Author: Áslaug Torfadóttir
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The Unique History of Beer in Iceland
Icelanders love a drink. Being of Viking descent, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. There are numerous mentions of ale drinking in the old sagas, even as the cold climate made it hard for early Icelanders to grow barley locally. Here’s a quick overview of the unique history of beer in Iceland.
Like many countries, Iceland went through a period of prohibition. In 1915, a majority of 60% voted for a total ban on wine, beer, and spirits. The ban on wine was lifted in 1922 and on spirits in 1935, but for some reason beer was banned in Iceland until 1989! Even today, alcohol sales in Iceland are highly regulated and government run liquor stores, known as Vínbúðin, are the only places to buy alcohol in Iceland.
- Enjoy a brew or two on a multi-day tour from Reykjavík.
The somewhat shaky logic behind the beer ban was that access to beer would tempt young people and workers into heavy drinking. The ban’s opponents argued that only allowing people hard liquor instead would do just that. But beer-thirsty Icelanders didn’t let prohibition stop them from enjoying beer, or at least the closest thing they could get to it.
Taste the Saga is an evening of drinks and an exploration of the history of beer in Iceland at Reykjavík’s Ölgerðin brewery. There you’ll get to taste the infamous ‘beer substitute’ created by Icelanders who were determined to get their pint of beer in spite of the beer ban.
The beer substitute shows the ingenious and rebellious spirits of the Icelanders, who have never really been fond of letting other people tell them what they can and can’t do.
So simple in its execution that it would be brilliant if it wasn’t so disgusting, beer substitute is made by taking a low alcohol beer (beers up to 2.2% strength were allowed in Iceland) and putting a shot of the Icelandic schnapps brennivín into it. That did the job but did nothing for those with a passion for good beer.
After the ban was lifted in 1989, Iceland’s drinking culture changed a lot, and for the better. Turning away from spirits and to beer cut back on binge drinking and allowed for local breweries to begin to develop their own beers.
In recent years, the rise of microbreweries and craft beers has led to a newfound passion for beer among Icelanders. Craft pubs are now on every corner, and instead of just going up to the bar and ordering ‘one beer please’ you are now asked what kind of beer you want! For a country that has only been drinking beer for 30 years, that is a huge change.
Many microbreweries host tours that allow visitors to see how the brewing process works and how the unique Icelandic craft beers are made.
One of those breweries is Ægisgarður. In addition to seeing how the beer is made and learning about the history of beer in Iceland, their brewers will teach you all about how to taste beer and let you taste some of their secret recipes. Perfect for beer connoisseurs that want to be able to identify the difference between hops and tell the subtle notes of spices and herbs in the brew.
Icelandic brewers take inspiration from Icelandic nature, using a lot of herbs found in the mountains and even blueberries to give their beers that fresh Icelandic taste.
Beer is such a great conversation starter so if you want to get to know the locals, we recommend finding your nearest pub and chatting to the patrons. And if you’ve been on a brewery tour you can impress them with you knowledge of Icelandic beer and its history.
13 Icelandic Traditions, Customs & Habits That You Might Find Strange
The modern Icelander is a stylish, tech-savvy, and well-informed human. However, the ties to old traditions and superstitions are strong.
There are a number of things that seem normal in Iceland that might look strange to an outsider. So to prepare you for your Iceland trip we’ve collected a list of Icelandic customs and habits.
- Soak up Icelandic culture and tradition on a multi-day tour by bus.
1. Þorrablót – The festival of ram testicles, shark & hard liquor
In spite of being a rather casual society, there are a lot of rigidly upheld traditions in Iceland, especially when it comes to food. The most prominent one of these is the Þorrablót (Thorrablót). The old Norse month of Þorri is celebrated throughout Iceland in January and February.
This a time when families, or even whole counties, get together and eat traditionally prepared food like boiled sheep’s head, pickled ram’s testicles, and fermented shark.
Luckily, preservation methods in Iceland have improved and we no longer need to pickle or ferment our food in order for it to keep. Nonetheless, Þorrablót is a lovely way to see friends and family and pay tribute to the old ways and our ancestors.
