Iceland

Introduction

DSC03752

© Liamps

Iceland is a land teeming with natural beauty. A center of volcanic activity, Iceland's landscape is highlighted by volcanic peaks and lava deserts, as well as glaciers, geysers and hot springs. In the past, destructive volcanic eruptions have seen many Icelanders emigrate; now, the tide has turned, as Iceland's popularity among tourists steadily grows. What visitors are finding is a country with more than a pretty landscape to offer: they are discovering a people of above average height, whose ancestry can be traced back to settlers from Scandinavia and who boast a rich literary and artistic tradition (beyond Björk). They are also a people who statistically live longer than the rest of the world - perhaps the consequence of the revitalizing effect of hot springs. It is not surprising, then, that Iceland is beginning to attract visitors for more than just its extraordinary beauty.

Brief History

The first people believed to have visited Iceland were members of a Hiberno-Scottish mission or hermits, also known as Papar, who came in the 8th century or even as early as the second half of the 7th century. No archaeological discoveries support this theory; the monks are supposed to have left with the arrival of Norsemen, who systematically settled in the period circa AD 870–930. The first known permanent Norse settler was Ingólfur Arnarson, who built his homestead in Reykjavík in the year 874. In 930, the ruling chiefs established an assembly called the Alþingi (Althing). This parliament was founded as the political hub of the Icelandic Commonwealth. Christianity was adopted 999–1000. The Commonwealth lasted until 1262 when the political system devised by the original settlers proved unable to cope with the increasing power of Icelandic chieftains.

From the 14th century onwards to the late 18th century, Iceland was part of the Norwegian Crown, Norway-Denmark (Kalmar Union) and later under Danish rule. Lutheranism became the main religion and the last Catholic bishop in Iceland was beheaded in 1550, along with his two sons. Two Black Death and one smallpox epidemics killed about one third to a half of the population each time during these centuries.

In 1814, following the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark-Norway was broken up into two separate kingdoms via the Treaty of Kiel. Iceland, however, remained a Danish dependency. Throughout the 19th century, the country's climate continued to grow worse, resulting in mass emigration to the New World, particularly Manitoba in Canada. In 1874, Denmark granted Iceland a constitution and limited home rule, which was expanded in 1904. The Act of Union, an agreement with Denmark signed on 1 December 1918, recognised Iceland as a fully sovereign state under the Danish king. On 31 December 1943, the Act of Union agreement expired after 25 years. Iceland formally became an independent republic on 17 June 1944, with Sveinn Björnsson as the first president. Iceland became a NATO member in 1949.

The immediate post-war period was followed by substantial economic growth, driven by industrialisation of the fishing industry and Marshall aid. The 1970s were marked by the Cod Wars—several disputes with the United Kingdom over Iceland's extension of its fishing limits. The economy was greatly diversified and liberalised when Iceland joined the European Economic Area in 1994. During the period 2003–07, Iceland developed from a nation best known for its fishing industry into a global financial powerhouse, but was consequently hit particularly hard by the 2008 global financial crisis, which extended into 2009 and 2010.

Geography

Smoke Landscape

© hugeknot

Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean just south of the Arctic Circle. Only the island of Grimsey is above this circle and the Arctic Ocean starts north from the country. Totally surrounded by water, Iceland is a geological wonder and is the place to be for those with an interest in volcanoes and volcanic activity.
A recent volcanic eruption on Eyjafjallajökull saw the disruption of European airspace for several days. This strato volcano is one of Iceland's largest and has only erupted 3 times since the island has been inhabited. The last time was nearly 200 years ago and this eruption lasted for nearly 2 years and was immediately followed by Katla (one of Icelands most powerful volcanos). The eruption started on March 20th 2010 with a small crater forming on a hiking trail at Fimmvöruðhals (between Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull, the eruption followed several days of constant earth tremors at the site. The eruption was small and became known as the tourist volcano as many people flocked to the site to get close to it. The main volcano started erupting from three craters on top of the glacier. The largest crater was around 5km diameter at its widest point. The volcano was very explosive to start with because it had to burn through many tons of ice, this caused massive dust clouds which were blown high onto the atmosphere. It also cause local flooding which broke the main road and changed the landscape at the beautiful Þorsmörk.
The North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate border each other right through the centre of the country and the best place to actually the fault in between is at the Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and apart from its natural importance also the most important cultural place for the Icelandic people.

