What You Probably Don't Know About This Small Island's Creative Impact In The World

For such a small population—around 330,000 inhabitants—Iceland’s creative impact on the world has had a surprisingly profound influence; considering how isolated the country is both culturally and geographically, this makes creativity an even more important cultivation. In fact, creative industries in Iceland employ a larger share than both the fishing and agricultural industries combined, and, in turn, generates a larger percentage of the GDP.

Prolific music scene

Icelandic musicians like Björk, Of Monsters and Men, and Sigur Rós have contributed to the Icelandic music scene’s place on the world stage. They have also perhaps contributed to a stereotype of Icelandic music that does not represent the whole music scene. Since Iceland does not have a strong pop-music genre, the sheer diversity of talents contributes to many different genres including hip-hop, metal, and indie rock is inspiring in itself. With so many music festivals offered on the island each year that attract international acts and visitors, the music scene is becoming more of a cultural export.

One in ten will publish a book

The setting for films

The Icelandic film industry has also been very prolific in recent years, especially with the influx of directors using Iceland’s incredible landscapes and the ample summer daylight as backdrops in their films. Icelandic film directors such as Baltasar Kormákur have also been influential abroad.

Abundant exhibition spaces

In the visual arts, Ragnar Kjartansson, has had many prominent exhibitions abroad and is perhaps the most well known Icelandic performance artist. Also, the amount of galleries and artist spaces in such a small country is astounding, and new ones pop up very steadily. When visiting Iceland, it is, of course, obvious to see how one could be endlessly inspired creatively by the landscape with its epic variety and expansiveness.

Linn Björklund, ‘The Shell’, Exhibition View, 2016

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.