2. The Icelandic over-the-top 3-day food fest
Around late February to early March each year, Icelanders celebrate Bolludagur (Bun Day), Sprengidagur (Shrove Tuesday), and Öskudagur (Ash Wednesday). Instead of Ash Wednesday being the start of Lent, in Iceland, it marks the end of a 3-day feast where Icelanders eat their weight in both sweet and savory goodies.
On Bun Day, children make traditional Bun Day wands which they then use to spank their parents into giving them creamy, chocolate buns. One bun for each spank makes for a lot of sore adult behinds.
Shrove Tuesday (a more literal translation would be ‘Eat-Till-You-Burst Day’) brings copious amounts of salted meat and peas to counteract all the sugar from the day before.
Third and last is Ash Wednesday, a kind of Icelandic Halloween. Children dress up in costumes and go into shops to sing for candy. As it turns out, our children have a strong work ethic, especially when it comes to candy.
It is also tradition to make small pouches and sneakily hang them on people’s backs without them noticing. Although we see less and less of this every year.
3. Sheep round-ups
September and October are exciting months for farmers and sheep-enthusiasts alike, since that’s when the sheep round-ups take place.
Icelandic sheep roam free during the summer. However, since they are sheep and not migrant birds they don’t know when the time has come to move to warmer places (i.e. the barn). So someone has to go get them and that’s where the round-ups come in.
Farmers, with the assistance of friends and family or casual acquaintances, round up all the sheep in the area into special corrals.
Luckily sheep are creatures of habit, and every farmer will know their sheep’s favorite area to hang out, so they are usually pretty quick to find most of them. Once all the sheep are safely in the corrals the sorting begins as each farmer seeks out their sheep.
This is a lively event, with people cheering each other on and usually passing around a flask of some liquid courage. In the evening, once all the sheep are safely in their right place, a ball is held where people can rejoice in a good day’s work and put that liquid courage to more romantic uses.
- Find out more about farms in Iceland.
4. The Icelandic naming system
Icelanders don’t have family names. Or at least not in the sense that you might know them. Our family names are much rather those that are commonly used in the family. For example, the first name Freyr (male) or Anna (female).
If the grandfather carries the name (and is well-liked) chances are his children will want to name after him and the same goes for the grandmother.
In the majority of the cases, children take their father’s first name as their last name adding a -son or a -dóttir depending on their gender. So, if Freyr Jónsson and Anna Þorsteinsdóttir are a couple and have a baby named Björn, he will most likely be named Björn Freysson. Furthermore, if they had a daughter she could be Kristín Freysdóttir. So, in this family of four, you have four different last names: Jónsson, Þorsteinsdóttir, Freysson, and Freysdóttir.
Women do not take up the last names of their husbands in Iceland nor do the men take up the last names of their wives. Icelanders tend to get a name a stick with it!
5. Icelandic namesakes
But this is also where it gets complicated. So, let’s give an example.
Our new hypothetical couple Einar Gunnarsson and Sigrún Felixdóttir have two children: a boy named Gunnar and a girl named Ingibjörg. Those children are then Gunnar Einarsson and Ingibjörg Einarsdóttir (the son and daughter of Einar).
Gunnar then has a son that he names Einar after his father. His son is then Einar Gunnarsson, which is what we call an alnafni, which basically translated to ‘complete namesake’. However, if Ingibjörg has a son with her wife and they name him Einar Ingibjargarson, he is ‘only’ a nafni (a namesake) and not an alnafni.
The funny thing about this is that we use these words A LOT when you carry the same name as someone else. Even when it is someone completely random, you will commonly say sæl nafna ‘hello namesake’ when you greet that person.
The male version is nafni and the female version is nafna.
6. Icelanders have 6 months to name their children
Yet another seemingly strange naming tradition has to do with time. Icelanders are in no rush to name their children. Around the world, people announce their children’s births using their given names. In Iceland, it will simply be “our girl was born this morning, she weighed 3,829 grams and was 49 cm long, everyone is healthy and doing great”.
