Reykjavik

Iceland

Europe

Destinations

From the famed Northern Lights to a hip and vibrant nightlife Reykjavik packs a punch of fun, culture, and adventure. Located on a harbor and boasting cute, traditionally built wooden houses, the city is a mix of homey and edgy.

From the famed Northern Lights to a hip and vibrant nightlife Reykjavik packs a punch of fun, culture, and adventure. Located on a harbor and boasting cute, traditionally built wooden houses, the city is a mix of homey and edgy. Add in the relaxing warmth of the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool, and Iceland's capital delivers every experience a traveler could hope for. Any city that requires hiking boots, a bathing suit and an anything-goes attitude surely promises a remarkable trip.
<h2>1. First Time Visitor</h2>
Get a City Card which allows free entry into the popular museums and attractions. This also gives you unlimited use of the public bus. The card can be purchased in increments of 24, 48 or 72 consecutive hours with different pricing options. Iceland is also a walking-friendly city. While seeing the sights, it's helpful to know that it's safe to drink Iceland's tap water.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/814714774-1024x684.jpg" alt="Reykjavik Iceland cityscape" width="1024" height="684" /> july7th / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Unique to Reykjavik</h2>
Get over to the Hallgrimskirkja, the landmark Lutheran church that is one of the tallest buildings in Iceland. The modernistic design was made to resemble the mountains and ice of the country. The Perlan, aka the Pearl, is another architectural gem with many uses. Visitors enjoy the top floor viewing deck as well as the exhibition hall and concert venue.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/488721562-1024x684.jpg" alt="Hallgrimskirkja Reykjavik Iceland Church" width="1024" height="684" /> surangaw / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Where To Stay</h2>
When choosing comfy try the Hotel Klettur, featuring single and double rooms and even family rooms. For convenience, there is the City Center Hotel, located on Austurstræti in the center of Reykjavík. Popular bars and restaurants are an easy walk away. High-end hotels are also available, like the Hotel Borg, one of Reykjavik's landmarks. This hotel has a delightful Art Deco vibe throughout but includes all of the expected modern amenities.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1016281 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/shutterstock_1082560664.jpg" alt="Reykjavik street nightlife" width="1000" height="666" />


<h2>4. What To Eat</h2>
Icelandic cuisine, while questionable to those who are not local, is always guaranteed to be prepared with fresh ingredients. Seafood, of course, is a mainstay in a city surrounded by water. Delicacies include sheep's head, minke whale, putrefied shark, and pickled ram's testicles. The more basic comfort foods that are the most popular are skyr (yogurt), pylsur (hot dogs), fish, slensk kjötsúpa (a traditional lamb soup), tomatoes, orange soda and hangikjöt (smoked lamb).

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/889477412-1024x683.jpg" alt="kjötsúpa lamb stew Reykjavik" width="1024" height="683" /> VvoeVale / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Popular Restaurants</h2>
Kaffivagninn is a diner that was established in 1935 and is consistently rated one of the best restaurants in Reykjavik. Here you'll find the popular fish and chips. A visit to Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, or Best Hot Dog in Town, is a MUST. These are not the traditional American hot dogs but a tasty mixture of pork, lamb, and beef. The price at about $3/dog ranks it as number one for cheap places to eat in the city. A more fancy, Michelin rated option is Dill Reykjavik. Dill Reykjavik embraces traditional Nordic food with a modern twist.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/584745950-1024x683.jpg" alt="Baejarins Beztu Pylsur Best Hotdog Reykjavik" width="1024" height="683" /> JasonDoiy / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Fun Festivals</h2>
Culture Night, known as 'Menningarnótt' is a one-day festival that takes place on a Saturday in late August. Expect design, dance, concerts, art, music, games, pop-up shops and all sorts of interactive activities happening around town. Other festivals of note are the Reykjavik Film Festival, Reykjavik Arts Festival, focusing on the creative intersection of the arts, and the December in Reykjavik Festival. The December festival is one of the city's main attractions, under the display of the enchanting Northern Lights.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1016300 size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/shutterstock_170753810-1-1024x753.jpg" alt="Reykjavik culture night festival" width="1024" height="753" />


