Iceland, when to book lodging, where to stay in addition to Reykjavik, must see?

[Anonymous]

We're going to Iceland next summer with out 14 year old. I assume we should book lodging ASAP? It seems like there aren't a ton of options that would comfortably sleep 3 (us 2 adults plus the teen). Am I doing something wrong?

We'll be there for 7 days, and don't want to do the Ring Road, but would like to split our time between Reykjavik and somewhere else. Suggestions for that somewhere else?

And what would you say your top recommendations are for things to do and see? Is it possible to see an active volcano safely?

[Anonymous]

If cost isn’t a concern, the Edition in Reykjavik is fantastic. The breakfasts are so good, I dream about the skyr they serve.

[Anonymous]

7 days and you’re not doing the ring road? What are you going to do? Reykjavik is small and there isn’t a whole lot to do. If you’re not wanting to do the whole ring road, at least rent a car and see the south coast. No one goes to Iceland for the city…

And you’re not doing anything wrong, hotel booking wise. Hotels in Europe typically sleep 2. You will need to book two rooms. Or go the Airbnb route or look for apartments on booking.com.

[Anonymous]

7 days? That's a lot. Reykjavik has about the same population as Centreville+Reston. Would you find enough stuff to do there for 7 days?

[Anonymous]

We went for a week. We spent the first two nights in Vik. The third night on the Snaefelnes peninsula. The rest in Reykjavik.

Car renting- get the max insurance they offer. Everyone I know had at least a ding in the windshield. The wind is fierce.

Plenty of things to see on the way to Vik. On the second day we drove to the Diamond beach and took a glacier trip - probably not available in May. Then we drove back to Vik.

Next day we drove to back past Reykjavik and to Bogarnes and had a nice lunch at Ute cafe next to Settlement Center. The Settlement Center was interesting, but some things were so violent in Iceland’s history. I liked their gift shop. Then we drove out to out hotel, Langaholt.

Next day we drove around Snaefelnes peninsula-counter clockwise. You will probably be able to drive the circuit, we had to cross over to the north earlier as snow had yet to melt. We saw the mountain and bridge from Game of Thrones, found lunch somewhere after that and drove to Reykjavik for the night.

We spent one day in Reykjavik and went to the Perlan. Loved their rotating cafe and really liked the exhibits. We spent one day doing the golden circle. Got to Thingvellir about an hour before they opened (bathrooms near parking lot were open) and walked about a 2-3 mile hike with little to no people. When we got back it was very busy.

We saw Geysir and it was a bit of a let down. Then we went to have the thermal cooked bread at Laugarvatn spa. Which was a nice unplanned stop.

We made two reservations at the tomato restaurant for the two days we thought we might do the golden circle. When we decked which day base Ed on weather, we canceled the other one. The tomato restaurant was fantastic. One of the few hyped things that was worth it. My picky eaters found things to eat and everything was lovely and relaxed in the greenhouses.

Gullfoss was spectacular and omg so so windy.

We did not to the Blue Lagoon or other spas as I have afib. Plus, the Blue lagoon was closed most of our trip due to volcanic activity.

Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went for a week. We spent the first two nights in Vik. The third night on the Snaefelnes peninsula. The rest in Reykjavik.

Car renting- get the max insurance they offer. Everyone I know had at least a ding in the windshield. The wind is fierce.

Plenty of things to see on the way to Vik. On the second day we drove to the Diamond beach and took a glacier trip - probably not available in May. Then we drove back to Vik.

Next day we drove to back past Reykjavik and to Bogarnes and had a nice lunch at Ute cafe next to Settlement Center. The Settlement Center was interesting, but some things were so violent in Iceland’s history. I liked their gift shop. Then we drove out to out hotel, Langaholt.

Next day we drove around Snaefelnes peninsula-counter clockwise. You will probably be able to drive the circuit, we had to cross over to the north earlier as snow had yet to melt. We saw the mountain and bridge from Game of Thrones, found lunch somewhere after that and drove to Reykjavik for the night.

