About Iceland
Planning a Trip to Iceland
The best time to visit Iceland is in the summer from beginning of May until end of September, when the average temperature is at it's highest.
Though, Iceland can still be a interesting place to visit during the winter. It's becoming more popular to visit Iceland to see the Northern lights (Aurora), which are best visible during the winter. Spending New Year's Eve in Reykjavík is also an experience you won't forget.
Though, Iceland can still be a interesting place to visit during the winter. It's becoming more popular to visit Iceland to see the Northern lights (Aurora), which are best visible during the winter. Spending New Year's Eve in Reykjavík is also an experience you won't forget.
Last edited Jan 30, 11 5:32 PM. Contributors: Contributors: Aron H.
Reykjavik, Iceland
great country
best period to visit is june-august, but even then it can be a bit chilly.
after arriving make sure to go to the "Blue Lagoon" ... great to relax after a couple of hours in the plain.
if you want to enjoy a more relaxing visit of the whole country, take 8 to 10 days, otherwise you will be driving to much compared to the walking you can do.
if you have the time, joine a whale-safari (in Vik or Husavik) there is a 90% chance to see whales. but don't go whens the sea is agitated :-)
superb nature, have a blast !!!
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Reykjavik, Iceland
A city like no other, even though not much to offer-but its contradictions....a place that everyone should visit at least once. Small town, easily visited in one day, nightlife inavoidable-watch for excessive drinking broken glass everywhere...Iceland is best to visit over summer, due to weather, but Reykjavik itself any time. Expect bad service in kafes and restaurants. Transportation is also very bad, since everyone has a car, buses don´t go everywhere. Very gay friendly.
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It costs a lot to travel on Iceland so it's good to know the supermarkets Krónan or Bónus. I don’t recommend driving during wintertime since the weather changes quickly and roads aren’t all good. I think the best way to travel in Iceland is by local-guides and that is also less expensive.
Last edited Jan 30, 11 5:26 PM. Contributors: Contributors: Aron H. Dagný Bryndís S.
Iceland
When you visit Iceland you should split your trip. Spend some days in Reykjavik to meet Icelandic people! After that you might rent a car and explore the wonderful rough nature of Iceland!
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(+3)
Reykjavik, Iceland
dont use the public toilet on the main street...
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(+2)
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland is a great place to visit for up to a week. Just don't stay in Reykjavik for the whole time... you will get bored. Rent a car and drive into the countryside fro a lot o variety.
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(+2)
Reykjavik, Iceland
dormir pas cher?? le camping pres du stade..
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Keflavik, Iceland
To see the northern lights, dont pay an expensive bus trip, take you car, sit near one of the hotels and follow the bus, the drivers know where the best spots to see them are, and you can drive on about 200 metres and get away from the crowd, noise light (and people thinking they can take a photo of the northern lights with a flash!)
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(+1)
Telephone
Direct calls can be made to all parts of Iceland. The country code from overseas is +354 + a seven-digit number. Direct long-distance calls can be made to Europe and the USA by dialling 00 plus the country code, the area code, if applicable, and the telephone number you wish to reach. If assistance is required, dial 114 for information and 115 to place a call. Coin and card operated public phones are found at post offices and telephone exchanges around the country. Phone charges vary when calling within Iceland depending on the time of day. Rates may also be higher at hotels than in public phones.
Mobile telephones
There are two mobile telephone systems in Iceland, GSM (operates in most communities) and NMT (operates both in towns and much of the countryside). Telephone companies sell pre-paid GSM phone cards, which visitors may find convenient to use with their own GSM phones. Pre-paid cards are available at petrol stations around the country. GSM phones may be rented at several locations.
Telefax
Fax service is available at most post offices aroundthe country. The fax code into Iceland is +354 + a seven-digit number.
Telegrams
Telegrams may be sent from private or public telephones by dialling 146.
Direct calls can be made to all parts of Iceland. The country code from overseas is +354 + a seven-digit number. Direct long-distance calls can be made to Europe and the USA by dialling 00 plus the country code, the area code, if applicable, and the telephone number you wish to reach. If assistance is required, dial 114 for information and 115 to place a call. Coin and card operated public phones are found at post offices and telephone exchanges around the country. Phone charges vary when calling within Iceland depending on the time of day. Rates may also be higher at hotels than in public phones.
