Iceland this w/e - what should i not miss?

beefster

We are off to Reykjavik this weekend.

Would welcome any advice on any aspects of a trip to Iceland. Places to visit etc.

The blue lagoon, geysir and gulfoss have been recommended and are on the obvious tourist routes but has anyone any other recommendations? Especially for the evenings in town? Bars, restaurants etc.

We are still a little undecided but are leaning to hiring a car to get about. They seem pretty cheap out there too....... The coach trips i have seen on the net are about £100 each?????? Has anyone booked trips once in Reykjavik.... what sort of prices are the golden ring trips etc?

Thanks for looking... any info welcome

katglasgow

Hi there, we went to Rekkjavik for 4 days in 2005 as a honeymoon and loved it. We booked through Thompsons (which actually worked out cheaper than booking our own flights accom as they seemed able to get better deal on a hotel) so we pre booked the Golden Circle excursion thru them. I am pretty sure it cost £49 each but it was a fantastic trip a full day and took in some amazing types of scenery. We wanted to prebook this tour as when you are only going for 4 days you want to make sure you definately get to see the sights that matter to you!
We also visited the Blue Lagoon which was an amzing experience. You can manage this easily on the local bus (bus station is reasonably central and theres a bus every hour I'm sure. If you visit the bus station as soon as you are there, you will get info on all rpivate tours operating in the area, but I suspect your hotel will also be able to give you this - and may even have a special deal for you.
Cant remember where we went at night but its very stylish - girls wear trendy jeans ands tops with high heels or boots, guys shirts and best to avoid trainers. There are a few well known bars in the centre where most folk go. If doesnt get busy till about midnight and local tend to drink in their houses first (we had a bottle of duty free in our hotel room!).
I do remember just of the main square there was a fabulous fish and chip take away shop where you can sit in, I got probably the most amazing fish and chips there I have ever tasted in my life - nice than our posh v. expensive dinner the night before! There was also a nice wood smoked pizza restaraunt that we visited that wasnt any more than a pizza restaraunt in the UK.
Hope you enjoy!

jmarko

Make sure that you go to a local run swimming pool - all of them are good - and make like a hippo! The outside hotpots are fab! You've not lived until you've spent a few hours just sitting outside (pref in the dark) in a hotpot when it's freezing out - I just can't explain it.

The one that we spent AGES in was on Baronsstigur and was called Sundholl Reykjavikur - really easy to get too - seriously cheap (prob a couple of quid each) and a great way to relax and meet the locals.

http://www.tourist.reykjavik.is/yellowpages.asp?cat_id=111&element_id=304

I miss Iceland.

mystic_trev

If you like a drink, make sure to take your duty frees with you! When I was there (1983) you couldn't buy alcoholic beer (you can now) so we each took in our 12 can "allowance" In those days (this is making me feel old) it was about the only Airport in the World that had a Duty free shop on Arrival!

After our Beer allowence had run out we found a State run Off License which was a bit like buying booze from a Police station! We bought the local spirit called Brenavin, also known by the locals as "Black death" due to its label!

beefster

I think thing may just have changed a bit..... or i hope so anyway!

jmarko

nah - the alcohol situation's the same. that's why everyone in iceland:

1 - gets drunk at home before going out and
2 - get people to bring alcohol into the country with them.

the second bit's important. if at heathrow or wherever you're going from they have a good deal on a couple of bottles of vodka, buy them. one for you and one to give either to the receptionist or your newly made icelandic friends. you'll get the best service you've ever seen! and when we went they had a two bottles for a tenner thing at the airport - and we were very popular!

i miss it so much that i'm trying to convince jmarko's wifey that we should go back - actually job pretty much done!

eating - vegamot is brilliant. really good value good quality food. just off the main shopping street.

also the hotdogs are good and very cheap.

there's a tapas place in the old town round the corner from the tourist information office - that's very good (smoked puffin anyone? )

fill up at breakfast!

more hotdogs - the place down by the harbour where Bill Clinton had his is the place to go!

we got married in Reykjavik so it's a really special place for us. i am so so so jealous of you! i wanna go!

jmarko

beefster

Thanks for that...... in your experience..... car or public transport??. I can get a small car for £70 for the whole 3 1/2 days which seems a good deal. Bit worried about parking fee's an driving about tho.

Staying in town (foss lind hotel).

jmarko

difficult to say. does the foss lind have parking? public transport is expensive so once you've factored in a return from keflavik for two and a return to the blue lagoon and driving out to see the northern lights (you will need a completely clear night) then a car makes sense.

I AM TOO JEALOUS!!!

beefster

I'll book the car..... not sure on the hotel..... says it has parking but does not mention if you have to pay for it! Hopefully not! Car hire is a bargain thanks to another MSE members hints and tips.

I wont tell you how good it was when we gat back....... honest. Thanks again.

jmarko

https://www.vegamot.is/en
https://www.tapas.is
https://www.solon.is
https://www.spacity.is

jmarko

you must go to the blue lagoon.
you must go to a local swimming pool for an evening in the pots.
if you get the chance, you must see geysir and the northern lights.
you will go back!