iceland

I went to Iceland with my buddy Jess way back in March of 2016. We galavanted all around the southern half of the country in a rental car and were blown away by this truly GORGEY PORGEY COUNTRY. Like some real stunning natural beauty. All over. Everywhere. Heavily. Since we bopped all around the island, I’ll organize this by region with Reykjavik at the top. Jess and I did Reykjavik first, then drove all the way west to the Snaefellsnes peninsula and then continued our trip by driving east along the southern coast until we got to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon on the other end of the country. Other things to note: try to get a 4WD rental car, try the hot dogs, “foss” means waterfall, eats lots of seafood and also all of their prettily-packaged candies — and just generally, ENJOY THE MAGICCCC OF ICELANDDD!

Reykjavik

Check out:

• Thermal baths (Laugardalslaug or Vesturbaejarlaug)

• Harpa Concert Hall

• Hallgrimskirkja (beautiful church, go to the top for the view)

• Blue Lagoon

Stay:

• Hotel 101

• Kex Hostel

Restos:

• Saegriffin (OG seafood spot)

• Baejarins Beztu Pylsur (hot dog stand, must go)

• Kaloportid Flea (lots of food vendors)

• Eldur Og Is (ice cream!)

• Icelandic Fish and Chips (v good)

• Berggson Mathus (cozy, cool)

• Stogfan Cafe (cute, cozy)

• Grai Kotturinn (good breakfast)

• Cafe Loki (icelandic)

• Glo (raw food, good lunch)

• Kex Hostel Restaurant (hipstery)

• Forettabarinn (cute, icelandic)

• Islenski Barinn (local icelandic food)

• Hradlestin (indian, 3 locations)

• 3 Frakkar (icelandic, fermented shark)

• Slipbarrin (cafe food, pizza)

• Prikid (pub fare, breakfast)

• Solon Bistro + Bar (cafe-style)

• The Fish Market (fancy seafood)

• Kol (seafood-focused, icelandic, pricey)

• The Lobster House (all you can eat)

• Grillmarkadurin (icelandic, pricey)

• Dill (icelandic, pricey)

• Fish Company (seafood, international dishes)

• Apotek (nice spot, varied cuisine)

• Perlan (fancy, inside glass dome)

• Tapas Barinn (tapas)

• La Primavera (italian)

• Roadhouse (american, burgers)

• Snaps Bistro (french)

Coffee:

• Reykjavik Roasters

• Ida Zimsen

Bars:

• Kex (hipster cool)

• Kaffibarinn (v fun)

• Skuli Craft Bar (craft beer)

• Den Danske Kro (good live music)

• B5 (friendly, can be crowded)

• Lebowski Bar (white russians, kitschy)

• Slippbarinn (for happy hour)

• Prikid (lots of beers)

• Micro Bar (craft beer)

• Paloma Club (night club)

• The English Pub (exactly as it sounds)

Shopping:

• Best shopping is on Laugavegur, Austurstraeti, Laekjargata and Skolavordustigur)

• 66 North (must go!)

• Alafoss (wool clothing, outside town, must do)

• Fru Lauga (good grocery)

• Geysir (clothing)

• Aurum (jewelry)

• Kaloportid Flea Market (vintage)

• Red Cross Shop (vintage, there’s two)

• Spuutnik (vintage)

• Kisuberjatreo (ceramics)

• Kogga (ceramics)

• Stigur (ceramics)

• Hrim Honnunarhus (homewares)

Rest of the island

To see on Snaefellsnes peninsula:

• Tip: drive around the perimeter of the peninsula for views

• Kirkjufell (mountain)

• Kirkjufellfoss (waterfall)

• Snaefellsjokull (national park)

• Stay: Hotel Budir

To see in mid/west region:

• Geirabakai Kaffihus (cool bakery)

• Langjokull (glacier)

• Thingvellir (national park)

• Gullfoss (waterfall)

• Raufarholshellir (lava tubes)

• Geysir (it’s a geyser)

• Rekjanes Peninsula

• Laugarvatn Fontana baths/spa

• Stay: ION Adventure Hotel

To see in southern region:

• Seljavallalaug outdoor pool (small hike to it)

• Vik (black sand beach)

• Reynisfjara beach (black sand)

• Seljalandsfoss (waterfall)

• Skogafoss (waterfall)

• WW2 airplane

To see in southeast region:

• Vatnajokull (glacier + national park)

• Jokulsarlon (glacier lagoon)

• Svartifoss (waterfall)

• Skaftafell (glacier)

• Stay: Fosshotel