Travel tips

Traveling to
Iceland

500,000+ US travelers visit Iceland each year

Iceland is a first world country with luxury hotels and fine dining
Visa free travel for US citizens
English is spoken everywhere

Average weather for the September conference:
High 53/low 42, possible rain, 14 hours of daylight

Forbes ranks Iceland in the top 10 places to revisit in 2024

Flying to Iceland is easy

5 airlines have direct flights to Iceland from the US.
12 different cities offering a large network of direct and one-stop flights to Iceland,

Check flight schedules:
https://guidetoiceland.is/best-flights

Transportation in Iceland

Many easy options from the airport in Keflavik to the hotel/conference in Reykjavik (approx. 40 minutes)

Rental Cars

All major car rental companies rent from the airport

https://guidetoiceland.is/iceland-car-rentals

Taxis/Private Cars

Available from the airport

https://rvktaxi.is/

Airport Shuttle

Depart every 15 minutes for downtown Reykjavik with hotel drop off

https://grayline.is/airport-bus-transfer

Recommended Downtown Hotels

Note: most conference events are at the Reykjavik EDITION hotel

EDITION Hotel

5 Star hotel and conference venue. Marriott Bonvoy member

EDITION hotel website

Parliament Hotel

New Hilton hotel 5 minutes walk from the conference

Parliament hotel website

Center Hotel

Across the street from the conference venue

Center hotel website

Casual

Bakery: Brauð & Co
https://goo.gl/maps/ng1scfYTmTT1fvMX8

Famous Lamb Hot Dogs: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur https://goo.gl/maps/VnXPgwr9w4AUMjwdA

Michelin Star restaurant in a food hall
downtown: Skal at Hlemmur Mathöll
https://goo.gl/maps/h2tNLK7CGrvgrnW49

Best Icelandic lamb soup: Íslenski barinn
https://goo.gl/maps/tZUZEG3aXM6R8Tbx9

Breakfast: Emilie and the Cool Kids https://goo.gl/maps/asipBKDnWGvn22mk8

Coffee Downtown: Reykjavik Roasters https://goo.gl/maps/pW9iqcHhmXYb11b18

Local beer only in Iceland: Kaldi https://goo.gl/maps/VETVEPdih21hTdiG8

Best Icelandic Fish Pan restaurant: Messinn https://goo.gl/maps/3yDeHERBdaumDjhFA

Breakfast and watch the ships: DEIG Workshop https://goo.gl/maps/wdXa4DzDDUrkxF3QA

Oldest restaurant in Iceland: Kaffivagninn https://goo.gl/maps/1T4R7cyg2TiEGyUm6

Omnom Chocolate Factory tours and Ice Cream Shop https://goo.gl/maps/wh7b7Tcwi1S3TEVy9

Fish and Chips Food truck on the harbor https://goo.gl/maps/8Apx3t1qq5989XQh9

Burgers and shakes: Lebowski Bar https://goo.gl/maps/Z3MnXN32emkTah747

Best Ice Cream SKUBB https://goo.gl/maps/hC7iVBVPggiS8RzAA

Best gourmet pizza: Flatey Pizza https://goo.gl/maps/gK1rJvyfgWXr2G1L9 or https://goo.gl/maps/xCf8mQXpaU2EztQb7

Best Downtown Food Hall: Pósthús Food Hall & Bar https://goo.gl/maps/LRBYQJsKtTHKsV5TA

Upscale/Fine Dining

Brunch: Duck & Rose https://goo.gl/maps/ZPVmw4uvNrVMTHwn8

Best Italian lunch or 6 course tasting dinner menu: La Trattoria https://goo.gl/maps/Sd79eDnjgYmyeRYt7

Restaurant and Lounge: Uppi wine bar https://goo.gl/maps/n2qsQDu9GuLdBvqP8

Best Lunch pick 2 menu: ROK https://goo.gl/maps/asipBKDnWGvn22mk8

Best Nice Icelandic food 3 course dinner or 2 course meal: Apotek Restaurant https://goo.gl/maps/jD8KNj7TvSpFU2oJ8

Best new local high end restaurant (reservations required): Hosilo https://goo.gl/maps/kckrN89t4yXM7DVy6

Michelin star, 12 course dining experience. One seating a night: ÓX + Amma Don (reservations required): https://maps.app.goo.gl/EwNRi5Tx34e3Poi17

Things to do in Reykjavik

Our personal recommendations:

Walk down Laugavegur Street, Skolavardustigur and Austurstraeti Street downtown

Walk down to the harbor and along the bay

Downtown swimming pool with the locals:
https://goo.gl/maps/7Nu6iYHqwxJ11XCH7

Larger National Swimming Pool: https://goo.gl/maps/kP7YNVGttd43VRVbA

Sky Lagoon Spa: https://www.skylagoon.com/

Eimverk Distillery https://goo.gl/maps/MszNXwXMHTBu5Pd89

Hallgrimskirkja national church. Take the elevator to the 8th floor for amazing views on a clear day: https://goo.gl/maps/TVywqq1Q4uqDH4cL8

Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach (free): https://goo.gl/maps/uzyDPn2iWR7XfEJC9

Harpa Concert Hall: https://goo.gl/maps/xpFtkajXRAiaWTay8

Downtown pond and walking park: Hljómskála Park https://goo.gl/maps/1wGURibwSEiiUrbA9

Kvika Footbath https://goo.gl/maps/MyXPDyJwzpF2M2qJ9

Shopping in Reykjavik

Our personal recommendations:

Activities outside Reykjavik
1 hour or less from Reykjavik

Last minute discount tickets: https://www.hotsheep.is/

Hvammsvik Hot Springs: https://goo.gl/maps/9HaPr27BQCVgPL4A9

Þórufoss Falls: https://goo.gl/maps/2i4xsNKGLNJMAMPG8

Thingvellir National Park: https://goo.gl/maps/hH5vj7hkRebdSwsC6

Móskarðshnjúkar Hiking Trail:
https://goo.gl/maps/iZ62VbGtnFVytSm49

Esjurætur Hiking Center:
https://goo.gl/maps/nfwS926qYHTCtgWq6

Borgarnes Swimming Pool:
https://goo.gl/maps/u3CDG8K9f1FgqMxQ8

The Settlement Center Restaurant and Museum:
https://goo.gl/maps/WyxC6nBYedKGM82u7

Krauma Spa Baths: https://goo.gl/maps/fQyQiiZLwhriXwu99

Krýsuvík Thermal Vents: https://goo.gl/maps/z8BKxcPe1Lu5WsNFA

Lava Tunnel Cave (tickets required): Raufarhólshellir https://goo.gl/maps/ZyRoPjKJv19QS8tL7

Leiðarendi Lava Cave (tickets required):
https://goo.gl/maps/bBz2GLduTgn61JKc8

Inside the Volcano (tickets required):
https://goo.gl/maps/kMxvpb287Mfnusby6

Blue Lagoon (reservations required):
https://goo.gl/maps/xooniP2hKcFkhsX66

The Geothermal Energy Exhibition:
https://goo.gl/maps/Ng2LowcRQuLUKL3B7

Mile hike to hot springs in the river: Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River (trailhead) https://goo.gl/maps/7XdBZyTpvzPB2Hbf9

Downtown Selfoss: The Old Dairy Food Hall - Mjólkurbúið Mathöll https://goo.gl/maps/67ESfY32xNb1o2KY6

Golden Circle day trip from Reykjavik

South Coast day-trip/multi-day ideas

Travel questions?

Ask Rebecca Cardie, Event Host
rebecca@newicelandadvisors.com

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Traveling toIceland