Why is it that Greenland is mostly ice and Iceland is mostly green?
Many explanations have been offered, usually along the lines of deception: Iceland was named to discourage others from emigrating, and on the other hand Greenland was named to attract others to resettle from Iceland. It seems that after a Viking internal power struggle, the loser and his followers could be banished to leave on a ship to find another land, or die at sea. Thus did Leif Erikson venture from Iceland to Greenland to found a colony, and later to reach Vinland in today’s Newfoundland.
Climate
The climate of Iceland is subarctic (Köppen climate classification: near the southern coastal area and tundra inland in the highlands. The island lies in the path of the North Atlantic Current, which makes its climate more temperate than would be expected for its latitude just south of the Arctic Circle. This effect is aided by the Irminger Current, which also helps to moderate the island’s temperature. The weather in Iceland can be notoriously variable.
Iceland was the last European country to be settled, mostly by Norsemen in the 9th and 10th centuries. They came mainly from Norway and elsewhere in Scandinavia, and from the Norse settlements in the British Isles, from where a Celtic element was also introduced.
The language and culture of Iceland were predominantly Scandinavian from the outset, but there are traces of Celtic influence in some of the ancient poetry, in some personal names and in the appearance of present-day Icelanders.
The first permanent settler of Iceland was Ingolfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking who around 874 AD made his home where Reykjavik now stands. In 930 AD the Viking settlers of Iceland founded the world’s first parliament, known as the Althing. They established a constitution based on individual freedom and land ownership, with local chieftains gathering annually to elect leaders at Thingvellir, a natural amphitheater formed out of lava.
It was a Viking era filled with optimism, even for Erik the Red, who arrived in Iceland after being banished from Norway for committing murder. Unfortunately Erik the Red committed murder again in Iceland and was to be banished from there as well, so he gathered a fleet of 25 Viking long ships and led a colonial expedition west to Greenland.
Before he left Iceland, Erik fathered the most famous Icelandic Viking, Leif Erikson who was also known as ‘Leif the Lucky.’ In the year 1000 Leif Erikson sailed even further west than his father, becoming the first European to reach North America, which he called Vinland.
For over six centuries Iceland was plagued with abysmal poverty, disease, starvation and natural disasters that nearly extinguished the small country. After so many centuries of hard times, an independence movement began in the early 19th century and reached full force under the outspoken leadership of a nationalist named Jon Sigurdsson. His efforts helped end the trade monopoly in 1854, and domestic autonomy was established in 1874, followed by home rule in 1904 and limited sovereignty in 1918.
Ties to the Danish crown were fully broken in 1944 and today Icelandic Independence Day is celebrated on June 17, the birth date of Jon Sigurdsson.
Iceland was settled by Vikings from Norway sometime in the 800s. This fact makes Iceland a fairly “young” country when it comes to settlement, and also contributes to its distinct cultural background. The Icelandic horses in the country today are unique in the fact that they are direct descendants from the horses the Vikings first brought over from mainland Europe.
Iceland’s specific breed of horses arrived with the Vikings in about 900 AD. Over the decades they have developed a resilience and reputation for surviving in conditions too harsh for a regular horse. They wander freely throughout the country to this day, completely unaffected by civilization. Lacking the speed and size of Arab horses, they have a unique pace, called “tolt”, which allows them to move softly over rough terrain.
You won’t see scenes like this anywhere else in the world.
Horses run free against backdrops of majestic glaciers, gushing geysers, glittering ice caps which pierce the sky, and vibrant green fjords which rise from the mist of geothermal lagoons.
Tips for horse lovers visiting Iceland… The multi-day tours require good riding skills and knowledge of horses, whilst the day tours departing from the riding centers are suitable for first timers and other beginners. Enjoy the nature of Iceland in the company of these wonderful animals. It really is a unique and exciting way to explore a new country.
Designate some time to get to know Iceland’s unique history on your next vacation. Click on the link below and we can start planning your vacation to Iceland.
The culture of Iceland is rich and varied as well as being known for its literary heritage which began in the 12th century. Other Icelandic traditional arts include weaving, silversmithing, and wood carving. The Reykjavík area has several professional theatres, a symphony orchestra, an opera, and a large number of art galleries, bookstores, cinemas, and museums. There are also four active folk dance ensembles in Iceland. Iceland's literacy rate is among the highest in the world, and a love of literature, art, chess, and other intellectual pursuits is widespread.
