The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
No Result
View All Result
Home Travel

30 Interesting & Fun Facts About Iceland

Facts about Iceland History, Culture & Customs

by Nadeen
August 6, 2020
A A
Iceland, history of Iceland, Icelandic food, Iceland nature, Reykjavik, Iceland adventure, fun facts about Iceland

In 2019 I visited Iceland for the first time. It is such a unique place. Therefore, I am excited to share these 30 interesting & fun facts about Iceland with you. While touring the country for 5 days, I spent a lot of time speaking with locals. I took extensive notes and turned them into this informative article on Iceland.

If you love delving into the history and culture of a place, you will love this blog post on Iceland. I did something similar with Cuba and Quebec City so be sure to check those out as well.

In no particular order, here are 30 interesting & fun facts about Iceland.

a statue at Harpa Music Hall
Harpa Music Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavik

Facts About the History of Iceland:

1. In 874 Viking explorers from Norway & the British Isles settled on the island. But, artifacts found on the island show evidence of Irish Monks prior to the appearance of Norwegians. 

2. Norwegians fled from Norway to Iceland due to an unfavorable King at that time. However, the Irish and Scottish also settled in Iceland. Some of them served as slaves to the Norwegians.

3. Iceland was actually ruled by Denmark until 1944. On June 17, 1994 Iceland gained full independence.

4. Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer from Iceland. It is said that he was the first European to set foot in North America prior to Christopher Columbus.

statue of Leif Erikson in the front of Hallgrimskirkja
Hallgrimskirkja. Lutheran church in Reykjavik with a statue of Leif Erikson in the front.

Facts about the Population of Iceland:

5. About 364,000 people live in Iceland with over 200,000 people living in the capital and greater Reykjavik area. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. In terms of ethnicity-89% are Icelandic, 5% Polish, 1% Lithuanian and 5% other. The official language of Iceland is Icelandic. However, English is taught as a second language and most Icelanders speak several languages. 

a view of Reykjavik from Hallgrimskirkja Church
Reykjavik, views from above. Go up to the top of Hallgrimskirkja Church
The Sun Voyager sculpture by Jon Gunnar Arnason
The Sun Voyager sculpture by Jon Gunnar Arnason. It is located in Reykjavik

Fun Facts About Iceland Culture & Customs:

6. One of the things that impressed me the most in Iceland was the Rainbow Street in Reykjavik. It is located on one of the main streets downtown. The street used to be painted like this during the annual Pride celebrations. But the city decided to keep the street painted year-round to celebrate joy and diversity. You will also notice boutiques, restaurants with international cuisine, cool sculptures, and colorful graffiti in Reykjavik. 

Rainbow street in Reykjavik
Rainbow street in Reykjavik
Sculptures of two people in Reykjavik
Sculptures in Reykjavik

7. Christmas Eve vs Christmas Day is the big day in Iceland. Trolls from the mountains come down to visit and give gifts to the kids. Also, at Christmastime the main feast centers around lamb not ham (makes sense with all the sheep on the island).

8. Although there is snow and ski resorts in Iceland, skiing is not a popular sport or activity. I was told by a local guide there usually isn’t enough snow at the resorts for skiing. But the Blue Mountains are known for ski slopes and resorts. It is located in SW Iceland about 12 miles from Reykjavik.

the author with a snowmobile
I did snowmobiling for the first time in Iceland. The snow was layered with ice so it was hard to steer and slippery!

 9. The Imagine Peace Tower is located in Reykjavik. It was conceived by Yoko Ono in honor of John Lennon. The tower of light that shines into the sky symbolizes peace, love, wisdom and joy. It can be seen several times a year including on Yoko and John’s birthdays, Winter Solstice and January 1st. While on a tour bus one night we saw it and jumped up thinking it was the Northern Lights. It was not. (lol). 

10. Iceland has a lot of churches. You can literally go to Iceland as a photographer and travel around the country taking pictures of the churches and surrounding landscapes. Icelanders are Christian. 80% belong to the Lutheran church. There is also a traditional Norse religion called “Asatru”.

a church in Vik with a red roof and steeple overlooking the water
A beautiful church in Vik

I asked a tour guide about the large amount of churches on the island. I was told it is not because Icelanders are very religious. The churches were also built as a shelter for people traveling around the island. This was of course prior to modern transportation.

