Iceland Information: A Beginner’s Guide

Are you booking or planning for your fist trip to Iceland? Yay! I’m so glad you’re reading because I am here to share all of the Iceland information you need for an amazing and stress-free vacation!

I’ll be honest. Iceland was previously not at the top of my “must see list.” I typically do not like the cold and traveling to a location that is colder than where I live in the Midwest always seemed silly to me. I’m stating it right here and right now: I was wrong! Iceland proved to be an incredible destination with some of the most beautiful landscapes and natural wonders I have ever seen. Was it cold? Uh, yes. But honestly, if you do a little planning and dress appropriately, you’ll be able to enjoy Iceland no matter what time of year you visit. Let me ensure that you’re well on your way to a fabulous experience in the land of Fire and Ice and that you have all the Iceland information you need to feel prepared.

If you’re like me, you want to know something about the places you’re visiting. Keep reading for some general Iceland information, its history, and the science behind its geography.

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General Iceland Information

Where is Iceland located?

Iceland is a Nordic island located in the Atlantic Ocean, near the Arctic Circle, sitting between Greenland and Norway. International flights arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF) and Iceland makes a convenient (and highly-recommended) stopover for flights that are flying to and from Europe. Icelandair even allows you to stopover in Iceland for no additional cost when traveling across the Atlantic ocean!

Which language is spoken in Iceland?

Iceland’s official language is Icelandic but the majority of its population also speak English. Consequently, we had absolutely no problems communicating with anyone during our trip. Just be prepared to see words you’ll never even begin to know how to pronounce; this makes reading maps and directions pretty tricky!

What about money? How do I pay for things?

Iceland’s currency is the Icelandic krona but we used our credit cards for nearly everything. Even the little souvenir and drink carts are equipped to handle credit cards. The only thing for which we used cash was to tip our glacier guide; I gave him US currency and he did not seem to mind in the slightest. (Looking back on this, it would have been kinder to hand him money he didn’t have to exchange. If you want to be the most considerate traveler, plan to take out enough krona for tips.)

How’s the weather?

Iceland has some of the most unpredictable and fickle weather I’ve seen thus far in my travels. We started one day with snow, traveled 30 minutes to sunny conditions, 5 minutes later to extreme winds, and then 10 minutes later to blizzard-like conditions. There seems to be a running joke among native Icelanders like Nanna Gunnarsdottir that if “you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.”

As Nanna explains in her article “Weather in Iceland and the Best time to Visit,” Reykjavik averages winter temperatures between 33-35 F and summer temperatures in the mid 50s. That doesn’t mean that temperatures can’t and won’t be more extreme when you visit, though, so plan for a range of temperatures and pack accordingly for the season.

What type of outlets are used in Iceland?

Iceland uses the Euro-plug socket with two round prongs. Plug adapters are often called the Northern Europe adapter or may be called “C” or “F” adapters. The voltage in Iceland is 50Hz/220 volts. Consequently, you may also need an electrical converter. Most small electrical devices (cell phone, laptops, iPads, cameras) are compatible with multiple voltages. They would therefore not require a converter but would require an outlet adapter. Check your devices/appliances before traveling to ensure they can be used safely.

We take a universal adapter with us everywhere we go. They are initially a bit more expensive but we now won’t have to continuously buy adapters for each new country we visit. Here are two good options to consider.

Iceland Information: History and Science

Iceland’s History

Now that you know some general Iceland information, it is time to consider its history. I strongly recommend The History of Iceland from the website “The Guide to Iceland.” The author, Ingolfur Shahin, writes about the first inhabitants of the island through modern times. This is an excellent and easy read for anyone who is interested in learning more about Icelandic history and culture.

If you’re more of a book fan, there are several options available that all sound very interesting. I have not read these books but may do so before my next trip back.

The Science Behind Iceland

Shahin’s article also provides an excellent (and brief) understanding of the geological formation of Iceland. In short, Iceland was formed over 70 million years ago as the result of a large magma pocket (the Iceland Plume). The Iceland Plume caused underwater eruptions and thereby shaped the island. Eruptions continue to alter the island to this day. For example,the volcano Eyjafjallajokull (I told you to forget about being able to pronounce Icelandic words!) erupted in 2010 after 200 years of silence. Other eruptions at various sites on the island have occurred in 2011, 2014-2015, and 2017, altering the geography of this land.

So why are there so many eruptions happening on the island? Iceland sits in the middle of the Mid-Atlantic Rift, which (according to The Geological Society) is the line where the North American and Eurasian plates are moving away from one another. You’ll have to go waaaay back to your Earth Science days in school to remember what this all means. If you’re like me and can’t remember those particular lessons, read up on all of this on The Geological Society’s website.

Iceland’s location on the Mid-Atlantic rift produces a lot of geothermal activity in the form of volcanoes, volcanic fissures, and geysers. If you’re planning a stop at Pingvellir National Park (and you should be!),  I highly recommend reading up on the Mid-Atlantic Rift; you’ll be viewing these exposed tectonic plates within the park.

Summary

There is a lot of Iceland information available, especially about its history and the science behind it’s geography. Take time to research these topics before you go because I truly believe you’ll get more out of your experience with this knowledge.

Be sure to check out my other Iceland posts to help you plan your trip.

Interested in seeing a fun video of our trip to Iceland? Check out the site’s Facebook Page (linked on the right) or click on the video below. This will give you a feel for just some of what you’ll be able to see and do!