Christianity and foreign rule
Also in the year 1000 Iceland adopted Christianity, followed by a prosperous period as described in the classic Icelandic Sagas. In 1262 Norwegian King Haakon asserted control over the island by instituting devastating taxes and trade embargos that were upheld when Iceland was taken over by Danish rule under a Scandinavian union.
Most Icelanders (80%) are members of the Lutheran State Church. Another 5% are registered in other Christian denominations, including the Free Church of Iceland and the Roman Catholic Church. Almost 5% of people practice ásatrú, the traditional Norse religion.
Crazy as it may seem, the majority of Icelanders (more than 50% is estimated) believe in the existence of fantastical beings such as elves and trolls.
There are many amusing stories and legends about the Huldufólk, or “hidden people,” and Icelanders go so far as to suspend construction projects if it's believed that the plans may interfere with or endanger current elf habitats. Large fallen rocks in fields or out at sea are said to be frozen trolls, and one guide told me that the smell present in Iceland isn't from sulfur at all – it's the smell of the trolls' dirty bathwater!
While very close to Danish and Norwegian, the Icelandic language remains totally unique. Words with far too many consonants abound, and syllables seem to just blur together. Unlike other languages that have changed drastically over the centuries, Icelandic remains very close to its original roots. A Bible from the early 1500s (the first one printed in Icelandic, which can be found in a folk museum in Skógar) can still easily be read by Icelanders today.
Icelandic is not only the national language, but is now “the official language in Iceland” by virtue of Act No 61/2011, adopted by parliament in 2011. Icelandic Sign Language was also officially recognized by law in 2011 as a minority language with constitutional rights and the first language of the Icelandic deaf community. During the time of Danish rule, Danish was a minority language in Iceland, although it is nowadays only spoken by a small number of immigrants.
Heading off to Iceland? Here’s a travel tip for you...tipping is generally not expected in Iceland for service. At many restaurants, a tip is already included, so do check your bill before you add a tip.If a tip is not included, it’s not common to leave a tip, although it is not rude to leave a tip if you wish, around ten percent would be a reasonable amount to tip in Iceland.
The unit of currency used in Iceland is the Icelandic krona, ISK – Íslensk króna in Icelandic. The international currency abbreviation is ISK, but in Iceland you will see “kr.” before or after the price of things.
Visitors from the USA
Iceland uses cards with the chip-and-pin system, which requires a 4-digit PIN for purchases.
If you only have the "swipe and sign" cards, you may wish to inquire about getting a chip-card from your bank or a major credit card issuer before traveling, and selecting only 4-digits for your PIN.
Helpful Information
Want to know the best time to visit Iceland?
Midnight sun and warmer temperatures make summer the best season to visit Iceland. Although hikers will want to consider July and August as the best time to visit Iceland whereas February, March, September, and October are typically the best time to visit Iceland for the Northern Lights.
Iceland travel tip… Iceland is a country where the weather can change very quickly, whatever time of year you visit. Layers are going to be the answer, we’d suggest thermal base layers, then warm mid-layers like fleeces, followed by waterproof and windproof outer layers.
You’re also going to want good hiking boots or shoes, gloves and a hat. If you’re visiting any of the thermal springs, save money by bringing your own towel, and of course don’t forget your swimwear, and maybe a waterproof case for your phone so you can get the perfect selfie!
Thinking of adding Iceland to your travel plans this year? Getting there is easier than you think. Iceland is just a 4-hour flight from the East Coast of the US, or about 3 hours from the UK. There are multiple airlines that fly there, with Iceland Air and WOW being two of the most popular (and often the most affordable).
Several airlines offer scheduled routes to Iceland (Keflavik International Airport) on a whole year basis, from destinations in Europe and USA, see list below. To travel to Akureyri from Keflavík International Airport one can fly directly or travel to the domestic airport in Reykjavík and fly from there.
If heading for the domestic airport in Reykjavik. There are different ways to get between the Terminals. If you are driving or picking up a passenger at the Airport there are both short term and long term parking at the airport. You can take the Flybus, taxi or rent a car. It is about 45 minutes drive between the terminals and the flight to Akureyri with Air Iceland to Akureyri is about 30 minutes www.airiceland.is
Planning a countryside drive around Iceland? You’ll need just a little more time than you think. While it’s technically possible to drive around Iceland in two days due to its compact size, you really do need 6-8 days to do a great job.
