The country's reputation for beauty is almost exceeded by its notoriety for Scandinavian prices. That said, there are plenty of ways to plan weekend breaks in Iceland on a budget.
Prices are the lowest between September and April, and if you're hoping to see the Northern Lights, this is the best time to visit, anyway. Because some tours don't operate during this season and roads can be closed due to ice, you might have to limit your trip in certain ways, but you can still rent a car with four-wheel drive and make the most of the limited visitor crowd. Furthermore, this is a great time to see Reykjavik. The city's streets, heated from below, mean you can walk around easily all year round.
Stay in a holiday apartment or youth hostel. Hotels in Iceland are pricey at any time of year. Hostels, however, are family-friendly as well as clean, making them an ideal option for most budget travellers.
The Blue Lagoon is world-famous, but there are plenty of other thermal pools in the area, which are free or cheaper to enter. One great option is the Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths.
Reykjavik is known for being a paradise for foodies from around the world, thanks to its incredibly unique, fresh cuisine.
The must-do tour for gastronomically-minded visitors is the Reykjavik Walking Tour. Experience the city with a local guide and enjoy stops at five to six restaurants along the way, which highlight the best of Icelandic cuisine. Standard items to sample include Icelandic lamb, home-made ice cream, and Icelandic hot dogs.
Taste a wide variety of Icelandic cheeses and other dairy products, like the Icelandic version of yoghurt, skyr. During this two-hour workshop at a shop called Burid, you will learn about the processes involved in making the different cheeses and what makes Icelandic cows different from other breeds.
The only restaurant in Iceland with a Michelin star, enjoy a journey through Nordic cuisine in an intimate setting. Bookings fill up quickly for this popular restaurant, so be sure to reserve in advance.