JE's Guidebook
Activities
Local Recommendations
Get refreshed in the geothermal swimming pool complex of Grafarvogur which is located within 3 min walking distance.
It features warm pools, both outdoor and indoor, children’s pool and paddling pools, water slides, “hot pots” , steam bath, sauna and a cold pot.
Opening hours:
Mon.–Fri. kl. 6:30–22:00
Sat.–Sun. kl. 9:00-22:00
Pricing. kr. 1100 for adults. Fee for children and seniors.
50 locals recommend
Grafarvogslaug Swimming Pool
2 DalhúsGet refreshed in the geothermal swimming pool complex of Grafarvogur which is located within 3 min walking distance.
It features warm pools, both outdoor and indoor, children’s pool and paddling pools, water slides, “hot pots” , steam bath, sauna and a cold pot.
Opening hours:
Mon.–Fri. kl. 6:30–22:00
Sat.–Sun. kl. 9:00-22:00
Pricing. kr. 1100 for adults. Fee for children and seniors.
HIKING. Mount Esja is in 13 km.distance (16 min. drive).
Icelander's beloved Esja is the best known and most visited hiking trail in Iceland. The path is clearly marked and in nice weather and good shoes you shouldn’t have problems reaching "Steinn".
75 locals recommend
Esjan
HIKING. Mount Esja is in 13 km.distance (16 min. drive).
Icelander's beloved Esja is the best known and most visited hiking trail in Iceland. The path is clearly marked and in nice weather and good shoes you shouldn’t have problems reaching "Steinn".
Sightseeing
Local Recommendations
Within short walking distance! :-)
Walk along Grafarvogur within Gullinbrú.
The area holds a wide variety of birdlife. It is listed on the Natural Heritage Register of Iceland as one of the most important stopovers for migratory birds, especially waders, in the capital area.
7 locals recommend
Grafarvogur
Within short walking distance! :-)
Walk along Grafarvogur within Gullinbrú.
The area holds a wide variety of birdlife. It is listed on the Natural Heritage Register of Iceland as one of the most important stopovers for migratory birds, especially waders, in the capital area.
Within short walking distance! :-) Beautiful scenery and friendly Horses in the field of Keldur.
Keldur
Within short walking distance! :-) Beautiful scenery and friendly Horses in the field of Keldur.
Within short walking distance! :-) Not marked on any maps but from this place (the red dot on pic) you have one of the best view's over Reykjavik.
Brekkuhús
BrekkuhúsWithin short walking distance! :-) Not marked on any maps but from this place (the red dot on pic) you have one of the best view's over Reykjavik.
Miscellaneous
Local Recommendations
Egilshöll is within 4 min drive away and witin it you'll find Cinema, Bowling alley, World Class-Gym w/fitness equipment, Solarium, Manhattan Hair-Salon, Sports bar, Shake&Pizza restaurant and more...
46 locals recommend
Egilshöll
1 FossaleynirEgilshöll is within 4 min drive away and witin it you'll find Cinema, Bowling alley, World Class-Gym w/fitness equipment, Solarium, Manhattan Hair-Salon, Sports bar, Shake&Pizza restaurant and more...
PHARMACY. According to consumer surveys (and from our experience) this pharmacy has the lowest prices. It is located only a couple of min. drive away, at Langarima 21.
Rima Apótek
21, 112 LangarimaPHARMACY. According to consumer surveys (and from our experience) this pharmacy has the lowest prices. It is located only a couple of min. drive away, at Langarima 21.
Food scene
Local Recommendations
ESSENTIALS:
At Spöngin, which is within a 4 min. drive, you'll find:
BÓNUS grocery store. Open every day 10:00 - 20:00.
HAGKAUP: groceries, cosmetics and toys. Open every day 08:00 - 00:00.
SUBWAY: sandwiches, salads and wraps. Open every day 11:00 - 21:00.
SERRANO: burrito, quesadilla, taco, salat, nachos & more. Open Mon-Sat. 11:00 - 21:00 and Sun 12:00 - 21:00.
TOMMI'S BURGER JOINT. Open every day 11:00 - 21:00.
BAKARAMEISTARINN: Café & Bakery. Open week days 07:30 - 17:00 and weekends 08:00 - 16:30.
DOMINOS PIZZA. Open every day 11:00 - 00:00.
VÍNBÚÐIN: Wine, Beer, Alcohol. Open Mon-Sat. 11:00 - 18:00.
HUPPA: Icecream shop. Open Mon-Sun. 12:00 - 23:00.
ZOO hair-studiio. Open Mon-Fri. 10:00 - 18:00.
KURDO KEBAB: Kebab, Pizza, fish&chips and more. Open every day 11:00 - 22:00.
Spöngin
SpönginESSENTIALS:
At Spöngin, which is within a 4 min. drive, you'll find:
BÓNUS grocery store. Open every day 10:00 - 20:00.
HAGKAUP: groceries, cosmetics and toys. Open every day 08:00 - 00:00.
SUBWAY: sandwiches, salads and wraps. Open every day 11:00 - 21:00.
SERRANO: burrito, quesadilla, taco, salat, nachos & more. Open Mon-Sat. 11:00 - 21:00 and Sun 12:00 - 21:00.
