Why Iceland Is One of the World’s Most Unique Countries
You’d be forgiven for thinking Iceland was dreamed up in a fantasy novel, or a spin-off of the Lord of the Rings books, and then forgotten about by geography teachers.
It’s remote. It’s strange. And it’s glorious. At least, that’s how I feel!
From elves and exploding volcanoes to hot dogs and heated pavements, Iceland is what happens when nature goes off-script and the locals just sort of roll with it.
This travel guide is the one you pull out when someone says, “Wait, that can’t possibly be true.” And, if I happen to help any of you out in a future pub quiz, please take your happiness with a hotel review.
So whether you’re in the planning phase of your Flúdir adventure or already soaking in one of hot tubs having a scroll, enjoy these 31 fun facts about Iceland that sound absolutely made up, but very much aren’t. And, I when you’re struggling for dinner time chat, I warmly say you’re welcome!
Nature & Landscapes That Will Blow Your Mind
Iceland hosts the kind of landscapes that makes your camera roll look pop more than a movie storyboard (probably why there are so many films shot here come to think of it). Iceland’s natural wonders come with a wild side, shaped by fire, ice, and a complete disregard for what’s considered “normal” anywhere else. From tectonic theatrics to geothermal oddities, this is a country where the Earth constantly reminds you it’s still under construction, and judging by the sporadic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula, that looks like it will indeed continue.
1. Iceland Has More Than 130 Volcanoes
It’s not a question of if Iceland will erupt, it’s when. And, by Iceland I mean all of our range of untamed active volcanoes that dot around practically every region (except the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes).
The island is one giant volcanic hotspot, and new lava is always bubbling below.
In fact, parts of the landscape near The Hill Hotel look more like the Moon than Earth, I’m sure you’ll agree (particularly when under the Northern Lights).
Bring marshmallows. Or don’t.
2. You Can Actually Walk Between Continents
At Þingvellir National Park, the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling apart.
This means you can literally stand with one foot in Europe and the other in North America.
Or just awkwardly hop between the two while your mate films it for TikTok.
Ok, spoiler, hopping directly between the two is a bit much given it’s visibly several metres wide and continues to stretch each year.
3. There Are No Forests in Most of the Country
Forests? Iceland doesn’t really do those, or trees on a grand scale due to the antics and lack of forestation controls of the early settlers.
Thanks to past volcanic activity and sheep with an appetite for deforestation, trees are rare (and Vikings, which I can write now they no longer contain a pillaging threat).
If you ever get lost in an Icelandic forest, just stand up.
However, if you have a craving for trees all of a sudden on a jaunt over, you’ll need to head way East to Hallormsstaðaskógur to see Iceland’s only forest (yes, I can confirm, this is not the best country for Winnie the Pooh!)
4. The Ground Is So Hot You Can Bake Bread in It
In the village of Hveragerði, a short drive from The Hill Hotel, locals regularly bury dough underground to cook it.
No oven required. Just some geothermal heat and a lot of patience.
Honestly, it tastes better than it sounds.
You can do this in other regions such as the Westman Islands (Gordon Ramsay had his bread stolen here), and even nearer to our hotel by Fontana Spa (as Zack Efron also got to partake in).
5. Iceland Is Growing Each Year (Thanks to Tectonics)
Because the tectonic plates are drifting apart, the country is literally expanding.
By about 2.5cm a year (that’s also art of why a Home Simpson style ‘jumping across the tectonic plates’ becomes even more difficult every year).
Which means Iceland is bigger every time you visit.
It’s a shame that isn’t also happening to my apartment!
Weather That Doesn’t Play by the Rules
The weather in Iceland is a fickle beast. It is not unusual to wake up to sunshine, step out to clouds, drift to your car in torrential rain, and get to the office in a couple of inches of snow. It’s so impactful to Icelandic day to day life, that basically all plans are agreed to be under the famous local clause of “it depends on the weather”.
