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When in Iceland .....

🏛️ Conference Venue​​​​​​
🌱 Sustainability Commitment

We encourage all participants to support our efforts to minimize waste and promote sustainability throughout the conference.

  • We are not producing branded pens, notepads, or paper materials. Please bring your own notebook or pen if needed.

  • The venue (Reykjavík University – HR) is equipped with charging outlets for laptops, tablets, and phones.

  • Upon registration, each attendee will receive a reusable glass water bottle, helping us avoid single-use plastic and cups. These bottles have been upcycled and rescued from overstock caused by a slight print misalignment – supporting our mission to minimize unnecessary waste.
     

📢 Stay connected during the Conference

To get real-time updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and share your experience:

Use the official hashtag: #HB2025Iceland to tag your photos and stories!
 

🏨 Accommodation & Essentials

  • Once you arrive at your hotel:

    • Tap water is clean, safe, and drinkable – no need to buy bottled water. Bottled water comes from our tabs.

    • You are encouraged to fill your reusable bottle at the hotel each morning before leaving for the day.

    • At the conference venue (HR), there are water stations available throughout the building for refilling your bottle.​

    • To use taxis locally, download the Hopp app – [Download for iOS / Android].
       

    • We recommend Hreyfill or HOPP for taxi and only signed official cars.

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🛬 Arrival – from airport to hotel

  • Upon arrival at Keflavík International Airport:

  • On your way to Reykjavík:

    • You may catch a glimpse of the recent volcanic eruption site on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

    • Iceland uses geothermal energy for heating homes – a sustainable and clean energy source visible in the landscape.
      You will pass Svartsengi Power Plant, a pioneering geothermal facility that powers both the Blue Lagoon and nearby communities with clean energy.
       

📱 Money, power & connectivity

  • Currency: Iceland uses the Icelandic króna (ISK). Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere—including taxis, buses, and even some public restrooms. ATMs are widely available, so there’s no need to carry cash.

  • Electricity: Iceland uses Type F plugs (Europlug) and 230V / 50Hz electricity. Bring a plug adapter if you’re coming from the UK, USA, or countries with a different socket type.

  • Mobile/Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, cafés, and public spaces. Visitors from the EU can often roam without extra cost. Others can buy prepaid Icelandic SIM cards from Nova, Síminn, or Vodafone, available at the airport and most convenience stores. Ask at the airport info desk or in city kiosks for help.

  • How to buy SIM card at airport instructions - click here
     

📍 Travel & Straeto

         www.straeto.is/en


 

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  • In the capital area, most routes operate on a 15-minute frequency during peak hours and at a 30-minute frequency outside peak hours. Routes 1 and 6 run at a 10-minute frequency during peak hours.

  • The buses usually drive from approx. 06:30 in the morning on Mondays-Fridays, from approx. 07:30 on Saturdays and from approx. 09:30 Sundays. Half of the bus routes run every day of the week until midnight.

  • On official holidays buses usually drive according to a Sunday schedule, unless its announced otherwise.



📍 Maps & Locations




 

  • Downtown Reykjavík – [View Map]

  • Reykjavík University (HR) – Main conference venue – [View Map]

  • Harpa Concert Hall – Opening ceremony – [View Map]

  • Perlan - Conference dinner– [View Map]
     

🍽️ Dining & Table Reservations


 

  • Restaurants in Reykjavík can fill up quickly.

  • We recommend using the DineOut app to reserve tables in advance.
     

🌦️ Weather & What to Pack

  • Icelandic weather can be unpredictable—be prepared for all seasons.
     

👫 Accompanying Guests – What to Do?

  • If your spouse, partner, or guests are joining you:

  • Explore Reykjavík on foot—museums, shops, cafés, and galleries.

  • Map - walking in Reykjavík

  • Self guided walking in Reykjavík - app (download here)

  • Consider day tours to:

  • The Blue Lagoon

  • The Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss)

  • Whale watching .

