Live Your Best Lives
Iceland, the name alone exudes a fairy-like aura. In the past two years, Iceland has appeared more and more frequently. Almost half of the people list this small Nordic country as the country they most want to visit, and those who have been there have also confirmed that it is indeed a mysterious fairyland.
Speaking of which, the preference for Iceland in film and television works has also made Iceland gradually enter everyone's field of vision. Many movies that require fantasy scenes have also chosen Iceland, a wonderland with few people:
The most beautiful Highway 1 where you can skateboard in "Daydreamer".
The Myvatn geothermal area, which became a witness to love in "Game of Thrones".
The apocalyptic black sand beach in Star Trek Into Darkness.
Dettifoss in "Prometheus" perfectly matches the science fiction atmosphere.
There are also various ethereal realms where two elderly people let their lives fly in "Old People's Trip to Iceland".
Which scene doesn’t make you gasp and secretly swear: you must go to Iceland once!
What's so good about Iceland? Iceland's summer allows you to experience all four seasons. You'll be amazed at how it combines almost all the beauty of the world.
This guide will tell you <Why to visit Iceland in summer> <What to do in Iceland in summer> <Pre-trip guide to Iceland>
"One day, I watched 44 sunsets."
The Little Prince watched 44 sunsets on his planet. As romantic as Iceland is, you can also experience 44 sunsets in Iceland in summer.
Iceland, nestled beneath the Arctic Circle, is blessed with the ultimate romance of the midnight sun. This sunlight appears from June 16th to 29th, but May, July, and August also boast exceptionally long days, allowing visitors to experience the wonder of the sun lingering into the night.
In this Icelandic summer, the sun can stay for you for hours at its most beautiful, just to prolong the short beauty of this world. You can chase the sunset like the Little Prince out of sadness, or you can chase the sunrise and sunset in Iceland for the ecstasy in your heart.
In addition to the midnight sun, Iceland turns into a painting in the summer, lifting the taboos of winter. Many areas and projects that cannot be visited in winter can be enjoyed freely in the summer.
The inland highlands with magnificent scenery are rarely visited by people. It is one of the largest uninhabited areas in Europe and has hardly been developed by humans. Because the mountain roads are closed in winter (late October to early May) and there is heavy snow, tourists cannot enter. Only in summer will the roads leading to the inland highlands be open.
In summer, Iceland unveils the inland highlands, known as the "color palette of Iceland". The ice and snow fade away, and the mountains reveal their original colors: red, yellow, orange, purple... Every mountain will give you different surprises.
Known as "the most dazzling jewel in Iceland's natural crown," the frozen lagoon can only be admired from afar in winter. Only in summer can you take a boat tour of the lagoon and touch the jewel-like icebergs in the lake with your own hands.
Large chunks of ice broken off from the glacier float in the huge glacial lake, sparkling in the sunlight like diamonds. This pure black beach is therefore named "Diamond Ice Beach".
Jökulsárlón is a glacial masterpiece, while Thrihnukagigur is a volcanic poem.
It is the only volcano in the world where you can enter the interior and is only open to the public from May to October each year. To enter the "center of the earth", you must first hike up to the crater and then take an elevator down to the 120-meter-high interior of the volcano.
This volcano has been silent for more than 4,000 years, and only the colorful inner walls prove that this was once a crater with roiling magma.
The Icelandic horse, one of Iceland's top animals, is not tall, has short legs, a proud hairstyle, and is born with various dance steps.
At midnight in summer, ride a horse on the beach and chase the countless sunsets and midnight sunshine that belong to you. The world is not as free and romantic as you.
Summer is a sea of lupines in Iceland. As soon as May and June come, you can see many purple flowers. In midsummer, you can see large fields of purple lupines everywhere.
The lupines in Iceland are very tall, growing to more than half a person's height. Surrounded by a sea of purple flowers on Highway 1, it is truly romantic and enchanting.
Iceland's national bird, the Atlantic Puffin, known for its birdlife, is a beloved seabird. It returns to land to lay its eggs between April and August, attracting large crowds of bird lovers every summer.
What’s lovely is that in late summer from August to September, the children on the island begin to take on the responsibility of “saving the baby puffins”. The children will go out at night to look for lost or injured baby puffins, escort them to the beach and help them return to the sea.
At the height of summer, Iceland becomes an island devoid of dreams. In July, the capital, Reykjavik, experiences 21 hours of daylight, a near-permanent sun that renders all lights useless.
