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Where should I go in Iceland??

  • 11-10-2010 5:32pm
    #1
    shawty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 185 ✭✭


    Hi,

    Was lucky enough to win a competition of a 5 day trip to Iceland and I am flying out in about 2 weeks...

    I'm going to be based in Reykjavik and would really like some tips on any must see places to visit or any advise on what to do from some one who may have been there before.

    With my prize is a helicopter trip around the Volcano so will be hard to top that day out but I want to see what else I can fit in also...

    Thanks in advance for any advise :):)
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    H2G2
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 622 ✭✭✭H2G2


    There is so much to see and do, a car is necessary, but you have to be realistic about what you can get done. While it is a small country, the roads are variable in quality - from dual carriage way (airport) to narrow single lane roads, to gravel roads. Also speed limits are low and cops are very very strict on speed! Although its only 1372 kms to circumnavigate Iceland it would take min 1 week, preferable 2.

    When you are there, it is best to hire a car as taxis are a huge price and bus are few and far between. Also Iceland has no trains! Car hire is expensive, with a medium car about 80 - 100 euro per day. BUT – haggle with them outside peak season.
    IMHO you would be lost without a car there. Its a must !!! A 4x4 is best if you want to drive off road. Icelanders use the Met Office www to check road conditions before they do long journeys. http://www.vegagerdin.is/english/ This website & video is a must for advance info. http://us.is/id/2693

    BTW, you will fly into Keflavík airport, which is 45 - 60 minutes drive from Reykjavik.

    One of my favourite places to visit is the Reykjanes peninsula (http://www.visitreykjanes.is). Have a look at page 10/11 of this has a great map. Just follow this route. From airport north to Garður (the old lighthouse at Gardskagi) and Sandgerði and then around. On page 10 of map, the road south from Hanfir to lighthouse is marked by a smoke pot after the bridge over continents... From here its gravel roads marked in brown on map. Best fun and sights around I think.
    The best is... the lake at Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes peninsula and is amazing. The Seltun geothermal area is wow and then the most amazing cliffs at Krisuvikurberg. The road from Grindavík to Kleifarvatn / Seltun is 50% paved and 50% gravel. The off shoot to Krisuvikurberg is dirt track (generous description) and not gravel. This bit can only be done in 4x4 and then you may not make it depending on local conditions. You will know when you get there.

    However, a disclaimer... I lived there for a year and drove gravel roads every day, you need to drive with caution, slow (< 50km) and exercise caution. There are no crash barriers and Icelanders have a common sense approach to health and safety... use you common sense or don't live to tell the tale!

    You have to swim in the Blue Lagoon. Allow 3 to 4 hours... its worth it. Its in the Reykjanes area, so can combine with the above. Go in the dark and hope for snow ;)

    The major must see is the The Golden Circle (Gulfoss, Geysir, Thingvellir national park). Its abut a 300km round trip if you do it all in one go.

    Another nice trip can be to take the 1 road west and stopped off in Mosfelbsaer, a nice suburb just outside Reykjavik; then off to Akranes via the tunnel; then Borgarnes and Borgarfjörður. IF you want to push onto Reykholt, which is a tiny place of about 100 inhabitants which has hot springs and greenhouses. From here you can reach Hraunfossar but that really depends on road conditions. If there is lots of snow, don't do it!

    There is so much to see and go, could go on for pages... Buy a good guide book and a good map. The tourist office is really helpful and sell good maps. its in downtown Reykjavík in a square Aðalstræti.

    Golden rule for Iceland is always bring duty free booze with you :D You can but when you arrive into Keflavík airport. With the current favourable currency rates the cost of beer is not too bad in cafés and bars, but as with the locals, drink lots before you go out… and on Friday/Saturday nights don’t expect Reykjavík to really get started until after midnight and don’t expect to go home before 7am.

    Final travel tip... bring use plastic. You can pay for a coffee using plastic... its there culture! You just don't need cash. If you really want cash then after exiting customs turn immediately left and there is an ATM (accepts Irish cards), also a foreign exchange desk there as well. Iceland lives on plastic, you really won't need cash (ISK or euro).


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