Iceland Travel Guide


The latest travel Information on Iceland, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Iceland Information

Overview

Iceland is a large island in the North Atlantic close to the Arctic Circle. The landscape is wild, rugged and colourful, with black lava, red sulphur, hot blue geysers, rivers, waterfalls and green valleys. Its coastline is richly indented with bays and fjords.

Iceland is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Hekla, in the south of Iceland, has erupted no fewer than 16 times, and was once described by clergymen as the gateway to Hell. Certainly, Iceland’s seething mountains contribute towards this sense of otherworldliness.

Yet around the coastal regions, Iceland is a bustle of activity, particularly in the capital city, Reykjavík, where more than half of Iceland’s population lives. Reykjavík is set on a broad bay, surrounded by mountains, and is in an area of geothermal hot springs, creating a natural central heating system and pollution-free environment. It is a busy city combining old-fashioned wooden architecture and modern buildings. Despite being a relatively small capital city, Reykjavík has managed to forge a reputation for partying, and its nightclubs and bars are regularly filled with hordes of fun-loving citizens.

Whether you wish to quietly watch for birds or whales, or prefer to get active and ski, glacier skidoo or horse ride, Iceland amply provides for both.


Top Things To See

Take a trip to the Golden Circle, home to Thingvellir, the site of the old Icelandic parliament; Gullfoss, the country’s most famous waterfall, which tumbles some 30m (98ft) down into a narrow canyon; and Geysir, the original spouting hot spring. 

 Stroll along one of the black sand beaches on the south coast near Vik, then check out the excellent folk museum in the tiny village of Skogar. 

 Get away from it all in the Westfjords. This spectacular setting of rugged coastline is home to some of the most isolated villages in the country. Latrabjarg, the westernmost point of Europe, is the largest known bird cliff on earth at 400m (1,312ft) high.  

 Brave the midges and discover an eerie landscape of bubbling mud flats, volcanic craters, fumeroles, lava fields and grassy shoals teeming with waterfowl at Lake Myvatn (‘Lake Midge’), one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. 

 Follow in James Bond’s footsteps and check out the glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon, a favourite with photographers and film crews (the film Die Another Day was shot here), where giant floating icebergs make for a surreal landscape. 

 Join the birdwatchers and nature lovers who flock every spring to the Westmann Islands to view the return of the puffin to nest from its long winter at sea. In August, millions of baby puffins leave their nests for the very first time to test their wings. 

 Explore Landmannalaugar, the pearl of the central highlands. This eerily colourful landscape of green, yellow, red and orange rhyolite hills is dotted with many hot pools and streams, making this a definite must for walkers and artists alike. 

 Visit Akureyri, 60km (37 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, which enjoys a superb setting at the head of Eyjafjordur, the longest fjord in the country, and explore the island of Grimsey, the only bit of Iceland, strictly speaking, in arctic territory. 

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Top Things To Do

Soak in the milky turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon. Located in a lunar-like landscape of lava fields, the lagoon is renowned for its health benefits and its mineral-rich, geothermal seawater, which have made it one of the most visited locations in Iceland. 

Go whale watching. The waters around Iceland are some of the best in the world to spot a variety of cetaceans, including minke, blue, sei, fin, humpback and sperm whales, frequently being sighted just off the coast. 

Sample some of the superb food Iceland has to offer in one of Reykjavík’s many excellent restaurants. Home-grown organic lamb and lobster are perennial favourites, and offerings from the sea are second to none.

 Go for a hike: from Skaftafell National Park to the Westfjords, from the highlands to the Snæfellnes Peninsula, breathtaking vistas lurk round every bend.  

Go horse riding. The Icelandic horse (don’t call them ponies) is a strong but gentle animal that has adapted perfectly to the terrain, and riding over lava fields and deserted beaches is a popular activity. 

Take some crackers and fireworks and join in the Gamlarskvold (New Year’s Eve celebrations). With hundreds of bonfires, thousands of fireworks go off simultaneously in Reykjavík on the stroke of midnight every year, setting ablaze the crystal clear sky. 

Go for a skidoo (snowmobile) ride on a glacier. An unbeatable adrenaline rush is guaranteed when speeding through the immaculate white wilderness – a highlight of any trip to Iceland. 

Witness one of nature’s most awesome spectacles, the Northern Lights, from September to March. The ever-shifting, glowing patterns of light that twist and turn restlessly in the sky are created by electrically-charged particles that make the thin air shine, not unlike a fluorescent light.

 Fly-fish for salmon in the pristine streams of Iceland. Licences for some of the most popular rivers are extremely expensive, but it is possible to fish trout and arctic char for a fraction of the price.  

Learn more about Norsemen of yore, their culture and achievements, and sample a typical Viking feast during the Viking festival in Hafnarfjordur, one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the world.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.


Going Out

Food and Drink

Icelandic food in general is based on fish and lamb, as well as owing much to Scandinavian and European influences. Fishing is Iceland’s most important export, accounting for some 70% of the country’s export earnings. There is also a heavy emphasis on vegetables grown in greenhouses heated by the natural steam from geysers. Bars have table and/or counter service, and will serve coffee as well as alcohol. Alcohol is generally expensive. In coffee shops, pay for the first cup then subsequent cups are free. There is a wide selection of European spirits and wines.

National specialities:
• The salmon of Iceland is a great delicacy, served in many forms, one of the most popular being gravlax, a form of marinating.
• Hangikjot (smoked lamb).
• Harðfiskur (dried fish).
• Icelandic sild (herring marinated in various flavours).
• A delicacy not for the squeamish is rotten shark, cured by burying and washed down with a shot of Black Death Schnapps.

National drinks:
• Brennivin (a potent variation of aquavit made from potatoes).

Legal drinking age: 20.
 
