Iceland Fever - 5 reasons to love Iceland

I'm not even interested in football and yet I was glued to the England-Iceland match the other night. Why? The answer is: Iceland fever! Many people have been fascinated by the underdog team from the tiny nation of just over 300,000 inhabitants that made it all the way to the quarter-finals. I also have a special relationship with Iceland. Today we offer 5 reasons to visit the tiny island nation in the Atlantic Ocean.

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Icelandic fever - since adolescence

At the age of 17, I was an exchange student in Iceland and lived for almost a whole year on the small island of Hemön, on the south side of Iceland. That's probably when my Icelandic fever started! I learnt Icelandic and actually still speak the language, although I must admit that I have started to forget a bit.

Since then I've been back to the country four times, most recently in 2012 when Peter and I visited Reykjavik together. Here are our top tips for those with Icelandic fever, along with links to even more reading from other travel bloggers.

1. Nature

Bare black lava landscapes, barren, treeless expanses and vast glaciers. The Icelandic landscape can hardly be called lush, but has a different, harsher beauty. Add wild waterfalls, spouting geysers and smoking areas reeking of sulphur and you have a nature that feels untamed and dramatic, making you feel like you're in a fantasy film.

The Golden Circle is a classic tourist route that includes the geysers. Geyser and Strokkur, the national park Þingvellir and the waterfall Gullfoss. Admittedly touristy, but definitely worth the time! My personal favourites are Home Island (where I stayed) with the active volcano Eldfell, the water-filled crater Krafla in Húsavik, the lava area Dummuborgir in the north of Iceland and the magically beautiful ice lake Jökulsárlón south of the Vatnajökull glacier.

2. Adventures

If you like adventure, Iceland is the country for you! Experience the dramatic landscape from horseback, swim in natural hot springs, go whale watching or hike across glaciers. Or indulge in glorious baths in Blue Lagoon! An easy way to experience adventure is to rent a car and head out to experience the amazing nature on your own!

The last time we visited Iceland, we went on a full day trip in the Hveragerði with the company Fire horses. They picked us up at the hotel in Reykjavik, which was very convenient. We chose the tour that goes through the geothermal area where it smokes and bubbles everywhere (recommended!).

It was September and the wind was blowing hard and the little horses were really struggling in the headwind and uphill. We ourselves almost froze our fingers, but luckily there were naturally warm streams when we arrived at the rest area. Great trip!

3. measuring

We were pleasantly surprised on our last visit to Iceland. Reykjavik really has a lot of exciting things to offer for those who like good food. There are of course fresh ingredients in the form of fish, seafood and lamb. But there are also many modern restaurants that dare to experiment and mix the local with influences from other parts of the world.

The last time we were in Iceland we managed to visit several different restaurants and the absolute favourite was Fish market - it was so good that we went there and ate their tasting menu twice! We especially recommend eating fish when you're in Iceland, and you can also try out some exciting local specialities such as whale meat and puffins.

Having lived in Iceland, I have also experienced the traditional Þorrablót which is celebrated in February every year. It may be more exciting than tasty, but it was interesting to try svið (burnt lamb heads), blóðmör (a kind of blood pudding), hákarl (rotten shark) and hrútspungar (sheep testicles).

4. cultures

What can such a small country offer in terms of culture? Plenty, actually! Reykjavik is a small city full of music, art, theatre and nightlife. There's everything from powerful sights to quirky museums. It's also fun to shop in Reykjavik.

As with the food, Icelanders dare to combine their local products (in this case, things like lava, horsehair and wool) with modern outside influences. Every year, for example, the festival Food and Fun Reykjavik, inviting chefs from all over the world.

My experience in Iceland is that Icelanders party hard and long. Nightclubs stay open late (though perhaps not as late as in the past) and are often housed in unexpected places. In the evening, the laundry or bookshop, for example, can be transformed into a nightclub.

The good thing is that these places are free and everything is close by - you can easily walk from place to place! By the way, about the odd museum... Well, the most odd one we've written about is a puppet museum with (yes, that's right!) from a whole host of different animal species.

