Everything You Need To Know About Reykjavik
Europe Travel || Tags: Europe, Iceland ||Iceland seems to be at the top of everyone’s list lately! I have been to Iceland twice, 2013 and 2015. Reykjavik one of my favorite cities and I’m excited to share with you the things I have learned in my two trips there.
Language
- Icelandic is the national language of Iceland, so learning a few word is appreciated! Hello – Halló. (Ha-low) Thanks – Takk (Tahk).
- Most people speak English fairly well.
- Most places have English signs or menus.
Accommodations
- My number one piece of advice on where to stay is in the City Centre! It is so much easier to get around when you can walk to everything you need. If you’re renting a car you may not mind but we liked the convenience of walking to shops and restaurants
- Staying somewhere with a kitchen will help you cut down on the cost of food. Eating out is rather expensive so it’s helpful if you can cook a little for yourself.
- Book early! Iceland has become so popular that when I was last there in 2015 they were building more hotels to accommodate everyone! We booked in June for our October honeymoon and many hotels were sold out already.
Visiting Iceland with Kids? Check out this post!
Getting Around
- The Keflavik Airport is about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. We took a Grayline bus but there is also a Flybus or a taxi, however a taxi is about 15.000Kr or $159.48 Canadian! Both the Grayline and the Flybus are around $35 Canadian.
- Walk! Most things are close together in the city centre.
- Renting a car can be expensive and gas is around 236 kr/litre (September 2019), that’s about $2.51CAN per litre.
- Public Transportation buses are easy to use, but a single fare is 440kr or about $4.67 Canadian.
Headed to the Blue Lagoon! Check out my Dos and Don’ts list here!
Money
- We went to the bank to exchange Canadian dollars for Icelandic Króna It was no problem. Major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere we went as well.
- You may want to write down or have a currency converter on your phone, as it can be a little confusing. For example right now (September 2019) 1000kr is $10.47 Canadian.
Clothing
- If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes! When we went in October the temperature was around 5-10 degrees Celsius during the day, and a bit cooler at night. It is quite windy so it can feel colder. Definitely check out the average weather for the time of year you will be there.
- Bring waterproof shoes and jacket! It rains a lot.
- Don’t forget mittens and a hat! Or just buy some beautiful Icelandic wool ones when you get there 😉
Need a packing list for Iceland? I got you one right here!
Food
- Prepare yourself for price shock! Restaurant prices are expensive. Alcohol is particularly expensive.
- McDonald’s and Burger King are nowhere on the island!
- Fish is fresh and plentiful.
- Have a hotdog; they are jokingly referred to as the National dish of Iceland. Bæjarins beztu pylsur or in English – The Best Hotdog in Town is delicious and cheap.
Things To Do & See
- Go up the highest building in Reykjavik at the Hallgrímskirkja. The views of the city are unmatched and the church is beautiful. If you’re lucky enough that someone is playing the organ, stay a while and enjoy!
- Harpa Concert Hall on the waterfront is beautiful. You can explore inside as well.
- The Sun Voyager or Sólfar is a sculpture that represents undiscovered territory, a dream of hope, progress and freedom
- The Settlement Exhibition is one of the coolest “museums” I’ve ever been to. Build around a discovered Viking Longhouse you can see the layout of the building and various tools and artefacts that were found.
- The Iceland Phallological museum wins the prize for the weirdest museum I have been to. You just have to go, I mean it’s just too unique to miss.
- Go shopping on Laugavegur Street. Lots of cool places to stop into. Grab a coffee and enjoy!
- Kolaportið flea market is open Saturdays and Sundays for some cool second hand finds and also has a food section.
Related Post: Your Iceland Stopover: The Best Things To Do
Hallgrímskirkja
View From Hallgrímskirkja
Harpa Concert Hall
The Sun Voyager or Sólfar
Settlement Museum
Have you been to Reykjavik? What were your favourite things to do?
22 responses to “Everything You Need To Know About Reykjavik”
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I spent two days in Reykjavik a few months ago, it was in the middle of a week-long road trip in Iceland. What a vibrant and cool city! We were actually lodged in front of the Phallological Museum, but decided to skip it. As weird as it sounded, we preferred to explore other stuff in the city. But we have been quite undecided, because it was, after all, a very unique experience. Still, we passed. We would have probably included it if we had stayed longer. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll go back just for that 😀
Haha! We didn’t spend much time in there but it was too weird to miss. You should check it out if you ever go back
What a comprehensive guide! So useful to get some info on where to stay and how much things cost! Hoping to visit once the travel craze has calmed down!
I don’t know if it will die down any time soon! I’m glad I went in 2013 before it got TOO crazy. It was a lot busier (and more expensive) in 2015
Great post, lots of really useful information! Lovely pictures, thankyou for sharing!
Thanks Danielle 🙂
So much useful information. I plan to go to Reykjavik one day and i definitely will save this post as reference 🙂
It’s one of my favourite places! I can’t wait to go back
Just hit the 4 month mark for my trip to Iceland, so this is so beyond helpful! Was planning on looking all of this information up within the ext few days.
woohoo! I hope you have a great trip JC! Hopefully those northern lights will be out in full force for you!
I loved visiting Reykjavik, this is a great guide, super consistent with my own experience!
Thanks Nina 🙂
Yikes, that taxi cost from the airport is a doozy! Good to know 🙂 Looks like a beautiful place, would love to go there someday
It is a doozy! It’s a long trip so it makes sense! Hope you get there someday
Perfect timing! I’m heading to Iceland in November. Did you walk around Reykjavik or did you take cabs?
Yes we walked everywhere! We did take one city bus to the mall. If you’re staying in the city centre walking is no problem
Thanks for the useful tips. I love how the weather changes so often, I would feel right at home. I tell people that about Texas, LOL!
haha! Quite a bit colder in Iceland though 😉
Great post! Thank you for putting together such a thoroughly guide. 😉
No problem Susan!
Just came back two weeks ago, you are so spot on with everything. I did months of research to prepare for this trip and I feel good. I didn’t over spend on food, accommodation or transportation.
Glad you had a great trip 🙂