What is Iceland known for? As one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Iceland is brimming with amazing sights, activities, traditions, and people.
Visitors will find some of the largest glaciers in Europe in Iceland, situated alongside active volcanoes, and of course, the Northern Lights.
With so much fantastic diversity to discover, you might be left wondering, what is Iceland known for? Or even, what are the best things about Iceland?
Today, we’re going to introduce you to some of the most famous components of Icelandic culture.
We’ll be looking at everything from the region’s incredible natural landscapes, to its musical talents and even bizarre foods.
Here’s your guide to interesting facts about Iceland, and just some of the things making this location so unique.
1. The incredible landscape
The Icelandic landscape is one of the most breath-taking in the world. There are countless mountains to explore, complete with beautiful waterfalls which look as though they came straight from a fantasy novel.
Whether they’re trapped in ice or surrounded by nature, these waterfalls are an amazing sight.
Glaciers are another must-see in Iceland’s selection of beautiful sights. 11% of the country is covered in glaciers, and the space is also home to Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull.
Visitors can take walking tours around the glaciers, go ice-climbing, and more.
2. Geysers
Iceland also happens to be home to the first-known geyser in the world. The Geysir in Iceland gave all other geyser’s their name. This natural marvel has been up and running for over 10,000 years, though it’s unlikely you’ll see it erupt anymore.
If you want a grand tour of some Iceland’s best natural spaces, it’s worth taking a trip around the Golden Circle. This is the country’s most popular day tour, and it covers everything from the magnificent Pingvellir to the Geysir.
You also get a chance to check out the Gullfoss waterfall.
3. Goðafoss
One of the most important things to know about Iceland, is the landscape is one of the most dramatic, and incredible in the world. In fact, many Icelanders relied heavily on Norse gods to explain the beauty of their environment.
When Christianity emerged, Iceland was the last Nordic country to stop worshipping the Norse Gods. You can still find the final resting place of the Viking believes at Goðafoss — a major historical landmark where legend says a chieftan threw his statues of Viking gods into the water.
4. The Blue Lagoon
Speaking of natural wonders, one of the best things about Iceland is the fantastic Blue Lagoon. This geothermal spa in southwestern Iceland is situated near a lava field — which is why it’s so naturally warm and relaxing.
The Blue Lagoon spa is a masterpiece of tranquility, with rooms and a restaurant where you can relax for a few nights if you need a break from the hustle and bustle of regular life.
If you don’t want to stop overnight, you can also visit the Blue Lagoon as part of a Golden circle tour, or a similar adventure hosted by a local touring group.
5. Dettifoss
Easily ranked among the most beautiful natural scenes in the world, Dettifoss is Europe’s most powerful waterfall. The water flowing into this waterfall comes from the Jökulsá á Fjollum.
If you had the opportunity (and energy) to follow the river back to its original origin, you’ll find the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull.
Currently, Dettifoss is around 147 feet high, and it’s among the noisiest places in Iceland, thanks to the sheer amount of water crashing down.
6. Vikings
Vikings are a huge part of Scandinavian culture, responsible for some of the first settlements across the Nordic region. Iceland has a number of strong connections to Viking history, including a deep knowledge of “The Prose Edda” — a poetry anthology created by Snorri Sturlusson.
There are a total of seven manuscripts of the Prose Edda in the world today, and the most complete version can be found in the Arni Magnusson Institute for Icelandic Studies
Most Icelanders are pretty familiar with Snorri’s stories, so it’s definitely worth checking some out if you want to fit in with the locals.
Find out more about the Vikings here.
7. Alþingi
Iceland is regarded by geologists to be one of the younger land masses in the world, at only around 25 million years old. The country has genuine history to its name, and is famous for having the oldest-running parliament in the world: Alþingi.
Created originally by the Vikings, Alþingi replaces the concept of a leader with a “law-speaker” who reads out the rules. Feuds and fights in Iceland are generally solved diplomatically, and this is something which began with the Vikings in Alþingi.
The original site of the Alþingi can still be found in the Þingvellir National Park which is a World Heritage Site.
8. Álfhól
Viking lore informed a lot of the Icelandic world we know today. However, there are some other cultural figures worth mentioning too. Icelandic’s rich folklore focuses heavily on trolls and elves, and many Icelanders still believe in these creatures.
Dotted around fields, and in home yards, you might occasionally see tiny house replicas built by Icelanders for the “hidden people”, or trolls.
