The kerid crater outside of Reykjavík glistens in the sunlight.

Explore Reykjavík

Below is a piece I wrote for United’s Employee Travel Blog during my internship, chronicling my last-minute trip to Reykjavík, Iceland.

It’s 8:54 p.m. as we sprint through the ORD underpass, rainbow lights and Rhapsody in Blue mocking us as the seconds tick away until the gate closure. Breathless, we arrive at Gate C15 — only to see the customer service representatives shutting the jetway door and disappointed standby travelers calculating plan B.

And then? A miracle. The pilot releases the weight restriction that was originally placed on the flight, opening seats for me and fellow Corporate Communications Intern Sneha Mohan to Reykjavík, Iceland. Ecstatic doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling.

From there, Sneha and I jumped headfirst into adventure mode. We spent the flight researching excursions, must-sees and Airbnbs, so that when we landed, all it took was two hours sitting in baggage claim to nail down a weekend itinerary.

First, we headed on a walking tour. As we admired Reykjavík’s Rainbow Street and mountain backdrop, we learned, among other interesting facts about Icelandic culture, that you’re legally obligated to name your child from a list of about 1,000 approved names. I loved seeing the colorful city, and our guide gave helpful suggestions on where to eat and what more to experience.

During the Central Time workday, we settled into a local coffee shop. Later than night, we enjoyed Icelandic soup and ice cream. Of course, 11:30 p.m. looks like broad daylight, which was surreal for me. Between my adrenaline and the ever-present sun, Iceland in the summer meant nonstop excitement.

The next morning kicked off my favorite part of the trip: the Golden Circle tour. We walked along the edges of a beautiful crater, hiked above a geyser and watched it erupt, stood between the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia, explored a canyon filled with glacier water and marveled at the Golden Waterfall. At two separate stops, we almost missed the bus because we were so captivated by the nature around us.

Iceland made the world feel both vast and small — vast because there are so many natural wonders, and small because all we had to do to get there was hop on a six hour flight.

In the evening, we strolled along the coast and watched the pink sunset. Bonus content for us: at Reykjavík’s tallest lookout point, we coincidentally met Phil Rosenthal from the Netflix food series, “Somebody Feed Phil!” If this sounds like a perfect day: it was.

We spent our last afternoon relaxing in the Blue Lagoon. Even with the sharp winds around us, the naturally heated, peaceful water kept us comfortable. I already want to go back, so don’t be surprised to see my name on the standby list.

Recommendations

Public transportation

You can use the bus, bike, or taxi to travel in the city. The bus service is called Strætó and runs from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to midnight on weekends. You can buy a single ticket or a day pass, or use a Reykjavik City Card for unlimited rides and discounts on attractions.

Hostels

Kex Hostel: A hip and eclectic hostel in a former biscuit factory, near the waterfront. It offers an onsite restaurant and bar, a rooftop terrace, a gym, a library, a laundry service, a luggage storage, a Wi-Fi, a lockers, a towels, a linens.13
Loft Hostel: A cozy and central hostel on the main shopping street of Laugavegur. It offers a rooftop terrace with panoramic views, a lounge with live music and events, a laundry service, a luggage storage, Wi-Fi, lockers and towels.
Bus Hostel: A budget and friendly hostel in a quiet area near Perlan. It offers an onsite bar with happy hour and karaoke nights, a lounge with board games and books, a laundry service, a luggage storage, Wi-Fi, lockers and towels.

Restaurants

Dill Restaurant: The first and only Michelin-starred restaurant in Iceland, that serves Nordic cuisine with a modern twist. It uses seasonal and local ingredients, such as lamb, cod, skyr and wild herbs. It offers a tasting menu that changes weekly, as well as a curated wine list. It is located in the Nordic House cultural center and has a minimalist and sophisticated decor.
Grillmarkadurinn: A stylish and popular restaurant that serves Icelandic cuisine with an emphasis on grilled dishes. It uses high-quality and organic ingredients, such as beef, lamb, fish, lobster and puffin. It also offers a variety of cocktails and desserts. It is located in the city center and has a cozy and rustic design.
Baejarins Beztu Pylsur: A humble and legendary hot dog stand that has been operating since 1937. It serves hot dogs with various toppings, such as ketchup, mustard, fried onion, raw onion and remoulade. It is considered the best hot dog in the world by many celebrities and locals.

Nightlife

Lebowski Bar: A cozy and friendly place that offers burgers, fries and a full menu of different flavored White Russians. You can also enjoy live music and DJ sets on weekends.
Pub Crawls: If you want to experience the famous Icelandic way of partying, you might want to join a Pub Crawl, a guided tour that takes you to some of the best bars and clubs in Reykjavik. You will meet other travelers, get free drinks, discounts and tips from a local host.

Excursions

Golden Circle: A popular and scenic route that covers some of the most iconic attractions in Iceland, such as Thingvellir National Park, where you can see the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; Geysir, where you can see the geyser that erupts every few minutes; and Gullfoss, where you can see a majestic waterfall that plunges into a canyon.
Blue Lagoon: A geothermal spa that is famous for its mineral-rich water and its healing properties. You can soak in the water, enjoy a massage or a facial treatment, or explore the surrounding lava fields. You can also visit the nearby town of Grindavik, where you can see a fishing museum and a lighthouse.
South Coast: A stunning and diverse region that offers a variety of natural wonders, such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sand beach, Dyrhólaey rock arch, Sólheimajökull glacier and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. You can also visit the nearby town of Vík, where you can see a church and a wool center.

Safety

Reykjavik is one of the safest cities in the world, but it is also a remote and expensive destination. You should be prepared for any emergencies and plan your budget accordingly. Be aware of the weather conditions and dress appropriately. Iceland can be very cold and windy, especially in winter.