ICELAND SURVIVAL GUIDE
tips and trick for travellers to iceland
#1-Bring a water bottle.
The best way to show your love and respect for this beautiful country and the Icelandic people is by not buying plastic water bottles. The water is some of the best in the world and it tastes the best coming from your very own Kleen Kanteen, or yeti or whatever your favorite water bottle brand is. If you are a water lover like me then by the end of your trip you will be one of the many tourists who line up at the water bottle refill fountain at the airport to bring a few more precious drops of this luscious liquid back home. Also, there is no quicker way to summon the ire of the Icelandic people than in spending money on a bottle of water. Why is this? Because it is the exact same water that you get out of the tap and the shopkeeper at the petrol station will begrudgingly tell you that
#2 Get naked and shower before you go into the pools.
One of the things that I love MOST about Iceland is the many geothermally heated pools that you will find throughout the country. It is standard to take a communal shower and wash all your “bits” before getting into the outdoor hot tubs, Many countries (except Germany) have grown up with a degree of body shame but in Iceland, from the time you are a baby, you are totally naked in front of strangers on a weekly basis at the pool. Some might relish this, others might feel like they will die of fright.
One of Icelanders’ biggest complaints about tourists is when they don’t shower before they enter the pools. The have even recently done a PSA on the subject called “ shower naked, make us happy”
I go to the pools every single day in Iceland. There is something about that water that just brings you to another time and place and literally warms you to the bones! Vesturbæjarlaug in Reyjakvik is one of my favorites. Most pools are open late until 10pm or so. It is the perfect way to end a long day of exploring.
#3 Speed Cameras
There are speed cameras on almost every major road in Iceland and they are merciless. To be safe don’t go above 90. If you must, then be on the lookout. There are actually warning signs before all the speed cameras, but if you do get caught the fines are in the hundreds of $’s not including the surcharge the car rental company will fine you.
If you have the pleasure of being pulled over by the police (they are usually out in the towns on friday nites to look for drunk drivers) then expect to pay an average $400 USD fine. oh and they ask you to pay it ON THE SPOT.
The Police in Iceland are generally very kind and calm and their job is to make sure we are safe. so dont speed kids
# 4 Be Careful on the Roads
You will get the whole schpiel from the car rental agency. AND they will probably frighten you into buying ALL the premium insurance. That is your call. But I am here to tell you to be very careful when you are driving. August is a relatively calm month, but the winter starts in October and in the South there can be severe wind storms. And when I say “severe wind storms,” I mean it. These winds and storms can rip your car door off. I once had to crawl on my hands and knees back to the car at the famous black sand beach during one such wind storm.
Mind the ditches! it is very easy to attempt a K-turn or to pull of for a photo and get stuck in the seemingly innocent-looking ditches on the side of the road. I have seen it a lot. This also means you should only ever pull over at designated pull-off spots.
If you are traveling in the winter check road.is before you head out to see if there are any road closures. Always respect road closures.
#5 Waves
The force of nature in Iceland is awe-inspiring. The “sneaker waves” at Black Sand Beach and other beaches around Iceland can take you out without warning. So please keep a safe distance from the shoreline, even if the scene looks innocuous enough.
On one of my last elopements, I took a couple to Brimketill Lava Rock Pool in the Reyjkanes Peninsula to watch the waves crashing. There is a beautiful little platform where you can walk out to get a nice view of the coastline. Well on this day the waves were so fierce that they were crashing all the way PAST the entrance to the platform.
And finally, after all that let’s talk about food. I just wanted to end this little survival guide with some yummy tips!
Ostabudin: For fish. Highly recommended At: Skólavörðustígur 8
Snaps Bistro: One of my favorite restaurants great atmo and food. At: Þórsgata 1
Ban Thai: Best Thai food in Reykjavík. Great food and fun atmosphere At: Laugavegur 130
Fishmarket: One of the best restaurants in Reykjavik. Really good sushi and Asian fusion dishes but pricey At: Aðalstræti 12
Gló has good organic food, mostly vegetarian At: Corner of Klappastígur and Laugavegur
Bæjarins bestu: Hot dog stand, it's a must for any visit to Iceland. At: Tryggvagata 1
Matur og drykkur: Very tasty Icelandic food made in a traditional Icelandic way but with a twist. Both lunch and dinner. At: Grandagarði 2
Reykjavík Roasters: super nice coffeehouse At: Kárastígur 1 & Brautarholt 2
Burger Joint: Best burgers in town, At: Geirsgata 1