Slow Steam up-Close

© hugeknot

There are over 20 active volcanoes (Askja and Hekla being the most famous) and hundreds of geothermal areas and hot springs. The best known are the daddy of all geysers, simply called Geysir, and the Blue Lagoon hot spring near the international airport of Keflavik, not far from the capital Reykjavik. Geysir rarely spouts these days, but his little brother Strokkur erupts about every 15 minutes. Apart from this, most of the country is arctic desert covered with rocks, glacial sand planes (called sandars), glaciers (the Vatnajökull Glacier is the biggest in Europe and the third biggest in the world), lava fields and fumaroles. Some parts of the country have their own fjords, particularly in the less visited northwest of the country.
With over half of the population (total about 300,000 inhabitants) living in Reykjavik and the other half mostly in smaller towns, Iceland can be seen as one huge playground with the most beautiful nature you will find in the world. And although sometimes it comes at a price, most of the country can be visited with little trouble.

Regions

• Southwest Iceland - Home of the capital, Reykjavík and the majority of the island's population.
• Westfjords - Sparsely populated, rugged geography with dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.
• West Iceland - Snæfellsjökull glacier, the islands of Breiðafjörður and more.
• North Iceland - Dramatic lava fields, turbulent waterfalls.
• East Iceland - More fjords and the only international passenger ferry terminal.
• South Iceland - Home to the most popular tourist attractions, including the Golden Circle.
• Interior - Glaciated mountains.

Cities

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a small but interesting capital with loads of opportunities to keep travellers busy for at least a few days. The numerous bars are a great place to meet people and enjoy an expensive beer. Hallgrims Church is one of the famous landmarks in the city to have a prayer after your hangover and also a great viewpoint of the city.

Other Cities and Towns

• Vik - town along the Southern coast
• Akureyri - largest city outside of Reykjavik, located in the north
• Egilsstadir - Main town in the east, has some of the best weather Iceland has to offer
• Keflavik - where the international airport is
• Hafnarfjördur - on the outskirts of Reykjavik
• Höfn - Main town on the southeastern coast
• Húsavík - One of the world's most reliable whale watching sites during the summer
• Ísafjördur - Largest town of the West fjords of Iceland
• Selfoss - South Iceland's largest town, hub of the main agricultural region
• Stykkishólmur - Main town on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, gateway to the islands of Breiðafjörður

Sights and Activities

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park, or Þingvellir in Icelandic, is one of the four national parks in Iceland and is located about 50 kilometres from the capital Reykjavik, reachable by good tarred roads. Because of its cultural and natural importance it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Since 930 it has been of importance to almost all historical events in Iceland and also its geological history is a major draw for most visitors. Fault lines are easily visible in this interesting and beautiful national park. The site became Iceland's parliament around 930 AD after the owner of the land was found guilty of killing one of his slaves.

Dettifoss

DETIFOSS

© JOSE_MARIA

Located on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river near Lake Myvatn in the northeast of the country, the Dettifoss waterfall is the most powerful waterfall in Europe and also one of the highest. The falls are about 100 metres wide and over 40 metres high. Unlike Gulfoss, visiting Dettifoss requires some 26 kilometres on a very rough road. A reliable car is required. The road is open for just a few summer months.

Eyjafjallajökull

The Eyjafjallajökull is the name of the volcano in the south of Iceland, which made headlines in 2010 as its ash cloud brought European and Transatlantic air traffic to a grinding hold.

Eyjafjallajokull Lightning

© hugeknot

Gullfoss

Gullfoss, meaning Golden Falls, is one of the biggest waterfalls in Europe and is a popular sight located within a few hours drive of the capital Reykjavik. Together with Thingvellir NP and Geysir it is called the Golden Triangle, popular with day trippers. The tarred roads end at Gullfoss, from where you can travel inland along the rough roads. Hvítá river supplies the water falling into a canyon beneath.

Gulfoss

© Utrecht

Húsavík

Húsavík is one the best places in the world to see a wide variety of whales and other sea creatures. In summer, loads of humpback whales visit the Icelandic coastal areas, and many other whale species complete this magnificent sight. Other places to start a boat trip are Reykjavik, Keflavik and Hafnarfjödur, all on the southwest coast.

