Reykjavik, Iceland
All dinners in Iceland are $$$$ so you may as well go all out!
- More about your Oliver Guide: Megan Hughs
- Trip type: Adult, City, Mountains
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: If you're just doing Reykjavik, and the nearby surroundings, 5 days is plenty. If you're doing the ring road, shoot for two weeks. You want to take your time at each stop without feeling rushed.
to & from
Fly there then rent a car. Iceland was our only destination because we stayed for 2 weeks, but many people do the extended layover which is a great option if you only want to stay a couple days. Renting a car once you’re there is a MUST. You don’t want to be at the whim of obnoxious tour buses. (People drive on the right side of the road there so it’s really easy).
Where to Stay
In Reykjavik and Akureyri there are a number of decent hotels (they’re building the first four star hotel in Reykjavik now). If you’re road tripping around the island like we did, I’d definitely recommend staying in an AirBNB. They’ll likely be nicer and more comfortable than the hotels in smaller towns (many of which have shared bathrooms – yikes!).
In Reykjavik, definitely recommend Hotel Odinsve. If you can score a room on the top floor, you’ll have a balcony with an amazing view of the city. It’s walking distance to everything and the staff is wonderful.
In Akureyri, stay at the Hotel Kea. It’s definitely the nicest hotel in Akureyri – walking distance to everything and has a great hotel bar with a balcony right in the heart of the city.
Where to Eat and Drink
All dinners in Iceland are $$$$ so you may as well go all out!
Apotek (right downtown on the main strip in Reykjavik) Do the tasting menu to try a myriad of foods you’ve never tried before.
ROK (right across from the Hallgrimskirkja). Order a bunch of small plates to share so you can try everything.
Definitely make time for brunch at Laundromat Cafe – there’s a laundromat in the basement hence the name and both the atmosphere and the food are amazing.
For a truly cool and unforgettable lunch/experience drive about an hour outside the city to Fridheimar. It’s a family-owned greenhouse that grows tomatoes year-round. They have a restaurant (reservation needed ahead of time) right in the middle of the greenhouse that serves everything tomato-based – pasta, pizza, soup… even ice cream! It sounds kitschy, but it’s not – do it.
If you make it outside of Reykjavik, get Langoustine in Hofn. Langoustine = Icelandic lobster and it’s their local specialty.
For a quick breakfast stop at Brauo & Co for the best cinnamon roll you’ve ever had.
What to Do
Drive the Golden Circle. It’s a day trip (with stops, it takes about 6-7 hours) and you encounter Þingvellir National Park, Geysers At Haukadalur and the truly incredible Gulfoss waterfall.
Drive through Snaefellsjoekull National Park. It’s another day trip you’ll want plenty of time to stop, take pictures and hike. You’ll be blown away by thousands of waterfalls, lava fields and terrifying cliffs covered in birds
In the city, do a “City Walk” tour. It’s free with a recommended donation and all tours are conducted by charming and enthusiastic Icelandic history students.
Check out the Viking museum for a quick and interesting look at Iceland’s settlers (very kid friendly).
Go whale watching – there are a ton of companies to go through in Reykjavik, but if you make it outside the city and are staying for a longer period of time, go whale watching in Akureyri – it’ what they’re known for.
Go to the Harpa Concert hall to take in the incredible architecture and views of the water. Stop at the cafe for a drink.
(Ring Road)Past Blonduos, drive to Glaumbaer for the very cool 18th century turf-farm museum.
Past Akureyri, drive to Godafoss waterfall then to Myvatn for the incredible hot springs and geothermal landscape, making sure to stop at Dettifoss waterfall on the way out
On your way to Hofn, make a detour to Seydisfjordur, an adorable coastal town with multicolored wooden houses and hiking trails.
After Jokulsarlon, stop by Skaftafell/Vatnajokull National Park for incredible hiking
Once you make it to Vik, stop by Reynisdrangur Beach to walk along the gorgeous black sands – there’s also potential for puffin-watching along the nearby cliffs
Leaving Hofn and heading to Vik, stop by Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon – there is walking trail on the western part of the lake with parking that is less touristy than the other side.
Inside Scoop
Food in Iceland is incredibly expensive. Save your dollars for breakfast and dinner and head to local groceries to pack your own lunch/snacks. My husband and I stopped for lunch early on our road trip and ended up paying $70 for two frozen chicken sandwiches (the kind you had in your school lunches growing up).
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Reykjavik (and surrounding area), Iceland
An incredible family adventure. There is no other place like it on Earth. A must see!
- More about your Oliver Guide: Emily West
- Trip type: Family, City, Mountains
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: 5 days
to & from
From the East coast, take the red eye – and don’t plan anything for the day you get there so you can rest, recoup and get on local time (5 hours ahead). Icelandair has direct and easy flights from EWR and JFK.
Where to Stay
We stayed in a regular hotel about 10 mins from downtown. While there was more room there, I suggest staying right in Old Town – this hotel is great: Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel Reykjavik
Many people who we ran in to stayed in apartments and AirBnBs so I think that is a great way to go as well.