101 Hotel
Hverfisgata 10, Reykjavík
Contemporary design hotel near main shopping area
Babalu
Skólavördustígur 22A, Reykjavík
Cozy coffee shop - like being in someone’s living room - timeworn sofas, and shelves overflowing with books and games
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Kiosk on corner of Tryggvagata and Posthusstraet, Reykjavík
Outdoor kiosk near Reykjavik's harbor. Worth the wait to stand in the queue - the best hot dogs (some say in the world) ; make sure you have one with all 5 condiments (ketchup, sweet brown mustard, remoulade, fried onions, and raw onions.)
Blue Lagoon
Grindavík
Geothermal spa in the middle of a lava field. Steam rises from the warm, milky blue water. The outside air temperature was 19˚F when I was there. Heavenly.
Ella
Ingolfsstraeti 5, Reykjavík
Elinrós Líndal presents her couture collection of timeless, tailor-made (the workroom is behind the store) clothing for women in top quality fabrics, including Loro Piana wool, at reasonable prices.
Farmers Market
Eyjarslóö 9, Reykjavík
Also sell their collection at Geysir - inspired by traditional design and Icelandic materials, a chic, contemporary clothing and accessories brand
Forétta Barinn
Nÿlendugata 14, Reykjavik
Menu of small plates - Icelandic tapas - next to Netagerdin Work & Shop, and with the same spirit of design
Friða Frænka
Vesturgata 3, Reykjavik
Floor to ceiling collection of antiques on two levels of a traditional Icelandic home. Mid-century modern ceramics and lighting, vintage silver and porcelain, Victorian sewing machines - a bit of everything.
Geysir
Skolavörõustigur 16, Reykjavik
The trendiest of the traditional Icelandic sweater shops
Geysir Geothermal Area
Boiling mud pits, exploding geysers and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 metres (100 ft) into the air every few minutes. The newly opened Geysir Center offers exhibits and informative presentations year round.
Gullfoss Waterfall (The Golden Falls)
Iconic waterfall located in South Iceland on the Hvítá (White) river which is fed by Iceland´s second biggest glacier, the Langjökull. The water plummets down 32 meters in two stages into a rugged canyon which walls reach up to 70 meters in height. On a sunny day shimmering rainbows can be seen over the falls.
Hellisheidavirkjun (Geothermal Power Plant)
Geothermal Exhibition at Hellisheidi Power Station houses an interactive exhibition centering on the development of geothermal energy in Iceland. Geology, technology and history are represented in an accessible and entertaining way through informative and entertaining multimedia exhibits.
Hotel Borg
Pósthússtræti 11, Reykjavík
Historic art deco hotel renovated for 4-star luxury
Kolaportið Flea Market
Tryggvagata 19, Reykjavík
A lively hodge podge: Vintage record albums, hand knit wool mittens, books, antiques, crafts, and clothes, even bulk seafood, with hardly any tourist schlock, in warehouse building on the harbor
Kraum
Aðalstræti 10, Reykjavík
Expertly curated collection of Icelandic crafts
Lake Laugarvatn – Vígðalaug pool
Laugarvatn is a shallow lake, about 2 km2 in size, and is located in the inlands of Árnessýsla, midway between Þingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir, 100 km from Reykjavík. Under its floor there are hot springs heating the lake so it is warm and suitable for bathing all year round. On its bank rests a village of over 300 inhabitants, also named Laugarvatn. One of the hot springs connected to the lake is Vígdalaug. When the Icelandic nation became Christian the pool was consecrated by Norwegian priests and used as a baptism pool.
Langjökull glacier
The Long Glacier (1355m) is the second largest in Iceland. For jeep and snowmobile trips, Langjokull is the most popular glacier in Iceland and skiing and hiking is possible as well.
**Do not travel alone on Langjokull, as there are many cracks in the glacier. Experience of the area is important.
Laundromat Cafe
Austurstraeti 9, Reykjavik
Diner-style menu, quirky design
Netagerdin Work & Shop
Nylendugata 14, Reykjavík
Six Icelandic designers and a record label work and sell their fabulous products here
Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of Iceland’s most famous attractions. These beautiful green (and sometimes white, pink and purple!) lights dance around the sky in Iceland quite frequently – but can only be seen in the wintertime. The reason: In order to see them it needs to be dark. So even though the Northern Lights occur all year round, you’re unable to see them in the summertime because of the midnight sun.
The best time to see the Northern Lights is from September to mid-April.
Steinunn
Grandagarður 17, Reykjavik
Designer, Steinunn Sigurdardottir, worked for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Tom Ford for Gucci, before creating her own stunning clothing brand; beautifully tailored clothing, predominantly black and white, with cutting-edge style.
Tíu Dropar
Laugavegur 27, Reykjavik
Perfect for a shopping break on the main drag - below the street, tiny rooms crammed with mismatched tables and chairs - try the pancakes (pönnukökur) with rhubarb jam and whipped cream
Þingvellir National Park
UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Þingvellir - literally "Parliament Plains" - the Alþing general assembly was established around 930 and continued to convene there until 1798. Major events in the history of Iceland have taken place at Þingvellir and therefore the place is held in high esteem by all Icelanders. Today Þingvellir is a protected national shrine. According to the law, passed in 1928, the protected area shall always be the property of the Icelandic nation, under the preservation of the Alþing.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Boiling mud pits, exploding geysers and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 metres (100 ft) into the air every few minutes. The newly opened Geysir Center offers exhibits and informative presentations year round.
