Iceland is not a cheap travel destination, in fact, it’s one of the most expensive countries in the world. If you are travelling on a budget, this doesn’t mean you should avoid it, it just means that it’s good to look into how much things cost before you pack your bags. Keep an eye on the costs, but don’t miss out, as Iceland is totally worth a visit! Plus, there are cheap activities in Reykjavík that are just as much fun as more expensive options. In this article, we will give you suggestions on how to spend your days without it costing an arm and a leg.
Nauthólsvík
Soaking in a hot tub overlooking the ocean is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. In summertime, between May 15 and August 15, the geothermal beach at Nauthólsvík is free of charge. At the beach, you find showers, toilets, a small shop, a hot tub and steam baths. You can also swim in a small man-made lagoon, in which hot water is pumped to create an average water temperature of 15-19°C. Trust us, when the sun is shining, you forget that you’re on an island in the middle of the North Atlantic.
Street art walk
You can also go on a street art city walk. Try to find all the stunning murals in town. They are spread all around the city, and most of them are difficult to miss, covering the entire side of houses and office buildings. They give colour to the city, and visitors often name the murals as the highlight of their stay in Reykjavík. Check out this article for more information on street art in Reykjavík and a map with the locations of Reykjavik’s murals.
Perlan viewing platform
A couple of cheaper activities in Reykjavík include the viewing platform of Perlan Museum – for ISK 490 you have a beautiful 360° view over Reykjavík and its surroundings. View dials with information about all the mountains in sight are placed on the deck. If you pay the admission fee for the Glaciers and Ice Cave exhibition in Perlan Museum, you get free entrance to the viewing platform.
Photography museum
The Reykjavík Museum of Photography is located on the sixth floor of Reykjavík City Library. Basically, you kill two birds with one stone if you go there. The city library is well worth a visit by itself. Just flip through some pages, view exhibitions, browse the internet and have a cup of coffee. The Reykjavík Museum of Photography always has high-quality exhibitions on display, with varying themes like landscape photography, family portraits or press photography. The admission fee for the Reykjavík Museum of Photography is ISK 1,000.
Food halls
Since summer 2017, you can visit a top-notch food hall in downtown Reykjavík. It’s called Hlemmur Food Hall and it’s one of the best places to buy delicious hamburgers, tacos, sandwiches and much more. And from June 2018, Reykjavík’s old harbour district will be home to a second food hall, Grandi Mathöll. Focused more on street food, it features nine artisanal food stands offering Icelandic and fusion cuisine. They even have Italian sparkling wine on tap.
As you see, you don’t have to spend last year’s salary to enjoy your vacation in Iceland!
Visit our tour information centres for more tips and info!