Jökulsárlón

Jökulsárlón is the biggest and best known glacier lake in Iceland, and is located just south of the Vatnajökull Glacier, between Skaftafell National Park and Höfn. It is easily reached by car and the lake can even be seen from the main circular road (number 1) which runs just between the lake and the Atlantic Ocean.

Jokulsarlon

© Utrecht

Northern Lights

During the winter time only, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are visible from the whole of Iceland. A very strong magnetic storm can be seen within the Reykjavik area, but mostly it is advisable to try to escape the city lights. It is a double challenge because the weather has to be bad in space but good on earth. You need ultra clear skies to see an average Northern Lights display. Generally the Aurora can be seen in the northern sky or over-head. You need to find a dark area and let your eyes adjust to the darkness. If you have a camera and tripod, you could take a long exposure of the northern sky. Your camera will see it before you do. If you can see a constant line of green running right across the sky it will be worth hanging around for about an hour. It should explode into fantastic light show. Bright auroras can cast shadows.

Surtsey

Surtsey is a volcanic island located in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland. At 63.303°N 20.605°W, Surtsey is the southernmost point of Iceland. It was formed in a volcanic eruption which began 130 metres below sea level, and reached the surface on 14 November 1963. The eruption lasted until 5 June 1967, when the island reached its maximum size of 2.7 km2. Since then, wave erosion has caused the island to steadily diminish in size: as of 2002, its surface area was 1.4 km2. The most recent survey (2007) shows the island's maximum elevation at 155 metres above sea level. A classic site for the study of biocolonisation from founder populations that arrive from outside (allochthonous), Surtsey was declared a nature reserve in 1965 while the eruption was still in active progress. Today only a few scientists are permitted to land on Surtsey; the only way anyone else can see it closely is from a small plane. This allows the natural ecological succession for the island to proceed without outside interference. In 2008, UNESCO declared the island a World Heritage Site, in recognition of its great scientific value.

Other Sights and Activities

• Blue Lagoon is the milky blue thermal swimming pool near Grindavik, between the airport and Reykjavik. It is a good place to either end or start your trip to Iceland.
• Geysir is where all the geysers in the world get their name from. Since 1294, when the big Geysir first erupted it has been one big geothermal active place.
• Vatnajökull National Park - Iceland's newest national park was founded in 2008 and includes the former Skaftafell and Jokulsargljufur National Parks. Vatnajökull National Park is Europe's largest national park at 12,000 square kilometres (4,600 sq mi), covering about 12% of the surface of Iceland. The park is home to Iceland's highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur, largest glacier, Vatnajökull, and Europe's largest waterfall in terms of volume discharge, Dettifoss.
• Snæfellsjökull is the western peninsular tip of Iceland and is best known because of the book "Journey to the Centre of the Earth", where the glacier is featured as the gateway for a subterranean route to the earth's centre. It includes the Snæfellsjökull National Park, located on the tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, this park is home to the ice-covered volcanic crater that was the setting for Jules Verne's book Journey to the Center of the Earth.
• Askja Caldera is a volcano found in the central parts of Iceland. It can only be reached by rough 4wd roads and only for a few months of the year.
• Lake Mývatn is located in the north of the country and is a great place to experience the geothermic activity in Iceland.
• More waterfalls like Svartifoss, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. These last two are found near the main road just west of the southern tip of Iceland near Vik.
• Latrabjarg is the westernmost point in Europe and is famous for being a major breeding place for many birds.
• The Vestmannaeyjar Islands are one of the world's newest volcanic areas and one of the islands, Surtsey, has only existed since 1963! The islands can be reached by a short flight or rough boat trip from mainland Iceland.

Strokkur

© hugeknot

• Landmannalaugar - One of the great jewels of Iceland, located in the Southern Highlands is Landmannalaugar. The area's incredible natural beauty and extreme contrasts have been attracting visitors for centuries. It's a mountainous area rich in minerals, which results in strong colors, and it's impressive volcanic geology brings you to massive, old lava fields and natural hot springs. There's a mountain hut operated by Ferðafélag Íslands, and a simple, rocky camp ground is there as well. There is a simple mountain shop/café where snacks and coffee can be bought, as well as fishing license to the nearby lakes, where you can catch mountain trout. There is also one horse rental operated by Hraunhestar, ranging from 2 to 10 hours in length through the spectacular valleys and many marked hiking trails, one leading all the way south to Þórsmörk.
• Þórsmörk - Tucked away between three glaciers, Þórsmörk is an incredibly beautiful and relatively isolated area. Icelanders enjoy camping there in the summer. There are many hiking trails all over the area, which provide breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and lava formations. It is accessible only by truck or bus: it is a good idea to inquire about trips to Þórsmörk at a tourist information center.