The name is not announced until the christening or the naming ceremony (for those less religious). However, this ceremony can be held months after the baby’s birth. Some say that this is why many Icelanders have nicknames that have nothing to do with their actual names. Just something that stuck during the period that we waited for their “real” name.
Legally Icelandic parents have up to 6 months to register their baby’s name. However, if they wait longer than that they will actually get fined (about ISK 1,500 a day).
- Get the complete lowdown on Icelandic names.
7. Icelandic superstitions about weather
Weather, perhaps not surprisingly, plays a big part in the lives of Icelanders. It is a fickle beast, untameable with a big temper and is not afraid to show it. Even so, Icelanders have tried their best, throughout the times, to understand her and not to set her off.
Through these attempts, many traditions and customs have been born. For example, you never step on a blacksmith (a black beetle) because it will bring rain. By the same token, you never leave your rake facing teeth-up as it will also bring rain.
Dreams also play a big part in our superstition. If white sheep appear in your dreams, chances are that it will snow for as many days as the sheep.
Icelanders also have their version of the expression ‘Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning’. But it goes Kvöldroðinn bætir og segir satt. Morgunroðinn vætir og mígur í hatt. This roughly translates as ‘Redness at night improves and tells the truth. Redness in the morning dampens and pisses in the hat’. Sometimes, Icelandic sayings have this way of being charming yet in no way polite.
8. Icelandic superstitions about homes
Various superstitions are common in Iceland, so much so that behavior related to them has passed into tradition. When moving into a new house bring bread and salt first so your home will never lack food. But don’t let anyone try and give you a knife. Knives must always be bought, even if it’s just for ISK 1, otherwise it might harm your relationship with the giver and bring bad luck.
9. The art of unjinxing
Yes, that is a thing in Iceland. We might consider many things to bring bad luck but we also have ways around it. Knocking on wood to avoid tempting fate is common in a lot of countries but in Iceland you need to say the numbers 7, 9, 13 out loud as well. These numbers are considered to have a special power, and by saying them you are doubly protected from the fickle moods of fate. Thereby unjinxing what you just said.
Example: “Wow, everyone has been getting the flu but me”. At that moment, you realize you just jinxed yourself and rush to knock on real wood saying 7, 9, 13 and just like that, your (miniature) curse is lifted!
10. Icelandic superstitions about love
If someone offers you a piece of the licorice candy Ópal (Icelandic licorice is delicious, this is an undisputed fact) make sure you take 2 pieces unless you want to be single for the rest of your life.
Winning in cards can also mean that you will have bad luck when it comes to love, or at least that’s how you shame your opponent when they beat you at the game. We say “lucky in cards, unlucky in love”.
The third thing is when you raise your glass to toast your fellow diners, you’d better look them in the eye or your love life will suffer. With all these romantic perils, it’s no wonder there’s only 360,000 of us in the country!
11. The Icelandic way of dealing with boogers
When you live in a country that is named after ice, chances are that you will catch a cold or two (read 72) in your lifetime. However, Icelanders do not deal with boogers in the way that most nations do. We do not blow our noses, especially not in front of other people. Actually, we find it quite rude.
What we, however, find to be okay, is simply to suck the boogers back up. We will do this about 100x before eventually going into the bathroom and blowing our noses in private. Like it’s something that needs to be hidden, kept out of sight and hearing. Now that you know, you’ll start to notice. We simply are a nation of suck-ups (pun intended).
12. ‘Thanks for last time’
The people of Iceland are very friendly and courteous. It is customary everywhere to thank people for dinner or for a favor they’ve done for you, but Icelanders also thank each other for time they spend together, especially if it was for a special occasion. So if you see someone you were with at a wedding or a birthday party recently, make sure to say to them takk fyrir síðast or ‘thanks for last time’.
13. Talking about the weather, non-stop
If you find yourself in an awkward conversation with an Icelanders you can always switch on over to the topic of weather and the moment is automatically saved.
We like to talk about it when it’s sunny, when it’s rainy, when it’s windy and when it’s snowy. But especially when it’s all at once. We’ll even talk about the weather a few days ago or the forecast for next week. It really doesn’t matter, as long as you let us talk about the Icelandic weather.
