Cyrena Lee went to Iceland to crash a party and stayed for the fantastic Icelandscapes, bustling nightlife, and very weird food.
REYKJAVIK, Iceland – I went to Reykjavik to crash the wedding of a friend of a friend. (Any excuse to travel.) I didn't know much about Iceland before I got there. I had heard about the magically restorative silica mud at Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa and about infamous rotten shark (more about that later). But they're only the tip of the Icelandic iceberg.
My friends and I spent a few days in Reykjavik and rented a car for another few days to circle the island. I found mini-forests, glaciers, volcanic pools, black sand, geysers, and waterfalls, and that's just for starters. The dramatically diverse and jaw-dropping landscape provide the perfect backdrop for a country filled with fun and beautiful people, not to mention elves and fairies of folklore.
WHAT TO DO
Explore the Capital
Reykjavik is so small that it won't take more than a quick walk to familiarize yourself with the city. But there are plenty of interesting local vintage shops, restaurants, and bars to keep you busy for much longer. First-timers should head to Saga Museum for a delightful, interactive lesson in historical Icelandic figures and Viking history and to the crowning landmark, Hallgrimskirkja Church, to marvel at the massive pipe organ, reflect on the Nordic history lesson, and prepare for a night out.
Bar Hop
Nightlife in Reykjavik is a buffet of bars and venues. Everyone is out, migrating from spot to spot. So if you're trying to escape an awkward encounter, the chances of running into the same person again are high. Fortify yourself with a shot of their national poison, Brennivin, an unsweetened schnapps that bites — hard. If you don't like licorice, have a beer and revel in the merriness of Icelanders who love to drink and break out into song, especially during the bleak winter months.
Opening Act
Start the night with a drink at the legendary bar Kaffibarinn. A favorite watering hole for generations, it's a great place to befriend the locals. My friends and I were serenaded with the Icelandic lullaby "Sofdu unga astin min" (loosely translated as "Mother Throwing Her Child to Waterfall") by a choir of friendly, bearded Icelandic gentlemen.
Cocktail Class
For sophisticated cocktails, head to Loftið, one of the newer bars in Iceland (it has a dress code), or Slippbarrin in Hotel Reykjavik Marina. Beer lovers, opt for Mirco Bar to sample some of the best locally brewed IPAs. They're hard to find anywhere else.
Late-Night Dancing
Bars are open until around 4 a.m. on the weekends. As a consequence, the main stretch of Reykjavik is usually packed with partygoers. Since mostly everything is within stumbling distance, it's easy to hit several bars, like Bakkus, which has a hipster vibe. To soak up the alcohol, people line up for a hot dog at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur. Icelanders like to inform any Americans that that Bill Clinton has eaten there. Take it or leave it.
See the rest of the Iceland guide on Fathom >
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