Iceland

When to go

Weather

Mild summers (May-August) with nearly 24 hours of daylight. Very cold winters (November-March). The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, appears from the end of August, although is best seen in the winter months. The weather can be very changeable throughout the year.

Festivals

Summertime is the busiest for events, often held out-of-doors. Reykjavik hosts the annual Cultural Night in August, which features outdoor concerts, performances, fireworks and fairs going on until the wee hours. Bars, restaurants, shops and galleries also stay open late. Other notable events include the gluttonous Beer Day on 1 March, which marks the end of probation in 1989, and the International Viking Festival, held in Hafnarfjordur in June.

Highlights

Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city – and also one of the smallest

Reykjavik

Meaning ‘Smoky Bay’, this busy and vibrant capital set on a broad bay is in an area of geothermal hot springs - the source of the city’s central heating system. Old-fashioned wooden buildings sit side-by-side with modern buildings. In the daytime, hang out at one of the many coffee shops, or browse the interesting art galleries, bookshops and museums. At night, the city comes alive to the sound of its buzzing music scene, especially at weekends.

Blue Lagoon

Steaming, aquamarine pool that is Iceland’s most famous attractions. The unique mineral-rich lagoon is set amid a black lava field in the heart of the Icelandic wilderness and the water’s properties are said to have a beneficial effect on the skin. At 35 ° C it’s like a huge hot tub. Don a silica-mudpack and join the many swimmers floating by.

Gulfoss

Waterfalls abound in this spectacular landscape. Perhaps the most impressive of these is the so-called Golden Waterfall, a stunning rainbow-tinged double cascade of the Hvitá River.

Geysir

The place from which the name for all spouting hot springs originates. Strokkur spouts up to 35 metres every six minutes.

Friday nights in the capital

Reykjavik is renowned for its wild weekend runtur, when Icelanders go out on the town and get sozzled. Starting with drinks at friends’ houses, revellers head to bars and nightclubs from midnight onwards.

Being there

Etiquette

Iceland is a classless society. It also has a strong literary tradition. In terms of people’s names, an Icelander is called by his first name, as his surname is comprised of his father’s Christian name, plus son (e. g. John, son of Magnus, is called John Magnusson). Women add the suffix dóttir, meaning daughter.

Food and Drink

Influenced by Scandinavian and European cuisines, and based heavily on fish and lamb. Salmon served in many forms, most popularly as gravlax. Specialities include hangikjot (smoked lamb) and hardfiskur (dried fish).

Shopping and Souvenirs

Fluffy wool blankets, coats, hats, and jackets, pottery (often with crushed lava inset).

Additional Info

People and Places

Capital: Reykjavik.
Language: Icelandic.
Population: 288,471.
Population Density: 2.8. (pop per km²)
Size: 103,000. (area km²)

Transport

Keflavik (REK) 51 km from Reykjavik.
Sea ferry services to all coastal ports. No rail system. Most roads are gravel. Use of headlights obligatory at all times. Car hire easily available. Efficient buses in summer, limited service in winter.

Red Tape

International Driving Permit recommended. A temporary licence is available on presentation of a valid UK licence. Drivers must be over 20 years.
UK: 2AHans Street, London SW1X 0JE, tel (020) 7259 3999, fax (020) 7245 9649, email icemb.london@utn.stjr.is. USA: 1156 15th Street, Suite 1200, NW, Washington, DC 20005, tel (202) 265 6653, fax (202) 265 6656, email icemb.wash@utn.stjr.is.
UK: Laufásvegur 31, 101 Reykjavik, tel 550 5100, fax 550 5105, email britemb@centrum.is. USA: Laufásvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik, tel 562 9100, fax 562 9110, email consularreykja@state.gov.

State of the Nation

Life expectancy: M 78.13, F 82.34.

Finance: Credit cards and traveller’s cheques widely accepted.
Business hours: 0800-1600 (summer) and 0900-1700 (winter), Mon-Friday.
GMT: + 1.
Voltage guide: 220 AC, 50 Hz.
Country dialling code: 354.