Iceland (IS)
Iceland is a North Atlantic volcanic island nation of extraordinary natural beauty — home to geysers, glaciers, lava fields, midnight sun, the Northern Lights, and some of the world's most active volcanoes.
Daily Life
Practical day-to-day information for living in Iceland.
🛒 Supermarkets
Iceland's most popular discount supermarket — recognised by the cheerful pink cartoon pig logo. Best prices for everyday groceries in Iceland. Wide network throughout Reykjavik and major towns. Often has slightly limited opening hours compared to competitors. The first stop for budget-conscious shoppers.
Major discount chain, second in popularity to Bónus. Slightly wider range of products. Good for weekly shopping. Found throughout the capital area and larger towns.
Danish-origin discount chain operating in Iceland (no connection to Danish Netto, different brand). Budget pricing on groceries and household goods. Growing network in the capital area.
Mid-range supermarket with a broader and higher quality range. Larger store format with a good deli, fresh fish and meat counter, and imported products. Popular for weekly shops and international ingredients.
Mid-range cooperative supermarkets found in residential neighbourhoods. Convenient for daily shopping. Reasonable selection and quality at mid-range prices.
Convenience store chain open long hours (many open until 23:00 or later). Higher prices than supermarkets but convenient for evening or last-minute shopping. Found throughout Reykjavik.
Specialty and premium food stores. Melabúðin is known for quality deli products, cheese, and international goods. Iceland has limited premium supermarket options — imports are expensive.
Opening Hours
Supermarkets: typically 10:00–20:00 or 11:00–23:00. Bónus tends to close earlier (around 18:30–19:00 weekdays, shorter on weekends). 10-11 and many convenience stores open until 23:00. Most shops: 10:00–18:00 weekdays, 10:00–16:00 Saturdays, reduced or closed Sundays. Shopping mall Kringlan: 11:00–19:00 weekdays, 11:00–17:00 Saturdays, 13:00–17:00 Sundays. Banks: typically 09:00–16:00 weekdays. Government offices: appointment required, typically 08:00–16:00. CRITICAL: Vínbúðin (the state alcohol monopoly — the ONLY place to buy alcohol for off-premises consumption) has limited hours: typically 11:00–18:00 weekdays, 11:00–17:00 Saturdays, CLOSED Sundays. Plan accordingly.
Sunday Rules
Sunday shopping is limited. Most supermarkets either close or open for reduced hours (e.g., 12:00–17:00). Vínbúðin is CLOSED on Sundays — you cannot buy alcohol for home consumption on a Sunday. 10-11 convenience stores are typically open. Petrol stations with convenience shops are open 24/7. Restaurants and cafés generally operate normal Sunday hours. Plan weekend shopping for Saturday and note alcohol must be bought before Vínbúðin closes Saturday.
Recycling
Iceland has a deposit return system (skilagjald) for plastic bottles and aluminium cans — ISK 15 (small bottle), ISK 20 (large bottle), ISK 25 (aluminium can). Return at reverse vending machines (skilavélar) in all supermarkets. Cardboard, paper, glass, and plastic are collected separately or brought to sorting stations (gámasvæði). Hazardous waste has specific drop-off centres. Reykjavik Energy operates waste management — check sorpa.is for local recycling station locations. Iceland still has relatively lower recycling rates than Scandinavian neighbours but is improving. The geothermal heating system means no need to recycle heating fuel. Electronics and appliances: specific collection points.
Dining Out
Eating out in Reykjavik is exceptional but extremely expensive — among the most expensive in the world. A main course at a standard restaurant: ISK 3,500–6,000. A 3-course dinner at a mid-range restaurant: ISK 8,000–15,000 per person without drinks. Fine dining (Reykjavik has multiple award-winning restaurants including Dill, Matur og Drykkur, and others): ISK 15,000–25,000+ per person for a tasting menu. Budget options: Icelandic hot dogs from Bæjarins Beztu (ISK 580), fish and chips at the harbour, soup at soup cafés (ISK 1,500–2,000), lunch specials (most restaurants offer a discounted lunch menu: ISK 2,000–3,500). Alcohol adds enormously to bills: a beer at a bar ISK 1,200–1,800, glass of wine ISK 1,800–2,500. The "happy hour" concept exists at some Reykjavik bars but is less widespread than in other countries.
