http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36583 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36583 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35125 However the real treasures are the day tours out of Reykjavik. I have just returned from their Glacial Lagoon Day trip, and it was so much more than anyone could anticipate. I am still amazed at what I saw and did in one day
They go that extra mile and don't work to a strict timetable, but adapt to the wishes of the (small) group and the weather. On our day we not only saw (and took a boat trip) on the Glacial Lagoon where we saw seals, but were also taken to another hidden one, walked on a glacier, walked on black beaches, rolled on springy moss in a lava field, stood behind a waterfall in the midnight sun, bathed in a geothermal pool at the base of Eyjafjallajökull, and so much more, all the time being given a real insight into Icelandic nature, culture and history.
These are small group trips (there were only four of us along with our guide) with interesting people and so far removed from the scripted tightly timed tours one normally experiences, it really was like a day out with friends. And what a day - probably one of the most memorable of my life.
Don't let the published prices put you off. We were out for 19 hours and saw and did so much that it makes it excellent value - much better than the usual bus tours (and anyway one can't put a price on what one experiences with them). If you ever go to Iceland, well worth looking up- I can't wait to return!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35125 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34691 Ostabúðin’s little hidden secret is its cosy restaurant on the bottom floor, open during lunch hours, (from 11:30 to 14:30). The small space only has a couple of seats and usually fills up quickly every day, but as the service is fast you don't have to wait long.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34154 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34154 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33850 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33850 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32918 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32918 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32725 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32725 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32059 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32059 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30386 Great for a day trip. Climb a volcano, still hot after the 1973 eruption, and see where parts of the town were buried beneath the lava flow. See puffins from the ship.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30386 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29936 The pool is in a suburb of Reykjavik and filled with all the local grannies gossiping in the (very) hot tubs and school children doing lengths. There is a sauna and steam room and it's a fabulous way to mix with the locals and get a real taste of Reykjavik life. So refreshing. It's great to walk around outside in just your swimming costume, you don't feel cold, but if you do, the hot tub will cook you up like a lobster.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29936 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29935 In Kolaportið you can buy everything from old records to jewellery to voluminous knitted patterned jumpers to liquorice to second hand clothing to vacuum-packed salmon to fermented shark. Kolaportið is open only during weekends.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29935 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29934 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29934 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29933 The three-hour boat trip was an unforgettable experience and a great way to spend an afternoon in Iceland.
The various types of whales commonly sighted include minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and the popular humpback whales. We were also accompanied by sea birds such as gannets, puffins, guillemots, cormorants, gulls, kittiwakes, arctic terns, and many more. Our trips took us past several islands inhabited by colonies of puffin – a great photo opportunity!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29933 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29932 The ingredients are all organic.
Haddock 1290ISK, garlic chips 450ISK, tap water is free (as always), tzatziki skyronnaise 250ISK. My meal came to 2000ISK (£12.50) for three huge bits of fish in a really nice light batter, the fish was perfectly cooked inside. The chips aren’t French fry matchstick style, but potato wedges, and a little oily.
The skyronnaise (the bistro’s own mayo/sauce made with skyr instead) is really great:
the price for all skyronnaise sauces is 250ISK and you can choose from lots of different ones such as basil and garlic, coriander and lime or rosemary and green apple.
Yum!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29932 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29931 The fabulous nightclub, Barbara, is next door, you can't miss it with its bright pink walls and rainbow flags everywhere. Start the evening with a cocktail at Trúnó then party late into the next morning with Barbara.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29931 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29930 Cafe Loki has a real buzz about it. Every visitor I met in Reykjavík was talking about it, either planning to go there or having had a great time.
The Estonian waitress/manager is very friendly and welcoming. The menu offers traditional Icelandic favourites like plokkfiskur, rugbraud and svidasulta.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29930 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29929 Cycling around this bike-friendly city a great way to see Reykjavik, get your bearings and hear history and anecdotes from a local.
The 'Classic Reykjavik' tour covers a distance of 7km, lasts 2.5hours and sets off from the Old Harbour including all major sights in Reykjavik and some hidden treasures.
Or try the 'Coast of Reykjavik' tour which takes in 18km of wonderful coastal paths.
It's a magical way to experience Iceland's evening sun from a bicycle saddle. A bike ride along Reykjavik's coast is the perfect way to spend a midsummer's night in town. The route usually includes the Perlan area, Nautholsvík thermal beach, Seltjarnarnes peninsula and bird sanctuary, Grotta tidal island and lighthouse.
It is a magical experience, feeling and smelling nature on a bicycle instead of rushing by in a coach]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29929 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29928 23-year-old wizzkid chef Gústav Axel Gunnlaugsson won the Icelandic Chef of the Year 2010 award.
Gústav Axel was born in Húsavík and is the youngest person ever to win this award.
His ‘Around Iceland’ menu gives a real taste of this Arctic land, where flavours spice up the dark winter months.
Fish Factory is housed in the unusual Zimsen building, dating from 1884.
Previously, the house was located in another part of Reykjavik, but in 2006, the building was uprooted and renovated before being replanted at Grófartorg in 2008.
Fish Factory’s philosophy is to use Icelandic ingredients fused with herbs and spices from around the world.
Icelandic chefs are very proud of local ingredients such as lamb, langoustine, whale, puffin and, of course, fish.
Fish Factory highlights produce from all parts of Iceland in a fun, comfortable, yet classy setting.
The interior is dark and cosy with light streaming through stained glass windows.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29928 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29926 Found in a convenient, central location next to the iconic church, the Hallgrimskirkja, and seven minutes’ walk from the bus station, Eric the Red has simple, clean rooms, free WiFi and great breakfasts.
Charming host Rúnar is a carpenter and art lover and he and his partner Edda have filled the house with paintings by local artists and treat all guests like long lost relatives. There are 12 rooms, although Edda also has an apartment to let a few minutes' walk away.
Breakfasts are great and a good opportunity to try the delicious skyr (a bit like yoghurt). Edda and Rúnar help with travel information, tales of Icelandic life, history and culture on long chats in their cosy kitchen and their ginger cat, Raki, is friendly and welcoming, like all Icelanders.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29926 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25843
One of the main causes for this is that alcohol is relatively expensive at bars. People tend to drink at home before going out. Beer was banned in Iceland until 1 March 1989, but has since become popular among many Icelanders as their alcoholic drink of choice. Beer, however, is expensive: half a litre of beer in an Icelandic bar can cost between 600 and 850 krónur (approx. US$5–7, €3–5, or £3–4 as of August 2009). Consequently, revellers will often leave home late and are already inebriated when they arrive at the bars in the city centre.

There are over 100 different bars and clubs in Reykjavík. Most of them are located on Laugavegur and its side streets. It is very common for an establishment that is a café before dinner to turn into a bar in the evening. Closing time is usually around 6am at weekends and 1am during the week.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25843