Iceland travel tips
Iceland is becoming one of Europe’s hottest destinations. More and more flights are being scheduled there; the people are friendly; and safety concerns are minimal. Here are some basic tips and situations to be aware of.
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During summer, the nights are bright in all of Iceland. In the month of June the sun never fully sets in the north, but remember that the sun at midnight is not as warm as at midday.
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The Northern Lights are often to be seen, especially in autumn and early winter.
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By late summer, travellers are disappointed to find that all the most popular attractions are practically inaccessible by mid September, and by the end of September it seems the entire country, save Reykjavík, has gone into hibernation.
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The shops in Iceland are of international standard and carry a wide variety of merchandise. Local specialties are woollen knitwear (such as sweaters, cardigans, hats and mittens), handmade ceramics, glassware and silver jewellery. Also available is a great variety of high-quality seafood.
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Iceland is a relatively expensive place to visit, especially if you plan to eat out and frequent bars often. Service, however, is first rate.
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Most visitors are full of praises for Iceland's ocean-fresh seafood and mouth-watering mountain lamb, but these are only part of the local culinary experience. For those with nerves of steel and stomachs of iron, the menu for the Thorri mid-winter feast (January/February) is a real challenge. Delicacies there include boiled sheep's head, ram's testicles, loin bags, and rotten shark.
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Everyone in Iceland is on first name terms, and people are even listed by first names in the telephone directory.
Useful travel tips resources
Footprint Guides - Iceland
Exhaustive resource on travel in Iceland from this well-known travel guide publisher.
http://www.footprintguides.com/
Icelandic Tourist Board
Packed with helpful information and tips on what to do in Iceland.
http://www.goiceland.org/
Iceland
Covers all there is to know about travelling in Iceland.
http://www.icetourist.is
More topics on this site…
Iceland travel information
Iceland health and safety
Iceland maps and geography
Essentials
Visas: Not required for most nationals
Season: Summer (June – August)
Money: Króna – credit cards widely used
Language: Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
Emergency #: 112