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Exceptional Reikjavik
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A land of otherworldly landscapes and shimmering northern lights, Iceland’s natural wonders are well established among adventure travelers, but there is more to Iceland than what nature has bequeathed. The country’s ancient heritage and quirky folklore blend with a modern culture of food, craft beer, and a love and respect for the outdoors.
Let’s dive into the culture and traditions of Iceland so you have a bit more knowledge of this magical country before you visit.
What is Iceland known for?
Iceland is known as “The Land of Fire and Ice” because of its opposing geological features. The fire refers to the multitude of volcanic activities, and the ice obviously refers to the country’s many glaciers, which cover approximately 10% of the island.
Probably the most well-known appeal of visiting Iceland is to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis, or northern lights. Aside from this awe-inspiring event, Iceland is known for its beautiful waterfalls, diverse bird and marine life, as well as a vibrant music and arts scene.
Is it always cold in Iceland?
Iceland is not as cold as you might think during the summer months. The average temperature in July is between 10 and 13 degrees Celsius; however, warm days can reach up to 25 degrees (which can be warmer than a summer day in the UK). In winter, the country is not as cold as its Nordic counterparts like Sweden and Norway, benefiting from the warmer air of the Gulf Stream. However, Iceland’s weather is notoriously changeable, and wind chill should not be underestimated. It can get extremely cold at certain times of the year, particularly in the winter, when it can go down as far as -5 degrees.
What is the culture of Iceland?
Iceland is a Nordic country, which means it has strong ties to the ancient Vikings. Icelanders are proud of this heritage and the many customs that come along with it, particularly in terms of the language, which still has close ties to the Old Norse language that would have been spoken by early Viking settlers.
Aside from their Viking roots, Icelanders have a strong culture of food, literature, and the arts. The capital of Reykjavik has galleries, bookstores, theaters, and a symphony orchestra. In fact, Icelandic music has become its own genre, combining pop and folk. Taking in a local gig is a wonderful way to embrace the culture and atmosphere of this unique place.
What are some traditions in Iceland?
There are a number of special days in Iceland that celebrate a range of occasions. Bóndadagur and Konudagur are Husband’s Day and Wife’s Day, respectively, which is a day to celebrate your spouse with a gift and a meal. Thorrablót is another special day that celebrates the ancient month of Thorri (mid-January to mid-February on a modern calendar), where Icelanders will usually attend at least one feast full of delicious foods, including smoked lamb. They will also sing, play games, and tell stories.
An interesting thing about Icelanders, which speaks to their history of magic and mystery, is their relatively widely held belief in elves. 7%–8% are certain they exist, and 45% believe that it is likely or possible that elves still roam the land. Elves, trolls, and other mythical creatures are signifiers of Iceland’s love of folklore, which remains strong to this day.
What do people in Iceland eat?
There is a strong food culture in Iceland, although some of the more traditional dishes have an acquired taste. The mainstays of Icelandic cuisine are fresh, locally sourced lamb and fish dishes. Many restaurants specialize in seafood due to Iceland being surrounded by an ocean abundant with all manner of fish and shellfish.
Traditional dishes such as Hákarl, fermented shark meat, are no longer in the mainstream and are typically reserved for festivals such as Thorrablot (Þorrablót), the midwinter festival, when it is sampled with Iceland’s infamous schnapps, Brennivin.
Orramatur is another traditional dish; it is a platter of cured meat and fish that was invented in 1958 in a Reykjavik restaurant. Modern Icelanders probably would not order it, however, as it has come to represent the stranger side of Iceland’s old-style foods.
- Exceptional Reikjavik Tour Plan
Day 1
Arrival in Reikjavik
Begin your journey by landing at Keflavik Airport. Enjoy a warm welcome and assistance as you’re escorted to your Reykjavik hotel. Check into your chosen accommodation, allowing yourself time to unwind and settle in. Begin your journey with a walking tour of the city of Reykjavik. Stroll through Reykjavik like a local, exploring on foot with your guide. Take a leisurely walk to Tjörnin City Pond. Learn Reykjavik’s history during the stroll. Explore the exquisite Einar Jónsson sculpture park. Overnight stay in Reykjavik.
