ReykjavikLOCALS
Local guides

Guides to Reykjavík

Practical guides from our team to the food, words and habits of the city.

Reykjavík at sunset with Hallgrímskirkja and the mountains across the bayGuideHow to say hello in IcelandicHow to say hello in Icelandic: hæ, halló and góðan daginn, with easy pronunciation, plus thank you, please and goodbye. From Reykjavík locals.Close-up of an Icelandic-style hot dog with crispy onions and sauceGuideThe Icelandic hot dog, explainedWhy Icelandic hot dogs are famous, what’s in them, how to order “eina með öllu” and where locals get theirs in Reykjavík, including Bæjarins Beztu.A bowl of Icelandic meat soup with breadGuideIcelandic food: what to eat in ReykjavíkThe Icelandic food worth trying in Reykjavík: lamb soup, rye bread, skyr, fish stew, hot dogs and more, with tips on eating out.Rainbow-painted street leading up to Hallgrímskirkja in ReykjavíkGuideA day in Reykjavík during a stopoverPlan a Reykjavík stopover or layover: getting in from Keflavík, what to do in 1, 2 or 3 days, and what to consider if you only have a few hours.A table with shared plates of foodGuideFermented shark (hákarl)What is Icelandic fermented shark (hákarl), how is it made, what does it taste like, and where might you find a small piece in Reykjavík?A pink corner house in downtown ReykjavíkGuideIcelandic candy and liquoriceLiquorice, puffed-rice chocolate and the Saturday candy habit: a guide to Icelandic candy and what to bring home.Friends sharing burgers and fries at a restaurant tableGuideTipping in Iceland: what to expectTipping in Iceland isn’t generally expected, as service is included. What to do in restaurants, taxis, hotels and on tours, and how to tip if you want to.People queuing at a hot dog stand in downtown Reykjavík at nightGuideThe drinking age in Iceland and how buying alcohol worksThe drinking age in Iceland is 20. Where to buy alcohol (Vínbúðin), opening hours, Sundays, supermarkets, bar hours and drink-driving rules.Fresh pastries in a bakery windowGuideGrocery stores in Iceland: where to shopBónus, Krónan, Nettó or Prís? A guide to budget grocery stores in Iceland, where to find them in Reykjavík, opening hours and what to buy.Reykjavík from above, with the mountains across the bayGuideSwimming pools in ReykjavíkReykjavík’s geothermal swimming pools: which to pick, prices, opening hours, the shower rule, pool etiquette and the Nauthólsvík beach.People walking along a shopping street in downtown ReykjavíkGuide20 things to do in ReykjavíkThe best things to do in Reykjavík: food, pools, walks, views, museums and free things, and how to fit them into a few days.Fresh pastries in a bakery windowGuideVegan in Reykjavík: where locals eat plant-basedWhere to eat vegan in Reykjavík, what’s vegan in Icelandic food, and how to shop plant-based in Iceland.Close-up of an Icelandic-style hot dog with crispy onions and sauceGuideWhat is remoulade?Remoulade is a mayonnaise-based sauce with chopped pickles and mustard. What’s in it, how it differs from tartar sauce, and its place in the Icelandic hot dog.Friends sharing burgers and fries at a restaurant tableGuideDoes Iceland have McDonald’s?There has been no McDonald’s in Iceland since 2009. Why it left after the financial crash, what happened to a burger kept from the last days, and what people eat instead.A table with shared plates of foodGuideIs skyr healthy?Plain skyr is high in protein and low in fat. Nutrition facts for an example product, how it compares with yogurt, and what to check on flavoured skyr.A bowl of Icelandic meat soup with breadGuideIs skyr vegan?No, skyr is a dairy product made from milk. What it’s made of, plant-based skyr-style alternatives, and vegan breakfast ideas in Iceland.A pink corner house in downtown ReykjavíkGuideIcelandic pancakes (pönnukökur)Icelandic pancakes are thin, crêpe-like and rolled with sugar or folded with jam and whipped cream. What they are, how they’re served, and an easy recipe.Reykjavík from above, with the mountains across the bayGuideNorthern lights forecast for ReykjavíkNorthern lights forecast for Reykjavík tonight and the next 3 nights: aurora activity (Kp), cloud cover and darkness, plus where to see them.