We spent one day in Reykjavik and went to the Perlan. Loved their rotating cafe and really liked the exhibits. We spent one day doing the golden circle. Got to Thingvellir about an hour before they opened (bathrooms near parking lot were open) and walked about a 2-3 mile hike with little to no people. When we got back it was very busy.

We saw Geysir and it was a bit of a let down. Then we went to have the thermal cooked bread at Laugarvatn spa. Which was a nice unplanned stop.

We made two reservations at the tomato restaurant for the two days we thought we might do the golden circle. When we decked which day base Ed on weather, we canceled the other one. The tomato restaurant was fantastic. One of the few hyped things that was worth it. My picky eaters found things to eat and everything was lovely and relaxed in the greenhouses.

Gullfoss was spectacular and omg so so windy.

We did not to the Blue Lagoon or other spas as I have afib. Plus, the Blue lagoon was closed most of our trip due to volcanic activity.

Enjoy!

Ute cafe was supposed to be ‘the cafe’

[Anonymous]

Another vote for limited time in Reykjavik. We didn't do the full Ring Road but drove to Vik, then as far east as Hofn and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (great hike there and we did a great lagoon boat ride), stopping at various waterfalls along the way, highly recommend.

Gljúfrabúi and Seljalandsfoss were so much fun and super easy. (Going behind the waterfall)

Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River: This was one of our favorite stops, a great hike through a hot springs valley and people soak in the river, we did and it was fun.

Highly recommend finding the local public swimming pool wherever you end up for the night, so much fun. They are thermally heated, have various hot tubs and saunas, some have slides etc.

Also recommend a trail ride. We did one in Hofn.

Agree that Geysir was a letdown and tbh the "Golden Circle" in general was not that impressive. I also probably would have been ok skipping Vik, though the beach there is cool.

Drove back to Reykjavik and spent a day on the Snaefelnes peninsula, seeing the seals was lovely there and I bought a fabulous sweater at the Visitors Center!

We did Blue Lagoon and it was fun! If I had to do it again, I would have chosen one of the other spa places, but it was really nice to do right after arriving.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP and we did Airbnbs and Booking.com for our family of 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're going to Iceland next summer with out 14 year old. I assume we should book lodging ASAP? It seems like there aren't a ton of options that would comfortably sleep 3 (us 2 adults plus the teen). Am I doing something wrong?

We'll be there for 7 days, and don't want to do the Ring Road, but would like to split our time between Reykjavik and somewhere else. Suggestions for that somewhere else?

And what would you say your top recommendations are for things to do and see? Is it possible to see an active volcano safely?

We went to Iceland 2 years ago and are going back next summer for the solar eclipse. It depends on what month you're going, but you should book lodging soon. You can look for a triple room or add an extra bed.

When we went the first time, we stayed in Reykjavik and took day trips through small-group tours. If you're there for a week, you may consider driving to the South Coast or Snæfellsnes Peninsula as others suggested. We loved Geysir and Sólheimajökull. This time, we're doing the Ring Road and taking a day trip to the Highlands. There are buses that drive you to/from Landmannalaugar; you don't need to drive.

https://www.re.is/tour/landmannalaugar-iceland-on-your-own/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went for a week. We spent the first two nights in Vik. The third night on the Snaefelnes peninsula. The rest in Reykjavik.

Car renting- get the max insurance they offer. Everyone I know had at least a ding in the windshield. The wind is fierce.

Plenty of things to see on the way to Vik. On the second day we drove to the Diamond beach and took a glacier trip - probably not available in May. Then we drove back to Vik.

Next day we drove to back past Reykjavik and to Bogarnes and had a nice lunch at Ute cafe next to Settlement Center. The Settlement Center was interesting, but some things were so violent in Iceland’s history. I liked their gift shop. Then we drove out to out hotel, Langaholt.

Next day we drove around Snaefelnes peninsula-counter clockwise. You will probably be able to drive the circuit, we had to cross over to the north earlier as snow had yet to melt. We saw the mountain and bridge from Game of Thrones, found lunch somewhere after that and drove to Reykjavik for the night.