<h2>7. Nature's Wonders</h2>
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland's most famous spots. This geothermal pool is located just 35 miles from Reykjavik and sits on a black lava field. The best time to visit is in the evening to get the full effect of the midnight sun in summer or the Northern Lights in winter. The warm seawater is rich with minerals such as silica and sulfur, which are lovely for the skin! Whale watching is another popular delight made readily accessible via boat trips that depart regularly from the harbor. There's a high probability of seeing Sperm whales, Minke whales, Humpback whales, Blue whales, and Orca whales during a tour. Visible from Reykjavik are the Northern Lights. This awe-inspiring natural light display in the sky is best seen between September and April and on a clear night.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1016297 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/shutterstock_730839646.jpg" alt="Reykjavik northern lights" width="1000" height="725" />


<h2>8. Hiking and Walking</h2>
With its easy accessibility and trails, Espa ranks at the top for a day hike. The highest point Hábunga is roughly a 6.5 mile-long hike, but there are other easier trails to explore. Steinn, marked by a big rock at the top, is an easy hike most visitors choose. Any path is worth the trek as climbers are rewarded with a view of Reykjavik once at the top. Here's an insider tip, also check out the walking trail right in the middle of Reykjavik, called Elliðaárdalur.<strong>
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<img class="alignnone wp-image-1016295 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/shutterstock_1219959217.jpg" alt="Espa mountain hiking Reykjavik " width="1000" height="683" />


<h2>9. Must See Museums</h2>
There are excellent museums to visit in the city, including the Reykjavík Art Gallery, Kjarval Museum and the National Gallery of Iceland. If history is more your thing, explore the Saga Museum, the National Museum of Iceland or the open air Árbær Museum. The Saga Museum features key moments in Icelandic history, including the many hardships Icelanders had to overcome.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1016296 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/shutterstock_1222304014.jpg" alt="Reykjavík Art Gallery iceland" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>10. Best Time To Travel There</h2>
Peak tourist season is in the summer months when the average temperature is about fifty degrees. Peak months are June through August. The best rates are in the months before and after peak season, but when the weather is still good. Also, take into consideration the twenty-four hours of daylight during Reykjavik's summer months.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1016299 size-full" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/shutterstock_794980942.jpg" alt="Reykjavík summer travel northern lights" width="1000" height="722" />

Tips For A Remarkable Reykjavik Trip

Iceland has quickly become a leading European travel destination. This Nordic nation is sought after thanks to its dramatic natural landscape featuring interesting geologic formations including volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers, as well as its beautiful glaciers and waterfalls.

