WHAT TO DO IN ICELAND
Reykjavik
Main Shopping street – Enjoy a lovely walk on Laugavegur, Bankastræti, Austurstræti and Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Street) streets that form the shape of the letter “Y”, window shopping, admiring corrugated steel houses and lookout for street art.
The lake Tjörnin (The Pond) – The Pond is the small natural lake in the heart of Reykjavík with birds. Most photogenic place in Reykjavík
Höfði house– The place where Reagan and Gorbachov met during the coldwar First summit of the two superpowers, marking the first step towards the end of the Cold War.
Perlan (The Pearl) Looks like an astronomical center on top of a hill looming over Reykjavík. Is actually a rotating restaurant built on top of 6 water tanks that supply Reykjavík with hot water. Great overview from the observation deck which costs 450 ISK. As of 2017, an Ice cave museum is now available to visit.
Hallgrímskirkja, the church – On top of Skólavörðuholt, where Skólavörðustígur leads to. 1000 ISK to go to the top of the tower and get the best possible view over the oldest part of Reykjavík. one of the must-do in Reykjavík, make sure you check the opening hours, service on sundays (lutheran)
Nauthólsvík (Geothermal beach) – Its very close to Perlan, a man-made beach. Super crowded on sunny days and this is where Icelandic ocean swimmers gather. The costa del Sol of Icelanders
Harpa Concert Hall – Beautiful building designed by the famous Half Danish – Half Icelandic Ólafur Elíasson, free to visit but also guided tours to pay for. They’ve got events and shows every night also, both for locals and for visitors.
The old harbour – Bunch of nice restaurants as well as whale watching tours can be found there
Museums downtown Reykjavik
National History Museum – Detailed history along with many artifacts, takes around 2 hours to go through.
The settlement Exhibtion – highly recommended, focuses on the first settlers, the Vikings and their lifestyle in the years 874 – 1262. About an hour to go through and is located in Aðalstræti 16, right next to my starting location.
Saga Museum – More on history but not so much on Icelandic sagas, has great layout though and I recommend this one if you have kids in your group. They let you try on viking outfit for pictures and you walk through a bit spooky and dark museum as you read about history and important figures in Icelandic history. About 30 minutes to go through.
Food to Try while in Iceland
Check out what food to try in the following link Click here
Dining in Reykjavik
Check out our Restaurants recommendations click here
Best natural hot springs in Iceland
The most popular natural hot springs are Reykjadalur (FREE), Seljavallalaug (FREE) and the Secret Lagoon (costs 3,000ISK), Blue Lagoon (from 5,000ISK) and Mývatn (from 5,700ISK)
Best swimming pools in Reykjavik
The Public Swimming Pools – The best bargain to be found in Iceland and as local as it gets. Warm jacuzzis with massage in your back, listen to locals fight over politics and soccer.
Laugardalslaug – The biggest one in Iceland and also the most recommended one. A bit touristy but yet very icelandic in its style.
Vesturbæjarlaug – Very old authentic public bath, more icelandic style and much smaller. One of my favourites
Árbæjarlaug – very classic example of a modern public bath, and not a single foreigner goes there, completely local for its neighborhood in Reykjavik. Bus is required or a car.
Sundhöllin – The oldest in Reykjavik, used to be indoors but now a couple of hot tubs are also to be found underneath a clear sky. Usually the closest one to downtown area, depending on your location of course. Newly renovated.
Useful Websites while in Iceland
Reykjavík.com – Online blog/magazine recently established and growing quickly in popularity.
bus.is – all public bus routes
sundlaugar.is – all public baths, swimming pools etc.
midi.is – tickets to cinemas are sold here, make sure you are buying from the closest cinema.
samferda.net – A webpage for people looking for rides and/or passengers, carpooling.
tonlist.is – all the icelandic music in one place, connected with spotify.
vedur.is – the weather and aurora forecast in iceland
Reykjavík Grapevine – A magazine you can find allover Reykjavík in english, written for visitors who wanna know whats going on this week in Reykjavík. Various recommendations and advertisements also.
Hiking in Iceland
Mount Esja – Just outside Reykjavik but buses will take you there, the hike is about 2 hours up and down with a beautiful view over the bay of Reykjavik at the top. Classic choice, lots of locals fancy this hike which is carefully marked. The mountain is the one over looking Reykjavik at all times. helicopter rides are known for landing on top.
Mount Búrfell and Búrfellsgjá – Less known among tourists than Esja, very close by Reykjavík nonetheless. Easy drive for about 20 minutes on gravel road passable by any car. A rather flat hike for an hour and an elevation of 100 meters at the end as you come to a big crater of a dead volcano. Lots of caves on the way. Path is a bit muddy, volcanic landscape and very little traffic. See map of location Park your car close by.
