Iceland

Choose Iceland Travel and our expert guides and hosts will ensure your guests have an unforgettable journey, exploring the wonders of Iceland. Sharing our country – and our way of life – with travelers is what we do.
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A few facts about Iceland

Compared to other European nations, Iceland has a small population of around just 350,000 people. Around two-thirds of Iceland’s residents live in the capital city of Reykjavík or the surrounding area. Meanwhile, you’ll find that many of the remaining locals live in picturesque fishing towns or villages dotted along the coastline.  

 

The country’s official language is Icelandic but Icelanders are taught English as a second language from an early age. So getting around and being understood is easy for English-speaking visitors.

 

Icelandic Króna (ISK) is the local currency and credit cards are often the preferred way to pay. 

 

You might already know that one of the world’s first parliamentary democracies was established in Iceland in the year 930. And more recently, in 1944, the country gained independence from Denmark.  

 

According to the World Happiness Report, Iceland is one of the world’s safest and happiest nations. So it’s not surprising that Icelanders are known for their welcoming, and often liberal, attitudes. 

What is the temperature in Iceland?

Despite its position on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland isn’t as cold as you might expect. The country has a temperate climate thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.

Compared to other European nations, Iceland has a small population of around just 350,000 people. Around two-thirds of Iceland’s residents live in the capital city of Reykjavík or the surrounding area. Meanwhile, you’ll find that many of the remaining locals live in picturesque fishing towns or villages dotted along the coastline.  

 

The country’s official language is Icelandic but Icelanders are taught English as a second language from an early age. So getting around and being understood is easy for English-speaking visitors.

 

Icelandic Króna (ISK) is the local currency and credit cards are often the preferred way to pay. 

 

You might already know that one of the world’s first parliamentary democracies was established in Iceland in the year 930. And more recently, in 1944, the country gained independence from Denmark.  

 

According to the World Happiness Report, Iceland is one of the world’s safest and happiest nations. So it’s not surprising that Icelanders are known for their welcoming, and often liberal, attitudes. 

What is the temperature in Iceland?

Despite its position on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Iceland isn’t as cold as you might expect. The country has a temperate climate thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.

In summer (May to September), average temperatures vary from around 46–55°F (8–13°C). Meanwhile, during the winter months (October to April) average temperatures range from about 30–43°F (-1–6°C). 

 

Although temperatures rarely drop below freezing, Iceland’s location in the North Atlantic does mean that daily weather conditions are changeable. In fact, there’s a Nordic saying: “If you don’t like the weather, wait 15 minutes and it’ll change.” So no matter when your guests are traveling, we recommend bringing waterproof gear and warm layers. 

 

Check out our guide to Iceland’s climate and seasons for more in-depth information about the country’s weather. 


 

Few facts about Iceland…

The nation’s capital is Reykjavik and almost 2/3 of the population either lives in the city or in neighbouring communities. Small picturesque villages dot the shoreline all across the country, most of these rely on fisheries and usually their’s alot of buzz centered around the docks.

Iceland is a representative democracy and a parliamentary republic and we got our independence from Denmark in 1944. The modern parliament, Alþingi, was founded in 1845 as an advisory body to the Danish monarch. It was widely seen as a re-establishment of the assembly founded in 930 in Thingvellir. We like to boast, that Iceland is the oldest parliamentary democracy.

Most Icelanders speak English, as it is taught in schools and people learn English as second language from early age.

Our currency is called Króna or Isk.

What is the temperature in Iceland?

Iceland is located on both a hotspot and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which runs right through it. This location means that the island is highly geologically active with many volcanoes. The climate is subarctic (see more about Seasons and Climate). The warm North Atlantic Current ensures generally higher annual temperatures than in most places of similar latitude in the world.

The Gulf Stream brings mild Atlantic air in contact with colder Arctic air, resulting in frequent and abrupt weather shifts where you may experience four seasons in one day. The Icelanders often say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes and you’ll get something different.”

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.

How to get to Iceland

There are over 20 airlines that offer passenger flights over here. We recommend Icelandair, it is the oldest and one of the most reliable airline in Iceland, offering flights from many different destinations in Europe and North-America. While here you should find it easy to find things to do and see (see more here) and we also recommend that you take the time to see the many natural wonders.

Points of Interest in Iceland

We offer a great deal of tours and road trips where you can experience the many natural wonders of Iceland, be it the midnight sun, the Northern Lights or the Blue Lagoon. The Golden Circle has be a favorite among travelers and also the South Shore. Reykjavik is also bustling with life and offers many picturesque spots, e.g. Hallgrimskirkja Church.

Iceland has many attractions and if you have the time, you encourage you to visit as many places as you can, once in Iceland. Nearly everywhere you go, you’ll see beautiful unspoiled nature, low but rugged mountains, volcanoes and lavafields, narrow fjords, viking horses and small picturesque villages. Whether you are in the Snaefellsness peninsula, the Westfjords, traveling south of Vatnajokull glacier, you’ll find breathtaking vistas and landscape like no other.

Guides to travelling in Iceland

We have put together great guides to travelling in Iceland, where we try to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the superb attractions you’ll see when travelling in Iceland.

If you aim at seeing the Golden Circle, check out the complete guide to the Golden Circle and West Iceland. If you are coming here for the waterfalls and the south coast, check out our guide to the Stunning South Coast. For those who wish to experience the incredible Snaefellsnes Peninsula, here’s our guide to that beautiful area. The rugged Westfjords are an area with desolated and deep fjords.  Reykjanes peninsula is a place of very diverse nature, almost a miniature version of Iceland.  The guide to the East coast will bring you the beauty of the narrow fjords and jagged peaks. Finally, if you wish to take on the North and discover what secrets it might hold, check out our guide to the North right here.