The Álfhól homes are designed to give the creatures somewhere to live, so they can remain happy.
9. The Icelandic flag
In most parts of the world, national flags only appear around cities and towns when sporting events are taking place. This isn’t the case for Iceland. Locals absolutely love showing their national pride, so you’ll frequently see the flag woven into pillows, flying outside of hotels, and inside homes.
The flag, for Iceland, is a symbol of the country’s hard-won independence after having been influenced by Norway and Denmark for so long.
The flag in use right now was designed by Matthías Þórðarson, who says the red symbolizes the fire and lava of Iceland, while the blue is for the Atlantic Ocean, and the white is for snow.
Find out more about the Scandinavian flags here.
10. Peace
Though Iceland is commonly associated with the fierce, combative Vikings, this doesn’t mean the locals are fighters today. Rather, Iceland is one of the most peaceful countries in the world, with absolutely no official army or Ministry of Defense.
Even the police force in Iceland isn’t armed with any weapons. From a war perspective, the last war Iceland was involved with was in 2003 (with Iraq), where they contributed two troops.
Generally, Icelanders prefer to deal with any conflicts they might have through deliberation, discussion, and sometimes peaceful protest.
11. Reykjavik
We can’t write an article about what’s popular in Iceland without mentioning the capital city. Reykjavik is more than just the central hub of Iceland — it’s where about 60% of the country’s population lives too.
A must-see destination among tourists and locals, Reykjavik (smoky bay) is located in the southwest of Iceland, and it’s one of the first settlements in the country. Among the cleanest and greenest cities in the world, Reykjavik is a great place to visit.
Once slight downside of visiting Reykjavik is how difficult it is to get around. There aren’t any trains in Iceland, so you’ll need to look for busses instead.
12. Fermented shark
Let’s start with a look at Iceland’s odd eating habits.
Fermented shark is a common meal in Icelandic restaurants — and something you won’t find in most other regions worldwide.
The shark here isn’t rotten, like some people think, although it does have a flavor similar to a very strong blue cheese.
Most Icelandic locals don’t snack on shark every day, but it’s common to eat the food at least once per year.
13. Brennivin
When it comes to items Iceland is known for, there’s Brennivin to mention too. This is a kind of unsweetened alcoholic drink — and it’s Iceland’s signature beverage.
While some people love Brennivin, others find the taste to be much too strong — with potent caraway seeds as fkavir. In certain regions, this clear liquid still has the name “Black Death.”
Traditionally, like fermented shark, this drink appears most commonly during the mid-winter feast of Þorrablót.
14. Beer prohibition
Iceland hasn’t always been as open about booze as you might think.
Between 1915 and 1989, the country held a 75-year beer prohibition, which prevented the country from buying beer. When the prohibition finally ended, on March 1st, the day became a national holiday called Bjórdagurinn.
Notably, just because beer is now available in Iceland doesn’t mean you can grab it with ease. You’ll need to be at least 20 to drink, and you can only get alcohol from government-approved stores.
15. Price of a pint
Speaking of the difficulties associated with drinking in Iceland — it’s super expensive.
Even if you manage to find a government-owned store where you can buy a beer, or you visit a local bar, you’re going to have to splash out some big bucks. The sky-high prices of booze mean a lot of people just avoid it entirely.
16. Unusual delicacies
Unfortunately, food isn’t one of the best things about Iceland.
Not only do many people around the world consider the meals in Iceland to be terrible, but the delicacies are pretty weird too. From fermented shark to puffin heart, there are various foods which might leave you feeling a little unwell.
Notably, puffin hearts are usually consumed raw in Iceland, and they apparently taste a bit like beef jerky.
17. Terrible food
There are a few things which help to define Iceland as a terrible place for food lovers.
While you can definitely find delicious meals from time to time, the country is packed full of unusual foods, like fermented shark, sour ram’s testicles, and so on.
Even if you get beyond the weird delicacies, the lack of ingredients in Iceland makes it hard to produce truly hearty meals. There are very few vegetables and fruits available in Iceland at certain times of the year, and there aren’t many seasonings either.
18. Ice cream
One food fighting against the trend of terrible tastes in Iceland is its ice cream. Regarded some of the best ice cream in the world, Iceland offers scoops of thick, creamy deliciousness by the pint.
