7 things to know before visiting Reykjavik, according to locals

Most people who visit Iceland spend a couple of days in Reykjavik before taking off on a road trip around the country—but missing out on the capital is a big mistake. I say this as someone who has been here more than a dozen times and always finds something new to love every time I visit.

Since my first trip in 2013, I’ve come to understand—and embrace—the local pool culture, which is equally beneficial for social and wellness reasons. (More on that below.)

But perhaps the most valuable lesson I’ve picked up is that it’s always a good idea to strike up a conversation with locals, who I always find to be incredibly friendly and willing to chat. At worst, I’ve been rewarded with a list of must-try restaurants or shops. At best, I’ve made a new friend.

I recently spoke to two locals who have become good friends: Eyglo Margret Larusdottir (the designer behind the clothing line Eyglo) and Valdi Valdimarsson (an event planner at Pink Iceland). Here, they reveal their top tips for navigating Reykjavik—whether it’s your first visit or your 14th.

Happy hour is a relatively new concept in Iceland—and it's great news not only because it's fun but because wine and cocktails can be expensive here. A pre-dinner drink is now my go-to way to experience the city’s best bartenders. A few top picks include Vedur (order the honey-infused Bee’s Knees), Héðinn (a hotel lobby bar with a fantastic negroni), or my new favorite, Jungle. The menu at Jungle is super inventive, but I always opt for the spicy Pepe, made with pisco, bell pepper, chili, and orange.

A few things to keep in mind: Bars don’t clear out once the happy hour deals are over, especially Thursday through Sunday. So after dinner, it’s fun to head back out. (Most bars close at around 2 a.m., even later on weekend nights.) Because Reykjavik is so walkable, it’s not uncommon to get swept up in a local group of bar crawlers.

Tip: Reykjavik is a city full of stylish people who, says Larusdottir, like to dress up—which means wearing hiking boots, athletic wear, or waterproof outer layers is a sure-fire way to stand out as a tourist. Go ahead and pack that seemingly impractical outfit so you can blend in during a night on the town.

When the aurora makes an appearance—which usually happens from October through March—you can see it from most places in the city (if there aren’t any clouds). For a more peaceful experience, Valdimarsson recommends heading to Grótta Lighthouse, a quick 10-minute drive or a short bus ride away on the nearby coastline. Nearby, Ráðagerð is a hidden gem of a restaurant with ocean views and an Italian-inspired menu (try the meatballs).

Tip: Uber is not used in Reykjavik, but you can call a taxi. You can also walk from the city center to Grótta Lighthouse, but it’ll take about an hour.

While I always suggest booking a visit to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, that’s not the way locals experience their bath houses. True, none of the 17 pools around town stock luxurious body scrubs or offer private changing rooms, but you will get a more authentic (and less expensive) version of Iceland's pool culture.

To Icelanders, time spent in the pools—which range from cold baths to steamy hot tubs—is a way to catch up with friends and neighbors before or after work and on weekends. (Most people have one or two favorites near work or home.) Plus, the wellness benefits are real: For starters, alternating between water temps is great for reducing stress. A nice long soak will also help unclog your pores, relieve muscle tension, and increase circulation. I’ve also found that I sleep like a baby after a session.

Just remember: Before entering the water, you have to rinse off completely unclothed before putting on your swimsuit. (Fellow bathers take this very seriously.)

Where to go: Don’t miss Sundhöllin, which is designed by Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson. On the city’s southern coast, the Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach pool overlooks the sand—which means you can soak in the water then take a dip in the ocean.

Vesturbær is the city’s main residential area, and a great off-the-beaten-path place to spend an afternoon, since you won’t see many tourists. Sidewalks are filled with residents heading to yoga class, grabbing a pastry with a stroller in tow, or taking a break from campus (the University of Iceland isn’t far).

Where to go: Here’s how to recreate Valdimarsson’s ideal day: Have a soak in the Vesturbær swimming pool before grabbing a Swiss mocha and some toast with jam at the cafe Kaffihus Vesturbæjar. Cap it all off with a warm cinnamon bun from Braud & Co, a bakery next door.

According to Valdimarsson, there’s no wrong time to eat ice cream—which explains why you’ll see scoop shops in every neighborhood. “We don’t care if there’s a snowstorm outside or if it’s a warm day,” he says. A visit to an ice cream store is also a popular activity for Icelandic family outings.

My personal pick is Omnom, near the Grandi Harbour neighborhood. Technically a chocolate shop (grab a bar of Black n’ Burnt Barley as a souvenir), it also serves up the most extravagant sundaes. My go-to order at Omnom is the the Lakkrís Wolf Liquorice, made with vanilla soft serve or licorice ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce, raspberry-licorice-chocolate cookie crumble, and a piece of milk chocolate. Locals consider Omnom a fancy spot; for a more low-key experience head to Valdis.

What to order: Regardless of where you go, try bragðarefur, best described as a vanilla milkshake blended with whatever candy you choose; most locals opt for licorice.

Fermented shark, puffin, and whale steak are three of the more touristy dishes people talk about after visiting Iceland. But residents don’t eat those on a regular basis. What's on their regular dinner rotation? That would be plokkfiskur, or fish stew, which makes use of the island’s bounty. Plokkfiskur is a traditional dish of mashed fish, potatoes, and bechamel, a stick-to-your-bones meal that tastes even better after a hike.

Where to go: Book a table at ROK (located close to the Hallgrimskirkja cathedral) or Kaffivagninn (the city’s oldest restaurant).

Eating out for breakfast is considered a treat for locals, and cafés reflect that with their extra cozy interiors and baked goods worthy of a special occasion. Some of the top breakfast spots include Grái Kötturinn (a favorite hangout for writers living in Reykjavik) and Deig (for doughnuts in flavors like crème brûlée).

Tip: If you can’t get an early check-in at your hotel after a red-eye flight, a leisurely breakfast is the best way to kick off your first day in town.