TOMMI'S BURGER JOINT. Open every day 11:00 - 21:00.
BAKARAMEISTARINN: Café & Bakery. Open week days 07:30 - 17:00 and weekends 08:00 - 16:30.
DOMINOS PIZZA. Open every day 11:00 - 00:00.
VÍNBÚÐIN: Wine, Beer, Alcohol. Open Mon-Sat. 11:00 - 18:00.
HUPPA: Icecream shop. Open Mon-Sun. 12:00 - 23:00.
ZOO hair-studiio. Open Mon-Fri. 10:00 - 18:00.
KURDO KEBAB: Kebab, Pizza, fish&chips and more. Open every day 11:00 - 22:00.
COFFEE SHOP. Get the best Coffee-drinks and something with it. Open Mon-Fri. 08 - 16:00 and Sat-Sun. 09:00 - 16:00.
Kaffitár Krúðerí
17 StórhöfðiCOFFEE SHOP. Get the best Coffee-drinks and something with it. Open Mon-Fri. 08 - 16:00 and Sat-Sun. 09:00 - 16:00.
FOOD STATION. Hipstur, Culiacan, Talay's pizza, Tandoori, Beef & Buns, Wokon, PastaBowl and many more! Open every day 11:30 - 21:00.
6 locals recommend
Mathöll Höfða
9 BíldshöfðiFOOD STATION. Hipstur, Culiacan, Talay's pizza, Tandoori, Beef & Buns, Wokon, PastaBowl and many more! Open every day 11:30 - 21:00.
Lemon offers fresh and amazing sandwiches and smoothies for a fair price. It is located at Olis Gullinbrú which is within 10 min. walking distance.
Lemon Gullinbrú
Lemon offers fresh and amazing sandwiches and smoothies for a fair price. It is located at Olis Gullinbrú which is within 10 min. walking distance.
Middle eastern dine in/take away located at Hverafold 1-3, which is within 5 min. walking distance.
Stiletto
Middle eastern dine in/take away located at Hverafold 1-3, which is within 5 min. walking distance.
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Additional tip is NOT expected in Iceland
We don't pay tips in Iceland. All staff, inclunding waiters in restaurants etc., get salaries from the operators.
Ways to save
Water from the taps is very pure and drinkable.
There is NO need to buy still water in Iceland
Ways to save
Shop your groceries at Bonus to keep the food cost low(er)
The Bonus grocery store is one of the most popular supermarkets in Iceland because of low prices, both for tourists and locals. Nearest Bonus store is located at Spöngin which is within 4 min. drive/ 15. min. walk.
Customs and culture
Wine/alcohol is not sold in grocery stores in Iceland
It is only sold at a state liquor store called Vínbúð (The wine store, see: www. vinbud .is ). The nearest Vínbúð is located at Spöngin which is within 4 min. drive/15 min. walk.
Getting around
Public transport in Iceland - is called Strætó
Strætó operates buses in Reykjavík and around the country. On www. straeto. is, you can check timetables, plan routes, download the straeto app and buy tickets.
What to pack
The weather in Iceland is unpredictable. Layering is key.
We recommend bringing (all year round):
- Base layer.
- Warm sweater – wool or fleece.
- Hiking trousers/pants.
- Waterproof/windheld jacket.
- Sturdy and waterproof hiking shoes. Plain sneakers are a No-No if you plan to travel outside Reykjavik.
- Hat/buff, scarf and gloves.
- Swimsuit.
- Sun protection (the sun is usually not obvious but should not be underestimated).
Don't miss
Top places to see in Reykjavik and Reykjanes
In REYKJAVIK:
• Hallgrímskirkja (Church tower)
• Sun voyager
• Swimming pools
• Perlan Museum
• Harpa Concert Hall
• Sky Lagoon
• Fly over Iceland
• City Center, Tjörnin, City Hall, Laugavegur, Skólavörðustígur.
• Public parks
In REYKJANES:
• Meradalur Volcano
• Gunnuhver (colourful geothermal field of various mud pools)
• Reykjanesviti (lighthouse)
• Garðskagi (lighthouse)
• Blue Lagoon
• Krýsuvíkurberg (renowned sea bird cliffs)
• Reykjanestá (tip of Reykjanes Peninsula)
• Seltún Geothermal Area
Don't miss
Great places to visit - The South Coast
• The Golden Circle: Gullfoss (waterfall), Geysir (hot spring that sprouts over 70 m. high) and Þingvellir (a National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• Kerið (a crater).
• Hraunfossar & Barnafoss (waterfalls).
• Dyrhólaey & Reynisfjara: Iceland's black beaches. Always be aware of the strong currents along its beach. The "Danger" signs are there for a reason.
• Skógafoss (60-metre-high waterfall.
• Seljalandsfoss (waterfall).
• Fjaðrárgljúfur (canyon).
• Jökulsárlón (glacier lagoon) and Diamond Beach.
Book before you go
Restaurant reservations
If you want specific places at a specific time, we recommend pre-booking at least a couple of days before, more if it's a highly-rated restaurant. Same goes for more remote areas where there are not many options to choose from.
Useful phrases
How to say "Thank you" in Icelandic?
Takk (pronounced like Tack (taa-kk)).