## Basic information

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## The capital of Iceland

The wild and volcanically active nature will captivate you upon arrival in the capital Reykjavík. Before landing the plane, looking at the smoldering geysers, desolate plains and apocalyptic-looking landscape, you will think that you are at the end of the world. But the opposite is true, because in Iceland you will definitely experience more than less adventures and experiences that you would hardly come across anywhere else.

Reykjavík has a population of 129,000 and is the largest and most populous city on the island. Up to two thirds of the entire population of the island live here. Due to the location of the island, you can enjoy continuous light in the summer months, while in winter it is only four hours of light a day. Thanks to the bright summer days, the island is famous for its nightlife, it also has a special word for these alcoholic nights: RUNTUR.

## Flag of Iceland

Red, white lined cross, on blue canvas - this is the flag of the island. The blue color is supposed to symbolize the sea and the sky, while white is intended to symbolize geysers, glaciers and snow. Iceland's relationship to the other Scandinavian countries, especially Denmark, which Iceland has ruled since the 14th century, is illustrated by a red cross.

## Population of Iceland

The inhabitants of the land of fire and ice are descendants of Norwegian settlers and Celts, and at first they may seem like grumblers, but in the end you will fall in love with the Icelandic nature, because the people here are peaceful and kind. Maybe that's why Icelanders live to a very old age (81.1 years). An old Icelandic proverb says that: "Everyone wants to live long, but no one wants to be old!" And this is exactly the definition that he honors at any age in his quiet life, and we Europeans should learn this skill from them.

In 2020, 364,000 people live in Iceland, up to 93% of whom are descendants of Norwegian and Celtic settlers.

## Holidays in Iceland

As with us, January 1 falls on a day of rest after the New Year's celebrations.

During February, Icelanders celebrate Porrablót - in earlier times, people met for dinner and recited poems in honor of the god Porr. Even today, people gather for dinner, but they discuss all the news from their lives.

The end of February to the beginning of March are the holidays that precede the Easter fast, divided into three days:

- Monday is Bolludagur - the holiday is mainly enjoyed by children. According to tradition, they receive a so-called bollur from their parents, which is such a donut, only \* slightly larger and filled with jam or caramel icecream.
- Sprengidagur - carnival. Icelanders consume large amounts of mutton and as a side dish of peas.
- And the last one is öskudagur - it comes out on Ash Wednesday, when children go from house to house, singing and caroling.

March - April - Easter Páskar - locals enjoy mainly working holidays and spend time with their families.

The first Thursday after April 18 - the first summer day of Sumardagurinn fyrsti. The old Nordic calendar used to modify only two seasons. Even on this day, the locals enjoy the holidays. They meet in squares and centers and celebrate. They mainly consume ice cream, because the weather is nice.

The first weekend in June - Sjómannadagurinn sailors' days. Various events take place, mainly in ports, as the sea is celebrated, providing livelihoods for many people. Exhibitions, boat trips, sailing races, seafood tastings.

June 17 - Independence Day, celebration of the birth of Jon Sigurðsson (representative of the independence movement) - Great holiday, huge national celebrations. The shop windows are decorated with Icelandic colors and Ionian portraits. Parades, concerts and streets come to life.

Icelanders use sunrise and sunset tracking mainly on the longest day of the year, and that is June 21st. The sun rises on this day at 2:54 and sets after midnight at 00:04. An ideal day for trips to nature and observation of this natural phenomenon.

Merchant's Day - the first weekend in August and Monday (Verslunarmannahelgi) - the holiday was originally for employees in the service, they had to rest. Today, everyone has time off and it is the salesmen who have to go to work so that people can buy. This holiday is very often associated with camping, nature trips and especially drinking alcohol. It is most actively celebrated especially on the islands of Vestmannaeyjar.

The third weekend in August - Menningarnótt (Reykjavik Culture Night) - a very nicely designed holiday, when the streets of the capital is open to concerts, as well as bars and cafes. Some locals even hold open days at home and invite passers-by for cocoa and something good. It all ends with a large fireworks display and then drinks until morning.

December 1 - Independence Day - an official holiday, however, people work and do not celebrate so much.

