Iceland is expensive. There I said it. But like anyplace, if you’re diligent enough, then you can usually find cheap options that will offset costs—particularly food, alcohol and nightlife—and help keep your travel savings from dwindling. The five options below, which range from free to $5, will give you a solid dose of Icelandic culture without blowing your budget while traveling in Reykjavik.
The National Museum of Iceland: It’s all here. Everything that our school textbooks failed to mention about Iceland is in their National Museum. The Making of Nation is the permanent exhibition at the museum. A combination of photography and artifacts dating from the Settlement Age to the Present, including Bjork’s first LP, the exhibition showcases Iceland’s cultural heritage. Additionally, the museum also holds temporary exhibitions. Free on Wednesdays, the National Museum can be completed in a few hours, but like any museum, the longer you stay the more you will take away. The museum also offers free WiFi and has a café.
Nautholsvik Beach– Geothermal water is pumped into two hot pots (large Jacuzzis) and into the bay. A seawall surrounding the lagoon helps to keep the cold sea water out of the swimming area. The lagoon’s temperature is usually around 68 degrees (it’s not Hawaii, but definitely fun for a quick dip). In addition to the hot-pots, the complex at Nautholsvik Beach has changing rooms as well as café for beverages and snacks. Admission to the beach and facilities is free; though, a small fee is charged for lockers. The beach is open from May 15 to Aug. 31.
Hallgrimskirkja Church (Church of Hallgrimur): For less than a pint of beer in a Reykjavik pub, you can experience the capital city’s version of New York’s Empire State Building. Rising 244 feet above Reykjavik, Hallgrimskirkja Church’s observation deck, has no competition. Views from the deck offer panoramas of the city, bay and distant mountains. The church, which boasts a minimalist concrete design with clean lines and one heck of a pipe organ, is free; however, the observation deck costs about $4.50 to visit.
Free Walk of Reykjavik Tour: The tour’s name says it all. But is it worth your time? Yes! The 90 minute guided tour through Reykjavik is a great way to get acquainted with Iceland’s capital city. Great storytelling and an insider’s look into Reykjavik’s past, present and future are all hallmarks of this easy walking tour. While the tour is free, the guides do work for tips—500 krona (less than $5) is a reasonable tip. Because the tour is sponsored by GoEcco, there is some cross promotion for the company’s other city tours, but it is nothing that cheapens the experience. The tour departs daily at 1 p.m. from My Reykjavik, Austurstræti 6, during the summer (May 1 to September 15) rain or shine with no minimum number of guests needed. Due to limited numbers, there is no longer a free winter tour.
Laugardalslaug Thermal Pool: Hailed as the city’s largest geothermal pool, Laugardalsalug is a perfect example of why swimming is a national sport in Iceland despite its proximity to the Arctic Circle. Like the U.S. Post Office, Laugardalslaug operates in all weather conditions. The complex, which borders the Reykjavik Campsite, contains a 50-meter outdoor pool, two water slides, an outdoor children’s pool, numerous hot pots, a thermal steam bath, indoor gym and, just for good measure, a mini-golf course (weather permitting). An all day pass to Laugardalslaug costs approximately $2.50 (the locker rental is included in the price).
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30 comments
Fantastic tips, great pictures. Will definitely put this to work when I finally get over to Iceland. It´s high on my list!
Hi Alex, Thanks for commenting. I def. recommend visiting. Iceland was awesome. Just make sure you budget in for a car so you can see more of the country. Not sure if you read our tips about saving $$ on car rentals there – http://beersandbeans.com/2010/11/03/iceland-rental-car/
I wish we had known those things before we went there! Have fun when you go 🙂@AlexBerger,
Wow, I wish I had known these fun options for when I was in Iceland a few years ago! It was indeed expensive and I can’t believe that there were some cool things I could have done for so little money! I did, however, make it to the National Museum and the church so I guess it leaves me with more to look forward to for the next time I get to Iceland! Thanks so much!
Hi Connie, Thanks for commenting! Next time you go def. check out the pool – we stayed there all day it was amazing! @Connie,
I like free. Free is good. Especially when traveling.
