Iceland
Iceland is fire and ice rendered into landscape: glaciers, geysers, black-sand beaches, and skies that flicker green half the year.
Overview
Iceland sits in the North Atlantic, straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Greenland and Norway. Its capital, Reykjavík, is the world's northernmost capital city and home to roughly two-thirds of the country's 370,000 people. The official language is Icelandic, one of the most conservative Germanic languages still spoken, and the currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK). The culture is defined by Norse heritage, a strong literary tradition rooted in the medieval sagas, and a close relationship with geothermal energy and fishing.
Visa Requirements
Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area, so citizens of Schengen member states and many other countries — including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom — may enter visa-free for short stays. Travellers from countries requiring a visa should apply through the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration. Requirements and processing times vary by nationality, so checking the official immigration portal before travel is advised.
Airports in Iceland
6 airportsAirlines based in Iceland
5 airlines
Famous Attractions in Iceland
The Golden Circle route links three landmarks within a day's drive of Reykjavík: Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates visibly separate; Geysir hot spring area, home to the reliably erupting Strokkur geyser; and Gullfoss, a two-tiered waterfall on the Hvítá river. Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in southeast Iceland fills with calved icebergs from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Skógafoss waterfall on the southern coast drops 60 metres and is approachable to the base. The volcanic Snæfellsnes Peninsula, capped by the Snæfellsjökull glacier, inspired Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
Weather & Climate
Iceland has a subarctic oceanic climate moderated by the Gulf Stream — milder than its latitude suggests, but persistently changeable. Summers (June–August) see temperatures of 10–15 °C in Reykjavík, occasionally reaching 20 °C. Winters are dark and cold, averaging −1 to 3 °C on the coast, colder inland. The best season for hiking and puffin watching is June to August; September to March offers the best Northern Lights conditions. Layering is essential year-round, and waterproofs are non-negotiable.
Interesting Facts About Iceland
- World's oldest operating parliament, the Althing, founded 930 AD.
- Nearly 100% of electricity comes from renewable sources.
- Iceland has no standing army of its own.
- More books published per capita than any other country.
- Home to over 130 active and dormant volcanoes.
Official Resources
- government.is — official portal of the Icelandic government
- utl.is — Directorate of Immigration, visa and residency information
- visiticeland.com — Promote Iceland, the national tourism authority
- en.vedur.is — Icelandic Meteorological Office, weather and aurora forecasts