December 21st - the shortest day - in Reykjavík the sun rises at 11:22, sets at 15:30 - it is already cold, people prefer to stay inside and they also have a lot of work to do before Christmas.

December 23 - Day of the celebration of St. láorlák, Þorláksmessa - Porlák was an island saint, a bishop, who 23.12. 1193 died. Pre-Christmas preparations are in full swing, with shops open until almost midnight.

December 24 - Christmas, Jól - Christmas time looks like Iceland in our country. Icelanders gather for dinner, hand out presents, and then hold Christmas Masses. The day after Christmas, it is usual to visit family.

December 31 - New Year's Eve, Gamlárskvöld - very similar to ours. In addition to the large amount of alcohol that is drunk this evening, people also try a variety of pyrotechnics, which they detonate in large quantities at midnight.

## The sign of Iceland

The coat of arms of Iceland shows us the Icelandic flag, surrounded by untraditionally four (usually only two) shield bearers. These are mythological figures - bull=protector of the southwest, eagle or griffin = protector of the northwest, dragon = protector of the northeast and giant = protector of the southeast
This emblem has been used since the date of the proclamation of the republic, which was 1944

## Currency of Iceland

On the island you can pay in Icelandic crowns - króna (ISK).

- The value of coins - 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 ISK
- Banknote value - 500, 1000, 2000, 5000

The most expensive in the country is alcohol. Other prices are comparable to other Scandinavian countries.

You can exchange money at banks, you will not find classic exchange offices in Iceland, or we can get money from an ATM. The card payment almost anywherepossible.

### Prices in Iceland

Prices usually vary depending on whether you are shopping in the capital or on the outskirts. Look for most things, from food to medicines to drugstore goods, in supermarkets. The most famous are Bónus, Krónan, Samkaup or Nettó. Small businesses such as bakeries are only in larger cities and there are not many of them. However, if you leave the capital, you will only be dependent on petrol stations. You can buy alcohol mainly in the state store Vínbuðin.
The shops normally open until around 11 am and close early, as early as 6 pm. Which, given the long day, can be confusing at times.

Approximate prices of products in Iceland:

- Beer in the shop (can) - 300-364 ISK / 1,8-2,2 GBP
- Beer in the restaurant 0,5l - 800-990 ISK / 4,8-6 GBP
- Coffee in a cafe - 350-450 ISK / 2,1-2,7 GBP
- Better lunch in the restaurant - 3 290-4 900 ISK / 20-30 GBP
- Ham slices - 360 ISK / 2,2 GBP
- Bagette 185 ISK / 1 GBP

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From a European to an Icelander? Only through the kitchen! Of course, the seafood is one of the greatest delicacies of the elves' island. You can find Omega 3 in almost every dish you get on a plate in the restaurant. After Japan, Iceland is the second country with the largest consumption of fish. But watch out for Iceland's most popular delicacy. If you see in the menu that they serve "Hárakl", think twice if trying new things will always bring you only something good. It is a deeply fermented shark. You will not find this delicacy elsewhere in the world and you will not forget it just like that. The meat of the small-headed shark has a very pungent odor. The shark is the northernmost fish and in order for its body to cope with low temperatures, it is saturated with nitrogenous substances and these are more toxic. The meat must first be chopped into 30 cm thin slices, inserted into a gravel hole and loaded with heavy stones that push the toxic juice out of the meat. And for the whole 6 - 12 weeks the meat slowly decomposes underground and for another 4 - 5 months it is dried hanging in a dry place. And the reward for several months of effort is stinging meat, with a hint of fish, which is consumed with a toothpick and drunk with cumin brandy.

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## Interesting facts about Iceland

In this land of contrasts, there is no shortage of adrenaline experiences, romantic impressions and cultural events. Romantic souls will enjoy watching the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, named after the Roman goddess of dawn. It is necessary to set aside at least a week for this solar phenomenon. The night must be clear and the sun's activity strong enough, but this extraordinary experience surpassed even the wildest imaginations of experienced travelers, who described the glow as the strongest moment of their lives. This phenomenon, most often caused by solar activity and the earth's magnetic field, can be observed in the northern part of the island.

