Guidebook for the Charming cottage

The best attraction for Reykjavík are the swimming pools. It’s a lot less expensive than the tourist attractions like Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon (although those are quite nice as well), but this is where locals go and enjoy a soak in the hot water. Very popular pools are like Laugardalslaug and Vesturbæjarlaug. Dalslaug is a new one which opened recently. Located in Úlfarsársdalur, a recent sub, close to Bauhaus when leaving Reykjavik on Route 1 North. Not crowded and kind of unique ie the access is through a library and located almost at new sports field with nice valley view. The one nearest to the cottage, is in the tiny village you pass just before the turn off road #1 occurs. Nice sea view over to Reykjavik from the pool, located at the seaboard

Sky lagoon spa in Kópavogur

There’s a really accessible app called Dineout which we highly recommend using for table reservations and discovering restaurants. If you are looking for some nice pastries downtown, Sandholt is a bit expensive bakery but really nice. BakaBaka is also good (great sourdough) as well as Brauð & co and Brikk. There are also bakers located in the district Skeifan, pretty close to the apartment. If you want to have some good smørrebrød and coffee for breakfast you can start your day at at Klambrar bistro which is located within Kjarvalsstaðir art museum (special architecture treat). And for the best coffee, Reykjavík Roasters is the place to go.

If you like wine bars we do recommend Vínstúkan, Mikki Refur or Kramber! And for bars: Röntgen, Veður, Jungle, Kex hostel bar, Spánski… And lastly if you are looking for something expensive and exclusive, there is a speakeasy style cocktail bar at Laugavegur 55. It’s called Amma Don but you can’t really find it on any social media. You just ring the doorbell and the bartender will answer to let you in. One of Iceland’s two Michelin star restaurants, ÓX, is located in the same place, but if you are interested in eating there, you need to make a reservation with plenty of notice - and it’s very expensive.