Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with reykjavik

Reykjavik restaurant suggestions for a Sunday night

msali — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:16:20 -0800

So I'm going to be in Reykjavik for my birthday this year! Where's a good place to get some drinks and have a nice dinner on a Sunday night? My cousin and I will be traveling through Iceland next weekend, and we'd like to go somewhere nice for my birthday dinner. I think we'd both like to try some good Nordic food, but neither of us is adventurous or interested in eating pickled shark or sheep innards. We're pretty open, and while price is not really that big of a factor, I'd like to not go crazy unless the restaurant is not to be missed.
Also if you have any good bar recommendations, that would be appreciated. I'd be looking for a quiet bar where we can find a table to sit and talk.
Thanks!

Putting the 'ice' in Iceland?

eugenen — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:51:40 -0800

Touring Iceland in March: bad idea? I have an opportunity to take a vacation in mid-March 2013. I've long wanted to see Iceland. I'd probably want to spend a few days in Reykjavik and take 8 or 9 days to drive the Ring Road, (safely) get off the beaten path a little bit (maybe venture into Westfjords), find some cool stuff to see. I'd most likely be traveling alone.

The question: Will I regret doing this in March? I don't mind the cold, and I don't mind darkness (though I understand the days aren't too short in March), but if much of what I'd want to see is inaccessible or closed, the roads muddy and hard to drive, etc., that would obviously be unfortunate.

I get the sense the interior would pretty much be off-limits. I'm not sure how bummed I should be about that.

Would appreciate thoughts from locals or anyone who's done something like this.

Making the most of a layover in Iceland?

padraigin — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 19:52:47 -0800

Four adults, two teenagers, two elementary-aged kids, and a 7 hour layover in Reykjavik. What can we do with that? The end of this summer's big extended-family vacation culminates in a long layover in Iceland. We'd love to get out of the airport and see something cool, eat something awesome, maybe soak in a hot spring--we'll be tired and not up to anything strenuous (no long hikes or bike rides) but other than that we're open to anything. None of us has ever been there, other than quick trips through the airport.

Where do we go, how do we get there, and is there anything that can be done in a few hours that we absolutely shouldn't miss? Special credit for restaurant recommendations and specific foods we should make a point of trying--we all love to eat.

Impromptu Iceland

matthewr — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:08:11 -0800

Four days free next week in Reykjavik. What to see and do? Love to get out into the mountains and glaciers, but also city things. Catch: no car. I'm in Reykjavik next week from Monday to Saturday. I have three free days at the beginning, and one free day at the end.

I'm looking at the various one-day hiking tours offered from Reykjavik — in Thingvellir/Eyjafjallojokull/Thorsmork etc. Any recommendations from experience would be brilliant!

Also, any recommendations of things to see / do / eat / drink in Reykjavik itself?

I'll probably be mostly staying in Reykjavik downtown youth hostel. I'll be travelling solo. No driving license, so I can't hire a car.

Thanks!

Visiting Iceland in October

amarynth — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:44:41 -0800

I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights, so my boyfriend and I booked a package through IcelandAir for the end of October*. We're spending two nights Reykjavik and two Akureyri. What might we need to know or want to do that a guide book might not mention? With what seems like so much to see in a short amount of time, what's not to be missed? We know it will be cold, and that there will be around 8 hours of daylight. I don't drive and my boyfriend hates driving, so we won't be renting a car. We like nature, folk art, and eating.

The package includes a Northern Lights tour in Akureyri, but we weren't sure what else we should be looking at doing, given our timeframe:
Arriving in Reykjavik from DC in the morning and spending the first night in Reykjavik, flying to Akureyri the next morning and spending two nights there, then back to Reykjavik in the morning for the last night, then catching an evening flight back to DC.

I was surprised that whale watching and horseback riding tours run year round. In late October, is that just asking for misery?