6. You Can Experience All Four Seasons in a Day
Sunshine, rain, snow and a gale-force wind before lunch? Completely normal.
Locals joke that if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes (often the same rule I link to what I should say to my significant other).
Also pack waterproofs. And a sense of humour. You will need both, and probably at the same time.
7. The Midnight Sun Means the Sun Barely Sets
In summer, the sun kind of forgets to go to bed.
From late May to early August, Iceland enjoys almost 24 hours of daylight.
Perfect for evening hot spring dips (ahem, we have a discount on the famous Secret Lagoon around the corner) or spontaneous midnight hikes near Flúdir.
8. Icelanders Embrace Wind Instead of Fighting It
The wind in Iceland isn’t a breeze. It’s an identity.
Locals don’t hunker down, they lean into it….unless it’s a weather warning, then they most certainly follow the safety advice as the wind is no joke when there’s no landmass between Iceland and Antarctica directly south.
However, some treat it as a challenge to see how far they want to get in the next years Darwin Awards.
9. Some Places Never Get Truly Dark in Summer
The darkness never fully arrives during high summer.
Even at 2am, it might look like golden hour, and give you prime time at the best stops with no people offering the ability to snap the same shots you see in postcards for real (as a local insomniac with a Nikon D850, I know this well).
It messes with your sleep but is perfect for those prone to FOMO.
10. The Northern Lights Are Not a Guarantee
Sorry to break it to you, but the aurora borealis doesn’t run on a schedule.
They’re elusive, unpredictable, and completely dependent on solar activity.
Luckily, the peaceful night skies at The Hill Hotel offer one of the best chances to catch them, and with our staff offering a Northern Lights wakeup service you’ll be sure not to miss them if the skies intend to play ball.
Icelanders Are Delightfully Different
In a country where the landscape already makes you feel like you’ve left Earth, the people somehow manage to be even more memorable. Icelanders don’t just live in this wild environment, they thrive in it, with customs and attitudes that are as refreshingly unexpected as a sunny day in March. It’s a place where friendliness isn’t forced, quirks are worn with pride, and no one blinks twice if you strike up a chat about trolls at the bus stop (though elves would be more preferable).
11. There Are No Surnames Like “Smith” or “Jones”
Iceland doesn’t do family surnames.
Instead, children take their father or mother’s first name and add ‘son’ or ‘dóttir.’ ‘Son’ for sons and ‘dóttir’ for girls, just to clarify.
So you could meet someone called Björn Einarsson or Anna Maríudóttir. And yes, it makes Facebook stalking a little more difficult, but I still find a way to make it work.
12. Everyone Is on a First Name Basis, Even with the President
Formality? Not really a thing here. Having come from a country where I wore a shirt and tie every day for work, I don’t remember the last time I didn’t wear a t-shirt and jeans.
Even the Prime Minister goes by first name only.
You can call your waiter, your doctor, or even the President by their first name and no one will bat an eyelid.
13. There’s an App to Make Sure You’re Not Dating Your Cousin
With a small population, it’s easy to accidentally match with your third cousin.
Enter ÍslendingaApp, the app that helps Icelanders avoid awkward family reunions, and mistakes on nights out in downtown Reykjavík.
It’s a little odd and unconventional, I won’t lie. But, with this tiny population, the way to avoid too many web toes and Michael Phelps level swimmers is to be more safe than sorry.
It has a built-in ‘bump’ feature. Yes, really.
14. A Large Portion Icelanders Believe in Elves
Not everyone admits it, but a surprising number of Icelanders believe in Huldufólk (hidden people).
Whole roads have been rerouted to avoid disturbing supposed elf habitats, even since I moved here in 2019.
Even in Flúdir, you might just feel like you’re being watched. By a rock that is clearly a petrified troll.
15. Babies Nap Outside in Freezing Temperatures
This is completely normal, much to the horror of my brothers Vietnamese wife.
