Reijkjavik

[Goldilocks]

We are going for 3 days at the end of August. I've already read the other posts here but they are a bit dated, so I'm looking for some current information .

Where to stay (preferably not hostals)
What to do? Would we need to rent a car or can we get by with organized excursions?
Blue Lagoon, how long of a visit would you recommend?
Where to eat?

In general any advice you may have.

Thanks

[ifeature]

We stayed at CenterHotel Skjaldbreid (http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g189970-d233116-Reviews-CenterHotel_Skjaldbreid-Reykjavik.html). Simple, clean, but spartan hotel with breakfast. But the location couldn't be beat!

I'd rent a car for a few days as most of the famous sites are a quick hour drive from the city (including blue lagoon). Then book an excursion or two, like glacier tour or horse back riding. I'd recommend hitting the blue lagoon mid morning. We stayed about 3 hours just soaking. Was really nice. You don't need longer than that Unless you book special treatments.

I'd recommend icelandic fish & chips (http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g189970-d775121-Reviews-Icelandic_Fish_Chips-Reykjavik.html) hole in the wall, but amazing.

Also this place was a Icelandic reality show creation Hamborgarafabrikkan (http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g189970-d2314498-Reviews-Hamborgarafabrikkan-Reykjavik.html). It's an Icelandic take on north American burgers. It's not blow you away good. But an interesting "authentic"(locals love it) place. But go for lunch. Hard to get in in the evening.

Tons of bars and restaurants on that strip where the hotel is located. And everyone likes to party late!

[Goldilocks]

Thanks a lot for the information.

Another question: how easy is it to get cash and ATM access once we are there.

[ifeature]

We never used cash once. Iceland is a very card centric country. Even used the credit card at the famous hot dog stand.

[wheezee]

Yep, a credit card should be pretty much all you need with a few spare Euros/American dollars.

We stayed at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/iceland/hilton-reykjavik-nordica-KEFHFHI/index.html
Nice rooms, clean, very good breakfast buffet.

Blue Lagoon I'd say you don't need very long there, maybe only a few hours. What we did (and what a lot of people do) is book a bus trip to the Lagoon from your hotel, and it'll take you directly to the airport right after.
We booked this Blue Lagoon, and other tours, through this site:
http://www.re.is/DayTours/BlueLagoon/

Finally, one word of mention is that even though the Lagoon is well-known, locals very much think it's a tourist attraction. Locals will basically never go to the Lagoon themselves, though they recognize it as a major visitor hotspot. Instead, what they'll do, and what we did, was go to a local geothermal pool. Not only is it infinitely cheaper (only about $5 to get into the local pool vs. about $50 for Lagoon), it's also cleaner and has much more variety to it, such as a water slide, 4 separate hot tubs with various degrees of youch water, sauna, olympic size pool, etc.

The Lagoon is located kinda halfway between the city centre and Keflavik airport, which means you have to make a special trip out there, or again just do the bus tour and make it your halfway stop between leaving the country.

We went to the Laugardalur Geothermal Pool, Reykjavik's largest geothermal pool, and only a few minutes walk from the Hilton and still very much within the city centre limits. Here's a website for a bit of info
http://www.swimminginiceland.com/reykjavik-and-capital-area/17-laugardalslaug

Hope that helps.

[Purgatory]

Wow no advice from me but have to say I am jealous!! I really want to go one day.. :)

[wheezee]

Iceland's a fantastic little place to go, a hidden gem if there ever was one in Europe. In fact, I reckon if you're planning on going anywhere in Europe, Iceland presents a perfect stopover destination on your way. You can take a flight there, stay 2-3 days, see what the capital city of Reykjavik has to offer, and then be off on your way to Europe. Or if you want to stay longer, rent a car and drive around Iceland's Ring Road.

Here's a nice writeup on doing such an activity:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/travel/18ring.html?pagewanted=all

[airmail]

Stayed at Capital INN near the Perlan, rented a car and drove the whole island by ring road. 23 hours of sunlight, but if your renting a car bring lots of snacks and watch your gas, not much open past 8pm outside REK. Dont speed either, there is no mercy. And good luck finding bacon and eggs. We went to Myvatan Nature baths and whale watching up in the Arctic circle.

[time space]

One word of warning: if you're down on Laugavegur street after business hours and an old guy with a long beard comes up to you and starts calling you "Vic" and asks if he can rake ya - walk in the other direction!

[ifeature]

Wow no advice from me but have to say I am jealous!! I really want to go one day.. :)

My advice would be to go for it. Not that expensive. And for me it was miles more fun than a down south all inclusive.

[Goldilocks]

Iceland's a fantastic little place to go, a hidden gem if there ever was one in Europe. In fact, I reckon if you're planning on going anywhere in Europe, Iceland presents a perfect stopover destination on your way.

That is right, Icelandair offers a free layover up to 7 days for all flights from Toronto to one of their European capitals. Their airfares are very competitive and the layover is definitely a bonus.

[wheezee]

That is right, Icelandair offers a free layover up to 7 days for all flights from Toronto to one of their European capitals. Their airfares are very competitive and the layover is definitely a bonus.

Great point. I might consider going there again, especially for the annual Iceland Airwaves festival!

[dealman5]

Delta also flies there from JFK

[IceBlueShoes]

Also considering a trip here for 3 days. Sort of torn b/w Calgary and Reykjavik. I love mountains, and would also very much like to see more of my country... cost in the end might be close... but Iceland isn't exactly a cheap trip...
Decisions, decisions...