Reykjavik
From World travel guide
Reykjavik (Reykjavík) is the capital and largest city of Iceland.
Contents |
Understand
Get in
By plane
Icelandair is the main international airliner of Iceland. Icelandair flies to a wide range of European cities as well as the American cities of New York, Boston, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Orlando and San Francisco (summer).
Iceland Express is another international airliner which serves Denmark, England, and Germany. Air Atlanta Icelandic is the main charter airline, and the biggest charter airline in the world. The main domestic airline, Flugfélag Íslands (Air Iceland) also serves destinations to Faroe Islands, Kulusuk, Narsarsuaq, and Constable Point.
By car
There are rental car services all over Iceland, and many in Reykjavík such as Hertz, Avis, and National Rent-a-car. They tend to be quite expensive. The cheapest car at the cheapest dealer you may find would average out to about 5,500kr. (about $86) each day. If you tend to just stay in Reykjavík, I wouldn't suggest renting a car as bus systems are great. But if you plan to leave Reykjavík to the countryside then I think renting a car is the best way to experience Iceland.
By bus
Once you have landed at Keflavík, the most common way to get to Reykjavík is by the Rútan (Coach). The coach takes you into the city to the major hotels and stops. In Reykjavík, the Strætó will then be the bus system taking you all over the city and even to Harfnarfjörður.
By boat
Get around
See
- The National Museum, also includes a restaurant with a good view of the city.
- The view from Perlan, the rotating restaurant on top of the water towers. You don't need to dine there, just go up and out onto the viewing platforms. The view is fantastic.
Do
Learn
Work
Buy
Eat
Budget
There's a little Indian restaurant packed into a tiny building just near the main square, which serves nice food. (It was at one point practically the only eating-out we could afford!)
Even better, you can find a fish shop which will sell you some ridiculously fresh and absolutely delicious fish, at a very reasonable price, and cook it yourself with some potatoes and vegetables. It'll be really nice.
Try one of the Hot-Dog places, that are aroud everywhere. Its the cheepest fast food in town and the Icelanders love it!
There are tons of cafes everwhere in the city that are relatively inexpensive and a great place to sit, relax, warm up, or check your e-mail if you bring your computer. Perlan also has a cafe...same view, much cheaper price!
Mid-range
There are many fantastic fish restaurants in Reykjavik. The more expensive ones down by the harbour or in the centre, or if you're not so rich try heading towards the old town (e.g. on Vesturgata).
Splurge
Avoid eating at your hotel and experience one of the fabulous tiny restaurants in the city. The best bargain in all of Reykjavik is is Vegamot - the fettuccine with tiny lobster tails is to die for. On the expensive end, Humarhusid (The Lobster house) has exquisite food but the prices reflect this. A better bet would be to head to the top of the hill and dine at the revolving restaurant of Perlan (which also has wonderful gelato at the cafe below where you can walk outside the Pearl and see full 360 degree views of Reykjavik below). Perlan is an expensive place to dine but of course it's pretty unique and gives you a second-to-none view over Reykjavik so it's understandable how they can push the prices up. Plenty of Icelanders seem to like to dress up and go for a posh meal there so it's not just for tourists. (We only had a cup of tea there!)
Drink
Drinking is expensive - as described in the general entry for Iceland
Sleep
Budget
- There is a campground in Reykjavik, that is the cheapest place to stay. With approx. 30 min walking distance its a little bit far of the road, but there are buses. The campground is big and offers decent washing and cooking facilities. Also: A lot of people, who fly out of Keflavik spent there last night here and therefore leave their leftover fuel for the camping-stoves (that stuff is awefully expensive in that country). A big plus on a cold and rainy day: The biggest pool of the country is just nex door! You can wash your cloth at the Youthhostel nex door.
- Hostels in Iceland - There is one Youthhostel in Reykjavik, located just next to the campground. Reservations are recommandable all year around!
Mid-range
- Gistihusid Isafold (Isafold Guesthouse), on Barugata: http://www.randburg.com/is/isafold/ - very comfortable and accommodating
Splurge
- 101 Hotel, Hverfisgata 10, 101 Reykjavík, 354-5800-101 (101hotel@101hotel.is). http://www.101hotel.is
- Hótel Borg, Posthusstraeti 11, 101 Reykjavik, 551-1440 (hotelborg@hotelborg.is). http://en.hotelborg.is
- Hotel Holt, Bergstadarstraeti 37, 101 Reykjavik, 354-552-5700 (holt@holt.is). http://www.holt.is
Warning: Don't go to the Hotel Atlantis they are advertising with false information and the place is far away from town, expensive and dirty. Furthermore the guy who is running it is very unfriendly.
Contact
Stay safe
Cope
Get out
External links
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