How to pronounce Icelandic place names (survival guide)

How to Pronounce Icelandic Place Names: A Survival Guide

Landing in Iceland is exciting, but those unique place names can stump even the most confident traveler. With this friendly guide, you’ll breeze through conversations at the rental car desk, order the right directions at a gas station, and feel truly at home in Westfjords & West Iceland. And when you need a cozy base, Ourhotels.is has you covered with properties like the Ísafjörður Inn or the charming Hvítá Inn near Borgarnes.

1. Master the Basics

Icelandic uses a few letters we don’t see in English. Here’s how to approach them:

• Þ/þ (thorn) sounds like “th” in “thin.” Eg: Þingvellir.
• Ð/ð (eth) is a soft “th” as in “this.” Eg: Reykjavík (RAYK-yah-vik).
• Á/á, É/é, Í/í, Ó/ó, Ú/ú, Ý/ý are long vowels—hold them a bit longer than English.
• J is like an English “y.” Eg: Jökulsárlón (YO-kuuls-SOWR-lon).

2. Pronouncing Popular Destinations

• Reykjavík – RAYK-yah-vik (capital city).
• Snæfellsnes – SNYE-fells-ness (the “sn-eye” starts like “sniper”).
• Ísafjörður – EE-sah-fyor-thur (home of Ísafjörður Inn!).
• Akureyri – ah-KOO-ray-ree (north Iceland’s lively town).
• Borgarfjörður – BOR-gar-fyor-thur (near our beautiful Hvítá Inn).

3. When to Go & How Long to Stay

Summer (June–August) offers endless daylight and comfortable hiking. Winter (December–March) dazzles with northern lights and snowy adventures. Plan:

• Long weekend: Reykjavík & Golden Circle.
• 5–7 days: Add Snæfellsnes or the Westfjords.
• 10+ days: Circle the Ring Road for an epic journey.

4. What to Pack

• Layered clothing: wool base layers and waterproof shell.
• Sturdy hiking boots & cozy socks.
• Swimwear for hot springs.
• Adapter for 230V outlets.
• Good camera for glaciers, waterfalls, and midnight sun.

5. Top Things to Do

• Explore lava fields and volcanic craters.
• Soak in natural hot pools—don’t miss a secret local dip.
• Glacier walks or ice-caving adventures.
• Wildlife spotting: puffins, seals, and whales.
• Learn local legends at small museums and turf houses.

Ready to travel with confidence and pronounce every fjord like a pro? Book your next stay at Ourhotels.is—whether it’s the snug Ísafjörður Inn in the Westfjords or the family-run Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður. Enjoy uplifting scenery, friendly service, and all the warmth you need to feel at home in Iceland.