Iceland’s Elves, Trolls, and Monsters
Iceland has a rich history of folklore and legends. Being a small, isolated island close to the Arctic Circle the environment was the perfect breeding ground for tales of strange creatures and supernatural beings.
Influenced by the Nordic myths, Celtic fairy tales and, weirdly, Christianity, Icelandic folklore is unique and still plays a large part in the national identity. Enhanced by the dark winters and majestic and mysterious landscape these creatures are as much a part of life in Iceland as the rest of us.
- Experience local folklore for yourself on a vacation to Iceland.
Elves
Let’s start with the celebrities. I’m sure a lot of you have heard about the Icelandic elves and that (allegedly) 80% of Iceland’s population believes in them. In reality it’s more like most of us don’t really BELIEVE believe, we’re just not ready to say they don’t exist (you know, in case they do).
Stories of elves and the Hidden Folk have been around in Iceland for centuries. Their origins are thought to be from the Bible story of Eve’s dirty children. Preparing for God’s visit to the garden of Eden, Eve washed and cleaned her children. However she didn’t have time to get to them all and tried to hide the unwashed ones. God found out and cursed them to be forever invisible to man.
The Hidden Folk live in rocks and hills and Icelanders are very respectful of their homes, often going as far as curving roads around rocks that are believed to be Elf houses. In any case, it doesn’t pay to annoy the Hidden Folk. They are known to be vindictive and there are plenty of stories of them taking revenge on humans that have wronged them. One of their favorite tricks to play on humans is stealing their babies and leaving an old, cranky elf changeling in their place.
Though a consistent part of everyday life in Iceland, there are a few nights a year where they are especially powerful. If you sit at a crossroads on Midsummer’s night, the Hidden People will approach you and offer you gold and jewels. If you resist the temptation to accept, your wishes will come true, however if you don’t you will be driven mad.
They also used to visit people who stayed behind at home on Christmas Eve when everyone else went to church and tried to tempt them or drive them mad. However, New Year’s Eve is when the Hidden People move house and it’s thought to bring good luck to leave a little food out for them to have on their travels.
Trolls
According to Icelandic folklore, trolls lived in the mountains and only came down from them to forage for food. Trolls can only survive in the darkness of night (guess they just stayed home for the endless daylight in summer then) and if they were caught in the sunlight they would immediately turn to stone.
A few of these unlucky trolls can be seen all over the country, the most famous of which are the Reynisdrangar rock formations on the south shore. Legend has it that two trolls were trying to drag a three-mast ship to shore when the day broke and they were turned to stone.
The best-known, and perhaps most feared, troll in Icelandic folklore is without a doubt Grýla. She was the mother of all thirteen Yule Lads and she is known to eat naughty children, which is why all Icelandic children are exceptionally well-behaved in December. Visit the Troll Park in Fossatún to learn more about these craggy giants.
- Learn more about the Yule Lads and other Icelandic Christmas traditions.
Creatures & monsters
Iceland also has its fair share of monsters and mysterious creatures. The Lagarfljótsormur in Lagarfljót in Egilsstaðir is thought by many to be the cousin to Nessie herself in Scotland. Stories of this giant underwater worm-creature have been around since 1345 and it has been spotted as recently as 2012.
It is said to have grown from a small ‘heath worm’ placed on top of a gold ring by a local girl in order to guard it. When the girl returned to check on her ring the worm had grown so big that she threw it and the ring in the water where it continued to grow and hoard gold.
The Nykur sea horse is also a popular myth. The Nykur is usually found in lakes and rivers and it looks almost like a regular horse, except its hooves are backwards and it’s usually gray. The Nykur will try and get you to ride it but once you do it will run straight back to its lake or river and drown you.
So make sure you check the hooves of those friendly Icelandic horses you encounter on your travels. You can find out more about Icelandic monsters at the Icelandic Sea Monsters Museum in Bíldudalur.
Ghosts
It comes as no surprise that a country as dark and isolated as Iceland of yesteryear has plenty of ghost stories. Ask any Icelander and they will either tell you of their own experiences with the supernatural or one of the local legends.
