According to thembaprograms, Iceland (Icelandic: Island, English: Iceland) is an island in Europe located between Norway, the United Kingdom and Greenland. Iceland has been independent from Denmark since 1944. The capital of Iceland is Reykjavik. A number of major cities in Iceland are: Selfoss, Akureyri, Keflavík and Kópavogur.
Iceland is the northernmost point of Europe. The country is best known for its beautiful nature in all seasons. You can find glaciers, snow, waterfalls, ice lakes, volcanoes and geysers in Iceland. Iceland is home to many different bird and fish species, of which the puffin is by far the best known. There are 140 volcanoes in Iceland, of which 30 are still active. You can do many activities in Iceland such as glacier walks, whale safaris, skiing, rafting, ice fishing and ice climbing. Most tourists visit at least the Golden Circle during their visit to Iceland. This is a route along the 3 biggest sights of Iceland: The national park Þingvellir, the 32 meter high waterfall Gullfoss and the geyser Geysir. The country is also known for its many coffee houses and Viking culture, but also because of the high prices of food, among other things. Iceland is one of the few places where you can spot the Northern Lights.
Where is Iceland?
Travel information of Iceland
Official name: Iceland
Continent: Europe
Area: 103,000 km²
Capital city: Reykjavik
Country code: IS, ISL
Population: 368,792 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 2,110 m (Hvannadalshnúkur)
Distance (Amsterdam – Reykjavik): 2,026 km
Flight time: approx. 3 hour
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply in Iceland that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs in Iceland, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Iceland. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, hiking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Iceland?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, guided tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Iceland at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
Iceland has a mild climate. In the winter months, temperatures are around 0 to -10 degrees. In the summer months the temperatures are around 10 to 15 degrees. Due to Iceland’s northern location, the days are very long in summer and very short in winter.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Iceland can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Iceland can be found at Climate info.
Best time to travel
May and September are the best months to travel to Iceland. This way you avoid the coldest months and mass tourism. January, February, March, April and December are the best months for a snow or winter sports holiday to Iceland. The best time to see the Northern Lights is between October and March.
Language
Icelandic is the official language in Iceland. In addition, a lot of English and Danish are spoken.
Would you like to translate from or into Icelandic for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a valid identity card or passport.
A visa is not necessary.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Norway (also for Iceland):
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Iceland see netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Iceland in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
Consulates of Iceland in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
You do not need any vaccinations to visit Iceland.
Money and Currency
In Iceland, people pay with the Icelandic Krona (ISK).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Iceland can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Iceland are much higher than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is +62% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (55% more expensive), food (99% more expensive), imported beer in catering (143% more expensive), cigarettes (75% more expensive) and public transport (24% more expensive). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Iceland it is not customary to tip. Generally a service charge is already added to the bill.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 2 hours earlier in Iceland.
During our winter time it is 1 hour earlier in Iceland.
Iceland has no difference between winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Iceland can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Iceland you must drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Iceland.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Iceland.
Electricity
In Iceland the same plugs and sockets are used as in the Netherlands.
More information about electricity in Iceland can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 112
– Fire: 112
– Ambulance: 112
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Iceland can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Iceland can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Iceland end in.is.
Iceland’s official websites: iceland.is and inspiredbyiceland.com.
Telephony
The country code (international prefix) to call someone in Iceland is 00354 or +354.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Iceland? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Phone numbers can be found in the Iceland Telephone Directory.
Company details can be found in Iceland’s Yellow Pages.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Iceland
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos of Iceland
Holidays and school holidays
Iceland’s national holiday falls on June 17 (Independence Day).
An overview of all other holidays in Iceland can be found on Beleven.org.
You will find an overview of all school holidays in Iceland in the Eurydice school guide.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Iceland, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Iceland?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Iceland. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Iceland can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Iceland can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Iceland? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. In addition, on this website you will find the laws and regulations regarding the importation of pets and a list of everything that may not be imported and/or exported from Iceland.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with Iceland, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Iceland, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Iceland.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 20.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.5.
– Tobacco: Buy from the age of 18, smoking at all ages.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…Iceland is known for its many geysers?
…It is possible to see the northern lights in Iceland during the winter months?
…Iceland has one of the highest life expectancies in the world?
…About 11% of Iceland consists of ice?
…40% of the country’s income comes from fishing?
…Prostitution and strip clubs have been banned in Iceland since 2009/2010?