An adventure! To explore Iceland and Finland together
Follow these tips for planning your trip
- Best Time to Visit:
- Iceland: Summer (June to August) with milder weather and longer daylight hours. Winter (December to February) to see Northern Lights.
- Finland: Summer (June to August) with the Midnight Sun and all kinds of outdoor activities. Winter (December to February) to witness Northern Lights and winter sports.
- Itinerary Highlights:
- Golden Circle: visit Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
- South Coast: explore Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, black sand beaches, and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
- Northern Lights: go to Akureyri or outskirt of Reykjavik for the opportunity of witnessing the Aurora Borealis.
- Helsinki: visit the capital city architecture, its museums, and vibrant food culture.
- Rovaniemi: Visit Santa Claus Village, take a Northern Lights tour, and experience the Arctic Circle.
- Lapland: Enjoy the beauty of nature, go for reindeer safaris, and experience the traditional Sami culture.
- Travel between Countries:
- By Flight: There are direct flights between Reykjavik and Helsinki, so it is convenient to travel between the two countries.
- Transportation: Renting a car in both countries allows for flexible exploration. Public transportation is also good, especially in cities.
- Accommodation:
- Iceland: Choose lodges, boutique hotels, or guesthouses that are eco-friendly. Areas of interest include Reykjavik, Vik, and the Golden Circle.
- Finland: There are various options available, from luxury hotels to cabins, in Helsinki, Rovaniemi, and Lapland.
- Activities:
- Iceland: Explore the country through hiking, glacier tours, hot springs, and whale watching. Northern lights tours are also available for viewing.
- Finland: Hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, reindeer safaris, and Northern Lights tours.
- Pack these:
- Clothing: both warm and cold layers; waterproof; windproof
- Gear: hiking boots, swimsuit for hot springs, binoculars for wildlife watching.
- Electronics: camera; chargers; travel adapters for your electronics.
- Local Cuisine:
- Iceland: Do try traditional dishes such as lamb, fish, and skyr-Icelandic yogurt.
- Finland: Finnish specialities include rye bread, salmon, and reindeer meat.
- Safety and Health:
- Emergency Numbers: Familiarise yourself with the emergency numbers in those countries. Both countries share the same emergency number (112).
- Travel Insurance: Ensure you have travel insurance that will cover medical expenses and what you will be doing.
- Sustainability:
- Eco-Friendly Travel: Choose eco-friendly accommodations and activities to minimize your environmental impact.
- Language:
- English: Both countries have great proficiency in English, so the language need not be a problem. It’s also nice to learn some simple phrases of Icelandic or Finnish.