Despite being generally lower in fat than most styles of ice cream, Icelandic ice cream is extremely rich. It’s often closer in style to Gelato, as it contains more flavoring and has a greater density than most ice creams.
19. Extremely expensive
One of the toughest parts of living in or visiting Iceland, is figuring out your budget.
The equipment required to run a farm needs to be imported in Iceland, which means it’s extremely difficult to get your hands on food and other essentials.
Though Iceland isn’t the most expensive country in the world, it’s one of the top contenders. The score for Iceland in the cost of living index is 97.22, which places it alongside countries like Norway and Switzerland for sky-high prices.
20. The Icelandic horse
Iceland is a wonderful place to visit if you’re looking for a chance to get closer to nature. Wild mammals include everything from reindeer and rabbits to the arctic fox and polar bears.
One of the most famous animals is the Icelandic horse — a unique creature that comes from the horses the Vikings brought during early settlement times.
Though Icelandic horses are a little shorter than other breeds, they’re compelling and well-suited to the harsh landscapes of the region. You can even ride one of these majestic beasts on a visit to Iceland.
21. Puffins
Another popular animal in Iceland is the puffin. This almost comical breed, with its multi-colored beak, is a must-see in Iceland. You can see the birds in the summer, although they spend most of their time out at sea.
When you’re visiting Iceland, consider going on a wildlife tour as part of your visit so you can make the most of all the amazing sights the space has to offer.
Find out more about puffins in Iceland here.
22. Northern Lights
It’s impossible to write an article on things to know about Iceland without mentioning the Northern Lights. These phenomenal natural lights transform the sky in winter throughout the Scandinavian region.
Although you can find the lights in various Nordic spaces, Iceland is one of the best places to book a tour.
The Northern Lights aren’t the most reliable attraction in Iceland because you can only see them at certain times when the clouds are sparse. You’re also more likely to see these lights during the colder months of winter.
Find out more about the Northern Lights in Iceland here.
23. Volcanos
If you want something a little more reliable to see in Iceland, then you can check out the volcanoes.
The country sits on top of a rift between two tectonic plates, and a geological hot spot. This small island generally has an eruption every five years or so.
Some volcanos still spew significant amounts of ash and lava for months at a time.
The geothermal heat in Iceland is also responsible for a range of other great natural attractions, such as hot springs and natural hot pools.
24. Smelly shower water
Although Iceland is an extremely clean place — similar to most regions in Scandinavia, you might find the water has a bit of an odd smell.
Notably, the smelly water is wonderfully clean, with absolutely no chlorine or calcium added at all. However, living on top of a volcano does mean the lave and rocks of the water in Iceland can leave you with a slightly sulfuric smell.
The odd smell of the water is why so many people in Iceland pay to go to spas.
25. Clean air
The good news if you’re worried about stinky showers in Iceland, is the country is notoriously clean. One of the top answers to “what is so special about Iceland?” is its low levels of pollution and excellent air quality.
Overall, Iceland generally has a fantastic quality of air, which has something to do with how sparsely populated it is.
There is one potential problem in Iceland to be aware of — particulate matter.
26. Black sand beaches
When dreaming of the perfect beach destination, you might commonly imagine crystal clear waters and snowy sand. In Iceland, the beaches are a little different.
Some of the Icelandic beaches feature black sand — which comes from the ash and minerals of erupted volcanos. These unique beaches, matched with amazing blue water, seem to come from another world entirely.
The most famous beach to visit for a taste of the black sand experience is Reynisfjara — located about 112 miles from Reykjavik. You can also visit the Black Lava Pearl Beach, which features a stunning hiking path too.
27. Diamond beach
Speaking of interesting beaches in Iceland, there’s another great destination worth visiting, known as the “Diamond beach”. This is a strip of black sand on the south coast of Iceland, located close to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
This beach is a truly unforgettable sight for locals and visitors alike. Aside from pitch black sand, you’ll also see perfectly formed mini blocks of ice scattered along the coast — hence the name “diamond beach”.
28. Amazing culture
It’s not just the beautiful landscapes and amazing sights drawing people to Iceland. The culture is also incredibly vibrant, creative, and unique.
Most people have heard of countless acts from Iceland, including Bjork and Sigur Ros. There are also bands like Of Monsters and Men. Every year, new musicians appear in the spotlight.
Iceland’s culture is one of happiness, creativity, and freedom of expression. You’ll find plenty of amazing people here, even if you don’t go searching for celebrities.
