Iceland is a fascinating country located in the North Atlantic Ocean just south of the Arctic Circle. Known for its dramatic landscapes, active volcanoes, hot springs and glaciers, Iceland offers plenty of mysteries and curiosities to ponder. Let’s explore some riddles and fun facts about this magical island nation.
Geography Riddles
Riddle #1
I’m an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Arctic Circle. I have glaciers, geysers, hot springs, and volcanoes. What am I?
Answer: Iceland
Riddle #2
I’m a large glacier located in the south of Iceland. I’m the largest glacier in Europe. What am I?
Answer: Vatnajökull glacier
Riddle #3
I’m a famous three-step waterfall located in south Iceland, beloved for my dramatic beauty. What am I?
Answer: Skógafoss waterfall
Riddle #4
I’m a stunning canyon located in south Iceland, carved out by the Fjaðrárgljúfur river. My cliffs rise up to 100 meters high. What am I?
Answer: Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Riddle #5
I’m a famous hot spring area located in west Iceland, known for its bright blue geothermal pools. What am I?
Answer: The Blue Lagoon
Riddle #6
I’m an active volcano located under a glacier in west Iceland. I last erupted in 2010, disrupting air travel across Europe. What am I?
Answer: Eyjafjallajökull volcano
Riddle #7
I’m a famous two-tiered waterfall located in south Iceland, considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. What am I?
Answer: Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Riddle #8
I’m Iceland’s second largest city, located on the north coast. I’m home to the iconic Sun Voyager sculpture. What am I?
Answer: Akureyri
Riddle #9
I’m Iceland’s largest national park, known for my unique geological features. What am I?
Answer: Vatnajökull National Park
Riddle #10
I’m a famous bay in west Iceland, dotted with small islands. Puffins like to nest here in the summertime. What am I?
Answer: Breiðafjörður Bay
History & Culture Riddles
Riddle #11
I’m an old Viking gathering place and current UNESCO World Heritage Site located in west Iceland. What am I?
Answer: Þingvellir National Park
Riddle #12
I’m the largest church in Iceland, known for my distinct rocket-shaped steeple. What am I?
Answer: Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavik
Riddle #13
I’m Iceland’s national sport, originating from the time of the Vikings. I involve two competitors, strength, and agility. What am I?
Answer: Glíma, or Icelandic wrestling
Riddle #14
I’m a traditional Icelandic skyr-based dessert, similar to soft serve ice cream but healthier. What am I?
Answer: Skyrkonfekt
Riddle #15
I’m a mischievous Icelandic Yule Lad who slams doors and steals sausages. What is my name?
Answer: Slammer
Riddle #16
I’m a famous annual multi-day walking festival that takes place across Iceland. What am I?
Answer: Laugavegurinn trail/hiking festival
Riddle #17
I’m an Icelandic museum that allows visitors to experience what life was like in Iceland centuries ago. What am I?
Answer: Árbæjarsafn open air museum
Riddle #18
I’m a traditional Icelandic wool sweater with a distinctive pattern. What am I?
Answer: Lopapeysa
Riddle #19
I’m a famous handcrafted wood and stone church located in east Iceland. I’m one of the country’s most photographed landmarks. What am I?
Answer: Hofskirkja church
Riddle #20
I’m Iceland’s largest museum, dedicated to preserving the country’s medieval manuscripts and history. What am I?
Answer: Þjóðminjasafn Íslands National Museum
Literature Riddles
Riddle #21
I wrote novels such as ‘Independent People’ and ‘World Light’ in the 20th century. I received a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955. Who am I?
Answer: Halldór Laxness
Riddle #22
I wrote the medieval Icelandic sagas such as ‘Egil’s Saga’ and ‘The Saga of the Volsungs’. What group do I belong to?
Answer: The anonymous Icelandic saga authors
Riddle #23
I’m a collection of medieval Icelandic sagas about early Norse settlements in Iceland. What am I?
Answer: Íslendingasögur
Riddle #24
I’m a famous 13th century Icelandic historian who wrote ‘The Book of Icelanders’. What is my name?
Answer: Ari Þorgilsson
Riddle #25
I’m a medieval Icelandic saga that tells the story of the warrior Grettir and his outlaw years. What am I?
Answer: Grettis saga
Riddle #26
I’m a collection of Icelandic mythological and heroic poetry dating from the 9th to 11th centuries. What am I?
Answer: Poetic Edda
Riddle #27
I’m a famous Icelandic writer of crime fiction, known for dark psychological thrillers like ‘Jar City’. Who am I?
Answer: Arnaldur Indriðason
Riddle #28
I’m an Icelandic author known for mystery novels set in Iceland, such as ‘Last Rituals’ and ‘My Soul to Take’. Who am I?