We love hot springs and baths, and I know that they're all over. I've been to the Blue Lagoon before (best layover ever!), and know that it's touristy, but am thinking of heading there on our last day just to relax and decompress before getting on the plane again.

I'm looking at some of the tours to get inspiration, but we're fine taking a bus or other public transportation if it's available. Would there be limited availability during the off-season, or other compelling reasons to stick with a tour instead of trying to find our own way?

I'd be interested in the Museum of Small Things and the Icelandic Folk and Outsider Art Museum, but it looks as though they might be closed in the off-season. Also, we wouldn't have enough time in Reykjavik for what seems like a typical Golden Circle tour (most of them seem to last 8-10 hours), so what should our priorities be for a mini-tour?

My boyfriend is hesitant to take one of the Lake Myvatn tours from Akureyri due to the length (8-9 hours). Are they worth it in October, or would it be possible and more advisable to try to break it up over the two days that we're there and prioritize a couple of the stops (They seem to all stop at some combination of Waterfall Goðafoss, Skútustaðagígar, Dimmuborgir, Grjótagjá, Hverir, Mt. Námafjall, Mt. Krafla, Víti, and the Mývatn nature baths)?

*I know that we have plenty of time to plan, and I have some guide books on hold at the library, but I'm very excited!

Meeting people at/for Iceland Airwaves

Mr C — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 16:13:32 -0800

I'll be heading to Iceland Airwaves next month in Reykjavik. I've never been to the country or festival before, and would love to know/meet a few kindly people to enjoy my time with. Where would you suggest meeting them, either during or in advance of my trip? Other tips for Icelandic tourism are welcome as well.

The Unidentified Sculpture

anotherpanacea — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 05:06:17 -0800

Please tell me everything about this statue in Reykjavik, Iceland, purportedly a celebration of the "Unknown Bureaucrat" or "Unknown Civil Servant." Is it satire? Who is the sculptor? What's the true title and date of installation? I don't think this can be its true title, since Google only reveals tourists' photographs under that search term. Most Icelanders I talked to about it thought it was probably a joke, but perhaps it makes sense as a serious memorial for a country without a military?

Anyway, I love it. Tell me everything!

What's a girl to do?

ashtabula to opelika — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 04:27:17 -0800

Travel rec's!!! I have a ten hour layover in Reykjavik - what should I do??? Also - I have a getaway weekend in London - where should I go??? Hi there- I'm a 34yo female from Chicago and am going to London to take a hat-making class, because why wouldn't you, right? I'm fairly well-traveled, but have not seen much of Europe.

Reykjavik: I, in no way, speak Icelandish (?). I will be getting there very early on Saturday, August 6. I was thinking of just going to downtown and walking around - what do you suggest???

London getaway: Really - it's overwhelming because there's so much there!!! I'm there two weeks, my boyfriend is coming at the end and we're planning on going to Bath, Stonehenge & Oxford together before we venture up to Scotland. I was thinking of going to see the King Arthur stuff in Cornwall or the Shakespeare stuff in Stratford-on-Avon. I could also do something totally different and be totally satisfied. I really like old, historical-type, cute towns and I don't want to get too far away from London.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!!

Lodging in Reykjavik, Iceland

Man with Lantern — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:49:32 -0800

Icelandlodgingfilter: My wife an I will be in Iceland for a week in late May and are looking for lodging. We're out of the demographic for loud noises and partying but like to get a feel of places that we visit. I've seen questions on what to do in Iceland but nothing current for what I'm looking for. A combination of private facilities, good reviews, fairly quiet, and walking distance to the center of Reykjavik. Any recent experience would be helpful - or any mefites that run a place that might be attractive to a crowd that's not looking for a party.

a week in Reykjavik

captainscared — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:55:41 -0800

I'm about to leave for Reykjavik for a week. Any great restaurants or shops I have to check out?

