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
Airport Shuttle
Depart every 15 minutes for downtown Reykjavik with hotel drop off
Recommended Downtown Hotels
Note: most conference events are at the Reykjavik EDITION hotel
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:
Costco for staples
https://goo.gl/maps/MjVoVZ9mNz5PX8DG9
66°North Outlet https://goo.gl/maps/qjuzsmgvofBMBNEBA
Kringlan Indoor Mall/Groceries https://goo.gl/maps/hE7bhRH1qHGieiWw7
Fiskbúð Fúsa Fish Market https://goo.gl/maps/hUyMTQX2Q5fdJhtf8
J.S. Watch (say Hi to Gilbert) https://goo.gl/maps/ktbrVZCrAJvnghho7
Herrafataverzlun Kormáks og Skjaldar Mens clothing store https://goo.gl/maps/vCAvnJAytBT7X2DUA
Favorite Book Store: IDA Bokakaffi https://goo.gl/maps/hW82zjhGuBkLy6Bk9
Soley Organics bath and body products
https://goo.gl/maps/CXAvMa6MWL9pWCa67
Handmade Wool in Iceland: The Handknitting Association of Iceland https://goo.gl/maps/Num4QRmA4gzrGVkg9
Home Design: HAF Studio https://goo.gl/maps/bhdGsugkKfyVmqmf6
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
Crater: https://goo.gl/maps/NxrWL2MXiUJAMx5D9
Geyser: https://goo.gl/maps/vFUzA6j1ciNCRrhV6
Gullfoss Falls: https://goo.gl/maps/66R4XWKDSVM5QsnM9
Dairy/Ice Cream: https://goo.gl/maps/pmz88wgYbmu1HE1L7
Hot Springs on a Lake: https://goo.gl/maps/ncrMTbqCks1yBFAB9
Tomato Greenhouse Restaurant and horses: https://goo.gl/maps/VjwgD5EiFuZrbauo8
Pizza and Brewery on the way out or back: https://goo.gl/maps/JjzniAvTVT3jbNuu8
Food Hall on the way out or back: https://goo.gl/maps/dEGso87p8BiFDEiKA
Mushroom farm and restaurant: Farmers Bistro https://goo.gl/maps/zALKm5kyKA4vxV8r9
Secret Lagoon Iceland: https://goo.gl/maps/6Fs4oaFwMZVh5QAA8
South Coast day-trip/multi-day ideas
Black sand beach: https://goo.gl/maps/aKC31rjsNM9691Vb9
Skogafoss Waterfall: https://goo.gl/maps/Pq2rX34vPXowmLRz
Fish and Chips food truck by Skogafoss: https://goo.gl/maps/TvVVXdDdUgc2QJZq8
Kvernufoss falls: https://goo.gl/maps/S9RMmx4pc1XbeCar9
Parking for hike to Seljavallalaug old swimming pool: https://goo.gl/maps/TZc8EQqJGUxNerH27
Glacier hiking: https://goo.gl/maps/Hr22k4k4NueesGF58
Ice Cave: https://goo.gl/maps/9HRdzfqm3fQPJ56x8
Gamla Fjosid farm and beef restaurant for lunch: https://goo.gl/maps/g9zBozqkToVvCE9Y8
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: https://goo.gl/maps/jtZSYW7eaaWUdtMK7
Sólheimajökull glacier and hiking: https://goo.gl/maps/ijmy9GjWybrcj4Yb6
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck parking: https://goo.gl/maps/L4Ne15XSMAEq5T5k6
Dyrhólaey scenic area and hiking: https://goo.gl/maps/8WWZ5yuSgkHcXFEA6
Restaurant Suður-Vík for dinner (make reservation): https://goo.gl/maps/5Sb7Mz8jewJteUUC7
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon: https://goo.gl/maps/edD7KFSmJxxZiZUN6
Svartifoss Fall: https://goo.gl/maps/SYhrKGg2buEgJWSm6
Svínafellsjökull útsýnisstaður Glacier: https://goo.gl/maps/61h3xmpTcRqLDEbh7
Múlagljúfur Canyon: https://goo.gl/maps/MfGNGxeSwVMN7zaB8
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: https://goo.gl/maps/gbmFvzczfYAsEzbd8
Nailed It Fish and Chips: https://goo.gl/maps/AoDSaNt73xnUs7w6A
Diamond Beach: https://goo.gl/maps/VGUNT6gS35xBhB2o8
Travel questions?
Ask Rebecca Cardie, Event Host
rebecca@newicelandadvisors.com