Iceland has quickly become a leading European travel destination. This Nordic nation is sought after thanks to its dramatic natural landscape featuring interesting geologic formations including volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers, as well as its beautiful glaciers and waterfalls. Winter nights may be long, but this provides an excellent opportunity to stargaze or an opportunity to view the Northern Lights. In contrast, summer days can seem endless, with many sun-drenched hours to tour some of Iceland's natural wonders.
<h2>1.  Snæfellsnes Peninsula</h2>
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is often called "Iceland in Miniature" due to the variety of majestic and beautiful natural features you can find when traveling through it. One of the most striking is Snæfellsjökull, is a twin-peaked glacier straddling a volcano on the far end of the peninsula. Surrounded by Iceland's striking coastline and lava fields, this is truly a magnificent site that gives visitors a taste of all of Iceland's glories in one spot. It was declared a National Park in 2001, one of only three such parks in Iceland.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/649904786-1024x683.jpg" alt="Glaciers and volcanoes await at Snæfellsnes Peninsula." width="1024" height="683" /> DieterMeyrl / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Reynisfjara Beach</h2>
Iceland's landscape can be so extreme that visitors frequently feel like they are traveling to an alien world. For example, much of Iceland's southern coast has experienced glacial flooding, resulting in vast swathes of exotic black sand beaches. One of the most famous of these beaches is Reynisfjara. Visitors should be wary of powerful waves, but the view of sparkling black sand and stark geologic features such as the basalt pillars of Reynisdrangar just beyond the beach make this an amazing photo opportunity.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/926656736-1024x683.jpg" alt="Reynisfjara Beach has stunning black sand beaches." width="1024" height="683" /> marshalldow / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon</h2>
Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, and its surrounding area make up Iceland's largest national park. One of the most popular spots to visit in this park is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This is a great place to spot icebergs, which fill the lagoon year-round after calving from a larger glacier. Don't miss nearby Diamond Beach, a gorgeous black sand beach so dotted with sparkling ice crystals that it looks like it is covered in precious gems.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/910215246-1024x683.jpg" alt="See icebergs in this beautiful lagoon." width="1024" height="683" /> Umkehrer / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Gullfoss Waterfall</h2>
Chance are that if you've seen travel pictures from Iceland, you have seen a shot of Gullfoss, an iconic waterfall that is one of Iceland's most-visited sites. Gullfoss, which means "Golden Falls," found in the Hvítá river canyon in south-west Iceland. Gullfoss could actually be considered two separate waterfalls since the falls traverse two stages on their way down. The first drop is over 36 feet, followed by the second drop which cascades down almost 69 feet. As one of the highlights on the famous Golden Circle tour, Gullfoss is definitely a "can't miss" destination when visiting Iceland.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/157741005-1024x683.jpg" alt="Gullfoss is an iconic Icelandic waterfall." width="1024" height="683" /> xavierarnau / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. The Blue Lagoon</h2>
The Blue Lagoon should definitely make the list for your Iceland trip if you are looking for some R&amp;R. This geothermal spa is a very popular spot for visitors due to the milky blue water rich in minerals and the opportunity to relax your tired muscles in hot water even when there's snow on the black lava rocks around you. You may be surprised that the Blue Lagoon is actually a manmade lake, but it is filled with seawater that is heated up to by a nearby lava flow. After your soak, pamper yourself in the nearby resort which features spa treatments, a fitness room, saunas, and a highly-rated restaurant.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/172190247-1024x654.jpg" alt="Relax at geothermal spa the Blue Lagoon." width="1024" height="654" /> robas / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Þingvellir National Park</h2>
When in Iceland, don't miss an opportunity to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Þingvellir National Park. Another stop on the Golden Circle, this park has both historical and geologic significance making it worthy of such a designation. Thanks to the complicated and interesting history of the government of early Iceland, Þingvellir is the original site of the world’s longest running, still ongoing parliament. However, many choose to visit this national park due to its amazing location straddling the Mid-Atlantic Rift. Part of Iceland is on the North American tectonic plate, while other parts of it are located on the Eurasian plate. Iceland is the only place in the world where the rift is visible above sea-level, with the best views of the plate edges in Þingvellir.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/155908678-1024x681.jpg" alt="Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site." width="1024" height="681" /> subtik / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Geysir</h2>
The last stop on the Golden Circle, Geysir is a famous region of hot springs and boiling mud pits in the geothermal area of Haukadalur Valley, found in south-west Iceland. The English word geyser actually comes from the famous hot springs of this area. The popular Strokkur geyser erupts every 5-10 minutes, shooting water up to 100 feet in the air. The newly opened Geysir Center offers exhibits and informative presentations year round.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/826642226-1024x683.jpg" alt="Boiling mud and hot springs abound." width="1024" height="683" /> LeoPatrizi / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Traveling the Ring Road</h2>
Route 1 in Iceland is better known by its nickname, the Ring Road. This road travels 828 miles around many popular tourist destinations in Iceland, connecting the capital and largest city Reykjavík to the second-biggest city Akureyri in the northern part of the country. While traveling the Ring Road some of the sites, you will go by including striking waterfalls like as well as epic glaciers like Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/879151104-1024x683.jpg" alt="Travel the Ring Road to see some of Iceland's top spots." width="1024" height="683" /> Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9.  Reykjavík</h2>
Thanks to the location of the Keflavík Airport, Iceland's main hub for international travel, nearly every journey to Iceland begins in the country's capital city of Reykjavík, one of the only cities in the world that runs on geothermal power. Most of the population of Iceland, around 120,000 people, lives there too. Start your journey at the city's visitor center near beautiful Lake Tjornin on the city’s west side. Don't miss the National and Saga museums to learn about Iceland's thrilling Viking heritage. Shops and restaurants abound in Reykjavík, plus there are many tour companies that can assist you in visiting some of Iceland's other destinations.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/814714774-1024x684.jpg" alt="Explore Iceland's capital city." width="1024" height="684" /> july7th / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Skaftafell</h2>
If you want to make sure you've seen the most impressive natural features that Iceland has to offer, don't miss Skaftafell, a region in Vatnajökull National Park known for its superlatives. Here you can view Iceland's highest peak, Öræfajökull, which is also its highest volcano; Iceland's biggest and oldest forests, and the tallest waterfall in Iceland, Morsárfoss, which cascades more than 744 feet. It's also the home of popular site Svartifoss, a waterfall framed by splendid dark basalt columns. Make sure to get some photos to share on social media when you get home.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="attachment-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2019/03/853090378-1024x1024.jpg" alt="See some of Iceland's most impressive features." width="1024" height="1024" /> DieterMeyrl / Getty Images[/caption]

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