Overall, it’s a small nation with a big heart, filled with wild adventures and raw natural beauty.
Where I went:
Reykjavik (The Odinsve Hotel)
Since my hotel was centrally located, I walked to most locations. If you want to hire a driver, keep in mind that there is no Uber or Lyft in Iceland. Many tourists rent cars to visit the countryside, which is a great option. The public bus system is also very easy to use. Just download the Straeto app before you arrive.
And definitely skip the cabs from the airport. Just purchase a Flybus ticket, which will take you directly to the central bus terminal downtown.
One other tip worth noting. Credit cards are universally accepted, and Euros or US Dollars can be used in a pinch. I recommend opting out of exchanging cash for Icelandic Krona, unless you plan on an extended stay. I was in Iceland for a long weekend and never used paper money.
What I wore:
I visited Iceland for a long weekend in June. And with 24 hours of daylight, it definitely felt long! Although there was plenty of rain in the forecast, I barely used an umbrella or my rain boots.
Instead, I spent most of the trip wearing light jackets, knit caps, jeans and a variety of tanks—with a few pops of color. I packed a neon pink Fjallraven mini backpack...
...some glossy red Hunter rain boots..
..and a bright yellow bikini for the Blue Lagoon, which amped up the “wow” factor of my social media posts.
What I did:
Since it was a long summer weekend, I decided to maximize my time in and around Reykjavik.
In the city, I took advantage of a sunny day to indulge in visits to the harbor sites and explored urban art, the famous Rainbow Street, local outdoor markets, and the Icelandic Punk Museum.
There is also a vibrant music scene in Iceland. I lingered at the ubiquitous record shops, listened to countless buskers, and danced to European EDM until the clubs closed at 4:00 a.m.
Also, I am an official graduate of Elf School!
And just outside of Reykjavik, I was awed by the majestic scenery—both above and below ground. I snorkeled in Silfra—swimming through the fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The glacier waters were clear as glass!
I also raced up hillsides on a quad safari to experience the midnight sun...
...and I indulged in the restorative waters of the Blue Lagoon. An experience not to be missed.
What I ate/drank:
The most popular tourist indulgence is hakarl (fermented shark) and Brennivin (a schnapps known as “Black Death”). While I skipped the traditional Icelandic fare, you can find it at Café Loki.
I was delighted to learn that Iceland shares one passion with America—a love of hot dogs and Coca Cola. I made sure to sample Europe’s best hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. You can order it with the “works”, just like Bill Clinton and James Hetfield of Metallica. It was delicious!
The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20, and there is plenty of great nightlife in and around Laugavegur Street. Because Icelanders like to pre-game (due to the high price of drinks) and the sun never really sets, most clubs don’t start to fill up until midnight.
Kiki Queer Bar has a fun drag night; the Secret Cellar boasts karaoke night; and Kaffibarinn was once owned by the lead singer of Blur.
The most popular beer is Viking, but I’m told that many local craft beers are gaining popularity. Interestingly, beer was banned in Iceland from 1915 to March 1, 1989, which is now celebrated as "beer day" in the country.
Social media musts:
Iceland is a photographer’s dream, from jaw-dropping nature shots to funky urban scenes. This is one location where the background will upstage you, so lean into it. Make Iceland the star of your feed and enjoy the flurry of comments from your followers!
I look forward to returning to explore other adventures that Iceland has to offer. When you visit, consider driving the Golden Circle, hiking, experiencing active volcanos, whale watching, and kayaking. Or for a winter excursion, you can explore ice caves, go snowmobiling, and witness the majestic Northern Lights. For such a small island, Iceland has an abundance of opportunities for spirited tourists!
I hope you enjoy your visit to the land of fire and ice!
My travel playlist:
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