Reykjavik Audio Tours

Keflavik International Airport is 48 kilometers from central Reykjavik, about 50 minutes by Flybus shuttle or taxi. The city center around Hallgrimskirkja and Laugavegur is compact and walkable from central accommodation. Reykjavik is car-dependent for anything outside the very central area, so rideshares or taxis are needed for sites like Hofdi House or the domestic airport terminal.

Layering is essential year-round. Even in summer, temperatures can drop quickly and the wind off the harbor is constant. A waterproof outer layer, a warm midlayer, and comfortable walking shoes cover most conditions. In winter, full thermal layers, waterproof boots, and a proper hat and gloves are necessary. The Icelandic saying is that there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.

Skyr, the thick Icelandic dairy product somewhere between yogurt and fresh cheese, is served in cafes throughout the city. Lamb soup (kjötsúpa) is the traditional warming lunch. The Grandi Mathöll food hall on the harbor has stalls serving Icelandic street food including lobster soup, lamb hot dogs, and local fish dishes. The hot dog stand Baejarins Beztu Pylsur near the harbor, famous for serving Bill Clinton a dog in 2004, remains excellent.

Northern Lights viewing requires darkness and solar activity, which makes late evening a better time than any walking tour. From September through March, clear nights in Reykjavik can produce Northern Lights visible from the waterfront or from the hill near Hallgrimskirkja. Dedicated Northern Lights tours run from Reykjavik in the evening. During daylight tours, the midnight sun of June and July is the compensating phenomenon.