# Iceland travel recommendations? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** vacation-travel\ **Created:** [September 30, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933 "2023-09-30T22:27:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/1 "2023-09-30T22:27:15Z")
No Discourse, this is not a thread on Time Travel. Next year is our 25th anniversary and I’ve just booked flights to Iceland for the end of June. We’ve previously visited Iceland but just stayed in Reykjavik for 3 nights and drove the Golden Circle. This time it will be the two of us (no kids) for 9 nights driving the Ring Road. I’m just starting my research, but has anyone here done this drive and have good ideas or gotchas to look out for? We have done the Blue Lagoon and will probably try the new Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik instead. We will stop at Costco on the way from the airport to stock up on snacks before we hit the road to save some $$$ that I know we’re going to spend anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/2 "2023-09-30T22:37:30Z")
Recent thread on topic: > [@One day in Reykjavík - what to see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-day-in-reykjavik-what-to-see/988270): > > Long story short, I’m going to be in Germany for a couple of weeks in September. As I refuse to fly Air Canada and Transat doesn’t go directly to any airports in Germany, I booked with Icelandair. I have less than an hour transfer on the way there, but for the trip home, I took the option of a longer layover. I figured I have no idea when I’d get the chance again, and it’s one more off the bucket list. Thing is, I arrive late afternoon on the Friday, and assuming that custom, luggage and trekkin… ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/3 "2023-09-30T22:49:33Z")
Thanks, that is more relevant than the Time Travel threads that were suggested. Of course upon reading that thread, I see that I commented on it myself about my last trip. The memory is the first thing to go… ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2023, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/4 "2023-09-30T23:44:55Z")
Defintely visit the black sand beaches near Vik and the basalt columns. Vatnajökull National Park is also a must visit. Are you up for hiking and that type of adventure? No recommendations about lodging but you definitely want to spend some time there. We enjoyed Snæfellsjökull NP and the whole penninsula. I’d stay in Stykkishólmur especially if you want to go on a whale watch. No real recommendations for the rest of the loop, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/5 "2023-10-01T00:16:17Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Are you up for hiking and that type of adventure? Mild hiking at most. No scuba diving or helicopter rides. My wife is claustrophobic, so no caves. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2023, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/6 "2023-10-01T02:59:09Z")
See if you can find and watch the episode of Anthony Bourdain’s show _No Reservations_ entitled [**Iceland: Hello Darkness My Old Friend**](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0782188/) > Tony travels to Iceland in January, where he turns a cold cranky tour into a hilarious diatribe on fermented meats. Also, look for the tribute to “Lost in Translation” towards the end. There’s a lengthy review of the episode at the IMDB link above. [Available to watch on Prime Video for $1.99.](https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.4eb3d6f9-3b8e-c8b2-aabc-7ee9ff7fdd40?ref_=imdbref_tt_wo_tp_pvt_aiv&tag=imdbtag_tt_wo_tp_pvt_aiv-20) ---
**Author:** ![Apodder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apodder/32/17727_2.png) [@Apodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apodder)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/7 "2023-10-02T00:51:11Z")
Some things we really enjoyed: Try the Secret Lagoon which is natural (as opposed to Blue Lagoon, which is completely man-made), with a little geyser and bubbling mudpots. Fridheimar, which is a huge tomato greenhouse which has a cafe which serves all manner of tomato-based items, including cocktails and desserts. Strokkur geyser, which erupts every 10-ish minutes, if I recall. Super cool. Do the hike at Reykjadalur and wallow in the hot river coming down from the mountain. Go see Jokulsarlon, the glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach right across the road from it. Absolutely amazing and you might get to see seals playing in the lagoon. Gullfoss, and so many smaller waterfalls you’ll just randomly encounter driving along. Have the best time! We loved, loved, loved it! ---
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2023, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/8 "2023-10-02T01:10:48Z")
> [@Apodder](#): > > Gullfoss, and so many smaller waterfalls you’ll just randomly encounter driving along. True. We were driving and ran into [Seljalandsfoss](https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/seljalandsfoss). You can walk behind it, and there are smaller waterfalls and caves nearby to explore. And only half hour away is [Skogafoss](https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/skogafoss). Fjadrargljufur Canyon is stunning, too. There are some whale watching trips from the north that I heard are good, but we didn’t make it that far. Iceland is beautiful. We were only there for three days, but I’d love to go back and drive the ring road. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/9 "2024-06-29T14:05:54Z")
Well, we’re in Iceland now. We arrived yesterday morning, spent the night in Reykjavik, and we’re now driving the Ring Road for the next 7 days. Had an incredible meal at Dill Restaurant which was eye-watering expensive but one of the best I’ve had. The weather has been good - 12C/52F and clear but windy. Ask my anything! ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/10 "2024-06-29T15:33:48Z")
How is the volcano which has been erupting from time to time? ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/11 "2024-06-29T17:11:59Z")
