ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES

EATING VEGETARIAN IN REYKJAVÍK

Due to Iceland’s climate and the resulting difficulties of growing a bounty of vegetables, Icelandic cuisine has been mostly animal protein based through the centuries. Nowadays, however, there’s a growing number of vegetarians and vegans, especially among the younger generations. Also, increasing tourism is bringing more and more people with different dietary wishes to Iceland, and restaurants are responding to the change in diet.

Since the market is still a relatively small one, there are not many restaurants with a completely vegetarian or vegan menu, although they do exist, such as the longstanding Garðurinn, as well as newcomers Mama and Krúska. In addition to the completely meat-free restaurants, there are several others that cater to a mixed crowd, with an abundance of vegetarian food, but meat options as well. FAST FOOD If you’re looking for a quick meal, you might want to try a filling noodle soup, a veggie burger, or falafel wrap. These options are easily found in downtown Reykjavík and will surely keep you satisfied throughout the day!

CASUAL DINING Finding a nice bistro catering to vegetarians and vegans will not be a problem! If you’re looking for a casual sit-down dinner, check out one of the many sushi restaurants. Also, you might not expect it on an arctic island, but Iceland offers the best Indian food!

FINE DINING When it comes to fine dining, you won’t find many vegetarian-/vegan-only kitchens, but most restaurants in Reykjavík will have vegetarian options on their menu, and they can accommodate special requests, especially when notified in advance. Mention your dietary preferences when you book the table, and you’ll have a lovely meal waiting for you. Most restaurants also have their menus online, so check these out beforehand if you want to be prepared.

COFFEE AND DESSERT Cafés usually have a range of dairy-free options, such as soy or oat milk lattes. If you have a sweet tooth, there are ice cream parlours with vegan options, and in downtown Reykjavík, you will also find delicious vegan crêpes and cakes – served with cashew cream!

HOME COOKING If you have access to a kitchen, self-catering is an easy and reliable option. Supermarkets in Iceland carry a range of vegan products, and even low-budget supermarkets will have plenty of options. The vegetable section might be a little more limited than what you’re used to, due to our northerly location, but it should be more than sufficient. If you don’t have access to a kitchen, you can find some prepared vegetarian/vegan dishes in the supermarkets as well, like sandwiches, salads, and wraps.

HELPFUL WORDS AND PHRASES

Ég borða ekki kjöt (I don’t eat meat)

Ég drekk ekki mjólk (I don’t drink milk)

Ég borða ekki mjólkurafurðir (I don’t eat dairy)

Grænmeti (Vegetables) Kjöt (Meat) Kjúklingur (Chicken) Fiskur (Fish) Mjólk (Milk) Smjör (Butter) Rjómi (Cream) Ostur (Cheese) Egg (Egg)

DAY TOURS & ACTIVITIES FROM REYKJAVÍK

Icelandic nature is spectacular, whether erupting hot springs, majestic glaciers, and thundering waterfalls, all within a few hours’ drive from the city. There’s so much to do, see, and experience, it would be a shame to miss it.

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INTERESTING PLACES AND ACTIVITIES NEARBY REYKJAVÍK

1 | WHALE WATCHING Taking a whale-watching cruise is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland and for good reason – the ocean around Iceland is teeming with cetacean giants!

2 | BLUE LAGOON The milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon are by now one of Iceland’s most famous attractions. The mineral-rich water is pumped up from the depths of the earth and mixed with seawater to form a pool of water at the perfect temperature.

3 | ÞINGVELLIR Þingvellir is important from both a historical and geological standpoint. For centuries, this was where Alþingi, Iceland’s Parliament, met, but it’s also where the Earth’s tectonic plates slowly pull apart to form cracks and crevices in the earth. 4 | GULLFOSS Gullfoss is a thundering stream of water cascading down in two tiers before reaching the canyon below. The name translates to Golden Waterfall, and it’s from this waterfall that the Golden Circle takes its name!