Mobile telephones
There are two mobile telephone systems in Iceland, GSM (operates in most communities) and NMT (operates both in towns and much of the countryside). Telephone companies sell pre-paid GSM phone cards, which visitors may find convenient to use with their own GSM phones. Pre-paid cards are available at petrol stations around the country. GSM phones may be rented at several locations.
Telefax
Fax service is available at most post offices aroundthe country. The fax code into Iceland is +354 + a seven-digit number.
Telegrams
Telegrams may be sent from private or public telephones by dialling 146.
Last edited Jan 30, 11 5:37 PM. Contributors: Contributors: Aron H.
Akureyri, Iceland
Where to sleep in Akureyri ?
The best place is definitely the IYH. Not to far from the centre, to the bus stop and the Bonus (supermaket), this place is quite big but cosy, really clean (better than some hotels...), with nice kitchens, living-rooms and even Internet access for free ! and it is not expensive comparing to other places in Iceland.
Enjoy your stay... or just your stop as there is not that much to do or see in Akueyri :)
The best place is definitely the IYH. Not to far from the centre, to the bus stop and the Bonus (supermaket), this place is quite big but cosy, really clean (better than some hotels...), with nice kitchens, living-rooms and even Internet access for free ! and it is not expensive comparing to other places in Iceland.
Enjoy your stay... or just your stop as there is not that much to do or see in Akueyri :)
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Reykjavik, Iceland
Hotel Reykjavik :
L'hotel Lind de la chaine FossHotel n'est pas trés cher (16000 couronnes en semaine pour une chambre double) et les chambres sont sympas. A deux pas de la principale rue commerçante et du bord de mer. Il offre un acces internet et un parking.
Une bonne étape si votre budget le permet.
L'hotel Lind de la chaine FossHotel n'est pas trés cher (16000 couronnes en semaine pour une chambre double) et les chambres sont sympas. A deux pas de la principale rue commerçante et du bord de mer. Il offre un acces internet et un parking.
Une bonne étape si votre budget le permet.
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Public holidays
Businesses, banks and most stores are closed on these holidays:
Jan 1 - New Year's Day
April-March - Maundy Thursday
April-March - Good Friday
April-March - Easter Sunday
April-March - Easter Monday
April - First Day of Summer
May 1 - Labour Day
May - Ascension Day
May - White Sunday
May - White Monday
June 17 - National Day
Aug (first weekend) - Bank Holiday Monday
Dec 24 - Christmas Eve (from noon)
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 26 - Boxing Day
Dec 31 - New Year's Eve (from noon)
Business Hours
Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00, varying from one shop to another. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Many shops are closed on Saturdays during the summer - June, July and August. Shops outside Reykjavík in service centres or filling stations are often open all day (09:00-22:00/23:00/23:30) every day of the week. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00. Office hours are generally 09:00-17:00 but some offices change to 08:00-16:00 during the summer.
Businesses, banks and most stores are closed on these holidays:
Jan 1 - New Year's Day
April-March - Maundy Thursday
April-March - Good Friday
April-March - Easter Sunday
April-March - Easter Monday
April - First Day of Summer
May 1 - Labour Day
May - Ascension Day
May - White Sunday
May - White Monday
June 17 - National Day
Aug (first weekend) - Bank Holiday Monday
Dec 24 - Christmas Eve (from noon)
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 26 - Boxing Day
Dec 31 - New Year's Eve (from noon)
Business Hours
Shopping hours are Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat from 10:00 to 13:00/14:00/15:00 or 16:00, varying from one shop to another. Some supermarkets are open to 23:00 seven days a week. Many shops are closed on Saturdays during the summer - June, July and August. Shops outside Reykjavík in service centres or filling stations are often open all day (09:00-22:00/23:00/23:30) every day of the week. Banking hours are Mon-Fri 09:15-16:00. Office hours are generally 09:00-17:00 but some offices change to 08:00-16:00 during the summer.
Last edited Jan 30, 11 6:18 PM. Contributors: Contributors: Aron H.
News in English
A short news broadcast in English is made on State Radio, FM 93.5 and FM 92.4, every morning during the summer months, June, July and August, Mon-Fri at 07:31. One can listen to the broadcast by telephone:
+354-515-3690.
A short news broadcast in English is made on State Radio, FM 93.5 and FM 92.4, every morning during the summer months, June, July and August, Mon-Fri at 07:31. One can listen to the broadcast by telephone:
+354-515-3690.
