Free and exclusive discount codes for hundreds of tours and & travel services in Iceland 🇮🇸

Subscribe to instantly receive discount codes for tours, car rental, camper van rental, and outdoor clothing rental. Also, check out my list of curated tours here in Iceland.
Thank you! ❤️
Jon Heidar, Editor of Stuck in Iceland Travel Magazine

What a year 2023 was for my Stuck in Iceland Travel magazine. Over 70 thousand people read the magazine, and 5.400 readers signed up for my newsletter. By doing so, they receive discount codes from over 100 tours and travel services from over 40 travel companies in Iceland. Compare that to 2022, when 41 thousand people read the magazine, and some 2.500 signed up for my discount codes. I am stunned and grateful for your incredible feedback, my dear readers.

A passion project where done is better than perfect

Running Stuck in Iceland continues to be a fun passion project, but sometimes, I wish I could polish things more. But I hope my readers forgive me for having things done rather than perfect. After all, the magazine is something I can only work on in my free time, on weekends and in the evenings. Otherwise, I am busy with my day job.

Thank you interviewees

In 2023, I published 70 articles; out of these, there were 34 interviews. I especially appreciate the interviewees for taking the time to participate. They are all busy people, and it is not given that they take the time to answer my questions.

The top ten list of the most popular content in 2023 was the following:

1. The page where you sign up for the Stuck in Iceland newsletter for over 100 Iceland tours and travel services

People love the Stuck in Iceland discount codes! I hope you like the new way of showing the tours and the travel services available with the discount codes!

The Icelandic Christmas Cat
The Icelandic Christmas Cat was a furry cannibal.

2. The article about the Yule cat

The nasty ghoul of Yule is always a matter of interest over Christmas. People like to read about this ugly cat who had babies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

3. How to pay for things in Iceland

We all know the feeling of being nervous about paying for goods and services abroad. Well, I’ve got you covered.

Man at Thingvellir
This could be you.

4. The Dark Side of Thingvellir

Thingvellir is Iceland’s most hallowed ground. However, it does have a very dark history indeed.

5. Rent outdoor clothes for your Iceland trip

The idea of renting outdoor clothes is intriguing to many people. After all, renting rather than buying can save you loads of money.

6. Icelandic Christmas cookie recipe

We all love cookies, especially around Christmas. People seem to like this little recipe.

A group of people listens to a guide inside the Langjökull ice tunnel
There is so much to learn about glaciers.

7. Into the Glacier

The stunning ice tunnel in Langjökull Glacier, Into the Glacier, continues to fascinate. Going there is quite an experience.

8. The best places to visit in the north-west of Iceland

Unlock the wonderful area northwest of Iceland in this guest article from Jón R. Hilmarsson.

Have fun and rent a camper van in Iceland.
Have fun and rent a camper van in Iceland.

9. Rent a Camper Van in Iceland with Happy Campers

My incredible partners at Happy Campers offer one of Iceland’s best camper van rental experiences.

Gljúfrabúi waterfall in all its glory
Gljúfrabúi waterfall in all its glory

10. The beautiful Gljúfrabúi waterfall

Gljúfrabúi waterfall is hidden a short distance from the popular Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Don’t miss it!

The ten most-read interviews in 2023 were the following:

Singer Laufey.
Meet Laufey, Iceland’s latest musical prodigy.

1. Interview with the superstar Laufey

Laufey goes from strength to strength with their incredible music. To interview her back in 2022 was such an honor.

The Icelandic photographer Eyrún Lydía has created a stunning collection of Iceland images.
The Icelandic photographer Eyrún Lydía has created a stunning collection of Iceland images.

2. Collection of Stunning Iceland Images

This photo tour from the excellent photographer Eyrún Lydía is one of my best articles.

The Viking Chieftain and top-rated Icelandic tour guide Valur Heiðar Sævarsson.
The Viking Chieftain and top-rated Icelandic tour guide Valur Heiðar Sævarsson.

3. Interview with Valur Heiðar

Valur Heiðar is the man behind Your Friend in Reykjavik and a leading figure in the Icelandic travel industry.

This is how you photograph the northern lights. A bird image from the northern lights by Hallgrímur P. Helgason.
When you know how to photograph the northern lights, this can be the result.