5 | GEYSIR Geysir, the original erupting hot spring, giving its name to all the geysers out there, is pretty quiet these days. Its neighbour Strokkur, however, ejects boiling water 20m in the air every 6-10 minutes.

6 | KRÝSUVÍK Iceland’s geothermal heat is immensely powerful, and at the Krýsuvík geothermal area, you can see the effects clearly on the earth’s surface. Multicoloured hills, steam rising from the ground, and bubbling hot springs create a sight you must see to believe!

7 | HRAUNFOSSAR/BARNAFOSS No tour of the west coast of Iceland is complete without a stop at Hraunfossar waterfall, where the water streams out from underneath a lava field before flowing over red cliffs into the foaming water below. Just above Hraunfossar waterfall is Barnafoss, another stunning waterfall.

8 | DEILDARTUNGUHVER Deildartunguhver is Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Don’t get too close to the source, 180 litres of boiling water gush out of the spring per second! The spring is the source of the water in Krauma spa’s many hot tubs.

9 | GLYMUR One of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland, Glymur, is just a short drive away from the city. It’s only accessible by a hiking trail, but the view is well worth the hike.

10 | REYKJADALUR VALLEY The valley north of Hveragerði is one of the most popular hiking routes in Iceland. That’s not just because of the beautiful nature and majestic mountains surrounding the valley but mostly because of the hot springs at the end of the route, some of them at the perfect temperature for bathing! 11 | SKÁLHOLT There’s been a church at Skálholt for more than 1,000 years, and before the Reformation, it used to be the seat of one of Iceland’s two catholic bishops.

12 | LANGJÖKULL Iceland has some of the largest glaciers in Europe, and the Langjökull glacier is just a few hours away from the city. You can go hiking or snowmobiling on the ice, and if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even go inside the glacier!

13 | ESJAN Mt. Esjan towers over the Reykjavík City skyline. It’s the locals’ favourite spot to go hiking, and when you see the view, you’ll know why! 14 | BLÁFJÖLL Although Icelandic winters are milder than you’d expect, the people of Reykjavík still love skiing, and their favourite spot to do it is at the Bláfjöll ski resort.

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

Þingvellir

The Golden Circle is the most popular day tour in Iceland and for good reason. Not only do you get to see some of the most amazing natural and historical wonders of Iceland, but it’s also a convenient distance from Reykjavík. The Golden Circle is a 300km looped route. It covers three main locations: Þingvellir National Park, the waterfall Gullfoss, and the erupting geyser Strokkur in Haukadalur.

ÞINGVELLIR Þingvellir (pronounced Thing-vet-leer) is a historical and geological marvel. Situated right where the tectonic plates separate, the rift between continents is clearly visible in the dramatic cliffs on either side of the valley. This makes for stunning landscapes, with cascading waterfalls, majestic cliffs, and fissures, filled with icy blue, clear water. Not only is Þingvellir impressive to look at, it also has a long history, interwoven with the history of Iceland. The name translates to Parliament Fields, as for centuries, it was the meeting place of the Icelandic Parliament, founded in 930. Some of the biggest decisions in Icelandic history were made at Þingvellir. It was there that the Icelandic chieftains decided that Icelanders would convert to

Geysir

Christianity, it was where they decided to give up their independence in 1262 and where they declared independence from Denmark seven centuries later, in 1944.

GULLFOSS Next up is Gullfoss waterfall (Icelandic for Golden Waterfall). It’s a magnificent reminder of the awe-inspiring power of nature, with a huge amount of water thundering down into a jagged canyon. The power of the waterfall was enticing to entrepreneurs in the early 20th century, and plans were made to harness it and convert it to electricity. Fortunately, people spoke up and protested destroying such an impressive natural wonder. One of the most vocal protesters even went so far as to threaten to throw herself in the waterfall. Thanks to her fight, the Icelandic government acquired the waterfall in 1940, and it has been on the state preservation list since 1979.

