Let start off by saying that I travelled to Europe for the first time as a broke and basic 20-year-old, via Icelandair’s stopover program. It was August 2009, and I had spent the better part of the summer working two jobs and one internship so I could scrounge up enough money to romp around Europe for two weeks. Iceland was our first stop, and to be completely honest, there were only three things I knew about the country before we touched down:
1. It’s an island in Europe  2.It’s actually quite green, while Greenland is icy

Incidentally, Bjork was on our plane and we trailed her (not on purpose) all the way through baggage claim. It was then that we realized how small of a country Iceland actually is. And now, nearly a decade later and having traveled all over the world, Iceland still stands out as the most surreal and beautiful place I’ve ever been. It’s truly my aesthetic. Even during some of my Soulcycle classes (I may have travelled some more, but I’m still that basic 20-year-old at heart), I default to the image of the rolling, lush hills outside of Reykjavik. When the instructor says drop your head and close your eyes and just be with yourself, I go back to Iceland.

Iceland Must See Sights

If traveling in the summer, you’ve got sunlight until midnight, so be sure to take advantage of those extra hours. There’s so much to see!

The Blue Lagoon
The famous Blue Lagoon is a must. Halfway between the airport and the center of Reykjavik (about 20 minutes from each), there’s a geothermal spa just casually sprawling out along the side of the road. It’s everything you’d expect a spa to be, from the pale aqua, steamy water and jagged rocks, to the buckets of natural white mud for your face. It’s really just damn lovely. Guests are required to shower at the spa’s facilities before entering the warm waters, which are believed to be extremely beneficial for those suffering from skin ailments. You enter from the waters from inside and then make your way outdoors. The water contains minerals like silica and sulfur (so, admittedly it’s a bit stinky), and the temperature is kept at around 38 °C. The aqua blue water, the steam, and the green scenery all make for extreme relaxation.

Choice Tours Iceland
We spent our second day in Iceland with Jon Sveinsson. For $90 a person, Jon drove the three of us all around the country, for eight hours. Again, this was in 2009, so his rates have likely gone up. But, it’s well worth it. We toured geysers, volcanoes, awe-inspiring scenery, and even a tomato farm!

The Food
I love food, and it’s become a priority for me when I travel. However, during this trip, we didn’t budget much for fine dining and I wasn’t quite the foodie that I am today. As I remember, the food scene consisted largely of fish, bread and stew, and even though it’s a delicacy in Iceland, we couldn’t quite bring ourselves to eat puffin.
Definitely hit up the outdoor hotdog stand in Reykjavik, Bæjarins Beztu (meaning best in town). They’re known for “The Works:” ketchup, a slightly sweet Icelandic mustard, remoulade, minced pickles, and fried onions.

Nightlife
It’s all about the vibes in Iceland. The nightlife can only be described as cozy. There are a ton of micro and craft bars to choose from. We went out for drinks at a quaint wood-paneled pub right in the center of town, near our Hostel. I’d be lying if I said I remembered the name, but we just walked in, ordered some drinks, and had one of the best nights of the trip. It seemed that every person we’d met on the island so far was in that bar. We even run into our tour guide, Jon, on the dance floor!
Kaldi Bar, Microbar, Dillions Whiskey Bar, Bravo are just a few of the hot places,

Where to Stay

We stayed in a hostel in Reykjavik, which was good for us at the time, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone over the age of 23. Stay in Reykjavik, near center. It’s relatively small, so it wont be difficult to getting around. If I were to go back today, I’d stay at one of the following:

• Reykjavik Residence Hotel
• Reykjavik4you Apartments Hotel
• Hilton Reykjavik Nordica

Getting Around

Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík city center. There’s no train system, so your only options are car or bus. We didn’t have any issues getting around. The city was very walkable, and we had Jon drive us to all of the sites outside of the city. A lot of people opt to rent a car or sign up for a tour.

Other Random Tips

• We traveled in August, and it seemed the perfect time to go in terms of weather and sunlight. The weather was in the high 50s/60s, and a light sweater did just fine.
• We took a bus from the airport to city (about 45 minutes)
• Everyone we met was super friendly and spoke English.