Iceland Fun Facts
| Thanks to the Gulf Stream, winter temperatures are milder in Iceland than you’ll find in New York or Toronto. When the thermometer creeps above 20°C (68°F) in summer, Icelanders bask in the sun at cafes and beaches. |
| There’s no need to buy bottled water. What comes out of the tap is pure, clean, tasty, and free. |
| While it doesn't get as cold in winter as many think, Iceland’s weather can be quite unpredictable. Bring lots of clothes to wear in layers–even in summer–and a good quality windproof jacket. Most importantly, don’t forget your bathing suit! Visiting thermal pools is a highlight of most trips (though you can always rent a suit if you forgot yours). |
| Iceland’s currency is the krona. The coins feature beautiful sea creatures. Don’t worry if you don’t have any though. Credit and debit cards are accepted virtually everywhere. |
| Electricity in Iceland is 220 volts, the same as in Europe. If you bring electronics from the US or Canada, you’ll need an adaptor for both plugs and current. Iceland is a wired society, and you’ll find Internet hot spots almost everywhere. |
| The name of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, means “smoky bay”. About two-thirds of the population live in the capital region. |
| Photographers love Iceland for its incredible, ever-changing light. It never gets fully dark between about mid-May and early August, while in December, a muted light shines over the island for a few short hours each day. |
| Recent movies filmed in Iceland have included Prometheus (Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce), Oblivion (Tom Cruise), Noah (Russell Crowe), and the Secret Life of Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller). For more examples of movies filmed in Iceland - view this map. |
| The world’s oldest existing parliament, the Abing, was founded in Pingvellir, Iceland (930AD). |
| Gorbachev and Regan met at a summit in Reykjavik in 1986, beginning the end of the Cold War. |
| In 2010 the volcano under Eyjafjallajokull (or E15) glacier erupted with a 9km high ash plume that brought European flights to a standstill for 6 days. |
| The literacy rate in Iceland is 100%. They publish the greatest number of books per capita in the world. |
| Reykjavik became a UNESCO city of literature in 2011. |
| According to the 2013 Global Peace Index, Iceland is the most peaceful country on earth. |
| Beer was illegal in Iceland until 1989. |
| Iceland’s etiquette requires swimmers to wash thoroughly without a swimsuit before hopping into pools. |
| As the construction of names in the Icelandic language is a little complicated they use first names, even when addressing strangers. |
| Vatnajokull National Park is the largest in Europe covering 13% of Iceland. The ice cap is the largest outside the poles and is three times the size of Luxembourg. |
| Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which can be visited on a day trip from the capital, was used by Jules Verne as his doorway to the subterranean in Journey to the Center of the Earth. |
| Leif Ericson, born in Iceland around 970s is regarded as the first European to land in North America nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus. There is a statue of Leif Ericson outside Reykjavik’s most recognizable church. The statue was a gift to Iceland in 1930 from the United States in honour of the 1000 anniversary of Iceland’s Parliament at Pingvellir in 930 AD. |
Iceland Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Iceland.
Learn about the history and culture of Iceland, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Iceland's nature and wildlife, weather, and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Iceland for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Iceland tours today!
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