Inga’s guidebook: ask me anything!

Here are some apps, us locals use, I think will help make your stay more pleasant! >{Dineout Iceland} With it you can find and book a table at every restaurant, worth going to, in Reykjavík! [dineout.is] >{Parka} In case you have a car, you can use this app to pay the parking meter. Our street is Zone 3 and the app picks up the correct zone depending on location. (No fee on Sundays). [parka.is] >{Hopp scooters} My preferred scooter rental! They also have a few self-drive cars for short trips. [hopp.is] >{SafeTravel Iceland} Please download this if you leave the city! [safetravel.is]

If you let the kitchen tap cold water run for 30-40 seconds (or until ice-cold) you can enjoy the absolutely best glass of water you have ever tasted! "Unfortunately" the hot water from the tap is geothermal so it is not fit for drinking and the taste sometimes lingers in the pipes if you don't let the cold water run long enough... some tourists also dislike the sulfur smell but it is clean and safe!

Alcohol over 3% is only sold in government run specialized stores called "ÁTVR" or "Vínbúðin". The closest one is an 8 minute walk to Austurstræti 10a. Basically walk straight down the main shopping street until you see it on your left-hand side :) Of course you can also buy some at bars and restaurants but no take-away and be prepared for the bill...

99.9% of tickets sold in Iceland go through a site called Tix! Check out [tix.is/en] if you fancy going to an event. Pro tip: click the hourglass to filter down to what's going on today/tomorrow/next weekend :)

Reykjavík has become a foodie-paradise but the prices can be steep. Consider going to the nicer restaurants for lunch, if you're travelling on a budget... same quality but a lot less expensive! Almost all places post their menus on Facebook or their website.

Don't tell anyone I told you this but tipping is not and has never been a custom in Iceland. The advertised price is always the total amount you are expected to pay, including taxes and services. You will definitely make someone's day if you leave something extra but certainly not expected.

Please excuse and don't be offended by our lack of small talk! Us Icelanders have never been good at it and in fact celebrate that store clerks now often have headphones, just enjoying their music/podcasts... Can't really blame a nation where weather is considered a Very serious topic :)

If Iceland were to have a national slogan, it would be ‘þetta reddast’, which roughly translates to the idea that everything will work out all right in the end. We're generally open to last minute changes (I also blame this on the weather) and experts in figuring out how to power through a crisis, doing whatever it takes to get the best result.

Ari Eldjárn: Pardon my Icelandic. I know it's a bit weird to recommend something on TV but trust me on this one! Ari Eldjárn is by far our most loved comedian... He is absolutely hilarious and encaptures the Icelandic spirit perfectly in this -suitable for all ages- stand up comedy routine (in English). I know the selection varies between countries so if it's not available before you arrive, be sure to catch it while you're here.

This is an important one! Our public swimming pools are a sanctuary for Icelanders, almost a religious thing 😅 #1: Everyone (yes, you too) must shower properly -naked- before putting on a bathing suit and entering the pool. #2: Absolutely NO cell phones or cameras out of your pocket or backpack while inside the locker room area! #3: Don't panic, just relax and enjoy the calmness of soaking in naturally warm wonderful water.

To buy/sell/consume alcohol (publicly) in Iceland you must be 20 years old. Same rules apply for wine, beer, and hard liquors whether at the bar or liquor store.

Make sure to take your shoes off if you get invited to an Icelandic home. Iceland is pretty wet 365 so yeah... I'm also blaming this one on the weather and general hygiene 😅