One of the scariest ghost stories has to be the story of the deacon of Myrka. On his way to pick up his date Guðrún for a ball, the deacon fell off his horse and died. Not letting a small thing like a massive head wound and death deter him from true love, the deacon showed up at Guðrún’s house.
Alerted by the fact that he was unable to pronounce her name correctly (Guð means God in Icelandic and the dead cannot say the name of God so he called her Garún), Guðrún realized what was up and tried to escape as the deacon tried to drag her into his grave with him.
The name Móri is often given to Icelandic poltergeists. The Móri is a male ghost and usually haunts the same family for generations. The female ghosts are known as Skotta. Another famous ghost is Gunna, who wreaked havoc all over the Reykjanes peninsula until she was defeated by the wizard Eirikur frá Vogsosum and confined to the angry, bubbling hot spring Gunnuhver.
What Is It Like to Live in Iceland in Winter?
People often ask us what it’s like to live in Iceland in the winter. Far from being a dark and snowy ghost land (which is what a lot of people seem to imagine), Iceland in winter is a vibrant winter wonderland with enough daylight to make the most of the day and the added bonus of potential Northern Lights sightings in the evening.
There are plenty of events and activities to keep locals and guests entertained and away from any winter blues. “Like what?” I hear you ask, well let us count the ways!
- Take a winter vacation to Iceland and experience the season for yourself.
Glacier hikes and snowmobiling
While glaciers in Iceland are kind of a year-round, permanent fixtures in the landscape kind of thing, winter is the optimal time to go snowmobiling and on glacier hikes. The feeling of breaking through the thick winter clouds to reach the top of a glacier and seeing the sun (the sun!) sparkling off the acres of white is unbeatable. You’ll feel like Robert Peary without the polar bears and with added hot cocoa.
Glacier caves
Some people aren’t content with just getting to the top of a glacier, they want to get inside it as well. Luckily for those who travel to Iceland in winter, they have the opportunity to do just that.
Every year new ice caves are formed inside the Icelandic glaciers only to vanish again come summertime. So not only will you have the chance to go inside a glacier cave, but no one else might ever set foot in that exact location ever again. It doesn’t get more once-in-a-lifetime than that.
Skiing
People tend to discount Iceland when it comes to skiing destinations, but that is a mistake. True, we can’t offer extravagant resorts with chalets and fancy restaurants, but what we can offer is untouched, all-natural slopes on the edge of the world.
Also, heli-skiing has become a big thing here in the last few years. So if you’ve ever wanted to feel like Bond jumping out of a helicopter and swishing down the slopes in style, we can make that dream come true (flag-themed parachute not included).
Swimming
Yes, we said swimming. No we’ve not lost our minds, in fact wintertime is our favorite time of year to go swimming in the country’s many geothermally heated pools. There’s something about braving the elements in nothing but your swimsuit that really makes you feel like a strong Viking descendant, and there is no doubting you’ve earned your soak in the hot tubs. Lying there in the dark and looking up at the stars and Northern Lights is a priceless experience that you won’t soon forget.
Christmas
You may think that Christmas is a pretty special time all over the world, and you’d be right. But the best thing about Christmas in Iceland is the fact that the festivities are spread out over many weeks.
The first Sunday in December (or end of November as is sometimes the case) marks the start of the Advent and the Christmas preparations. Around that time Christmas decorations will start to appear all over towns and villages, on the streets, and in individual houses. Icelanders love to decorate their homes with lights and other traditional decorations.
In mid-December the Yule Lads start coming down from the mountains bearing gifts for the children. On 23 December, Icelanders gather together to eat putrefied skate and do some last-minute Christmas shopping before the main event on 24 December.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s in Iceland is absolute bonkers-crazy-madness, and that’s not hyperbole. Blowing up more fireworks than a year’s worth of production in China (I’m guessing), every household in Iceland participates in “exploding the old year away”.
Not satisfied with setting fire to the sky, every neighborhood will also have a massive bonfire for everyone to gather around and sing traditional New Year’s Eve songs. That is until about 10:30 p.m. when everyone goes back home to watch an hour-long comedy sketch show about last year’s events, the quality of which will be the source of nationwide bickering for the coming weeks.
