Reykjavík, Iceland

Picturesque.  Unique.  Stunning.  Cool.  Everything I had heard about Iceland was true.  Reykjavík is a fascinating city.  I loved the culture, charming colorful buildings, and spectacular scenery.  Here are some tips and suggestions for a trip to Reykjavík.  

SEE + DO

The Golden Circle (Gulfoss waterfall, Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park) is a must do and an easy day trip from Reykjavík.  Spectacular and breathtaking sights.  Along the way, you’ll encounter Icelandic horses and sheep.  Book a tour for convenience or rent a car for more flexibility.  Roads are well maintained and driving the Golden Circle is relatively easy.  Keep in mind that renting a car in Iceland (and gas) can be expensive and reserve early if you want automatic transmission.

Hallgrímskirkja Church is an iconic landmark visible from miles away.  The façade was designed to be reminiscent of the lava flows of Iceland’s landscape.   Take the elevator to the top for a panoramic view.  The surrounding neighborhood is a lovely area to explore afterwards.

The Old Harbour is a picturesque area with charming shops and lots of boats.  This is where whale-watching and puffin-viewing tours depart.  Nearby is the Harpa Concert Hall, with its stunning modern architecture and façade designed by the artist Olafur Eliasson.

Blue Lagoon is a very popular tourist destination considered a must-do by many.  It’s about a 40 minute drive from the city so the ideal time to go is on your way from or to Keflavik airport.  It is a nice way to relax before or after a flight.  Give yourself at least 3 hours just for the lagoon and more if you would like to eat at the onsite restaurant (Lava) or have a spa treatment.

Perlan (“The Pearl”) is a unique looking building with a large glass dome built on top of large geothermal hot water storage tanks.  Go up to the viewing deck to see panoramic views of the city.  There is a café onsite where you can have a beverage or snack after enjoying the views.  There is also a fancier revolving restaurant on the top floor (it completes a full rotation every two hours).

The Botanical Garden is a lovely peaceful place to relax or go for a stroll even if you’re not a fan of gardening.  It was interesting to see all the plants labelled with their Icelandic names.  There is also a nice café, Café Flora (Flóran), located inside which is open during the summer months.  It uses organic ingredients, much of it grown in the garden.  It’s a pleasant stop for coffee or a light lunch.

EAT + DRINK

Icelandic hot dogs should be on your list of things to eat.  The most famous place to get them is Bæjarins beztu pylsur.  The stand is located near the harbor and there’s usually a line.  (Some say there are better hot dogs elsewhere but one of the reasons for Bæjarins’ popularity is that many famous people have eaten there like Bill Clinton).  Get one “with everything on it” for the full experience.  This may be the most affordable meal in Reykjavík!

Try Skyr which is a traditional Icelandic yogurt with a thick creamy texture.  You may enjoy it if you like Greek yogurt. 

Seafood is very fresh here and there are many good seafood restaurants:  Sea Baron (Saegreifinn) is a casual restaurant by the harbor known for its lobster soup and seafood skewers.  You stand in line, order at the counter, select which skewers you would like from the refrigerated case, pay, get a number, and find a spot at one of the long narrow communal tables and benches.  I heard a lot of languages other than Icelandic so it feels like a tourist spot but my salmon skewers were pretty tasty and fresh. And the prices are reasonable for Iceland.

Fish Market is located in a historic wood building and sounds like it would be a casual place but inside the ambiance was modern and upscale.  It offers Asian inspired dishes and traditional Icelandic specialties which are all artfully presented.  Bread is served in a cloth bag with warm stones.  Make reservations ahead of time and check out the tasting menu.

Restó is a small cozy restaurant owned by a husband and wife team.  It’s located away from the main touristy area and reasonably priced.  I liked the warm comfortable space inside and the ling cod dish I had was tasty.

Coffee:  

Mokka Kaffi is one of Reykjavík's oldest coffee houses which also displays local art.

Te & Kaffi is a lovely coffee chain in Iceland which offers a pleasant atmosphere and good coffee. (Fun fact:  there is no Starbucks in Iceland!)

STAY

You’ll find Radisson Blu hotels throughout Scandinavia.  They are usually reliably clean and comfortable.  There are two Radisson Blu hotels in Reykjavík.  I stayed at the Radisson Blu Saga which is 10 minutes from the city center in a quiet area.  A decent breakfast buffet was included (good smoothies). The information desk was helpful for sightseeing tips.  We had a rental car so the location was convenient but if you opt to not rent a car, you may want to stay at the Radisson Blu 1919 which is smaller but more centrally located downtown.

SHOP

Laugavegur is the main shopping street in Reykjavík where you’ll find a mix of shops.

Skólavörðustígur is another charming street lined with restaurants, art studios, bookstores, and other interesting small shops.

SOUVENIR IDEAS

Volcanic glass or lava rock jewelry

Wool sweaters, hats, gloves or socks

66 North brand clothing (if you like North Face or Patagonia, you make also like this 
Icelandic outdoor clothing brand)

Blue Lagoon products (you can also buy these at the airport if you didn’t have time to go to the spa)

Anything printed with adorable puffins, like my socks below!

TIPS:

Getting around:  Most people in Reykjavik speak fluent English which makes navigating the city easy.  Reykjavík is very walkable and it’s relatively easy to drive around Iceland for day trips.

When to go:  June through August for mild temperatures (for Iceland) and long summer days.  If you want to see the Northern Lights though, you should travel between September and April.

What to pack and wear:  Dress in layers.  I went in the summer and some days were mild and others quite chilly.  Pack some warm clothing, scarves, and a light waterproof jacket even if you are going in the summer.  Or you can always buy some good quality cold weather clothing when you get to Reykjavík. 

Iceland is expensive but many attractions (like the Perlan) do not have entry fees.

Save money by not buying bottles of drinking water.  Icelanders will tell you bottled water is the same as tap water there.  You can drink pristine Icelandic water straight from the tap.  You may smell sulfur (usually in the hot water) but you can let the water run for a bit for the smell to dissipate.

You can also save by getting food and snacks from budget grocery stores like Bonus or Kronan instead of convenience shops (look for the cute bright logos).  I also think it’s just interesting and fun to visit grocery stores in foreign countries.

If you go in summer when you have almost 24 hours of daylight and you are a sensitive sleeper, bringing an eye mask will help block out light while you sleep.

Thanks for reading!