Icelandic Culture

Eating & Drinking

“Traditional at heart and far-out in style, Icelandic food is the most happening cuisine of the 21st century.”

You can tell from the looks of the Icelandic land that its cuisine doesn’t depend on fruits and veggies. The pillars of Iceland’s gastronomical scene are fish, meat, and dairy. Skillful domestic cooks have developed countless ways to preserve meat over a thousand years. The result is a mouth-watering selection of fermented, dry, and cooked meat dishes. They always come with some classic Icelandic rye bread, and not to mention the good old skyr. Scandinavian and Viking culinary traditions help make this relatively simple diet satisfyingly juicy.

One of the specialties of Iceland that you won’t come across in the rest of the world is the entire flatbread scene. It is pure Icelandic culture finding shape and taste. Before there were ovens and firewood in Icelandic cuisine, the islanders developed the ingenious leaf and pot bread. Bread baking in the hot springs was also a huge scene. You will get to try most of these creative bread all across Iceland, accompanying some more edgy dishes. Mostly consisting of meat, Icelandic dishes may seem a little bit intimidating. The smoked sheep’s head, as iconic as it is, counts as one of them. Fermented sharks are also common, hanging from drying bars all around the country. If you are a vegetarian, no worries. More recent renovations in Icelandic cuisine present a handful of fresh veggies growing on the land.

In a country that experiences the harshest national conditions, you would expect some hearty strong liquors. There is no doubt that Iceland has them all. Brennivín, the national liquor of the island, is the famous black death that will give you the shivers. The caraway flavor is exquisite, topping every meal with a joyous touch.

Religion & Etiquette

The dominant religion in Iceland has been Lutheran for centuries, and other Christian denominations made it into the society in recent decades. Iceland is one of the few countries in the world where religious freedom is valued both in society and in law. Minority religious groups exist peacefully with Christianity. Nordic and Viking roots are also kept alive, manifesting in daily rituals, art, culture, and food. One of the old Nordic beliefs that are still very present in society is the belief of the “hidden people”. A majority of the Icelandic folk believe in marvelous nature-dwelling people who are invisible to mortals. They also believe in trolls and elves roaming the forests. One key piece of advice would be not to make fun of these beliefs, as they are taken seriously in Icelandic culture.

Icelanders are casual when it comes to expressing gratitude or kindness. You won’t hear the word ‘please’ a lot, and don’t take it as a command rather than a request. It is hard to offend the people in Iceland. Some rare topics that they may take personally are beliefs in folklore and insulting nature. Nature in the country is in a very raw state, and great effort goes into preserving it. So, the worst thing you can do in Iceland is to harm anything in nature. Pay close attention to the signs on the road if you are driving, most of the time they are about protecting animals or the surrounding vegetation. Leave no trace, no trash, no sign of humans in this untouched place.

Everything weather-related occupies a huge part of daily life and talk. Complaining about the weather may be considered rude by some people. And if you are looking to start a conversation, there is no better subject. The fascinating Icelandic horses are not ponies, calling them so would also be offensive for some. Last but not least, practicing personal hygiene is a must when entering the geothermal pools.