Iceland, long weekend, mid-late June

TPD

Hi folks! Was looking into flights for a wee solo break, and saw that WOWair have return flights to Reykjavik for 150-250 around the end of June.

I'd be thinking of going for 4 or 5 nights, using airbnb (or something else if anything recommended). Any must see things while I'm there? I'd be quite happy to rent a car for a couple of days and do a bit of driving.

I'm not into clubbing, would happily wile away a day on museums etc. Budget isn't too strict but I'd rather not go more than 1200 all in.

Thanks for any advice!

TPD

Have booked the flights for 9th-13th June, and have put in an airbnb request for the first couple of nights in Reykjavik. Time to get planning the rest!

Mycroft H

TPD wrote: »

Have booked the flights for 9th-13th June, and have put in an airbnb request for the first couple of nights in Reykjavik. Time to get planning the rest!

Reykavik isn't much bigger than Galway. I saw all I wanted to in a day.

Rent a car/jeep and head for the hills, Iceland has a lot more to offer than Reykjavik.

TPD

Mycroft H wrote: »

Reykavik isn't much bigger than Galway. I saw all I wanted to in a day.

Rent a car/jeep and head for the hills, Iceland has a lot more to offer than Reykjavik.

I figured an evening to settle on the 9th, a full day in the city on the 10th, and rent a car on the 11th. The return flight is at 6:20am the 13th, so mightn't bother getting accommodation that night.

Mycroft H

TPD wrote: »

I figured an evening to settle on the 9th, a full day in the city on the 10th, and rent a car on the 11th. The return flight is at 6:20am the 13th, so mightn't bother getting accommodation that night.

Although overdone the golden circle isn't a bad place to start if your short on time.

http://expertvagabond.com/golden-circle-iceland/

I reccomend going hiking in Þingvellir national park rather than just passing through.

Another tip; buy food in proper supermarkets rather than convenience stores (ie on the outskirts of Reykjavik). You'll be stung otherwise.

TPD

Mycroft H wrote: »

Although overdone the golden circle isn't a bad place to start if your short on time.

http://expertvagabond.com/golden-circle-iceland/

I reccomend going hiking in Þingvellir national park rather than just passing through.

Another tip; buy food in proper supermarkets rather than convenience stores (ie on the outskirts of Reykjavik). You'll be stung otherwise.

Hasn't been overdone by me! Any recommendations for somewhere to go further east, to stretch 2 days out of the golden circle?

Mycroft H

I'd go up here personally, it's a little less touristy than the golden circle. But volcano.

http://www.iheartreykjavik.net/2015/04/drive-it-yourself-the-snaefellsnes-peninsula/

TPD

I'm not too fussed about avoiding tourist traps - get them out of the way this trip and can look for more unbeaten paths next time.
Any must-see things in the city?

H2G2

IMHO a must see outside the city but close enough is the Reykjanes area.
http://www.visitreykjanes.is/
From Reykjavik take the 41 to Hafnafjörður and take road #41 and turn left on the 42 through what looks like an industrial estate and then fork right onto a gravel road up and over the hill which is amazing to lake Kleifarvatn and beyond. If you have a 4x4 car then see Krísuvíkurbjarg cliffs. A great day trip. Finish the in Blue Lagoon for a relax after teh days driving and then back to the city for a night of clubbing.

TPD

Renting a car on the 11th, doing the golden circle that day. Back in Reykjavik that night, then off for the Snæfellsnes peninsula on the 12th. Figure I'll take my time with that, and drop off the car at the airport at around 3am before the flight back on the 13th.