Last edited Jan 30, 11 5:56 PM. Contributors: Contributors: Aron H.
Passports
A valid passport is necessary for visitors to Iceland, except for citizens of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Citizens of the following countries may enter Iceland using, instead of passports, national identity-cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Visas
Visitors from many countries are exempted from tourist visa requirements. See www.iceland.is/travel-and-leisure/PassportsVisas/ for further information contact a local Icelandic Embassy, local Consulate, www.iceland.is/diplomatic-relations/ or the Directorate of Immigration, www.utl.is/english" (E-mail: utl@utl.is).
A valid passport is necessary for visitors to Iceland, except for citizens of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Citizens of the following countries may enter Iceland using, instead of passports, national identity-cards issued by the competent authorities in their countries of origin: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Visas
Visitors from many countries are exempted from tourist visa requirements. See www.iceland.is/travel-and-leisure/PassportsVisas/ for further information contact a local Icelandic Embassy, local Consulate, www.iceland.is/diplomatic-relations/ or the Directorate of Immigration, www.utl.is/english" (E-mail: utl@utl.is).
Last edited Jan 30, 11 5:35 PM. Contributors: Contributors: Aron H.
The electric current in Iceland is 220 volts, 50 HZ AC. Most electrical outlets are DIN (the German industrial standard - two round pins), but many hotels also offer other variations.
Last edited Jan 30, 11 5:57 PM. Contributors: Contributors: Aron H.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are called "Apótek" and are open during normal business hours. Some are open for extended hours.
Medical help
There are Health Centres or general practitioners in all towns around the country. Doctors will make house calls. In case of serious illness or accidents in Reykjavik, patients should turn to the Emergency Ward at Landspítali University Hospital in Fossvogur (district), tel.: +354-525-1000, which is open around the clock.
Medical insurance
Citizens of Scandinavia have to show valid medical insurance and a passport in case of medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the E-111 form, otherwise the patient will be charged in full. Citizens of other countries are charged in full. For further information contact the State Social Security Institute www.tr.is/english, tel.: +354-560-4400, fax: +354-562-4302. Office hours: 08:05-15:00.
Vaccinations
For visitors arriving in Iceland, no vaccinations are required.
Pharmacies are called "Apótek" and are open during normal business hours. Some are open for extended hours.
Medical help
There are Health Centres or general practitioners in all towns around the country. Doctors will make house calls. In case of serious illness or accidents in Reykjavik, patients should turn to the Emergency Ward at Landspítali University Hospital in Fossvogur (district), tel.: +354-525-1000, which is open around the clock.
Medical insurance
Citizens of Scandinavia have to show valid medical insurance and a passport in case of medical emergency. Citizens of EEA countries must have the E-111 form, otherwise the patient will be charged in full. Citizens of other countries are charged in full. For further information contact the State Social Security Institute www.tr.is/english, tel.: +354-560-4400, fax: +354-562-4302. Office hours: 08:05-15:00.
Vaccinations
For visitors arriving in Iceland, no vaccinations are required.
Last edited Jan 30, 11 5:47 PM. Contributors: Contributors: Aron H.
Reykjavik, Iceland
dont use the public toilet on the main street...
Good tip?
(+2)
Keflavik, Iceland
To see the northern lights, dont pay an expensive bus trip, take you car, sit near one of the hotels and follow the bus, the drivers know where the best spots to see them are, and you can drive on about 200 metres and get away from the crowd, noise light (and people thinking they can take a photo of the northern lights with a flash!)
Good tip?
(+1)
Keflavik, Iceland
Take an SLR camera with a strong tripod and a 18-55 lense for the best photos of the Northern lights.
The lights a very hard to capture on camera, take lots of shots at different exposures (at maximum appeture) at for best results
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(+1)
Thingvellir, Iceland
There are several clearly marked paths which will give you great views of the area where the Eurasian plate and North American plates have shifted and created chasms and walls of rock. Some great photo opportunities.
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Akureyri, Iceland
Don t forget to visit the VIKING-STORE on the main street in Akureyri : If the GIANT TROLLS are still there you will have a veeery nice souvenir photo with this couple:), of course the huge selection of souvenirs in the store are very attractiv and no matter what nationality you are you always get TAX-REFUND when you spend more than 4.000. IS-Krons=ca.25 Euros=33 USD.It is worth of it!!!
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