Like many Scandinavian locations, Iceland stands out as one of the most joyful spots in the world.
29. Kids Curfews
Parents in Iceland like to keep a close eye on their youngers. The country is famous for taking a holistic approach to underage drinking, by keeping kids off the street. Keep in mind at the beginning of the 90s, Icelandic teens were among the worst binge-drinkers in Europe.
The government’s decision to create curfews came alongside a series of other decisions, like providing alternative activities for kids looking for something to do.
The government initiative also offers parents up to 500 USD to cover the costs of getting their kids involved in new hobbies too.
30. The parenting style
Speaking of kids in Iceland, there’s a slightly different approach to parenting than what you might expect elsewhere in the world.
Icelanders often call their babies “algjört rassgat”, which means “such a butthole”. Though this sounds like an insult, it’s actually a term of endearment.
Because Iceland is super safe and friendly, parents also have no problem leaving their babies outside of cafes and shops so they can enjoy sleeping in the fresh air. It’s most common for this to happen in the summer months, however.
31. Pet laws
Laws around pets have been a source of much discussion in Iceland.
During 1924, Reykjavik prohibited people from having a pet dog after an increase in echinococcosis cases, in which a tapeworm can spread from dogs to humans and have a 75% mortality rate.
Fortunately, now there’s a vaccination available for the disease, you can have a dog as long as its certified as healthy. However, during the ban, Icelandic households increase their number of cats drastically, which means there are tons of felines prowling the streets of the capital city.
It’s still illegal to have certain pets in Iceland, like a lizard, snake, or turtle.
32. Icelandic names
Icelandic names are pretty tricky compared to some of the monikers we hear elsewhere.
The Icelandic naming system is complex, and there are a few odd superstitions to consider too.When choosing the names of unborn children, whoever the mother dreams about when she’s pregnant should usually be who she names her child after.
Icelanders believe names have hidden meanings, and most people don’t even have a last name, instead, they just add “son” to the end of the father’s first name.
Find out more Icelandic names here.
33. The Icelandic language
The language in Scandinavia can be reasonably easy to learn from some countries, thanks to the North Germanic background. Unfortunately, Iceland isn’t one of the countries with a simple tongue.
The Icelandic language comes from Old Norse and has a lot of complicated elements to it — including 13 vowel sounds.
On the plus side, Icelanders are extremely proud of their language, and they celebrate it every year on November the 16th.
Find out more about the Icelandic language here.
34. Sports
Iceland may not be the first country you automatically think of when asked to name a nation obsessed with sports. However, the country absolutely adores sporting activities.
Iceland achieved incredible results in the 2018 Soccer world cup, getting to the finals the first time they ever qualified. Though boxing is illegal in Iceland after people complained it encouraged violent crimes, martial arts are extremely popular.
One of the better-known MMA champions in the world is from Iceland (Gunnar Nelson), and he has around 17 wins to his name.
35. Protesting
As we mentioned above, Iceland is usually quite a peaceful nation.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the country doesn’t have its ways to speak out when they’re unhappy with something. Peaceful protests are common in Iceland.
During 2009 and 2011, Iceland saw a peaceful revolution, when citizens bashed pots and pans together outside of parliament to prompt the prime minister to resign. The sheer amount of noise was an incredible success, and the people won their protest.
Similar protests have been equally successful, like when Icelandic women discovered they were being paid less than their male colleagues, and they started leaving their desk after working the number of hours their wage paid for.
36. National football team
You might not have known too much about Icelandic football until 2018, but the country’s national team is one of the most passionate, and impressive in the world.
Iceland’s team has been enjoying success after success since the second half of the 2010s. In the qualifying rounds of the 2014 world cup, Iceland reached the play-offs. In the 2018 World Cup, when the group first appeared in the world championship, they won against Kosovo.
Iceland became the lowest-populated country ever to reach the finals.
37. Financial crisis
Despite beautiful scenery and amazing people, Iceland is no stranger to financial stress.
The financial crisis in Iceland began in 2008, when the combined assets of the three largest banks amounted to about ten times the country’s GDP.
It took significant time and support from the Nordic countries (and Poland) to help Iceland get back on track again by the end of 2008.
38. Icelandic sweaters
Iceland is also a great place to go for comfort. The region created the woolen sweater of Lopapeysa, which is a world-renowned garment, excellent for keeping your warm, while preventing the rain from getting in.
