ICELAND

SEE

Blue Lagoon: Perhaps the most popular stop for every traveler visiting Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is something you must experience! If you have time in your schedule, spend an entire day soaking in the lagoon and treat yourself to one of the Blue Lagoon's signature In Water Massages! Also, make sure to take advantage of the free silica mud masks included with your admission fee. You've probably seen photos on Instagram of Blue Lagoon visitors with their faces covered in a thick, white muddy substance. It looks totally ridiculous but don't worry, everyone is doing it! I slathered the top half of my body with the mask and I swear my skin was incredibly smooth for six months after. Purchasing a tube of this same mask from the gift shop costs over $100! I kind of wish I had brought my own zip lock baggie into the Lagoon because I totally believe this stuff is MAGIC. There are also some great food options (snack bar, cafe, fine dining) to fit everyone's preferences.

Fontana: I love Fontana! It's a popular spot, but less crowded and more authentic-feeling than the Blue Lagoon. When we visited, I would say about half of the crowd consisted of local residents. Here you can soak in natural mineral baths varying in temperature and sweat it out in a sauna built right above an actual geyser! Fontana is situated at the edge of a large lake, and most people rotate between soaking in the warm pools and taking a quick dip in the lake. Fontana also has a cool geothermal bakery tour which I highly recommend. There is also a small cafe here that serves sandwiches, soups, sweet treats, and drinks...the perfect refresh after a morning of soaking! While bathers are required to wear swimsuits in the mineral pools, the mandatory pre-rinse in the locker room is a hall of open, shared showers. They are separated by gender, but just be prepared to shower naked with strangers. 😆 After living in Europe for a few years, the nudity element doesn't really phase me, but it can definitely be uncomfortable at first for some tourists who are not accustomed to such practices. But don't let this turn you off from enjoying such a cool, authentic experience! Own it, enjoy it, and just remember that you'll probably never see any of those shower partners again. 😆

Golden Circle: Driving the Golden Circle while in Iceland is a must! This is where you'll find the most popular tourist stops...waterfalls, geysers, glaciers, oh my! I think it's necessary to rent a car in Iceland, but if you don't feel comfortable doing so, there are many tour companies that will take you along the stops of the Golden Circle. You can actually drive the whole circle in about 3 hours, but factoring in stops for sightseeing and dining, it's easily a full day's worth of activity.

ETC: There are so many incredible adventures that you can experience in Iceland. From scuba diving between tectonic plates to hiking over frozen glaciers, Iceland is an adventure-seeker's paradise.

SHOP

Laugavegur street is the main hub for shopping and dining in Reykjavik. For as popular as this area is, finding parking is actually quite easy. There are several parking garages as well as street parking spots available and payable via mobile app. You'll find the best Iceland souvenir shops here, as well as chain clothing stores like H&M. If Iceland is a bit colder than you had planned for, there are also several stores here that sell winter and waterproof gear. Iceland's popular brand, 66 North, also has a flagship store located on Laugavegur and is a great source for warm clothing that also doubles as a souvenir! There are also pharmacies here, in case you're in a pinch and need some ibuprofen or contact solution. You'll also find small grocery stores and bakeries on Laugavegur that sell sandwiches, snacks, and beverages...perfect to bring along in your pack for a day of hiking!

I was impressed with the gift shops along the Golden Circle. Be prepared for the crazy inflated prices in Iceland (similar to every other Scandinavian country), but I thought the shops offered a variety of different products. They of course have your standard magnets, mugs, t-shirts, etc, but these gift shops also had products that were unique to Iceland, like volcanic black salt and wool accessories/home goods. 

When shopping, make sure to ask for Tax Free receipts if your purchases at one store total 6,000 ISK (around $50 USD) or over. Purchases must be made on same day to qualify for VAT tax refund. Fill out your information on the form (printed on the receipt) and submit at the Tax Free booth located near check in at the Reykjavik airport. Remember that this must be done before you check in your bag, as they may ask to see the goods you purchased. I've submitted VAT refunds at airports many times and have never been asked to show my purchases, but it's good to be prepared. The refund in Iceland is significant...24%! That amount adds up quickly, especially if you shop like I do. 😉 Also important to note, there are multiple tax free companies in Iceland (Global Blue, Iceland Tax Free, Planet, etc.) but the receipts are all submitted at the same location at the airport...no need to search around for each individual company. Refunds are sent to your credit card a few weeks after submitting.

STAY

I highly recommend staying on Laugavegur street. It's the center of the action! You can easily walk to dining/shopping without having to worry about driving and finding parking. We stayed at a suite in the Alda Hotel (beautiful, Icelandic-themed decor and includes complimentary warm breakfast) but there is also a Hilton and other boutique hotels located nearby.

SAVOR

I love great food and I dedicate a good chunk of time researching restaurants when planning our trips. Here are some fantastic dining options that I highly recommend experiencing when visiting Iceland:

Efstidalur: A very cool farm-to-table restaurant located on the Golden Circle with glass windows that look right into the cows grazing in the barn! The homemade ice cream is delicious, too. 

Matur Og Drykkur: As one of two Michelin star restaurants in all of Iceland, dining at Matur Og Drykkur is an absolute delight. Make reservations and enjoy their six course tasting menu that will knock your tastebuds off with unique flavors you've never experienced before. Our favorite restaurant in Reykjavik and a must-stop for any traveler who enjoys authentic and delicious cuisine.

Apotek: Located near Laugavegur street, this restaurant has a cool, funky, pharmacy-chic vibe. I highly recommend ordering the seven course tasting menu. I'm actually such a fan of tasting menus because you don't have to worry about deciding which dish to order....you can rest easy knowing that you'll get the very best, unique dishes that the restaurant has to offer. Don't mistake "tasting" to mean solely small bites...we were quite stuffed by course five! Honestly, I was pretty surprised with the amount of food included in this menu. Absolutely fantastic bang for your buck. Most importantly, the dessert course consists of a TRAY of multiple, gorgeous sweets made in-house topped with a giant sparkler!

Fishmarkadurinn: If you love or even just like fish, a meal at the Fishmarkadurinn is an absolute must. I recommend the Taste of Iceland tasting menu to sample local fish and cuisine from around the island. I especially loved the bread starter here...it came with the Icelandic standard of whipped butter and salt but also included a granola dipping mixture that added a nice little crunch. Definitely worth a visit!