Iceland Travel Guide - Going Out

Icelandic food in general is based on fish and lamb, as well as owing much to Scandinavian and European influences. Fishing is Iceland’s most important export, accounting for some 70% of the country’s export earnings. There is also a heavy emphasis on vegetables grown in greenhouses heated by the natural steam from geysers. Bars have table and/or counter service, and will serve coffee as well as alcohol. Alcohol is generally expensive. In coffee shops, pay for the first cup then subsequent cups are free. There is a wide selection of European spirits and wines.

National specialities:
• The salmon of Iceland is a great delicacy, served in many forms, one of the most popular being gravlax, a form of marinating.
• Hangikjot (smoked lamb).
• Harðfiskur (dried fish).
• Icelandic sild (herring marinated in various flavours).
• A delicacy not for the squeamish is rotten shark, cured by burying and washed down with a shot of Black Death Schnapps.

National drinks:
• Brennivin (a potent variation of aquavit made from potatoes).

Legal drinking age: 20.
 
Tipping: Service charges are included in most bills and extra tips are not expected.

There are plenty of nightclubs, bars, cafes and cinemas in Iceland, most of them in the capital. Reykjavík is renowned as one of Europe's hottest nightspots where the friendly pubs and social scene lasts through the night. Icelandic nightlife is particularly vibrant from June to August when there is nearly 24 hours of perpetual daylight (Icelanders call this period the ‘White Nights’).

Leading theatres are the National Theatre and the Reykjavík City Theatre, closed in summer, but during the tourist season there is an attractive light entertainment show in English called ‘Light Nights’ with traditional Icelandic stories and folk songs. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra (website: www.sinfonia.is) gives concerts every week. Iceland also has its own opera company, performing in the smallest (400-seat) and northernmost opera house in the world. Performances run throughout the winter.

Iceland has a vibrant music scene that has produced, amongst others, the internationally acclaimed artist Björk and Sigur Rós. This has, in turn, attracted a number of British and American pop stars to Iceland, such as singer Damon Albarn who partly owns the Kaffibarinn in Reykjavík.

The new Icelandic National Concert and Conference Centre is currently under construction and is scheduled for opening in autumn 2009 in Reykjavik. The iconic building, whose design is inspired by the country's landscape, will be located by the harbour. The centre, which cost US$100 million, will house the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra when it is completed. The complex will include a state-of-the-art 1,800-seat concert hall and a 450-seat rehearsal and recital hall.

Fluffy, earth-coloured Lopi wool blankets and coats, jackets, hats and handknits are synonymous with Iceland. Several local potters handthrow earthenware containers in natural colours. Crushed lava is a common addition to highly glazed ceramic pieces, which are popular as souvenirs. The duty-free shop at Keflavík Airport sells all of these products. Laugavegur is Reykjavík's main shopping street. The shops along Skolavordustigur are good for art lovers. Kringlan is Reykjavík's world-class shopping mall. Bargain hunters should visit the indoor Kolaportid market in Reykjavík, held every weekend, where great buys on handmade Icelandic jumpers, food and toys can be found.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800; Sat from 1000-1300/1400/1500 or 1600. Some supermarkets are open seven days a week until 2300.