  • Sample itineraries and tour suggestions – [Click here].
     

🚨 Emergencies & Contacts

  • Icelandic emergency number: 112 (police, ambulance, fire).

  • Nearest pharmacies: Lyfja, Apótekarinn – [View Locations and Hours].
     

​🗣️ Handy Icelandic phrases

 

Most Icelanders speak excellent English, so you’ll get by just fine without knowing Icelandic. However, here are some fun or useful words and phrases to know during your stay:

English    Icelandic    Notes

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Hello  Halló  Standard greeting

Thank you  Takk  Often followed by "fyrir" (for)

Good morning  Góðan daginn  Common daytime greeting

Goodbye  Bless  Informal farewell

Awesome / Amazing  Geggjað  Very common local slang

It’ll work out / It'll be fine  Þetta reddast  Popular Icelandic mindset

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📎 Documents & Downloads (coming soon)

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🇮🇸 Icelandic Customs & Everyday Life

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Land of lava, elves, and very strong opinions about the weather.

Icelanders are few in number, but we pack in quite a bit of personality. From fierce independence to quiet hospitality, here are a few customs and quirks that shape daily life on this volcanic rock in the North Atlantic.

 

🌋 Nature comes first

We don’t just live close to nature — we live in it. Volcanic eruptions, glaciers, and midnight sun remind us who’s boss. Icelanders are environmentally conscious… or at least aspiring to be.

 

🕒 Time is relative

We like to say we’re punctual. But "on time" might mean five minutes late — or right on the dot, depending on wind speed, volcanic ash, or whether there was time for a second coffee.

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👟 No shoes indoors

Shoes off at the door. Always. Your socks, however, are free to express your personality.


🤝 Minimal fuss greetings

A quick “hæ,” a nod, or a quiet smile is often enough. Don’t expect dramatic hellos — unless we know you from the swimming pool.


☕ Coffee is a human right

Coffee in Iceland is not just a beverage. It’s a ritual. A pause. A coping mechanism. And sometimes... dinner.
 

🌦️ Let's Talk About the Weather

Because we always do.

  • Icelanders have dozens of ways to describe rain, snow, wind, sleet, sideways hail, sunshine, sunshine while it's raining, and sunshine for five seconds before it disappears again. We don’t have bad weather — just different types of weather happening all at once.

  • If there’s one thing that unites us, it’s this:

    • We’ll always talk about the weather.  Even while it’s changing mid-sentence.
       

      A few classic Icelandic weather sayings:

    • “Það er ekki veðrið, það er klæðnaðurinn.” – It’s not the weather, it’s your clothing.

    • “Ef þér líkar ekki við veðrið, bíddu í fimm mínútur.” – If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.

    • “Þetta er bara skúrir – það styttir upp á eftir.” – It's just a passing shower – it'll clear up (probably... maybe).
       

🇮🇸 What We’re Known For

  • 🧊 “Þetta reddast” – It’ll all work out.
    Our national motto. Equal parts hope and improvisation.

  • 🧚 Elves and hidden people
    Even if we don’t believe, we won’t risk building a road through their lava rock. Just in case.

  • 🎅 13 Yule Lads and a hungry Christmas cat
    Christmas in Iceland includes prankster trolls and the dreaded Yule Cat, who eats children without new clothes.

  • 🦈 Fermented shark (hákarl)
    Yes, it’s a thing. No, we don’t eat it every day. Yes, we’ll still dare you to try it.

  • 🎭 Creative souls
    We’re a nation of writers, singers, knitters, and part-time philosophers. Most people are working on a novel. Some have finished one.
     

🧠 The Icelandic Mindset

Modest but proud. Practical but poetic. We’ll lend you a raincoat, argue about hot tubs, and explain geothermal energy while walking backwards into a storm. Just don’t forget to take off your shoes.

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Image by Tom Podmore
Image by Anders Jildén

Interesting webpages 

 
 
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