Events and Festivals

Thorrablot

Icelanders celebrate the old month of Thorri with a festival known as Thorrablot. This is a winter feast which celebrates the hardship which the ancestors has to endure. The feast can be held at any time during the month of Thorri starting the first Friday after January 13th. Traditional food is eaten which mainly consists of putrefied shark, jellied rams head, testicles and eyeballs along with many other delicacies. Much of the food is preserved from the previous year.

First day of summer

On a Thursday that comes up after April 18th, Icelanders mark the first day of summer with a national holiday and the greeting 'Gleðilegt Sumar' (Happy Summer). It is believed that if there is a frost and the weather is wintry on this day, then the summer will be very good.

Verslunarmannahelgi

This is Iceland's shop keeper's holiday is always the first weekend of August. It is a national holiday and music festivals are held all over Iceland. The biggest is on the Vestmannaeyjar Islands. The festival here is over the whole weekend and is the Icelandic equivalent of Glastonbury.

Bright Days Festival

Celebrating the arrival of summer every June, this cultural and musical event is held in Hafnarfjordur, a short drive from the capital. A variety of cultural performances, art shows, and musical events welcome the short summer.

Independence Day

Known locally as National Day, this is a major festival for all Icelanders, held on 17 June to mark the country’s emergence as an independent republic. Street parties and entertainers, parades, fireworks, sideshows, traditional music, and dance draw residents onto the streets and into the bars and restaurants until the sun rises the next morning.

Seafarers Day

June sees the Sjomannadagur Festival in Reykjavik, as well as in many other smaller towns if the weather allows. Vintage ships line the Old Harbour for the annual event, with local fishermen competing in rowing, swimming, and other events. Parades, music, fun things to do, and seafood are the orders of the day.

Jonsmessa

The longest day of the year is a mystical time, celebrated in June with Jonsmessa, the Midsummer Night festival which dates back to Icelandic Viking times. On this night, seals are believed to take human form, cows gain the power of speech, and elves seduce travellers at crossroads with gifts and other favours. Rolling naked on the dew-covered grassy mountain slopes is considered a healthy pursuit and bonfires compete with the glow of the midnight sun.

Weather

Icelandic weather is not the nicest weather in the world, but it's not as cold as you'd expect from an island in the Arctic Sea.

Temperatures in Reykjavik rarely drop below -12 °C in winter and rarely rise above 15 °C in summer. 20 °C is almost a heatwave and if it gets this warm, it is mostly just a matter of days (or hours!). You can have literally 4 seasons in one day.

Generally, the southwestern part of the country gets more rain, is less cold in winter and is slightly cooler in summer than the northwestern region. For example, Vik, at the southern tip, is one of the wettest places, particularly during late summer when the water has been warming up a bit, while Akureyri, which despite being northerly is a bit warmer with temperatures occasionally hitting 25 °C, even in late spring.

Most places get a fair share of snow during the winter half of the year and only the ring road around Iceland is open during these times. Most F-roads (going inland) are closed until late June and are only open for a few months, sometimes closing again as early as late August. Some geothermal areas can have their own micro climates, being a bit warmer sometimes.

Getting There

There are only two options of getting to and from Iceland: plane or boat.

By Plane

You are likely to start and end your trip to magnificent Iceland on Keflavik International Airport, about 50 kilometres from the capital Reykjavik. Buses travel between the airport and Reykjavik on a regular basis, taking around 45 minutes. Expensive taxis are available as well and there are many options with rental car companies like Hertz and Avis.

The national carrier is Icelandair which has flights to most major destinations in the western half of Europe and the eastern half of North America. Note that off season (wintertime) some destinations might not be served or have a reduced schedule at least.

By Boat

By boat your options are limited, time consuming and it's not a good deal at all unless you really want to bring your own car to Iceland or want to visit the Faroe Islands as well.

