Iceland (Reykjavik) help

BigRig

BigRig

Active member
Going on a very last minute trip to Iceland for 5 days next week. Haven’t had time to research much or prepare.

Anyone been before and have any tips, tricks, recommendations, ‘do nots’ etc??

I’ve been told to hire a car from the airport so done that already but that’s about it 😅

Cheers all 👍🏻
 
I went in February.

If you're doing any organised tours you should get them booked in advance, although if you're renting a car you may be able to do them solo anyway.

We did the Golden Circle route - definitely worth it if you're there 5 days.

I'd have liked to do the Southern route too with the waterfalls but it was closed (really bad snow).

Blue lagoon will probably be closed, so I'd recommend the Sky lagoon.

The FlyOver Iceland experience in Reykjavik was pretty good too.
 
Ash88 said:
I went in February.

If you're doing any organised tours you should get them booked in advance, although if you're renting a car you may be able to do them solo anyway.

We did the Golden Circle route - definitely worth it if you're there 5 days.

I'd have liked to do the Southern route too with the waterfalls but it was closed (really bad snow).

Blue lagoon will probably be closed, so I'd recommend the Sky lagoon.

The FlyOver Iceland experience in Reykjavik was pretty good too.
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I'd echo this. Went on a 5 day trip in March through Hays in Darlo. It was great. I did the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon as part of the package and added on a South Shore adventure which goes to some other waterfalls and the black sand beach at Vik (IIRC) with Reykjavik Excursions, who did all the other trips and the hotel transfers. The Northern Lights spotting was a bit pants, to be honest. We didn't really see them, which isn't their fault I guess, but we just stood around in a car park for a few hours. At least they had a waffle and hot chocolate van there! The city is worth a walk round as well. I went to the top of the cathedral bell tower for a great view.
 
Littlejimmy said:
I'd echo this. Went on a 5 day trip in March through Hays in Darlo. It was great. I did the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon as part of the package and added on a South Shore adventure which goes to some other waterfalls and the black sand beach at Vik (IIRC) with Reykjavik Excursions, who did all the other trips and the hotel transfers. The Northern Lights spotting was a bit pants, to be honest. We didn't really see them, which isn't their fault I guess, but we just stood around in a car park for a few hours. At least they had a waffle and hot chocolate van there! The city is worth a walk round as well. I went to the top of the cathedral bell tower for a great view.
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When I visited the black sands beach there was a topless model who took off her coat and started a film shoot in just thigh-high boots and skimpy knickers. Normally, I would be all over this but I thought 'what ever they are paying you, it's not enough'. It was bloody freezing and starting to snow. ;)
 
Norman_Conquest said:
When I visited the black sands beach there was a topless model who took off her coat and started a film shoot in just thigh-high boots and skimpy knickers. Normally, I would be all over this but I thought 'what ever they are paying you, it's not enough'. It was bloody freezing and starting to snow. ;)
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When I was there it was blowing 60-70mph winds. I bet that would have been fun for a model like that! I could only stand it for a couple of minutes, and just stood watching in awe as terminally stupid people went down to the edge of the water despite being told repeatedly not to do so because of the sneaky waves which have been known to carry people out to sea.
 
Avoid the blue lagoon, it's not that great anyway. 5 days in Reykjavic is 3 days too long. Get a car and get yourself away round the rest of the island. It's a beautiful place. Loads to see away from the south west.
 
if you want a bit of history etc CityWalk reykjavic do a walking tour - pay what think its worth type arrangement

Secret Lagoon out near Fludir is about 1/3 price of blue lagoon, (which is closed anyway due to volcano risk) is you want to d the hot tub thing. even cheaper is teh municipal swimming pool, at least 3 in Reyk, 50m thermal heated pool and jacuzzis etc. Laugardalslaug is a good one.

a drive it yourself golden circle tour could take in Porufoss waterfall, then onto pingvallir national park, geysir/strokkur thermal stuff - Gulfoss waterfall and then end the day unwinding at secret Lagoon before heading back to Reyk.

In Reyk - Hallgrimskirkja the big church is worth a look. as you have a car drive out and walk to the Grotta Island lighthouse.

don't under estimate just how F***ing big it is, otherwise you will be driving all day and seeing nothing
 
Nero said:
Surely the only question need answered is how much is a pint?
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About a tenner.
There are ATMs (it's Krona not Euros)
There is not a McDonald's, but there is a place that used to be and reopened as an independent place. There are KFCs.
 
In Reykjavik you can walk most places. The centre is fairly compact.
My main recommendation would be Stofan ... cafe ground floor, very cosy craft ale bar in the basement. Good for people watching in the evening from the comfort of a sofa, if you are in there early enough.
Geysir, Thingvellir and Gulfoss are the Golden Circle attractions. Allow most time to really explore Thingvellir ... some amazing clear water channels in the rifts. Basically you are walking through earthquakes ... between two continental plates.
As Grindavik is closed, you get to the south coast via a more easterly road, which takes you past Krysuvik. Well worth a stop to wander around the geothermal springs.
South coast there's Vik, Skogafoss, take the road up to the edge of Myrdosjokull to stand on the glacier.
A bit further on there's Jokulsarlon .... where the glacial meltwater and icebergs travel towards the sea. There is accommodation in Vik if needed (like a hostell if I remember rightly).
As mentioned above, Sky Lagoon ( a fairly new place) is way better than Blue L:agoon, which is shut anyway.
Lastly, in Reykjavik, there's Perlan .... a fancy restaurant on top of awater tower that offers views over the city... and there's the rocket shaped church of course.
 
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