Too many tourists in Iceland

With a 20% increase in visitors every year, Iceland is starting to feel the strain—on top of environmental impacts, inflation, and overcrowded accommodations. As a result, the Icelandic government is now considering ways to better regulate tourism, like introducing taxes or visitor limits. Read more...

That’s why I’m leaving in May! Soon Iceland will look like Le Grau-du-Roi—thousands of tourists, shirtless, sweating, between the smell of kebabs and the sharp sound of slaps at whiny kids... in the middle of loud Chinese tourists...

Next year, it’s the Meuse that’ll get my vote!!!

Well, Iceland is still the least-visited country in Europe! It’s the size, the concentration of tourists at the same sites, and the lack of accommodations that’s the problem.

I get it... that’s also why we’re going in early May. The Icelandic weather’s currently in Lyon—6°C and rain yesterday!

Normal. With the increase in low-cost flights, it's possible to go for less than 100 € round trip to Reykjavik.

On site, car rental isn't expensive. And by camping and prioritizing supermarkets for food, Iceland is actually a budget-friendly destination ;)

After that, it's still entirely possible to visit Iceland without running into too many tourists. Just head to the western or eastern fjords, or the center. That leaves plenty of options!

, Iceland is actually a budget-friendly destination 😉

Phew! It’s true that if you travel by bike, camp in the wild, and eat sandwiches, it’s budget-friendly, but for equivalent services—car rental, food, accommodation—Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world.

Good thing you added a smiley ;)

What’s holding me back from traveling again is the Chinese community. It’s awful. Why? Because they push us around, they talk loudly, and they’re disrespectful.

My last three trips to Europe were ruined by this overwhelming community. For goodness’ sake, teach them some discretion.

Well, buddy, with no Asian racism intended at all—I have some *very* loud memories of Chinese tourists in Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and other American beauties. My nephew spent 6 months in Shanghai, and there are so many people that they shout just to hear each other. They bring that habit abroad, and since they’re newly rich, their behavior suffers. In short, worse than the French!

What’s holding me back from traveling again is the Chinese community. It’s horrifying. Why? Because they push us around, they talk loudly, they’re disrespectful.

My last three trips to Europe were ruined by this overwhelming community. For heaven’s sake, teach them some discretion.

I thought I was the only one who felt this way...

I went last year in February (with family) and I couldn’t believe my eyes!! Whether it was them or others, I had a really bad time. Such a huge lack of respect.

Hi there

When it comes to Chinese tourists, it's hard for me to judge since I haven't yet visited places overrun by hordes of them (thank goodness!). But I think this kind of disrespectful behavior is typical of tourists from very strict, orderly countries. In those places, everything is regulated, police are everywhere, people are constantly monitored, and infractions are severely punished... So, of course, when they leave their country, they let loose!

I’ve seen this kind of behavior from tourists from former Eastern Bloc countries too. People were restricted for too long and didn’t have the chance to travel. So when they discover the West, they go all out—no shame, no restraint! To the point that some of these countries have found it necessary to publish little brochures for their citizens on how to behave abroad!

But I’ve also seen German tourists, who are used to order and discipline at home, act without any restraint when they’re in a group (even though individually, they can be quite charming).

Rest assured, even in August, there's little chance of seeing shirtless (except in hot springs) and sweaty tourists. Average of 15°C in August, not to mention the wind 😜

That's why I'm going in May! Soon Iceland will look like Le Grau du Roi—thousands of tourists, shirtless, sweaty, between the smell of kebabs and the sharp sound of smacks to whiny kids... in the middle of loud Chinese tourists...

Next year, the Meuse will get my preference!!!

With a 20% increase in visitors every year, Iceland is starting to feel the strain, with additional impacts on its environment, inflation, and accommodation saturation. As a result, through taxes or limitation measures, the Icelandic government is now considering better regulating the country's tourism flow. Read more...

I booked just a week before the 2010 volcano eruption! It was an unknown destination back then. Given the prices, I didn’t realize tourism had exploded to this extent. I went at just the right time 🙂 One of my best trips.

Same for me—I visited Iceland in 2012, one of my most beautiful trips. On the other hand, there wasn’t a tourist in sight (or almost), since I was there off-season in September.

True, there are too many tourists, but aren’t we all part of it? I also travel off-season, but the only thing that bothers me when there are too many tourists is the lack of respect. Other than that, everyone has the right to travel whenever they want ;)

I totally agree with you, and what I really don’t get is why Icelanders aren’t cracking down more—it’s great to want to open up, but it’s not so great to have to deal with this crowd who, on top of everything, mostly just care about ticking another box in their travel journal and saying "I’ve been there"🏴‍☠️

The nature is so fragile, it was one of the last sanctuaries of its kind, and EVEN THERE, things are changing irreversibly. It’s so sad !

I shouldn’t say this, but it’s daylight non-stop in Iceland in the summer... so to avoid the crowds, steer clear of tourist spots between 10 AM and 5 PM. Hike during the day with a tactical nap by a stream (if the weather cooperates), then drive to see the must-see sights along the way. We had a peaceful time last summer! Discovering Jökulsárlón lagoon under the midnight sun with no one around was magical... It works if you’re camping, since you can arrive at any hour and pay the next morning.

It's crowded, really crowded... Well, relatively speaking. We're in Hofn right now, and since we left, we've only really seen crowds at Skogafoss! Even at Gulfoss, it was very manageable :) On the other hand, at Haifoss, not a soul. Same at Jokulsarlon—we stopped 800m before the main entrance, walked along the south shore of the lake without running into any tourists... They're all at the end, in front of the glacier pile-up... And packed in like sardines. It's totally possible to skip the worst of the crowds—just avoid certain times or obvious spots.... I don’t regret my choice of trip at all! You shouldn’t skip Iceland just to avoid the Chinese; they’re everywhere now anyway!!

😊Oh wow! I really hope I can still "walk" in the footsteps of my ancestors, because after 5 unsuccessful attempts, I’m hoping there’ll be a little spot for me (not too expensive)😉

No worries, you’ll be part of the tourist flow!

No worries, you’ll be part of the tourist flow

I sure hope so! Whether it’s the "flow" or not, I’ll be thrilled to be there! 🙂

Worse than "I went there" for me is "I did..." Iceland, or anywhere else! 😠

That’s why I’m leaving in May! Soon Iceland will look like Le Grau-du-Roi—thousands of tourists, shirtless, sweating, between the smell of kebabs and the sharp sound of smacks to whiny kids... in the middle of loud Chinese tourists...

Next year, it’s the Meuse that’ll get my vote!!!

Before sweating it out in Iceland, we’ve still got some time