About tourists in Iceland
Tourists choose to come to Iceland to visit the country’s diverse and unique nature, breath taking landscapes and natural phenomena including northern lights, waterfalls and glaciers.
What do most tourists do while in Iceland ?
The majority of tourists choose to visit Iceland in summer (June – August).
During summer travellers enjoy the mild climate and the bright summer nights, whereas in the fall and winter people benefit from having fewer tourists and the chance to see the northern lights.
Tourists stay an average 7 nights in Iceland.
Tourists tend to stay longer in summer months, 8-9 nights in July and August. From November to February that number drops to an average of 5 – 6 nights.
Tourists prefer to stay in hotels / guesthouses, apartment hotels and hostels.
In the summer campsites are also popular. For information on what/where accommodations are available, click here.
Tourists tend predominately to stay in the Capital Region (80%) and the South of Iceland (55%).
The capital region is in close proximity to Keflavik International Airport, where the majority of tourists arrive and the wide variety activities and accommodations are available.
When travelling in Iceland tourists prefer rental car services.
Rental cars are the most utilized mode of transportation as many tourists travel independently. It is important to inform tourists of safety matters, such as traffic regulations and road conditions in Iceland (see Safety).
Tourists primarily visit natural baths, museums, glaciers and partake sightseeing tours and guided hikes are also popular.
There are wide range of activities including horseback riding, whale watching or a day at the swimming pool available across all of Iceland. Click here to explore what activities are available and where.
Tourist arrivals
Tourist arrivals increased significantly in 2011 following the financial crisis and the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, creating a new and important economic sector in Iceland. In 2017 tourist arrivals were over 2 million for the first time. As of September 2024 the number was just over 1.7 million, meaning tourism has become a sustainable income sector for Iceland’s economy.
The majority of tourists arrive via Keflavik, International Airport.
Tourists arriving via cruise ships are counted separately, see here.
Nationality
Tourists come from all over the world, but the majority come from North America, Central and Southern Europe, Great Britain, Eastern Europe and China.