GEYSIR Geysir is an erupting hot spring (it’s actually the erupting hot spring), although these days, it doesn’t do a lot of erupting. Its neighbour, Strokkur, however, gladly puts on a show every 6-10 minutes with an impressive spectacle of a burst of hot water. The area also has several pools of water ranging in temperature from too-hot-to-touch to boil- you-alive-in-seconds; some bubbling, others still and impossibly clear. After Geysir, it’s time to head back to Reykjavík or continue exploring the south of Iceland. Go swimming in a warm pool surrounded by nature, go snowmobiling on a glacier, or have a delicious langoustine (Icelandic lobster) dinner in a tiny fishing village on the shore.

THE SOUTH COAST

The South Coast is one of the most popular places for a sightseeing day tour from Reykjavík. The area has a high concentration of diverse natural phenomena – striking mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls – with long stretches of black sand beaches and deserts, interspersed with verdant farming communities.

The road south from Reykjavík crosses Hellisheiði heath, where you can stop at the Hellisheiði power plant and geothermal energy exhibition. From there, you travel down into the valley around Hveragerði, a town built on a geothermal hot spot. Close by is a popular hiking route to natural hot springs. There are columns of steam rising from the ground, a clear sign of the geothermal heat underground, and there’s even a restaurant which cooks food with the steam from the ground!

The south of Iceland has a lot of geothermal heat and a history of volcanic activity (ever heard of a little volcano called Eyjafjallajökull?). Stop by the Lava Centre at Hvolsvöllur to learn more about the fire underneath the area. Moving on, you’ll drive past amazing mountains and valleys along the coastline until you get to the magical Seljalandsfoss waterfall. The waterfall comes down in the mouth of a cave in such a way that you can walk the whole way around it.

This is followed by Skógafoss, an even larger, more powerful waterfall, right by the tiny community of Skógar, which has a fascinating local museum and a couple of hotels. This is also where the mountain trail of Fimmvörðuháls starts off, a popular but long hiking trail leading up to the Þórsmörk

preservation area. Be careful to check the conditions and get advice before attempting the hike.

Further along is the town of Vík, where you can walk along the Reynisfjara black sand beach with a view over the strange rock formations of the coast. IMPORTANT: stay away from the water! The riptide is EXTREMELY dangerous, and there have been several fatal accidents there. Use extreme caution when visiting this beach.

You can also visit the Icelandic Lava Show, where you can experience hot lava up close! Katla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes and Mýrdalsjökull glacier watch over the south coast of Iceland, and you could easily throw in a guided tour of the glacier or a hike to spice up your journey. If you decide to do that, just be careful and take precautions, ask advice, always let someone know where you’re going, keep your phone charged, bring warm clothes, and make sure you have good shoes! GLACIER HIKING You shouldn’t leave Iceland without experiencing the wonders of its glaciers. Glacier hiking is the best way to get up close and personal with Iceland’s elements. Visiting the glaciers under the guidance of a professional glacier guide is a safe way to explore the rugged ice crevasses, sinkholes, jagged ridges, ice walls, and amazing ice formations.

THE GLACIAL LAGOON The otherworldly Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, surrounded by a black sand beach, is a sight well worth the trip. The ice-cold water is filled with icebergs that have broken off the vast Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. The blue and black chunks of ice look great from afar, but even better up close, so consider taking a boat tour on the lagoon (May-October).

REYKJANES PENINSULA

The Reykjanes peninsula is the first thing you see on your way from the airport into the city. There’s a lot more to the area than the airport; the Reykjanes peninsula contains a host of interesting attractions and beautiful nature that’s too often overlooked by travellers.