4. How to photograph the Northern lights

The master photographer Hallgrímur P. Helgason teaches us to photograph the northern lights.

The leading Icelandic private guide Bessi Jónsson, with his trusted travel companion Cami the dog (left). The are walking across Sólheimajökull glacier in Iceland.
The leading Icelandic private guide, Bessi Jónsson, with his trusted travel companion Cami the dog (left).

5. Meet Bessi Jónsson

The gregarious private guide Bessi Jónsson is one of the best in the business.

Ragnhildur Ágústsdóttir and Júlíus Jónnson, the founders of the Lava Show in Iceland
Ragga, Lady Lava, and Júlli, Mr. Lava Lava, do what they do best at the Lava Show.

6. Lady Lava

Ragga Ágústsdóttir is Lady Lava. She melts lava indoors for your viewing pleasure.

Emilía Sigurðardóttir
Emilía Sigurðardóttir

7. The Flight Plan for FlyOver Iceland

Emilia Sigurðardóttir reveals the magic behind FlyOver Iceland.

This car was rented using the Stuck in Iceland Travel Magazine discount promo code. True story.
This car was rented using the Stuck in Iceland Travel Magazine discount promo code. True story.

8. Iceland Bikini Photo Shoot

Sorelle Amore freezes for art. Most people look at this article for a great interview.

Ásta Ólafsdóttir is the Director of Sales, Business Development, and Marketing at Harpa in Reykjavik.
Ásta Ólafsdóttir is the Director of Sales, Business Development, and Marketing at Harpa in Reykjavik.

9. The wonderful Harpa concert and conference hall

Ásta Ólafsdóttir educates us all about Harpa, the landmark building in the heart of Reykjavik.

Stella Guðmundsdóttir runs Heydalur hotel in the westfjords.
Stella Guðmundsdóttir runs Heydalur hotel in the westfjords.

10. Heydalur Hotel in the Westfjords

A legend in the Icelandic travel industry runs Heydalur Hotel, an oasis in the Westfjords.

2023 was a good year, but I wished I had traveled more in Iceland

On a personal note, I could not travel in Iceland as much as I wanted in 2023. That is not to say that 2023 wasn’t a good year; on the contrary, there were some memorable things in 2023.

My wife and I were asked to walk beside one of the floats at Reykjavik Pride to ensure the safety of spectators. It was quite an experience to see the tens of thousands of people cheering on the LGBTQ+ community on a hot and sunny day.

Tens of thousand of people watched and cheered the Reykjavik Pride parade.
Tens of thousand of people watched and cheered the Reykjavik Pride parade.

We visited the Faroe Islands for the annual Olafsvaka festival. I was impressed with the Faroese people’s hospitality and determination to hold on to their culture and traditions.

Faroese ladies wearing traditional clothing at the annual Olafsvaka festival in Torshavn.
Faroese ladies wearing traditional clothing at the annual Olafsvaka festival in Torshavn.
Silly man leans over a crevasse on Sólheimajökull glacier in the south of Iceland.
I am doing my best to look cool while terrified.

I joined Bessi Jónsson of Moonwalker fame for an unforgettable trek up the Sólheimajökull glacier. Bessi, his dog Camy, and I had the glacier to ourselves.

Getting over a stream is a team effort. This stream is on the Leggjabrjótur hiking trail in Iceland.
Getting over a stream is a team effort. This stream is on the Leggjabrjótur hiking trail in Iceland.

My daughter, Ragnheiður, and I hiked across the Leggjabrjótur trail between Thingvellir and Hvalfjörður fjord. The hike was a delightful trek across a beautiful landscape.

Hotel Husafell and area.
Hotel Husafell and area.

Hallveig and I also spent a great weekend at the Hotel Husafell; there, it was a Eurovision weekend, which made it even more fun. If you go there, don’t miss the Húsafell Canyon baths. Of course, Hotel Húsafell is one of my partners, and you have to subscribe to the Stuck in Iceland newsletter to claim a 10% discount on the room price.

Faroese singer Elinborg performs on a stage with her band.
Faroese singer Elinborg was the surprise hit for me at Iceland Airwaves 2023.

It was also a blast to attend the 2023 Iceland Airwaves music festival. I cannot wait for the 2024 edition!

Anyway, thank you for reading my magazine in 2023. I wish you a peaceful and prosperous 2024.

Jón