5. The language

Last but not least, I have to rave about the wonderful language. Maybe it's not something you think about so much as a tourist, since Icelanders usually speak good English, but in any case. If you have Icelandic fever, you have it! Here are some words that might be good (?) to know. If you want to read more, you can read our post about it. Icelandic language.

Knattspyrna = football (you can also say fótbolti, but knattspyrna is more formal).
Television = TV (more accurately means 'sight casting')
Computing = computer (a mixture of the words 'tal' and 'völva', i.e. a woman in Old Norse mythology who practised magic).

Islandsfeber - 5 anledningar att älska Island

29 June 2016 6:00

Iceland

exotic food, culture, nature, restaurants, language, metropolis

Helena

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34 Comments

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Lanclin-Linnea says:

Wow, such a fantastic collection post with Iceland links! Tonight I will read Icelandic posts by my fellow travel bloggers <3

29 June 2016 - 7:16

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Lennart says:

We were there for a week and travelled around Route 1.
We visited the places you describe.
Iceland is really special!
Same here: have seen a match in the European Championship!

29 June 2016 - 7:25

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Matts Torebring says:

After reading another factual post like this, I am surprised that I have not been to Iceland once. Nor have I been to a single football match in my entire life. I usually joke and say that the hours it takes to watch a match, I have spent on house and garden instead. The results of different matches are often shown on teletext the same evening.

Now I am not belittling this match in any way. On the contrary! I love when those who are not so big, can go forward and show strength. They have done that now! Thank you for a factual and committed post!

29 June 2016 - 7:30

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Katarina says:

Good tips and good with links to more blogs so you can easily find the reading. Smarty.

29 June 2016 - 7:57

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Steve says:

There you go. I think Iceland will probably experience a boost now that even you are watching football.
The next item on your Icelandic list is.
6. football.
Icelandic, what a wonderful language. And you know that language.
Good links you offer.
By now, the Icelandic Tourist Board should be contacting you.

29 June 2016 - 8:32

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VackraLillaVardag says:

Yes, Iceland is probably on my list! All that remains is to convince the old man that he wants to go there too. Less warm places are never very popular with him.

29 June 2016 - 9:03

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Lisa & livet från den ljusa sidan says:

What a great post! Agree with everything, and this is everything a person who is curious about Iceland needs.
Great fun also to be able to contribute with more reading in the different areas. Really love Iceland!

29 June 2016 - 9:10

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Linnea, glad you liked the post! Great to be able to collect posts even from other travel bloggers sometimes. We travel bloggers have a lot of travel info together!

Lennart, Iceland is special! And funny that you have also seen ONE match 😉.

Matts, I also usually prefer to spend my time on things other than football matches! But Iceland is worth a visit! 😉

Katarina, I like being able to collect info from different travel bloggers sometimes, there is so much information to find then!

Steve, haha, yes it's almost as if it could have been a point 6 😉 Yes I know Icelandic, although I'm getting a bit rusty and would probably need to practise 😉 .

Lisa, glad you like the post! And thanks for contributing to the post with a lot of good island info on your blog!

29 June 2016 - 9:37

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Ama de casa says:

Would love to go to Iceland again - have only been there for a long weekend in the mid-80s sometime. Then there was just nothing around the blue lagoon (although we swam there anyway) and if you wanted strong beer, strong alcohol was served as a hut next to the light beer to pour in. Guess it has changed a lot now 🙂

Yes, I've been to Reykjavik a couple of times involuntarily too. "Fly with Icelandair to/from the USA, and you'll see Reykjavik whether you like it or not because you'll miss your connecting flight" (That's how it used to be anyway 😉 ).

29 June 2016 - 9:41

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Geddfish says:

That was a really good and comprehensive post about the different and exciting country of Iceland. I have never been there, thus a dream.
My youngest daughter, on the other hand, has been there three times, visiting her husband who occasionally works there. And was thrilled.