The peninsula landscape is dramatic, with endless lava fields and mountains in the distance, geothermal areas, and cute little villages. Starting out from Reykjavík, you’ll drive through the town of Hafnarfjörður, home of elves. After a stop in Hafnarfjörður, we recommend leaving the main road to Kefavík and heading through the lava fields towards Kleifarvatn. The lake is very pretty and surrounded by a beautiful landscape, a perfect place for a walk if the weather is nice. Continuing, this route leads you to Krýsuvík, a geothermal hot spot where you’ll find numerous bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles, surrounded by multicoloured hills, affected by the intense heat. From there, you might head east to Strandakirkja church, which, according to legend, was built by a sailor who was stranded just off the coast but was rescued by an angel on the promise he would build a church where he washed ashore.

After this, travelling west along the peninsula, you can stop to see the site of the most recently active volcanoes in Iceland. After producing hundreds of earthquakes, a fissure vent opened at the base of Fagradalsfjall mountain in March 2021, and the lava continued to flow, occasionally bursting metres into the air, until September of that year. The earthquakes began again in the early summer of 2022, and a new fissure opened in Meradalir, very close to Fagradalsfjall. The eruptions have attracted thousands of visitors, both Icelanders and tourists. The eruption site offers an exciting hike, and, as long as the lava is still flowing, it is a must-see stop.

Once you get your fill of the volcano, you can continue on to the fishing village of Grindavík, you can stop by the Gunnuhver fumarole, where legend has it the murderous ghost Gunna was trapped by a priest using only a ball of yarn. In the same area, you can visit Reykjanesviti lighthouse and walk along the dramatic rocky coastline, with a view over the unique island Eldey. Travelling north from there, you come to the Bridge between Continents at Sandvík.

Iceland is located on the rift between the American and the Eurasian tectonic plates, and there are a few places in the country where that rift is visible on the surface. Next up is Keflavík, a town heavily influenced by its proximity to the US Army base, which is now vacant. Kefavík is known as the birthplace of Icelandic rock and roll, and was home to the legendary band Hljómar, the Icelandic Beatles. Honouring this heritage is The Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll, which showcases several artefacts from the musical history of Iceland. The highlight of a trip to the Reykjanes peninsula for many people is relaxing in the famous Blue Lagoon spa on your way back to the city. DAY TOURS, ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES

THE BLUE LAGOON

The luxurious Blue Lagoon spa is one of the most recognised landmarks in Iceland. The characteristic turquoise blue waters are the result of a happy accident. While drilling for hot water, a way opened for naturally hot water from deep underground to flow to the surface but the silica in the water settled in the lava, blocking drainage. The underground water, naturally rich in minerals, mixed with cold seawater, creating a pool of milky blue water of the perfect temperature for bathing. Since the water continuously streams from underneath the ground, the water is completely replenished every 40 hours, keeping the water naturally clean and making chemical cleaners unnecessary. ÍSLENSKI BARINN INGÓLFSSTRÆTI 1A 101 REYKJAVÍK www.islenskibarinn.is postur@islenskibarinn.is sími: 517 6767

Fish • Lamb • Whale • Icelandic cuisine with a twist Icelandic music and nightlife Mix with the locals ...and all the Icelandic beers in one awsome place!

BORGARFJÖRÐUR & WEST ICELAND

If the crowds on the South Coast and the Golden Circle are not your thing, a tour of the west coast of Iceland might be just the ticket. The area has its share of natural wonders, with majestic waterfalls and deep lava caves, as well as a rich historical heritage.

About an hour north of Reykjavík is Borgarnes, a charming little town with cosy restaurants, a watery paradise of a swimming pool, and fascinating museums. The Settlement Centre is dedicated to the Viking settlement of the area and the story of Egill, son of Skallagrímur, a fierce Viking and clever poet who settled in the area and whose life was immortalised in one of the most famous mediaeval Icelandic sagas, Egils saga.

The swimming pool is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, complete with an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool, an indoor pool, three hot tubs, a wading pool, a steam bath, three waterslides of varying sizes, and a gym!