The jumper or sweater comes from Icelandic’s amazing sheep, which have two different kinds of fiber in its wool.
The Icelandic sweaters are some of the best in the world for keeping you warm, which is useful when you consider just how cold Iceland can get.
Find out more about traditional Icelandic sweaters here.
39. The first elected female president
Ever wondered what Icelandic women are like?
If you’re wondering, “What is so special about Iceland?” then its female leaders are a great place to start searching for answers.
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was the fourth president in Iceland in 1980, she served as the head of the state for 16 years and was the first democratically elected female president in the world.
She was also the longest-serving female head of state globally too.
While other female presidents already existed around the globe, they didn’t get democratically elected into their position. Iceland was also home to an all-female political party.
Not long after the female president came to power, the country founded an all-female party in 1983.
Although it’s difficult to know exactly when the first all-female party emerged worldwide, Iceland still stands out as one of the innovators of female empowerment.
40. Baltic independence
In 1990 and 1991, Iceland became the first country to fully recognise the independence of the Baltic States, which were formerly held by the USSR.
These countries, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania were striking out on their own for the first time.
To celebrate the independence of the region, the square just in front of the Estonian Foreign Ministry in the capital of Tallin is called Iceland Square.
An inscription on the stones says Iceland “dared while others remained silent”.
Iceland was also the first to recognize the independence of various other Caucasus countries, including Georgia and Armenia. The country also became the first Western state that recognized Palestine during 2011.
It seems Iceland is one of the few countries willing to step up and support countries going solo.
41. Jólasveinar
Christmas in Scandinavia is an amazing thing, packed with traditions you just won’t find anywhere else in the world. One tradition local to Iceland is the story of Jólasveinar, or the 13 “Christmas Lads”.
The Lads are apparently small men living in the lava fields of Iceland who come to visit children during the festive season.
These creatures all have their own distinct personalities, and leading up to Christmas, Icelandic children put a show in their bedroom window to determine which “lad” has visited. If the kid behaved well, they might find candy in the shoe.
42. Jólabókaflóð
Speaking of Christmas, there are plenty of other incredible traditions for the Icelandic festive season which aren’t as creepy as the Christmas Lads. One of the most common customs in Iceland is called Jólabókaflóð, which means “Christmas book flood”.
During Christmas Eve, families in Iceland exchange books as gifts, and snuggle up to read them together in the evening.
Apparently, this tradition first began in the second World War, when imports were difficult to get, but paper was cheap and easy to find.
43. Islendiga app
Icelandic people have a serious passion for genealogy, and many look into their ancestry extensively to help avoid humiliation in the dating scene. After all, the small population could make it easier to end up dating your cousin than you’d think.
The Íslendingabók app provides an extensive online database of genealogy in Iceland, where locals can track their family tree. When a competition arose to find the best way of using this product, they ended up creating an app.
The app allows Icelanders to “bump” phones to check for any family ties before couples decide to change numbers.
44. Bjork
Iceland is home to a huge range of artists, including a surprisingly large number of heavy metal bands. Of course, one of the better-known artists from the region is Bjork.
An Icelandic-born composer, singer, songwriter, and actress, Bjork has a career spanning four decades, and she’s earned the attention of countless fans over the years.
Various Bjork albums have reached the top 20s in the US, and she was even nominated for an Academy award for the best original song with “I’ve Seen It All.”
45. Skyr
If you’re wondering “what product is Iceland known for?” the most obvious answer is probably Skyr.
Skyr is a cultured Icelandic dairy product with a similar consistency to strained yogurt. Skyr is a mild substance, commonly classified as fresh, sour milk cheese. The product is frequently found throughout Icelandic cuisine.
Though Skyr has a slightly sour dairy flavor, it can also be quite sweet, particularly when combined with various flavors and extra products, like granola and fruit.
Things to know about Iceland
There are a lot of incredible things to know about Iceland. This beautiful region has a powerful reputation worldwide for its stunning landscapes, amazing artists, and other amazing natural elements.
The items Iceland is known for are constantly evolving, covering everything from famous drinks, to fermented shark snacks.
Of course, the best way to get the answer to the question “what is so special about Iceland?” is to visit the country itself.
A trip to Iceland is the ultimate opportunity to come face-to-face with the amazing people, locations, and things making this country so wonderful.
Check out our other articles about Iceland for more insights into interesting facts about Iceland.
Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.