Icelandic Aurora Borealis in November

Simon_ — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 07:11:40 -0800

A week in Reykjavik in early November and would like recommendations for places to go and things to do. I'm particularly keen to see the Northern Lights, and would like any suggestions for how best to achieve this. Whilst I realise that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and so no appearance is guaranteed, I'm wondering how likely it is that we will see them at the beginning of next month.

I'm travelling with my girlfriend and wondering whether the Northern Lights tours that are offered around the place are worthwhile? I've read differing reports, and they seem to vary in price significantly. The price seems to determine whether you are in a 4x4 or a coach, but is it as simple as that?

The New Moon appears to be on the 6th November. This is currently the date we are proposing to leave. However, is the visibility likely to be any better on the 6th on the date of the 'full' new moon than it will be on the 4th or the 5th, during the lead up to it? Does anyone have any experience of this? Should we try and extend

Also welcome are any tips or any advice for travelling in/around Reykjavik. We currently don't see any benefit from hiring a car, so are hoping to get by on public transport and/or tour buses. Is this a workable solution?

Are we in for a wonderful holiday, or will we be defeated by terrible weather conditions that mean everything we'd like to see and do will be closed?

What delights should we make sure we don't miss out on over a 6 day trip?

Thanks!

My boyfriend and I are getting married in Reykjavik, Iceland next summer -- looking for the perfect hotel!

eric1200 — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:04:48 -0800

We are planning on getting married in Reykjavik in August of 2011, and have begun the process of looking for the proper venue. Any advice on a great hotel where we can have the ceremony? As this will be a destination wedding (the majority of our guests will be coming from the east and west coasts of the U.S.), we would like to keep as much of the event as possible in one place. We would love to have some kind of ceremony surrounded by natural beauty at the hotel, and the hotel must large enough to house about 50-75 guests.

The good news is that there are plenty of hotels just outside of Reykjavik surrounded by outdoorsy gorgeousness where we could have a wedding. But most of the more rural hotels top out at around 25-30 rooms, which will not be enough to handle all of our guests. So, in short, we are looking for a larger hotel reasonably close to Reykjavik where we can also get married!

Anyone have any recommendations or insight? We really appreciate your help. Thank you so much in advance.

Iceland in June

The Whelk — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:32:28 -0800

Visiting Iceland/Reykjavik from the 23rd to the 30th. What can two dudes who like good food, interesting museums, live music, geekery, comfortable drinking establishments and other dudes do there? What kind of weather should I pack for? Any insider or native tips for not annoying the locals?

600 minutes in Reykjavik

seawallrunner — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:48:18 -0800

10 hours in Reykjavik. Challenge: a big suitcase In about a month or so I am landing in KEF at 6am and taking a boat at 4pm from one of the docks in downtown Reykjavik.

Tell me what interesting things I could do with my day. I plan to return for a two-week long visit in Iceland two weeks after landing there -- so what do I do during my first 10 hours in the country, where can I store the big suitcase, and how do I occupy my time before stepping on the cruise ship later in the afternoon?

Thank you one and all for your suggestions and recommendations.

Hooray for free stopovers.

halogen — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:53:44 -0800

LiteraratureFilter: this summer, my travels will take me to Copenhagen, Oslo, and Reykjavík. Please recommend fiction (either historical or contemporary) that is set in these cities and conveys the local atmosphere well. I'll be spending 3/4 days as a tourist in each of these cities en route to my final destinations in August/September, and would love to have reading material beyond Lonely Planet guides. As an example of the type of fiction I read, I enjoyed My Name is Red and The Black Book by Orhan Pamuk, Elif Shafak's The Flea Palace and Umberto Eco's Baudolino on my way to Istanbul.

Suggestions for notable novels or short story collections by local authors, regardless of setting, are also welcome!