11. Traditionally when children are named, their last names comes from the first name of the father with the Icelandic word for son/son or daughter/dottir added at the end. For example, a baby girl is born and given the first name Emma. Her father’s name is John so her last name will be Johndottir. Her full name is Emma Johndottir. This translates to Emma, daughter of John. However, in modern times, some people are choosing to use their mother’s first name as their last name. (got it? :-))

the author at Guilfoss Waterfalls

Here are a few more interesting facts about Iceland…

12. Guns are legal, and people do own rifles. But Iceland has a low crime rate. Police officers do not carry guns and Iceland does not have an army. They do have an air defense system and militarized coast guard.

13. Iceland has 5 prisons. The prisons have a maximum capacity of 153 inmates. Most people are placed on probation or are on a waitlist to go to prison. There is a strong belief in and attempt at rehabilitation. 

14. Iceland has Universal Health Care. (YEAH!).

Braud & Co entrance
Head to Braud & Co in Reykjavik for delicious pastries and breads.

15. Soccer is the main sport.

16. There are no homeless people in Iceland. There are shelters and guest houses available for those in need.

17. There is no tipping in Iceland.

Facts about Heat & Energy Sources in Iceland:

18. Iceland uses geothermal energy. Power plants across the country tap into steam and hot water reservoirs underground. Heat from deep inside the earth generates steam which drives electrical generators. Geothermal heat pumps supply heat and hot water to homes and buildings. Therefore, the cost of electricity is cheap compared to other countries. Also, there are geothermal baths and heated swimming pools all over the island.

people in The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon

Interesting Facts About Iceland Landscape & Nature:

19. Iceland is called the “Land of Fire & Ice”. It has over 120 active volcanoes & glaciers. The volcanoes have eruptions every 4-5 years. You may recall the eruption of a volcano in Iceland in 2010. The eruptions at Eyjafjallajokull disrupted air travel in Europe for a week. Iceland actually sits on 2 continents-Europe and North America. Silfra is a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You can go snorkeling in this area. 

20. Iceland has 10,000 waterfalls! And, you can drink water directly from the waterfalls.

Thingvellir National Park where the two continents meet
Thingvellir National Park where the two continents meet.
the author in front of Skogafoss waterfall
Skogafoss waterfall

21. The famous Blue Lagoon is actually man-made. It is a geothermal spa located within a lava field. The water is supplied by a nearby geothermal power station. The “blue” color is due to the high silica content. The water temperature averages 99-102 degrees F. You can do several types of face masks while in the Blue Lagoon, have cocktails at the walk up bars as well as booking treatments in the luxury spa. Give yourself several hours here. 

a glass of champagne held up against the Blue Lagoon
Enjoying a glass of Asti Spumante in Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon. I highly recommend eating here.

22. Icelandic horses are beautiful. They are smaller than most horses but are strong. They rarely have diseases. In fact, Iceland prohibits the import of any other horses. And if any Icelandic horses leave the island they are not allowed to return.

23. The TV show Game of Thrones filmed several scenes in Iceland. One of these destinations is Vik. The black sanded beaches there are stunning.

two Icelandic horses
So cute!
a black sanded beach in Vik
Black sanded beaches in Vik on the Southern part of the island
rock cliffs on the beach in Vik
VIK-My favorite area!

24. If you are going to Iceland to see the puffins, they usually come on land to nest during the summer. However, if you want to see the Northern Lights you should go to Iceland in the fall or winter. Expect 21 hours of daylight and 3 hours of sunset during the summer and shortened days in the winter.

the northern lights above Reykjavik houses
When I visited the Northern Lights were visible from Reykjavik!

25. Iceland does not have a lot of animals. There are no mosquitos, reptiles and no poisonous or venomous creatures. (sign me up) But, Iceland has more sheep that people. There are also reindeer, cats, dogs and minks. Minks are used to make fur. Sheep’s wool is used for clothing, blankets etc. On occasion you will spot polar bears in Iceland. They drift there on icebergs from Greenland and the Arctic Circle. In the past these bears were killed once in Iceland. They are considered a threat to the public and livestock. However, there is a push to try and capture and return the polar bears vs killing them.

26. Iceland has very small trees and sparse forests. A joke I heard in Iceland: “What do you do if you get lost in an Icelandic forest? Stand up” (lol).

an Icelandic black sheep
I saw a black sheep!

Facts about Cost: Is Iceland Expensive?