Close by Borgarnes is Deildartunguhver, the most powerful hot spring in Europe. You can see boiling hot water gush from the ground, steaming and bubbling powerfully. Nearby is the luxurious Krauma spa, where you can relax in a blend of spring and glacial water that creates the perfect temperature. After relaxing in the geothermal water, stop by Krauma’s restaurant to taste local produce and ingredients.

© Into the Glacier

A little farther along are Hraunfossar, the Lava Waterfalls. This remarkable waterfall consists of several little streams of water, flowing out from underneath a sheet of solid lava! A short walk away is another waterfall, the thundering Barnafoss.

Víðgelmir, Iceland’s biggest lava cave by volume, is a lava tube formed during a volcanic eruption when the magma started to cool on the surface, but there was still a hot “river” of magma flowing beneath it. Then the magma flow stopped, leaving a hollow cave beneath the cool crust on the surface. A tour of the cave can be booked in advance. Nearby Surtshellir, similar in nature, is Iceland’s longest lava cave.

For an adventurous soak in Iceland’s nature, check out the Húsafell Canyon Baths. The secluded baths are accessible by a short hike, making the soothing soak even more rewarding. Complete with a spectacular view of the surrounding canyon, mountains and glaciers. If you drive farther along, you’ll get to Langjökull glacier, the second largest glacier in Iceland. Glacier hiking is great fun, but if you’re an adrenaline seeker, a ride on a snowmobile on the glacier is a must. If you’re particularly adventurous, you can even go inside the glacier by booking a tour with Into the Glacier, a company that created a man-made glacier cave. Carved into the oldest part of the glacier, this is an opportunity to see what the glacier looks like from the inside!

If you want to take the scenic route back to Reykjavík, skip the tunnel under Hvalfjörður bay and drive around the fjord. On the way, you can see an old whaling station, a remnant from when whaling was widely practised, or visit a museum dedicated to the US Army’s occupation of Iceland during World War II. You can also visit a working farm at Bjarteyjarsandur or hike to the second tallest waterfall in Iceland, Glymur.

SNÆFELLSNES

The Snæfellsnes peninsula has some of the most diverse landscapes in Iceland, with waterfalls, caves, black and yellow beaches, cliffs, mountains, lava fields, and much more, as well as the Snæfellsjökull glacier.

On the way to Snæfellsnes, a unique ovalshaped crater known as Eldborg rises 60m from the lava field around it. It’s 200m from side to side and you can walk right up the crater walls. Eldborg means Fire Castle, and its picturesque shape explains the name – it looks like castle walls shaped by the fiery lava flow below.

Close to Eldborg are the stunning basalt columns of Gerðuberg cliffs. Basalt columns are hexagonal formations formed if volcanic basalt cools rapidly. Gerðuberg is easy to spot from the road.

Arnarstapi is a picturesque little fishing village which is more or less completely abandoned in the wintertime but fills up with fishermen and travellers in the summertime. There are some incredible rock formations by the harbour and various species of birds nest there in the summer. A short walk from there, there’s a huge sculpture of half-troll Bárður Snæfellsás. From the sculpture, it’s a pleasant, easy 2,5km hike along the shore to Hellnar, the next village where you can visit the Baðstofa cave.

Around this time, you’re getting close to Snæfellsjökull glacier. Underneath the glacier’s ice is an ancient volcano, which last erupted 1,800 years ago. The crater of the Snæfellsjökull volcano is famously the starting point of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth, through which the team

enters the Earth’s hollow centre. It’s also the titular glacier from Halldór Laxness’s Under the Glacier and rumoured to be a favoured landing spot for aliens. Most importantly, it’s stunning to look at.

Within Snæfellsjökull National Park, you will find Vatnshellir cave. You need a guide to go in, but it’s well worth planning ahead. The 45-minute tour takes you about 35m underground where you will see amazing colours and rock formations.

