I recently got back from a surprise trip to Iceland for my birthday. Since it was a surprise, I didn’t know a whole lot about Iceland before my first visit, although I had some ideas. More than anything though, I wish I knew a few things before my first visit.
1. Easy to visit - I remember writing the same thing about Puerto Rico and at the risk of being repetitive, I think it’s an important fact to emphasize. We were able to have a well-rounded and full trip to Iceland in the span of just four days because the flight was less than five hours from the East Coast. I got to Reykjavik faster than I could’ve reached Seattle. Who knew? Well apparently Icelandair had a good idea, because they have turned the four-day long weekend into a well-oiled, travel machine. The experience was easy, well priced and I can’t wait to take advantage of the proximity again. Soon, I hope.
2. Unconventional food - I have some food limitations, as I spelled out and defended in “Travel Diary of a Picky Eater.” I realize that visiting islands can be a dicey proposition since I don’t eat seafood, but it wasn’t just the seafood that stymied me. Just as the Scottish have a propensity to deep fry things, the Icelandic apparently think that fermenting food is a good idea. Amongst the more traditional, AKA tourist restaurant finds, were fermented shark, fermented lamb (why oh why) and such. But it wasn’t just the sour meats, it was the unconventional meat that troubled me. That’s right, I’m talking about whale and puffin. I understand the food is traditional, I understand some people like to eat it, fine, I guess. But there is no reason to promote it in the touristy areas thereby growing the trade. If locals want to eat whale, fine, I don’t like it but it’s not my culture. However, I really wish these meats with which many have significant problems weren’t offered at every tourist restaurant in town.
3. The Blue Lagoon is kind of lame - I’m going to discuss this in a separate post, but I really don’t understand what all the hype over the Blue Lagoon is about. It’s not even really a naturally occurring phenomenon, it’s a result of the power plant next door. Ignore the power plant for a second, and instead let’s focus on the massive publicity machine that lies behind the Blue Lagoon. Tourism officials have catapulted the spa into an internationally recognized attraction to the point that any self-respecting tourist feels like a loser if they skip it. More people visit the Blue Lagoon each year than actually live in Iceland. It’s a fact, use it as you will. Other than the fact that the water is blue, which it is, it’s a geothermal spa, not unlike those found in many other places around the world including Canada, the US, Jordan, New Zealand, etc. But people seem to enjoy it, so who am I to judge?
4. Big-Small Town - I don’t think I fully appreciated just how small Iceland’s population is and what the effect of that has upon the travel experience. The entire country has around 317,000 inhabitants. That’s about the size of St. Louis, Missouri. Reykjavik and surrounding suburbs account for 200,000 of that number, leaving a lonely 100,000 hardy souls strewn about the land of fire and ice. So instead of a colossal capital city, Reykjavik has the size and feel of a small town; or at least not a very big town. But it’s more than size, it’s the mentality of Reykjavik that’s so endearing. I never once saw a cop the entire time I was there. Or security. Or anything bad happen to anyone. There’s practically no crime, the entire country currently has 150 prisoners. 150?! The parliament, prime minister’s house, president’s house all were essentially open with no obvous signs of security, not even a fence. Since I live in the heart of a police-state, being in Iceland wasn’t just nice, it was a vacation from distrust, paranoia and fear and I loved every second of it.
5. Dark and rainy can be fun too - Iceland isn’t always dark and rainy, I know that. In fact, in the summer it’s almost always light out. But we went in the middle of winter and expected to find a cold, wet dark country. And we did, but it wasn’t a bad thing, not at all. The dark wasn’t excessive, the sun rose around 9:30 AM and set around 6:00 PM or so. A respectable day really for a country grazing the edge of the Arctic circle. There’s also something to be said for huddling around a warm fire, or enjoying a rich coffee while warming up in one of the city’s many cafes. I’ve been a major winter tourist this year and I love it. Anyone can travel when it’s sunny and warm, but to find the real city and enjoy it in a completely different way, there’s nothing like winter travel.
Have you been to Iceland? What surprised you on your first trip?
Who am I? I am a typical Gen-Xer and recovering cubicle-dweller who has a passion for all things travel. My site brings a unique perspective that is hard to find online. I am not a backpacker, nor am I...
This is really interesting, especially what you’ve said about the Blue Lagoon. I am heading to Iceland in April for the first time (yay!) so it’s great to hear an honest account. I’m not sure I would be able to eat puffin either. I do hope to photograph them though. And definitely not whale. Look forward to reading about the rest of your trip, Matt!