Then after midnight, the party really starts with the whole country attending parties and events until the early hours. The first one home is a rotten egg!
Other quirky holidays
Icelanders have kept a lot of their ancient celebrations, even through the Reformation in the 15th century, when they kind of agreed to accept Christianity if they’d still be allowed to honor the old gods during particular times.
One of those times is the Þorri, an annual celebration that takes place every January-February. For Þorrablót, Icelanders gather and eat traditional food (basically every ludicrous sounding food you’ve ever heard we eat in Iceland plus lamb!) and sing songs and tell stories.
February–March sees the trifecta of Bun Day, Shrove Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday. Although know in other countries, Icelanders have put their own spin on these holidays like spanking adults with crepe-paper wands and everyone eating their weight in salted meat.
Then of course mid-April sees the celebration of the first day of summer, which might be true for countries a bit closer to the equator but in Iceland usually just means that we have hope that summer will come, someday, at some point. Till then we’ll keep enjoying the winter fun.
Birds of Iceland
Iceland has become a hugely popular destination for bird watching in the last few years. As ornithologists and recreational bird-watching enthusiasts alike have discovered the prime conditions and varied bird life on our Arctic island.
Around 85 different species nest regularly in Iceland, although around 330 have been recorded here since the settlement. Iceland also boast several spots all over the country tailor made for bird watching.
- See wonderful birdlife on a self-drive tour of Iceland.
Like the incredible Látrabjarg cliffs in the Westfjords, Lake Mývatn’s stunning scenery and multitude of species or just the Seltjarnarnes peninsula just outside of Reykjavík where birds nest among the golf course in spring. Here are some of the most popular and important birds you will spot (or not) in Iceland.
Lundi – Puffin
The puffin has become a bit of a national symbol in Iceland. The cute, cuddly bird has proven so popular with visitors that special puffin tours have been established so people can get up close and personal with them.
Around 8–10 million puffins inhabit Iceland and the largest puffin colony is in the Vestmannaeyjar Islands where the colorful birds have become a large part of life on the islands. The best time to see the puffins in Iceland is in the summer, between May and August and there’s no need to travel far as there is a puffin colony on a small island just outside of the Reykjavík harbor. Find out more about where to spot puffins on our blog.
Kría – Arctic tern
This migratory bird can be found all over Iceland where they spend the summer after flying all the way from Antarctica where they spend the winter. The Arctic tern has the longest migratory pattern of any animal in the world, flying over 70,000 km (45,000 mi) to reach their nesting place. The terns are fiercely protective over their nest and do not hesitate attacking humans who come too close.
If you find yourself walking through an Arctic tern nesting area it’s always a good idea to carry a long stick to hold above your head as the tern will always attack the highest spot. The Arctic tern lays from one to three eggs and, like good 21st century parents both sexes share in the hatching duties.
Skúmur – Great skua
Another bird that likes to protect its nest with violent attacks on anyone that dares come too close is the great skua. While not exactly life-threatening there are stories of these strong birds are known to hit people hard over the head with their wings, which can be surprisingly painful.
The great skua is most often seen on the sands of the south Iceland and east Iceland, like at the famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where it hunts for sandeels and other sea creatures. Aside from Iceland the great skua mostly nests on the Scottish Islands and the Faroe Islands.
Hrafn – Raven
The raven has always been very meaningful to the Icelandic people. From the Norse mythology where they serve as Óðinn’s messengers, bringing him news from all over the worlds, to the first settler Hrafna-Flóki who sent his three ravens ahead to guide his ship to shore on this new land.
Ravens also play a role in the Icelandic folklore. It is said that they congregate twice a year, in spring and fall, where they decide whether they’re going to be naughty or nice that year. It is not thought to be a good sign to hear ravens crow near a farm, people thought they were ghosts and they were referred to as night ravens. Ravens also play a big part in spells and any sort of magical ceremonies.
The raven is a stay bird in Iceland and there are thought to be about 2,500 nesting pairs in the country. The raven mates for life and will return to its nesting place year after year.