Reykjavik's nightlife is world-renowned. While it might not boast the same top-tier clubs as New York or London, nocturnal residents can still have a blast. The city's bars are concentrated along Laugavegur Street, where the city's most energetic young crowds gather on weekends.
Icelanders who love music will organize various music festivals and spend their dreamless summer in one carnival after another.
The average summer temperature in Iceland ranges from 10-15°C, with occasional highs of 5°C and even 25°C. While not as humid as spring, rainy days are common. With luck, you can still experience mild, sunny, and calm summer weather.
1. Windproof Jacket (Hyperjacket): Windproof and waterproof, this jacket is a must-have for weathering Iceland's strong winds.
2. Warm Underwear: Always have these on hand, even in the summer, just in case. Wear them under a dry suit for diving or snorkeling, keeping you warm. For hiking, warm undergarments can be very useful.
3. Wool Socks: A seemingly ordinary pair of socks will provide essential warmth while exploring Iceland's stunning summer scenery. 4.
Waterproof Hiking Boots: Avoid wearing UGGs. In Iceland's unpredictable weather, a comfortable, waterproof, and windproof pair of hiking boots will ensure a smooth journey.
5. Depending on your physical condition and the needs of your trip, we recommend packing additional clothing, such as a wool sweater, gloves, a hat, and sunglasses, for emergencies.
Currently, there is no city
in China that can fly directly to Iceland. However, the four Nordic countries have direct flights from their respective capitals to Keflavik, Iceland's international airport. Traveling from China can make a transfer in Northern Europe.
From the
airport, taking the airport bus to the city center is a cost-effective and economical option. Reykjavik Excursion offers transfers to and from Keflavík International Airport, with multiple departures daily. Choose from one-way or round-trip tickets.
Transportation in Reykjavik:
Reykjavik's attractions are not scattered, and generally speaking, they can be reached on foot. Of course, if you live far from the city center, taking public transportation will save you time.
Tips:
Bus and fare enquiry: https://www.straeto.is/
The Strarto APP allows you to view the live map in real time, such as how long it will take for the bus you want to take to arrive at the station.
Iceland's roads aren't particularly good, with gravel and other road conditions being commonplace. Some cars may require gravel or collision insurance. However, the famous Ring Road 1, which connects many of the island's most scenic spots, is in excellent condition and suitable for ordinary cars. For other routes, choosing a car type will depend on your needs.
1. Iceland’s visa application center in China
Iceland has a visa application center in Beijing. Applicants from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing need to submit their documents to the Danish visa application center in the corresponding city.
Tips:
Iceland Visa Application Service Center website: www.vfsglobal.cn/IceLand/China/Tourist_Visa.html
2. Visa-related matters:
Preparing the required visa materials and relevant certificates in advance can greatly increase the Schengen visa issuance rate.
(1) Prepare the necessary basic materials: Schengen visa application form, a recent color photo taken within the past 6 months, a bank statement of more than 30,000 yuan, a passport and a copy of the passport ID page, the original and a copy of the travel medical insurance, an itinerary (including round-trip air ticket reservations and proof of accommodation), the original household registration booklet and copies of all pages of the applicant’s household registration.
(2) Go to the Iceland Visa Application Center to submit your application and biometric data (ten fingerprints and a digital photo) and pay a fee.
(3) If you are a freelancer, in addition to the basic documents, you will also need to prepare: proof of residence and personal income proof; if necessary, prepare a notarized document, that is, if your parents are funding the trip, you will need to notarize your relationship with the travel investor, such as mother-daughter relationship.
(4) If you are a family traveling with children, in addition to the basic documents, you will also need to prepare: a travel consent form and a notarized and authenticated kinship relationship (or birth certificate).
3. Visa Processing Time and Itinerary Confirmation:
We recommend planning your itinerary 20 days before your trip, providing information such as flight reservations, hotel reservations, and itinerary information before applying for visas in the relevant countries.
Your entry and exit countries are crucial when applying for a visa. If the country of entry you indicate when submitting your application differs from your actual itinerary, you may be denied entry. Therefore, it's best to apply based on your actual itinerary.
You should also plan your entry and exit times according to the maximum stay allowed on the visa granted by the consulate.
This is Iceland in the summer, eternally mysterious, occasionally opening its arms to embrace you with the ever-lasting warmth of the summer sun. And you want to do nothing but linger.