Gullfoss Waterfall (The Golden Falls)
Iconic waterfall located in South Iceland on the Hvítá (White) river which is fed by Iceland´s second biggest glacier, the Langjökull. The water plummets down 32 meters in two stages into a rugged canyon which walls reach up to 70 meters in height. On a sunny day shimmering rainbows can be seen over the falls.
Hellisheidavirkjun (Geothermal Power Plant)
Geothermal Exhibition at Hellisheidi Power Station houses an interactive exhibition centering on the development of geothermal energy in Iceland. Geology, technology and history are represented in an accessible and entertaining way through informative and entertaining multimedia exhibits.
Lake Laugarvatn – Vígðalaug pool
Laugarvatn is a shallow lake, about 2 km2 in size, and is located in the inlands of Árnessýsla, midway between Þingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir, 100 km from Reykjavík. Under its floor there are hot springs heating the lake so it is warm and suitable for bathing all year round. On its bank rests a village of over 300 inhabitants, also named Laugarvatn. One of the hot springs connected to the lake is Vígdalaug. When the Icelandic nation became Christian the pool was consecrated by Norwegian priests and used as a baptism pool.
Langjökull glacier
The Long Glacier (1355m) is the second largest in Iceland. For jeep and snowmobile trips, Langjokull is the most popular glacier in Iceland and skiing and hiking is possible as well.
**Do not travel alone on Langjokull, as there are many cracks in the glacier. Experience of the area is important.
Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of Iceland’s most famous attractions. These beautiful green (and sometimes white, pink and purple!) lights dance around the sky in Iceland quite frequently – but can only be seen in the wintertime. The reason: In order to see them it needs to be dark. So even though the Northern Lights occur all year round, you’re unable to see them in the summertime because of the midnight sun.
The best time to see the Northern Lights is from September to mid-April.
Þingvellir National Park
UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Þingvellir - literally "Parliament Plains" - the Alþing general assembly was established around 930 and continued to convene there until 1798. Major events in the history of Iceland have taken place at Þingvellir and therefore the place is held in high esteem by all Icelanders. Today Þingvellir is a protected national shrine. According to the law, passed in 1928, the protected area shall always be the property of the Icelandic nation, under the preservation of the Alþing.
Blue Lagoon
Grindavík
Geothermal spa in the middle of a lava field. Steam rises from the warm, milky blue water. The outside air temperature was 19˚F when I was there. Heavenly.
Babalu
Skólavördustígur 22A, Reykjavík
Cozy coffee shop - like being in someone’s living room - timeworn sofas, and shelves overflowing with books and games
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Kiosk on corner of Tryggvagata and Posthusstraet, Reykjavík
Outdoor kiosk near Reykjavik's harbor. Worth the wait to stand in the queue - the best hot dogs (some say in the world) ; make sure you have one with all 5 condiments (ketchup, sweet brown mustard, remoulade, fried onions, and raw onions.)
Forétta Barinn
Nÿlendugata 14, Reykjavik
Menu of small plates - Icelandic tapas - next to Netagerdin Work & Shop, and with the same spirit of design
Laundromat Cafe
Austurstraeti 9, Reykjavik
Diner-style menu, quirky design
Tíu Dropar
Laugavegur 27, Reykjavik
Perfect for a shopping break on the main drag - below the street, tiny rooms crammed with mismatched tables and chairs - try the pancakes (pönnukökur) with rhubarb jam and whipped cream
Ella
Ingolfsstraeti 5, Reykjavík
Elinrós Líndal presents her couture collection of timeless, tailor-made (the workroom is behind the store) clothing for women in top quality fabrics, including Loro Piana wool, at reasonable prices.
Farmers Market
Eyjarslóö 9, Reykjavík
Also sell their collection at Geysir - inspired by traditional design and Icelandic materials, a chic, contemporary clothing and accessories brand
Friða Frænka
Vesturgata 3, Reykjavik
Floor to ceiling collection of antiques on two levels of a traditional Icelandic home. Mid-century modern ceramics and lighting, vintage silver and porcelain, Victorian sewing machines - a bit of everything.
Geysir
Skolavörõustigur 16, Reykjavik
The trendiest of the traditional Icelandic sweater shops
Kolaportið Flea Market
Tryggvagata 19, Reykjavík
A lively hodge podge: Vintage record albums, hand knit wool mittens, books, antiques, crafts, and clothes, even bulk seafood, with hardly any tourist schlock, in warehouse building on the harbor
Kraum
Aðalstræti 10, Reykjavík
Expertly curated collection of Icelandic crafts
Netagerdin Work & Shop
Nylendugata 14, Reykjavík
Six Icelandic designers and a record label work and sell their fabulous products here
Steinunn
Grandagarður 17, Reykjavik
Designer, Steinunn Sigurdardottir, worked for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Tom Ford for Gucci, before creating her own stunning clothing brand; beautifully tailored clothing, predominantly black and white, with cutting-edge style.
101 Hotel
Hverfisgata 10, Reykjavík
Contemporary design hotel near main shopping area
Hotel Borg
Pósthússtræti 11, Reykjavík
Historic art deco hotel renovated for 4-star luxury
