General Information About Iceland
Iceland, to state the obvious, is unlike any other country you will see. In the two minutes before landing, you begin to see out of the airplane window the impressive steam from the Blue Lagoon, the high mountains, and the lava fields. The landscapes symbolize what you will surely think throughout your trip—Iceland truly is unlike any other... A trip to Iceland gives the traveler a feeling of dynamism and renewal. The feeling is that a trip to Iceland in a few years will not resemble today's Iceland at all. The pristine and unique landscape changes before the traveler's eyes, and it is clear that a single volcanic eruption will change the entire picture.
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Iceland is the youngest country in Europe – the island was formed about 20 million years ago, and is one of the peaks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, one of the largest underwater ridges in the world and the place where two of Earth's largest tectonic plates split. This fact makes Iceland, the serene and picturesque island, one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. Perhaps precisely because of this, Iceland is an intriguing destination for travelers.
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So Who Are You, Iceland?
Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, located between Greenland, Norway, and Scotland. Despite its large area, 103,000 square kilometers (more than 4 times the size of Israel!), the island's population is very small, numbering only about 320,000 people, more than half of whom live in the capital city of Reykjavik. For comparison, Haifa has a similar number of residents.
Map of Iceland:
Based on data from National Land Survey of Iceland ©
Official Language:
Icelandic, but most Icelanders speak fluent English and there is no trouble getting by.
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Visas and Permits:
There is no need for an entry visa to Iceland. Immigration authorities grant a 3-month visa upon entry to the country.
Currency and Payments:
The local currency is the Icelandic Króna (ISK). Banks in Israel do not trade in this currency, so the best place to exchange money is at the currency exchange office at Keflavík Airport, which is open 24 hours. Credit cards are accepted everywhere, including hotels, restaurants, and gas stations.
Electricity:
In Iceland, the electrical grid is 220 volts and 50Hz. Most electrical products from Israel are compatible with sockets in Iceland.
Communications:
The international dialing code for Iceland is 354.
Clock:
Iceland is 2 hours ahead of Israel in the winter, and 3 hours ahead when daylight saving time is observed in Israel.
Flights:
There are no direct flights from Israel to Iceland, but local airlines Icelandair and Iceland Express operate flight routes to Iceland year-round from a selection of destinations in Europe. Icelandair has code-sharing agreements with several companies, including El Al, and you can buy a single ticket from Israel all the way to Iceland.
Weather in Iceland:
Despite its name, when looking at a map of Iceland, one discovers to their surprise that although it has many glaciers, not all of it is covered in ice. In contrast, neighboring Greenland looks like one massive glacier. Is that possible? History teaches that many years ago the names were indeed reversed – the Iceland we know today was actually Greenland, and vice versa. The Vikings who ruled the region wanted to confuse the enemy and lead them into an ice trap, preventing them from conquering the greener and more comfortable island. They decided to swap the names, and this is the souvenir left to us to this day. The weather in Iceland is very fickle – even a day that looks clear and comfortable can develop into a rainy and cold day, so it is very important to dress in layers and make sure to have a warm coat and a rain jacket.
When to Go?
The peak tourist season is June-August. During this season, Iceland is relatively green and pleasant, days are long, tourist attractions are full of tourists, and so are accommodations. It is recommended to book accommodations 3-4 months in advance, when more reasonable prices can be found. Travelers in the winter months, October-February, can get the chance to watch the Northern Lights, the amazing natural phenomenon that paints the sky in shades of green. However, in this season days are very short and some roads are closed, so preparation in advance is necessary.
Landscapes and Nature:
Volcanoes, fjords, lakes, impressive waterfalls, glaciers... Iceland is rich in the most beautiful and unique landscapes. Driving on Route 1 which circles the island is like driving inside a postcard – your jaw drops and your stomach never gets enough of the beauty Iceland offers. The special topographical location of Iceland on a ridge of submarine volcanoes makes Iceland a volcanic country in the making, and travelers have nothing left to do but stand before the landscapes and simply enjoy.
National Holidays:
(Most shops, offices, and museums are closed on these days):
January 1 – New Year's Day
April – Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday
May 1 – Labour Day
June 17 – Independence Day
December 24-26 – Christmas
National Symbols:
The flag of Iceland, adopted in 1915. The flag is hoisted, among other occasions, on the Prime Minister's birthday, at Christmas, and at Easter. The colors of the flag symbolize the colors of the sky, snow, and flame, while the cross symbolizes the connection to Scandinavia.
The national emblem of Iceland depicts the four protectors of the island, standing on a basalt column and supporting the Icelandic flag. The emblem appears on coins in Iceland and on the country's official documents.
PUFFIN, the sea parrot, the national bird of Iceland and one of the country's symbols. Puffins belong to the auk family (AUKS) and are the Northern Hemisphere's equivalent of penguins.