There are many more experiences for adventurers in Iceland. The most popular are rafting and kayaking downhill around Iceland. Where else can you see all the stages of the planet's development in one day. As a result of the changeable weather, you will find yourself in a completely different landscape after each awakening than the one you went to bed the day before. The ubiquitous smell of sulfur also contributes to the adrenaline experience, reminding you that after a strenuous descent, a hot natural geyser awaits you, which will relax your muscles again and give you a little of the longevity of the inhabitants. Along with countless waterfalls, hot geysers are another unique phenomenon from which you will not take your eyes off. Strokkir Geyser spews a stream of water up to a height of 30 meters, but if you are looking for a real giant among geysers, visit the Great Geyser, which has named all the geysers in the world and can reach its gushing stream of water up to 80 meters.

Once you have full of adrenaline, leave the steering of the boat more experienced and sail further into the open sea. The reward will definitely be a small whale, which lazily surrounds your boat several times and with waves tail fins goodbye. Yes, we are talking about whales and their observation in the wild. You can cross out another experience that you never thought could happen to you.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in Iceland?**

Emergency line: 112 (police, firefighters, medical care)

First aid: + 354-525-1000

Police: 114

Fire brigade: 112

**The telephone area code for Iceland is +354.**

**Contacts at The British Embassy in Reykjavik, Iceland :**

**Address:**

```txt
Michael Nevin
British Embassy Reykjavik
Laufásvegur 31
101 Reykjavík
Iceland
```

Phone: +354 550 5100

Email: info@britishembassy.is

Further contacts can be found on the website

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The most favorable weather is the summer months.

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There are 464 authorized airports in Iceland. It's probably a number you didn't count on, but Icelandic nature demands it, as many places are only accessible by boat or plane. There is no rail transport in Iceland, which contributes significantly to the increase in air transport. Of course, most airports are a different size to which we are used to, and air transport is provided by four major airports.

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## List of airports

There is no rail transport in Iceland and therefore Iceland has many airports.

### Keflavík International Airport

KEF is the largest airport in Iceland and you will most likely arrive and depart from this airport during your visit. The airport is 45 minutes from central Reykjavik.

The area of the airport is 25 km2, there are 3 airport runways, a terminal and administrative buildings.

The airport was built in 1943 by the US military during World War II. There are currently over 20 airlines flying to Iceland. The estimated number of tourists in 2020 is 7 million. Despite the high number of tourists, Keflavík Airport is relatively small and cozy and waiting during check-in in the high season in 2017 was less than 10 minutes in 98% of cases.

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If you buy alcohol and beer after landing, you will also save. As these items are much cheaper at the airport than in the country due to the high tax on alcohol.

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### Reykjavik Airport, domestic airport

RKV is the second largest airport and is only 2 km away from the city center, which means that you can easily do it on foot :). It is used for international transport only in case of bad weather, when it is not possible to land at Keflavík Airport. Flights from this airport fly daily to a smaller airport on the island, but it is also connected to the Faroe Islands and Greenland. This is good to keep in mind if you want to make your visit to Iceland more attractive and possibly look somewhere else.

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Flights to Greenland are often affected by the weather and often delayed. Remember this when booking your ticket.

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### Egilsstaðir Airport, domestic airport

Air Iceland Connect is the only airline flying to this airport. The connection with the capital is several times a day.

### Akureyri Airport, domestic airport

Even this airport is connected only by Air Iceland Connect. The flight from Reykjavik takes about 45-60 minutes and is available several times a day. In addition to the capital, you can also fly from here to Egilsstadir, Grímsey Island, Vopnafjörður, Þórshöfn.

Airports

You may also be surprised by billboards with advertisements for summer clothes, where models pose instead of in swimsuits in down jackets. Definitely pack one more layer of clothing with you on the island than you are used to.

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, there are no extreme conditions on the island, but due to the wind, the feeling temperature is often much lower than indicated by the thermometer.

The most ideal time to visit is, at least in terms of the weather in the summer months, or from May to September. However, it is necessary to count on higher, tourist prices, which raise the prices of accommodation and car rentals by several tens of percent compared to the winter. The sun almost does not set in summer and temperatures range up to 20 degrees.

However, due to the aurora borealis, which attracts a large number of people, it is necessary to pack an extra sweater and go to the island in winter.

