Visiting Iceland's lagoons and pools is one of the best things to do. Your questions of what to expect are answered here. Do you have more questions? We'll help you feel comfortable with this wonderful experience.
One of the most popular activities visitors to Iceland enjoy is visiting one of its many lagoons. The ritual of enjoying the thermo
For this post, the lagoons will be divided into three categories. The first category is what I will call the tourist lagoons, frequented by locals but mainly geared at attracting tourists. The second category is what I will call the local lagoons; these lagoons are…
12 Things to Know Before Visiting Iceland in Winter
If you're planning on visiting Iceland in winter, here are 12 things to know before you go. Have you visited Iceland? Would you go in winter?
Iceland is a magical destination – there is a reason that so many people visit this beautiful country multiple times and even move here. But due to the location and temperature, first-time visitors need special tips. Here are the 12 things to know before visiting Iceland in winter for the first time:
12 Things to Know Before Visiting Iceland in Winter
1. Airplanes park on the jetway
Upon…
Learn some useful tips while travelling to Iceland!
If you are travelling Iceland for the first time, these tips will guide you and make your trip better. Check on these tips and find a buddy on cogofly.com who can be with you and travel some amazing locations with them in Iceland!
Spiderweb lampshade at Centerhotel T (left). Bathroom and coat hanger and waxed teddybear art (?) at Apartment K (right).
Where to stay? I've stayed in three different places: a hotel, an apartment, and a hostel — all three in different price ranges. If you don't mind the spend, Centerhotel Thingholt was an absolute delight, and right on top of the main shopping/bar street — chic, minimalist, and the bar/lobby is beautiful. Literally opposite that is Apartment K, which was much cheaper, but our apartment faced Bar 11 and so noise was an issue late on a weekend. (Until 6am!) The bathroom also directly faced the double bed and had a glass door... which is no problem if you're happy to share all with your travel partner! Totally self-catered with a decent little kitchen set-up.
Lobby (left and right) and shower signage (centre) at Kex
Lastly, Kex hostel was super cheap and very hipster. I loved the vibe but the staff could be too-cool-for-school at times. (Other times they were amazing. Depends who you speak to.) The bathrooms smelt bad on occasion but were clean enough. There are kitchens, little chill out areas, and a great lobby/bar to hang out in. I was only kept awake by guests one night! (That could be pure luck, of course.) Decent breakfast for around £6 — AYCE if you go for it. The smallest rooms hold six and you get your own locker.
That's pretty much the limit to my experience of staying in Iceland. I would also recommend looking up Air Bnbs though; a friend did that whilst I was there and not only was it really reasonable, but her host picked her up from the airport and gave her lifts into town!
These blogs are by no means an exhaustive list, but these are some tips and tricks that I have to pay forward about visiting Iceland. I've been three times, all in the winter, so a lot of this is geared towards that. (Especially the clothes advice.)
What To Bring
Walking boots. Whether icy or no, you'll want to be walking about on that landscape. A waterproof and windproof coat; Reykjavik is right on the seafront and can get really cold when that wind picks up. (Like San Francisco but extreme.) Windproof hat, decent scarf, and decent gloves. Again, wind. Thermal tights/leggings. I survived the last trip for about two days with thin jeans and then doubled up trousers every day. Your swimming costume. That sounds counter to the above, but y'all know you're going to go to the Blue Lagoon. And the swimming pools in town. (No, really.)
Playlist
You know Bjork (the great) and Sigur Rós and Of Monsters And Men. Get in the mood with these Icelandic artists you might not yet have heard of. Samaris will chill you out and Ruxpin will fill your ears with electronica sounds. Árstíðir have an amazing folk sound, but you have to hear the ancient hymn. Icelandic blues? Lay Low's voice is like silk. Crazy synth duo Nolo are so off kilter you have to. Find more electronica from RetRoBot and Plastik Joy. (You can see where my leaning lies.)
