Update! After a 20 year hiatus, we made it back to Iceland! Last time I was here (see below) was with my husband of two months, with no kids. This time, we went back again, just two months shy of our 20 year anniversary and with four kids in tow!
We stayed in Reykjavik at a cook Air BnB right downtown. And while we didn't see any Polar Bears or Puffins in the wild this trip, we saw our fair share standing outside the fun boutique gift shops around town.
We wanted a "local" experience, especially since Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon have become so touristy and expensive! After doing some research, we made our way to the Sundholl Reykjavikur, the oldest geothermal public bathouse in all of Iceland! First of all, you can't beat the cost. The Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon now run you about $100/person. This place doesn't allow cameras (for privacy and to help you immerse yourself more in the experience as the locals do) so you're not going to get the IG selfies but, you can't beat the price! It's free for anyone under the age of 16 and just 210 kroner for 16 and 17 year olds and 1380 croner for adults. So for our entire family of six (2 adults, 2 youth and 2 children), the total cost came to: $25.24! (For comparison, Blue Lagoon has varying packages which vary from $105-$170/person). It has multiple pools (indoor and outdoor), a steambath, hot tubs, plunge pool, sauna and more. Very relaxing and a great way to start the day!
We also ate with the locals too! Our favorite breakfast place/cinnamon rolls were Braud and Co.
We had dinner at the Posthus, voted Best Food Hall in Reykjavik for 2025. It was fun and lively and eclectic (as much of Iceland is) and the food was decent, but it was expensive! There was literally nothing for <$30 an entree. And this was not a nice sit down restaurant. Everything there was at least triple the price of what you'd pay for in the States, so it made feeling a family of 6 very pricey, which is my least favorite part of Iceland!
We re-visited our favorite sandwich shop from 2005.
And got hot dogs from Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, made famous after Bill Clinton visited here in 2004. They are delicious! And affordable, as far as Icelandic food goes anyway. I recommend getting one with fried onions, sweet brown mustard and relish!
While Iceland has amazing waterfalls and natural sights, they also have some cook cultural sights as well, such as Harpa Concert Hall.
And the Sun Voyager, which overlooks the bay with Mount Esja in the background.
My daughter Riley channeling her inner Viking spirit!
We were hoping to see the Northern Lights on this trip, but sadly no such luck. So I still need to go back ti Iceland again. Next time, I will rent a car, make my way out to Lake Myvatn and Iceland's "Grand Canyon" and see the Northern Lights!
2025 And.......
August 2005. We planned a trip to Sweden, but Dave discovered that if you fly on IclandAir, you could have a free layover (for up to several days) in Iceland. So, that's what we did! Here is Dave at Iceland's most notable monument in Reykajavik. 
We went to the top of the monument and enjoyed a spectacular view of this charming city.
There are actually a lot of things to do in Iceland. And Whale Watching is one of them! Here we are on our whale-watching boat. A little chilly, but a ton of fun!
And you can't visit Iceland without visiting the Blue Lagoon, located ~35 minutes outside of town. 
There are several thermal swimming pools and it is filled with silica-rich water and temperatures of ~100 degrees. It's AWESOME!!!!
Here is an overview of the Blue Lagoon.
Verdict: Iceland (page 325 1000 Places to See Before You Die) is an absolute must-do! I loved it, loved it, loved it. There are things here that you can see and experience unlike anywhere else in the world. So, next time you're enroute to Europe..... stop in Iceland!
Good to know about the lay-overs. Making a mental note.
ReplyDeleteDefinately a must see. The Blue Lagoon was amazing, despite naked Europeans in the locker room.
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