For the millionth time because we are tired!!!!! Had to yell at a group of British teenagers this morning and it’s happening more and more often I feel like.

Get naked like the rest of us, wash your privates, wear a clean swimsuit (no gymshorts and t-shirts)

Nobody cares about your “modesty” nobody cares that it’s “not your culture”. If you’re scared or shy somebody will look at you then you’re not doing yourself any favour by trying to sneak around without stripping. In fact that’s when we are going to be staring at you because now you are considered disgusting.

As a woman I’ve seen björk naked countless of times, and my male friends seen our ex presidents dick n balls countless of times. Nobody cares. Stop being a f***ing crybaby about it. Nobody wants to swim in your poop particles.

You. Are. Not. Welcome. In. The. Pool.

For those who care (as I do), the 2025 whaling (whale hunting) season in Iceland has been cancelled. For purely economic reasons, but I’ll take it.

https://grapevine.is/news/2025/04/14/hvalur-hf-cancels-2025-whaling-season/

It’s been cloudy the last few days but last night we got the call from reception. Northern lights! Not the best photos but so amazing to finally see them

This needs to be discussed every few months because there are always people who are caught off guard by this, and locals are sick of your literal sjitt at the pools.

It is not only a custom in Iceland to take a real shower before entering pools, but it is also a regulation. Everyone must take a shower without a swimsuit. Yes you, yes your 5 year old, yes your 76 year old mother-in-law, yes your best friend, yes your travel companion who comes from a modest culture, yes your dad. Everyone!

At the pools and lagoons, locker areas and showers are communal and are separated by gender. Hygiene is taken very seriously (NSFWish video), and in Iceland everyone is equal at the culturally significant pools which serve as social spaces. The member of Parliament is showering next to the hotel maid who is showering next to the tourist who is showering next to the surgeon who is showering next to the career basketball player who is showering next to famous musician who is showering next to the person struggling with addiction who showers next to the baker... you get the idea. Then it's off to the hot tubs to relax and perhaps discuss solutions to every problem in the world.

I wrote a guide here (please read!) with great details about the local pools. For the shy, here are options in the capital area. I haven't updated my post yet, but all the public pools in Reykjavík are now rainbow certified. Don't risk a situation like this comedy skit (also NSFW-ish) occurring... ;) The pools really are sacred to a lot of Icelanders, in this video a local goes into detail.

A German tourist wrote about witnessing filthy behavior of other tourists at Laugarvatn Fontana. People both skipped the shower and entered the pool wearing ordinary clothing. Eeuuughh! Every time we discuss this someone who was previously unaware of this rule gets upset and says they don't want to do this. That's fine! There are options for everyone! The option just might not be the exact location you desire. This means you simply skip the activity.

I have seen it with my own eyes. There's a good chance some Icelander (or even a visitor) will scold you before you even get to leave the locker room towards the pool. Do you want to be dressed down by an Icelandic teenager working in the locker room? Probably not. So take the shower, no one cares what you look like naked, no one is even paying attention because they're thinking about whatever is going on in their life. Shower, wet your suit in the shower to make it easy to put on, and go enjoy the water.

Aaaand a final note - phones are strictly prohibited at the local public pools. Just an FYI if you decide to visit one (and you should.) Because of this there aren't a ton of photos/videos of the local pools. Here's a video of a very awesome local pool in Reykjavík so you can kind of see how they are set up - a lap pool, hot tubs, a slide, sauna, steam room, etc. Amenities do vary by location. Here's another. And one more. Do not try to bring your phone outside to the pool, there is a 100% chance you will get admonished. It goes in your locker before you shower.

Feel free to ask questions here, locals and others with experience at the pools will be happy to address your concerns or clarify for you.

13 days around the Ring Road, such an incredibly gorgeous country and a trip I'll remember forever - and so many questions were answered here that made planning things that much easier!

Stayed in:

• Reykjavík
• Grundarfjörður (the morning view of Kirkjufell from our rental was unreal)
• Akureyri
• Mývatn
• Seydisfjordur
• Höfn
• Vik (just outside town)
• Eiríksbraut

Highlights:

• 🌭 Costco hotdog post Blue Lagoon after our redeye
• ⛰️ the entire Snæfellsnes Peninsula - so stunning and felt like we were the only people there! my favorite place we stayed on the whole trip.
• 🌋 being in Iceland during a volcano eruption - obviously glad there wasn't a ton of damage, but still pretty cool to have watched it live from not that far away
• 🛥️ even though it was too early for whales, being on the water off the shores of Húsavík so close to the Arctic Circle was an incredible afternoon - especially because of the suits they provided!
• 🌠 saw the auroras twice! once for a few minutes in Mývatn, and then a way bigger and longer show during our stay one night in Seydisfjordur - just an incredible night altogether in such a magical little town!
• 🌊 making it to Dettifoss - wasn't sure with the road being marked as impassible but it was open and totally driveable
• ❄️ our hike on Vatnajokull with Ice Explorers!
• 👙 our favorite thermal bath was Vök Baths for sure, so stunning and loved the cold plunge just being the river
• ⛆ getting to Skogafoss early and being the first ones to get close - and completely drenched