You may have heard of the black sand beaches of Vík. Well, Djúpalónssandur is similar but different. It’s a black beach, but full of little black pebbles instead of sand. The pebbles have been eroded by the ocean until they’re smooth and round and are also called the Pearls of Djúpalón.

PLEASE NOTE: Be careful and don’t go too close to the water there. There is a powerful rogue wave which can be dangerous, even fatal.

You might recognise Mt. Kirkjufell as a scenestealer from the hit TV show Game of Thrones, but if not, it’s also gained some Internet fame lately for being one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. It’s hard to disagree – it is pretty perfect, with its distinctive shape and ocean on three sides. The pictures speak for themselves. The historic village of Stykkishólmur is one of Iceland’s most charming villages, full of colourful old wooden houses that give it a timeless feel. The Norwegian House, a local folk museum, gives you insight into everyday life through the ages. Be sure to check out the Narfeyrarstofa restaurant which offers a wide selection of local dishes.

The harbour is nice to visit, too. You can walk to the top of the Súgandisey hill and enjoy the view of the town. You can also go on a cruise from the harbour to explore Breiðafjörður bay with its countless islands or take the ferry to Flatey island where you can even spend the night. This small island is famous not only for its population of puffins that arrive every summer but also for producing one of the most important mediaeval manuscripts in Iceland!

ACTIVITIES FROM REYKJAVÍK

Reykjavík and the surrounding area offer plenty of activities as well as standard day tours. Many of these activities can be added onto day tours, making for a fuller day with more than just enjoying breathtaking nature, while other require a longer time or more dedication. There are also a few things that you can do on a whim, and that don’t even take too much time. Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of things to do!

SNORKELLING AND DIVING IN SILFRA Snorkelling – it’s not just for the tropics anymore! Good news for everyone, from experienced divers to novice adventure seekers; the fissure Silfra is not only a world-class diving location but ideal for snorkelling tours as well. The crystal-clear water offers over 100m of visibility! Don’t miss out on floating along the fissure and seeing the amazing world underneath ours. Silfra is a world-renowned diving site, for those who want to experience it full force and have the necessary permits! (A dry suit permit is needed to dive in Silfra, but everyone can snorkel.) Several tour operators offer day tours to this location all year round.

HORSEBACK RIDING Not only is the Icelandic horse a horse of a different colour, but it’s a horse of an entirely different genetic makeup. Having been bred in almost perfect isolation for over 1,000 years, the Icelandic horse is unique in many respects. They are notably well-tempered and relatively small (you shouldn’t fall off, but even if you do, you won’t fall far!), though they are probably most famous for their unusual fifth gait: the tölt. Tölt is a way of walking unique to the Icelandic horse, which keeps the rider stable while manoeuvring easily over Iceland’s uneven landscape. You can find farms and companies that offer horseback riding all over the country, with several located just outside the capital.

AVS IN ALL TERRAINS! ATVs, four-wheelers, quad bikes… whatever you call them, they’re always a fun ride! Just a stone’s throw outside of Reykjavík, you can take your road rage to the lava fields where these powerful machines eat up the terrain. Quad bikes open a world normally hidden from the average traveller; driving along a black sand beach or on a seldom travelled mountain road is an unforgettable experience!

CAVING Underneath the mountains and lava fields is an incredible subterranean realm that just begs to be explored. Iceland has around 500 known lava caves, but that’s a mere 5% of the estimated total of 10,000. Navigating these caves is a great way to experience firsthand how the land formed from the molten lava, cooling and freezing time forever. It’s a great adventure that everyone should try!

WHALES, PUFFINS, AND SEA ANGLING The ocean surrounding Iceland is a fantastic place to go whale watching. The most frequently seen cetaceans are minke and humpback whales, and seeing these ocean giants in the wild is an unforgettable experience. You can also take a dedicated puffin-watching tour, which takes you out to the puffin colonies on the islands outside Reykjavík during the breeding season, from mid-May to mid-August. Finally, if you’d rather taste the sea’s creatures than look at them,