In Iceland you drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. The general speed limit is 30-50 km/hour in populated areas, 80 km/hour on gravel roads in rural areas and 90 km/hour on paved roads. Drivers and all passengers are required by law to wear seatbelts.
Iceland is one of the world’s most sparsely populated countries. Almost the whole interior of the island is uninhabited. You can reach this area only during summer and only with a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The inhabited parts of Iceland are along the coastline. The ring road is the main road that connects the inhabited parts and runs around Iceland. It is 1,332 km (828 miles) long, mostly with one lane each direction. The ring road was completed in 1974 and today all parts are paved. Some facts about the Ring Road in Iceland.
Pros of Renting a Car
- You can go where you want to go (well, if weather allows).
- You can choose the time schedule and change as much as you want.
- You can make extra stops here and there.
- It is usually cheaper.
- More chances to meet locals.
Cons of Renting a Car
- You might miss out on spots you didn’t know were worth stopping at.
- A guide will not be there to tell you knowledge about the locations you visit.
- You might spend longer finding location and or get lost.
- You might not realize the distances.
- Might not be able to reach difficult locations, like Highlands.
- Gas is extremely expensive in Iceland.
Heading off to Iceland? Here’s a travel tip for you… WiFi is generally easy to find in Iceland, and all the hotels and guesthouses have good, free WiFi access. If free data is not included from your home carrier, a local pre-paid SIM card will come with data, meaning you can get online easily and on the cheap. These can be picked up at Keflavik airport when you arrive.
Iceland travel tip...Safety is always top priority when traveling to unknown destinations. Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world to travel in, with extremely low crime rates and good medical care. The main dangers that travelers will face will usually be related to the quickly changing weather and natural hazards like slippery rocks or steep cliffs. Car accidents are also something to be aware of, especially in the winter months when driving conditions can be hazardous. Be sure to have a good travel insurance policy - we can help with that!
So reach out today and I’ll help you to get started on planning a vacation you’ll never forget.
Nature of Iceland
The bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres. They are known as 'Aurora borealis' in the north and 'Aurora australis' in the south.
Auroral displays appear in many colors although pale green and pink are the most common. Shades of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet have been reported. The lights appear in many forms from patches or scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains or shooting rays that light up the sky with an eerie glow.
The aurora borealis is often visible at night time during the winter. The midnight sun can be experienced in summer on the island of Grimsey off the north coast; the remainder of the country, since it lies just south of the polar circle, experiences a twilight period during which the sun sets briefly, but still has around 2 weeks of continuous daylight during the summer.
Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall in Iceland. Seljalandsfoss is located in the South Region in Iceland right by Route 1 and the road that leads to Þórsmörk Road 249. The waterfall drops 60 m (197 ft) and is part of the Seljalands River that has its origin in the volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. Visitors can walk behind the falls into a small cave.
Fun fact: Seljalandsfoss was a waypoint during the first leg of The Amazing Race season 6.
Water, in one form or another, covers a staggering 2,750 km² of Iceland's landmass. While glaciers and ice expanses blanket more than a tenth of the entire island, there are over 10,000 waterfalls found in the country, including Europe’s most powerful cascade, Dettifoss.
And on all sides, Iceland is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, where storms and winds cluster and build, battering this lonely island with sheets of rain, sleet, and snow.
Surprisingly, another large section of Iceland is covered in glaciers. Glaciers are responsible for carving out everything in Iceland that hasn't been shaped by magma and earthquakes, making for a landscape more unique than any other country you’ll probably ever visit.
Because it's located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is an incredibly active country geologically. There are more than 125 volcanic mountains in the country, a handful of which are still very active, and another handful that could easily awaken and become active as the country changes and grows. Iceland experiences a volcanic eruption roughly once every 4 years, though the past few years have seen one eruption or more each year. Because of this constant activity, a good portion of Iceland is covered in lava fields.
Growing atop some of Iceland's oldest lava fields, you'll find great expanses of squishy green moss. The thickness of the moss gives a clue to how old the lava field is (moss grows very slowly, so moss that's a few inches thick is probably hundreds of years old). The most well-known mossy lava field is the Eldhraun lava field, which was formed during an eruption in the late 1700s.