Smyril Line ferries leave from Denmark, Norway and Scotland on their route to Iceland and the Faroe Islands and arrive in Seydisfjördur.

For the more adventurous, the Icelandic cargo ship Eimskip has two vessels, the Dettifoss and Goðafoss which travel the route Rotterdam-Hamburg-Göteborg-Århus-Fredrikstad-Tórshavn-Reykjavík. It takes 8 days in total and the return trip goes via eastern Iceland and Tórshavn only. The vessel can take a maximum of 3 passengers but only between mid-April and mid-October.

By Car

Although of course it is not possible to just drive to Iceland, you can take the above mentioned Smyril Line and drive your own car in the country.

Getting Around

By Plane

Iceland Air operates regular scheduled flights from Reykjavík to major domestic airports in all parts of the country, like Akureyri and Egilsstaðir.

By Train

There are no train services in Iceland.

By Car

Driving in Iceland is straightforward but for all F-roads you will need a 4wd vehicle. In winter most of these roads are closed and don't open until the end of June, closing down by September again. Check this website for details about which roads are open or closed.
Renting a car is expensive in Iceland, but a small Toyota Yaris will do the work on most roads (except the interior roads), especially if you are only with 2 persons
The number 1 road is a ring road which basically follows the coast line and stretches right around Iceland for about 1400 kilometres. It doesn't include the West Fjords or Snæfellsness Peninsular. The road has about 90% tarmac cover and only a few spots in the East have a gravel surface.
There are a few tunnels to make your circumnavigation a bit easier. The only one which charges is actually the shortest tunnel which goes under Hvalfjorður close to Reykjavik. The cost is about 800kr and the charge is both ways.

By Bus

There is an extensive bus service to most parts of the country and seasonal to the highlands. The Flybus travels between the international airport in Keflavik and the capital Reykjavik. Note that bus services are limited from October to May. June to September is your best bet.
Check BSI for an overview on bus companies. Otherwise check the bus companies directly: Austurleid for South and East Iceand, SBK Travels for the Keflavik and Reykjanes area, Stjornubilar for the Westfjords and Trex for West and North Iceland.

By Boat

A number of ferry lines operate services to various islands and fjords, like the Hrisey and Grimsey ferry, the ferry between Baldur and Stykkisholmur and the ferry to the Vestman Islands.

By Bicycle

Iceland is perfect to cycle around, especially during the summer months along the ring road. Check websites such as the Icelandic Mountain Bike Club (in Icelandic) and Icebike for more information about touring options.

Red Tape

See also: Schengen Visa

Citizens of the following countries can stay for up to 90 days in Iceland without a visa:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romenia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.

For more information, have a look at the The Directorate of Immigration website or visit the nearest embassy or consulate.

Money

See also: Money Matters

The Icelandic currency is the króna (Ikr.). Coins come in denominations of five, ten, fifty and one hundred krónur and there are notes of 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 krónur. Currently (April 2008) you will get over 120 krónur for your euro and less than 80 for one dollar. This is almost 50 percent more than a year before (regarding the euro) but still Iceland is not a country where things come cheap. A double room costs 100 US dollar or more at least and renting even the smallest car will set you back at least 50 US dollar a day, usually more.

You don't have to bring lots of cash, because Iceland is a country where plastic money seems to be invented and even small things can usually be bought by credit card. If you don't have one, most banking cards of your own country (Cirrus, Maestro logo) will be fine for taking money from ATM's and these can be found in almost every small town.

Tipping is not necessary in Iceland as taxes (VAT) and service is included in the price.

Work

If you want to work in Iceland you need to apply for a 'kennitala' or Identity Number. This number will tie you to everything tax related, such as benefits, purchases tax returns etc. If you continue to work for more than three months, you will be entitled to subsidised health care, depending on residential status.

Iceland is not a place to come in hopes of finding work. Work permits are required for citizens of most countries. The exceptions are citizens of the Nordic Countries (Greenland, Faroe Islands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Åland Islands, Finland) and EU/EEA countries. Work permits can be extremely difficult to get if you do not come from any of the aforementioned countries, as Iceland has a relatively strict immigration policy and employers are obligated to consider Icelandic or EU citizens above all other applicants. It is also worth mentioning that as a small nation, a great deal of emphasis is placed on family ties and personal relationships; therefore it can be difficult to find a job in Iceland without personally knowing someone in a company.

