ICELAND
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
There are so many places to stay, eat and drink in each country, it just comes down to a matter of budget, preferences and time. Below is an account of each area we visited, where we stayed, things we enjoyed doing and places we ate & drank that were memorable.
Reykjavik
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of a sovereign state in the world. It is a cosmopolitan city with a small-town feel, vibrant and sophisticated, young-at-heart, and yet full of history. For short stays and stopovers, I recommend basing yourself in the city within walking distance of the shops, museums and nightlife. Many beautiful sights of Iceland are within a 2.5 hour drive. The proximity coupled with long daylight hours in the summer make day trips a breeze. Parking can be tricky within the city, so be aware of the laws, designated parking areas and fees.
Hotels, Eats & Drinks
Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre - For our first visit in 2021, we splurged on this hotel using credit card points and were not disappointed. It had mid century modern vibes, an amazing breakfast included in the rate and is within a walking distance of all the city sights.
Thingholt by Center Hotels - We opted for this hotel for our 2nd visit in 2022 mainly due to the price and location. We enjoyed our stay here, well designed rooms, blackout shades and a cute lobby.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur - A must visit food truck with the best hotdogs ever.
Apotek - Good food, great cocktails and a fun tea time experience (reservations required)
Grillmarkaðurinn - An upscale experience with a focus on local ingredients and delicious meat
Lemmy - Great bar with live music, rock & roll rules here.
Einstök Bar - Excellent selection of local craft beers
Drunk Rabbit Irish Bar - There’s one in every country… This one is pretty fun
Dillon Whisky Bar - Rowdy, loud and fun… A highly popular party spot with live music and a great whisky selection.
Lebowski Bar - The dude abides
Things We Enjoyed Seeing & Doing
Enjoying the hot springs & sauna experience at Sky Lagoon, all the weird wieners at theThe Icelandic Phallological Museum, all things rock & roll at the The Icelandic Punk Museum, checking out all the amazing street murals, the glass walls at the Harpa Concert Hall, renting scooters and screwing around in the city, walking up Rainbow Street to Hallgrimskirkja (giant church), walking along the Sculpture & Shore Walk to the Sun Voyager.
Golden Circle & SouthWest Peninsula
The golden circle is one of the closest day trips from Reykjavik and home to…. During our first visit, we were fortunate to witness the volcano eruption…
Porufoss - This was one of our favorite waterfalls in Iceland. And for Game of Thrones nerds like myself, it was used in a scene with the dragons…
Blue Lagoon - 10 minutes from the airport, a great place to visit right after you arrive or before you depart. Be sure to make reservations.
Thingvellir National Park - Interesting rock formations, waterfalls and history.
Silfra Snorkeling Pond - Snorkel between 2 tectonic plates with the clearest waters you’ve ever experienced.
Laugarvatn Fontana - Hot springs, saunas, rye bread and a lake.. What more do you need?
Glymur Waterfall - A moderately challenging 4 mile hike (1300 ft elevation gain) to the 2nd tallest waterfall in Iceland. Be sure to read AllTrails or Google Maps reviews to prepare BEFORE you go.
Gullfoss Waterfall - The crown jewel waterfall of the Golden Circle with awesome views and platforms to explore.
Secret Lagoon - Another local favorite hot spring with old school vibes. Be prepared to shower naked to get clean before entering the lagoon.
Geysir Hot Springs - Similar to old faithful in Yellowstone National Park, this geyser erupts every few minutes shooting water 100 feet into the air.
Kerid Crater - A scenic lake within a volcanic crater that formed around 4000 BC.
South Coast to Vik
If you only have 1 full day to get out and explore beyond the city, do this. Driving one way non-stop from Reykjavik is about 2.5 hours. There is just sooo much to see along the way, you can break up the drive by stopping at glorious waterfalls, grass covered houses and cute little towns. The end point at Vik, is the famous black sand beach that is home to the cute little puffin birds during the warmer months. Plan out your route to save some of the stops for the drive back as well. The list below are the major attractions starting from Reykjavik.
Hveradalir Geothermal Area - Like the name suggests, there are several bubbling hot springs and steamy crevasses here.
Disc Golf Hella - A fun little disc golf course near Hella, bring a few discs to play.
Seljalandsfoss - Stunning waterfall with a path that takes you behind the falls.
Drangurinn - Small historic homes with grass thatched roofs, a quick pit stop to stretch legs and take a photo.
Skogafoss - The mother of all waterfalls. This giant is a must see.. If you have the energy, climb the stairs to the top. If you have more energy & time, take the hike at the top up the trail to see several more waterfalls and beautiful landscapes.
Kvernoufoss - This is a hidden gem waterfall… One of our favorites and the subject of this pages photo.
Black Sand Beach - The final destination on your roadtrip to Vik. Take in the beautiful cave, the beach and the puffins. Mind the signs, and beware of the sneaker waves.
Black Crust Pizza - If you like pizza, go here… Just do it.
Additional Iceland Travel Websites, Podcasts & YouTube Videos:
Below are some great resources on what to do, where to go & overall planning advice for your adventure in Iceland.
Lonely Planet - Well known & trusted source for travel information for almost 50 years.
Iceland with a View - Comprehensive guides, maps and the most current information from an expert who lives there.
AllTrails - Use this site to plan any hikes you’d like to experience while in Iceland.
Nomadic Matt - Iceland travel guide from a pro traveler on a budget since 2008
Karl Watson - Youtube video showcasing a 10 day ring road trip around the entire country
Check out my Travel Resources page for more great information on travel planning
COMING SOON!
Info about Iceland here…….
