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About Iceland

Let us quench your thirst for knowledge about Iceland, whether it be geography, historical trivia or geological information.

Browse our impressive catalogue of information about Iceland and you will soon find out that your subject of interest is just one click away.

More about iceland

  • 1. Reykjavík Area
    Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, surrounded by suburbs and fascinating places.
  • 2. Reykjanes
    Reykjanes peninsula is full of geothermal wonders and also the home of Keflavík Airport.
  • 3. West Iceland
    One of the most famous attraction in the West is Snæfellsjökull glacier.
  • 4. Westfjords
    An isolated part of Iceland, with a natural beauty beyond compare.
  • 5. Strandir
    If you’re looking for desolated wilderness and solitude, Strandir is the place for you.
  • 6. North Iceland
    Home of Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
  • 7. South Iceland
    Iceland’s most visited region, with plenty of waterfalls, black sand beaches and glaciers.
  • 8. Highlands and interior
    The uninhabited region of Iceland, with amazing landscapes that are hard to find anywhere else.
  • 9. East Iceland
    The eastern part of Iceland is the home of the reindeers and Iceland’s biggest forest.
  • Where to GO?
  • WHAT TO SEE?
    • All Attractions
    • Churches
    • Farms
    • Film locations
    • Fjords
    • Geysirs and Hot Springs
    • Glaciers
    • Historical Sites
    • Islands
    • Lakes
    • Mountains
    • Museums
    • Place of Interest
    • Plains
    • Rivers
    • Towns
    • Volcanos & Lava Fields
    • Waterfalls
  • What to do?
    • All Activities
    • Deep Sea Fishing
    • Golf
    • Hiking
    • Horseriding
    • Hunting
    • Icelandic Forests
    • Lakefishing
    • Murders
    • Restaurant
    • Saga Trail
    • Salmon
    • Swimming Pools
    • Tours
    • Travel Planning
    • Trout
    • Wintersport
  • WHERE TO STAY ?
    • All Accommodation
    • Camping
    • Cottages
    • Farm Holidays
    • Guesthouses
    • Hostels
    • Hotels
    • Mountain Huts

Travel Guide

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of places of interest in Iceland, whether it be churches, glaciers, islands or waterfalls.

We’ve also gleaned information about accommodation options all over the country, so you don’t have to. Simply select your area and start browsing.

Bus Schedules

Travel Iceland by bus and book your transport right here with us. You can book a one way ticket to almost anywhere in Iceland.

You can also plan your bus travel from A to Z and add numerous bus rides to your cart. Plan away!

Recreation

Travel Market

Iceland has so many great options for any type of recreational activities. Our recreation guide will help you find great information on your favourite hobby or interest while visiting our beautiful country.

go to Travel Market

  • 1. Reykjavík Area
    Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, surrounded by suburbs and fascinating places.
  • 2. Reykjanes
    Reykjanes peninsula is full of geothermal wonders and also the home of Keflavík Airport.
  • 3. West Iceland
    One of the most famous attraction in the West is Snæfellsjökull glacier.
  • 4. Westfjords
    An isolated part of Iceland, with a natural beauty beyond compare.
  • 5. Strandir
    If you’re looking for desolated wilderness and solitude, Strandir is the place for you.
  • 6. North Iceland
    Home of Dettifoss waterfall, the most powerful waterfall in Europe.
  • 7. South Iceland
    Iceland’s most visited region, with plenty of waterfalls, black sand beaches and glaciers.
  • 8. Highlands and interior
    The uninhabited region of Iceland, with amazing landscapes that are hard to find anywhere else.
  • 9. East Iceland
    The eastern part of Iceland is the home of the reindeers and Iceland’s biggest forest.

The Nine Wonders of Iceland

We split Iceland into nine different regions to make your search for information easier. Simply click on the region you want to explore and read about towns, attractions, hiking, accommodation and more.

NAT

Basking Shark

The basking shark (Lat: Cetorhinus maximus) is the second largest fish species of the world. It reaches 12-15 metres in length and weigh 3500-4000 kilogrammes. Legendary animals reach 21 metres in length.

It feeds on plankton like the baleen whales, and therefore it can often be spotted with its dorsal fin and tail above above the surface of the sea. Sometimes it is spotted a short distance off the coast, where it basks after feeding on warm days. The gills are large and wide with a myriad of spikes to stop the plankton from getting through. It is estimated, that the shark can filter 1500 tonnes of seawater through the gills per hour.

 

Hákarl (Icelandic pronunciation: ​full name: kæstur hákarl; referred to as fermented shark or rotten shark in English) is a national dish of Iceland consisting of a Greenland shark or other sleeper shark which has been cured with a particular fermentation process and hung to dry for four to five months. Fermented shark has a strong ammonia-rich smell and fishy taste.

Mainly found to the south of Iceland

It reaches puberty at the age of 3-4 years, when it is about 7 metres long. The gestation period is two years for 1-2 offsprings, which are 1,5 metres long at birth. The basking shark either stays alone or in schools of 50-250 animals. It is mainly to be found to the south of Iceland. It is spotted in the Orkneys area and further south during summer, where it travels in the direction of Norway to stay in the Gulf stream. In the fall, it returns, and in November it most probably heads for deeper seas. At this time it looses the gill spikes and has to starve until they develope again in February.

This shark cannot be caught on hooks. It has to be harpooned. Its liver weighs close to 25-30% of the total body weight (500-700 kilogrammes). After it has been processed, it delivers 6-15 hectalitres of oil, which is very rich in vitamin A.

During the period between 1860 and 1880 it was exploited indiscreetly in Icelandic waters and its live stock diminished. After that it has not been hunted much and has recovered enough to become a common sight again.

Photo Credit: Chris Gotschalk

About Iceland