FAQ
Where is Iceland?
Iceland is a North Atlantic island and the westernmost country in Europe. It lies about 800km northwest of Scotland and 970km West of Norway, and its northern coast is just below the Arctic circle. From London, Reykjavik is the same distance as Athens.
How cold does it get?
Thanks to the gulf stream, Iceland isn’t as cold as it sounds. Temperatures are moderate year round. Average July temperatures are ground 11°C in Reykjavík – the north and east are often the warmest parts in the summer.
How should I dress?
Read all about that in our What-To-Bring part of the website.
What are the people like?
Quite Scandinavian, exceptionally friendly, highly educated, sophisticated, attractive, honest and very modern. Their ancestors were predominately Norwegian, although some came fro the British Isles.
Do Icelanders speak English?
Most Icelanders (especally those from their teen-age years through their fifties) speak fluent English. In fact, they welcome the opportunity – so never be shy about approaching an Icelander.
What are the accommodation and food like?
Excellent! Iceland’s hotels and guesthouses are almost invariably clean and conformtable. The sea-food and lamb are outstanding natural quality and served in imaginative European style. There are also plenty of fast food establishments.
What kind of money do they use in Iceland?
The Icelandic króna (ISK). All major currencies can be exchanged at the airport, banks and currency exchangers. Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost universally, and ATMs are generally not hard to find in the towns. Visit sedlabanki.is (Central Bank of Iceland) to learn about the exchange rate.
When is daylight in Iceland?
Summer visitors who arrive to a bright midnight sky and ask when it gets dark in Iceland are sometimes told “in the middle of August”. The sun barely sets in the summer in Reykjavik and it’s light round-the-clock in the north at the peak of summer. In mid-winter, expect only about four to five hours a day of daylight. Spring and autumn daylight hours are more or less “normal”.
What about the electricity?
Icelandic electrical standards are European (50Hz, 240 volts).
Will my mobile phone work in Iceland?
Most European cell phones work on Iceland’s GSM network. Iceland now has the highest rate of cell phone use in the world. Mobiles work in towns and on virtually all main travel routes – also on Ulfljotsvatn scout centre where Euro-Mini-Jam is held.