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Matt Long Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:58 am
Thanks, it’s a great place and I really enjoyed the trip. Lots more to share in the coming weeks!
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Alex Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 7:42 am
Hi Cherina,
If you are considering skipping the Blue Lagoon, I would recommend one of the (much cheaper) city swimming pools – especially Laugardalslaug; the biggest.
Also if you are going northeast to the Mývatn area, there is another geothermal spa there. I prefer that one, it is in nicer countryside, and it is not nearly as busy.
Have a good stay and don’t be scared of the puffin….after all intensively farmed meat is surely worse for the animal’s welfare that hunted wild!
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It was my visit to Iceland in 2007 which initiated my travel blogging. I spent a fortnight driving round the island with my husband and son who was 11 at the time. We loved the empty roads, the waterfalls, glaciers. We didn’t enjoy some of the bone-shaking gravel tracks but thankfully we didn’t have to drive on them too much. Agree about Blue Lagoon: photos cleverly posed to not show the power plant! I made the fatal mistake of dipping my hair in the water: it turned to straw for the rest of the holiday. I was sick as a dog on a whale-watching trip, was terrified snow-mobiling on a glacier and was soaked to the skin riding a Icelandic horse. But we loved it!
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Matt Long Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:59 am
Ha, sounds like some great memories! I would have loved to have spent more time around their unique horses, so cute.
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I found this very interesting, especially the bit about the Blue Lagoon, also how safe it is and only 150 prisoners – sounds quite unreal. Iceland is still on my list of places to visit so good to get an honest opinion. Thanks.
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Matt Long Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:59 am
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and highly recommend it to everyone.
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150 people in jail in the whole country? That is truly amazing. All the good things you discovered are the things I’m really looking forward to when I visit next month!
I’m fairly certain I will not be eating any shark or whale, however…
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The first thing that surprised me about Iceland was the rocky, moss-covered landscape. I felt like I had landed on the Moon, if the Moon had moss.
The second thing that surprised me was the orientation of satellite dishes on homes, which I noticed just after leaving the airport. They all appeared to be pointing at the ground. This makes sense, if you think about it, given their position on the Earth and the fact that the satellites are over the Equator. Where I live, satellite dishes are oriented more toward the sky, so it caught me off guard.
For what it’s worth, I enjoyed the Blue Lagoon. I spent a few hours there on my way back to the airport, at the end of a four-day stay in Iceland. I thought it was a great way to decompress before my flight to London.
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Spent 3 weeks in Iceland in 2010 travelling around in my landrover. We deliberately went no where near Reykjavik and spent the whole time travelling around the rest of the country including many of the bone shaking roads.
We were lucky as we were able to get off the beaten track but if you want the “spa” experience without the hype of the Blue Lagoon and the power station I would recommend the hot stream at Lanmannalaugar, the pool at Laugafell or even better the hot waterfall near Bru.
Agree about the weather you just have to get on with what you want to do, in our 3 weeks we had hot (22 degrees), wet (horizontal rain), frost and snow.
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I’ll be heading there in late May, so thanks for the observations. That’s slightly disappointing to hear about the Blue Lagoon. I’ll do some more research about it to see if we should go. Since I am decidedly not a picky eater
, and part of my blogging is specifically about the food I eat when I travel, I’ll have to think about what I am and am not willing to eat. That being said, I’ll probably stay away from the whale. I watched too much of the “Whale Wars” TV show a few years ago.
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Matt Long Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:21 pm
You know, you should probably go to the Blue Lagoon. I enjoyed the experience, but I think I expected something more. I guess I’m jaded, been to several other spas like that, but it’s a great experience if you haven’t been to one before.
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Haha I liked the Blue Lagoon! I really enjoyed relaxing in it before my flight.
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Matt Long Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fine place, I just think it’s massively overrated for what it is. It’s pleasant, no doubt.
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Good things to know — we’re hoping to take advantage of the Iceland Air deals sometime soon. And I’d love to go in winter as well. Good to know it can be enjoyable regardless. beautiful photos!
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Matt Long Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Thanks and even though I’ve only been there in winter, I get the feeling that Iceland is great all year round. Can’t wait to test out that theory though.
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Lots of surprises for us in Iceland. First one was spending almost $200 in gas the first time we went to the gas station. We got used to the price after. We has a delicious sauce with our fries an when we asked the waitress what it was she said “cocktailsosa”.
