Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is a beautiful city designed to make all kinds of travelers fall in love . But Iceland is a country that, in general, goes quite unnoticed in the rest of Europe, and knowing practically nothing about its culture, language, gastronomy or customs, traveling to Reykjavik can be a bit scary at first. Therefore, it is important before traveling there to take into account a number of aspects. In this article we explain them all.
Things to consider before traveling to Rekjavik
When to travel to Reykjavik
Summer and spring (April to August) are the best time to travel to Reykjavik, as the weather is not so cold and there are many hours of daylight. Also, when traveling in spring the prices are significantly lower for accommodation, flights and travel.
What clothes to wear
Reykjavik (and all of Iceland) is never really hot, not even in the summer: temperatures range from 4º to 10º in spring and 8º to 16º in summer. Therefore, even if you travel in the hot months, you will need warm clothing and closed shoes . Ideally, you should have several layers – undershirt, T-shirt, sweatshirt, jacket – to alternate during the day.
Do I need a visa or passport to travel to Reykjavik?
Iceland is not a member of the European Union (EU), but it is a member of the Schengen Area, so to travel to Reykjavik you will only need your ID . You will only need a visa if you visit the city from a country that is not part of the Schengen Agreement (which includes all EU countries, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland).
The coin
Iceland has its own currency, the Icelandic krone , so you will need to exchange money at the airport or centrally located exchange houses if you want to pay in cash in Reykjavik, although debit cards or debit cards are the preferred payment method throughout Iceland. credit , and you can use yours almost anywhere.
Transportation from the airport to the city
The journey from Keflavík airport to the city center is about 50 kilometers, so the taxi is not a very advisable option (as it will be very expensive). The best solution is the FlyBus Airport Shuttle , which departs from the main terminal every half hour and makes stops at the main hotels in Reykjavik, including the BSÍ bus terminal in the city center. The trip will cost you 2,700 ISK ( approximately € 20 ), which is not bad considering that the journey takes about 45 minutes.
Where to stay?
Accommodation should not be a concern when traveling to Reykjavik, as it has solutions for all budgets: AirBnB, hostels, cheap hotels, and luxury hotels . As always, the more central the accommodation, the more expensive its price will be.
5 things you have to do when traveling to Reykjavik
1. Take a free tour
A good way to take a great panoramic view of the city when traveling to Reykjavik is by doing a free walking tour, which will allow you to see the main tourist points of the city:
- Hallgrímskirkja , the tallest church in the city
- Harpa, the modern Icelandic Opera
- Sólfar , the sculpture of the journey towards the sun located in the port
- Alpingi and Ráðhús Reykjavíkur , the parliament and the city hall
- Arbaer National Museum, Open Air Museum and Settlement Museum , perfect for learning about Icelandic history
- Perlan , a spherical-domed building that offers exhibitions, shops, restaurants, concert halls, flea markets, a magnificent winter garden and a panoramic viewpoint with telescopes
2. Try the typical gastronomy
You cannot travel to Reykjavik and not try some of its typical dishes, such as Harðfiskur , a salty and dried cod snack that is eaten between meals; Skyr , a thick and creamy dairy product often served with sour cream and berry jam and tastes a bit like Greek yogurt; lamb , which is served in various ways throughout Iceland, sometimes braised with vegetables or roasted with a spicy sauce… And, if you dare, shark fermented in vinegar and spices.
3. Relax in a natural pool
Natural hot spring pools are very common in Iceland, and the silica and algae that color its waters are said to improve the skin and even cure psoriasis. The best known is Blue Lagoon (50km from Reykjavik), but in the capital you have Sundhöllin , quieter, cheaper and equally relaxing.
4. Sail among whales
There are many whale watching tours available from Reykjavik. The ocean around the city is a natural habitat for many types of whales , and dolphins and seals can also be seen.
5. Party until dawn
The city of Reykjavik is known for its festive nightlife. As in other countries like Spain, the party starts quite late – bars and clubs fill up after midnight – because people often start the evening drinking at home with friends before heading out to the center. There are countless bars, clubs, pubs and late-night restaurants in Iceland’s capital, but the party is in the area of central Laugavegur, Bankastræti and Austurstræti streets .