27. Iceland is expensive. This is partly because most things have to be imported. The currency is “Kronos”. 1 Krono = 0.0069 USD. So, $20 USD = $2899 Kronos. Get used to the numbers/prices for things being very high.

4-star Hotels in Reykjavik are in the 300s per night. I highly recommend the Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, Curio Collection from Hilton. It is located in downtown Reykjavik and I walked around to all the main attractions. You can choose to rent a car and drive around the island or pay for organized tours. I chose to pay for small group tours with local guides. FYI Uber is not available in Iceland and taxis are pricey. 

Here are examples of what I paid for meals: $5.16 USD for a coffee and croissant, $56 for 2-course dinner with wine, $29.24 for breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon, $64.70 for a 2-course meal with a cocktail, $15.75 for a chicken salad with a soda.

a hotdog stand in Iceland
Hot dog stand right outside our hotel

Facts about Icelandic Food & Drink:

Here are a few other fun facts about Iceland..

28. Icelanders eat a lot of licorice, fermented shark, whales and even the puffins 🙁

29. You cannot advertise alcohol in Iceland, and it must be bought in liquor stores.

30. Because of the cold weather, only a few vegetables like potatoes, kale, cabbage and carrots grow there. However, greenhouses are being used to grow other vegetables.

acreme brûlée from Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon
The prettiest creme brûlée in Lava restaurant at the Blue Lagoon

I really enjoyed the food in Iceland. Lobster and seafood bisques and chowders, grilled and pan-fried seafood including Arctic char, homemade crepes and I even tried one of their famous hot dogs. I also had gin cocktails while in Iceland and they were yummy. Brennivin is considered Iceland’s signature beverage. It is a clear unsweetened schnapps. I was told it has a similar taste to Vodka. I brought a bottle home but I have not tried it yet. 

a dish of seafood bisque with sparkling wine at Lava restaurant
Seafood Bisque with sparkling wine at Lava restaurant
pan fried arctic char at Messinn restaurant in Reykjavik
At Messinn restaurant in Reykjavik: Pan fried Arctic Char with fresh spinach and roasted potatoes. It came out sizzling at the table 🙂

I hope you have enjoyed this blog post on interesting & fun facts about Iceland. I hope it has give you a feel of how special it is. Overall I thought Reykjavik was a clean, sophisticated and quaint city with an obvious love for the arts. Icelanders were friendly with a great sense of humor. And of course the landscape is stunning. Iceland literally feels like a breath of fresh (albeit cold) air. I hope you are able to visit Iceland soon. I plan to return to do some more exploring, eating and soaking in more geothermal spas. 

Before you leave, check out this blog post on the Do’s and Don’ts of Iceland. And, check out my Instagram highlight reel on Instagram for videos and commentary from my trip. 

the author standing in front of the water in Iceland

 

 

 

 

Join over 2k travel enthusiasts on The Sophisticated Life email list & get access to travel updates, exclusive content & offers!

+ Get the Pandemic Travel Checklist FREE

Thank you! Check your email for your checklists!

Tags: icelandreykjavik
Previous Post

25 Food & Wine Movies to Binge Watch When You Are Shut-In.

Next Post

4 Epic U.S. National Parks To Visit This Summer

Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

Related Posts

Top Do's and Don'ts When Visiting Iceland!
Blog

Top Do’s and Don’ts When Visiting Iceland!

September 22, 2019
Next Post
us national parks, national parks in america, visiting us national parks, yosemite, yellowstone, grand canyon, great smokey mountains, travel to national parks, adventure travel

4 Epic U.S. National Parks To Visit This Summer

travel, traveling during a pandemic, covid19, coronavirus, travel tips, travel safety, safe travel, travel advice

Tips for Traveling During A Pandemic!

No Result
View All Result
Subscribe for updates!

Subscribe for updates!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Best-selling Travel Ebooks Available for Download

Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations

USA Wine Guide for Travelers

Culinary Travel Guides: Food & Wine

Recent Posts

Wine

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

by Nadeen
December 13, 2021
Wine

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

by Nadeen
November 27, 2021
  • I jumped coasts to attend the @africanamericanvintners 20th anniversary symposium in Oakland, Napa & Sonoma County! 

It’s a 2 day event celebrating members of the association, the leaders, pioneers, new voices and raising money for scholarships. Their 3 pillars are, EDUCATION, LEGACY AND UNITY 👏🏽👏🏽🍷🍷

Day #1 was phenomenal. There are few words to describe meeting Black winemakers and leaders in the industry that I have admired and blogged about for years!! 