People are really nice and laid back in Iceland. They run by an honesty system. As one guy pointed out at the gas station you can’t really run away from the law in Iceland. They’ll catch you right away.
We didn’t go to the Blue Lagoon but went to a smaller version of it in Myvatn.
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Matt Long Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 10:01 am
Thanks for sharing and laid back is a great way to describe the feeling, spot on.
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Bogga Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 6:29 am
Hi Sheila
You can actually make your own cocktailsósa by mixing mayo and ketchup together
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Móra Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
You know what! you can easily make your own “kokteilsósa” …. mix together whole egg mayonnaise and tomato sauce and wo-la there you have it.
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Great to read about your experience of Iceland, Matt! The whale and puffin where not on the tourist menu a few years back, but they are popular with tourists which is why so many have them now. It’s really good meat and all from sustainable hunting
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Hjortur Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 5:54 am
I mean were, not where
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I’m doing a stopover in Iceland on my way to Scotland next month! (Thank you Iceland Air) I am beyond excited, and after reading your post, I’m even more excited!! I’ll be on a 5 week budget backpacking trip with a college friend, so we have already decided to skip Blue Lagoon due to cost so I’m glad I won’t be missing out on much!
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Matt Long Reply:
March 4th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Keep in mind there are municipal hot pools around town as well, so that may be an alternative. Enjoy your trip, it’s a great place!
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I like your honesty here. Especially regarding the exotic meats– I’d rather see them save whales than offer them on a tourist menu!
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Matt Long Reply:
March 4th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Thanks Leslie and yeah, I was not pleased with the meat options.
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Bjarni Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
I just want to point out, regardless of peoples opinion on hunting whales, that the whale being offered in Iceland comes from hunting what annually is about 1% of that specific species in icelanic waters.. So they dont really need any saving..
Another less known fact is that americans hunt more whales then icelanders do..
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I have been eye-ing Iceland forever, especially since Icelandic Air runs so many specials from Boston. I was a little worried that the 4 day concept wouldn’t leave much time to see the sights, but its good to know you felt that it worked. So, I will for sure keep it in mind for future trips from the Northeast.
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Thanks for the tips, we are off to Iceland in October, its great to hear another travellers reviews!
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Hi,
Few thinks to know before traveling to Iceland
visit.
http://www.icelandreview.com/ many good traviling tips there
http://www.nammi.is/ all the Icelandic products you need like maps, books, dvd’s, food and more
http://mbl.is/frettir/english/ Icelandic news in english
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I do agree with the Blue Lagoon, but if you are traveling around Iceland you should try the one at Lake Myvatn, (1 hour drive from Akureyri) it´s much smaller, cleaner and just a very nice place!
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Stjani Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 8:22 am
I don’t agree about the Blue Lagoon. Its grate and well worth it. I bought a winter pass and have been going many times this winter. I and my family just love it. Blue Lagoon is as natural and the baths in Myvatn and as clean. It has the Blue flag and is checked often. The service is always getting better and better so I’m going to keep going. I also like Myvatn but its far away from Reykavik where I live but I went there last summer. Don’t skip the chance to go to both places if you have the opportunity.
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Why all the whining about the meat? Seriously people!:) Our ancestors lived only on lamb heads and fish, and we turn out almost all right:)
And by the way, many thermotologists have found out the mud in the Blue Lagoon is the best thing for your skin care:)
Also people should get their as*** out of Reykjavík and see Vestfirðir, Snæfellsnes and the national parks in the Southeast.
No just saying, I loved everything you wrote:)
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I’m sorry, I meant dermatologists
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There are few more things that you don’t know about Iceland. You don’t see many police cars because they are cutting cost, they can’t afford having police cruisers driving around. Crime rate in Reykjavik is very high, drug problems and violence. I would not walk alone after dark in the down town area. You don’t open the papers without reading about a robbery or violence. They don’t mention this to the tourists, it is bad for business. It is better to let them think Reykjavik is a crime free city.
I don’t know where you got that only 150 people are in jail, but I know that the state penitentiary is overbooked, they are putting pore people in each cell that they are allowed to. There are few hundred people on a “waiting list” to go to jail.
The entrance fee in the Blue Lagoon is ridiculously high, it is $40! The Blue Lagoon is just for tourists, the locals don’t go there.
The city has many big and nice hot swimming pools, with saunas and hot tubs, the entrance fee to the city swimming pools is only $4.
