The Best of Iceland
Iceland has called me back many times to explore the vast landscape and steadfast culture. Introduced to the nordic way by good friends Yr and Anthony (Stay at their beautiful cottage!), I’ve found the community to be strong and welcoming to those who are curious.
Here you’ll find a directory of the best things about Iceland— note that due to the tiny size of the country competition can be slim, leaving the only option as both the best and the worst. Whatever. Go to Iceland. Do these things:
The Best in Town
Reykjavik is a super cool place with super cool people. The following list is for the urban explorer who is avoiding the inevitable nature of Iceland.
The Cottage — Best Airbnb
This little cottage is just off the shore of Hafnarfjörður, near Reykjavik. Every detail is thoughtful, creative, and cozy. Anthony and Yr make all of their guests feel right at home. If you’re lucky, they’ll give you a tour of their leather goods workshop.
Blue Lagoon — Best Spa
You’re obviously going to Iceland because you saw crazy sexy cool images of the Blue Lagoon. The lagoon is a glorious, tourist-dense destination in a tiny town called Grindavík. Imagine your hairy uncle floating in a milk bath with a beer resting on his belly. You’ll pass it on the way from the airport to Reykjavík. It’s great for a quick stop or an all-day soak. If you’re looking for a peaceful, tourist-free retreat check out their clinic for more luxe accommodations.
Kex Hostel — Best Hotel
Kex is hands-down the best place to stay in town. Celebrating American and Icelandic memorabilia, Kex feels like the lovechild of Ace Hotels and Bjork’s Live Box. Order the burger from the gastropub or get a hip, youthful haircut with their barber.
For a wild night out, join the Dancing in the Dark hypnotic meditative dance party.
Reykjavik Roasters — Best Coffee
The local source of Icelandic roasted third-wave coffee. An outpost near the center of town, this is a good place to get your fix before any big adventure.
Om Nom—Best Chocolate
These guys produce expensive, elegant chocolate bars with cocoa from around the world. Try the Lakkris bar for a taste of local flavor. Often available at Reykjavik Roasters.
Kaffi Mokka—Best Waffles
Mokka is a cozy little cafe nestled between popular shops in downtown Reykjavík. Family friendly, you’ll likely see babies napping outside the shop. You can’t stop without ordering their waffle — it comes with a generous serving of whipped cream and jam!
Baejarins Beztu Pylsur — Best Hot Dogs
Locals and tourists alike are crazy about these dogs. The most famous restaurant in Iceland happens to be this tiny hot dog truck on the edge of town. Order one with everything on it!
Geysir — Best Fashion
Super hip boutique in downtown Reykjavik, Geysir offers a curated catalogue of Icelandic and European threads. Personally, I’m drawn to their wool blankets and polar bear suits.
Hrím — Best Scandinavian Tchotchkes
A bright and cheery gift shop, Hrím offers a modern collection of home goods and knick knacks with an emphasis on Icelandic and Scandinavian artists.
Hverfisgata 12 — Best Pizza
A member of the Kexland cult, Hverfisgata 12 (aka the pizza place with no name) serves pies gourmand. Order the sauce pairing to maximize your pizza potential.
Note that the world’s worst pizza is served at the Welcome Hotel in Vík. Avoid at all costs.
Mikkeller & Friends — Best Beer
Infamous ghost brewer Mikkeller has opened a small outpost in hip travel central, just upstairs from Hverfisgata 12. Don’t miss their experimental brews like the yuzu porter.
Dill — Best Gastronomy
Looking for the country’s best chicken-liver-roasted-yeast? How about caramelized-potato-ash-skyr-lamb-hearts? Dill is a tiny hub of dining glory where you’ll find exotic bites with molecular flair.
Laundromat Cafe — Best Place to Air Your Dirty Laundry
Party up top, dirty laundry below. If you’re on a backpacking adventure or took a big spill down the side of a mountain, Laundromat Cafe is the best place to tidy up and have a pint.
Kaffihus Vesturbaer — Best Suburban Coffee Shop
A short distance from the heart of Reykjavik, Vesturbaer is a beautiful suburb filled with bright blonde babes and manicured lawns. Kaffihus Vesturbaer serves a scandie dandy latte not to be missed.
The Best in Nature
Wild and raw landscape with unreal vistas. I can personally verify that each of these destinations are worth your time and attention.
Krýsuvík — Best Resemblance of The Land Before Time
This quick expedition is halfway between town and the airport. The boiling sulfur pots and boiling rivers evoke a jurassic scene from The Land Before Time. Basically, Krysuvik is the Labrea Tar Pits of Iceland.
The Eastern Fjords — Best Animal Stalking
Borgarfjörður Eystri and Seyðisfjörður are beautiful neighboring fjords that are definitely worth the drive. Puffins in Borgarfjordur and sheep in Seydisfjordur, these two towns are far more populated with fauna than human. Stop in town for a coffee or beer, both are acceptable any hour of the day. The sheep won’t judge.
Jökulsárlón — Best Glacier Lagoon
While this is the only glacier lagoon that I am aware of, it is by far the best glacier lagoon of Iceland. You can take a zodiac boat out into the lagoon to get an up close and personal view of global warming. The Don’t miss the Banksy piece under the bridge! Pro tip: Watch out for those crazy birds. They will dive bomb you if they find you to be suspicious.
Landmannalaugar — Best View with Terrible Smell
This awe inspiring hike will bring you up a slippery obsidian mountain, across boiling rivers, freezing glacial runoff, and to the top view that features an off-gassing sulfur geysir. The view is totally worth it, but hold your breath! Once you get back to the bottom of the climb, you can strip down for a swim in the hotspring.
Thingvellir — Best Game of Thrones Scene
Thingvellir National Park was used as a filming location of Arya’s and The Hound’s journey from village to village in mid-Westeros. This is also the site where the tectonic plates meet.
Hotel Budir — Best Shotgun Wedding Destination
After a magical breathtaking raw naturally beautiful trip to Iceland, you’ll probably be so in love that you imagine yourself getting married there. The best place to wed is Iceland’s tastefully austere chapel, Budir.
The Best of Waterfalls
Do go chasing waterfalls. This is a handy list of all waterfalls, however, the best are listed below:
Seljalandsfoss — Best Waterfall to walk behind
Much like the splash zone at Sea World, Seljalandsfoss offers an awesome experience in exchange for damp socks the rest of the day. Make sure to do the full loop around the fall for continuous rainbows and maximum spray.
Skogafoss — Best Waterfall to Climb
Just up the road from Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss demonstrates the insane power of a raging waterfall. To take in the full view, climb to the top by climbing hundreds of tiny, dangerously slippery steps.
Gullfoss — Best Scary Waterfall
This mega waterfall is one of the largest in Iceland. The raging waters will make you want to grip the walls on your way up.
While I can’t claim to be the best tourist of Iceland, I can promise that I’ve tried all of these things and they are totally the best. For inquiry and additional travel tips, you can tweet to me - @michelephant.
Ps. In no way is this snark a reflection of my gracious hosts and loving friends of Iceland.
Love, Michelle.
