10 Things No One Tells You About... Reykjavik
Whether you land in Keflavík International Airport (KEF) before sunrise, or find yourself left in the dark by the typical guidebook's uninteresting regime, these 10 tips and tidbits, which you probably won't find in a guidebook, will help you navigate your way to a locally-inspired and budget-friendly visit in Reykjavik.
Save Big With Happy Hour Specials...
Reykjavik is a notoriously expensive city, especially when it comes to drinking. To keep some Icelandic króna in your pocket, drink like the locals and stick to the happy hour specials happening around town. My favorite is Kaldi Bar/Café, a cozy spot that serves beer from its local microbrewery — you can enjoy happy hour-priced drinks from 4:00pm – 7:00pm every day. Skål!
...Or Better Yet, Stock Up On Duty-Free Liquor Before You Leave the Airport
Prefer to make it a late night? Then you've voyaged to the right place. The local bar scene in Reykjavik tends to heat up later in the evenings, and most city-dwellers will drink at home before heading out. If you’re looking to stock up on “pre-game” spirits, do so before you depart Keflavík International Airport (KEF). The prices you’ll find at the duty-free shop are better than anywhere else in the city. Even if you land at 4:00am local time, the shop will be open — talk about a warm welcome!
The Water Might Smell Funny, But it's Still Safe to Drink
Feeling a bit dehydrated after all those local pints and spirits? Great news: the tap water is perfectly drinkable — and free. However, before you down that glass of water, a quick warning: city water has a sulfuric smell (read: it's kind of like mild rotten eggs) since it comes from a volcanic ground source. The smell is completely normal, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get used to it.
Snorkel Silfra in Thingvellir National Park
FYI: There's a gap between the Atlantic and European tectonic plates known as the Silfra fissure, and it's located in Thingvellir National Park just a 35-minute drive from downtown Reykjavik. Melting glaciers created a lake within the fissure over thousands of years, and today you can snorkel in its incredibly clear — and incredibly cold — fresh waters. And, if you’re a certified Scuba diver, you’ll have access to places where you can dive down and touch both continental plates simultaneously.
Don't be Afraid to Visit During the Winter
If you’re lucky enough to visit Reykjavik when there’s a bit of snow, don’t be caught off-guard by its almost instantaneous disappearance during your walk around town. The method behind the madness? The city of Reykjavik invested in an underground heating system for its sidewalks and streets, saving the roads from destructive snow-plowing, while also saving countless pedestrians from falling on the snow-laden, slippery ground. Brilliant!
Leaving Babies Unattended is a Normal Occurrence
Now that you’ve averted crises thanks to the no-slip sidewalks, you can explore the city carefree. As you're making your way toward a café, you notice a bunch of strollers lined up outside the door. Taking a closer look, you notice there are babies inside them. Fear not — this is a perfectly normal part of Icelandic society. In fact, Icelanders believe that fresh air greatly benefits a child’s immune system, not to mention their babies sleep longer and more soundly outside. Not to worry, regardless of the temperature, those babies are warm enough. And yes, Iceland really is safe enough to leave your baby outside unattended.
The City is Your Oyster
Perched over the capital city is Perlan — or in English, the Pearl — the perfect combination of photo fun and function. This place offers stunning panoramic views of the city, while simultaneously storing all the hot water used by Reykjavik residents from nearby geothermal plants. Some of the best views of the city can be found from the outer rim of this landmark building, and there’s even a revolving restaurant if you’re interested in a fancy, 360-degree fine dining experience. If that’s the case, be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
Three Cheers for Áfram Ísland!
The Iceland national football (soccer) team has made an extraordinary climb in the FIFA rankings in recent years — 109 spots to be exact — earning the chance to play in its first-ever Euro championship games earlier this year. To support the team’s penultimate match against England, 99.8% of TV viewers tuned in to watch Iceland win. No one’s really sure what the other 0.2% of the population were up to, but I've heard handball is also a local favorite.
When in Doubt, Head to a Geothermal Spring
While Iceland is touted for its country’s geysers and glaciers, visitors can experience these two temperature extremes right in the city center. On the geothermal beach at Nauthólsvík, "sea bathers"can soak in the public hot tub and then, after a short walk across the sand, dunk themselves into the water of the nearby lagoon. The hot tub is heated by geothermal water from the Perlan (mentioned above), while the lagoon is full of freezing-yet-refreshing seawater, so just when you’ve had enough of one, you can scoot back to the other extreme.
Remember to Go Green on Your Vacation
Icelanders are uber environmentally-conscious. They're also incredibly resourceful, harnessing and living sustainably off nature’s forces of wind, steam and melting glaciers. In fact, there's an entire museum dedicated to educating the public and visitors alike about the importance and impact of using natural power — head over to Reykjavik’s Geothermal Energy Exhibition to see it for yourself.
Have you ever been to Reykjavik? What are your favorite things to do there?
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.