15 Fun Facts That Make Iceland Unique

1. Occupations in the Phone Book

Believe it or not, many Icelanders include their jobs right next to their names in the phone book. With around 390,000 people in the whole country, this extra detail can be really helpful. Instead of just seeing “Jón Jónsson,” you might see “Jón Jónsson, Fisherman,” which tells you right away what he does.

A more recent practice that makes this even funnier is people registering for funny professions such as clowns, astronauts, or ninja champions. People working for the phone book have admitted that "they used to be stricter about it, but they have now loosened up a bit," allowing those funny things to happen.

2. We Celebrate "Beer Day" on March 1st

For 74 years, beer was actually banned in Iceland, much longer than any other type of alcohol. That finally changed on March 1st, 1989, when people could legally grab a cold pint again. Now, March 1st is known as “Beer Day,” and we love celebrating the end of that ridiculous rule.

Bars and breweries hold special events, and folks come together to enjoy the freedom of having a beer whenever they want. It’s a fun throwback to Icelandic history and a great reason to hang out at the pub with friends.

3. The Curious Case of Elves

Elf tales are a big part of Iceland’s old stories. In the past, many people believed so strongly in these “hidden folk” that they might change building plans to avoid messing with elf homes. Younger Icelanders don’t usually see it that way anymore, but these tales are still a fun part of the country’s culture.

Whether you believe in elves or not, everyone in Iceland loves these stories, as we've heard them since we were kids. Tourists sometimes ask locals if they’ve seen any elves lately, and you’ll often hear a friendly chuckle followed by a story about how “you never know what’s out there.”

4. Letters to Santa Claus

If you’ve ever sent a letter addressed to “Santa Claus, North Pole,” there’s a good chance it ended up in Iceland. The Icelandic postal service gets these letters from all over the world and tries to respond to as many as possible, sharing some extra holiday magic.

It’s a cute tradition that shows Iceland’s strong holiday spirit. People like to imagine Santa hanging around near the Arctic, and Iceland is happy to “receive” those letters. So, if you wondered where your childhood note to Santa went, it might be sitting in an Icelandic post office.

5. The Icelandic Phallological Museum

Reykjavík’s Icelandic Phallological Museum is exactly what it sounds like: a museum dedicated to the scientific study of penises. The museum has over 200 specimens from different species, including whales, seals, and even tiny rodents.

While it might sound bizarre, the museum is actually very educational. Visitors learn about biology, reproduction, and the diversity of these organs in the animal kingdom. Some folks come out of curiosity, but most leave with fun learnings and cool things to tell their friends.

6. Europe’s Largest Banana Plantation

You wouldn’t think bananas could grow so far north, but Iceland’s geothermal energy makes it possible. The country has Europe’s largest banana plantation, thanks to greenhouses heated by natural hot water from the earth.

It’s not a huge commercial farm, but it’s a cool example of how we use geothermal resources. These greenhouses also grow other tropical plants such as cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes.

7. Naming the Sheep

Sheep are everywhere in Iceland, and some farmers even give them names. These woolly animals aren’t just farm animals—they’re almost like family members. If you talk to a farmer about a certain sheep, don’t be surprised if you hear a name and a funny story.

Sheep have been important in Iceland for centuries, providing wool and meat. Naming them is just another way Icelanders show their appreciation for these animals that help them through tough winters.

8. The Myth of the “Anti-Incest App”

You might’ve heard that Icelanders use an “anti-incest app” to avoid dating their cousins. Well, that’s mostly just a rumor. What Iceland does have is Íslendingabók, a website where you can see how you’re related to other Icelanders, often going back many generations.

About a decade ago, some college students made a joke app based on this site with the tagline “Bump before you hump,” but it never caught on. These days, people mostly use Íslendingabók for fun—like checking if they share ancestors with friends or celebrities.

9. Beware of the Christmas Cat

In Iceland, there’s a legendary Christmas Cat called Jólakötturinn. According to the old story, the Cat eats anyone who doesn’t get new clothes by Christmas Eve. It sounds creepy, but it’s really just a fun way to remind kids to finish their chores so they can earn new clothes as a reward.

The Christmas Cat is part of a larger group of Icelandic holiday characters, like the giantess Grýla, her lazy husband Leppalúði, and her mischievous Yule Lads. If you visit during the holidays, you’ll definitely hear these stories and see how they add some spooky fun to the season.

10. The 13 Yule Lads

Instead of one Santa, Iceland has 13 Yule Lads who wander down from the mountains each night, starting 13 days before Christmas. Each Lad has a unique habit—one licks spoons, another steals candles, and another slams doors at night.

Icelandic kids leave shoes in the window, and each Lad either drops off a small treat (if you’ve been good) or a rotten potato (if you haven’t). It’s a fun way to count down to Christmas, and kids love it.

11. Ice Cream All Year Round

Icelanders love ice cream, no matter what the weather is like. Even when it’s freezing outside, you’ll see people lining up at ice cream shops in Reykjavík. There’s something about a sweet, creamy treat that folks here can’t get enough of.

It might be because Icelandic dairy is really good, making the ice cream extra creamy and tasty. Whatever the reason, ice cream is always in season in Iceland.

12. There's no McDonald's in Iceland

Iceland hasn’t had a McDonald’s since 2009, when the chain packed up during the financial crash. The cost of importing ingredients got too high, and instead of jacking up prices, McDonald’s just left. They haven’t come back, and honestly, most people here don’t seem to miss it.

After McDonald’s left, local burger spots stepped in, and now places like Hamborgarafabrikkan and Tommi’s Burger Joint are the go-to spots. The last McDonald’s burger sold in Iceland was saved as a kind of joke and is still on display today. You can even watch it slowly not rot on a live stream.

13. No Mosquitoes

You won’t run into mosquitoes in Iceland. Thanks to the cold weather and short summers, these annoying insects can’t really survive here. Other tiny bugs do exist, but most visitors are thrilled not to deal with mosquito bites.

That’s one less thing to worry about when exploring the lava fields and waterfalls under the midnight sun.

14. The Naming Committee

Iceland has a special committee that checks baby names to protect the Icelandic language. If parents want to use a name that’s not on the approved list, they have to ask for permission. The committee ensures the name fits with Icelandic grammar and won’t cause problems for the child.

It may seem strict from an outside view, but many locals say it helps preserve their traditions. Sometimes, people get upset when the committee says no to a new name, which shows how important language is in Iceland.

15. Patronymics: “Son” and “Dóttir”

Icelanders don’t usually have family surnames like in other countries. Instead, they use their parent’s first name and add “-son” if they’re a boy or “-dóttir” if they’re a girl. So if Jón has a daughter named Anna, she’ll be called Anna Jónsdóttir, meaning “Anna, Jón’s daughter.” That's what's called a patronymic and matronymic name system.

This can confuse visitors, but most Icelanders like how it clearly links each person to their closest parent. It’s another one of those unique things that keep Iceland’s traditions alive in everyday life.

Conclusion

Iceland has so much more to offer than just its awesome landscapes. From listing jobs in the phone book to growing bananas in greenhouses, there are plenty of unique and fun things here. Whether you’re joining in on Beer Day, sending a letter to Santa, or just grabbing some ice cream any time of year, Iceland shows how being different can be really cool. Next time you think about Iceland, remember there’s a lot more to explore beyond the ice and volcanoes!