With so many incredible places in the world, sometimes picking where to go next can feel impossible. Some places have postcard beaches, others draw you in with stunning views, rich history, and a culture you could spend weeks exploring.
And then there’s Iceland. A place that somehow brings all of that together. Here, ancient volcanoes sit beside ice-blue glaciers, stories go back to Viking times, and ancient traditions still bubble up in everyday life.
If the Land of Fire and Ice is already on your bucket list, you probably don’t need much convincing. But if it’s not, this might just be what tips the scale. Below, we’re sharing five facts about Iceland that illustrate just how strange, beautiful, and unforgettable this country is. And when you travel by camper van in Iceland, you get to experience it all up close.
Read on for the most interesting facts about Iceland, including its one-of-a-kind charm and how you can experience its uniqueness for yourself.
What is Iceland Famous For?
Iceland is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, renewable energy, and strong sense of community. Both magical and forward-thinking, it’s one of the few places on Earth that pulls you in with its beauty and efficiency. In fact, the country runs almost entirely on renewable power, ranks high in global democracy indexes, and celebrates a culture built around fairness, creativity, and connection to nature.
But what most people recognize first is the landscape. Larger-than-life mountains, waterfalls that stretch toward the sea, black beaches, and, in the winter, northern lights that light up the sky. You’ll pass through these places as you drive the Ring Road or explore the Golden Circle, then slow down at the Blue Lagoon or in the Nordic minimalism of Reykjavík, both a striking contrast to Iceland’s raw natural beauty.
But while the big sights are well known, they’re only part of the story. With the following facts about the country, Iceland reveals an even more fascinating and beautiful side.
5 Unique Facts About Iceland
You probably already knew that Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. But there’s a lot about this island most people don’t know about until they’re actually here.
Iceland’s natural and cultural traits often defy expectations. Around every turn, there’s something that makes you stop, pay attention, and fall a little more in love with the place. These facts about Iceland will give you a different perspective on the land and its people.
1. Iceland Has No Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are one of the most common annoyances for travelers, especially on camping trips or summer hikes. But in Iceland, you won’t have to deal with them at all. Thanks to the country’s cool climate, changing weather, and lack of stagnant water, mosquitoes can’t survive or breed here.
For visitors, that means you can sit by a waterfall, camp near a glacier, or hike through remote valleys without constantly swatting or spraying repellent. It’s one of those cool facts about Iceland that makes exploring by camper van even more relaxing.
2. You Can Swim Between Two Continents
Iceland ranks high on every scuba diver’s bucket list, and it isn’t because of its colorful coral reefs (spoiler: there aren’t any). They come for Silfra, a freshwater fissure in Þingvellir National Park where you can literally swim between two continents.
Silfra sits in the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Over time, the plates have slowly pulled apart, creating a crack in the earth filled with glacial meltwater, resulting in some of the clearest water you’ll ever see, with visibility up to 100 meters.
Not a scuba diver? No problem. You can snorkel or hike around Silfra all year to experience geology in real time and enjoy one of the most unforgettable stops you can add to your Icelandic camper van route.
3. Nearly All of Iceland’s Energy is Renewable
When a country is filled with natural wonders, preserving them becomes a top priority. In Iceland, nearly all electricity and heating comes from renewable sources. Geothermal power runs through homes, pools, and greenhouses, while hydroelectric stations keep the rest of the country going.
That’s possible because Iceland sits right on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two tectonic plates slowly pull apart. Heat from deep beneath the Earth rises closer to the surface here than in most parts of the world, creating ideal conditions for geothermal energy. And Iceland has figured out how to use that natural heat efficiently and responsibly.
When you travel to Iceland, you get to see renewable energy in action, including public pools fed by underground heat pipes stretching across open landscapes, carrying energy directly from the source. You can even visit power plants like Hellisheiði to see how it all works.
4. Icelandic Horses are One of a Kind
What happens when a group of horses ends up on an island in the middle of the ocean and stays there for over 1,000 years? You get a breed that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.
Icelandic horses are small but strong. But what really sets them apart is their unique gait, called the tölt. It’s smooth and steady, even over rough terrain, which makes riding one feel more like gliding than bouncing.
Because of strict breeding laws, no other horses are allowed into the country, and once an Icelandic horse leaves, it can’t return. That isolation has kept the breed pure since the time of the Vikings.
Curious to see them for yourself? Horseback tours are offered all over the country, making them easy to add to your route if you’re traveling in a camper, giving you a whole new way of taking in the scenery.
5. You Can See the Northern Lights for Half the Year
While most locations only provide a small window to catch the Northern Lights, Iceland gives you a front-row seat for nearly half the year.
Thanks to its high latitude and long winter nights, Iceland is one of the best spots on the planet to see the aurora borealis. And the best part: instead of a formal tour or fancy equipment, you just need clear skies and a dark place.
With a camper van, you can chase the forecast, pull over when the conditions are right, and watch the lights dance above you, maybe from a remote stretch of road or a quiet valley with no one else around.
Bonus Facts About Iceland
There’s so much to Iceland and its charming traditions and quirks that we couldn’t leave you with just 5 facts about Iceland. Here are five more that add even more color to the experience.
1. Iceland Has No Last Names
Instead of passing down family surnames, Icelanders use a patronymic or, more rarely, matronymic naming system. That means a child’s last name is formed from their parent’s first name, like “Anna Jónsdóttir” (Anna, daughter of Jón), or “Erik Magnússon” (Erik son of Magnús). The centuries-old tradition reflects how personal and close-knit Icelandic culture is.
2. Elves and Hidden People are Part of Local Lore
Many Icelanders believe in huldufólk, or hidden people–supernatural beings said to live in rocks, hills, and lava fields. Construction projects have even been paused or rerouted to avoid disturbing elf habitats. If you come to Iceland, you can visit museums, take guided tours, or hear stories from locals to learn how this folklore weaves through daily life.
3. You Can Visit Ice Caves in Winter
One of our favorite fun facts about Iceland is that each winter, glacial meltwater creates ice caves under the surface, which become bright blue tunnels that look like they belong on another planet. These caves change every year and can only be explored with a guide. However, they’re easy to reach with a camper and are definitely one of the most surreal sights you’ll see in Iceland.
4. The Midnight Sun Keeps Summer Bright
Dreaming of never-ending days? Come to Iceland in August! In the heart of summer, the sun barely dips below the horizon. This near-constant daylight gives you the freedom to explore at any hour. If you’re traveling in Iceland in a camper van rental, you can keep driving, hiking, or sightseeing late into the night, without ever needing to rush.
5. Iceland’s Population is the Same as a Medium-Sized City
With around 400,000 people in total, Iceland has more space than crowds. You’ll notice it as soon as you hit the road, since there are few cars, wide-open views, and a calm pace that makes road-tripping feel peaceful and personal.
Prepare for Your Iceland Adventure with Rent.is
If you’re considering Iceland as your next destination, traveling the country by camper van is one of the best ways to see this amazing land. You’re free to stop when something catches your eye, take detours without a schedule, and wake up somewhere new each day.
Ready to experience Iceland’s most fascinating wonders for yourself? Discover the freedom of a road trip with Rent.is. Choose from our range of Iceland campers and start planning your unforgettable Icelandic adventure today. Have questions? Contact us—our team will help you prepare for the journey of a lifetime.