Iceland is one of those places I eventually want to visit – especially with the geothermal activity. Great post Randy!
Randy is good at the free stuff huh? 🙂
@Erica,
Thanks for sharing these 5 tips – we’ll be stopping in Iceland between North America & Europe and this definitely helps stretch that budget! 🙂
Oh cool! Have fun
! – we also wrote about camping in Iceland (budget and awesome) and the cheapest way to rent a car – if you didn’t catch those posts you can check out the category by following this link: ehttp://beersandbeans.com/category/iceland/
might help you out.- when are you going? @Kieron,
I freaking LOVED Iceland! Definitely my favorite travel destination ever. I would add that anybody who visits Reykjavik should go eat a hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the best hot dog I’ve ever eaten (and I ate many during that trip, much better than fermented shark meat, am I right?) and cheap too!
haha – yes! I saw that the hot dogs were VERY popular – Begin veg – i didn’t partake but I heard they were good! Thanks for commenting! @Kirstin,
Glad I saw this list! I plan to go to Iceland sometime soon, but it definitely will be a bit expensive for me. Always happy to find free but fun activities. And happy birthday, Beth! 🙂
Hi Emily – Thanks for the bithday wishes and for leaving your lovely comment 🙂 Def. go but it is pricey. However we did it for $66/day for 2 people. We camped and ate a lot of bread and cheese and cooked at the campground. We did eat out a couple times though and we rented a car and drove to the other side of iceland too. It can be done but you really have to monitor yourself. Did you read our camping review? I def. recommend camping in
Reykjavik – it’s cheap ($20/2 people) and attached to the hostel so you have all the regular ammenties inc. free wifi and social atmosphere. Plus you can walk to the center of town. The hostels are about $30/each. You can also rent a tent at the campground too. If you want more into check out the iceland category or email me 🙂 @Emily,
I love posts like this since I’m such a budget traveler 😉 And, Randy, so cute! Love open love on blogs <3
awww. I will tell him. I know that was cute huh? 🙂@Brooke vs. the World,
I can’t wait to go to Iceland — and from what I hear, some cheap tips sound like a hell of an idea. Many thanks.
Yah, Iceland was awesome. I would really love to go back with a bit larger budget so I could drive around the entire island – it was beautiful! @Michael Hodson,
We did all of those things when we were there!! Except, we didn’t realize you had to pay to go onto the observation deck- so we did it for free! No one was there to take our money!!!
And, I’d add- You could eat two of their famous hotdogs for less than 5 bucks! and they are mighty tasty!!
Hi Jade – wow that is so funny! I guess they are def. the top things to do on a budget! To be honest, we didn’t pay for the observation deck either (no one to take our $$ either) but we felt we should put it in since there was a sign that said you should pay. hahah@Jade,
The thermal baths for $2.50 is an amazing deal. Thank you guys for all of your thrifty diligence. I´ll definitely be on the look out for deals on my next trip, which is either London, Stuttgart or Prague. I´ll pass any info from Prague on to you 🙂
Just a question as to what makes and Icelandic hot dog so good, I´m of the opinion that nothing beats a Swedish hot dog.
Thanks for commenting Daniel. Honestly I can’t say about the hot dog. Being a vegetarian I didn’t eat one and I don’t think Randy did either – not sure why because he loves hot dogs! @Daniel,
I would not recommend a veggie hot dog, you? Well, next time Randy is there a detailed report on Hot DOg culture would be greatly appreciated!
Reykjavik is one of those cities I kept promising I would visit and never managed to. A friend of mine went to Iceland and was completely charmed by the natural scenery. It’s definitely on my list when I come back to Europe!
I spent less than 24 hours in Reykjavik (and on a Sunday!!) on my way between NYC and London so I’m no expert but the church is definitely worth a visit for the observation tower. It’s the perfect place to get those postcard photos of the colourful rooftops leading down to the sea. I arrived just after Sunday services and the parishioners even greeted me as I entered 🙂
I agree. The view of the town from the church was a definite highlight! 🙂@megan,
Iceland looks like a blast, and although I hear it’s not as expensive as it used to be, it’s still one of the pricier destinations. Great tips!
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