Answer: Yrsa Sigurðardóttir
Nature Riddles
Riddle #29
I’m a breed of small, fluffy horses native to Iceland. What am I?
Answer: Icelandic horses
Riddle #30
I’m a cute, puffin-like seabird native to Iceland. I inspired the logo for a famous Icelandic airline. What am I?
Answer: Atlantic Puffin
Riddle #31
I’m Iceland’s only native land mammal, a little furry creature once hunted to near extinction. What am I?
Answer: The Arctic fox
Riddle #32
I’m a migratory seabird that comes to Iceland each spring to nest in massive numbers. What am I?
Answer: Atlantic Puffins
Riddle #33
I’m Iceland’s largest lake, located in the south next to Vatnajökull National Park. What am I?
Answer: Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
Riddle #34
I’m a natural phenomenon that occurs in Iceland’s long winter nights. I illuminate the sky with green, purple, and red auroras. What am I?
Answer: The Northern Lights
Riddle #35
I’m a delicious fish that’s a staple of Icelandic cuisine. I’m usually served smoked or salted. What am I?
Answer: Haddock
Riddle #36
I’m Iceland’s largest national forest, located in the east. Unusual for Iceland, many species of trees grow here. What am I?
Answer: Hallormstaðaskógur Forest
Riddle #37
I’m a cold water fish known for its ugly appearance. I’m commonly caught in Iceland and dried into hard discs. What am I?
Answer: Atlantic wolffish
Riddle #38
I’m a plant whose berries are collected in Iceland to make jam. I’m also used to flavor schnapps. What am I?
Answer: Crowberry
Food Riddles
Riddle #39
I’m a traditional Icelandic dish of cubed sheep meat and potatoes boiled in stock. What am I?
Answer: Kjötsúpa
Riddle #40
I’m a popular Icelandic street food consisting of a hot dog topped with crispy fried onions. What am I?
Answer: Pylsa
Riddle #41
I’m a traditional Icelandic Christmas bread flavored with cardamom. What am I?
Answer: Vínarterta
Riddle #42
I’m an Icelandic fermented shark meat dish known for its pungent aroma. What am I?
Answer: Hákarl
Riddle #43
I’m a sweet Icelandic pancake most often rolled up and topped with sugar. What am I?
Answer: Laufabrauð
Riddle #44
I’m a cured Icelandic lamb dish made from smoked lamb and served cold. What am I?
Answer: Hangikjöt
Riddle #45
I’m a creamy Icelandic yogurt-like dairy product, similar to Greek yogurt. What am I?
Answer: Skyr
Riddle #46
I’m an Icelandic winter soup made from lamb and vegetables. My name means ‘hot soup’ in Icelandic. What am I?
Answer: Heit súpa
Riddle #47
I’m a traditional Icelandic Christmas porridge made from rice pudding and raisins. What am I?
Answer: Jólagrautur
Miscellaneous Riddles
Riddle #48
I’m the official currency of Iceland. What am I?
Answer: The Icelandic króna
Riddle #49
I’m the largest music festival in Iceland, attracting local and international artists each year. What am I?
Answer: Iceland Airwaves music festival
Riddle #50
I’m a famous geothermal spa and swimming pool in Reykjavik known for its outdoor pools. What am I?
Answer: Sundhöllin swimming pool
Riddle #51
I’m Iceland’s largest airline, named for a colorful seabird native to Iceland. What am I?
Answer: Icelandair
Riddle #52
I’m a popular team sport played in Iceland, similar to handball. What am I?
Answer: Glíma
Riddle #53
I’m an Icelandic holiday celebrated on the first Monday of August each year. What am I?
Answer: Verslunarmannahelgi, or Commerce Day
Riddle #54
I’m a famous Icelandic brewery that makes beers like Viking Classic, Gull, and Thule. What am I?
Answer: Ölgerð Egill Skallagrímsson (Egill brewery)
Riddle #55
I’m Iceland’s largest national park, known for my dazzling ice caves. What am I?
Answer: Vatnajökull National Park
Riddle #56
I’m Iceland’s tallest mountain, rising 1,891 meters high. What am I?
Answer: Hvannadalshnúkur
Riddle #57
I’m a famous hot spring area in west Iceland, renowned for bathing since the 9th century. What am I?
Answer: Deildartunguhver
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 57 riddles about the amazing country of Iceland! From its stunning landscapes and natural wonders, to its rich cultural traditions, fun facts, and unique cuisine, this Nordic island nation offers so much to discover. Iceland continues to capture the imagination of travelers from all over the world. Next time you embark on solving riddles, consider some about this magical land of fire and ice!