Parents leave prams outside cafes and homes while their babies snooze in the cold.
It’s supposed to help build immunity. And somehow, it works. Just make sure there isn’t a crazy storm outside and you bundle your kid up well.
Food, Drink & Things That Might Surprise You
You’d expect stunning views and unique traditions in Iceland, but no one warns you about the culinary curveballs. The island’s diet is shaped by centuries of isolation, preservation techniques, and a good dose of culinary bravery. From fishy experiments to surprisingly gourmet tap water straight from the glacier (almost), Icelandic food culture is full of surprises that leave you equal parts confused and delighted.
16. Icelanders Eat Fermented Shark as a Delicacy
Called hákarl, this dish is essentially rotten shark.
It smells like ammonia and tastes… well, like something you probably shouldn’t eat.
But try it once. And chase it with a shot of Brennivín (aka Black Death). There’s nothing quite like a bit of rotten shark for breakfast to put some hair on your chest (not ideal for ladies…joking!)
17. You’ll Find Liquorice in the Strangest Places
Icelanders love their liquorice.
In chocolate, in ice cream, and even in salty sauces.
Icelanders simply pride themselves on it, alongside a delusion that they have the ‘best chocolate in the world’ from some.
If you stop by a Hagkaup store and make your way to the ‘Nammi’ (candy section) you’ll see all the kids filling their pick’n’mix bags with all kinds of liquorice I for one can’t stomach.
At The Hill Hotel restaurant, we promise to warn you if anything contains surprise liquorice (if you’re nice).
18. Beer Was Illegal in Iceland Until 1989
That’s not a typo.
Strong beer was banned in Iceland until March 1st, 1989.
Now there’s a whole national holiday to celebrate it – classically called ‘Beer day’ in English (I know, inventive).
19. Hot Dogs Are Basically the National Dish
Forget lamb or seafood. Iceland runs on hot dogs.
Try one with “everything” from a roadside stand or service station.
The secret is crispy onions and a mysterious brown sauce.
If you’ve heard about ‘the one Bill Clinton tried‘, it was downtown, it’s in downtown Reykjavík. But, I am not sure why that is such an event!
20. You Can Drink Tap Water Straight from Glaciers
Icelandic tap water is some of the purest in the world.
It comes from underground springs and glaciers, completely untreated.
So yes, you can drink straight from the tap at The Hill Hotel, and basically anywhere in Iceland, and it’s clean and awesome! It’s the little things I guess, so don’t waste any money on bottled water. Instead, save your energy to make fun of those who did buy a bottle of water.
Culture, Traditions & Totally Random Facts
Beyond lava fields and dancing skies, Iceland has a rich cultural underbelly that’s as curious as it is captivating. With Viking wrestling, troll-infested Christmas stories, and mayors in cosplay, tradition here doesn’t mean stale ceremonies. It means stories, legends, and the occasional political joke that goes a bit too far (if you can follow it). If you’re after the usual, you’re in the wrong place. But if you enjoy your history with a dash of “wait, what?”, Iceland delivers way more than its’s due per capita (the phrase you will hear after every other sentence).
21. There Are More Sheep Than People
Roughly 800,000 sheep vs 400,000 people. But, I know what you’re thinking, and yes if push came to shove I still think we can take them in a fight.
You’ll see them on hills, roads, and occasionally waiting for you to drive by only to run out in the road in three’s in front of you.
They’re not bothered by tourists. They own the place.
22. The National Sport Is Glíma, A Kind of Viking Wrestling
It’s traditional. It’s ancient. And it involves gripping your opponent’s belt and trying to trip them over.
Picture judo, but make it Nordic.
I must admit I’ve never given this a try myself, but I have played football against some of these guys and it wasn’t a friendly game.
23. Christmas Has 13 Troll-Like Santa Clauses
They’re called the Yule Lads.
Each has a weird name and a specific quirk, like Spoon-Licker or Door-Slammer.