Regarding the food… majority of the locals don’t eat whale meet or sheep heads and other exotic food. This is basically for the tourists and a narrow group of people.
The prices in Iceland are extremely high, don’t let anyone fool you that it is cheap because the currency collapsed in 2008. The truth is that everything doubled in price after the collapse so you don’t go to Iceland to shop. The prices are at least twice of what they are in the US and the gas price is triple.
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Stjani Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 8:24 am
You must be joking
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Bjarni Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
70% of what you just wrote is bullshit…3
First off – how many times do you read about tourist getting attacked or robbed in Iceland?
Putting too many people in prison cells? That’s simply a lie and something I have never read or heard off until now .. and the waiting list is nowhere near a few hundred …
Hrefnukjöt (whale meat) was the highest selling meat in icelandic stores last summer, as it is very popular for cooking during the summer when people cook their food outside – its cheap and it tastes good – here is another lie.. Regarding the sheep heads – it is true that its not a regular dish… but you wont find many icelanders that have not eaten it and quite a few eat it at least once a year, during “þorrinn” (an old icelandic month)
Regarding prices.. they are perhaps a bit high – but I’ve been to the states, NY, SF and LA and I can tell you one thing for sure, those cities are not cheaper at all..
Prices in the stores may have gone up for the people in Iceland because of the currency.. but for people coming here with foreign currency the prices went down..
Get your facts straight please
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Chris, what has any of that have to do with being a tourist there? And yes there are crimes committed, but it’s not a high rate. Every Icelander I know eats Þorramatur once a year at least.
Exactly because of the collapse in 2008 everything is now cheaper for people to shop in Iceland, because of the currency, expensive for Icelanders and cheap for others.
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And not being able to walk down town Reykjavík in the dark is just laughable.Sorry.
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Matt Long Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 8:52 am
I never said that
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Birna Kristjánsdóttir Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
No it’s not laughable… it’s dangerous to walk down town in Reykjavík at night.. and you should know that as an Icelander… Sorry!
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Freysi Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
It´s definitely not true that it´s dangerous to walk alone at night in Iceland… The police doesn´t even carry guns… The crime rate is extremely low and that is a fact! There is approx. 1 murder a year… sometimes none…
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Keep in mind that Minke whales are in no way endangered, and they are far less damaging to the ecosystem than raising cattle commercially. It’s fine that you don’t like it, but to imply it’s a dirty secret the locals should keep away from tourists is kind of silly. It’s your cultural hangup, not ours, and there are plenty of restaurants in Rvk that do not have puffin or whale on the menu. Besides that, they are both delicious.
And as a foreigner who now lives here, I can’t disagree more about the blue lagoon. I’ve been over 6 times and every time has been pleasant and enjoyable. It is a bit expensive, and it is not mind blowing, but it’s a very out of this world experience when the snow is coming down, the lava landscape around you (which you won’t find in those other cities you mentioned) and the lifeguards wearing deep sea fisherman gear to stay warm as they walk around the pool. I recommend to every visitor to check it out. No good reason not to.
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Wow, lots of comments. A couple of things:
1. I didn’t say people shouldn’t go to the Blue Lagoon, they should, it’s fun, but I didn’t know about its formation.
2. The meat is fine, my issue was having it in what are essentially tourist restaurants as a novelty.
3. I never said you shouldn’t walk through town in the dark. You can and I did.
4. Iceland isn’t cheap for tourists either, we found it to be pricey but well worth it.
Thanks for all the great comments!
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Gudrun: Everything has doubled in price, meaning the cost for tourists is the same as it was before the collapse in 2008. And before the collapse everything was expensive and it still is. If you believe Iceland is cheap for tourists you are bluffing yourself. There is a reason for why Icelanders go abroad to shop. Food price is high and alcohol prices are insane, $15 for a bottle of cheap red wine!!
The down town area is full of drunk people and drug attics during weekends, sorry I did not feel safe there. Driving around this city is insane. Heavy traffic everywhere, countless of traffic lights and speed bumps on places they shouldn’t be. The speed limits are ridiculously low everywhere you go, most streets only allow you to drive on 18mph(30km). On six lane highway the max speed is only 50mph (80km). The highway to the airport that has four lanes only allow you to drive 55mph (90km) even though it is in the middle of nowhere.
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Bjarni Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
Its kinda funny that you would feel the need to complain about how unsafe the city is and then go on and complain about speed bumbs, traffic lights and speed limits being too low.. Cant u see how retarded that is?
