Perfect Icelandic day near Reykjavík
There are plenty of things to do in Reykjavík and its surroundings. From fine dining to aurora tours, whale watching tours, and many more, I opted for a half day at the famous Blue Lagoon, a solo walking tour of the city, and a winter horse ride! All the details below.
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa
The last day of my 3-day winter adventure in Iceland was first spent at the world renowned Blue Lagoon, an artificial hot pool located near a geothermal plant in Grindavík. Even though some people say it’s overrated, I liked it there and think this is a must-do activity if you’re visiting for the first time, especially if it’s for a short period of time. If you’re on a longer trip to Iceland, then I would also recommend checking out some natural hot springs around the island, since there are plenty of them all around.
The Blue Lagoon isn’t located in Reykjavík, in fact it is situated near the airport, in Grindavík. Therefore, a lot of tourism companies offer airport transfers that include a stop at the Blue Lagoon. I wouldn’t personally recommend choosing that option, especially if you’re planning on doing this just before leaving the island. I think you will feel in too much of a rush and won’t enjoy your experience fully. If that’s your only option, than I would suggest visiting the spa right when you arrive in Iceland instead.
My main advice though would be to visit by yourself, either very early in the morning or later in the afternoon/evening. Be careful about the sunrise/sunset times, especially if you travel during wintertime. I was travelling in early February with a sunrise at 10am. Therefore, I pre-booked my ticket for 9am to give me enough time to get ready at my own pace and enjoy the sunrise.
You should definitely book your ticket in advance, as the place tends to get packed pretty quickly, and there is a high risk of not being able to get an entry ticket if you just show up there without reservation. You can book directly onto their main website. Note that you can also purchase a ticket with a Reykjavík transfer included, which is very convenient.
The Blue Lagoon offers 3 types of packages: comfort, premium, and spa retreat. The website says prices start at €50, but you will most likely pay €80 for the comfort package depending on the date and time, which is definitely not cheap (like everything in Iceland). This package includes a towel, a drink, and a face mask, and is all you need in my opinion. If you pay for premium, you’ll get a robe, slippers, a 2nd mask as well as a few other advantages if you book a restaurant reservation, but it is not worth it in my opinion…. unless you’re staying at the Blue Lagoon for a couple days maybe. All the towels and robes are white, and must be left on a hook before entering the pool. You will never find yours when you get out, so there is no point in paying for getting a robe instead of a towel.
As for my experience, I got there early so I checked in very quickly, and then accessed the changing rooms, which by the way are very clean. You will need to shower fully naked before entering the spa for hygiene purposes. I would suggest either not getting your hair wet at all and keeping it in a bun, or getting it wet, but covering it with conditioner (a TON of conditioner) before entering the spa. Otherwise, because of all the minerals in the water, if you don’t put some hair conditioner on, it will get super dry and will take days going back to normal.
Unfortunately, I got there in the middle of a snow/rain storm. I waited for almost 2 hours for the sky to clear out… but the sun never showed up. I’m not gonna lie, it made the experience quite painful. Even though the water of the spa is super warm, your head is out (and wet), so my hair was frozen, and the wind was hurting really bad. I was equipped with a waterproof phone case to take photos, but I wasn’t able to get any satisfying shots 😔 That’s why at some point I just got all into the water, and took advantage of the few benefits I paid for: face mask + drink. I got a strawberry smoothie which was delicious and is one of the only drinks that is served in a cup that has a lid (very handy when it’s windy!!) Then I did the silica mask, snapped a few funny selfies, rinsed it off and ended my experience at the spa right after that! By the time I got back to the changing rooms (11:30am) it was completely packed with people so I’m glad I got there early.
some of Reykjavík’s iconic landmarks
After spending my morning at the lagoon, I had one hour to kill before my next activity. I decided to take a little stroll around town, and stop at Reykjavík’s famous hot-dog joint for lunch. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur which literally means “the best hot dogs in town” has multiple locations, including one on Tryggvagata street, which was the most convenient one for me. To fully enjoy your hot-dog experience, you need to order yours with ALL condiments; I guarantee it won’t disappoint!
After lunch, I walked to one of Reykjavík’s most iconic buildings: Harpa Music Hall. The building is located by the water, and its unique architecture is really stunning.
Another amazing monument in town is Hallgrímskirkja church, which I had the opportunity to visit upon arrival, but I would recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset for more dramatic lighting if you like photography.
Viking Horseback Riding
The second half of my day was dedicated to one of Iceland’s most famous animals: the Icelandic horse. This type of horse is much smaller than usual, and very friendly. During the winter season, its hair grows and gives it a majestic look.
I had pre-booked an excursion with Viking Horses, a local family-run company that offers horse rides in small groups. They picked me up at my downtown hostel, and drove me to their stables to get ready. Even though I was well equipped for winter, they lended me some accessories to make sure I would stay warm during the ride. By that time, I was lucky enough and the sky had completely cleared out. I also realized no one else had booked this excursion, so I was going to get a solo ride with my tour guide, and our horses 😍
My experience with Viking Horses was truly unique and amazing. I had long discussions with my tour guide as we rode through the lava fields, which were covered with fresh snow. I requested that we stop once or twice along the way to take photos with the horses, which we did. I also got to experience the tölt, a gait that’s specific to Icelandic horses, and feels incredibly confortable.
When we got back to the stable, I was invited to their home to enjoy a delicious snack with fresh local produces. What a memorable experience!
Where to stay in Reykjavík?
Here are two suggestions that I really liked as a solo female traveler on a budget.
HI Hostel: a conveniently located hostel in the heart of downtown. Very close to good restaurants and the port, where many excursions depart from.
KEX Hostel: a dynamic hostel with a charming bar on the 1st floor. Also one of the main stops to go on excursions, and conveniently located.
Where to eat in Reykjavík?
On the other hand, here are two fancy restaurant suggestions if you’d like to treat yourself with all of Iceland’s deliciousness.
MAT BAR: the perfect corner restaurant with a classy but laid-back atmosphere. I recommend trying out their tasting menu.
Grillmarkaðurinn: from whale to lamb, beef, char, and many more. Discover the best of the Icelandic cuisine, deliciously grilled.
*It is best to make a reservation to ensure you get a table, especially during high season. Both restaurants offer online reservation on their main site.
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