Iceland: Tourist & Vacation Guide

Country's codes

International phone code for Iceland: +354

Standard ISO 3166-1:

3 letters: ISL

2 letters (internet domain): .IS

Digital country code 352

Standard EAN-13 (country barcode): 569

Olympic country code: ISL

FIFA code: ISL

🇮🇸 Iceland Travel Guide

🇮🇸 Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice, offers otherworldly landscapes of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and waterfalls. From the Golden Circle to the Northern Lights, it’s a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

🌍 RegionNorthern Europe (Nordic)

⭐ Famous forVolcanoes, geysers, waterfalls, Northern Lights

📅 Best time to visitJune – August (midnight sun) & September – March (aurora borealis)

💰 CurrencyIcelandic Króna (ISK)

  ✨ Why visit Iceland?

  Iceland is a land of raw natural power. Witness erupting geysers, thundering waterfalls, vast lava fields, and steaming geothermal valleys. Relax in the Blue Lagoon, hike on a glacier, or chase the ethereal Northern Lights dancing across the Arctic sky.

Top Attractions in Iceland

🌋 Gullfoss Waterfall (Golden Circle)

The “Golden Waterfall” is a spectacular two-tiered cascade thundering into a dramatic canyon, often dusted with rainbow-touched mist.

💎 Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

A breathtaking lake filled with floating icebergs calved from Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. Nearby Diamond Beach sparkles with ice chunks on black sand.

♨️ Geysir Geothermal Area

Home to the original Geysir (now dormant) and active Strokkur, which erupts boiling water up to 30 meters every few minutes.

🏞️ Þingvellir National Park

A UNESCO site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates rift apart. Also the birthplace of the world’s oldest parliament.

Best Places to Visit

🏙️ Reykjavík – World’s northernmost capital with colorful houses, geothermal pools, and vibrant nightlife.
💧 Blue Lagoon – Iconic geothermal spa set in a lava field, known for its milky-blue silica waters.
⛰️ Snæfellsnes Peninsula – “Iceland in Miniature” with glaciers, volcanoes, black beaches, and the famous Kirkjufell mountain.
❄️ Vatnajökull National Park – Europe’s largest glacier, ice caves, and breathtaking hiking trails.
🌊 Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss – Two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls; you can walk behind Seljalandsfoss.

  💡 Travel Tip: Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) circles the entire island and is the best way to see diverse landscapes. Always check road conditions (road.is) and weather (vedur.is) before driving, especially in winter.

Things to Do in Iceland

Chase the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) from September to April.
Walk behind a waterfall (Seljalandsfoss) or between tectonic plates (Silfra Fissure).
Explore a natural ice cave inside a glacier (only possible in winter).
Soak in a geothermal pool – from the famous Blue Lagoon to local pools in Reykjavík.
Go whale watching from Húsavík or Reykjavík to see humpbacks and minke whales.

🍽️ Local Experience: Icelandic cuisine is unique. Try lamb soup (Kjötsúpa), fresh Arctic char, skyr (Icelandic dairy product), and if you’re adventurous, fermented shark (Hákarl) with a shot of Brennivín (black death).

Travel Tips for Visitors

☀️ Summer offers 24-hour daylight (Midnight Sun); ❄️ Winter brings short days but high chances of auroras.
🚗 Renting a 4x4 is recommended for reaching highland roads (F-roads), open only in summer.
💳 Credit/debit cards are accepted everywhere (even in remote areas); cash is rarely needed.
🌬️ Weather changes instantly – dress in layers, pack waterproof gear, and respect safety warnings.

📌 Useful Country Information

Quick Facts

Total area: 39,769 sq mi (103,000 sq km)

Population (2023 est.): ~387,000

Capital: Reykjavík (~139,000 metro)

🇮🇸 Reykjavík: Capital City Profile

Other major cities: Akureyri, Keflavík, Hafnarfjörður

Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK)

CurrencyRate

National name: Ísland

Language: Icelandic (official)

Ethnicity/race: Icelandic 81%, Polish 5.6%, Danish 1%, other 12.4%

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland 63.5%, other Lutheran 3.6%, Roman Catholic 3.9%, other Christian 2.8%, pagan/other 5.5%, none 20.7%

National Holiday: June 17, Icelandic National Day (Republic Day).

Background

🇮🇸 Iceland is a Nordic island nation in the North Atlantic, known as the “Land of Fire and Ice” for its active volcanoes and vast glaciers. Settled by Norsemen in the 9th century, it is home to the world’s oldest parliamentary institution, the Alþingi (founded 930 AD).
🌋 Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, causing frequent volcanic eruptions and geothermal activity that powers most of its homes and greenhouses.
🐟 After becoming a republic in 1944, Iceland transformed from a fishing-dependent economy into a modern, wealthy nation driven by renewable energy, tourism, and technology.
🇪🇺 Iceland is a member of the EEA (European Economic Area) and Schengen Zone but not the European Union.