Laugavegurinn – Generally 5 days and 4 nights, walk from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk in extraordinary landscape through rivers and over snow bridges
Vestfirðir – Westfjords, get in touch with isolated nature on your own, do your googling prior to departure and make your own trip
Camping gear can be bought from www.fjallakofinn.is
If you plan to rent for a short time, visit our friends at http://outcamping.is
Shopping guide Reykjavik
Kringlan – The first mall in Reykjavik, about 30 minute walk from downtown but easily accessible by buses that cost 3 dollars to hop on.
Smáralind – Big mall shaped like a penis when viewed from above, located in Kópavogur, 15 minutes drive from downtown.
Laugavegur – The main street, „hot spring street“ great variety of shops but also keep in mind that this is also a touristy area, so price is relatively high. Easy to find souvenirs, wool, camping gear.
The Flea Market (Kolaportið) – The closest thing to a market you can find in Iceland. Is only open on weekends though. The best and cheapest woolen sweaters can be found there and bought straight from Icelandic gorgeous housewives along with other souvenirs.
Handknitting Association of Iceland – Located on the street leading to the church, Skólavörðustígur. Midway through on your left as you go up. Lots of knitware, straight from Icelandic homes. Doesn’t get more authentic.
Thorvaldsen Bazar – Oldest Shop in reykjavík, still standing and located on Austurstræti 4, close to American bar. Profits are given to charity at the end of the year, by the woman’s association in Iceland which runs the store. Here you find icelandic woolen sweaters
Reykjavik Foto – A camera shop. If you need a new battery, a tripod or anything camera related, they are on Laugavegur, the main shopping street
12 Tónar – Music store, find CD’s with Icelandic artists, close to Hallgrímskirkja.
Macland – Electronic shop focusing on apple products on laugavegur. There you can find all plugs and switches, for example a US to European adapter.
Souvenirs
Maps of Iceland – Online store to buy maps of iceland. Free shipping worldwide.
Photographs of Iurie – Online store to buy wall art, photos of Iceland’s nature.
Inga Elín – Popular Mugs in Iceland, hand painted. Ship worldwide
DayTours
To get the most out of your trip we recommend these two day tours:
1. Golden circle is the most popular tourist attraction in Iceland. It consists of three different stops, Þingvellir national park, Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall. *Click here*
– If you have a car there is a great variation of options to stop by. We recommend stopping for a tomato soup at Friðheimar Greenhouse (really close to Geysir). Efstidalur dairy farm is great for an ice cream stop. Skálholt if you are into history, Kerið if you want a nature attraction that takes short time to visit or Brúarfoss and Faxi waterfalls. Secret Lagoon is great natural pool. But please keep in mind the daylight hours to make sure you see Gullfoss, geyser and Þingvellir in the daylight.
2 . South Coast Classic – The classic stops on the south coast include Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls and the black sand beach close to Vik where you can also see Basalt columns. Optional stops that some people do is going up to Dyrhólaey for a view or paragliding, walk to the plain wreck on Sólheimasandur. You can also book a glacier walk on Sólheimajökull. On the way back maybe consider visiting amall fishing villages (Eyrarbakki where the prison is and Stokkseyri) along the south coast via Krísuvík (road. 42) and Bláfjöll (road 417).
If you have more time we recommend these places as well:
1. South coast past Vik – Don’t go this far unless you have a place to stay, driving to Jökulsárlón ( glacier lagoon) and back to Reykjavík in one day is not advisable, especially in winter conditions and limited daylight. A popular place to visit is the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and hike up Systrastapi in Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Skaftafell has beautiful hikes, towards the Vatnajökull glacier and to Svartifoss waterfall. Also notice the Glacial lagoon is not the same as the Glacier lagoon, two different companies and locations.
2. Grafningur area – (road 360) gravel on occasion, bunch of farms and horses around and will take you by one of the geothermal power plants. Beautiful mountains to hike within minutes with great overview from top. Go around lake Þingvallavatn and stop by in Reykjadalur on your way back to Reykjavík.
3. Hvalfjörður – (road 47) The ring road in the past before the tunnel was constructed. Furthest in the Fjord is the tallest waterfall in Iceland, Glymur, a short hike from the road.
4. Húsafell – Isolated in winter, summer house area, at least 90 minute drive from Reykjavík along road 50 and 518. Pass by Reykholt where Snorri Sturluson (writer of the sagas) lived and also pass by Hraunfossar, one of the natural wonders in Iceland.
5. Other options are the South Coast to the Glacier Lagoon (long drive), Golden circle, Reykjanes peninsula and Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Those are the classic choices and regularly toured by various tour operators.
Driving the ring road no. 1 takes a while. it’s 1300 km, and recommended time for that is a minimum 5 days. but doable in three days for those who like to drive a lot.