Lóa – European golden plover
The golden plover has a special place in the hearts of the Icelandic people as its arrival in the country is said to herald the arrival of spring by singing away the snow. The first sighting of the plover is reported in the news and lifts the hearts of a weary nation after a long winter. Songs and poems have been written to honor this bird and the name Lóa is popular among Icelandic women.
This small bird is quite thickset and its most distinguishing feature is the white, S-shaped band stretching from its forehead to its flank. The plovers monosyllabic, slightly melancholic call, a sort of “tuuu” is a common sound in the Icelandic countryside during summer
Geirfugl – Great auk
The only bird on this list you are not likely to encounter in Iceland. Or, in fact, anywhere in the world since the great auk went extinct in the mid-19th century. A species of flightless alcid, more related to the puffin than the similar looking penguin, the Great Auk is thought to have numbered from a few hundred to a few thousand in Iceland.
The last known pair in the world was sadly killed in Eldey, a small island off the coast of the Reykjanes peninsula, in 1844 therefore ending the last known breeding attempt. The great auk’s fate has become a reminder to the Icelandic people to take better care of the nature and wildlife we have been entrusted with and it is very important to us that history not repeat itself.
Haförn – White-tailed eagle
The white-tailed eagle was once almost extinct in Europe but dedicated conservation efforts have managed to almost rebuild the population and the white-tailed eagle is now a protected species in Iceland.
Still a rare sight, this majestic bird likes to live close to large bodies of water, hence the Icelandic name which means ‘sea eagle’. There are just over 70 eagle pairs in Iceland and most of them reside in the beautiful Breiðafjörður where you can sail among the numerous islands and try and spot them. The white-tailed eagle mates for life and if one partner dies it can take the other years to find another.
Hrossagaukur – Common snipe
If you’ve been traveling in the Icelandic countryside you will most definitely have heard the distinctive call of the common snipe that almost sounds like a horse neighing. The bird is instantly recognizable by its long, sharp beak but you need to get close to spot them as the snipe is usually shy and conceals itself close to the ground where it forages in the mood for worms and insects.
In Icelandic folklore the common snipe is thought to have predictive abilities and you had to pay attention to where the sound of the first common snipe in spring was coming from. If it came from the east or south it meant good luck, but if you heard it from the west or north you were in trouble.
Rjúpa – Rock ptarmigan
This medium-sized game bird plays a huge role in the traditional Icelandic Christmas, where they are boiled and served with fresh potatoes and sauce for Christmas dinner. The rock ptarmigan is notable for its adaptable plumage, as the bird changes its feathers three times a year.
During summer and fall the ptarmigan is brown, but turns bright white in winter and in July it sheds its tail and flight feathers completely. The ptarmigan feeds on birch buds and various mountain leaves and flowers which is said to give it its spicy, gamy taste. Hunting is restricted and carefully monitored.
Starri – Common starling
The common starling is indeed very common in Iceland and in the spring it is not unusual for people in towns and cities to find a starling nest somewhere around their roofs and balconies. The starling is a very musical bird and it’s song replaces most alarm clocks for sleepy Icelanders when they are in mating and nesting mode.
The starling is also a gifted mimic and will reproduce other bird calls and even more urban sounds that they have heard. The females seem to prefer the males with a more complex song, something anyone that prefers Childish Gambino over Justin Bieber can relate to.
Starlings are seen as both a blessing and a curse since they eat insects like spiders and flies but they also have lice that can be transmitted to humans if they get too close.
Romantic Iceland: Top 9 Places to Propose
Getting engaged is a monumental moment and many of you want to make it as special and memorable as possible. Iceland has become the dream destination for people from all over the world who come here, especially to ask that important question: Will you marry me? Here are our favorite 9 places to propose.
Iceland Tours has helped plan many proposals and hopefully will help plan many more. We love it so much that we’ve put together a list of the most romantic places in Iceland. We‘ve even suggested phrases for you to use if you’re not sure of what to say, that‘s the kind of all-round service Iceland Tours provides!
(Please note that we cannot guarantee a positive answer if you propose using our phrases.)
