Anyone been to attempt to see the Northern Lights here and other sights etc? I'm off there in a few weeks for a long weekend and just wondering if there's any tips anyone could share? I know it's meant to be really expensive to drink and I was debating renting a car to move about as opposed to organised trips, not sure if that's a good idea or not? Are there any hints that might save a few quid?
Any help much appreciated.
0
Comments
For the northern lights a coach trip is probably best. Don't set your heart on seeing them though. After a knackering night on a coach, we returned disappointed.
Try to get to a place called the Secret Lagoon. Much more atmospheric than the more famous Blue Lagoon, though that's good too.
Try some local food. It's mental. I had what can only be described as piss-flavoured shark cubes. Luckily my reindeer burger took the taste away.
We spent a day just driving around which was great. I've never been anywhere like it.
I'm glad I had them, but I'll probably pass in future.
Go with a reputable company we went gray line, heard some horror stories from cheaper trips.
You must go blue lagoon brilliant half day out.
Most bars do a happy hour, best to drink then and take some duty frees in with you.
Apparently the worst thing any of them have ever eaten!
My daughter goes in October half-term with her school, lucky lady. Not yet been myself
Having your own car means you can get to the smaller spas that are in every town/village/settlement but the blue lagoon trip is a must (and a good idea to pre book now online to avoid the queue).
Reykjavik is an incredible city, very very hipster so if you are fed up of whale, puffin and fermented shark, there is plenty of other good food and craft beer. Echo those who say pick up some duty free at the airport (you leave the airport through a duty free shop) as the off licenses in town only number about 6 and they close very early (1800 i think).
There's an incredible hot dog stand near to the prime minister's house. Cheapest meal in town!
Have fun!
Thought it'd be mega expensive from what I'd heard but found it was pretty similar to London prices, maybe a bit more.
Also got the tasting menu from here on the last day as we got too many Pesetas out before we went there... but would recommend it to anyone (http://www.grillmarkadurinn.is/)
Did the 'boat tour' (big old ferry) to see the Northern Lights... I would say to avoid that and either get your own 4x4 or go on a tour inland as it didn't go far out and the city lights kind of spoiled it a bit when they did appear.
Blue lagoon was brilliant (intrigued by this 'secret' one!), touristy and commercial but still great. Golden Circle we had included with the deal but actually found the tour fine. They gave you plenty of time to see things and just took you from place to place and let you get on with it. The frozen waterfalls we saw (big one that's in Prometheus) is still my phone background.
If you have a car the golden circle is easy to drive and navigate. Blue lagoon is back down by the airport. Guided tours are expensive and not really necessary - get yourself and guide book and a road map and you'll be fine. There aren't really enough tarmaced roads for you to get seriously lost.
Again, food and drink is expensive - you'll see all the locals head straight for duty free when they get off the plane - but that is still not exactly 'cheap'. We like to try and eat at nicer places when on holiday and avoid cooking wherever possible, but we ended up getting a couple of takeaways and just ate out for a nice meal the once. Take sandwiches with you if you go on a road trip - places to eat along the way may be few and far between, and they may charge even more for the captive audience.
We did a whale watching boat trip out of Reykjavik harbour which we enjoyed as you got some great views of Reykjavik and the nearby mountains. Saw lots of wildlife, but no whales unfortunately.
We rented a car, no need for 4x4 as the roads are great unless you intend to go off-roading.
Are you staying in a hotel or self catered? We cooked for ourselves to save money but there are cheaper options out there - you just have to find them.
Don't pin all your hopes on the Northern Lights as you might not see them.
Do the Golden Circle, the Kerið crater lake was amazing.
Not sure you'll be there long enough to see this but this is some of the stuff we saw outside Reykjavik.
Would definitely recommend seeing Skogafoss if you have the time.
Prices of drink were silly. We got some wine from the airport on the way out and just drank it in our hotels, especially helpful as we had supermarket food in our room a few nights because eating out is quite expensive.
For lunches we bought stuff from the supermarket and made sandwiches from it. In Reykjavik we went to Dunkin Donuts and got a bagel which was super cheap.
There's a really reasonable (and tasty) pizza place in Reykjavik called "Pizza With No Name" which I'd recommend.
Can't say I'm looking forward to piss flavoured shark cubes, but, you only live once!
I have been to Iceland not so far off half a dozen times now, albeit mostly more as a 'resident' than a tourist.
- If you have time and love a bit of adrenaline - travel to Skagafjarðarvegur (I know..) for some river rafting - it is by far the funnest thing I have ever done, and this was on the king of all hangovers.
- Expect expensive prices, they earn a lot and they spend a lot. Alcohol is expensive, taxi's are very expensive and eating out is expensive. I spent 100k Krona (ISK), woke up thinking that's alright, must be about £200.. It was £700.
- Be wary of the Tapas - you'll probably get served rotten Whale and uncooked shark and all sorts of madness - good laugh after a few beers, though.
- Wrap up for wind, it's the wind that gets you. Expect wind and rain and grey skies, grey skies are the banker, but Iceland is still super beautiful.
- Go out LATE if you want to experience the real Iceland, I am talking late late. If you want to soak up the weekend night life, most of the people leave at 11PM-midnight to go out. It's mostly the tourists at 7-8PM. They party through to the early hours and sleep in till the afternoons.
- To sum up the size of the country and its population: I have been to Iceland just a handful of times and bumped into the majority of the famous people I know. Hermann Hreidarsson whilst going to a pre-season friendly and Julius Bjornsson (the Mountain from Game of Thrones) whilst grabbing a burrito.
- To reiterate others' points r.e. the Northern Lights, it is no banker to see them. I didn't see them in Iceland, and only once in Norway in the Northernmost town I could be in - even then I needed my glasses to see it. As with anything, don't class yourself unlucky or the experience as terrible if you are not to see them.
Anyone thinking of going, go. The people are lovely, majority speak great English and are more than happy to help albeit they are mostly quite shy, then after a few beers as crazy as batshit. Will add more if I think of it.
Unsurprisingly it was absolutely freezing! -12 one day, probably closer to -20 with the wind chill. Could barely take your gloves off to take a picture on your phone before hands started to go a bit numb! And even then your phone can stop working!
We did a group tour that stayed at Hotel Ranga. Amazing place a few hours from Rejkavik. The sky was so clear one night, the sheet of stars in the sky was incredible. We had the last bit of a meteor shower too.
Blue Lagoon definitely one to do as well.
Regarding the Northern Lights, there is something called the KP index which measures solar activity. As a rough guide to see something in Iceland you need a 2 or higher on the index (goes from 0 to 9). But we had a clear night and a KP index of 4, and it was just a smudge in the sky. Then on our last night it was a KP index of 1 and they were much clearer. So, unfortunately it really is pot luck!!
One Iceland tip: beer costs practically as much for a pint as for a half (Ireland is the same).