Travel - Snapshot Chronicles

Reykjavik Summer Light – Top 5 Suggestions for Summer Days

04.24.2023 by Susan Getgood //

Whatever time of year you go to Iceland, you’ll want to visit the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Here are a few more things to do during your summer trip to Reykjavik.

1. Take a boat tour to see the Puffins. You can only see the puffins in the summer months, and luckily there’s an island in Reykjavik Harbor where they nest. We had a blast on the Special Tours cruise.

I do not however recommend a whale watching cruise. We spent 3 hours and didn’t even see a fin. The fast chase boats might have better luck, but they didn’t appeal to me. However, if you have to kill an hour before your Puffin Tour, Whales of Iceland is in the same general vicinity (as is a supermarket and a big box store should you have the need). It’s not worth going out of your way to see it, and it is very pricey for what you get, but it definitely gives you perspective.

2. If you do your Puffin tour on a weekend morning, you can visit Kolaportið, the Reykjavik flea market. It is mostly jewelry, food and what you’d expect at a flea market, but worth an hour or so. I got a lovely silver ring and necklace, handmade by silversmith Sigal Harmeshi (@sigalhm on Instagram.) Weekends only.

3. A food tour. I recommend The Reykjavik Food Walk. Go hungry. So much food. There are 5 stops including the Icelandic Hot Dog Stand made famous by Bill Clinton.

4. Hallgrimskirkja The church itself is lovely, and it is well worth going up the tower for the views. We were lucky to stumble onto an organ concert the day we went. Check the website to see if there are any scheduled during your visit. Hungry? Just across the street — a delightful farm to table bistro called Rok and if you fancy more traditional Icelandic fare, Cafe Loki. Try the Rye Bread Ice Cream. Really.

5. Punk Museum of Iceland. Located in a former public restroom in downtown Reykjavik, the Punk Museum is worth a stop whether you like punk or not. The museum takes full advantage of its venue — the stalls actually become part of the story. We spent about an hour, and if you were a true punk fan you could spend far longer as the staff is very knowledgable and happy to share.

Iceland: Tips for Viewing the Northern Lights from Reykjavik

04.19.2023 by Susan Getgood //

Northern Lights -- blue / green — Northern Lights – Reykjavik February 2016

Unless you are obsessed with getting the best photo ever and can afford a private photography tour, I’d recommend the bus tour from Reykjavik Excursions over a private or semi-private Jeep tour. The guides are knowledgable about the Lights and how to get the best out of your camera. If a tour goes out, and you don’t see the Lights, they will honor your ticket on another night. Reykjavik Excursions was the tour on which I saw the Lights for the 1st time (Feb 2016) and it was a better experience in the end than the private jeep tour we did on my second winter trip to Iceland (Nov 2016).

Definitely do NOT do the boat cruise for the Lights. Too crowded, hard to set up for pictures.

Final word about the Aurora: You may have to go out every night to catch them, depending on the weather, and if it is very cloudy or rainy, the tours might not go out. If seeing them is the reason for your trip, don’t wait til the last night. Start going out right away, and enjoy the chase. It’s a bit wild. Your driver will be heading out in one direction and then get a report that it looks good somewhere else, and off you go.

If you want to photograph the Lights, I’ve found two articles with good equipment lists and tips. In addition to the recommended wide angle lens, tripod and flashlight, you’ll want a remote shutter release and fingerless gloves. I like the kind with the mitten covers so your fingers stay warm when you are waiting around for things to happen.

Dress in layers: thermal underwear and good ski pants on the bottom, and thermals, a turtleneck, fleece and a good ski jacket on top. Warm hat. If you want a scarf, I recommend an infinity scarf so it doesn’t get in the way or get lost.

More Iceland travel tips: Iceland in Winter vs Iceland in Summer

Iceland in Winter vs Iceland in Summer

04.15.2023 by Susan Getgood //

Iceland seems to be on everyone’s bucket list, and the first question is always: summer or winter? My short answer is that it is well worth it to go twice, in summer and in winter. I’ve been three times, twice in winter months and once in the summer. However, if you are only planning to go once, the decision is fairly simple.

Northern Lights or Summer Light

If you want to see the Northern Lights, your time window is November to March. I’ve been in late November and mid-February, and was lucky enough to see the Lights both times. It was much colder in February than it was in November, but I would recommend the colder months as it was also quite rainy in November, and you need clear skies for any chance to spot the Aurora.

If you don’t care about the Lights, go in summer. When we were there in late June/early July 2021, the weather was cold but clear — great for hiking — and there was so much light every day, we could pack a lot into the day. In fact, you will want to pack an eye mask, as it never gets really dark.

Thingvellir National Park Summer 2021 view of mountains and lake — Thingvellir National Park Summer 2021

Whenever you go, don’t miss…

No trip to Iceland would be complete without a trip to the Golden Circle. Thingvellir National Park, where the continents meet, and Gulfoss are worth the trip at any time of year.

Geysir. Eh. It was lovely the first time I saw it on a crisp winter day. Every other time, it has been kinda meh. It’s on the way to Gulfoss from the National Park, so by all means stop (if only to use the facilities and visit its most excellent gift shop), but temper your expectations.

geothermal geyser — Strokkur – February 2016

The drive to the South Coast from Reykjavik is long but well worth it, and if you are doing the Ring Road you won’t have the return trip as we did. If I were to go again (and I probably will) I’d stay overnight so I could see more in the area.

We stopped at Seljalandsfoss (where you can walk behind the waterfall) and Skogafoss but had nowhere near enough time at the black sand beach at Reynisfjara before we had to head back to Reykjavik for our dinner reservations.

Person in front of waterfall — Seljalandsfoss

Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon?

Honestly, I like them both.

Blue Lagoon is a GREAT stop on the day you land in Iceland since you can’t check in until afternoon in most places, even Air BNB, and it is literally on the way to Reykjavik from the airport. We did this on our Nov 2016 trip and it was a great way to decompress from the flight.

We could not do it last time due to the quarantine requirements that were still in place, but that is no longer an issue, so I highly recommend this strategy. I would not however bother with lunch at the Lava Restaurant. We did it in 2016 and enjoyed it very much, but on our last trip, not so much. I think they are putting all their energies into the new restaurant Moss and the hotel. Save your money for a meal at some of the other very fine establishments in Reykjavik.

waterfall in the mist — Gulfoss on a slightly rainy day

The new Sky Lagoon is quite close to the city, and a bit more chic and upscale in tone. I loved that the bar had nice non-alcoholic options, not just water. It also has more of the flavor of traditional Icelandic bathing culture than Blue Lagoon, with a 7-step bathing ritual that is far more relaxing than the Blue Lagoon. Note that its dining options are more upscale cafe than full meal. It was perfect for us but you might need to eat again if you have an appetite.

Do both — the Blue Lagoon when you land and the Sky Lagoon in early evening on another day.

Final note on Blue Lagoon — stop in the gift shop and try their skincare products. I’ve used the Mineral Moisturizing Cream as my daily moisturizer since 2016, and added the BL+ Serum and Eye Serum to my routine on the last trip in 2021. Pricey yes. Also worth every penny. They ship to the US.