Reykjavik
Iceland
Backpacking Reykjavik
Information on Reykjavik, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Iceland has become one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations. Located just shy of the Arctic Circle this mountainous island is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world which contributes to the many natural wonders you can experience here. Iceland is full of gorgeous scenery with spectacular lakes, rivers, waterfalls, mountains and hot springs. Reykjavik, the capital, is a busy international city that boasts some of the most unique nightlife in Europe. During the summer Iceland has a number of adventures backpackers can embark upon including sailing where you may see whales, or hiking. Glacier and snowmobile tours are popular during the winter. The fascinating northern lights are an amazing sight if you’re lucky enough to catch them. The lights are visible in September through March and seeing this magnificent display in the sky is a once in a lifetime experience. For those looking for a relaxing trip, Iceland has numerous outdoor pools which are heated naturally by thermal hot springs. There is plenty to see off the beaten track with some of the most memorable and fantastic sights Iceland has to offer slightly further away from Reykjavik. When deciding the best time to visit Iceland, the weather certainly plays a huge factor. Iceland’s summers are fairly mild and winters can be quite cold. From the end of May to the beginning of August, there are about 24 hours of constant daylight. One warning though - Iceland may be the most expensive place to visit in Europe.
Must See
The Northern Lights - Seeing the Northern Lights is arguably one of the best natural phenomenons in the world. The best way to see the Northern Lights is to drive away from the light pollution of the city by taking a tour or renting a car.
The Geysers - Due to the volcanic activities underneath Iceland, a lot of geysers are scattered around the country. To see a powerful hot stream bubbling and boiling then shooting from the ground is an exciting sight to see.
The Waterfalls - Iceland is the king of waterfalls: Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Gullfoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland and easily accessible from Reykjavic, Seljalandsfoss is beautiful and you can walk behind it, and then there’s so many more if you want to go on a waterfall tour.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon - About 5 hours from Reykjavik, this ice flow is one of the most popular attractions in the country. Nearby the black beach is called Diamond Beach, as the ice chunks lying on it resemble diamonds glistening in the sun. If you’re looking to watch free-flowing icebergs, explore the lagoon on boat tours, or even see a seal than we highly recommend checking this glacier lagoon out.
Must Do
Check out Reykjavik - Reykjavik is packed full with cafes, restaurants with local specialties, pubs, and is a unique brightly colored old town with wooden houses clustered together. It’s very small but it’s unlike anywhere else in the world so it’s worth a few days to get a feel for the culture of the city.
Relax in the Blue Lagoon - Iceland’s most famous geothermal pool is also the country’s top tourist attraction. This huge, milky-blue spa is fed by mineral-rich heated seawater from the nearby geothermal plant. And its always hot. We recommend covering yourself in the mud as it’s great for your skin.
Travel the Golden Circle - The Golden Circle is a route in southern Iceland looping from Reykjavík into the south of Iceland and back. This area contains most tours and travel-related activities in Iceland due to the amount of natural wonders. The three primary stops on the route are Thingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall, and the geothermal area in Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur. Strokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes. Other stops can include the Kerið volcanic crater, the town of Hveragerði,
Nightlife
The city is small and can easily be explored walking. However, despite its size, there are many fun bars and clubs throughout the city with most bars playing live music with lively pubs and clubs staying open until seven or eight in the morning on the weekend. You will find that restaurants and shops during the day turn into those bars and nightclubs later in the evening. Most people don’t go out until after midnight which is great so backpackers can pre drink well before going out to save as much as possible.
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