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6 mistakes tourists make in Iceland, according to locals

Talia LakritzAug 29, 2023, 21:31 IST

Tourists walk near an informative sign warning of the dangers on the black-sand beach Reynisfjara near Vik, Iceland.Manuel Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Insider asked Icelandic locals about mistakes they often see tourists make.
Visitors who ignore warning signs at popular sites can suffer serious injury or death, one said.

In 2022, 1.7 million tourists visited Iceland, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board.

Insider asked Icelandic locals about mistakes they often see tourists make while visiting the land of fire and ice.

Here are the six biggest missteps.

Relying on sparse public transportation instead of renting a car is one mistake people make while visiting Iceland.

A car drives on a mountain road near the village of Midsandur, Iceland.Sergei Gapon/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Booking accommodations in Reykjavík for the entire duration of your trip adds lots of unnecessary driving time.

Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland.Boyloso / Getty Images

Tips are not expected in Iceland, so don't try to force your server to accept one.

A restaurant in Akureyri, Iceland.Joaquin Gomez Sastre/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Stepping on the delicate moss that blankets lava fields throughout Iceland can damage it for decades.

Moss growing in Iceland.Mark Downey/Getty Images

Visitors who expect to see the midnight sun in the winter or the northern lights in the summer will be disappointed.

The northern lights in Iceland.Shutterstock / David Varga

Ignoring warning signs at popular tourist sites can lead to serious injury or death.

A warning sign in the Icelandic Westfjords.Finn Huwald/picture alliance via Getty Images

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