rail trips are too niche and too specialised to be attractive to a broad audience. Destinations like Australia are too far and the long travel time across the world put people off. 

So here are a few frequently asked questions I got regarding out trip to Iceland

Was it cold in November?

Temperature was the number one topic when people talked about Iceland with me.  No, it was not or barely colder than Belgium at the time we went, number wise. Strong wind and rain did give a colder feeling. But we had proper clothing so it was alright.

More on this in the previous Iceland blog post. 

How was driving in Iceland?

You find many resources on driving in Iceland in winter conditions. Yes, you have to be careful. But most of this resources are also slightly paranoid. Use common sense, know yourself and don’t be too adventurous. 

Is Iceland expensive?

Yes it is to us. Cost of life and wages are higher in Iceland than in Belgium and its neighbouring countries. As a tourist, you notice it the most when buying food in supermarkets and eating out. 

But because of the higher cost of individual products, we consumed less. 

One beer with dinner. Nothing more. So in the end we didn’t spend more than we would have travelling to Spain, Italy or Greece. 

What about daylight?

Yes, in November that was an issue. We had to be carefull with precious daytime hours. This meant prioritising one or other sight and trying to estimate travel time to these sights. 

Who is it for?

I didn’t get this question but it’s a pertinent one.

Who is Iceland for? At least one of your travel party must be able and willing to drive. You’re nothing without a car.

You don’t need to be an experienced hiker, but you must be able and willing. Iceland is not a very accessible country for people with disabilities.I have some, and I struggled a few times and had to say no on several occasions.

It’s an ‘active’ destination. You go to Iceland to do and see things. Not to lounge around. 

You can do Reykjavík as a city trip. But one or two full days are enough. 

What are Icelanders like?

Another question I didn’t get. Icelanders are friendly but not very talkative. Except that guy in the hot tub in Vík. 

We barely found Icelanders on Grindr.

There are many people from Poland. They are the backbone of the workforce. So you will find sings in Polish. 

So?

Yes, Iceland is trip to remember. It was so photogenic. I’m very happy I’ve done this trip and I’m grateful Oriol was willing to drive.

So yes, I would definitely recommend a trip to Iceland. 

Iceland, November & December 2022

1. REVIEW | Icelandair Brussels Airport (Zaventem) to Reykjavík (Keflavík International Airport) on Boeing 737 MAX 8 in Economy.
2. ICELAND | Kevlavík – Bridge Between Continents – Reykjanesviti Lighthouse – Reykjanestá – Gunnuhver Hot Springs – Grindavík – Reykjavík.
3. REVIEW | Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík.
4. ICELAND | Seljalandsfoss Waterfall – Skógafoss – Sólheimajökull – Dyrhólaeyjarviti – Reynisfjara – Vík.
5. REVIEW | Hotel Katla in Vík.
6. ICELAND | Skeiðará Bridge – Diamond Beach – Jökulsárlón – Skaftafellsjökull – Dverghamrar – Kirkjugólf – Fjaðrárgljúlfur – Skaftáreldahraun.
7. ICELAND | Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach near Vík.
8. ICELAND | Fjaðrárgljúlfur – DC-3 Plane Wreck at Sólheimasandur – Geysir – Gullfoss.
9. ICELAND | Secret Lagoon in Flúðir.
10. REVIEW | Guesthouse Flúðir.
11. ICELAND | Þingvellir or Thingvellir National Park – Hvalfjörður Fjord – Húsafell.
12. REVIEW | Guesthouse Bjarg in Borgarnes.
13. ICELAND | Eldborg Crater – Bjarnarfoss – Búðakirkja – Arnarstapi – Hellnar – Djúpalónssandur – Kirkjufell – Stykkishólmur.
14. ICELAND | Esja(n) – Úlfarsfell – Krýsuvík – Seltún Geothermal Hot Springs.
15. ICELAND | Blue Lagoon hot pool.
16. Queer Iceland & Rainbow(baiting) Reykjavík.
17. REYKJAVÍK | The Icelandic Phallological Museum.
18. ICELAND | A day in Reykjavík.
19. Iceland in late November.