Where to send the little sister/new bride in Reykjavik?

zap rowsdower — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:24:30 -0800

My younger sister is getting married. As the older brother/groomsman, I'm looking for something special to do for a wedding present...and they're honeymooning in Reykjavik. They'll be in Reykjavik in early December for about 6 days, staying at the same hotel the whole time. Rather than getting a nice juicer, I'd like to send them somewhere cool, but I'm having trouble finding interesting stuff that I can book from here (I've never been there). Since it's closing in on the winter solstice, I'm wondering if there are some neat/romantic Northern Lights tours I could send them on, or some sort of sleigh ride dinner, or something in that vein. They're not big wine connoisseurs or foodies, though they'd appreciate good stuff if that was part of it (they're both 23).

Money's not so much of an object (within reason, natch), but I'd like for it to be special, romantic, and (above all) memorable. Thanks!

Info on Reykjavik tattoo parlor experiences?

franklen — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 02:02:20 -0800

Can anyone comment on the positives and negatives of the Reykjavik tattoo parlor choices? I am getting inked to commemorate my visit, but would like to have some input as to the character, quality, etc of the various shops as I won't really have much time to figure that out on my own while in town.

Travel Writer's Guide to Iceland (in 4 days!)

0bvious — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:30:02 -0800

Four days in Iceland from Friday: me and my girlfriend are travel writers and will eventually do a write up of the hotel, restaurants and attractions we visit. How can we best stray off the beaten path in only FOUR days? I have browsed the previous Iceland question on AskMefi, and got some great info, but am now really looking for something unique, and perhaps even, specific to this weekend (Fri 22nd to Wed 27th).

We are staying in Reykjavik at the 101 Hotel. We WILL be visiting the Blue Lagoon, as it is in our writing contract. How else are we to best spend our time? We want to do a really original and exciting write-up of our stay.

And also, what is the weather like at the moment (for anyone who might live there)? And what kind of budget might we need?

Thanks a lot!

Finding a reliable tour guide in Reykjavik

akka — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:12:34 -0800

I've looked at most of the ask mefi questions on Iceland, but would anyone have good suggestions for reliable tour guides in Reykjavik? My family and I are going for four days, and we want to make the most of our trip without worrying about getting place to place. I'm not a big fan of tour groups, but I also don't want to do the legwork for finding out where everything is and how to get there.

Getting around in Iceland

Marquis — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 03:28:11 -0800

Can you recommend a car rental firm in Iceland? (Or have you travelled around Iceland using public transit? In February? How'd it work out for you?) Planning a five-night stay in Iceland at the beginning of February. (Only £80 return from London, including taxes!!!) Obviously the country is very, very expensive. We're trying to figure out the best way to get around on a budget. Places like Avis and Hertz want £200-£300 for 4 days of rental, which is prohibitively expensive. We'd be happy to use the Icelandic coach/bus system, but I've heard anxiety-inducing tales about how few of their coaches run in winter. Is it feasible to get around outside Reykjavik in February with anything other than a car? And if we are to rent a car, any particular recommendations of rental firms?

(I've read about the need for a 4X4 to travel inland from the ring road, but to be honest I think we'll be able to stick to the outer ring and be fine.)

Come to think of it, if anyone has recommendations for sights outside of Reykjavik and the Golden Circle tour, they're welcome. (I've heard good things about Vik.)

Where to stay in Reykjavik

ericb — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 17:17:56 -0800

New Year's in Reykjavik. A group of friends are heading to Iceland in December/January. I've read this previous post and found some ideas for things to do. Any suggestions on hotels (price is not a concern) from those who have been there?

Iceland Layover

hugo — Sat, 18 Dec 2004 19:27:54 -0800

10 hours in Keflavik/Reykjavik on the cheap?

I have a 10 hour layover in Keflavik (9am - 8pm) and want to see as much as possible without spending too much money. (more inside) It looks like the Blue Lagoon hot spring is close to the airport, which sounds cool, but getting buses or taxis into Reykjavik itself looks very expensive. I'd really appreciate someone who knows the area giving me some advice on how to best get a taste for the country during my brief stay.