ICELAND
YOUR GUIDE TO ICELAND
Explore All of the Mystical Landscapes that Encompass the Land of Fire and Ice
The ethereal Nordic island country of Iceland is nothing short of enchanting. Offering more than just the cold, snow-covered land you may initially think of, you can discover everything from blue to green with Iceland’s awe-inspiring Northern Lights, Reynisfjara black lava beach, the geothermal seawater of the Blue Lagoon as well as the colossal mountains in the Westfjords. With friendly locals, Scandinavian cuisine consisting of fresh fare and an abundance of unique things to do, Iceland is a magical location for seasoned travelers, first time solo-travelers and families.
Top Attractions & Activities:
The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
Whale Watching Tour
Landmannalaugar National Park
The Blue Lagoon
The Golden Circle
Glacier Hiking
Skaftafell Ice Cave
Dettifoss Waterfall
Hallgrímskirkja
ATV Treks
Gunnuhver Hot Springs
Capital and Population:
The capital and largest city of Iceland is Reykjavík. As of January 2021, the country has a population of almost 370,000.
Language Spoken:
The official language of Iceland is Icelandic although English is taught as a second language.
Currency:
The currency of Iceland is the Icelandic króna (ISK).
Credit & debit cards are widely accepted in Iceland, including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Iceland is considered to be an almost cashless society, but every major city will have ATMs with the majority being located in Reykjavik. The top Icelandic banks are Arion Bank, Islandsbanki and Landsbankinn- although their ATMs don’t have local ATM fees, your own bank is likely to charge a foreign transaction fee.
Best Time to Visit and Weather:
High on everyone’s list to see when visiting Iceland are the Northern Lights; in order to have the best chance of witnessing them, you’ll want to go during mid-October through March when the hours of nighttime are extended. During this time there are less crowds and temperatures can average from a high of 45°F in October and drop to about 26°F in the colder months of January-March. During May through August, you can expect 24 hours of daylight with the warmest months being July and August. Thanks to Iceland’s seasonal natural phenomena, there really is no bad time to visit; the ideal month will depend on what you want to see and do during your trip.
Interesting Facts:
There are over 130 volcanic mountains in the country.
The majority of Iceland’s power supply comes from geothermal and hydro energy; making it an eco-friendly country.
Over 50% of the nation believes in the existence of huldufólk, invisible elves & trolls, living in the countryside.
Hoping to grab a Big Mac while on vacation? You’ll be out of luck! McDonald’s closed in Iceland in 2009 and a new one hasn’t opened since.
Iceland is the only place in the world where you can swim between two tectonic plates in a rift called Silfra.
.
