As most people know, Iceland lies in the middle of the North Atlantic, half an ocean away from other Nordic countries and cultures. So it’s not surprising that Iceland has developed a few quirks and cultural oddities (though they’re not considered odd here). Its physical location has also shaped ways to adapt to harsh winters and mild summers. If you plan on visiting Iceland, you’re in for a journey of unique discoveries.
What Makes Iceland Unique?
Iceland’s remote location, dramatic natural forces, and strong cultural traditions have created a country that feels unlike anywhere else. From volcanic landscapes to centuries-old folklore, there’s an endless mix of interesting Iceland facts that often surprise first-time visitors.
So, whether you love learning random facts about Iceland or want to understand what makes this place so distinctive, these little quirks help explain why Iceland leaves such a lasting impression. To help you dive deeper into these quirks, we’ve compiled a list of 60 facts on Iceland that many new visitors find odd but fun. Enjoy!
1. Iceland formed the newest land on earth when Surtsey erupted in 1963, creating a volcanic island. We also have the oldest parliamentary institution in the world.
2. Vatnajökull is Europe’s largest glacier.
3. Beer was illegal for 73 years until the 1st of March, 1989.
4. Many Icelandic homes have tiny elf “doors” or rocks left untouched during construction because some Icelanders believe disturbing elf habitats brings bad luck.
5. Iceland is one of the few countries in the world with black sand beaches.
6. The Icelandic language is one of the oldest in the world.
7. Iceland has the longest work week in Europe.
8. People in Iceland don’t say “You are welcome” as a response to “Thanks for dinner”. Instead, they say “Verði þér að góðu” which can be translated to “Hope the food will do you well”.
9. Icelanders leave their babies to nap outside in a stroller year-round, in almost any weather.
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10. Once Icelandic horses are transported abroad, they are never allowed to enter the country again.
11. The geothermal water used to heat up houses in Iceland, must be cooled down before entering the heating systems.
12. When looking up Icelandic people in a phone directory, names are sorted by their first name, not their surname.
13. Iceland banned all strip clubs in 2010.
14. Iceland has approximately 120 active volcanoes.
15. When babies are given names, the names have to be approved by a special naming committee.
16. Icelanders like to drown food in sauces. Fish, meat, poultry, dessert – anything edible can be drenched in sauce!
17. 100% of the Icelandic population has Internet.
18. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe.
19. There is an Icelandic anti-incest app to prevent relatives from dating each other.
20. Surfing in Iceland is a growing sport.
21. Leif the Lucky, son of Erik the Red, arrived in North America some 500 years before Christopher Columbus.
22. Professional boxing is forbidden in Iceland.
23. In marriage, women very rarely take their husband’s last name.
24. The last Icelanders to live in caves abandoned them in 1922 to live in Reykjavik.
25. Reykjavik is the northernmost capital city in the world.
26. The highlands in Iceland are uninhabited.
27. The alphabet in Iceland has 32 characters, including a lot of vowels: a, á, e, é, i, í, o, ó, u, ú, y, ý, æ and ö. The letters c, q, w are not used, and Z was used in the past.
28. Halldór Laxness is Iceland’s only Nobel Prize-winning author.
29. The Arctic fox is the only indigenous land mammal in Iceland.
30. The Ring Road is the only national “highway”.
31. You can drink from any tap in Iceland (so don’t waste money on bottled water).
32. There are no trains in Iceland.
33. Iceland has no standing army.
34. The last pair of great auks, a now-extinct bird species, died in Iceland in 1844 on the island of Engey.
35. Iceland is one of the last places on earth to be settled by humans.
36. There is no daylight saving in Iceland. (moving the clock back and forth an hour)
37. The word berserk, as in “going berserk” comes from the Viking family Berserks who were known to lose it in battle and go crazy.
38. About 85% of the houses in Iceland are heated with geothermal energy.
39. In Iceland, there are 13 Yule Lads similar to Santa Claus, but they are known for causing mischief. They visit one by one on the 13 nights before Christmas.
40. The eruption of the Laki volcano from 1783 to 1784 is believed to have triggered the French Revolution.
41. The third oldest written text in history about fly fishing is found in the Icelandic sagas. (Njáls saga)
42. The colors in the Icelandic flag symbolize fire and ice. The meaning of the blue color is not clear. Some say the ocean, some the sky and others say it’s the bluish tint that distant mountains often take on.
43. Icelanders drink more Coca-Cola per capita than any other nation in the world.
44. Technically speaking, there are no mountains in Iceland, only valleys carved out by glaciers.
45. There is a penis museum in Reykjavik.
46. Icelanders swim in outdoor swimming pools year-round.
47. The comedian Jón Gnarr was elected the mayor of Reykjavik in 2010 and served four years. One of his campaign promises was not to fulfill any of his campaign promises.
48. For many years, Iceland had the biggest banana plantation in Europe.
49. Látrabjarg in the Westfjords is Europe’s biggest bird cliff and its westernmost point.
50. 65% of Icelandic children are born outside marriage.
51. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was the first woman in the world to be democratically elected President.
52. There are 600 moss species in Iceland covering over half the island.
53. When you arrive at the BSÍ bus station in Reykjavik, you can order Kjammi og Kók, which is half a sheep’s head and a Coca-Cola.
54. The average monthly cost for heat, water and electricity in Reykjavik is just under 100 US dollars (2017)
55. Reykjavik has the only artificially heated ocean beach in the world.
56. Tipping is not a custom in Iceland. If you do tip, however, no one gets offended.
57. Iceland has five prisons, two of them with no guards. Criminals are put on a waiting list to serve their time in prison because there aren’t enough available jail cells.
58. Iceland has a national day to celebrate its language.
59. There are no polar bears in Iceland, but they occasionally drift in from Greenland.
60. It’s illegal to sell underwear with the Icelandic flag on it and a flagpole with the Icelandic flag may only have one color.
There are of course plenty more amazing facts about Iceland, but you’ll have to come visit and discover them yourself! 🙂
Safe travels! #WohoCamper
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