There was a bottling tour followed by a luncheon and seminars @broncowineco in Napa and then we headed to Santa Rosa in Sonoma County to the beautiful @deloachvineyards for the fundraiser & first ever award 🥇 ceremony! 

***head to my stories for the BTS!

There were so many memorable moments one being from @sippingsocialite She said something to effect of -if she were to go now she knew she left it all here. She gave it all and did all she could for herself and her community. 🙌🏽🙌🏽

As a physician I know tomorrow isn’t promised. Live your life to the fullest. Give what you can. I will keep  traveling, sharing and encouraging others to live a life of fulfillment. 

If you are considering a career in the wine industry take a look @africanamericanvintners !! 
Stay tuned for Day #2 🍷🍷

#blackwinelovers #winewithfriends #winebloggers #wineconnoisseur #wineconnection #blackwinemakers #blacktravelfeed #blackwineprofessionals
  • @lumahoteltimessquare was so Lux & Lovely!! 

Just one week ago I was waking up to beautiful skyline 🏙 NYC views and enjoying espresso ☕️ at Luma Hotel in Times Square! 

What things do you look for when booking a hotel 🏨? 

Here are a few things I research 🧐  Location-I like to be able to walk to sites, especially in major cities. If I can’t walk then public transportation should be easily accessible or major sites should be a short drive. Luma Hotel Times Square was 1 block from Bryant Park and a 5 minute walk from Times Square! 

🧐 Cleanliness-this is VERY important to me!! I will read review after review looking for this. Especially in these COVID-19 times. My room at Luma was spotless!! They even came to check on me after I got to my room to see if I needed anything. 

🧐 Service-this can make or break my review of a hotel. It doesn’t take much to be pleasant and courteous and helpful to guests at your hotel. Everyone at Luma Hotel did just that from check in to check out. 

🧐 Food & Beverage service-the bar service & cocktails at the hotel were amazing! Check out my previous reel. There is a restaurant opening later this summer. 

🧐 Beds, linens, comfort, room size, showers- the more I travel the more I need these things! I need to be comfortable and rested! An uncomfortable bed, cheap linens and low water 🚿 pressure will ruin my stay! 

Swipe to listen to some of the features I loved about @lumahoteltimessquare Head to my NYC highlight reel for a tour of the hotel suite! 

What features do you look for in a hotel?! 

#hosted #lumahoteltimessquare #nycgo #nychotels #luxurytravel #blacktravelfeed #travelnoire #blacktravelbloggers #timessquarenyc
  • Do you want to know how to save $$$ money on tickets to Broadway 🎭 shows but still get great seats?!! 
Then SAVE & SHARE This!! 

🎭 Enter the lottery at the box office for the show you want to see! A lot of the shows/theaters have lotteries with tickets as low as $45. But you have to check the websites in advance since you will probably have to sign up the day before you want to see the show. If you can do weekdays and the Wednesday matinee you probably have a better chance of getting picked and good seats. A friend of mine got tickets for Moulin Rouge last week! You will have a short window of time to claim the tickets so be sure to keep checking your email for notification! 

🎭🎭 @tkts counters. There are several booths with the most popular one in Times Square. They have tickets to the biggest shows on Broadway. Beware of scammers circling the line and trying to sell you tickets. The tickets sold here are legit and the prices including taxes etc. There is a billboard that lists what shows, dates and times they have so you can check that before you get in line. I purchased Tina Turner musical tickets last week and was in row J orchestra on the aisle and it was  AMAZING and the price was less than on the box office website. 

🎭🎭🎭 Go to the box office on the day of the show and check online. You may still get obstructed or slightly obstructed views or single tickets the day of. Never hurts to try!! 

Do you enjoy Broadway shows?! I have been going since I was a child and it’s so thrilling to me! But some shows are sooooo expensive!! 

#broadwaynyc #gonyc #broadwaytips #blacktravelfeed #travelnoire #nyctraveltips #traveltipsandtricks #timessquarenyc #tinaturnermusical
  • #winewednesday🍷 
Have you been to Napa Valley? It’s easily one of my favorite places in the US! 

If you ❤️ exceptional wine, great dining experiences, lovely hotels & spas..then Napa Valley is it! 

You can also have great adventures there like a hot air balloon ride which I did a few years ago followed by a Champagne 🥂 breakfast. And/or go bike riding thru the valley! And how about a mud bath 🛀? YES! I have done and enjoyed it all! 