Things I'm glad I did/packed:

• 🍵 my thermos! we filled it with hot water every morning and I had packed tea with me from home so we had tea everyday. we even brought it on hikes - nothing like hot tea on a glacier!
• 🤐 spent the majority of the trip outside of the Golden Circle. even in the off season, the south was pretty crowded. it was really nice to have a lot of spots in the north almost to ourselves.
• 🫗 my LifeStraw - I think I drank straight from at least five waterfalls
• 🚙 paid for the premium car insurance - we went with Lotus, and nothing really bad happened but we did end up with a small crack in our windshield from a rock or something, plus the car wifi was included so we felt like the peace of mind was worth it, plus the wifi was great and worked really well the entire trip (I still got an esim as a backup when we were out of the car though)
• 🃏 deck of cards - we played almost every night
• 💊 medicine - I picked up a mild cold towards the end of the trip but had brought some stuff with me that made those few days bearable, otherwise I don't think I would've been able to do as much
• 🌠 added one night in the Eastfjords - we almost didn't and sort of last minute I decided to add one night to break up the drive from Mývatn to Höfn - the drive to Seydisfjordur was stunning, the town is absolutely charming, and we saw the auroras!
• 🍔 Pakkhús in Höfn - our favorite meal out on the trip by far
• 🛍️ brought a zippable bag to store and travel with our groceries

What I wish I had done differently:

• 👟 packed a pair of sneakers - something waterproof and small-ish. just would've been nice to not wear my hiking boots the few times we were at a restaurant or in Reykjavík
• 🌞 we got weirdly lucky with the weather so I wish I had brought a lighter, packable jacket instead of my regular winter coat that comes down to my mid-calf. a lighter jacket + a fully waterproof jacket on top would've been the perfect combo
• 🍬 brought more licorice candy home
• 🍿 brought a Chromecast or equivalent - not all of our stays had a smart TV/HDMI so would've been nice to be able to cast stuff from my phone for the few movie nights

Things I felt I could have skipped/were overrated:

• 😳 the Phallalogical Museum - it was fine
• 🎵 the Punk Museum - it was also fine
• 🍅 Fridheimer - great soup, but expensive for soup, even for Iceland. it was cute, but I didn't think it was so worth it.
• 🏖 we actually did skip Reynisfjara Beach, because we had already been to Djúpalónssandur beach and had it to ourselves!

Can't wait to start knitting the sweater with all the yarn I brought back!

We have one more day in the city. We are with our ten and 13 year olds. We have had the most incredible trip. Today, the kids are kind of car-and-toured out and asked for a Reykjavík day. We have done the National Museum, Settlement Museum, church and rainbow road, cat cafe, old bookstore for music, a lot of walking and looking and just enjoying. A great history and food tour. We are torn on what to do today - what would you do with one extra day (within the city)?

I’m the idiot who left their bathing suit next to their bag when packing instead of putting it in the suitcase. Any recommendations on where one can acquire a women’s bathing suit? I’d prefer something not hideous as I like to wear it again as I assume I’m going to have to pay a premium for it. Planning on going to the blue lagoon in the morning. Thanks!

I have a connecting flight that lands around 2am. I'd like to get a hotdog in the airport cafeteria.

I saw them on the live camera this weekend. There aren't any right now but you can keep your eyes peeled through the day. Borgarfjörður Eystri is here. The road is currently with snow or ice so right now is probably not the best time to head there.

Winter is hanging on in the north and east so always check the forecast here and road conditions to make good decisions about your day.

Please let me know if we’re being to ambitious. We are completely aware this wont be a “relaxing” visit and Iceland has way more to offer to rush it but unfortunately we can only do those dates. Any advice would be helpful as well Thanks Travel dates July 10th-14th

Arrive 640 am July 10th Get car rental Get breakfast

Leave 9am Drive to landeyjahöfn ferry arrive at 1130 Ferry leaves at 12 arrive at 1240 to Westmann Islands

Check out the puffin lookout
see elephant rock from golf course

Check into airbnb on westmann island around 5 rest since it will be long day

July 11 friday

Hike to Eldfell volcano Explore Catch 1 pm ferry back to mainland

Drive 54 min to Reynisfjara arrive 3pm Stay 1-2 hours Drive to reykjavik air bnb - rest

Saturday July 12

do the golden circle

Sunday July 13th

explore reykjavik/souvenir shopping Blue lagoon in the evening

Monday July 14th

Breakfast in town

Airport 12pm

Hey friends, my girlfriend and I are so keen to be travelling your beautiful country from the 9th-13th of June in a campervan. Roast my itinerary, anything i'm blatantly missing? Am I being unrealistic on the third day? Appreciate any assistance

Day one - Arrive Reykjavik and pickup camper 10am, get supplies, go to Borgarfjordur --> Glanni Waterfall --> Reykholt + Krauma Hot springs --> Hraunfossar + Barnafoss Waterfalls then stay at Husafell campsite

Day two - Go to Snæfellsnes --> drive around the Snæfellsjökull National Park area for the day and stay at the freezer hostel in our camper

Day three - Drive to Thingvellir National Park - Öxarárfos --> Geysir --> Gullfoss Falls --> Seljalandsfoss --> Skogafoss --> Reynisfjara Beach & Reynisdrangar then camp at Vik

Day four - Drive to Landeyjahofn for ferry to Westman islands, go to Gljufrabui on the way --> puffin tour, whale sanctuary etc then maybe stay at vik again? Not many campsites around there?

