Capital: Reykjavik ♦ Population: 350,000 ♦ Currency: Icelandic krona (ISK) ♦ Language: Icelandic

Blog posts

• Video: Iceland
• First impressions of Iceland
• A coupley days in Reykjavik
• The Golden Circle
• 5 nights on the Ring Road
• Recollection Diaries 2019
• Iceland: a collection of photos 

Highlights

Reykjavik: where the majority of the population resides, home to anything business and most things culture.

Vik: southern Iceland, black sand, Dyrhoelay sea arch and lighthouse, and some rocks that resemble ‘petrified trolls’.

Vatnajokull National Park: home to Iceland’s largest glacier (it covers 9% of the country in winter time). It is close to Jakulsarlon (an iceberg dotted glacier lagoon).

Did you know?

• There are no McDonalds in Iceland.
• Iceland was settled by Vikings from Norway in the early 800s. They deliberately misnamed Iceland with Greenland so that enemies would go to the wrong country.
• First parliament congregated in 930AD in Pingvellir National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• In this same National Park, it is possible to see two of the earth’s tectonic plates meeting above the earth’s surface (there is only 1 other place that this phenomenon can be viewed – in Africa).
• In recent years, there has been a volcanic eruption every year.
• Icelanders commonly believe in elves and trolls. Large fallen rocks are frozen trolls, the smell of the sulfur water is said to be dirty bath water.

Useful tips

• If you want to get out and about hiring a car is a good way to do this. Consider whether a 4WD will be appropriate for your needs.
• Know the weather patterns for when you go, but make sure you always take something warm.