Lets talk prices..
5 years ago for every dollar u got 66 kr
Back then a large beer cost around 600-700 kr in iceland… thats about 10$
Today the same beer costs about 850-950 kr
For every dollar however u get 125 kr
So the price of the beer is 7,2 $
And u do not add tips to that, since tips are included in the price and ppl are not expected to give tips..
So prices may be high.. but saying they have doubled is a lie and for foreigners they HAVE gone down.. I could give u a few more examples but tbh I cant be arsed since you cant seem to be able to get a single thought on paper without resorting to lies or exaggerations
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But it is a novelty? You cannot buy whale steak in very many countries, nor Puffin, so it’s an obvious choice to put on the menu of a restaurant targeting tourists. There are plenty of restaurants with bacon too, but you won’t see Muslim tourists complaining about that. Bacon, whale, and puffin are not objectively bad (nor good), it’s up to each person’s reaction to how they feel about it, but a small subset’s objections do not mean they should be removed. Maybe you should research a bit more before thinking all whales are the same? And what is your objection to puffin, that they’re cute? They are the chicken of Iceland, some 10 million have lived in Iceland at one point in the past, and when the nation had to eat what was around, it made total sense.
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I totally get you Chris:)
It’s just that those drunken people are very annoying not dangerous, and yes Iceland has always been expensive, god knows, but spending fee on an expensive flight fare to buy things, instead of keeping the money inside Icelandic economy, in order to make it grow, is careless.
Also, the speed limits are due to ice and snow throughout the year. I do agree with you on the speed bumps though. People should be trusted to slow down or just drive.
Matt; nothing you wrote is something I didn’t like, just thought it was funny with the meat:) The blue Lagoon is absolutely what you said, but is is healthy for you skin, and like other people have said here, there is a better “blue Lagoon” called Jarðböðin við Mývatn. Thermobaths at Mývatn. It’s in the northern part, where the European and American plates meet.
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Birna, as in Icelander I still say, it is not dangerous to walk down town Reykjavík.
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One thing… If you go to Iceland during the winter, try to see the northern lights
They are amazing…
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Matt Long Reply:
March 25th, 2012 at 10:27 pm
I REALLY wanted to, but the weather didn’t cooperate when I was there.
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I really appreciate the spirited discussion everyone, but please no name calling. Thank you.
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Good post
I am from Iceland and I can honestly say that I don’t know a single person who eats the kind of stuff you were talking about on a regular basis. I haven’t even tasted whale, puffin and most of the other things on the “traditional icelandic food – tourist menu”. I think pizza/burgers/hot dogs/beef are probably the most popular food in Iceland.
If I were a tourist in Reykjavik I would want somebody to tell me to go to Hamborgarafabrikkan (http://fabrikkan.is/) because that is so typical iceland, i think every single icelandic person has eaten there.
Regarding the blue lagoon- I go there maybe once every two years but I like it a lot!
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p-p-puffin? Puffins are part of the diet?? i think that just made me cry.
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Matt Long Reply:
May 21st, 2012 at 2:11 am
Yeah, I have a policy of not eating cute things
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I personally loved the Blue Lagoon (although for a Brit being forced to shower naked with a bunch of more liberal Icelandic locals was a little uncomfortable) and I feel it would be a real shame to go to Iceland and miss it!! It is a fabulous experience being able to bathe outside in freezing temperatures and feel completely toasty
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Nice post Matt. Know what youre saying about the blue lagoon but i think its not the lagoon itself but the location that makes it pretty special. Stuck out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by the lunar landscape and being battered by the elements (whilst i was there anyway) gives it real atmosphere. Wish i had made it to the Myvatn baths though.
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I loved Iceland! It is easily one of my favorite countries I’ve been to. We are planning to go back in December.
What surprised me the most was the landscapes. I guess I didn’t expect it to look the way it does and I was blown away by its stunning beauty!
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Great article. If I’d add one thing it’s that when considering driving budget don’t forget that cars run on fuel, which is super-expensive in Iceland. I circled the island in 8 days last June. I got the cheapest jeep I could find as I wanted to be free to follow whims up dirt roads. I was shocked by how much I was spending on gas. Over $100 a day!!
I’m planning on spending all of June there next year. Assessing my vehicle options at the moment.
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Matt Long Reply:
November 19th, 2012 at 9:21 am
Great tip and something I hadn’t thought of!
