Why is Iceland unique?

Iceland is a land of contrasts. Light and darkness, fire and ice, raw nature and warm geothermal waters exist side by side. Here, the weather, light and landscape can change several times in a single day.

That is why no two days in Iceland are ever quite the same.

Natural Heating

Most homes in Iceland are heated using geothermal energy. Hot water from deep underground is used to heat houses and buildings, making natural energy part of everyday life.

Heat Beneath Our Feet

Geothermal energy is also used to heat certain pavements, streets and parking areas, helping to reduce the build-up of snow and ice during the colder months.

Energy from Nature

Almost all of Iceland’s electricity is generated from renewable sources, primarily hydropower and geothermal energy.

Riches of the Atlantic

Fishing has been one of the foundations of Icelandic life and economy for centuries. The cold waters of the North Atlantic are rich in fish, with cod holding a special place in Iceland’s fishing tradition.

From Icelandic Farms

Icelandic sheep graze freely outdoors for much of the year. Local lamb, beef and other products from Icelandic farms are an important part of the country’s cuisine and traditions.

A Long Life in Iceland

Iceland ranks among the countries with high life expectancy. Quality healthcare, a high standard of living, a clean environment and an active lifestyle are all part of everyday life in Iceland.

Iceland is not just seen. Iceland is experienced.

Some things simply cannot be captured in a photograph.

The wind from the Atlantic. The silence of vast open spaces. Summer light that barely fades. A winter sky that suddenly comes alive with the colours of the Northern Lights.

In Iceland, not every moment goes according to plan. The weather changes, the road reveals something unexpected, and what was meant to be just a brief stop sometimes becomes the most memorable part of the journey.

Because in Iceland, it is often what happens between two points on the map that stays with you the longest.

Iceland You May Not Know

Reykjavík 1986

In 1986, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met in Reykjavík. The summit became one of the key moments on the path towards reducing nuclear weapons and bringing the Cold War to an end.

Match of the Century

In 1972, Reykjavík hosted the legendary chess match between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky — the “Match of the Century”. Fischer later became an Icelandic citizen and spent the final years of his life in Iceland.

A Light for Peace

On Viðey Island stands the Imagine Peace Tower — Yoko Ono’s memorial to John Lennon. Each year, a powerful beam of light rises into the Icelandic sky as a message of peace.

Iceland and the European Union

Iceland is not a member of the European Union, but it is part of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area. Fisheries and control over marine resources remain important issues in Iceland’s debate over possible EU membership.

Iceland is hard to explain. It has to be experienced.

We can tell you about volcanoes, glaciers, endless landscapes, the people and the history of this country.

But there comes a moment when words are no longer enough.

Iceland has to be felt — the wind from the Atlantic, the silence between the mountains, the power of its waterfalls, the scent of geothermal earth and the light that is never quite ordinary here.

We will help you discover it.

Local Guide • Small Groups • Unforgettable Experience

Experience Iceland the way locals know it.