Of course there are many more wineries and restaurants in Napa Valley beyond this list because as I remind people-it’s large with several areas/cities besides Downtown Napa. But this is a great place to start! 

Don’t miss one of my favorite wineries @brownestate that is Black-Owned and makes THE most amazing Zinfandel wines among other varietals! 

Head to my blog www.thesophisticatedlife.com for more info on Napa Valley! 

#napavalley #napavalleywine #napavalleywinery @downtownnapa @visitnapavalley #winebloggers #napafoodie #visitnapavalley #blackwinelovers #winewithfriends
  • BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANTS IN ATLANTA!! 
***Save & Share this post!! Keep this checklist whether you live in Atlanta or you are coming to visit. How many have you been to? 

PLUS Swipe to see my NEW blog post on Black-Owned Brunch Spots in Atlanta! 
Easter may be gone but it’s time to make Mother’s Day plans! 

Atlanta has so many amazing restaurants with so much variety! You will gain a few pounds. Trust me I know lol 😂 

#atlantarestaurants #atlantafoodblogger #atlantabloggers #discoveratlanta #visitatlanta #supportblackbusinesses #blacktravelbloggers #atlantafoodies
  • It’s time for another travel guide! 

Last fall I had the pleasure of spending a week in @sonomacounty where #lifeopensup 
It was amazing!! 

I definitely drank my share of wine 🍷 🍷🍷🍷 and ate a lot of delicious food 🥘 since they are known for farm to table cuisine. But there are so many other things to do here PLUS luxury hotels, chateaus & vineyards! I even visited 2 Black-owned wineries @fogcrestvineyard and @corner103 

I have condensed my travel guide into this quick and easy to reference carousel but if you want all the details head to my blog www.thesophisticatedlife.com !! 

Sign up for my newsletter to get destination guides delivered straight to your inbox! The link is in my profile! Don’t forget to add me as a “Favorites” on Instagram and Like, Comment & Share this post 👍🏽👍🏽😄

Have you been to Sonoma County? #sonomacounty #sonomacountywine #sonomacountyrestaurants #winebloggers #luxurytraveler #luxurytravelblog #sonomavalley #visitcalifornia @visitcalifornia #traveltipsandtricks #blacktravelbloggers

Black-Owned Businesses

black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
black-owned rosé wine brands to sip on this summer, rosé wines, black-owned wines, rosé wines, summer wines, black-owned wines, black-owned wineries, mcbride wines, black girl magic wines, brown estate wines,

Black-Owned Rosé Wine Brands to Sip on this Summer.

April 27, 2022
atlanta black-owned restaurants, black-owned restaurants in atlanta, atlanta restaurants, brunch in atlanta, atlanta restaurants

45+ Black-Owned Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Support!

May 15, 2022
black-owned wineries, black-owned businesses, black-owned wines, black winemakers, black wines, black owned wines, black owned wineries, black podcasts, wine, wineries, winemakers. wine regions, napa valley, wine tasting

50+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support.

March 15, 2022

Explore the U.S.A

photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
asheville travel guide, things to do in asheville north carolina, places to stay in asheville, where to eat in asheville north carolina

The Ultimate Guide of Things To Do in Asheville, North Carolina!

September 22, 2021
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Myrtle Beach Restaurant Guide for Foodies!

The Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants: A Guide for Foodies!

August 6, 2020
15 fun facts about quebec city canada, travel to canada, canadian

15 Fun Quebec City Facts

August 7, 2018
Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers! Everything you need to know to attend this magical event! Includes information on purchasing tickets, preparing for the event, costs and what to expect at Diner en Blanc!

Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers!

September 19, 2019
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

April 2, 2020
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

How I spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! A Desert Safari, Camel rides, Burj Khalifa, High Tea at Burj Al Arab, Shopping in Souks, Visiting the Grand Mosque and so much more!!

How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

Visit Jamaica: Land I Love!

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea on Norwegian Epic!

black owned brunch spots in atlanta, black owned restaurants in atlanta, brunch in atlanta

Black-Owned Brunch Spots in Atlanta

April 27, 2022
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
black-owned businesses, gift guide, holiday gift guide, wine gifts, wine apparel, wine books, wine and spirits, 2021 wine and spirits holiday gift guide featuring back-owned businesses

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

November 27, 2021
The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2021 The Sophisticated Life

The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Menu
  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life