Reykjavik

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Culture, parties, and relaxation in Reykjavik

An August 2004 trip to Reykjavik by Phil P

Blue LagoonMore Photos

In four days in Reykjavik I experienced Icelandic culture as well as a wild party Saturday night during Iceland Culture Day.

  • 5 reviews
  • 1 story/tip
  • 3 photos

Hotel FronBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Hotel Fron is a great hotel located on Reykjavik's main shopping street, Laugavegur. It is within walking distance of all the great restaurants, cafes, stores of Reykjavik. This is a great place to stay if you are going to be hitting the nightlife of Reykjavik as you are a simple walk away from your hotel at all times.

We rented an apartment which had separate bedroom with 2 single beds and a sofa bed in the living room. The room comfortably held 3 people. The staff were great and very accomodating to any requests we had.

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Phil P on August 29, 2004

Hotel Fron
Laugavegur Reykjavik, Iceland 101

Ristorante CarusoBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This restaurant is a converted home and there are tables on all three floors. We were seated in what was probably at one time an attic on the top floor. It has since been converted into a beautiful candle lit dining room. I ordered a great Halibut dish (I had to eat fish in Iceland). The staff was amazingly friendly.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Phil P on August 29, 2004

Ristorante Caruso
Pingholtsstraeti 1 Reykjavik, Iceland
562-7335

Iceland Culture DayBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

On Iceland culture day we saw almost more than 100,000 people on the streets of Reykjavik enjoying music, food, and shopping throughout the day. There were numerous musical acts going on throughout the entire day on almost every corner. The celebration officially ended with a fabulous fireworks celebration at 11pm. Once this was completed, most of the families left and left all of Reykjavik's young people on the streets for the wildest party I have ever seen. There were lines at the bars still at 6am.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Phil P on August 29, 2004

Iceland Culture Day
Reykjavik Reykjavik, Iceland

Whale WatchingBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The whale watching boat left Reykjavik harbour at 9am and traveled about 30 minutes to a spot in the North Atlantic where whales are known to surface. At first I was worried that I would be in the 6% that do not see a whale because after 45 minutes we did not see one. Then one was spotted and we knew what to look for, we saw about 8 more whales in an hour and a half. They were about 200 yards from the boat. Definitely worth the trip! Bring a jacket!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Phil P on August 29, 2004

Whale Watching
Reykjavik Harbour Reykjavik, Iceland

Blue LagoonBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Blue Lagoon
This Geothermal spa is a must for anyone visiting Iceland. It is approximately 45 minutes from Reykjavik and almost all hotels can arrange for a shuttle service to take you to the Lagoon. Once there, you get into your bathing suits in the locker and head to the lagoon. It was about 50 degrees Farenheit the day I went to the lagoon but once you step into the warm water, you forget the outside temperature. The lagoon is about four feet deep and has ledges where once can sit and relax while immersed in the water. My body felt great after this day.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Phil P on August 29, 2004

Blue Lagoon
Reykjanes peninsula Reykjavik, Iceland

ReykjavikBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Lutheran Church
Reykjavik is a beautiful small city. Besides being spotless, it has some beautiful architecture and some great cafes to enjoy the day in. The tallest building is the big Lutheran church and can be seen from anyplace in Reykjavik. It is a good guide in case you think you are lost there. From the top of the church you can see all of Reykjavik, including the Tjornin Lake, where many take their children to feed the numerous ducks and sea birds that are gathered there.

Reykjavik is VERY expensive so bring lots of cash if you are going for an extended period of time. Nightlife is great, espcially on weekends. Lots of artists and young people around. Everyone is very friendly!

About the Writer

Phil P
Phil P
Bronx, New York

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