Although Iceland is beautiful, everything there is expensive. For budgeted travelers, bring your own food to Iceland. Costco near Reykjavik can be your best friend for low price food and gas. However, even Costco rotisserie chicken there is 2/3 of US size but 2.5x US price. Airport is too small to be enjoyable and needs upgrade to catch up exploded tourism. Accommodation is not enough to keep up growing tourists. Book your room as early as possible.
Travel Tips
- book accommodation three quarters ahead when you are a group of 8 people or more
- enjoy high-quality Icelandic water free of charge. Even tap water tastes good.
- kiosk doesn’t offer English interface including gas pump.
- book Blue Lagoon ahead before you go and arrive there at least 30 minutes earlier than your reserved time if not able to stay long
- weather changes rapidly and very windy
- gas station and grocery store offer toilet free. The charged toilet takes credit card though
Places We Go
Golden Circle
Glufoss new parking lot connects to old fall trails by stairs about three-story high. It also designs new trails wheelchair accessible. For people who can’t walk stairs but want to get closer to waterfall edge, you could drive to old small parking lot before following sign to new parking lot.
Glufoss
Bruarfoss
Bruarfoss is my top favorite in Golden Circle. Many online sources lead visitors to a start point crossing a private property. The proper entrance is by bridge over Bruara at road 37.<
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park is a small national park with easy trails connecting parking lot 2 to 5. 2 hour walking should take you to all major attractions.
Kerid Crater
Kerid Crater is private property and now charged. We decide not to go.
Southern Iceland
Seljalandsfoss, and Skógafoss are easy walk for seniors. Around Reynisfjara Beach, Dyrholaey Arch and Hálsanefshellir Cave worth visit. Be aware of dangerous sneaker waves. Check tide schedule to enjoy safely. Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon is a must see. Take a walk along both lagoon shore and top hill to enjoy different views. Sólheimajökull glacier offers easy walk to glacier tongue. You can walk on the top of glacier ice at the tongue but don’t go deeper without crampon. Many tour companies provide glacier hiking program with proper gears.
Sólheimajökull glacier
Seljalandsfoss
Skógafoss
Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
Hálsanefshellir Cave
Vatnajökull
Here are place we didn’t have chances to go yet: Svartifoss waterfall and Skaftafell
Reykjavik
The area between Hallgrímskirkja (Church of Hallgrímur) and city hall is leisure Laugavegur street shopping area. The day we visit is coincidental Reykjavik Culture Night 2017. Whole downtown area is blocked and parking is available only around Gamla Hringbraut.
Blue Lagoon
Church of Hallgrímur
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