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I’m glad that I’m not the only one underwhelmed by the Blue Lagoon! It’s kind of hard not to feel like something’s wrong with me that I feel that way. Maybe if it wasn’t such an ordeal to get out there, and if I hadn’t been scolded twice in the locker room by staff (once when I walked back to the showers to retrieve a hair clip, and again when I had trouble opening my locker) I’d feel more warmly about the place. It’s a pricey undertaking to basically sit in a big, cloudy hot tub. I am taking my husband to Iceland for his 50th birthday, and while I think it’d be good to take him on a Golden Circle tour, I think we’ll stick to the geothermal pools in the city proper.
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I’m going to Reykjavík to visit a friend of mine studying there in a few week. I had a conversation with his Icelandic girlfriend online that surprised me. I said, “I understand that people usually dress fashionably, especially at night. I have a lot of nice jewelry like my wedding bands and a big silver necklace, but should I be afraid of attracting muggers and pickpockets?” She replied, “Wear whatever makes you comfortable – we don’t have that sort of crime here.”
Now, of course I won’t get blind drunk in a diamond-encrusted gown, but I will really enjoy not being so nervous. I live in Philly and often go to NYC for work, so traversing a city without keeping my cellphone and wallet tightly clutched in my pockets will be a new experience.
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Matt Long Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 8:10 am
Iceland is beyond safe, the crime rates are absurdly low. So go and wear that tiara with pride!
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Annie Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 3:29 am
Me again, writing from breakfast in Reykjavík! Your list has been on my mind these last few (amazing!) days. Either three related points, or one convoluted point, have grown in my mind:
- Icelanders (generally) LOVE tourists, and
- There is a lot of genuinely unique stuff to see here, particularly in nature, and
- There are many tourists here.
Having lived in Ireland and recently visited the Caribbean, I’ve gotten used to the idea of tourists being considered a bit of a nuisance (in the former) and the sole source of income (in parts of the latter). I was prepared to dress as closely to the natives as possible and keep my head down, like I do in other countries, but Icelanders are used to lots of foreign visitors, and appreciate us without fixating upon us. I have not once felt awkward about being a tourist here.
I came here with dreams of the Vikings in my head, as I am a medieval art history grad with years of Old Norse language, literature, and history. On the Golden Circle tour I was expecting a lot of people looking bored because they didn’t know what Þingvellir was (the site of the original Icelandic open-air, egalitarian parliament begun in 930). But the tour guide emphasised the drama of the fault line running through the area, and the views of the river churning through ice weirdly misshapen by a season of thawing and refreezing were spectacular. Gullfoss, the enormous waterfall, was mind-blowing (outdoing Niagara in drama, in my opinion), and of course Geysir and its surrounding hot springs pumping into the cold air are like very little else on earth. Iceland is not just a place to go and check out the local history while you’re here, but a geological destination all on its own.
And it brings the numbers. It’s a weekday in early March, and half of the people on the streets are tourists. I can’t imagine what Reykjavík is like in May, let alone July. When I return, with my husband and hopefully my parents as well, I will definitely opt for a country cottage and a rental car in the summer.
Thanks again for writing this blog – I have no regrets avoiding the Blue Lagoon!
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Matt Long Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Thanks for sharing and so glad you’re having fun!
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This is an interesting article. You say you went in the middle of winter and that the sun was up at 9 and down by six? What month in winter did you visit that you had so much light?
Also. The Blue Lagoon may be water from a power plant, but it doesn’t change the fact that there are elements in the water that give it therapeutic qualities.
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Matt Long Reply:
April 2nd, 2013 at 8:12 pm
We were there in February.
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Wow…Iam so glad to read this post! I went to Iceland a few years ago. Everyone pushed the Blue Lagoon. Because my time was so limited, I decided to pass on the Spa waters with magical Therapeutic Healing powers…that was also good for your skin…..It sounded like a hokey tourist trap to me that was dreamt up by the local Tourism authority…. For the past few years since my trip when I tell people that I have been to Iceland, they automatically say, “What did you think of the Blue Lagoon”? When I tell them that I decided not to visit the Lagoon, they always say, “How could you miss it? It’s so awesome! It’s unbelievable”! I’m not sure if I’ll ever make it back, so in the back of mind, I feel that maybe I made the wrong decision? Maybe I did miss something really special? Now I feel I made the right decision after all! I’m a picky eater also…..we found an awesome Thai Restaurant in the heart of the Reykjavík…actually better than many Thai places in the US…Amazing! Thanks for a great post!
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