Take care 😀

29 June 2016 - 9:44

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Katta - Bucketlife says:

Oh what fun to read! I am so damn hungry for Iceland (just like everyone else 🙂 ) and will go there within a year I hope, preferably on a really good photo trip!
How cool that you lived there, it must be very special.

29 June 2016 - 9:45

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Malena says:

What great tips!!! Today it will be Dimmuborgir on the driving schedule?

29 June 2016 - 10:04

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Tine/a world of backpacking says:

I really want to go to Iceland, especially because of the nature! Good tips 🙂

29 June 2016 - 10:25

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Rolle o Carina says:

We have started to like Iceland more and more, especially after their great match!
Hope they go far now in the European Championships in knattspyrna 🙂 .

Take care and enjoy......

29 June 2016 - 11:30

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Inga Magnusson says:

How nice to read about Iceland in your post! We have also become Iceland fans after football. The closest I've come to Iceland is that in 1972, as a future teacher, I was supposed to represent our union at an event there, but for various reasons it didn't happen. I had to make another trip instead. And then I have translated from German to English a description of Iceland from the point of view of angling. I recognise what you write about and the pictures, it looks absolutely magical. And to think you know Icelandic and understood what the commentator was shouting in the live programme. If I understood correctly, the Icelanders protect their language and refuse to use loan words but translate everything, which sometimes becomes a bit funny as you describe. They also protect their horse breed; they say that an Icelandic horse that has left Iceland cannot come back.

29 June 2016 - 11:40

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Resfredag says:

You are about the coolest person in the world who speaks Icelandic! 🙂

Great post - and thanks for the links!

29 June 2016 - 12:55

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Resedrömmen says:

Wonderful, beloved Iceland. I hope I will come back there one day. Good and interesting, what you wrote. However, I disagree with you about the Fish Market.

Read more about it here: http://www.resedrommen.se/wp/tag/fish-market-island/

29 June 2016 - 14:30

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Ama de casa, the blue lagoon has expanded considerably since the 80's I think 😉.

Geddfish, Iceland is an exciting country to visit! Funny that the daughter was so positive 🙂

Katta, Iceland really is a great country to explore with your camera!

Malena, but oh so appropriate! You are there now!!! 🙂

Tine, nature in Iceland is really worth discovering!

Rolle and Carina, we are also cheering for them in the skittles 😉.

No M, haha, just when the commentator roared it was not particularly easy to understand anything at all actually haha... But otherwise it usually goes well! Yes, they have been restrictive when it comes to loanwords. There are some anyway, especially in spoken language, but not much. And I've heard the same about the horses as you.

Travel Friday, haha, it's not bad to be the coolest in the world 😉.

Travelling dream, sorry you had a bad experience at the restaurant, but interesting that it can be so different. It seems that the tasting menu was much more affordable as well...?

29 June 2016 - 16:06

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BP says:

So if even you who are not interested in football first watch the match and then celebrate the team with this great post, you know that football engages, fraternises and unites. Even better - you start to like football. Imagine what the Icelanders have accomplished then:-)

PS. Sheep testicles are good. Ate them in Morocco. And rotten shark - well, we eat surströmming so... DS.

29 June 2016 - 17:11

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åsa i åsele says:

Iceland has fought well and suddenly we know that Icelanders play good football 🙂 My father who is zero interested in football has suddenly at the age of 84 years started to watch matches on TV now during the European Championship because Iceland is so damn good 🙂.

Iceland is a dream holiday destination, sometime before I die I will visit the country 🙂.

Thank you for a good and interesting blog post.

29 June 2016 - 19:15

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Ditte says:

How nice with Iceland! And Iceland is on our list, I have only previously stopped there on my way to the USA.
We saw the football match, of course, and it was so exciting. Glad that now three smaller countries have moved on.
Thanks for a great list of bloggers who have written about Iceland and their visits and good to have at hand when it is time to go.
(Now you can also fly to Iceland from Västerås and at a good price).

29 June 2016 - 19:40

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Shamrock says:

Iceland is one of my dream destinations - but not by motorhome but on horseback.