Utilities & Internet
Iceland's geothermal advantage makes heating and hot water extremely cheap by European standards. Approximately 90% of Icelandic homes are heated by geothermal district heating. Monthly hot water and heating bill for a 2-bed apartment: ISK 5,000–12,000 — dramatically lower than equivalent in gas-heated European countries. Electricity from renewable sources (geothermal + hydropower) is also relatively cheap: ISK 15–25/kWh; monthly bill for a 2-bed: ISK 8,000–15,000. Cold water: ISK 2,000–4,000/month. Internet: ISK 5,000–9,000/month for broadband. IMPORTANT: hot tap water in Iceland smells slightly of sulphur (hydrogen sulphide) in some areas — this is natural and harmless, a result of the geothermal source. Drinking water (cold tap) is pure glacial water and perfectly safe. Main utility providers: Orkuveita Reykjavíkur (OR — Reykjavik Energy) for electricity, heat and hot water; Landsvirkjun (national power company). The thermal pools (sundlaugar) are heated geothermally and cost very little to maintain.
Cultural Tips for Expats
- → Kennitala is used for everything — you will be asked for your kennitala at the supermarket checkout for loyalty cards, at the pharmacy, at the doctor, at the bank, when signing up for internet, and when making any formal purchase or registration. It is not considered intrusive — it is simply how Iceland functions.
- → Swimming pools (sundlaugar) are the social heart of Icelandic life. Every neighbourhood has a geothermal pool with hot pots at 38–42°C and a main pool at around 28°C. This is where Icelanders socialise, relax, discuss politics, and raise children. Entry costs around ISK 1,000–1,400. MANDATORY: shower completely naked without swimwear before entering, wash your hair and entire body. Pool staff check and enforce this. Do not be embarrassed — everyone does it.
- → Vínbúðin is the only shop where you can buy alcohol for home consumption — there is no alcohol in supermarkets. Plan purchases around Vínbúðin opening hours (closed Sundays). Bars and restaurants can serve alcohol. The state monopoly system means alcohol is very expensive.
- → Island.is is Iceland's comprehensive government portal — you can complete almost all government interactions (tax, vehicle registration, ID updates, benefit applications, company registration) online here using Rafræn skilríki. Iceland is one of the world's most digitally advanced governments.
- → Weather extremes are part of daily life. Sudden blizzards, high winds (often 25–40 m/s gusts that can knock you over), heavy rain, and bright sunshine can all occur on the same day. Always check vedur.is (the Icelandic Met Office) before going outdoors, especially before any drive.
- → The midnight sun (June) and polar darkness (December) have profound effects on daily life. In June, it never gets dark — blackout curtains are essential for sleep. In December, the sun rises around 11:30 and sets around 15:30. The psychological adjustment requires active management.
- → Jólabókaflóðið (Christmas Book Flood): Iceland publishes more books per capita than virtually any other country. The Christmas Book Flood is a national tradition where books are exchanged as Christmas presents and read on Christmas Eve. Bookshops see a massive surge in the run-up to Christmas.
- → F-roads and highland driving: if you drive off-road or on F-roads without a proper 4WD vehicle, you can be fined and face significant rescue costs. Iceland Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) responds to hundreds of incidents annually involving tourists in unsuitable vehicles. Always register your route at safetravel.is.
Quiet Hours
Iceland has general noise regulations enforced by municipalities and housing associations. In apartment buildings and residential areas, quiet hours are taken seriously.
All residential areas — no loud music, parties, or construction
Saturdays and Sundays — reduced quiet hours compared to weekdays due to social culture
New Year's Eve and Verslunarmannahelgi are exceptions when nationwide fireworks and celebrations override normal quiet hours
- •Fireworks are a community activity — do not complain about the intense fireworks on New Year's Eve, they are a national tradition.
- •Geothermal heating pipes and radiators can make noise — this is normal and not a neighbour's fault.
- •Wind noise: Icelandic buildings are built to withstand strong winds but wind howl is normal and unavoidable.
Persistent noise violations can lead to complaints to building management or the municipality. In rented housing, repeated violations can be grounds for notice.
Postal Services
Íslandspóstur (Iceland Post — islandsposi.is) is the national postal service. Standard letter delivery within Iceland: 1–3 business days. Parcel delivery: Íslandspóstur, DHL, and FedEx for international shipments. Most Icelanders receive very little physical mail for government matters — the island.is portal and Rafræn skilríki handle most correspondence digitally.
Íslandspóstur operates parcel collection points at post offices and some service points. DHL Servicepoint locations at selected businesses. International couriers have limited self-service infrastructure compared to larger European countries.
Show valid ID (kennitala-linked) when collecting parcels requiring signature or age verification.
Skráð bréf (registered mail) available at post offices. Required for legal notices and formal correspondence.
Address changes must be registered at Þjóðskrá (National Registry) first — this is the primary step. Íslandspóstur offers mail forwarding (breyttur póstur) separately.
- →Most government correspondence is now digital via island.is — activate your account immediately to avoid missing important notices.
- →International parcels to Iceland can be subject to customs duty and 24% VAT on imports above ISK 6,000.
- →Shipping to Iceland is expensive due to island logistics — factor this into online shopping from abroad.
- →Post offices are also service centres for various transactions including ID collection.