- Propose in breathtaking surroundings on an Iceland privately guided tour.
1. Gljúfrabúi
While its neighbouring waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss are undoubtedly romantic and picturesque, the hidden Gljúfrabúi (Cave Dweller) is infinitely more private. To get to it you‘ll need to wade the stream that flows between the cliffs and go into the canyon beyond, or follow the steep path up the cliff. It‘s well worth the effort though as you‘ll feel like you’re the only two people in the world.
Suggested phrase: I want to dwell in the cave of our love forever, will you marry me?
2. Langjökull Ice Tunnel
This man-made tunnel deep inside the Langjökull glacier must be one of the more unusual places you can pop the question. The sparkling blue hues of the ice form the perfect backdrop for your proposal and if you’re worried about your love getting cold feet they also perform weddings in there so you can kill two birds with one stone and get hitched right away! Although if you’re literally worried about cold feet, woolly socks might be the easier.
Suggested phrase: Our love is cold as ice, ice baby, wanna marry me?
3. Þingvellir National Park
Love doesn‘t care about location and therefore it can happen that people who come from two different continents fall in love, regardless of the geographical distance. If that‘s the case in your relationship, there‘s no better place to ask your long distance lover to marry you than Þingvellir National Park. Located on the mid-Atlantic ridge where the North-American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet you can straddle the divide between two continents as you ask the question.
Suggested phrase: Our love brings the world together, let’s get married!
4. Ásbyrgi canyon
One of the most magical places in north Iceland is Ásbyrgi canyon. It is said to be a hoofprint made by Óðinn‘s horse Sleipnir. At the bottom of the canyon is a beautiful, tranquil pond and gazing into it is sure to steady your nerves before getting down on one knee. Ásbyrgi is said to be an Elf capital so if you don’t mind an invisible audience, they’re sure to cheer your engagement.
Suggested phrase: By Óðinn and all the elves, you’re the one I want to spend my life with, say you’ll marry me!
5. Grótta
If you‘re only in Iceland for a short time, or if you’re just more of a city person, there are several romantic places around Reykjavik that are ideal for a proposal. The Grótta peninsula nature reserve in Seltjarnarnes is one of these places. When the tides are low you can walk all the way to Grótta Island where the lighthouse stands and propose underneath its tall structure as the artic tern flies across the sky.
Suggested phrase: Your love lights up my life, will you marry me?
6. Hallgrímskirkja
If you feel more like just hanging out in downtown Reykjavik so you can head straight to a romantic restaurant after you‘ve sealed the deal, look no further than the Hallgrímskirkja church. The top of the church tower has a magnificent view over the city and the surrounding mountains and the peaceful atmosphere inside the beautiful church will steady your nerves.
Suggested phrase: I feel like I’m in heaven when I’m with you, will you marry me?
7. Diamond Beach at Jökulsárlón
The so-called Diamond Beach is part of the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon area and is littered with ice from the lagoon that sparkles against the black sand. Admittedly your ring might pale in comparison, but where else can you say that you proposed surrounded by huge diamonds? Don’t try to propose with the ice though, it will melt.
Suggested phrase: Diamonds are the toughest substance in the world but our bond is tougher, let’s get married!
8. Snæfellsjökull
The mystical Snæfellsjökull is known as both the entrance to the centre of the Earth in Jules Verne‘s novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth and the supposed landing place for aliens in Iceland. So if you and your significant other are up for a chance encounter with some strange creatures this is the place. But even if there is no unusual activity, going to the top of the glacier is a breathtaking experience and it’ll make for a proposal you‘ll never forget.
Suggested phrase: I’ll follow you to the centre of the Earth and out to space, will you marry me?
9. Underneath the Northern Lights
Under the famous Northern Lights is definitely the most picture-perfect way to ask someone to marry you. Make sure to keep your ring close as the Northern Lights can appear without a warning when the conditions are right. Let‘s just hope that your partner isn‘t too busy gazing up at the lightshow in the sky to notice you dropping down on one knee.
Suggested phrase: You make my heart dance like the Northern Lights in a winter sky, will you marry me?