Iceland's geothermal activity means that there are tons of natural hot pools all over the country. Some are marketed as tourist destinations (like the Mývatn Nature Baths or the Secret Lagoon in Fludir), while others are truly natural and usually just stumbled upon or found by people in-the-know. There's also the famous Blue Lagoon, of course, but this one isn't actually a natural hot spring! It's a man-made spa and hot pool fed by runoff from a nearby geothermal plant and worth the visit.
I’m sure that you know that you can go swimming at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland but did you know that it’s an incredible source of healing for people with psoriasis? The geothermal water in the Blue Lagoon is an incredible resource and people from around the world come for not only the bucket list experience but the relief they feel from these special waters.
Geysir Hot Spring Area is one of the most popular tourist stops in Iceland. The geothermal field is believed to have a surface area of approximately 3 km². Most of the springs are aligned along a 100m wide strip of land running in the same direction as the tectonic lines in the area, from south to southwest.
The Experience
- See the famous Golden Circle sights - Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
- Travel along the South Coast with its beautiful ocean views
- View the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Enjoy the mountain scenery and quaint fishing villages of the Eastfjords
- Explore Lake Mývatn with its steaming geothermal sites
- Visit the charming town of Akureyri
- Drop your jet lag at the Blue Lagoon.
- Take in the gushing glory of Gullfoss.
- Watch the Great Geysir explode.
- Walk through history at Thingvellir National Park.
- Marvel at the icebergs of Jökulsárlón.
- Watch puffins take flight off the Westman Islands.
- Dance with the Northern Lights.
Are the Northern Lights on your bucket list? Here’s a helpful planning tip…
To have the best viewing experience, there are three things to consider:
- darkness
- clear skies
- aurora activity.
The best season to see the northern lights in Iceland is from September to mid-April – these are the months where there are full dark nights.
For more important planning tips or any questions about Iceland click the link below!
- Seljalandsfoss
- Skogafoss
- Svartifoss
- Landmannalaugar
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Diamond beach
- Selfoss
- Vestrahorn
Save this list for your trip to Iceland. We are counting down 10 of the oldest and most beautiful churches to photograph on this extraordinary island…
- Baenhusid in Nupsstadur around 1650 (the base could be even older),
- Grof at Hofdastrond: 1670-80,
- Holadomkirkja cathedral in Hjaltadalur: 1763,
- Videyjarkirkja church in Videy island: 1774,
- Landakirkja church in Heimaey island: 1778,
- Domkirkjan cathedral in Reykjavik: 1796,
- Bessastadakirkja church, at the seat of the President of Iceland: 1823,
- Vidimyrarkirkja church: 1834,
- Knappsstaðir in Fljot: 1834 (rebuilt in 1838),
- Bakki in Oxnadalur: 1843 (oldest house of worship in Eyjafjordur area in northern Iceland)
- Lava rock jewelry
- Icelandic woolen goods
- T-shirts from Dogma
- 66° North gear
- Icelandic music
- Books
- Viking beer glasses
Food and Drink
Icelandic cuisine, the cuisine of Iceland, has a long history. Important parts of Icelandic cuisine are lamb, dairy, and fish, the latter due to Iceland being surrounded by ocean. The flavors of this traditional country food originate in its preservation methods; pickling in fermented whey or brine, drying, and smoking.
Foods To Try
- Skyr Yogurt
- Slow Roasted Lamb
- Hákarl - Fermented Shark
- Kjötsúpa - Icelandic Lamb Soup
- Icelandic Fish
- Icelandic Hot Dog
- Rúgbrauð - Dark Rye Bread from a Hot Spring
- Harðfiskur - Dried Fish
- Bakery goods
- Icelandic Ice cream
Drinks To Try
- Brennivín
- Reyka Vodka
- Fjallagrasa Moss Schnapps
I'd love to assist you in planning your vacation to Iceland, so be sure to click on the button below when you're ready to start planning!
Would you like an idea of what a vacation to Iceland could look like for you? Take a look at our amazing sample itineraries!
Credits:
Created with images by kamilgrygo - "aurora borealis lake snow" • MattHPhotos - "night norther lights aurora"