September 11, 2025

Beyond the Ring Road: An Iceland Insider’s Guide to Avoiding the Crowds

40 minutes

Iceland is so much more than the Golden Circle and Northern Lights—there's a vast country that exists beyond the tourist hotspots. On this episode of Unpacked, join host Aislyn Greene as she speaks with travel writer Ali Wunderman, who has been exploring the country for more than a decade.

Ali shares how to connect with authentic Icelandic culture, avoid the crowds, and discover the spots that most visitors miss. From traditional lopapeysa sweaters to remote West Fjords adventures, learn how to experience Iceland like a local.

In this episode, you'll learn

How to avoid crowds at Iceland's most popular destinations

Why the West Fjords and East Fjords offer Iceland's most authentic experiences

The cultural significance behind Iceland's tourism boom and economic recovery

How to respectfully engage with Icelandic hot spring etiquette and local customs

Don't miss these moments

[03:00] The tourism video that changed everything and launched Iceland's boom

[08:00] Why dating an Icelander is the ultimate travel hack (and passport strategy)

[15:00] Iceland's transformation from a place left off maps to overtourism destination

[20:00] The real story behind Icelandic cuisine beyond fermented shark

[25:00] How WWII American soldiers accidentally created modern Iceland's progressive culture

[30:00] Essential Icelandic words and cultural tips for connecting with locals

Meet this week's guest

Ali Wunderman, travel writer for National Geographic, Vogue, and Afar, and author of an Iceland guidebook

Resources

—Read the transcript of this episode

—Read Ali's Afar.com story about off-the-beaten-path Iceland

—Explore Afar's guide to Iceland

—Browse Ali's Iceland guidebook

—Follow Ali's travels and writing on Instagram

—Explore her ex-boyfriend's Icelandic music playlist. "He often shares this with foreigners to get a deeper taste of Iceland's music beyond the stuff that makes it to the USA," Ali says.

Where to Stay

Find your dream Icelandic hotel

Where to Eat, Drink, and shop

Shop for traditional Icelandic sweaters at the Handknitting Association of Iceland

Eat Icelandic cuisine at Dill restaurant (Iceland's first Michelin star)

Try local Thai restaurants (a surprising Iceland specialty)

Eat the famous hamburger with fries inside at Leirunesti in Akureyri

Activities

Horseback riding with Eldhestar

Sheep herding during réttir season (September)

Iceland Airwaves Music Festival (November)

Þorrablót winter festivals (January)

West Fjords photography expeditions

Highland four-wheel-drive adventures

Bonus Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode.

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By AFAR Media

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