Study

Reykjavik has a University that might be of interest for some travellers.

Language

Icelandic is a pretty complex language with lots of conjugations. It's most similar to Danish.
The grammar can be very hard to learn and even natives aren't even sure sometimes. Icelandic has a few of it's own letters, but nothing very hard.
There is:

• á pronounced "ow"
• í pronounced "ee"
• é pronounced "ye"
• æ pronounced "i" like in hi
• ú pronounced "oo"
• þ pronounced "th" like in three
• ð pronounced "th" like in the

For a short trip you might just want to learn a few easy phrases:

• Takk = thank you
• Bless = bye
• Halló = hello
• hvar er = where is
• hvað kostar = how much is

But don't worry, almost everyone in Iceland speaks English.

Eat

Icelandic cuisine has changed a lot in the last few decades from involving mainly lamb or fish in some form or other, as the popularity of other types of food has increased. A vegetarian diet is more tricky to maintain but there are several vegetarian restaurants in Reykjavík and vegetarian dishes are widely available at other restaurants.

Distinctively Icelandic foods include:

• arðfiskur, dried fish pieces eaten as a snack with butter (also good with coleslaw)
• skyr, a yoghurt-like dairy product available in flavoured and unflavoured varieties all over the country. Low in fat and high in protein.
• hangikjöt, smoked lamb
• smoked lamb sausage
• svið, singed sheep's head
• Slátur, consists of lifrarpylsa, a sausage made from the offal of sheep, and blóðmör which is similar to lifrapylsa only with the sheep's blood mixed into it.

Iceland is famous for its whale meat, and is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to eat Minke whale. Whaling has long been a tradition in Iceland, albeit it has become a controversial issue in recent times. However, most restaurants that cater to tourists will sell whale meat, and if you are feeling a little more adventurous some places will serve grated puffin with it if you ask.

During the Þorri season (late January-Early February) many Icelanders enjoy Þorramatur, a selection of traditional Icelandic cuisine which usually contain the following: hákarl (putrefied shark cubes), Sviðasulta (brawn [head cheese] made from svið), Lundabaggi (Sheep's fat) and hrútspungar (pickled ram's testicles). Þorramatur is usually served at gatherings known as Þorrablót. If you find yourself invited to a Þorrablót do not be afraid to (politely) refuse some of the more unpalatable delicacies, as many Icelanders chose to do so as well. Don't worry about going hungry, though, as many of the more "normal" foods mentioned above are almost always available too. If uncertain which is which, do not be afraid to ask the caterers for assistance.

A similar event to Þorrablót is Þorláksmessa, celebrated on 23 December each year. During this day you might find yourself invited to skötuveislur where cured skate is served. As with Þorrablót, you can politely refuse to partake in the skate (other type of fish is usually served alongside it for the less adventurous). A word of warning though, the pungent smell that accompanies the cooking of cured skate is very strong and sticks to hair and clothing very easily. Do not wear formal (expensive) clothing at these gatherings, especially not clothing you intend to wear during Christmas.

Sleep

Accommodation in Iceland is usually of a high standard and even the cheapest places are well run and clean places. Options range from spectacularly located campgrounds to some expensive 5-star hotels in Reykjavik. By far the nicest places to stay are the smaller hotels, B&B's and guesthouses you will find dotted throughout the country. These include some very nice farmstays. Also, there are several dozens of hostels in the country and some of them are only open during the summer months, as they are located in school buildings throughout the country. Although it's not a cheap place to visit, there are many budget options included here on Travellerspoint and also Guesthouses and Bed and Breakfasts.

Drink

Tap water is safe to drink in Iceland and it is one of the countries with cleanest water in the world. Coffee is easy to find and is comparable to what is found throughout Europe. Juices are generally imported and made from concentrate.

Alcoholic drinks are very expensive compared to the UK and USA - as an example, half litre of Viking beer in a bar will cost approximately ISK 900. Liquor can be purchased at licensed bars, restaurants, or Vínbúðin, the state monopoly (locally known as Ríkið: "the state") liquor bought there is much cheaper than at bars, there you pay ISK 350 for the same beer you paid 900 for at the bar. The local Icelandic drinks such as Brennivín ("Black death") contain a fairly high alcohol content, so pace yourself while at the bars.

