Life in Iceland is a unique blend of astonishing nature, rare traditions, and a deep connection to the land. All the info below came from our day tour with a local restaurant chef who became, a guide-chief.
Iceland: exploring everyday day life
1. Horses: the purest breeds in the world
In the 10th century, a law was passed banning the import of horses into the country to prevent epidemics. Since then horses that have been taken out of Iceland cannot return.
Even if a horse leaves the island to compete in a world championship, it is not allowed to come back. This has helped preserve the purity of the breed, and the demand for Icelandic horses remains high worldwide.
Icelandic horses are truly stunning, with long, silky manes and intelligent, kind eyes.
2. Divorce: no stigma or taboo around being a single parent
Iceland has a high divorce rate. People value happiness in relationships and divorce long before the marriage will become troubled.
Divorce is not seen as a bad thing, so people feel free to make choices without fear of judgment.
Many Icelanders remarry and have children with new partners, plus single parents are fully accepted and supported in society.
3. Ban on keeping dogs as pets in Reykjavík for 60 years
One unique aspect of Iceland was the ban on keeping dogs as pets from 1924 to 1984.
The ban on dogs as pets in Reykjavík, introduced in 1924, was mainly aimed at preventing the spread of diseases like echinococcosis. However, working farm dogs, such as Icelandic Sheepdogs, were still allowed in rural areas.
Today, the ban no longer exists, but to get permit for owning a dog in Icelandic city is much more difficult than in other countries.
4. No fence around official residence of the Prime Minister
On the picture below: the official residence of the Prime Minister of Iceland, located in Reykjavík – no fence (or a tree) around it:
It was very surprising for us, and we asked our guide why is it so different from other countries.
Well, the absence of a fence reflects Icelandic society – openness, trust, low crime rates, and the close relationship between its government and citizens. Wow!
5. Life in Iceland: summer. Wonderful and cold
Iceland’s summers are filled with beautiful, almost endless daylight – nights remain bright due to the Midnight Sun phenomenon.
As for the temperatures, they stay cool, usually around 10-12°C but the landscapes make up for it:
Our visit was during early December, with only 5 hours of daylight (11.00 am – 4.00 pm) and an average temperature of around 0C during the day, and around -5C at night.
Pictured below: 12.00 pm, winter: the sun was just above the ground:
6. In Iceland, elves are real
A 2022 survey by Prósent (popular Icelandic market research services) found that 31% of Icelanders believe in elves, trolls, and other hidden beings.
“Huldufólk” (hidden people/elves), influence everything in Iceland – from Christmas traditions to roads being rerouted to avoid disturbing them. We were lucky to experience it during our visit to Reykjavik!
7. Sheeps and wool in everyday life
In Iceland, sheep outnumber people almost two to one. During the summer, the sheep graze freely (with no natural predators), and in the autumn, they return to their owners on their own:
Icelandic wool sweaters, called “Lopapeysa”, have distinctive patterns and are crafted from the unique wool of Icelandic sheep:
This wool combines long, water-resistant outer fibers with fine, insulating inner fibers, resulting in sweaters that warm and durable.
We were surprised by how much Icelanders value and incorporate wool into their daily lives – it isn’t just sweaters, but also socks, hats, etc. Partially because of the harsh Icelandic climate year-round!
Thanks for reading, friends!
Movie to watch about Iceland and Elfs:
“Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)”
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