Day 2
Golden Circle
This day, you will be taken to the Golden Circle, which is one of Iceland’s most popular tours. Explore Iceland’s natural wonders on a full-day tour. Experience historical sites and natural phenomena with a knowledgeable guide. Visit Þingvellir National Park, founded in 930 AD. Witness remarkable geological formations and tectonic plate boundaries. Discover the stunning Gullfoss waterfall. Walk to the edge for a close encounter with glacial water mist. Explore the geothermal area with spouting hot springs. Witness the impressive Geysir and Strokkur hot springs. Staying for this night would be in Reykjavik.
Day 3
The South Shore
On this day, you will get right into the action, and we will start the road trip and head straight for the beautiful Icelandic south shore. Get a view of a glacier and volcanoes. Visit the stunning Reynisfjara black sand beach. See the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. Explore Reynisdrangar’s peaks and cliffs. Get some dinner, and then you will be escorted to your hotel near Vik.
Day 4
The Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach
On this day, you leave for a self-drive road trip. Reach the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where you will enjoy everything the lagoon has to offer. Embark on an exciting boat trip, sailing among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón. On the boat, you get to taste the 1000-year-old ice, and if you are lucky, you might even see seals. Overnight stay in South Iceland.
Day 5
The Eastfjords
On this day, you will start to drive to the Eastfjords of Iceland. East Iceland is characterized by small villages, dramatic coastlines, narrow fjords, and waterfalls. The first stop of the day will be at Vestrahorn, Vesturhorn, or Stokksnes; these are all names for this same place. The Horn area is below Vestra-Horn, a 454-meter-high mountain. East of the mountain is a strange-shaped outcrop called Brunnhorn that stretches out to sea. On the way to Fosshotel Eastfjords, you will make a stop at Djúpivogur. Overnight stay in East Iceland.
Day 6
Lake Myvatn & Geothermal Baths
On this day, you will explore the natural beauty of Lake Mývatn and its lunar landscapes with visits to the lava formations at Dimmuborgir and Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters. A short distance away, near Námafjall Mountain, is Hverir, a hot-springs area with boiling mud pots and fumaroles. Dimmuborgir is an incredible lava field, packed with sky-high rock pillars and lava caves. After exploring the surrounding area around the city, you will get to bathe in Mývatn’s Nature Baths,cwhich that have a naturally heated man-made lagoon. Overnight stay in North Iceland.
Day 7
Húsavik Whale Watching & Akureyri
After a blissful breakfast, start the day by heading to Húsavik. The town of Húsavík sits on the eastern shore of Shaky Bay, known around the world as the Whale Capital of Iceland. Go on a big whale and puffin-watching tour in a speedboat before enjoying a nice lunch in this small town with only about 2,300 inhabitants. Next stop is the powerful Goðafoss Waterfall on your way to Akureyri, the capital of the north. Siglufjörður Town/Akureyri is where you will spend the night.
Day 8
Hofsos Pool & Reykholt – Reykjavik
In the morning, after breakfast, you will head to Hofsos Pools. The swimming pool in Hofsós is one of the most beautiful swimming pools in Iceland. It was built on a hillside over the sea, and the view from it is over the fjord and to Drangey Island. After bathing in a geothermal bath, you will enjoy a nice lunch in Sauðarkrókur Town and continue on your way to Reykholt. Enjoy the stunning landscape on your way to Reykholt. Overnight stay near North West Iceland.
Day 9
Blue Lagoon and Departure
On this day, on your way to Reykjavik, you will visit Hraunfossar, Barnafossar, and make a stop at Húsafell. Later, stop at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. After riding for 1.5 hours, get ready to experience the magical Blue Lagoon. Relax in the warm pool and let the stress leave your body. Later, you will board your flight back to India.
More about Iceland
More about this tour
Reykjavik, on the coast of Iceland, is the country's capital and largest city. It's home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. The striking concrete Hallgrimskirkja church and rotating Perlan glass dome offer sweeping views of the sea and nearby hills. Exemplifying the island’s volcanic activity is the geothermal Blue Lagoon spa, near the village of Grindavik.