Visitors arriving by air should note that there is a duty free store for arriving passengers where they can buy cheap alcohol (at least cheap compared to Iceland). To find the duty free store just follow the Icelanders. No Icelander in their right mind will pass the duty free store upon arrival! Be sure to not exceed the allowance which is 1L strong alcohol and 1L light wine (less than 22%) or 1L strong and 6L of beer. The strong alcohol can be exchanged for either 1L light wine or 6L beer.

Drinking age in Iceland is 18 for all alcoholic beverages. But you'll have to be 20 or older to buy alcoholic beverages.

Health

See also: Travel Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Iceland. The country has a very good public health infrastructure with hospitals, good doctors and widely available pharmacies.

The biggest hazards in Iceland is probably the weather, especially when venturing inland along the difficult roads. You need a very sturdy high clearance 4wd vehicle and all supplies like food, water and fuel. Also, watch out for sudden storms and blizzards, even in the middle of summer. Also, after rain, some slow flowing small rivers might all of sudden turn into wide and deep rivers, almost impossible to cross by car. So if you do venture inland and away from the main roads, watch all of these things very closely.

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Iceland is very safe most of the time with very few travellers getting into problems because of robbery or any natural problems. If travelling around Iceland it is very important that you prepare yourself well and correctly. Remember that the weather can change very quickly and a very large part of Iceland is uninhabited.

There are annual reports of tourist deaths in Iceland. These are normally for two reasons. Either extreme adventure or extreme stupidity. Glaciers are extremely dangerous places. Around the edges of glaciers (where you would normally gain access) the ice cracks and huge crevices, sometimes hundreds of metres deep, are formed. If you want to have a glacier experience, be sure to hire an experienced guide. As with any remote wilderness trek, it is wise to let people know exactly where you are going and when you plan to return. The highlands are popular with hikers, but even in the middle of summer, you can experience extreme blizzards which can put you in severe danger. Always be prepared for the worst.

Most tourist deaths are either on or under the glaciers, but there have been recent deaths at Gullfoss and on the beach at Vík. By contrast, crime related deaths are extremely rare.

Keep Connected

Internet

Most of Iceland is well connected. Most homes have ADSL connections which work well most of the time. There is however a firewall which can cause connections problems especially at busy times. Most hotels, guesthouses, hostels, cafés etc. have a working Wi-Fi network. Generally it's free of charge, but sometimes there might be a small fee or limited amount of time. There are a couple of public computers at the University of Iceland and the National Library that you can use for free and without the need to log in.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The international telephone code is 354. National numbers in Iceland are seven digits long and generally written in the form xxx xxxx or xxx-xxxx.
There are no area codes in this closed numbering plan and the international call prefix is 00. Numbers of mobile phones tend to begin with either 6xx xxxx, 7xx xxxx or 8xx xxxx, while land line numbers start with 5xx xxxx (in Reykjavík) or 4xx xxxx (the country side). The Icelandic emergency number is 112 for all services.

Internally, phone calls in Iceland are very reasonable priced and most providers offer friends and family discounts or free calls/messaging to same network phones. International calling cards are available in most convenience stores which can significantly reduce the cost of international calls.

There are three main companies who supply personal internet connections: siminn Vodafone and Talk. It is very important to get full details of the charges and excess charges as it is very easy to run up a huge bill without being aware of it, especially on a mobile connection. You can buy a local SIM card, if you have an unlocked mobile phone. The major internet companies can supply 3G mobile internet on a monthly basis. If you are travelling be sure to check the coverage because the mobile connection is not as wide as the mobile phone connection.

Post

Iceland's Postal Service (tel. 580-1200) is reliable and efficient. General post office hours in Reykjavík are 9:00am to 6:00pm weekdays, but post offices close earlier elsewhere. Mailboxes are bright red and marked Pósturinn. Stamps are sold at many locations, including Nóatún supermarkets; N1, Olís, and Shell gas stations; and some bookstores. Mail typically takes 3 to 5 business days to reach Europe or the United States. If you are importing goods through the post, it takes a while to sort out the customs and tax based on the value of the item, so be sure to have receipts readily available. For sending packages you can also use international courier companies like TNT, UPS, FedEx or DHL, since they are fast, reliable and generally competitively priced as well.

External

• Government Website of Iceland
• Visit Iceland - official tourist board of the country