And yes, they visit children one by one in the 13 days before Christmas, leaving a present each night in the childs shoe left on the window sill (I call it ‘stubbing my toe for 13 nights in a row‘).
24. The Country Has No Army (and Barely a Police Force)
Iceland has no standing army.
The police are usually unarmed, unless Instagram followers is a form of Gen Alpha armament.
And yet it ranks as one of the safest countries on the planet.
25. You Might Spot a Mayor in a Darth Vader Costume
Jón Gnarr, former mayor of Reykjavík, once dressed as Darth Vader for a Pride parade.
He also banned boring political speeches and founded a party as a joke, so a bit of a legend really.
Democracy is alive and well here.
Modern Iceland Is Equally Bizarre
You’d think a country with lava fields, trolls and fermented shark might settle down in the present day, but no. Modern Iceland keeps the eccentricity alive in new and brilliant ways. From high-tech sustainability to cultural quirks you won’t find anywhere else, the country continues to prove that being different isn’t a phase, it’s a lifestyle. So let me introduce to the modern world, Iceland-style.
26. There’s Free Wi-Fi Almost Everywhere (Even in the Middle of Nowhere)
Want to post a selfie from a lava field?
No problem.
Even remote cafes and countryside hotels like ours have excellent Wi-Fi.
Now, I’m not challenging you (directly) to disprove me, but given Iceland is also a global leader in web hosting and cryptocurrency mining due to the low energy costs and natural cooling, the wifi here is pretty formidable.
27. Iceland Uses More Renewable Energy Than Almost Any Country
Nearly 100 percent of Iceland’s energy comes from geothermal and hydro.
Geothermal energy heats our water and many of our roads, the hydropower covers over 70% of our electricity needs.
The Earth powers the country. And also bakes our bread.
So, when you’re out buying an expensive beer, remember the only thing I brag about back home is the cheap cost of clean clean energy.
28. There Are Heated Pavements in Reykjavík
Yes, really.
Hot water from the ground is used to keep city pavements ice-free (not all, but many, and they’re easy to spot in winter).
This makes snow days (not a thing here for kids unless there is a pretty major storm) less fun, but much less slippery.
29. The Population Is Around 400,000, and Growing Slowly
It’s one of the smallest populations in Europe. Iceland in total, roughly has the same population as Leicester in the United Kingdom.
But don’t let that fool you, the country is full of personality.
And sheep.
Perhaps over the next 100 years we will finally catch up to our sheep brethren in numbers, but it is not this day!
30. The Icelandic Language Has Barely Changed in 1,000 Years
Old Norse is still very much alive in modern Icelandic.
Locals can read ancient sagas with ease.
Which is a bit like us reading Beowulf on a bus.
After all, the Icelandic language has long been with minimal foreign influence due to the low migration movements until more recent and affluent times, which made it a language almost uniquely stalled in time.
I’m from the UK, and the thought of understanding fluent Shakespearean makes my head hurt.
31. There’s a Museum Dedicated Entirely to… Penises
Yes. The Icelandic Phallological Museum.
It contains over 280 specimens from all kinds of animals, including the mighty Blue Whale.
It’s weird. It’s oddly scientific. It’s very, very Icelandic. And, where else in the world can you get yourself a cheeky cock-a-ccino?
Ready to Discover Iceland for Yourself?
There you have it.
A country where elves live in rocks, the sky dances in colours in winter, the ground cooks your bread, and everyone knows each other’s cousin.
Welcome to Iceland.
If you’re curious to explore the stranger side of life, The Hill Hotel in Flúdir is your ideal base.
From here you can chase waterfalls, soak in nearby hot springs, visit active volcanic zones and still be back in time for a hot dog and a pint of a local craft lager.
Need ideas? Our friendly hosts are full of tips, and would be more than happy tell you even more absurdities of Iceland into number 32 and beyond.
Iceland might be one of the quirkiest places you’ll ever visit.
But once you’ve been, you’ll never want to leave.