29 June 2016 - 20:25

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Comment by post author

admin says:

BP, well this time football managed to engage even me! I don't know how mutton stems are stored in Morocco, but in Iceland it's a strange delicacy. They are served in pressed light-coloured blocks hardened in lactic acid. I don't recall it as a delicacy... 😉.

Åsa in Åsele, what fun that your father also suddenly became interested in football! 🙂 And yes, I definitely think you should visit Iceland sometime if you get the opportunity!

Ditte, I really think you should visit Iceland! I think you will like that country 🙂 .

Shamrock, Iceland is well experienced from horseback! 🙂

29 June 2016 - 21:50

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Linda, 155cm.se says:

Thank you for a very well-written post!

29 June 2016 - 23:01

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isabelle says:

So Iceland is really a dream trip for me as a photographer. Think of the nature and the horses. AHHH!

29 June 2016 - 23:24

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Linda, thanks for the nice words! 🙂

Isabelle, I think Iceland must be an amazing destination for a photographer!

30 June 2016 - 5:42

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Åsa says:

It is said that the volcano will erupt again soon...

30 June 2016 - 10:36

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Lina/ AdrenaLina says:

What a wonderful post with both tips and links 🙂 Iceland might be a country I should keep an extra eye on in the future!

30 June 2016 - 17:32

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Paula says:

Hi, Iceland is a favourite destination where I haven't been....yet... I have a blogging friend who lives in Iceland, a Scanian in her early twenties who has been a sheep farmer in Iceland for over thirty years now, she is married to an Icelander. We have never met but have been socialising online for almost ten years, so meeting in beautiful Iceland would be a dream come true.

30 June 2016 - 19:15

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JoJo says:

Iceland seems to be a very nice place 🙂 .

oh thank you for liking my pictures 🙂 yes the weather was absolutely fantastic on midsummer!

30 June 2016 - 20:10

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Renates Reiser says:

Great post about an amazing country! I could go back to Iceland year after year, I think... I could actually live there. ;D Great that you speak Icelandic!

30 June 2016 - 21:51

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Comment by post author

admin says:

Åsa, yes, I've heard that it's coming...

Lina, absolutely! I highly recommend making a visit to Iceland!

Paula, but how fun that you have a blog friend there! Then it could be even more fun to go there and meet her and get some personal guidance 🙂.

Jojo, Iceland is really nice!

Renate, I would also love to go back to Iceland often! 🙂 The Icelandic language also helps me with the understanding of all Nordic languages 😉.

30 June 2016 - 22:22

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Marianne - Glimt av verden says:

Oh, beautiful Iceland! I've been to the Reykjavik area and along the south coast, but would love to go back to see more! How fun that you speak Icelandic!

03 July 2016 - 11:32

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Marias Memoarer says:

Lovely post, and link love is always appreciated! 🙂 I am also so fascinated by Iceland's success in football and deeply wished they had gone to the semi-finals. But thought they were fantastic anyway with their goals against France, that they gave everything until the end and the audience's good atmosphere even though they did not win the match - nice and honest football! <3

04 July 2016 - 21:52

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Iceland Fever - 5 reasons to love Iceland

Icelandic fever - since adolescence

1. Nature

2. Adventures

3. measuring

4. cultures

5. The language

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34 Comments

Lanclin-Linnea says:

Lennart says:

Matts Torebring says:

Katarina says:

Steve says:

VackraLillaVardag says:

Lisa & livet från den ljusa sidan says:

admin says:

Ama de casa says:

Geddfish says:

Katta - Bucketlife says:

Malena says:

Tine/a world of backpacking says:

Rolle o Carina says:

Inga Magnusson says:

Resfredag says:

Resedrömmen says:

admin says:

BP says:

åsa i åsele says:

Ditte says:

Shamrock says:

admin says:

Linda, 155cm.se says:

isabelle says:

admin says:

Åsa says:

Lina/ AdrenaLina says:

Paula says:

JoJo says:

Renates Reiser says:

admin says:

Marianne - Glimt av verden says:

Marias Memoarer says:

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