Iceland Travel Information

Many visitors now head for the West Fjords to experience the imposing countryside and meet the welcoming people. Hornstrandir is a popular area for outdoor enthusiasts who can walk for days on end in deserted countryside.

Although the mountains are steep, they are usually climbable, and once on top, it is possible to walk along extensive high plateaus. Access to most sites of interest is easy, including to Látrabjarg, the country’s westerly extremity, and the remarkable valley of Kaldalón.

The island of Flatey is a jewel, easy to visit aboard Baldur, a regular ferry across Breiðafjörður. Reykhólar has an interesting history and the surrounding countryside is charming. Visitors to Vatnsfjörður can tread in the footsteps of Raven-Flóki, who was one of the first humans to tread on Icelandic soil. The farmhouse at Hrafnseyri has been rebuilt and houses a chapel and a museum dedicated to the memory of Jón Sigurðsson.

There is also a museum in Örlygshöfn and a unique art collection in Selárdalur, where Samúel J’onsson (1884-1969) made works of art using concrete, gaining inspiration from other well known artists around the world. The witchcraft heritage is evident in some areas and an exhibition devoted to magic and sorcery has been set up in the Strandir area on the east coast. Demonstrations and re-enactments help to bring a sense of mystery, affecting all who visit the presentations. All of the farms to the north of Trékyllisvík and Kaldalón are now abandoned and popular footpaths cross this deserted, unspoilt area. Visitors can enjoy peace and solitude far from the modern world. Trekkers usually start from Norðurfjörður or sail from Ísafjörður over to Aðalvík. Another spectacular path crosses from Snæfjallaströnd over to Jökulfjörður. Pleasure craft sail regularly from Ísafjörður, visiting the nearby fjords and islands.

No one visits the West Fjords without being touched by the magnificent landscape and the friendly people. That’s magic!

Frequent and rapid changes in weather are common due to Iceland’s location close to the meeting point of contrasting weather systems and opposing sea currents. Several changes have occurred since the settlement, the centuries were warm, bur a long cold period followed lasting into the 20th century.

Average temperatures have gradually increased since 1920. Short periods of intensely cold weather with sea ice have occurred from time to time. The unstable climate has influenced the Icelandic language, which has rich choice of word, phrases and expressions that describe conditions. There is always plenty to talk about when the conversation turns to the weather. Polls indicate that Icelanders are quite satisfied with their country.

The population has grown rapidly, having almost tripled in the last 100 years to reach 290,000. All the same, this is one of Europe’s smallest populations whilst also being one of its most affluent. The nations wealth is built on the resources of the surrounding ocean and on the resourcefulness of the Icelandic people themselves.

North Iceland

North Iceland is a diverse region, geologically, culturally and socially. Mývatn probably comes to mind first when people look to experience the areas unique natural wonders. There are first-class tourist facilities around Mývatn as there are in nearby Húsavík, where visitors can pop into the Whale Museum or go on a whale-watching trip.

The Herring Era Museum in the town of Siglufjörður is specially designed so that visitors feel they are going back in time and that they are themselves taking part in the Icelandic herring adventure. Hólar and Hofsós, in Skagafjörður, attract a great number of tourists. They are seeped in the history of Iceland and are important parts of the nations rich heritage. A museum dedicated to the Vínland settlers and to more recent emigrants to North America has been opened at Hofsós, where a number of old buildings have been restored to their original style.

This development has been a great success and Hofsós is one of the most visited sites in North Iceland. There are so many sites of historical interest in the Skagafjörður district that visitors should allow plenty of time to explore the area and soak up the atmosphere of past centuries. Grettis Saga is based on events that took place in West Húnathing, including Miðfjörður and Drangey, in Skagafjörður. Most visitors to North Iceland, however, head for the regions main town, Akureyri, which has a distinctive charm of its own.

Akureyri can supply everything its visitors rewire, both in summer and in winter. It is but a short distance from the town to unspoilt and varied countryside. Some of the country’s most extensive skiing facilities can be found on the slopes of Hlíðarfjall. A large river delta has been designated as a nature reserve where Svarfaðardalur meets the northeast coast of Eyjafjörður.

There are a large number of lakes in North Iceland and some of the country’s most famous salmon rivers run through the region. One place not mentioned so far that everyone should visit at least once is the island of Grímsey. This northerly outpost is unbelievably lively despite its remoteness and tiny population. Visitors can also take the unique opportunity of crossing the Arctic Circle, which passes through the island.

Björk

Björk Guðmundsdóttir is without doubt the best known living Icelander. She is an international star who sells millions of discs all over the world. She was born on 21 November 1965 in Reykjavík, Björk herself says that she was regarded as being “different” from the age of 11. She has always been somewhat eccentric with her own style of dress that does not follow normal fashions. she started music school at 6 years of age, learning flute and piano while at the same time coming into contact with leading musicians. At home, the music of the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Frank Zappa and others filled the house and had a great influence on Björk. In July 1993, her Debut disc was rele
ased. It was immediately popular both in Iceland and abroad. That disc opened many doors for Björk and won countless awards. Her second release, Post, came out in 1995. It was no less varied and entertaining than her earlier release. Björk’s third disc was Homogenic, which appeared in 1997. It reflected her roots and its musical style showed distinct Icelandic influences. A long tour followed as she performed at over 40 concerts. Björk has released two discs since, Vespertine and Medulla, and her star continues to rise and shine brightly.

Myvatn Nature Baths

The residents of the Mývatn district have enjoyed bathing in hot pools for over 1,000 years. They live in a region where there are gullies filled with warm water, boiling springs and steam jets uncontaminated with sulphur of other pollutants. One of the early bishops blessed a steam vent early in the 13th century and it was used continuously until 1940. The same steam bath was restored to its original form in 1996 and is now preserved. It proved to be a popular health spa and meeting place and plans were drawn up to develop the site. Considerable financial investment led to the opening of the Mývatn Nature Baths in June 2004. The facilities are excellent. The environment in the Mývatn district plays no little part in the success of the project. Over 30,000 people visited the baths in the first three months after the opening and its future looks assured.