If you’re looking for maximum sunlight, or even to experience the midnight sun (when the sun doesn’t fully set below the horizon), the best period to come is in June, July or August. The shoulder months of May and September are also ideal for those who prefer a quieter holiday, as they usually attract less crowds.
What should you avoid in Iceland? 10 Things to Avoid in Iceland (…and what to do instead!)
- Avoid: Busy and expensive hot springs.
- Do: Go and find quieter or cheaper hot springs.
- Avoid: Buying bottled water.
- Do: Drink from the tap.
- Avoid: Spending all your time in Reykjavik.
- Do: Get out and explore the rest of the country.
- Avoid: Expensive day tours.
Consequently, Do they speak English in Iceland? English is taught as a second language in Iceland and almost every Icelander speaks the language fluently. And more so, most Icelanders speak several other languages including Danish, German, Spanish and French and welcome the opportunity to practice their language skills. Hope to see you soon in Reykjavík.
What is Iceland famous for food? Food might not be what brought you to Iceland in the first place, but it’ll definitely be what brings you back.
- Reykjavik’s Hot Dog (or pylsur) …
- Skyr. …
- Lamb. …
- Ice Cream and Cheese. …
- Fermented Shark. …
- Rye bread (and butter) …
- Seafood.
FAQ
What is illegal in Iceland?
Not only is it illegal to sell panties, boxers, thongs, and jock straps with the Icelandic flag on them (that would be disrespectful), it is also illegal to sell or advertise items of foreign origin if the image of an Icelandic flag has been put on them (that would be unpatriotic).
Are Icelanders friendly? You may be wondering whether Icelanders are friendly or if they hate American tourists. Of course, Icelanders don’t hate tourists. Iceland has been voted the friendliest country to visit in the world!
What are the dangers in Iceland? Other dangers in Iceland include falling into cracks on glaciers, getting stuck inside unstable ice caves, or burning yourself on hot springs. Remember never to go hiking on a glacier or enter an ice cave unless you’re with someone that knows the area and the landscape extremely well.
Is Iceland religious? Religion: Most Icelanders (80%) are members of the Lutheran State Church. Another 5% are registered in other Christian denominations, including the Free Church of Iceland and the Roman Catholic Church. Almost 5% of people practice ásatrú, the traditional Norse religion.
How cold does Iceland get?
The winters in Iceland usually have temperatures hovering around 0°c (32°F), which is really nothing compared to the temperatures in other northern countries. Still, the country is one of the absolute best places to see the northern lights in the world!
Do I need to speak Icelandic in Iceland? While Icelandic is the official language, appr. 98% of Icelanders speak English fluently, so the latter is enough to start a new life in Iceland. If you are not a native speaker, note that fluency is absolutely required if you want to do anything other than housekeeping or dishwashing.
What is a typical breakfast in Iceland?
Hearty is the name of the game when it comes to breakfast: One of the items most central to an Icelandic breakfast is hafragrautur, or oatmeal, according to Serious Eats. To make the dish, oats are simply cooked with water or milk in a pot.
What do they drink in Iceland? Brennivín A distilled brand of schnapps that is considered Iceland’s signature liquor. It is sometimes called Svarti dauði, meaning Black Death. It is made from fermented potato mash and is flavored with caraway seeds. How strong is it?
Why are there no dogs in Iceland?
In 1924, the city of Reykjavik banned keeping dogs as pets. The city’s residents aren’t all cat people—rather, the measure was meant to prevent echinococcosis, a type of tapeworm that can be passed from dogs to humans.
Why is beer illegal in Iceland?
Even today alcohol sales in Iceland are highly regulated and government run liquor stores (Vínbúðin) are the only places to buy alcohol in Iceland. The somewhat shaky logic behind the beer ban was that access to beer would tempt young people and workers into heavy drinking.
Can you wear shorts in Iceland? If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during a heatwave, you might wear shorts to go on day trips or walks. A light jacket may be enough as well. You’ll even find use for your swimsuit. But it’s best to pack all the essentials, so you’re ready for anything.
Do and don’ts in Iceland? This is our do’s and don’ts guide with tons of travel tips for conscious travel to Iceland.
- Do’s. Please be considerate and mindful of the locals. Be open-minded and don’t yuck their yum. Rent a car! …
- Don’t. Do not be an ugly tourist and stay safe. DO NOT hike glaciers without a guide. Don’t assume their horses are ponies.
What percentage of Iceland is white?
The ethnic composition of Iceland today is 93% Icelandic. The largest ethnic minority is Polish at 3% of the population. There are about 8,000 people of Polish descent in Iceland, accounting for 75% of the workforce in Fjarðabyggð. About 13% of the population was born abroad and 6% hold foreign citizenship.
Is Iceland welcoming to foreigners? Still reeling from its economic collapse five years ago, Iceland has been voted the most welcoming to foreigners of 140 countries polled by the World Economic Forum. The public attitudes survey found Icelandic society most open and welcoming to foreigners, followed by New Zealand and Morocco.
Is Iceland sinking?
The south-west peninsula of Iceland is sinking due to its placement near the Reykjanes tectonic plate ridge. A lack of volcanic activity in the area has led to a dearth of material. The size of the Greenland glacier affects Iceland in two ways. The glacier has shrunk significantly due to global warming.
How many atheists are in Iceland? Irreligion is prevalent in Iceland, with approximately 10% of the population identifying as « convinced atheists » and a further 30% identifying as non-religious. Since the 20th century, irreligion has seen steady growth.
Does Iceland celebrate Christmas?
Icelanders celebrate official Christmas at 6pm on Christmas Eve, the 24th of December. That means that the 23rd of December takes over as Christmas Eve – the last night before Christmas when everyone is buying their last present, and having a few drinks with their friends.
Is it always raining in Iceland? Iceland does not have a rainy season, but precipitation peaks in October to February, with the southern and western parts receiving the most rainfall. The North, East and Interior experience colder winter temperatures but warmer summers, and noticeably less snow and rain.
Is Greenland or Iceland colder?
Despite what the names suggest, Greenland is much colder than Iceland. 11% of Iceland’s landmass is covered by a permanent Ice Sheet. As amazing as this is, it’s nothing compared to Greenland’s unbelievable 80% Ice Sheet Cover.
Is Iceland a nice place to live? Iceland might appear to lots of people as a country that’s perfect – high salaries, widespread tolerance and a beautiful nature. And that’s true! It’s a wonderful country to live in.
