10 Curiosities About Iceland to Know When Traveling

Iceland is one of the most fascinating and mysterious destinations on Earth, packed with breathtaking landscapes, volcanic wonders, and unusual traditions that make it unlike any other place. As someone who has spent years researching Nordic culture, I’ve uncovered some of the most astonishing facts about this land of fire and ice—facts that even seasoned travelers might not know.

Did you know that Iceland has no mosquitoes? Despite its damp climate, the country’s unique ecosystem prevents these pests from surviving. Or that Icelandic horses, known for their distinctive five gaits, are so protected that once they leave the island, they can never return? And let’s not forget the Midnight Sun, where summer days stretch endlessly, creating an almost surreal atmosphere for visitors.

Beyond its otherworldly landscapes, Iceland has a rich folklore, with a majority of locals believing in elves and hidden people. The government even reroutes roads to avoid disturbing these mythical beings! Iceland is also home to the world’s first democratic parliament, established in 930 AD, proving that this small nation has played a significant role in history.

Whether you're drawn by the Northern Lights, the Blue Lagoon, or its geothermal energy, Iceland is full of surprises. Stick with me as we dive into the most bizarre, intriguing, and downright unbelievable curiosities about this incredible country.

1. Iceland is the Land of Ice and Fire (and water!)

Few countries are as varied and as amazingly scenic as Iceland. It is not for nothing that it is known as the Land of Ice and Fire, since in the same day you can go from volcanic landscapes to icebergs and glaciers . This changing and unique geology is due to its location in the middle of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge , where the Eurasian tectonic plate separates from the North American tectonic plate. For this reason, every so often an Icelandic volcano with an unpronounceable name appears in the news, doing its thing.

In addition, this geothermal energy allows almost 80% of the country's electricity to come from renewable sources, so not everything will be scares and catastrophes.

Now, everyone talks about ice and fire, but what about water? Iceland is a waterland! Not only because of its thousands of km of coastline (remember, you're on a gigantic island), but because every step you take in your car is accompanied by hundreds of waterfalls , one more beautiful than the other (until you reach the level of saturation and don't even pay attention to them anymore).

2. It is one of the best countries to see the Northern Lights

If your dream is to see the Green Lady dancing in the sky , Iceland is the place for you. Due to its northern latitude , it is one of the best countries in the world to see the wonderful spectacle of the Northern Lights. The best time of year is between September and March , and the main factors to be able to see them, apart from luck, are clear skies and maximum darkness (stay away from urban centres). There are apps like My Aurora Forecast that will help you in your search.

We went at the end of April and we didn't see even a shadow of the aurora :-p But no whining: now we have an extra reason to come back!

Northern Lights in Iceland

3. There is no army

Iceland is one of the few countries in the world that does not have an army , a concern and a lesser expense for its government. The only security forces in the country are the National Police and the Coast Guard . This has been the case since the country gained its independence from Denmark in 1944, in the middle of World War II (a good time to give up arms).

Things to do

4. Here you can see the midnight sun

If winters in Iceland are long and dark, the opposite is true in summer. During these months, the sun never sets completely , so you can enjoy 24 hours of daylight. Crazy! This phenomenon is known as the “midnight sun” and is obviously due to its position on the globe. If you travel in summer, don’t forget to pack a sleeping mask.

⭐ Still wondering what the country's must-sees are ? Here are the 15 best things to see and do in Iceland on a first trip.

5. Hákarl, a delicacy for few

Would you dare to try hákarl ? It is fermented northern shark , one of the typical dishes of Iceland and a delicacy not suitable for all palates 😉 We did NOT dare, to be honest. And it is also an endangered animal, so it is not recommended. We read that to accompany it, Icelanders take a shot of Brennivín , a liquor-like drink known as "the black death". We assume that they do this to destroy the taste of hákarl - what a necessity!

Hákarl one of the typical dishes to eat in Iceland

6. Icelandic, an ancient language

Icelandic is one of the oldest languages still spoken in Europe and has retained many archaic features of Old Norse, the same language brought with them by the first Viking settlers who arrived on the island in the 9th century. One of its curiosities is that all its words are stressed on the first syllable , keep this in mind when pronouncing the names of cities, waterfalls or foods.

7. Geothermal pools everywhere, one of the coolest curiosities of Iceland

Wherever you go, you'll find pools and baths with geothermal waters where you can relax after a busy day of sightseeing. The largest and most popular is the well-known Blue Lagoon , but there are hundreds of them, of varying quality, and even completely natural and free, throughout the country. We went to the Vök geothermal baths and the Myvátn Baths and they left us feeling super relaxed.

rober floating in the hot springs of myvatn

Fun Things to do

8. Christmas Eve with books

The Icelandic tradition of “ Jólabókaflód ” is a unique Christmas Eve celebration that combines a love of reading and the Christmas spirit . This term literally translates to “the Christmas book flood,” and it’s no exaggeration: on December 24, families exchange books as gifts and enjoy the rest of the evening reading.

The custom arose during World War II due to import restrictions, leading to the printing of local books as an affordable and appreciated gift. It has since become ingrained in Icelandic culture as a way to encourage reading and share time with family. We think it's a great tradition!

9. More than 60% of the population lives in Reykjavik

Did you know that around 60% of Iceland's total population lives in the Höfuðborgarsvæðið region , which includes Reykjavik and six surrounding towns? Of the country's 380,000 inhabitants, around 230,000 are concentrated in this area on the west coast.

By the way, Reykjavik is one of the least populated capitals in Europe and also the northernmost in the world . We arrived without many expectations but we coincided with the celebration of the first day of Icelandic summer and hey, we were welcomed by a sunny, colorful and lively city!

10. Icelandic horses, a unique breed

Known for their strength, friendliness and sturdy yet compact pony-like stature, Icelandic horses are Iceland’s only indigenous breed and you won’t be long before you see them and, of course, want to take a souvenir selfie with them. They are gorgeous!

icelandic horse

Do you know any other interesting facts, oddities or curiosities about Iceland ? Personally, we found it to be one of the most peculiar countries we have ever seen and we are already looking forward to returning to the land of ice and fire.

Top Activities