World Guide

Iceland

Country · Europe, Northern Europe

Hallgrímskirkja
Pictured: Hallgrímskirkja · Photo: Steinninn, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Iceland is a country in Northern Europe with an area of 103,004 square kilometres and a population of about 392,000. Its capital is Reykjavík. The country offers a diverse array of natural and cultural sights.

Highlights

The site covers 14 sights. Cultural and architectural highlights located in the capital of Reykjavík include Hallgrímskirkja, the Icelandic Phallological Museum, Harpa, and the Imagine Peace Tower. Natural wonders and protected areas across the country include Þingvellir, Laki, Geysir, Gullfoss, Thridrangaviti Lighthouse, Skógafoss, Dettifoss, Jökulsárlón, Seljalandsfoss, and Vatnajökull National Park. The listed city is Reykjavík.

Food and drink

Traditional dishes and beverages to try include Hákarl, Brennivín, Þorramatur, Vínarterta, Rúgbrauð, Laufabrauð, Flatkaka, and Slátur.

When to go

This climate data applies to the capital, Reykjavík. July is the warmest month with daily highs of 14 °C and lows of 8 °C, alongside 73 mm of rain on about 15 days. January is the coldest month with daily highs of 0 °C and lows of -5 °C, accompanied by 128 mm of rain on about 21 days. December is the wettest month with 145 mm of rain on about 19 days. June records the least rain with 62 mm on about 17 days.

Practical notes

The currency is the Icelandic króna. The official language is Icelandic. Plugs used are type C and F with a voltage of 230.0 volts. Driving is on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC±00:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Iceland

  • Hákarl
  • Brennivín
  • Þorramatur
  • Vínarterta
  • Rúgbrauð
  • Laufabrauð
  • Flatkaka
  • Slátur

Top sights in Iceland

  1. HallgrímskirkjaHallgrímskirkjaReykjavík
  2. Icelandic Phallological MuseumIcelandic Phallological MuseumReykjavík
  3. ÞingvellirUNESCOÞingvellir
  4. LakiLaki
  5. GeysirGeysir
  6. GullfossGullfoss
  7. Thridrangaviti LighthouseVestmannaeyjar
  8. SkógafossSkógafossVík í Mýrdal
  9. HarpaReykjavík
  10. DettifossDettifoss
  11. JökulsárlónJökulsárlón
  12. SeljalandsfossSeljalandsfossSkógar
  1. Imagine Peace Tower · Reykjavík
  2. Vatnajökull National ParkUNESCO

Weather by month

The warmest month is July, with an average high of 14 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C1125913141310621
Average low, °C-5-4-4-1379851-2-4
Rainfall, mm12813012392766273101116115124145
Rainy days211920171817151620201819

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Reykjavík (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories