Reykjavik, Iceland

 out of 69  reviews

** REYKJAVIK TOURS **

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 out of 69 reviews
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69 Reviews

  1. author
    Outdoorsydiva
    19 Aug 2023
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    I went to Reykjavik, Iceland in the fall and fell in love with it. I loved the 7 step Icelandic bath ritual at Sky Lagoon. The views from the longest infinity pool in Iceland while you soak in warm thermal waters is so relaxing. See the full experience of Sky Lagoon in this video: https://youtu.be/o6nlssYekLU

    Fly Over Iceland is a fun attraction that takes you on a virtual flight across some of the country’s most beautiful scenery.

    From the city there many tour operators that offer trips to see the gorgeous scenery. Spice of Iceland (https://www.spiceoficeland.com) was a great guide. We hiked to a glacier and to the famous black sand beach. We saw lots of waterfalls. My favorites were Skogafoss, Godafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Urridafoss.

    If you can only do one tour South Coast is more scenic than the Golden Circle tour but do both of you can.

    If you are super adventurous like me, you can Snorkel or dive between tectonic plates of 2 continents. It was a crazy experience that you can’t do anywhere else in the world.

    My homebase for my adventures was Alda Hotel. It is a great walkable location, modern, and comfortable. They have an outdoor hot tub in a small courtyard. They also provide a local cell phone for your use during your stay with helpful preloaded apps and you can use it to make local calls.

    Watch more footage of my trip here: https://youtu.be/jecKWK6iARo

    Follow @outdoorsydiva for adventure travel content.

  2. author
    Sierra Middleton
    17 Oct 2022
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    I went to Reykjavik, Iceland for my birthday at the end of July 2022.

    I stayed right by downtown Reykjavik at Fosshotel Reykjavik https://www.islandshotel.is/hotels-in-iceland/fosshotel-reykjavik/

    The price was $900 for 4 nights for 2 twin beds. The bathroom was updated with a sliding door & had plenty of space. The room was small but it’s enough for one person. The channels weren’t great, so have your own entertainment.

    The hotel has a restaurant called Haust that serves food all day. It also has an area to purchase snacks & use a computer with internet. There’s also a beer garden that has happy hour daily.

    The hotel is in a safe, quiet area. We walked from the bar after 2am & felt completely safe. I recommend staying at Fosshotel Reykjavik because it’s close to restaurants, bars & various stores. There’s a bus that runs all over the city. It is also a 20min walk from the Embassy. The hotel is a 5min walk from a beautiful body of water with a trail that next to it. It’s a nice place to jog, ride bikes & take pics.

    We felt completely comfortable traveling as black women. The people were friendly & welcoming. There were many Americans there as well. We met so many nice people.

  3. author
    anakee_chantal
    07 May 2022
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    I visited Reykjavik for one week in February 2022. I decided to book Icelandair’s “Lagoons and Northern Lights” package because December through March is the best time of year to see the northern lights in Iceland. The package included roundtrip flights on Icelandair and airport-hotel transfers, a welcome drink and daily breakfast, northern lights and stargazing excursion, and the choice of lagoon experience: the new geothermal Sky Lagoon, the otherworldly Blue Lagoon or the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon, including a visit to Gullfoss falls. This was my first international trip since the pandemic began. My primary goal was to relax and be pampered, and Iceland didn’t disappoint!

    Things To Do:

    Northern Lights and Stargazing – As I mentioned earlier, December through March is the best time of year to see the northern lights, however due to the unpredictability of Iceland’s weather, there’s a chance that you might not get to see the northern lights which is what happened on my trip. There was too much cloud coverage every night, so I didn’t get see anything. I did visit Aurora Reykjavik: The Northern Lights Center where I got to see the northern lights through virtual reality. I’d definitely recommend visiting this attraction especially if you don’t get a chance to see the northern lights in real life.

    Sky Lagoon – The Sky Lagoon is Iceland’s newest geothermal spa. It’s definitely a place to “slow down [and] savour the here and now…” I had the choice to book this lagoon as part of the package, but I decided to book it outside of the package through Viator. I booked the 7-Step Ritual in the Sky Lagoon Including Transfer. This experience left me feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. One thing I noticed about the lagoon was how quiet it was. I then noticed that there were no children around. Please note that children under the age of 12 aren’t permitted at the Sky Lagoon.

    Blue Lagoon – If it’s your first time in Iceland, you can’t visit without going to the Blue Lagoon. It’s one the 25 wonders of the world! It’s a man-made lagoon heated by the lava fields. The water’s colour is result of silica reflecting the sunlight. Silica is great for your skin, but not so great for your hair. It can make your hair stiff. They advise visitors to put deep-conditioner in your hair prior to entering. As a Black woman who wears her hair in a protective style while travelling, I’d just recommend not getting your hair wet or immersing your whole head in the water.

    Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon, including a visit to Gullfoss falls – The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist routes. There are many opportunities to stop and take pictures of the landscape which includes Gullfoss waterfall, Kerid crater, Strokkur geyser and Thingvellir National Park where the North American and Eurasion tectonic plates meet! I booked this tour through Viator. My tour also included a stop at the Secret Lagoon which is the oldest swimming pool in Iceland. I really enjoyed it because it truly felt like an authentic Icelandic bathing experience. The pool’s temperature ranges from 38-40 °C and is surrounded by several hot springs that are approximately 100 °C! You may walk by and look at the hot springs on a path, but don’t touch! Again, the minerals in the water are great for your skin, but not so great for your hair, so avoid getting your head wet.

    I enjoyed all of the lagoons I visited and would definitely visit them again! As a heads up, you must fully shower before entering all lagoons which means you’ll likely be exposed to strangers. I thought that I’d feel uncomfortable or that people might stare at me because I’m Black, but that wasn’t the case for me and I felt fine.

    In addition to the Lagoons and Northern Lights, there are so many other things to do in Iceland! I also booked the Red Lava Horse Riding Tour from Reykjavik through Viator. I love horses and I try to book a horseback riding excursion anytime I get the chance. Yes, Black people ride horses! We’re out here! This tour is suitable for beginners to pro-riders and you’ll be riding the horse “English Style”.

    One week went by so quickly! I can’t wait to return to the land of “fire and ice”!

  4. author
    Sterling8200
    28 Feb 2022
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    I had been eyeing Iceland for a while, because I wanted to see the Northern Lights. Research showed the best times to go were Oct – Mar, with Feb being a prime time. Valentines Day weekend 2022 was it!

    We booked the trip about 30 days out, usually we do our trips more in advance, but the Panorama (aka Covid), makes things difficult. We flew from Chicago into Boston and Boston direct into Keflavik. The flight out of Boston was less than 5 hours, so we did not get much sleep. We upgraded to business class on Iceland Air, which was nice! We landed early and the rental car place was not open, so we had to wait about 2 hours in the airport, we grabbed some coffee and chilled. The airport has some nice shops and restaurants.

    Driving in Iceland is an adventure in it’s own right. I read previous reviews and decided to keep costs low it made sense, cut to 3 days of ridiculous winds, snow plows throwing snow on to the car, crazy S turns down mountains, blizzards, hail storms and the fact that it’s not light outside until 8:45 am and gets dark at 4:45 pm….we wished we could afford a chauffeur.

    We stayed and the Centrehotel, in Reykjavik – it’s a chain there are several. It served breakfast, but it’s a typical European breakfast, so nothing to write home about. It was in the Velkomin – Lighthouse Village. Very artsy, painted streets, buildings, lots of gin bars, clubs and really good food. No parking near the hotel! But the meters are reasonable, about $5USD/day and the walk was pretty short.

    We had dreams of touring the entire island via the Ring Road, but only had 4 days, so we settled on getting south. Iceland is full of amazing sites, sunsets, everything looks like a painting, so you do not have to go far to find things. I suggest visiting the Yoda Cave – you can type it in to Google Maps, it’s about 2.5 hours south of Reykjavik. The cave is about a 2 mile hike off the road and it’s naturally cut out of of stone and looks just like Yoda! From there we trekked back through Vik a very quaint little city. We visited the most famous black sand beach – Reynisfjara Beach – it’s absolutely beautiful, but also quite cold. You cannot swim in the water due to the waves and currents, but it was 10 degrees, so we would not have done it anyway. We also stopped Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, you see them from the side of the road and it’s so amazing because it’s so cold and they should be frozen, but they are not, very nice photo moments. That same night we boarded a tour bus and went to the Þingvellir National Park to see the Northern Lights, for 20 minutes we listened to our guide go on and on about the fact that “we are dealing with nature and there is no guarantee” and all of a sudden we looked out the windows and saw the moving white lights! People got emotional. As soon as we made it to the spot, we hopped off the bus and took in the wonder. Our guide told us that she is 70 years old and had never seen them that bright and bold! Absolutely stunning. It was worth the 8 degree temps and nearly freezing my fingers and toes. I highly recommend gloves with touchscreen capability, which I had, but they did not work. Also a tripod. We took pics on our phones, which worked just fine, but you have to hold incredibly still.

    Other great spots – Fagradalsfjall Volcano, it started erupting in March 2021 and stopped in Sept 2021, we hiked up and walked on the hardened lava, that still had steam coming from it! Sky Lagoon & Blue Lagoon, we did both – I recommend Sky Lagoon, it’s over looking the harbor, it’s adults only and the you have the 7 rituals, which include a sauna overlooking the harbor. But, the Blue Lagoon, is one of the 25 wonders of the world, we did 3 masks and “in-water massages”, which were AMAZING! My hair was beyond dry afterwards, so I highly recommend packing a deep conditioner if you have textured hair. We booked Volcano Lava Fields, Hot Springs and Sky Lagoon through trip advisor and it was about $120USD per person, but it was worth it, we were picked up around 7 am and done by 3 pm, and we learned a lot about the history and ecology of the Island. We also visited the bridge between two continents – Eurasia and North America, that is not something you do everyday. The Perland Museum is also worth a visit, it has an ice cave and provides a detailed explanation of how the island evolved over the centuries and the overall ecology, plus the 4th floor has an observatory that overlooks all of Reykjavik, so more great pictures, we toured before heading to the airport to leave.

    Lastly, there is a restaurant called Monkeys that we ate at for Valentines Day, it’s a Peruvian Japanese Fusion spot – I have no idea, who decided to marry these two – but they deserve a large check. Dumplings, sushi, spice, red pepper margaritas, mushroom mole, I’m not a food snob, but I definitely snapped shots of my meal.

    Our only negative happened at Keflavik airport when we were leaving. We were looking to get a few more souvenirs and we were followed around the store, we were questioned more than once in the business class lounge, we were pulled out of line when going through customs and asked “how long have you been here” and then when trying to board we were told “economy isn’t boarding yet” and I had to correct them to explain we were business class. So disappointing! But outside of the airport and Iceland Air’s employees, we had a marvelous time!

  5. author
    Simonedee
    17 Oct 2021
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    This place is gorgeous! I would recommend doing the island tour to see all of the sights including any of the volcanoes. Also I was not a fan of the Blue Lagoon, as they have so many natural hot springs so why go to a man-mad one designed specifically for tourists? It was also too many people. Definitely recommend going to the public pools which was a great experience. I was not a fan of the food so we survived mostly on snacks but the best part about this trip was the relaxation. You can literally just travel around to all of the hot springs and beaches and let the stress melt away. Don’t forget to hit the beach to see the black sand!

  6. author
    Angela
    02 Oct 2020
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    I dont like cold countries but wasnt summer body ready so took a trip to for 4 days. Best destination ever! Make sure you have thermals and layers you will be boiling in no time even under 0 degrees.

    The buses are like tour busses they pick you from your nearest stop so you dont have to struggle getting around. I came without booking anything and booked excursions 2am in the morning to pay for trips that started 6am. Tours are really cheap compared to Europe esp for a full day. I spent no more than £40 for each (Season/Less popular)

    Avoid mid December for cancellations and road closures. You will be unable yo drive. The wind will pick you up and the car lol. Lucky I went the first week of Dec and left before they had a snowed in blizzard.

    Many singles so dont be afraid to come alone you will bond easily on trips. Dont worry about the 5 hours of day light ,tours work around this we got up early enough, could see everything and spent quality time.

    My trip included a 16 hour road with stops trip. South Coast & Jokulsarlon (Artic Adventures tours). This is a must- black sand beach, diamond beach, waterfalls & so much more. Seperate day option of Ice cave too. If the Northern lights came out on our way bk we were promised a FREE UNPAID sighting for an hour (not part of the tour)- . Don’t bet on this we just had a lively operator.

    My other HALF day tours (Reykjavik excursions) ended up being the whole day. Unfortunately those that had other plans missed their tours/ no refund. In this tour I saw the golden circle which included waterfalls, glaciers, geezers. You could also add horses and swimming in a hot spring – it snowed so I didnt choose it but would have.

    Blue lagoon is a whole day experience and also went to the restaurant in my robe. Go for the BASIC pack. Food is very expensive as they don’t import. E.g I spent £5 on a 2 litter bottle of cola. Almost $7.

    Whilst black:Witnessed no racism and people friendly to tell you about culture. I stayed in an air bnb.

    TIP:
    Use Artic Adventures tours
    Reykjavik excursions tors
    Blue Lagoon tours directly

    If last minut booking consider the northern lights aurora forecast, weather forecast, time limitations. BE FLEXIBLE.

  7. vickytemoi
    vickytemoi
    27 Sep 2020
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    Iceland was surprisingly one of my favorite trips. Obviously deals on WOW airlines are hard to pass up, so even if you are traveling for a couple days, I say do it. The flight is only about 6 hours from NYC. There is no secret that there aren’t many black people in Iceland, but don’t let that steer you away. My girlfriend and I traveled there and felt very comfortable. We went to the Blue Lagoon and did not know anyone but left with about 8 new friends (all black).
    Some things to keep in mind:
    -Book your Blue Lagoon visit in advance (cheaper in advance)…the Blue Lagoon is amazing for pictures but the pictures still don’t do it justice, its something you have to experience in person. The water feels amazingly warm even though it was freezing outside. Do not however eat at the restaurant in the blue lagoon. Meals cost about $50 per person
    -The food prices are comparable to NY food prices
    -They have their own currency, so if you are on a Euro trip and convert all your dollars to euros, they will not accept them
    -It doesn’t get dark until around 10-11pm (At least in the summer which we visited)
    -Its still cold even in the summer. The high was 50 degrees when we visited in August
    -Rent a car, everything is so spread out in the city and we would have not been able to see as much as we did without a car.
    Hope this information is helpful!

  8. author
    Scole0131
    11 May 2020
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    We landed in Iceland at Reykjavik airport and within a 15 mins shuttle ride we had arrived at Blue Lagoon Spa. Be sure to get advanced tickets (https://www.bluelagoon.com/explore). If you have never been please do your research in advance to understand what is expected and you will not be taking by surprise.
    This is by far the best way to spend the first couple hours in Iceland. Blue Lagoon is the most relaxing experience as the water is about 95 degrees. The water is enriched with silica, blue green algae, and mineral salts. These ingredients help cleanse, exfoliate, nourish, and soften the skin (all while you are transported to a different mind set within the heavenly warm water). While soaking, many people make silica mud masks to give themselves facials. We also opted for comfy robes and flip flops just to give it a more spa feel.

    The water was crowded with people from all over the world but it didn’t feel overcrowded and everyone was very friendly. There are many places to refresh around the Blue Lagoon, such as the Lagoon Bar. The bar has great drinks from wine to cocktails to help one cool down in the warm water.

  9. Karissamcr
    Karissamcr
    13 Apr 2020
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    Iceland was absolutely breathtaking! The views were amazing. It was super spread out and the food wasn’t the best but the Blue Lagoon was such an experience, making it worthwhile just by itself. Because we went in July, it got dark all of 3-4 hours, if that. We literally enjoyed relaxation at the Blue Lagoon from open to 11pm. I think everyone should visit Iceland at least once. It was such an experience.

  10. author
    CarmenSanDriego
    31 Mar 2020
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    Reykjavik is a very spread out place that doesn’t have THAT MANY options of things to do. HOWEVER! The HIGHLIGHT of the place is most definitely it’s most popular attraction, BLUE LAGOON! It’s absolutely LUSH! You walk onto the property and it’s built like an enormous luxury spa that’s based on a natural hot spring that is the lagoon! The great thing about it is that you can choose the amount of money you want to spend and what level of experience you would like to have by choosing your own custom package. IF you opt into one of the more costly (but still reasonable) packages, you’re provided a robe, slippers, drink vouchers as well as VIP entry to certain specialty amenities (VIP lounges and viewing rooms etc) on the property. As you walk through towards the back of the venue, there’s a mini theater type vibe where you can learn a bit about the lagoon and Icelandic history etc. The lagoon itself is AMAZING! The FIRST thing you’ll want to do is set yourself up for a photo shoot!….The outdoor portioned the venue is very impressive, the water is very warm as well as refreshing. Also, there is a station adjacent to the water to hang your robes and store your slippers (any valuables, phones, cameras etc I would recommend keeping in the indoor lockers just fyi) My hubs and I went together and enjoyed the floating bars out in the water where you can order drinks, we also ventured into the small set of caves on one end of the lagoon. Next up is the mud bath station where you can apply the naturally generating mineral mud (it’s white mud, so it doesn’t really stain your swimsuit ;))…and you can basically give yourself a facial (do this AFTER your photos for my girls coming in full beat, because who are we kidding ladies! You’ll definitely want a photo shoot at this attraction! Lol Facts are facts!) There’s some nice spots for pictures as well as little nooks to sit in with bae and have a chill or romantic moment. Lastly, as you walk back inside, most likely at the end of your trip, there’s a cute cafe or two that serves coffee and little pastries that are divine! And don’t forget to visit the cute little gift shop as you leave, if that’s your thing! Definitely a place to put on your list. Gets a 5 star rating from me! Enjoy!

  11. shean_scott@yahoo.com
    shean_scott@yahoo.com
    19 Mar 2020
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    Iceland is probably the best country to visit if you want an adventure. I started my journey is sanaefallnes pennisula which is about an 1 and 45 mins north of the reykjavic airport. I went to see the diamond head shaped mountain called kirkjufell, this mountain is the most photographed place in Iceland, it was also on the tv show GOT. After that I worked my way around the pennisula for two days. Then I headed south to see sights like Gullfoss waterfall, skogarfoss waterfall, vik black sand beach, diamond beach and glacier lagoon, and Skokknes.

  12. Shar
    Shar
    15 Mar 2020
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    My travel to Iceland was quite an adventure. I traveled with Iceland air. For airport transport I booked directly with flybus. Here you can select the option to drop you off directly to your hotel. I stayed at the Hilton Reykjavik. Now to the adventures. There’s so much activities to choose from in Iceland.
    Adventure:

    Hallgrimskirkja church.
    Hallgrímskirkja church is Reykjavík’s main landmark and its tower can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. The church features, most notably, a gargantuan pipe organ design. Its architecture is quite amazing. I just used their local taxi service to get to and from the location.

    Blue Lagoon.
    My next stop was the blue lagoon. Everyone should experience this wonder. Home to one of 25 wonders of the world, Blue Lagoon Iceland is a place where the powers of geothermal seawater create a transformational spa journey. There are different packages, I picked the Comfort: Blue Lagoon
    From USD 51
    * Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
    * Silica mud mask
    * Use of towel
    * 1st drink of your choice
    I booked this along with transportation directly through the blue lagoon website. Please pre-book.

    Tours:

    Northern Lights Night Tour.
    Don’t miss the opportunity to take a mysterious night trip to witness the famous northern lights, one of nature’s most spectacular displays. Unfortunately the lights didn’t come out that night. However, they give you the option to come back on another tour if you don’t see the lights. This was booked through viator.

    South Coast Day Tour.
    I Traveled in a minibus to the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Sólheimajökul glacier and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. You can also enjoy convenient hotel pickup and drop-off. I booked this through viator.

  13. author
    Azariah
    23 Feb 2020
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    Reykjavík is interesting, a lot of adventure for adventure lovers. The country of Iceland is filled with a lot of adventure. I would recommend you book everything before hand if you are going to visit different areas such as the blue lagoon and what not. I would also suggest to rent a car and drive around on your own time instead of depending on your buses.

  14. author
    Azariah
    23 Feb 2020
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    Reykjavík is interesting, a lot of adventure for adventure lovers. The country of Iceland is filled with a lot of adventure. I would recommend you book everything before hand if you are going to visit different areas such as the blue lagoon and what not. I would also suggest to rent a car and drive around on your own time instead of depending on your buses.
    Overall it’s a great country to visit.

  15. Krystalmonique
    02 Feb 2020
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    I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland so this year for my birthday I decided to go. It was the perfect time of the year because the northern lights are only visible during the winter months. During the winter season Iceland has 4 hours of sunlight and 20 hours of darkness so that’s important for planning excursions and your day.

    I flew Icelandair and stayed at the tower suites. Tower suites is part of a group of small luxury hotels (SLH.com) located throughout over 50 countries. Tower Suites is located on the 20th floor with floor to ceiling windows and an amazing view of the city of Reykjavik. Complimentary breakfast is provided daily and the staff is very friendly and accessible via text at all times.

    125 isk is about $1 usd. It was much easier to use a credit or debit card as they do not accept US cash. Be sure to alert your bank and check credit card perks for travel and international fees.

    Now the food! Everyone kept asking me how the food was. We enjoyed fresh seafood, traditional Italian food and local delicacies. We dined at Apotek and Fishmarket for dinner and the food was amazing. Tasty and fresh. Lamb is very popular there the local lamb soup is a must!

    Tours:
    Southern Reykjavik Tour which includes the black sand beach, water falls and glaciers: full day tour $85pp (not including lunch)

    Northern lights super jeep tour: only avail during winter months, evening 8pm-1am apprx. If you don’t see the lights can return for free. $200pp

    (Observing the northern lights is very rare as these rare gases takes 72 hours to travel into the earths atmosphere and the weather conditions must be perfect for visibility. They have daily projections which can be dead on or dead off similar to our weather man. On this night the projections were 4/10 and we had a breathtaking experience. Watching the sky illuminate over time was literally out of this world.)

    Blue Lagoon mineral hot springs. Entry included access to the lagoon, robe and slipper rental and 2 face masks of your choice. We dined at their restaurant lava which was delicious and entry came with a free glass of champagne. : full day $115pp (not including lunch)

    Lastly the nightlife during the week is scarse. I would advise buying alcohol at duty free. But Thurs-sun it’s lit -ish. We found a hip hop club called Priked that we went to on sat night. We left around 230 and the line was around the corner. There were also another club called Miami. On the weekends clubs are open u til 430 am, 2am on the weekdays. Magic Ice is also a must it’s an ice bar similar to the popular chain in Rome, Italy and Miami, Florida.

    I would visit again!!

  16. author
    ptovacationer
    28 Jan 2020
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    Plenty to do here. We went in December 2018. Myself, my cousin and my best friend. That time of year there’s only about 4 hours a daylight. So to ensure we wouldn’t miss anything in our 4 days on the island, we booked a trip planner via Guide to Iceland. They took care of our hotel arrangements, our itinerary and transport from place to place. It was convenient and cost effective. Alternatively we could’ve rented a car and did everything ourselves. But that limited daylight had us a little uneasy. And while we were there an American family drove off a bridge to their deaths. So we were pretty happy with our decision to not drive.
    The Blue Lagoon was the trip highlight for me. It was 30 something degrees outside but the lagoon was well over 100. Very soothing and relaxing. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. We hiked the world’s largest glacier and explored some ice caves. We took beautiful unique pictures at the glacier pools and black sand beaches. We drove past volcanoes. We explored 2 different waterfalls. We even saw some reindeer. We took a boat into the ocean to hunt for northern lights, which were obstructed by an overcast. We enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner of various lamb and salmon dishes. I definitely would like to go back in the summer time to see everything green and vibrant.

  17. author
    BeezyB_A
    29 Dec 2019
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    We rented a car and drove the entire island in a day. Money well spent to see the geysers, waterfalls, black sand beaches, etc. Of course see the national sanctuary and visit blue lagoon. The alcohol is expensive but the grocery stores have local beer for cheap, gets the job done ! Food is also expensive especially any of the US chains( we went for a snack at taco bell.. about $14 USD for a combo). overall great trip..great experience.

  18. author
    Angela1122
    23 Dec 2019
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    My family and I went to Iceland in November for my daughter’s birthday and absolutely loved it. I know the first thing other travelers want to know is if we seen the northern lights….Yes! we were lucky enough to see them while leaving the Blue Lagoon at 9pm. My biggest tip on how to get a visual of the northern lights is to go far away from city lights and download the app Aurora, which was very helpful in locating the northern lights. If you hope to capture a picture of the northern lights you need a good photography camera…a cell phone wont capture the true beauty (the iPhone pro max and new Samsung might). Also, we did the premium package at the Blue Lagoon where we reserved a dinner and an in-water massage….the massage was not worth the money-AT ALL. However, the food was delicious. It is definitely over rated, but it was definitely refreshing to see other African American people. We stayed in Iceland for a week and only seen other African Americans while at the Blue Lagoon. We also did not see any police -not one, not even a patrol car (I’m not telling you to speed). The locals were VERY FRIENDLY, I cant say the same for some tourist. You definitely want to get up as early as possible so you can fully experience your day because the attractions are very spread out and it gets dark early. For instance, going to the National park and the geysers was an entire day experience. The Skogafoss waterfall and Black Sand Beach was another full day and when I say full day I mean 12hrs. There was a beautiful rainbow cascading over the waterfall when we were there, which was absolutely beautiful. If you are scared of heights like myself….climbing back down the steps from the waterfall was very scary for me; I held onto my boyfriend’s shoulders and fixated my eyes on his back, which worked for me. I would like to emphasize….at Black Sand Beach please please do not go anywhere near the water. Don’t be the thrill seeker that thinks the tide isn’t big. Those tides are unpredictable and those tides take lives. Keep your butt over at the basalt stacks (another cool pic). As for gas prices, I read so many reviews about how expensive gas was and the best way to explain it is… I pay 80$ to fill my SUV with premium gas at home(PA) and there I paid 80$ to fill my gas with regular gas (who puts premium gas in rent-a-car?). Moral of the story is their regular gas was equivalent to my premium gas back home. Also, a cool place to visit is the bridge between continents, you can take a cool pic that gives the illusion that you are holding the bridge up. We also visited Hallgrimskirkja church, which had an amazing view of Reykjavik. We had to pay to go into the church and take the elevator up to the tower. Take note: after we paid we realized we were the only ones to pay everyone else just got on the elevator bc nobody was there to let you on the elevator or to ask you for proof of payment. Upon listening to other tourist, a lot of people were opposed to the idea of paying to get into a church, so I guess that’s how they rationalized walking straight in. I am not implying you should not pay, but I am informing you nobody paid but us. More so, I definitely recommend that you rent a car. We had so much fun finding things ourselves. In fact, we wouldn’t have seen half of the attractions we seen if we didn’t rent a car bc on our way to major attractions there were so many little ones in between, along with the beautiful naturally formed lagoons. A car will also allow you to take in the magnificent landscapes Iceland has to offer. Unlike Bali, there natural attractions like waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, etc. are free; you don’t have to worry about panhandlers. Therefore, unless you drink and don’t rent a car (use regular gas) your trip has the potential to be inexpensive. Lastly, my biggest tip: be careful where you rent your car…there were a lot of people telling us how the rent a car place charged them for preexisting damage and a costly down payment so definitely take pictures of even the most frivolous damage. We went in November and the roads were clear we had no problems. We rented a car from Green Motion, which we lucked up through Expedia and paid approx. 300 for the week with not down payment. We had no problems from them, but still protect yourself and take pics. The only part of driving that took some getting use to was …”take the first exit at the roundabout” or “take the 2ond exit at the roundabout,” however, you will catch on fast. As for there street signs….yes they are in their language, but the resemblance makes them internationally recognizable. Lastly, everywhere we went to eat we were offered whale or their national bird, which was devastating to my daughter who is vegan. If you are a foodie like me…go to Taps Barinn and get their 7 course meal omg delicious! Once again, my Instagram has a highlight titled “Iceland” where capture every step of the way.

  19. Krystal_Hughes
    14 Dec 2019
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    Omg, I only stayed two days, but honestly I should did at least 5!! Blue Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, when you think of Iceland these days thats mostly what you hear, but TBH this place has so much more to offer! We did the South Coast Tour and it was everything the beautiful waterfalls, Black sand Beach, A glacier hike are just a few of the stops we made and it was truly an adventure. It was freezing cold, but Seeing the Northern Lights was so worth sitting out all night to catch a glimpse of them! I booked with Sterna Travels. I also did a review on my YouTube : TheQueenExperience

  20. author
    Ashleyloves2travel
    07 Nov 2019
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    I Loved Loved Loved Iceland I had a really great experience. I will admit it is Super Expensive! I traveled with 3 other people and we had a great time but it seemed like everything we did cost $200 no exaggeration. The taxi from the airport in Reykjavik to the city where our hotel was cost us $200 then the ride from our Hotel to the blue Lagoon was $200. The excursions we did were pretty expensive about $100-$150 per person. We did Whale and Puffin watching which was really Cold but fun and exciting. You have to dress warm. The food on average was about $20 for something simple the beer was around $14 a beer USA dollars. The blue lagoon is Beautiful looks just like the photos I will admit. My cousin and I got these water massages and it was Amazing. They give you this foam soap when you get in the water and it’s pretty cool. There’s also bars in the water. Trust me once you get in the water you don’t want to get out much as it’s very cold lol. Iceland is Very safe! We also did a ATV tour in Iceland which was fun. Iceland is very green so not much sight seeing going on outside of the city. The night life was great the bars stayed open pretty late. We went in June when it was 24hrs sunlight which was a different experience for us but we thought it was pretty cool. Just make sure you pick a hotel with good curtains and keep them closed. Apartment K was nice and close to everything. We literally walked to all bars and clubs from our hotel. From the airport the ride into the city was about 45mins to a hr. Not much to see on the drive.

  21. author
    Elcidjarhead
    05 Aug 2019
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    I visited Iceland for six days from 28 Jul – 3 Aug 2019 and the weather was perfect. If it rains, just wait 30 minutes. Link to map–> https://www.south.is

    First, most want to know about the Blue Lagoon. It is located between Keflavik Airport and the city of Reykjavik. You will NEED to make a reservation online for this. Bring your own swimsuit. A free drink and towel is included. RENT a car and explore. I highly recommend bringing a backpack, tent and a sleeping bag. Hotels can be expensive and almost all campsites offer showers for free or less than $5.

    Exploration/Things to do:

    1. Reykjavik City-The Cathedral, Pier area, walk around downtown, there are a couple museums, I would check out the volcano House, Solfar/Sun Voyager Steel boat is just along the pier-take a picture and move on, Harpa Concert hall-Interesting building that is cool to photograph but costs money to explore the inside.

    2. Golden Circle- Geysir, Thingveiller National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, Secret Lagoon in Fludir, Kerid Crater.

    3. Reykjanes Peninsula – This is the time knock out the Blue Lagoon, Bridge between Continents-not that cool scenic-wise but interesting facts, Krysuvik Geothermal Area, and a few other spots. All of these are an easy drive from the KEF airport and Reykjavik city.

    4. Ring Road/South Coast – Urrioafoss Waterfall, Gluggafoss- cool waterfall that I enjoyed the most. not many tourist at all. Seljalandsfoss waterfall-bring a poncho to avoid getting damp not wet. I next drove all the way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Awesome spot and Diamond Beach is a short walk to the coast. Diamond beach is better in the colder months. I then drove to a campground in Kirkjubaer. Woke up and hike up near Stjórnarfoss. It was a good wake up hike and awesome views. Next stop was Fjadrargljufur Canyon. A really cool spot. NextI drove to Reynisfjara (Black Sand beach). Sit up on the Basalt columns, take a photo and chill. Next I visited Dyrhólaey. Cool coastline views and rock formations. Solheimasandur Plane Wreck is right down the road. There is a shuttle to take you the wreck or you can walk for 35-40min. All flat. @elcidjarhead for photos. Skógafoss waterfall was next. Very powerfall and a must stop.

    5. Snaefellsness – It is a 2.5 hr drive north of Reykjavik City. Kirkjufell waterfall and Arrowhead mountain. Djúpalónssandur beach is ok. I would skip this because there many lava fields as you drive around. I skipped Snæfellsjökull and went to Arnarstapi is a MUST stop. Take a long stroll around the cliffs. The black church of Búðakirkja is a pass for me but might be interesting to you. It was being painted so I drove up and left. Lastly, I visited Saxholl. A crater you walk up since there are stairs. i made a short video with my drone on my instagram account. Summary-I did southern Iceland and Snaefellsness. If you have more time I would have done an ice cave/ice climbing and more of ring road.

  22. author
    jonrobert
    20 Jul 2019
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    Icecaps and glaciers, spouting geysers and steaming solfataras, volcanoes, raging rivers and magnificent waterfalls, a bevy of birds, cavorting whales offshore and much more are on your Iceland itinerary. Among lively Reykjavik’s multitude of attractions are Hallgrimur’s Church, a bevy of geothermal baths and sizzling hot nightlife. The Icelandic capital is the starting point for the Golden Circle Route driving tour through the southwest. The mineral-rich Blue Lagoon is a 40-minute drive from the city.

    Iceland isn’t the most price friendly country to visit, but my friends and I wanted to experience the Blue Lagoon, and what ever else Reykjavik had to offer. We found a rd trip flight on Iceland Air from NYC to Amsterdam for $325. Iceland Air lets you do what they call a stop over, so you can stay anywhere from 1-3 days on the same ticket in Iceland then proceed to your final destination. So we elected to stay one day, after during my research we made reservation for the Blue Lagoon, the sooner the better price you get. You also run the risk of the time slot you wanted to be gone. Our flight landed at 6am we got a rental for the 6 of us which was cheaper then other method of transportation (make sure your reservation saids automatic). Blue Lagoon is closer to the airport than the city so we proceeded there first for a few hrs of fun.

  23. Rfiel40039
    Rfiel40039
    18 Jul 2019
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    Iceland was by far one of my favorite places to ever visit! Between the numerous activities and overall vibe it’s a place like no other.

    Blue Lagoon
    It’s legit a world wonder! Literally it’s worth traveling to Iceland alone. Make sure to book your tickets on their site well in advance because there’s typically a month long hold. Specifically, during the weekends. They run on hourly spots. Also, make sure to note that it’s in the middle of no where do it’s best to book a charter bus route.

    Adventure
    Golden Triangle: Renting a car and simply riding around to see the beauty of the golden triangle is a day long venture within itself. I was there during their longest day long solstice in June so if you’re able to boom during that time go for it.

    Traveling While Black
    I didn’t feel unsafe. However, microagressions are real. Apparently I was there with my friends during their annual summer solstice concert. At said concert Gucci Mane was there and performing, visiting all of the venues that my friends and I visited at that time. So of course, we have a number of people stop and ask, “Are you Gucci Man?” (insert side eye).

    The food is ok! However, if you’re looking for adventure and relaxation make sure to hit up Iceland.

  24. author
    Winterzfresh
    11 Jun 2019
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    Me and my friend tried out this hostel called Galaxy Pod which was very different and first hostel. It was pretty cool. We came here and went to the Blue Lagoon which is fairly close to the airport. We also drove to see many other waterfalls like Skogafoss. They have many tours but unfortunately ours was cancelled due to glaciers but the snowmobile tour would’ve taken us to see ice caves and ride your own snow mobile. There’s also dog sledding, riding horses, seeing the northern lights etc

  25. author
    kat.theo
    03 Jun 2019
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    I use to live in Iceland as a child and I love it. You can go horse back riding, go stop to the blue lagoon and take a look at the volcanos. On a clear night the stars are clear as day and sometimes you will see the northern lights. That is a sight worth seeing. If you love nature you will love Iceland. It is a very expensive country.

  26. author
    Tracey_Bostic
    05 May 2019
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    I stayed with my bestie in Reykjavik for a long weekend. Since we were pressed for time we booked tours through Viator which finds local tours. We took a Secret Lagoon, Northern lights with Icelandic dinner through Grayline tours. I wouldn’t use them again. Customer service was horrible. We took the Golden Circle tour with Iceland Horizon. This was a great tour. A lot of history and breathtaking sites, Kerid crater, Gullfoss waterfall, and Great Geysir. The bus had phone chargers which helped to not miss any pics. We took a beach waterfall tour of southern Iceland our last day through Bustravel Icland. This was the most adventurous of the tours. The hike along Solheimajokull was treacherous but worth seeing. The Reynisfjara black sand beach where GOT was shot was beautiful but in cold weather the wind will blow you away. All tours ran about 7 hours. Dress appropriately for weather and pack snacks/water. Everything is overpriced in Iceland.

  27. illustratedbysade
    20 Apr 2019
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    Straight up – ICELAND IS NOT AFFORDABLE (LOL!!!) Gas is $7 per gallon, a box of strawberries is $12, rental car insurance will be triple to price of the car rental itself, and even hostels . HOWEVER – HOWEVER, all of the most beautiful landscapes that mother nature has to offer is completely FREEEEEEE!!!! With the exception of the Blue Lagoon, which is a bit overrated – but to each is own, the most incredible waterfalls, volcanos, black sand beaches, glacier lagoons, and diamond beaches ALL FREE!!!! I actually lucked out back when Wow Air was still operational, and found a direct flight from Miami to Reykjavik for $250 USD round trip. My hostel cost me around $40 bucks a night for a place in the center of town, which for hostel is expensive. But the hostel felt like I was living in an Ikea – super clean and nice. AirBnB could also be a great option for less costs. Food is sooooo expensive. I cannot stress this enough, but since you’ll be spending most of your time in a car, I’d recommend shopping for bread, pastries and butter for road trip snacks (LOL) – the struggle. Budget around $30-$40 per days for food – not activities and other fun stuff, just for food. Yes, I’m not joking – eating out is expensive AF. HAHA Nightlife is actually really fun in Iceland! There are a few bars that get pretty ratchet and I love it! A good spot to pregame is Rex Hostel. The vibe is so cute and the drinks are affordable for Iceland standards. I’d highly recommend that you rent a car because road tripping’ the “golden circle” or to the black sand beaches of Vik or the glacier lagoon of Jokulsalron or the million and one waterfalls along the way is the most fun I’ve ever had. Iceland’s landscape is UNREAL. It feels like you’ve left Earth and traveled to another planet. It is incredibly beautiful, but expensive so budget and plan accordingly. You can probably road trip around the entire country in 2 weeks, but I’d recommend 4-5 days and selective sights for budget travelers. I repeat, it is expensive, so get in and get out. LOL JK It’s worth every penny spent!

  28. author
    Toya_mack
    12 Apr 2019
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    I spent 6 days in Iceland in February. It wasn’t a last minute trip but it was booked within one month prior to departing. I booked a cheap flight on Wow airlines and booked an Airbnb right outside of the city center. Reykjavik is such a beautiful city to explore. There are a few things of interest within the city center that you can walk to or take a taxi to such as the Cathedral, nice shops, and museums. But most of the fun and adventurous things are in the tundra, the middle of the country. You can rent your own car and drive yourself or hop on one of the ready made tours that are offered in hotels or online. Be sure to be dressed for the snowy and rainy weather! A must see is Glacier Lagoon and Black Diamond Beach in the southern part of the country. Local bars and restaurants are in abundance, the locals are quite friendly and welcoming. They love their beautiful country. I will make plans to go back in the summer months.
    Airbnb that I stayed at, the host is wonderful! https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/12511885?euid=34f50f01-bb16-12ae-c8d6-ff6981e91849&guests=1&adults=1

  29. Anieebabe
    12 Apr 2019
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    I travelled to Iceland in December 2018 with a friend. I booked my flight but no hotels. We rented a car and just drove. I think the next time I visit will be in the summer because during the winter you only get 4-5 hours of daylight but I wanted to see the Northern lights and I hear winters are the best time.
    unfortunately we weren’t able to see as much as we wanted because it got dark really fast so we squeezed as much as we could during the day. It was also very windy so that made it harder to drive in the dark. we did manage to drive around Iceland in 5 days even in these conditions.
    The hotels were reasonably priced, but food was really expensive, we purchased food from the grocery store and enjoyed our road trip.
    I would definitely visit Iceland again in the summer as it is beautiful.

  30. author
    kbrown42
    08 Apr 2019
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    Iceland is such a BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY! You will need less than 6 days to adventure out and explore the many natural reserves! I didn’t know I love nature till I visited Iceland.I must warn you the flights are cheap but once you get there it can ADD UP! I reside in a small cute Jazz hotel near the airport (45 mins from Reykjavik) and rented a car to do all my adventures. The car rental was rather cheap but when we converted the price for gas and calculated gas we realized that’s where it was rather expensive! After doing my research AT THE GAS STATION lol Iceland is the 3rd highest in gasoline We did the Iceland Circle, some natural reserves charged a small fee to enter but the view was amazing once we entered. Went in December when the days are SHORT! The sunset around 4pm so we had to start our day early to fulfill all our adventures.
    For more questions or concerns I don’t mind if you DM me @traveling_tenderoni on IG or even watch my Youtube video travelingtenderoni!

  31. author
    Shesonafittrip
    07 Apr 2019
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    This is like the place you go to escape the noise and hustle/bustle of everyday life. We stayed at Grand Hótel Reykjavík. Totally random, but I swear Iceland has the best water in the world. It was so good and refreshing :-). While expensive, this is definitely worth a 72 stopover if possible. We flew on the now RIP Wow Air for the low low, so we managed to save on our flights.

    There just aren’t enough food options and restaurants closed too early. There just were not enough restaurants and food options, but admittedly, I’m spoiled living in the heart of LA where I have Korean, Mexican, Burgers, Kabobs, etc. all within a few blocks and open very late.

  32. author
    Tetelle971
    14 Mar 2019
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    If you enjoy nature and amazing landscapes, Iceland is definitely a must-go destination.
    I visited with a friend for 6 days during the winter, at the beginning of March. As expected Iceland was very expensive, it’s a trip you should prepare months in advance in order to spread expanditure over time and secure better prices.
    We decided to rent a car to do a road trip and I totally recommend it!! As the landscapes are so breathtaking driving itself is such an experience!

    We spent the first 2 days in Reykjavik and stayed each of the following nights in a different city on our way to Hofn (our last stop before going back to Reykjavik and then the airport).

    TRANSPORTATION :
    We flew from France with Icelandair. The round-trip ticket cost us 260 euros each. I feel like we could have had better prices with Wow Airlines as they hand out 30%-40% off very often.

    We rented a 4*4 (Dacia Duster) online 1, 5 month before the trip on the website : guidetoiceland.is
    We paid 270 euros for 6 days (GPS included but no additional insurance)
    In winter it may be preferable to rent a SUV as some roads are not practible with smaller cars.

    ACCOMODATION:
    As we would spend most of our time outside we decided to go cheap on the accomodation and stay in different hostels on our way to Hofn . Broadly speaking, they were okay and met our expectations (cleanliness,…)
    Day 1-2 Reykjavik: Laekur hostel;
    Day 3 Laugarvatn: Heradsskolinn hostel;
    Day 4 Vik: The barn;
    Day 5 Hofn: Hofn Hostel;
    Day 6 Reyjavik: Laekur Hostel;

    WEATHER:
    I went during the winter so it was coold. Icelandic use to say: “if you don’t like the weather just wait 5 minutes” as it also changes often (but still remain cold lol) .
    The temperature itself is bearable (between 8°c and – 5°c) but the wind can be so crazy and drops radically the temperature perceived! (Especially when most of the sites you’re going to visit will be located near water) . Be prepared to dress in layers, use your thermal underwear, waterproof clothes and well cover your hands and feet.

    ACTIVITIES:
    – First, we did a Whale watching excursion in Reykjavik that I wouldn’t recommend.We bought it online with guidetoiceland.is (73 euros).
    We spent 2 hours searching the whales outside on the boat deck (of course it was amazingly cold outside) and we’ve barely seen 3 little whales.
    Even if I’m well aware that it is not possible to control the whales presence I still feel like it wasn’t worth the price paid and I wouldn’t do it again.

    – Blue Lagoon:
    The blue lagoon was amazing!!! It’s actually one of my favorite experience in Iceland. The place is beautiful, relaxing and so pleasant. You can have drinks, apply silica mud mask on yourself and take wonderful pictures while enjoying this wonderful geothermal spa. It is definetly a place to go!! I paid 84 euros for the comfort package and went in the morning at 10 am. It was perfect.

    – Hiking on the biggest European glaciers (Skaftafell) and visiting an Ice cave: I truly recommend this excursion! We booked it online with Iceland Advice, and paid 116 euros/person. First they gear you up with the equipment necessary for hike (helmet, spikes…) and your good to go. All along the way, the guide was nice, helpful and funny. Beyond the hiking he gave us a little Icelandic class, insight and information regarding the Skaftafell glacier and Iceland in general. Walking on a glacier is such a nice experience and the view was wonderful. My favorite part was the visit of an ice cave which is truly wonderful.

    – Fontana spa: a geothermal spa in Laugarvatn. It was nice but nothing like the blue lagoon lol. You’ll find hammams, sauna, relaxing pools between 34 to 40°C and a natural lake.

    Below are other places we visited:
    -Downtown Reykjavik
    -Hallgrimskirkja
    -Reykjanes peninsula
    -Golden circle (geysir, gullfoss, pingvellir parc)
    -Seljalandsfoss
    -Skogafoss (my favorite waterfall)
    -Vik
    -Reynisfjara (a wonderful black sand beach)
    -Dyrholaey
    -Solheimasandur Plane wreck
    -Diamond beach
    -Jokulsarlon glaciers

    FOOD:
    To spare our expenses we decided to do some groceries on arrival at a local discount supermarket (Bonus). As it was so cold we’ve been able to store everything in the car the all trip. We would eat breakfast and lunch from them and at night we would do a nice restaurant. Note that a basic meal(hamburger, fish n chips) in a restaurant will cost you around 20-25 euros minimum.

  33. author
    Monae17
    25 Feb 2019
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    Traveling While Black

    For me Iceland was an amazing experience, it was a four days girls trip in Reykjavik. With it being four of use we chose to stay in an Airbnb. Tours were a bit pricey so we also rented a car from enterprise for a week our price was about 600 U.S dollars. Having a car was great because we were able to drive to all the attractions that we wanted to see like the golden circle and a few of the popular waterfalls and of course the black sand beach. There is so much to do so you wouldn’t have to worry about that, for me I think my favorite part was going to the Blue Lagoon.

  34. author
    Meontheglobe
    06 Feb 2019
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    Iceland, the cold country, is a country known for its volcanoes, hot springs and eruptions of the greyser, some of the tours we do is the gold tour, we reserved and they came for us in cruise ship terminal we started in a city tour of Reykjavik, then we went to some hot springs that the water came from the volcano but the place was created as a kind a pool we stopped by several places to taste the very rich homemade ice creams after one of My favorite stop along the Golden circle tour is the highly active Geysir hot spring area with boiling mud pits, exploding geysers and the lively Strokkur that throws water at 30 meters every few minutes it was amazing we got all wet because we are super close but very cute the experience, we also went to know were the recordings of games of thrones the National Park of Thingvellir after that visit I went to do an investigation on this series I had never seen it, and the blue lagoon I recommend going in the early hours of the day, I went at the night and it was super cold, very windy, very warm water and a nice face mask the bad part was when was time to leave the place after all this Relaxed and hot water to the coldest we went out a couple of times at night, to a disco name is Kiki queer and B5 we made a lot of friends experience in Iceland well recommended

  35. Domo_Travels
    31 Jan 2019
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    My experience in Iceland was great ! I stayed at the CenterPlaza hotel and it was located in downtown Reykjavík. I couldn’t of picked a better location, it was close to everything and in a central location. Clubs, shops, restaurants, you name it. Great ??

  36. shaylac
    shaylac
    26 Jan 2019
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    I have so much to say about Iceland, but I will try and keep this concise with bullets! (spoiler alert, this is one of my top 2 favorite trips):

    – ADVENTURE: Iceland is by far one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been. The natural sites there are UNDEFEATED. The landscapes are beautiful AND diverse. One minute there’s lava rocks, then there’s natural hot springs, then there’s glaciers and black beaches, then there’s green hills. PRO tip: Bring a water bottle and drink fresh water from the springs (literally from the ground/waterfall if you can). It’s the best thing you’ll ever taste.

    – PARTIES: Soooo I went to Iceland in August, during the weekend of a major festival called Þjóðhátíð (https://www.dalurinn.is/en). This was probably the best decision ever. While you don’t get to see the Northern lights, you DO get to be there for an epic festival that happens only once a year and draws 10s of thousands of Icelanders to the beautiful Westman Islands. This festival is seeping with Icelandic culture. In fact, we were like the only two non-Iceland people on the whole island. People were shocked we knew about it. Basically, it’s a whole weekend of drinking and debauchery in the valley of a mountain on an island, and on the last day they light the valley on fire and sing Icelandic folk songs. I could go on for days about this, so just Google it to learn more. If you do want to go, however, book early. The whole entire island was booked (hotels, airbnbs, hostels, EVERYTHING) by the time I went to book so I had to stay on the mainland near the ferry (as did thousands of others.) This experience + the weather alone (it’s fall temperature at this time) is the reason why I recommend everyone to go when I went.

    – WEATHER: As mentioned above, I went in August so the weather was jussst right. We needed jackets, but they were fall jackets vs the serious winter gear my friends needed when they went in December.

    – TRANSPORTATION: I highly recommend getting a car. If you stay in Reykjavik your whole time there, you’re seriously playing yourself. I personally didn’t go the tours route, and to be honest, the freedom was amazing and driving through the country was as much an experience as the actual sites. We had 9 days there so we made it prettyyyy far (about 12 hours from Reykjavik in total – no we did not drive that in one day, we stopped at all the sites along the way)

    – SITES TO SEE: Puffins at Dyrhólaey, The Golden Circle, Jokulsarlon, Vik Black Sand Beach, Reykjavik on the weekend, the Blue Lagoon, Skogafoss (my FAVE), Seljalandsfoss waterfall

    – FOOD: People warned me that food in Iceland was expensive, but I underestimated that by far. Luckily, my friend had the sense to make us get PB&J supplies from Bonus (an affordable, popular super market there). It also helped for those long days on the road (prepare for hours of driving.) But seriously, subway is like $20. The cheapest thing to eat is $6 fries. My best find while there was an Icelandic Street Food spot in Reykjavik. They had $20 for this mashed potato and fish dish (The ONLY tasty thing I had while there) and it was unlimited refills of food until you were full.

    – LODGING: Whatever you can find. It’s a small country, so the options outside of Reykjavik start getting pretttyyy limited (but also pretty cool.) Airbnbs will be the name of the game and the hosts are usually super hospitable. One of our hosts had dinner waiting when we arrived. One of our airbnbs were located at the foot of a beautiful mountain. So when it comes to where to stay, go with the flow and get what you can on this one. Try and map out your route and pick places that make sense chronologically along the way.

  37. author
    Dellison
    23 Jan 2019
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    I traveled to Iceland with a group of 30 people in January of last year. We had heard Iceland was expensive, but had no idea until we really got there..Chinese food was really $30..Iceland loves hip hop culture. We found a club called Priikid that played trap music all night. The Blue Lagoon was amazing and lived up to all the hype. I suggest going early so you can catch the sun rise.

  38. author
    Carlena_Mills_Davis
    14 Jan 2019
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    I MUST share with you the amazing food and drinks I had in Reykjavík, Iceland. I visited this amazing country this past weekend and I have to say I was excited about the Blue Lagoon and snowmobiling but not the food If you google traditional Icelandic dishes, you will see sheep head, fermented shark and whale are some popular dishes. After seeing that, I seriously packed some PB&J just so I wouldn’t starve while I was there. lI have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how amazing the food was there. Lobster is such a central component to a lot of the dishes there. I had the best lobster soup, fried lobster and lobster tacos while I was there. Also, the best melt in your mouth cinnamon rolls that would put Cinnabon out of business. The Snickers Pie and the Spin it cocktail at the @perlanmuseumiceland were also at the top of my list! Don’t count Iceland out because of the weather or what you may hear about the food! I am witness that this country is simply amazing and so is there food! Dear Iceland, you owe me nothing!

  39. Madeinnigeria89
    Madeinnigeria89
    07 Jan 2019
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    Iceland was surprisingly expensive – but I suppose it makes sense for a country who relies heavily on tourism. Our airbnb was relatively cheap, but going to decent restaurants proved more difficult than expected – places we really wanted to go didn’t do reservations and ended up having to wait for some time, but hotel restaurants are always an option too!

    The local bars weren’t too bad and it seems that there’s really nothing much to do at night but drink but people seemed pretty nice and accommodating!

  40. author
    lplyons10
    06 Jan 2019
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    I went to Reykjavik for four days in December, and wish I could of stayed a week. If you love the outdoors visit Reykjavik. When you’re there, you’re not just visiting Reykjavik, you’re visiting Iceland the country. Majority of the sites to see in Iceland reside outside of Reykjavik. I highly recommend that you rent a car. This will allow you to visit the sites you want to, and not be restricted to the designated tours agenda. A rental car can be very valuable in the winter months, because daylight is limited. While I was there, the sun rose around 10/10:30 am and set around 4pm.
    Visiting Iceland can be expensive, especially for food and beverages. If you do decide to eat out, Iceland is a fish lovers paradise. You can easily find fresh fish anywhere! Also, Iceland has some of the best drinking water in the world. They’re tap water is natural spring water. I highly recommend that you look to book an Airbnb, allowing you to cook some of your meals to save money. A lot of the sites to see there are free entry if you drive yourself there. I was able to see the following sites for free:

    – Gullfoss waterfall
    – Geysir
    – Seljalandsfoss waterfall
    – Skogafoss waterfall
    – Solheimasandur Plane Wreck

    To note, if you plan on going to see the Solheimasandur Plane Wreck know that the walk to the plane is about 40min each way. So, plan your time accordingly if you plan on seeing it. I did get to visit the most popular site in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon (https://www.bluelagoon.com). To visit the lagoon is a bit expensive, but it is an experience you cannot pass up. Depending on which package you purchase, your entry comes with a bathrobe, towel, flip flops, facial mask, and a drink. You purchase your ticket against an allotted time, but once you’re in you can stay as long as you want.
    Nightlife in Reykjavik is limited to Friday and Saturday nights. Any other night of the week, the bars are pretty quiet. Overall, I had a great time in Iceland. It’s a great place to explore the outdoors, and see wonderful natural attractions. I cannot wait to go back!!!

  41. author
    Samira
    04 Jan 2019
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    I visited Iceland during the first week of December and honestly it was the best time to go. I recommend going to Iceland during the Aurora season if you want to see the Northern Lights. I flew on Icelandair from NYC on a Thursday night and arrived in Iceland on early Friday morning. It took about four and half hours which isn’t bad at all. You have to pay for checked luggage so I only brought a carry-on and my backpack. Which is all you need for 4 to 5 days and trust me I’m an over packer. Also even though it’s an international flight you have to pay for food on the plane so I brought my own food from home.

    From the airport we booked a bus straight to the Blue Lagoon which I highly recommend because 1. It’s perfect to relax after a flight and 2. It’s closer to the airport than Reykjavik. If you plan on taking pictures at the Blue Lagoon make sure to bring a waterproof case. You can get them on Amazon for $5 whereas at the Blue Lagoon they sell them for $30. We also booked a bus from the Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik.

    Bus to Blue Lagoon and to Reykjavik: https://destinationbluelagoon.is/transport/
    Waterproof case: https://www.amazon.com/JOTO-Universal-Waterproof-Cellphone-Samsung/dp/B00LBK7OSY

    We stayed at an Airbnb which I recommend because we were barely in the apartment. I didn’t really like the particular one where I stayed because we shared a bathroom with another apartment. However, the location was ideal and it’s definitely a cost saver to use Airbnb. Eating out in Iceland can be expensive although I found it to be around New York City prices. To cut costs we went to the grocery store Bonus and brought food to make sandwiches as well as Skyr (the Iceland yogurt which is so good). We used this for breakfast and lunch so we only ate out for dinner and once for brunch. For the tours, they stop for food but the places were pretty expensive so we packed lunch to save money.

    Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/725302?guests=1&adults=1

    Grocery Store:
    -Bonus

    Restaurants:
    -Cafe Paris
    -Islenski Baerinn (If you’re planning on trying fermented shark which you should since you’re in Iceland, I would get it here) Also I recommend the reindeer burger!

    Cheap eats:
    -Baejarins Beztu (Icelandic hot dogs)
    -Pylsuhusid (Icelandic hot dogs)
    -Icelandic Street Food

    Tours: We decided on doing tours instead of renting a car because driving conditions are different in Iceland due to the weather so we thought it was safer to take a tour bus.

    Northern Lights: https://guidetoiceland.is/book-holiday-trips/northern-lights-by-a-minibus
    I was able to see the Northern Lights, which was one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed. I traveled with one friend and we booked a tour with Guide to Iceland. They have a policy that if you’re unlucky on your first try you can book again for free for another night. So I recommend booking early on in your trip. We were fortunately able to see it on our first try and it was so beautiful. Pictures do not give it justice but I still recommend bringing a camera to capture the moment. The pictures aren’t that great from a cellphone camera.

    Golden Circle Tour: https://www.viator.com/tours/Reykjavik/Grand-Golden-Circle-Day-Trip-from-Reykjavik/d905-16698P2
    On this tour you get to see Gulfoss Waterfall, Kerid crater lake, The Great Geysir as well as learn about the movement of the tectonic plates and feed horses.

    South Coast Day Tour: https://guidetoiceland.is/book-holiday-trips/your-south-coast-full-day-tour
    On this tour we saw glaciers, Skógafoss waterfall, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and went to the black sand beach.

    Dress: Wear base layers and invest in clothing with technology to keep you warm. Make sure you wear proper snow boots and thick socks. I wore the LL Bean Gore-Tex Bean Boots and my friend wore Ugg Adirondack III both are good snow boots that actually keep the feet warm. Do not wear classic Ugg boots on the tours, they do not grip well on the ice and you will slip. Truthfully, you really only need your snow boots and maybe a nice booties when going out at night.

    I bought a lot of my base layers from Costco and Uniqlo.
    These leggings from Under Armour were amazing and I highly recommend.
    https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/womens-coldgear-authentic-leggings

    Iceland is expensive because their taxes are high. However, you shop while you’re there make sure to claim your VAT refunds at the airport. Eating out and drinking will be expensive but if you’re used to Manhattan prices you won’t find it that bad. This was honestly an amazing trip and I’m not much of an outdoor person. I don’t like the cold but it was totally worth it. I’ve been to a lot of places and this was by far one of the best experiences I have ever had.

  42. author
    Ayesha
    13 Dec 2018
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    Apps to download:
    .My aurora forecast (northern lights prediction). Green indicates unfavorable conditions. Orange indicates a good probability of seeing them. Higher KP index and lower cloud coverage is preferred.
    .Vegagerdin (up to date road conditions).
    .112 Iceland (for emergency assistance).

    Places we stayed:
    .Black Beach Suites and Farmhouse Lodge in Vik.
    .Nordurey Guesthouse in Reykjavik.

    Places we visited on our own with self drive:
    Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach 2hr 30 min from Vik. Seljalandsfoss and Black Sand Beach 2hr 30 min from Reykjavik. Golden Circle: Strokkur geysir, Gulfoss, and Efsti-dalur II ice cream shop about 1hr 40 min from Reykjavik.
    (FYI: If renting a car, be sure to hold the door when getting out. The winds were so strong that it almost literally took the door off. It was not covered in wind insurance and is considered negligence. Check with your credit card company before the trip for proper guidance.)

    Activities:
    .Ice climb and glacier hike for $182 from Arctic Adventures. (FYI: You can explore Sólheimajökull glacier without a tour. Be sure to have crampons though.)
    .How to become Icelandic in 60 seconds comedy show $42 in Reykjavik.
    .Blue lagoon comfort package $89 (includes silica mask, towel, and a drink). Pack flip flops. Try not to get the mask in your good hair.

    Northern lights:
    Spotted it for the first time on the plane ride to Iceland. It looked like a grey wispy cloud, but was green in photos. Be sure to choose a window seat! We tried every night to hunt the Northern lights on our own. We stayed overnight at Thingvellir National Park, tried spotting it at the Grotta Lighthouse in Reykjavik, and drove around to dark areas in Vik. But no luck. Booked several tours on our last night. It was canceled with TRIPS.is and Reykjavik Excursions, due to low probability of spotting it. We went on a Northern lights minibus tour for $81 with Reykjavik Sightseeing (wifi, hot chocolate, and Icelandic donuts included). Spotted green Northern lights at our 2nd stop (near Vatnsleysustrandarvegur and Jonathan Road).

    Northern lights photography tips:
    .Aperture: F. 2 8, 3.5, or 4. Shutter speed: Fast lights 5-7 sec. Slow lights 10-25 sec.
    ISO: 1600. If not bright enough, increase ISO.
    .You can capture yourself in the photo by getting someone to shine light at your face and holding still for enough time to snap the photo. I was sooo excited and forgot to keep still, so the picture came out a little blurry.
    .I was also able to capture photos with my S8 in pro mode ISO 800 and exposure 4 seconds. The guide said there is an app for Iphone users to download in order to capture the photos.

    Paid $373 RT for ticket from Wow Air. No delays with flight or lost baggage. You pay for everything extra, so bring your own snacks on board. In winter, sunrise is around 11 am and sunset 4 pm. On our first day, the roads were closed due to strong wings >68mph. We stayed at a gas station for 3 to 4 hours waiting for the roads to open. Then the clerk said it probably wont open until 4 pm. This ruined our plans for the day. For this reason, I would recommended adding an extra day or two to your trip in winter months. Decided we had enough time waiting and wanted to get on the road and check into our room before it was dark. At times, the wind was terrifying. My sister drove and I just closed my eyes. I am not an adventurous foodie. I stuck to salmon or arctic char (mix between trout and salmon) dishes, rye bread, apple pie, and hot chocolate. I did try the lamb soup at Cafe Loki and love ball, it was good. My sister and friend tried the sheep head jelly, fermented shark, fish jerky, and smoked sheep. The shark was the only super disgusting thing to them. We didn’t get a chance to visit the trap club, Prikid.There was a storm advisory on the day we left. The turbulence was horrible. So if you have anxiety, I would strongly suggest you get something from your doctor just in case. Also, keep in mind that Iceland is expensive, but I would visit again.

  43. author
    louisaannatravels
    12 Dec 2018
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    First off- yes Iceland is expensive. A lot more expensive than many other countries- BUT it does not have to be over the top expensive. I stayed in an apartment, which had 3 bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom (my husband and I in one room and my mother in another, and another couple in the remaining). Food was expensive but we also bought some breakfast essentials at the local supermarket and made ourselves breakfast and also cooked dinner one night. We also rented a car and avoided paying lots more for a tour. So the money issue should not keep you from visiting!
    Overall Iceland’s landscapes and nature are like on another planet! Make sure you go on the Golden Circle! And go for a dip in the Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon.

  44. kimmy7991
    kimmy7991
    29 Nov 2018
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    Iceland is cold as expected but don’t let that stop you from visiting some of the most breathtaking sites you may see in your life. We got to visit the black sand beach, the city, geysers, glaciers, and lots of waterfalls. There was still so much more to be seen but that was enough to let me know I love Iceland. Would definitely recommend to those who love nature.

  45. Christian-Nicole_Griffin
    07 Nov 2018
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    Seven of my friends and I went to Iceland in Mid-October this year. Despite the cold/rainy weather we did enjoy ourselves and all the gems that Iceland had to offer. If you are not planning on renting a car I would suggest staying in or near Reykjavik, where it is easy to get cabs/buses . We spent some time in the city but most of time was spent on different tours to locations 2-3 hours outside the city center. We got to see things such as the black sand beach, beautiful waterfalls, hot springs, geysers etc. Iceland had some of the most magical landscapes that I have seen so I would definitely recommend visiting.

  46. OTRWITHKK
    OTRWITHKK
    30 Sep 2018
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    Traveling While Black

    Iceland was surprisingly one of my favorite trips. Obviously deals on WOW airlines are hard to pass up, so even if you are traveling for a couple days, I say do it. The flight is only about 6 hours from NYC. There is no secret that there aren’t many black people in Iceland, but don’t let that steer you away. My girlfriend and I traveled there and felt very comfortable. We went to the Blue Lagoon and did not know anyone but left with about 8 new friends (all black).

    Some things to keep in mind:
    -Book your Blue Lagoon visit in advance (cheaper in advance)…the Blue Lagoon is amazing for pictures but the pictures still don’t do it justice, its something you have to experience in person. The water feels amazingly warm even though it was freezing outside. Do not however eat at the restaurant in the blue lagoon. Meals cost about $50 per person
    -The food prices are comparable to NY food prices
    -They have their own currency, so if you are on a Euro trip and convert all your dollars to euros, they will not accept them
    -It doesn’t get dark until around 10-11pm (At least in the summer which we visited)
    -Its still cold even in the summer. The high was 50 degrees when we visited in August
    -Rent a car, everything is so spread out in the city and we would have not been able to see as much as we did without a car.

    Hope this information is helpful!
    -Kris

  47. WheresTheJohn
    WheresTheJohn
    27 Aug 2018
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    Iceland is truly amazing! If you’re an outdoor lover this is the perfect destination for you. I pretty much spent my entire trip on the road capturing beautiful moments along the way. I found tickets to be pretty cheap for an international flight (around $400) depending on the time of the year, making this another reason to visit this great spot. I suggest checking out WOW Air for great deals on flights. Food can be pretty costly and seeing as most of your time will be spent chasing waterfalls I suggest stocking up on food at the local grocery stores. My biggest piece of advice is to catch an early flight and visit the Blue Lagoon straight from the airport. The lagoon can get crowed fairly quick, so in order to capture those epic photos get there when they open!

  48. author
    Boy Versus World
    24 Aug 2018
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    I will be making my second trip to Iceland in October and plan on renting a car. The first time I went, we booked the Golden Circle Tour and a Southern Iceland Tour. Both were on tour buses of course. I agree with others who have said to rent a car or campervan because I didn’t like being rushed as many of the key sites to get off and on the bus. Plus, the majority on the buses we were on were of the older crowd. I personally wouldn’t book a Reykjavik City Tour because the town is actually kind of small and you can probably see it on your own. It’s not a hard city to navigate. The public transportation isn’t that great. There is maybe one bus an hour, so if you miss a bus, you might as well just walk to your destination because it may be another hour before the next one comes.

    I’ll point out some of the places we stopped at as well as some places that might be off the beaten path. If you’re renting a car, you might be able to go to a lot of the other towns outside Reykjavik. Regardless of if you’re taking the tour bus or driving, I would say that the below places and things might be cool to put on your list.
    – The Blue Lagoon – Yes, I know practically everyone goes here, but it’s a nice way to relax. If you don’t want to pay to go, there are so many other hot springs/geothermal baths all around the land that are free. You may just have to ask the owners if you can hop in or you can find cheaper baths in the North. There is actually a bath similar to the Blue Lagoon near Akureyri for less money. Just do your research

    -Gullfoss
    -Seljalandsfoss
    -Skogafoss (this one was my favorite because of the double rainbow that is almost always there)
    -any other waterfall
    -Hallgrimskirkja or any other Icelandic church. Hallgrimskirkja is in downtown Reykjavik but there are so many other beautiful churches short distances away from the city if you’re interested in cool architecture.
    -Seeing the Northern Lights – we booked through Reykjavik Excursions. They let you keep going every night until you see the lights. We went every night we were there for 4 nights and saw the lights 3 times (in March). I thought that was really cool because basically you pay for 1 night and get to go every night until you don’t feel like going anymore.
    -Geysir and all the other geothermal geysers
    -the black sand beaches near Vik
    -Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon – this place makes for great shots at sunset and sunrise due to the floating ice on the lagoon which makes it look like large pieces of glass floating. This is on the southeast side of the island so it can be a bit of a drive and the weather can change drastically
    -Reynisfjara Beach – cool basalt columns in the shapes of hexagons
    -Ice Climbing and Glacier Walking on a glacier – we walked on Sólheimajökull and did some ice climbing with the help of our guides. I would say it was one of the most fun and adventurous things I’ve ever done and well worth the money
    – Visit the Harpa Concert Hall and walk along the harbor
    – Visit the Phallogical Museum – yes it’s a penis museum. it’s great for laughs but it’s also informative as there are other animal species captured in the museum. The ticket is a lil pricey but my sister wanted to do it and sometimes you’re only in Iceland once, so why not?
    -Thingvellir Park or the Silfra snorkeling/diving – you can touch two of the tectonic plates of the world at the same time and swim in crystal clear water with maximum visibility.
    -Visit an Icelandic horse farm – Icelandic horses are odd in how they walk and move and are unique to Iceland. They do a lot to preserve the pedigree of the horses and if the horses ever leave the island, they can never come back in order to not taint the breeding pool. They are also so beautiful and have a great temperament.
    – Solheimasandur Plane Wreck – it’s near Reynisfjara Beach and Skogafoss and if you look it up on Instagram you’ll see that a lot of people take photos there.
    -Skogar Museum – lots of Icelandic history and some cool models of historic Iceland houses that look like gnomes live in them outside the museum.

    I honestly didn’t find Reykjavik that expensive. We were frugal as we’re kind of budget travelers. All the tours and glacier walk was about $300 USD per person. You can get cheap flights out of NYC, DC, Boston, and other East Coast cities. The accommodation was just a place to sleep and store our belongings as we knew we weren’t going to spend much time in the room. That was maybe $400 total or $200 per person as we had 2 people. $10 to get into Hallgrimskirkja tower and about $20 to go to the Phallogical museum. The Blue Lagoon tickets were included in our Golden Circle tour but they’re usually like $70-$90 for the basic package depending on what time of day you go. If you book separate, you MUST book in advance, no exceptions. As for food, we maybe spent about $70 per person. Since we were on the tour bus and in a tour van for the glacier hike for a large portion of our days, we really only ate when the bus/van stopped and then again when we returned to Reykjavik. Our accommodation had breakfast, so we made sure we ate a big breakfast to work off of during the day. There is a really nice Nepalese place in downtown Reykjavik called Nepalese Kitchen. It’s a great place to end the day in a warm restaurant. The food takes a while to make so be patient, plus you get a lot of food for the price. We only paid about $34 for two people, plus the owner was super nice and let us try Brennivin, Iceland’s signature distilled alcoholic beverage. You might ask why we ate Nepalese. We also did the Noodle Station which is a short walk down the block. There wasn’t a whole bunch for vegetarians but we made due. They eat a lot of fish dishes in Iceland for obvious reasons.

    Overall, I’d say get out of Reykjavik if you can. You can see it in about 1 day and then after that, you might get bored. A lot of places close early too and be aware of the hours of sunlight/darkness when you travel as the days can be very long or very short depending on when you go. It’s also super cold on many nights from October – early March. So if you’re going to see the Northern Lights, put on ALLLLLL your layers and invest in those Hot Hands hand warmers. We bought 2 multi-paks from Amazon which includes ones you can put in your shoes and socks and in your gloves.

    Also, wear layers in order to take off layers. Since the houses are heated with excess geothermal heat, there is no way to turn the heat down, so they just open windows or take off layers. The way they use geothermal heat is amazing so if you visit a geothermal plant while you’re there, pay attention as it’s really amazing that the country transitioned from coal-based to geothermal in about 2-3 years. The whole country! Talk about being green!

    If you want to read more, I wrote a blog post with a bit more detail:

    https://www.boyversusworld.com/top-10-things-to-see-while-in-iceland/

  49. justmissb
    22 Aug 2018
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    I LOVED ICELAND!!!

    I flew Wow Airlines for $99 each way in April 2018. My bags cost about $65 each way for one. I was completely content with that because I researched it ahead of time.

    To cut cost in Iceland I rented a car because Taxi’s can add up. I stayed at a hotel near the airport that was about $129/nt. We later found out that it was an old US military base. It wasn’t a Marriott for sure but it accommodated my group fine.

    If you stay near the airport you’re about a good 15-20 minutes from downtown.

    We booked an amazing 12 hour tour through one of the local tour places downtown. I believe we paid roughly $159 each. The tour took us to see several volcanos, glacier hiking, stopped at a farm to see “Icelandic horses”, 4 different AMAZING waterfalls and more. This excursion was very much worth what I paid.

    The food and alcohol in Iceland is extremely pricey. Expect to pay $25+ for a meal and $15-$20 for a mixed drink at a bar. The reason being everything has to be imported.

    Drink LOTS of water. I’m normally a soda drinker everyday but Iceland has the most amazing water I’ve ever had. It’s free every where you go also.

    Must try restaurant:
    Reykjavik Fish and Chips
    -The freshest fish money can buy. So good!!!

    Must Experience:
    Blue Lagoon
    -Pictures do this beauty no justice. Plan to spend an entire day there. It is pricey but budget it in ahead of time because it’s totally worth it. I believe we went early in the morning and paid $79. Money well spent in my opinion.

  50. author
    Jetsetjeli
    09 Aug 2018
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    Iceland was such a cool experience, no pun intended. I went with a group of 30 strangers turned friends and we had a blast. There was so much to do! The highlight of my trip was easily the Blue Lagoon. We went before sunrise so we could catch that moment and it was well worth it. Some of our crew did the snowmobile tour but I opted for the Golden Circle Tour which included several geysers, waterfalls, and a tectonic plate above the ground. I believe this to be the most visited tour/route amongst tourists. And of course no trip to Iceland would be complete without the Northern Lights. We did the tour but unfortunately they didn’t come out for us which only means one thing… I have to go back! I’d definitely recommend a visit here, but save your coins because it’s one of the most expensive places I’ve ever visited. Pack some snacks, you’ll thank me later.

  51. Mhudzick
    Mhudzick
    21 Jul 2018
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    This was by far the most expensive trip i have ever taken. I suggest only spending 3-4days here as you can pretty much get to all the amazing sites in this time. We rented a campervan and drove around the country stopping at all the famous golden circle places. The scenery was unreal! Especially the black sand beach, that was my absolute favorite part! Just prepared for the high cost of everything.

  52. author
    jbgeorge
    10 Jul 2018
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    When you think about vacations, most people consider beaches or warm weather. Iceland has neither but its one of the most scenic places i’ve ever been to. Any direction you look in, the landscape takes your breathe away. If you like adventure, I HIGLY recommend it. Theres so much to see, all over Iceland. For my 5 day trip in May, I broke it up into sections (Western side, North West, the South East, and East) and I still didn’t see everything. The weather was a bit crazy, not blistering cold but it changed often. The weather changed literally every hour from rain, to snow, to sun, to sleet, to snow with sun…it was weird but all added to the experience. Due to the time of year and it being spring summer, we had 20 hours of daylight. YES, 20 hrs lol. The sun rose around 3/3:30am and started setting around 10/11pm. But even when the sun set, the skies were never fully dark. So we had a lot of daylight to go exploring. Keep in mind, I’ve read that in winter, its the opposite which is why its best to see the Northern lights during their winter. I missed the Northern Lights and didn’t see it. Bring layers and waterproof clothing. HIGHLY recommend hat, gloves, scarves and boot if you plan on going exploring outside of Reykjavik.

    For the first few days while staying on the western side, I stayed in one of the coolest spots, a city bus that was transformed into a living space, which was perfectly placed on the side of a mountain (Esjan Bus Iceland). The bus was about 15 minutes away from the main city of Reykjavik. A really good breakfast spot in Reykjavik was “Café Paris”. The last dew days, while in the South East I stayed in an airBnb, very nice spot and was fairly priced.

    I went with two buddies and we were all about adventuring on our own and it worked out perfect. We rented a car ($315 us) for the 5days and drove everywhere on our own time and pace. The sites along the Golden Circle are a must see but if you’re willing to drive, you don’t need a guide. Google maps worked perfectly and everything is clearly labeled.

    Heres the break down of my trip: (I would label all the “Must See” spots but everything is worth seeing)
    – Stops 1-5 were located between West Iceland (Reykjavik) to the Midwestern Region(Golden Circle)a ll within an hour or two driving distance from one another. We were able to hit them all in one day.
    – Stops 6a – 6f were located on a peninsula in the North Western region of Iceland. We started on the bottom of the peninsula and looped around to the top.
    -Stops 7 – 11 were located between the South east to Eastern part of the Island.

    1 Hallgrímskirkja (church) – $10 donation https://visitreykjavik.is
    2 Gullafoss (waterfall) – Free http://gullfoss.is/
    3 Geysir – Free https://www.extremeiceland.is/en/attractions/geysir-geothermal-field
    4 Thingveillir – $5 parking fee https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/jorunnsg/ingvellir-national-park
    5 Kerid (crater lake) $4 donation https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kerid-crater-lake
    6 Snaefellsnes (Peninsula in the North West)
    6a – Vatnshellir Cave $37 http://www.summitguides.is/vatnshellir-cave-op1r6
    6b – GATKLETTUR – ARCH ROCK Free https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/plan-your-trip/travel-search/details/gatklettur–arch-rock?type=place
    6c – KIRKJUFELL MOUNTAIN Free https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/regina/mt-kirkjufell-kirkjufellsfoss-in-grundarfjoerdur-the-most-popular-mountain-on-the-snaefellsnes-peninsula
    6d – RAUÐAFELDSGJÁ Cave/Gorge
    6e – Gerðuberg Columns Free https://www.west.is/
    6f – Budir Black Church – Free https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/5176/the-black-church-of-budir-as-a-photography-location
    7 Seljavallalaug (hot springs) Free https://iheartreykjavik.net/2013/05/seljavallalaug-a-hiidden-gem-in-south-iceland/
    8 Skaftafell National Park https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/asa1/skaftafell-the-hikers-paradise
    8a – Svartifoss Waterfall Free https://www.zigzagonearth.com/svartifoss-skaftafell-iceland/#tab-con-6

    9 Sólheimasandur (airplane wreckage) Free https://livelifewithaview.com/get-solheimasandur-plane-wreck/
    10 Vik http://myviewfromthemiddleseat.com/2016/09/exploring-vik-dyrholaey-black-sand-beaches-cliffs-puffins/
    10a – Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Free https://adventurousmiriam.com/reynisfjara-black-sand-beach-iceland/
    10b – Dyrhólaey Free
    11 Jokulsarlon – Glacier Lagoon Free https://landlopers.com/2016/09/20/jokulsarlon-glacier-lagoon

  53. author
    DynamicE88
    28 Jun 2018
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    Traveling While Black

    I absolutely love Iceland. So far it’s my favorite place that I have visited. First thing I would like to get out of the way is that Iceland is EXPENSIVE….. Whatever you plan spending, double that about to be safe. For example, my girlfriend and I went to this sports bar and split a burger w/ fries and ordered two alcoholic drinks…. 60 whole american dollars. If you go out for drinks at any bar you are looking at around $16-$25 per drink (half price during happy hour). With that being said, I did lots of research before I went and doubled my spending budget just incase. To help with the cost I suggest getting an airbnb instead of a hotel and go to the grocery for food to limit the cost of dining out. We went in February and it was absolutely gorgeous. We had finished seeing Black Panther the weekend before so I was on my Kilmonger vibe and waiting for some racial nonsense to go down but that was not the case. The locals and tourists were very friendly. One thing my girlfriend and I noticed was that all the black folks acknowledged each other, that was dope. We went to a few bars and restaurants the scenery was amazing. We went to the blue lagoon. Highly touristy but a must. While at the lagoon we saw the northern lights and it started to snow. I believe you also get a free drink in the lagoon We were going to go to the golden circle but our tour got canceled due to a snow storm. The food was good. I tried puffin and rain deer (disgusting). I loved Iceland and definitely plan on going back.

    Here are some Recommendations/Tips:

    1. Bring more money than you normally would
    2. stay at airbnb and grocery shop to save
    3. try some local bars and restaurants
    4. get a roundtrip airport ride. we use a company called viator
    5. go to reykjavik Chips (Black guy runs it, has hip hop theme)
    6. go to cafe Haiti (Haitian woman owns it)
    7. Theres a hidden bar behind a tailor shop called Luxe, it looks dope
    8. go to the blue lagoon
    9. check out the sky restaurant, views are amazing
    10. don’t buy northern lights tour. Its not guaranteed and non refundable

  54. author
    Above_itall82
    18 Jun 2018
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    Visited Iceland this past February and I absolutely loved it. One of the safest places in the world. My first time doing Airbnb which was very affordable. So many things to do from the Blue Lagoon, northern lights, jet skiiing, and site seeing you’ll want to book your excursions prior. It was very easy to navigate around via public transportation, highly recommend converting to their currency, but credit cards are encouraged. Glad I experienced.

  55. rocket156
    rocket156
    04 Jun 2018
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    If you’re going to Iceland make sure you are ready to spend a lot of money because it is expensive over there. The most efficient option is to buy groceries and cook for food if you’re on a budget. If not you will be spending $47 for 2 footlong sandwiches, 2 chips and a water at your local subway. Highly recommend you rent a car it is cheaper and more efficient to get around. The drives are not close to see waterfalls so plan your day accordingly. Make sure to check the weather because it can get cold and rainy. Iceland showers are a sulfur shower so they usually smell really bad like rotten eggs but supposedly it is good for your skin.

    Airbnb villa address:
    Ásendi 108, Reykjavík, Iceland

    Keflavik international Airport 235, Iceland:
    Distance from villa – 39mins
    _______________________________

    Right side route of airport/Airbnb on google maps

    -Selfoss falls
    • Distance from villa – 44min
    • Distance from airport – 1hr 17min

    -Seljalandsfoss falls
    • Distance from villa – 1hr 36min
    • Distance from airport – 2hr 9 min
    • Distance from Selfoss – 54min

    -Skogafoss falls
    • Distance from villa – 1hr 58min
    • Distance from airport – 2hr 32min
    • Distance from Seljalandsfoss – 25min

    -Solheimasandur DC 3 plane wreck
    • Distance from villa – 1hr 59min
    • Distance from airport – 2hr 27min
    • Distance from Skogafoss – 11min

    -Vik Iceland (Black sand beach)
    • Distance from villa – 2hr 16min
    • Distance from airport – 2hr 50min
    • Distance from Solheimasandur – 18min

    -Svartifoss falls
    • Distance from villa – 4hr 15min
    • Distance from airport – 4hr 40min
    • Distance from Solheimasandur – 1hr 58min

    -Ofaerufoss
    • Distance from villa – 3hr 59min
    • Distance from airport – 4hr 33min
    • Distance from Svartifoss – 2hr 14min

    _______________________________________________

    Left side route of airport/Airbnb on google maps

    -Hallgrimskirkja Church
    Hallgrimskirkja, Hallgrimstorg 101, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
    • Distance from villa – 10min

    -Alafoss
    • Distance from villa – 14min
    • Distance from airport – 46min

    -Blue Lagoon:
    Nordurljosavegur 9, 240 Grindavik, Iceland
    • Distance from villa – 36mins

    -Barnafossar
    • Distance from villa – 1hr 35min
    • Distance from airport – 2hr 9min
    • Distance from Alafoss – 1hr 23min

    -Hraunfossar
    • Distance from villa – 1hr 33min
    • Distance from airport – 2hr 9min
    • Distance from Barnafossar – 1min

    -Faxi
    • Distance from villa – 1hr 16min
    • Distance from airport – 1hr 48min
    • Distance from Hraunfossar – 2hr 19min

    -Geysir, Iceland
    • Distance from villa – 1hr 24min
    • Distance from airport – 1hr 58min
    • Distance from Gullfoss – 11min

    -Gullfoss Falls
    • Distance from Villa – 1hr 34min
    • Distance from Airport – 2hr 10min
    • Distance from faxi – 19min

    -Gjain
    • Distance from villa – 1hr 51min
    • Distance from airport – 2hr 24min
    • Distance from Gullfoss – 1hr 25min

    -Haifoss
    • Distance from villa – 1hr 58min
    • Distance from airport – 2hr 31min
    • Distance from Gjain – 29min

    -Godafoss
    • Distance from villa – 5hr 11min
    • Distance from airport – 5hr 44min
    • Distance from Haifoss – 5hr 46min

    -Aldeyjarfoss
    • Distance from villa – 5hr 59min
    • Distance from airport – 6hr 35min
    • Distance from Godafoss – 47min

    -Dettifoss
    • Distance from villa – 6hr 29min
    • Distance from airport – 7hr 2min
    • Distance from aldeyjarfoss – 2hr 5min
    _______________________________________________
    Blue lagoon essentials

    • Bring shampoo
    • Towels
    • Slippers
    • Shower

  56. author
    Travelista3
    10 May 2018
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    Advice for Iceland, rent a car and go!! I really enjoyed the Golden Circle Tour. It gave me an opportunity to relax and just take in the sites, plus they had free WIFI on the bus! All the stops were breath taking and they gave you plenty of time to explore, take tons of pictures and shop! We rented a car and went on a road trip, about two hours outside of the city we got to see a breath taking water fall, Skogafoss. Make the hike up the waterfall, the view is amazing and you are sure to get your workout in for the day! About ten miles down the road in Vik, we made the hike to see the abandoned US Navy plane on the black sand beach. Lace up those boots or sneakers and make the hike and once you have your epic pictures, walk a little while longer and check out the beach. I am typically not an outdoor person, but Iceland brought it out of me!

  57. Charlene
    Charlene
    09 May 2018
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    I found a cheap flight from Toronto to Reykjavik (from the Secret Flying website) through WOW Air for $259 roundtrip. I decided to go for my birthday in February. I knew that it would be winter at the time but I’m from Canada, so I thought, how bad could it be? Well let me tell you, the weather is something else! I’ve never been to such a windy place. Even though it doesn’t get quite as cold as Toronto, the wind and the constant changes in weather requires you to be flexible with your itinerary. Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice. There is so much to see and do! Because it was winter, I opted to base myself in Reykjavik and take day tours from there. In any other season, I would highly recommend just renting a car and driving yourself since tours are expensive and it all adds up. In the winter, the roads can be treacherous and you drive at your own risk. By taking tours, you can sit back and let the professionals do the work. I did the Golden Circle tour with GeoIceland and I did the Ice Cave Express tour with GoEcco. Both were good but the latter was way more memorable (unbelievable scenery!). The Express tour encompassed a South Coast tour + a visit to an ice cave. It was an 18 hour journey leaving at 7 am and arriving back in Reykjavik around 11 pm. It covers a lot of ground and a good portion of it is just driving from one place to the next. But because I had such a short time in the country I went for it and I don’t regret that decision. With more time, obviously it’s better to take it slower and spend 2-3 days exploring that side of Iceland. I also visited the Blue Lagoon. This I organized on my own. It’s best to book tickets far in advance online before arrival to secure a spot. Otherwise, you might miss out. It’s recommended to visit the Blue Lagoon either from the airport after arrival or before departure on your way to the airport. That’s because it’s located closer to the airport than to Reykjavik. When buying tickets for the Blue Lagoon you have the option to also book a transfer service to and from there. Since I ended my visit in Iceland with a trip to the lagoon, I booked a ticket from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon, and then from the Lagoon to the airport. The transfer service was with Reykjavik Excursions. I also booked my transfer service with them from the airport at arrival to Reykjavik. In Reykjavik, you can check out the Harpa concert hall, the sun voyager sculpture, and Hallgrimskirkja church. There are also a few museums. For me, the biggest struggle was finding good food. Eating out is expensive and the food can be bland. The hot dogs everyone recommends did little to impress me. I had my best meal at the Noodle Station restaurant, an Asian soup place of all places. Four days in the country set me back ~$1600, flights included. To save more, you can stay in a hostel or airbnb if sharing with others, self-drive, and buy groceries to cook on your own. While I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, the cost alone has me thinking twice about returning. I think I’ve seen most of what I wanted to see anyways.

  58. Rebarge
    Rebarge
    29 Apr 2018
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    Traveling While Black

    When people think about vacations they think about white sand beaches and laying in the sun. Iceland is definitely not that kind of vacation destination. Iceland has so much to offer that we have been there twice in two years. If you are not a person who loves nature and the great outdoors then Iceland may not be for you.
    Iceland’s Keflavik airport is one of the most efficient airports we have EVER been to. Once you leave the airport, the adventures begin. You can either rent a car or book transportation through your housing accommodation or the many local sightseeing tours available.
    From breathtaking waterfalls, relaxing geothermal pools, seeing the Northern lights, dancing at local clubs, hikes, glacier climbs, the unique culture and history and the people you meet there; there is so much to do that it may take a few trips to attempt to see it all. Iceland is anything but a boring destination. The best way to enjoy the full Icelandic experience is to to rent a car. Road trips around the country not only saves you money but allows you to enjoy the small things like seeing passing creeks, puffins and petting Icelandic horses.
    If you are uncomfortable with driving around the country, we recommend using Gray line tours for excursions, tours and activities. Gray line also provides much needed wifi on every bus which makes staying connected to friends and family while abroad easy.
    Highly recommend Iceland for all the adventurers out there. For seeing the northern lights go during the winter months but for optimum enjoyment we would recommend going during the months of August and September.

  59. author
    Abventurous
    25 Apr 2018
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    Iceland is for the person who is in love with nature and outdoors, which I am not. If you’re interested in landscapes, waterfalls, and the earths natural beauties then this is the place for you. My biggest turn off was how expensive it was. A five minute cab ride would run you $30. Insane! I rented a very small compact car, to fill the tank was $70 as if I were driving a G- Wagon. I would recommend renting a car so that you can drive around and stop as you’re exploring. Excursions are overpriced and can be some in other cold places for less (which I’ve experienced personally). Unless you prefer the thrill of doing it in “Iceland”, save your money.
    The Blue Lagoon is overrated, sorry but I have to be honest. It’s a large hot tub (it’s really a natural hot spring) and you can also get food. The scenery is nice, as it is outdoors, but it did not give me any excitement for what I spent on my entry, $80. It is the most “Icelandic” to do there, so I would recommend going anyway. When most people think of Iceland they think of “Blue Lagoon”. Be sure to get your ticket in advance because they do sell out. If you are visiting on a layover there is a $40 shuttle from KEF airport to the Blue Lagoon.
    A nice day activity is to visit the Golden Circle, where there are different natural landmarks, such as the Bridge Between Two Continents. Apparently a tiny bit of Iceland is also considered North America geographically. Bring a lock to put on the bridge, like the Love Lock bridge in Paris. I was not able to see the Northern lights because the sky was not clear due to clouds.
    If you are a foodie is I am, you can try sheeps head. The natives eat the “delicatessen”, a sheep’s head boiled with seasonings. It reminded me of oxtail with fatty and meaty parts. I loved it and would try it again. As mentioned before. Iceland ridiculously expensive for no reason. I never mind spending money once it is worth it. I spent $25 on a a basic (not gourmet) burger and fries and drink =[. For a city girl like me, Iceland is no good. #Abventurous

  60. rushahead
    rushahead
    24 Apr 2018
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    Traveling While Black

    Iceland is a must see!!! Everyone talks about Blue Lagoon, and yes you should go experience the hot springs. However, if you are there for more than a layover, please take a trip to the black sand beach in Vik. Do note that there aren’t exact signs for it and it’s a 4.5 km hike each way. But the view was so worth it. There are also nearby waterfalls that are breathtaking. I went in January and rented a car, but please take your time and be careful because when the snow starts to fall on the mountain, it’s rather hard to see anything.

  61. Kimberly_Anderson
    28 Mar 2018
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    The Lands of Ice & Fire
    I have to admit that I had the time of my life in Iceland. Everyone was so humble, nice and kind especially our tour guides. The guides took us to the most amazing and fascinating spots I have ever witnessed.

    The landscapes of Iceland were just mind-blowing! Places like Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss, The Great Geyser, Laufskalavaroda, The Black Sand Beach & Skogafoss were marvelous – their scenery will be carved in my memory forever.

    Unfortunately, we did not get to see the Northern Lights due to the cloudy weather; I’m sure it was a sight to behold. Just a note that if anyone would like to try to capture the Lights on camera, please make sure you have a good quality steady camera (cell phone cameras will not work).

    All in all, it was a beautiful experience and definitely returning soon!

  62. author
    Lanceallen123
    27 Mar 2018
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    Iceland is slowly becoming a popular destination and it is not hard to SEE why. I visited during the winter and was blown away. First, stop by Blue Lagoon after a long flight it was perfect, make sure to reserve a time slot ahead of time. Basic entry into the Blue Lagoon is around $70 USD and there is no time limit for how long you can stay. The geothermal waters will relax you beyond your imagination and with every entry; you get a complimentary mud mask. The drive alone from the airport to Reykjavik is jaw dropping. There might not be a place on this island where you do not have an amazing view from. Renting a car is a must in this destination, drive yourself to all of Iceland’s beautiful land marks instead of paying high tour bus prices. Take a drive down to their national park The Golden Circle where you will find beautiful waterfalls and geysers. A little further south is Skogafoss a must and not too far off if you’re up for an adventure is a natural Hot spring just off the beaten path and completely FREE. Another hour south and you well reach Vik and its beautiful black sand beaches. Take Advantage and visit Iceland while it is still a “Hidden Gem” you can thank me later

  63. author
    Cnova25
    20 Mar 2018
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    Iceland…what more can I say about this Nordic island nation that hasn’t already been said. It’s defined by a dramatic landscape filled with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, massive glaciers and The Northern Lights. Its natives carry a sense of pride and strength within them, which dates back to their Viking ancestors, but they also possess an inner warmth and generosity for their fellow man. The climate is very cold, but its people are fiery and passionate. This place has definitely earned the title, “The Land of Fire and Ice,” on so many levels. Although expensive at times, the cost of experiencing a trip here, is absolutely priceless.

  64. Lilegyptianprincess
    16 Mar 2018
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    The Blue Lagoon was amazing. I only wish I got to spend more time there. The water was soo warm and relaxing. Be sure to book early, almost didn’t get to go while there. Perfect ending to my Iceland trip.

  65. @D_A_MDane
    06 Mar 2018
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    Iceland definitely a must visit at least one time in your life. Visited last September around labor day weekend, not as cold as normal but still chilly…around 50 degrees F. Stayed in a AirBNB in Reykjavik with a group of about 8. We rented a van and drove everywhere we wanted to go…it worked out cheaper this way. Food very expensive including popular fast food restaurants such as subway. Recommend packing lunch while exploring in the day time. Rained a few days on and off as well. Favorite part of the trip was the waterfalls and Blue Lagoon of course.

  66. author
    Gregoryhunt1
    22 Feb 2018
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    Reykjavik was a new adventure for me. One of the best experiences in my life was visiting the Blue Lagoon. The water felt amazing. I didn’t even want to get out. Right outside the blue lagoon there was a very nice scenery where I had to capture moment. It was something I never seen before. I booked my reservation on the blue lagoon site http://www.bluelagoon.com/ and drove there myself with a rental car. I also visited the Perlan Museum and the famous Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavik. The food was great but all in all a pretty dope trip.

  67. Dane
    18 Dec 2017
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    Visited in late September, and was probably one of the best times to go as it is low season.

    The country is unbelievable with incredible scenery everywhere you look. We road-tripped through the Golden Circle (stopping at Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Springs, and Gullfoss) and continued towards the south coast. Along the southern coast, we stopped at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon (UNREAL!), Skogafoss, the black sand beaches of Vik, and Seljalandsfoss. I do recommend that if you stop at Seljalandsfoss you visit Gljufrabul, a secret cave waterfall 1/4 mile left of Seljalandsfoss – total hidden gem. You’ll know you’re at the right spot when you see a small, shallow stream coming from a gorge in the rock. You will need to walk through the gorge but it’s worth it!

    Back in Reykjavik there’s something for everyone. Lots of neat shops and restaurants. Blue Lagoon Spa is a very unique experience, though pricey. There are tons of natural geothermal springs all over the country that cost you a fraction of BL price or are free. The nightlife in Reykjavik is like nothing I’ve ever seen be for and amazingly fun!

    Avoid the tour groups, and go with a car rental. The country is super easy to navigate, and the local’s English is excellent. Recommend giving yourself enough time throughout your roadtrip, as you’ll want to make frequent stops for unexpected sites along the way like; lava fields, petting Icelandic horses and sheep!

    Drink the tap water, eat the yogurt and hot dogs.

  68. author
    Gold3n_
    24 Nov 2017
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    I visited Reykjavik, Iceland in early November and I had such an amazing experience. Iceland is filled with loads of breathtaking scenery and amazing geothermal hot springs. I stayed in Iceland for 3 nights and booked The Golden Circle tour, as well as a day at the Blue Lagoon. The The Golden Circle tour was amazing as we visited The beautiful Gullfoss Waterfall, Pingvellir National Park and the Geysir geothermal area. The Golden Circle tour allows you to see the natural beauty of Iceland and I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Iceland. On my second day in Iceland I visited the Blue Lagoon, and it was one of the most amazing things I have seen. The experience is unreal as the weather was very cold but as soon I entered the water I was warm and relaxed. I was also fortunate enough to watch the sunrise as I relaxed inside the blue lagoon and the view was breathtaking.

  69. Sabrina Nicole
    10 Nov 2017
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    I normally go to beaches for vacation, so Iceland was a very unique experience for me! There is alot if out door activities to do. While I was there I took a circle island tour, visited glaciers and also swam in the Blue Lagoon! This island only had majority hostels to stay in, so dont be alarmed lol.

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