Tipping: Service charges are included in most bills and extra tips are not expected.

Nightlife

There are plenty of nightclubs, bars, cafes and cinemas in Iceland, most of them in the capital. Reykjavík is renowned as one of Europe’s hottest nightspots where the friendly pubs and social scene lasts through the night. Icelandic nightlife is particularly vibrant from June to August when there is nearly 24 hours of perpetual daylight (Icelanders call this period the ‘White Nights’).

Leading theatres are the National Theatre and the Reykjavík City Theatre, closed in summer, but during the tourist season there is an attractive light entertainment show in English called ‘Light Nights’ with traditional Icelandic stories and folk songs. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra (website: www.sinfonia.is) gives concerts every week. Iceland also has its own opera company, performing in the smallest (400-seat) and northernmost opera house in the world. Performances run throughout the winter.

Iceland has a vibrant music scene that has produced, amongst others, the internationally acclaimed artist Björk and Sigur Rós. This has, in turn, attracted a number of British and American pop stars to Iceland, such as singer Damon Albarn who partly owns the Kaffibarinn in Reykjavík.

The new Icelandic National Concert and Conference Centre is currently under construction and is scheduled for opening in autumn 2009 in Reykjavik. The iconic building, whose design is inspired by the country’s landscape, will be located by the harbour. The centre, which cost US$100 million, will house the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra when it is completed. The complex will include a state-of-the-art 1,800-seat concert hall and a 450-seat rehearsal and recital hall.

Shopping

Fluffy, earth-coloured Lopi wool blankets and coats, jackets, hats and handknits are synonymous with Iceland. Several local potters handthrow earthenware containers in natural colours. Crushed lava is a common addition to highly glazed ceramic pieces, which are popular as souvenirs. The duty-free shop at Keflavík Airport sells all of these products. Laugavegur is Reykjavík’s main shopping street. The shops along Skolavordustigur are good for art lovers. Kringlan is Reykjavík’s world-class shopping mall. Bargain hunters should visit the indoor Kolaportid market in Reykjavík, held every weekend, where great buys on handmade Icelandic jumpers, food and toys can be found.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800; Sat from 1000-1300/1400/1500 or 1600. Some supermarkets are open seven days a week until 2300.


Climate

Iceland’s climate is tempered by the Gulf Stream. Summers are mild and winters rather cold. The colourful Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) appear from the end of August. From the end of May to the beginning of August, there are nearly 24 hours of perpetual daylight in Reykjavík, while in the northern part of the country the sun barely sets at all. Winds can be strong and gusty at times and there is the occasional dust storm in the interior. Snow is not as common as the name of the country would seem to suggest and, in any case, does not lie for long in Reykjavík; it is only in northern Iceland that skiing conditions are reasonably certain. However, the weather is very changeable at all times of the year, and in Reykjavík there may be rain, sunshine, drizzle and snow in the same day. The air is clean and free of pollution.

Required Clothing

Lightweights in warmer months, with extra woollens for walking and the cooler evenings. Medium- to heavyweights are advised in winter. Waterproofing is recommended throughout the year.


Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
20 Mar Maundy Thursday.
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
24 Apr First Day of Summer.
1 May May Day. 
1 May Ascension.
12 May Whit Monday.
17 Jun National Day. 
4 Aug Commerce Day.
24-26 Dec Christmas.
31 Dec New Year’s Eve.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
9 Apr Maundy Thursday. 
10 Apr Good Friday. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
23 Apr First Day of Summer.
1 May May Day. 
21 May Ascension. 
1 Jun Whit Monday.
17 Jun National Day. 
3 Aug Commerce Day.
24-26 Dec Christmas.
31 Dec New Year’s Eve.


Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: No

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: No

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: No

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: No

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No

Health Care

The emergency number for medical assistance is 112 (24 hours). For European visitors who are taken ill or have an accident, free or reduced-cost treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which is no longer valid.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Icelandic krona (ISK; symbol kr) = 100 aurar. Notes are in denominations of kr5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 10. Coins are in denominations of kr100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged in all major banks, some of which (such as the Landesbankí at Reykjavík airport) are open 24 hours. Most hotels also provide their guests with exchange services. Exchange services are also available from The Change Group, which has offices at Reykjavík airport, the tourist information centre and in central Reykjavík.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, Europay, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are available throughout the country.

Traveller's Cheques

Widely used. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0915-1600.


Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: Yes

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes/1
Visa Required: No
Return Ticket Required: No

Passport Note

Iceland is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. nationals of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden who are only required to produce national identity cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin.

Visas

Not required by all nationals of referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
2. EU nationals staying longer than 90 days will need to apply for a residence permit from the directorate of immigration in Iceland.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

A stay in another Schengen-Zone country counts as the same as a stay in Iceland.


Contact Addresses

Note

Icelandic consulates no longer issue visas. For visa information, contact the Royal Danish Embassy (tel: 09065 540 755 for appointments. For further details see Denmark section).

Icelandic Tourist Board

Laekjargata 3, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Tel: 535 5500.
Website: www.visiticeland.com

Embassy of Iceland in the UK

2A Hans Street, London SW1X 0JE, UK
Tel: (020) 7259 3999.
Website: www.iceland.org/uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1600.
There is currently no Icelandic tourist board in the UK, but the embassy can deal with all enquiries. There is also a brochure request line based in the UK, tel: (020) 7636 9660.

Embassy of Iceland in the USA

1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel: (202) 265 6653.
Website: www.iceland.org/us

Icelandic Tourist Board in the USA

c/o The Scandinavian Tourist Board, 655 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 885 9700.
Website: www.icelandtouristboard.com


Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits to Iceland are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel




Disclaimer
We've tried to make the information on this page as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information with the relevant authorities before you travel.