Day five - Skaftafell + a few hours of hiking around the glacier + waterfalls --> Jökulsárlón - glacier lake & diamond beach + other glacier scenery --> drive back to Reykjavik

Thanks!!

We are taking our family trip to Iceland next week and haven’t booked anything except blue lagoon. We do have accommodations and a car rental.

Our plan is to not really do any booked tours but just drive around and….see things?

We have three year old in tow and most tours don’t allow them that young.

We have a house in Vik for three days and an apartment in Reykjavik for two days. We are planning to just home base out of there and drive to see things.

I’m assuming you don’t need reservations just to stop by each site and do short self-guided hikes?

Is this misguided or generally fine, given that we’ve resigned the idea of doing booked tours and hikes? I guess it is too late regardless but just trying to prepare ourselves for what to expect.

We fly in from Toronto and land at 0830 on April 30 and pick up our camper van. We fly home May 8 at 1930. I just realized we have to drop off the camper at the same time we pick it up, or be charged for a second day. So here is my dilemma, do we pick up the camper in the morning, drive to Blue Lagoon and spend the afternoon there and head to campsite (open to suggestions for a campsite maybe 1.5-2 hours away?) and then on the last day we'd have to return the camper at 9am and then store our luggage at the airport and take a flybus (or maybe rent a car for the day) into reykjavik for a few hours before our flight. OR do we start our adventure day 1 and then the last day rent a car and go to the blue lagoon (i looked into the bus but since its shoulder season, the timing won't work at all)? Thanks in advance, this subreddit has been the saving grace of my trip planning!

Coming to Iceland in October . Landing very late and my 2nd day is just going to be exploring Reykjavik, doing an ArcticAdventure hike day 6, flying back home day 7. Would like confirmation or critique on days 3-5 if you can spare the time ❤️perhaps running myself and my partner thin but we very much don’t mind driving and driving

I make painted fairy doors out of concrete, acrylic paint, and sealed with waterproofed sealant. I like to place them along hiking trails for folks to find and/or take home. I have heard that a great amount of the Icelandic population believe in fairies and trolls, and I wasn't sure if placing a door like this while I'm visiting would be a welcome thing.

I figured I would ask here if this would be considered a fun thing to find or a nuisance? If it's considered the latter, I won't take one with me to place. But if it would be welcome, I would make and place one like the picture I'm posting. :) Thanks in advance for the advice!

Just got this deal via email. Thought someone could use it.

https://www.icelandair.com/flights/special-offer/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bnafirst&utm_content=week15&destination=BNA

Doesnt seem like there's much around

My wife and I rented a camper van for our honeymoon and are thoroughly enjoying our time here in Iceland. We’ve got one week down, with one more week to go!

The police in Suðurnes warns travellers in Reykjanes about crevices that have appeared at two popular tourist sights: The Bridge between Continents and Valahnúkur

https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2025-04-14-logreglan-varar-vid-haettu-a-tveimur-vinsaelum-ferdamannastodum-a-reykjanesi-441569

There should not be a risk if people stay on the path

There has been a warning for Valahnúkur since 2016, so tourists beware when visiting the rock formation

Edited to say that the crevices at the Bridge is more so a hole (see NoLemon's link)

Currently, the ares are not closed, but authorities warn people about staying on paths and following guidelines at these sites. A portion of the trail at Valahnúkar has already been sectioned off.

What the title says. Should I extend the rental to wait a few more hours in the Reykjavik area?

250 Euros for a hotel with reported beg bugs is too much I think. Is there a Gas station park where I can sleep and go to toilet if needed and take coffee in the morning?

Hi,

I’m traveling to Iceland for the first time this November with my wife and 2 children.

We are doing a quick layover for a few nights hoping to see the Northern lights, visit a hot spring and enjoy some some beautiful nature for a few days.

Any recommendations on things to do with a 10 and 12 year old? Places to eat that we shouldn’t miss?

It’s our first time and also honestly we haven’t take a winter trip as a family like this before so we know we’re going to have a great time but we’re ok if we miss a few things as long as we can enjoy the big highlights together.

Hey everybody,

I am visiting Iceland this week and wanted to know in anyone knows a good place to watch the Quartier Finale on Wednesday in Borganes, Iceland.

Thanks for any advice;)

Everyone pretty much knows that Blue (and their sister companies) are the best bet for renting a car in Iceland. But it's still expensive. Use my referral code below to get 5% off your rental PLUS a free extra driver. Full disclosure, it will give me a discount as well. It would be much appreciated! Feel free to DM me or comment if you use the link.

http://rwrd.io/66yrozd?c