Iceland - Culture

Iceland has a 99% literacy rate – its people are knowledgeable, well-spoken and very polite. Icelandic is the national language but Danish and English are widely spoken.

Icelanders enjoy having a warm soak in a sundlaug (heated pool) or a geothermal spa, with many visiting a pool daily. In every public pool, the following bathing etiquette must be observed:
• Remove your shoes before entering the locker room. Upon entering, use the wristband you've obtained at the reception to get a locker. Put away your phone because no camera is allowed (unless you are visiting a tourist-oriented geothermal spa like the Sky Lagoon).
• Undress and put away your clothes, but take your swimsuit and towel to the shower room and leave them in one of the shelving units there.
• Wash thoroughly without your swimsuit. If you are uncomfortable, use one of the private cubicles.
• Put on your swimsuit and go to the pool. After that, relax in the hot tub.
• Once you're done, proceed to the shower area and wash again. You must then dry off (with the towel you've left in the shower room earlier) before entering the locker room.
• Put on your clothes and visit the hair-drying area if you wish.
• Leave the locker room and put on your shoes outside.
• Drop your wristband into a box, which will open the turnstile so you can leave.