## Weather in Reykjavik

The worst conditions for traveling to Reykjavík are in January and February, when it is really cold and dry. . We recommend visiting the capital in the summer months.

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## When to fly to Iceland

The most favorable in terms of weather are the summer months. About from May to September. However, even then it is necessary to take into account lower temperatures and especially cold and strong winds. But you may not be pleasantly surprised by the prices. Hotels, car rentals and local retailers have adapted to the tourism industry, so expect everything a few percent more expensive in these months.

If you do not mind the cold, the possibility of snow and a really icy wind, visit Iceland in the winter months. The chances of seeing aurora borealis are several times higher, even in Reykjavík. Save some duck and enjoy the island undisturbed by crowds of tourists.

### Cheapest flights in the context of the weather

The graph describes the minimum prices of flights to Reykjavík and their
development by weeks. Further data on the graph show the average day and night temperatures and
total precipitation, if data are available. By clicking on the individual columns in
graph, you will get a more detailed [current data from the search engine](/).

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So you see which date is the best for the departure to Reykjavik given the development
weather in the destination and given the current ticket price.

Weather

## Snæfellsjökull

Three hours from Reykjavík, the Snaefellsnesl peninsula, which is a beautiful but already dormant volcano covered with glaciers. Many agencies organize tours to this monumental peak, which Jules Verne, described as the entrance to the center of the country, tours. They will lend you the necessary equipment and prepare an unimaginable experience. The agency is very important in this case, you did not have enough equipment or experience. We definitely do not recommend a trip on your own.

## Crochet

Still active volcano Hekla. It is the second most active volcano in Iceland, also nicknamed the Gate to Hell. If the weather conditions are favorable, it is possible to overcome the peak.

## Kirkjufell

The most photographed mountain in Iceland. On the Internet you will find an inexhaustible number of photographs, collages and paintings with this natural phenomenon. Fans of the Game of Thrones series will surely recognize her, her panorama appeared in several scenes.

## Geysers and waterfalls

### Haukadalur

The Haukadalur geothermal area is located about 100 km from Reykjavík and is one of the most famous places in Iceland.

### Gullfoss

Just 10 kilometers from Geysir, don't forget to visit the largest waterfall in Europe. The upper part of the waterfall measures 10 meters and the lower 22 meters in height.

### Skógafoss Waterfall

English: Forest waterfall

It is located in the southern part of the island. We will mention in particular the height, which is 62 meters and a width of 25 meters, so it is one of the most beautiful and largest on the island.

### Geyser Strokkur

The name in translation means watering can. It is located in the southwestern part of the island. It explodes almost every 10 minutes and gushes to a height of up to 25 meters.

### Geyser

As the name suggests, this geyser has lent its name to all geysers in the world. More than 10 thousand active geysers exist. Flight The frequency of water spouting varies. Since 2000, after a massive Icelandic earthquake, it is active every 5 to 8 hours.

## Places of interest in Iceland

### Blue Lagoon

When visiting Iceland, the Blue Lagoon should be mandatory. It is a geothermal bath whose hot water (39 C) contains a large amount of minerals. The spa can be visited for relaxation or for the treatment of skin diseases.

### Jökulsárlón

A beautiful and vast lake, on which there are bluish ice floes, which are constantly torn off and still enlarging the area of the lagoon. Currently, the lake is 18 km2. With a little luck, it is possible to observe living seals here.

### Þingvellir National Park

This national park is also protected by the UNESCO world organization, it lies on the border of tectonic plates and therefore cracks and fissures are formed here, which creates small and larger lakes and riverbeds.

It is important mainly because it is possible to observe at what speed the North American and Eurasian continents are moving away from each other.

### Vatnajökull National Park

With an area of almost 15,000 meters, it has made it the second largest NP in Europe. Vatna=water and joqul = glacier, so it is the largest glacier in Europe. The area is almost uninhabited due to frequent floods and landslides

## Nejvyšší hora Islandu Hvannadalshnjúkur

The altitude of this mountain is 2,110 m and is located on the northwestern edge of the Öræfajökul massif.
It is possible to climb this highest mountain in Iceland with the agency.

Guide to Iceland

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