Assuming I get my passport issues settled, I will be spending three days in Iceland in early August. I don’t drive and have some mobility issues, so my sightseeing will be limited to motor tours and some walking around Reyjkjavik. There’s an interior volcano tour I’d love to go on, but unfortunately it involves some hiking over rough terrain, so that’s out. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/12 "2024-06-29T17:23:07Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > How is the volcano which has been erupting from time to time? The eruption ended early in the week. It appears that there are two magma chambers where the lower one fills the upper, causing a release of lava. Rinse and repeat. > [@LurkMeister](#): > > I don’t drive and have some mobility issues, so my sightseeing will be limited to motor tours and some walking around Reyjkjavik. We rented a car, but I know there a lot of group tours you can take out of Reykjavik including the Golden Circle which is easy. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/13 "2024-07-11T16:44:26Z")
Bumping this because I was just told my passport is on its way, so I’m seriously looking into tours/sightseeing recommendations. Since I don’t drive and have some minor mobility issues I can’t do hiking tours (which I really regret, because it looks like I’m going to miss some great sights). Also, how is public transit in Reykjavik? (I’m staying at the 100 Iceland Hotel, if that makes any difference). ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/14 "2024-07-11T17:55:55Z")
We stayed directly across the street from your hotel on our last night of the trip. You are right on the main street and Reykjavík is very small and walkable. Other than driving to Perlan, the natural science museum, we didn’t use the car in Reykjavik. There are local city buses, but we didn’t use them. There are tons of tours and most sights on the Golden Circle are quite doable with some mobility limitations. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/15 "2024-07-11T21:50:38Z")
Thank you for confirming what I thought when I was hotel searching. I wanted something relatively inexpensive but conveniently located. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to get to the hotel from the airport; there are a number of transport services in the $35 each way range, but I can’t tell for sure if they’ll take me directly to my hotel or drop me off at a nearby transit stop. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/16 "2024-07-11T21:53:20Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > We rented a car, but I know there a lot of group tours you can take out of Reykjavik including the Golden Circle which is easy. I was in Iceland a month ago and we rented a car and also did the Golden Circle. I know there are abundant tour busses that make that same trip. It’s a whole day. Well worth it. There is a lot of walking involved. Reykjavik is wonderful but it is also small. I am not sure you can get more than a day of doing things out of it. Maybe two. Lovely city though. Be sure to check out the Perlan museum. It’s a really cool building and fun museum (the building was made from giant water tanks that held heated water used to warm homes in Reykjavik). The penis museum ([not making that up](https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/michael-chapman/the-icelandic-phallological-museum)) is a maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/17 "2024-07-11T22:09:29Z")
For a restaurant recommendation in Reykjavik I would suggest [Sjávargrillið](https://sjavargrillid.is/en/). It’s not cheap but not insane either (we did the tasting menu and wine pairing and I think that was $150/person). Outstanding (can’t say enough…one of my all-time best meals). Assuming you like fish (it was not all fish but fish is a big thing in Iceland as is lamb). And the wine pairing was great too. The waitress basically told us she’d just keep pouring wine as much as we wanted. We did not do that but it was nice to know they were not stingy at all. The tasting menu, if anything, was too much food (not complaining…loved it). The only catch is the whole table has to do the tasting or none do it (although the wine pairing can be done individually). It’s not very big. Definitely make a reservation (the neighborhood it is in is also fun to roam around on foot). ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/18 "2024-07-11T22:36:58Z")
We had dinner at Dill, one of the best meals I have had. Food was USD$150/person for the tasting menu, wine pairing was another ~USD$120/person which we did not do. My wife had a glass of wine and I don’t drink. You also have to come terms with the fact that Iceland is **very** expensive, but given that the tax is included in the menu prices and that tipping is not a thing there it takes some of the sting out. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/19 "2024-07-11T22:44:07Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > You also have to come terms with the fact that Iceland is **very** expensive Oh…I definitely felt that more than a few times. I filled up our SUV on returning to the airport and a half-tank of gas cost over $100 (my jaw dropped when I saw that price). Gas is sold in liters there which I am not used to and doing the mental currency conversion rate in your head is not intuitive there either so I didn’t really get it while at the pump and got gobsmacked when at the register (the auto-pay feature on the pump was busted so I had to pay inside). Dill and Sjávargrillið are like two blocks away from each other. Same neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933/20 "2024-07-11T23:03:30Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Oh…I definitely felt that more than a few times. Missed the edit window: Also, when on the Golden Circle, I had a burger and fries that cost over $30 (by that gigantic waterfall). It was a surprisingly good burger, but not $30 good. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iceland-travel-recommendations/990933.md?page=2)