We spent one day in Reykjavik and went to the Perlan. Loved their rotating cafe and really liked the exhibits. We spent one day doing the golden circle. Got to Thingvellir about an hour before they opened (bathrooms near parking lot were open) and walked about a 2-3 mile hike with little to no people. When we got back it was very busy.

We saw Geysir and it was a bit of a let down. Then we went to have the thermal cooked bread at Laugarvatn spa. Which was a nice unplanned stop.

We made two reservations at the tomato restaurant for the two days we thought we might do the golden circle. When we decked which day base Ed on weather, we canceled the other one. The tomato restaurant was fantastic. One of the few hyped things that was worth it. My picky eaters found things to eat and everything was lovely and relaxed in the greenhouses.

Gullfoss was spectacular and omg so so windy.

We did not to the Blue Lagoon or other spas as I have afib. Plus, the Blue lagoon was closed most of our trip due to volcanic activity.

Enjoy!

Both the thermal baths/sauna at Laugarvatn and the nearby hotel (formerly a school) are fantastic. (The school "vibe" was offputting for my spouse; neither I nor our kids had any problems with.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for limited time in Reykjavik. We didn't do the full Ring Road but drove to Vik, then as far east as Hofn and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (great hike there and we did a great lagoon boat ride), stopping at various waterfalls along the way, highly recommend.

Gljúfrabúi and Seljalandsfoss were so much fun and super easy. (Going behind the waterfall)

Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River: This was one of our favorite stops, a great hike through a hot springs valley and people soak in the river, we did and it was fun.

Highly recommend finding the local public swimming pool wherever you end up for the night, so much fun. They are thermally heated, have various hot tubs and saunas, some have slides etc.

Also recommend a trail ride. We did one in Hofn.

Agree that Geysir was a letdown and tbh the "Golden Circle" in general was not that impressive. I also probably would have been ok skipping Vik, though the beach there is cool.

Drove back to Reykjavik and spent a day on the Snaefelnes peninsula, seeing the seals was lovely there and I bought a fabulous sweater at the Visitors Center!

We did Blue Lagoon and it was fun! If I had to do it again, I would have chosen one of the other spa places, but it was really nice to do right after arriving.

Agree limited time in Reykjavik.

It liked Vik, and the Ice caves there is a must. That was the highlight of our trip.

Blue lagoon was a nice break of sight seeing, and it was an interesting experience. I'm glad I did it.

We were lucky and got to see a bit of the northern lights from outside our hotel. The night before when we were supposed to see it with a tour group, it was cancelled due to weather.

I wish we could've spent more time in the Golden Circle, but we went with a tour group on a day trip so time was limited. We will probably go back again, and this time, we will spend more time around the parks, and maybe go east.

We went in October.

[Anonymous]

Hotel Budir, up the west coast, is cool. Far less touristy, and the only really excellent meal we had. (Don't get me wrong, the food in Iceland is fine. Expensive, but not bad. We had exactly one meal that was good-- like US metropolitan standards good-- and it was at Hotel Budir.)

[Anonymous]

Look at the self drive suggestions on Tour.is for ideas of what you want to see and do, if you want to self book everything.

However, I used them to book everything for me and it was fantastic. They are an Icelandic travel agent, managed transfers, car rental, hotels and everything else was suggested activities that they could reserve or not. Wonderful bound paper itinerary to refer to while driving.

I actually recently contacted them about another trip for next year during the eclipse and they were prompt about getting back to me, answering all my questions.

[Anonymous]

We stayed with 3 people in the room at all of these places and we liked them all: Reykjavik Residence Hotel, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, and Hotel Geysir. We were only there 4 nights. We did Thingvellir National Park, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Gullfoss Falls, geysers, and then drove through Vik to do glacier stuff up to Diamond beach, and then came back and did the 3.5 mile hike each way to see the erupting volcano around Reykjanes / Sundhnúkur. We did sky lagoon before flying out but I might try Blue lagoon next time just to compare!

[Anonymous]

P.S. I would assume you are NOT going to be able to see an erupting volcano while you are there, and then be pleasantly surprised if you do.