iceland

What Food Do They Eat in Iceland?

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There are so many things in Iceland that tourists and travelers enjoy. Not only does this landscape pack on icy glaciers, volcanic systems, and hot springs that bring tourists from all over the world, but Icelandic food is also a must-try for travelers whenever they are visiting this natural wonderland.nevermoi

Icelandic food is incredibly delicious; their cuisines and dinner menu is something you want to look forward to. Even though Icelandic foods are not as popular as its landscapes, the chefs have stepped up their game by infusing various ingredients into their local cuisines.

The private food tours that Iceland offers is a great way to try out these finger-licking dishes. So if you don’t know what foods Icelanders eat and you plan on touring Iceland, here are some few Icelandic foods you need to try.

4 Popular Foods in Iceland

Lamb

This is one Icelandic meat that is always available anywhere in the country. Icelanders love the meat of lamb and sheep more than beef. One fun fact about Iceland is that there is three times more lamb than Icelanders on the island.

The meat of Icelandic lamb is usually roasted or made into a scrumptious meal. Some steak houses in Iceland usually prepare lamb steaks, which are more tender than a beefsteak. Lamb meat is also used to prepare traditional Icelandic lamb soup. This lamb soup is made from the tough bits of lamb and Iceland’s vegetables and herbs. During the cold months, this is surely a dish you would want to try out when you visit Iceland.

Fermented Shark

This traditional Icelandic cuisine called Hákarl is fermented sharks containing green land sharks and sleeper sharks. Due to its certain ammonia taste, most tourists have classified this dish is one of the worse things they have ever tasted, even though this dish is eaten around Iceland all year long. For a traditionalist, try this cuisine and see for yourself.

Skyr

This dish is something you are going to see whenever you visit Iceland. Even though it looks like yogurt, the taste and feel when it melts into your tongue tastes a bit different. The skyr is made from pasteurized milk and bacteria culture, this creamy delicacy leaves a sour cream taste after the taste of yogurt.  Skyr is high in protein and low in fat, and it packs on a lot of vitamins, so Icelanders eat this all the time.

Seafood

It’s no wonder how fish and seafood, in general, occupy a great portion in Icelandic cuisines. Due to the island’s location in the middle of the ocean, fishing has helped the country’s economy greatly since time past, and there are various species of saltwater fish available to Icelanders like catfish, halibut, lumpfish, cod, Greenland shark, and mackerel. These fish are served in any Iceland restaurant, they are always fresh, since fishing is done at any time of the day. Lobster is also another thing Icelanders enjoy, although it is on the more expensive side.

If you’re traveling to Iceland, be sure to also pack some healthy snacks like nuts and seeds from NOW Foods. They have enough protein to give you the energy you need to explore this beautiful, vast country.

Which traditional Icelandic food will you try first?

Iceland Travel: Visit the Geothermal Spa at the Blue Lagoon

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What is a trip to Iceland without a visit to one of the most visited tourist sites in Iceland, the geothermal spa at the Blue Lagoon?

How Did the Blue Lagoon Come About?

Contrary to what you may be tempted to believe, the Blue Lagoon is actually manmade and not a natural phenomenon. It is actually wastewater from the geothermal plant of Svartsengi; however, in 1981 a young man called Valur Margeirsson who had psoriasis decided to take a bath in the water in his desperation for a cure for his skin condition.

Seeing his positive results, he named the site Blue Lagoon after the color of the algae in the water, and a couple of years later the site was open to people suffering from a variety of skin conditions. But as of now, it is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland, attracting tourists year -round.

The Benefits of Bathing in the Blue Lagoon

While it is not exactly known why the water is so good for the skin, it is believed to be due to the mix of the blue-green algae, dissolved minerals in the water (which include chloride, natron and calcium), and a type of bacteria that has only been found in the Blue Lagoon. Since 1994, the Blue Lagoon has offered skin treatments for people suffering from psoriasis with varying positive results.

There is also a mud bar at the site, where a silica mud mask is applied to your face for a few minutes before it is washed off. You may also want to enjoy the manmade waterfall and feel its power pounding down your shoulders relieving any tension or stress. If you are into massage, you can book one here as well.

The Northern Lights and Other Attractions at the Blue Lagoon

The Northern Lights are a special feature of the Blue Lagoon all year round, lighting up the backdrop of the night sky just around sunset. What better place to watch nature play with colors and light if not from a warm geothermal pool?

Other features on the site include the Blue Lagoon Bar, which is inside the Lagoon. Here, you can purchase both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages without getting out of the water.

The Blue Lagoon Lava Restaurant has a beautiful view of the Blue Lagoon, a surreal ambiance, gourmet meals, and a lava cliff behind the floor to ceiling windows of the upscale restaurant.

The Retreat Hotel opened its doors in 2018 to guests and is an exclusive luxury hotel only offering 62 private suites. It guarantees access to the Blue Lagoon, the Retreat Spa, and free Wi-Fi.

The Moss Restaurant at the Blue Lagoon Retreat is another must-see attraction here, as it offers an ever-changing seasonal menu and a view of the surrounding lava landscapes.

With its many charms and attractions, it is no wonder that the Blue Lagoon is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland and was bestowed the honors of been named one of 25 wonders of the world by National Geographic in 2012.

Planning a trip to Iceland? Don’t forget to book a visit to the geothermal spa of the Blue Lagoon and take a deep in its warm therapeutic waters.

Best Sightseeing During Good Weather Husavik Iceland

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Husavik, Iceland is a nice place to visit, as there are a number of sites that can be visited. You will be lucky if you come across good weather in Husavik, Iceland, as then, you could see those beautiful places without cutting short your visit.

Húsavík can be found in the northern part of Iceland. You could get there from the capital of northern Iceland if you spend one hour on the road. During good weather, Husavik, Iceland is a great place to watch the whales. This is one reason that it has been christened, “the whale watching capital of Iceland.”

A lot of people travel to Husavik, Iceland to see the whales. Annually, it is said that thousands of visitors come there just to spot the whales.

Apart from that, when you visit during the good weather, Husavik, Iceland is a hub of activities, and you can taste the local delicacies in its many restaurants.

We have put together some activities that you can try in the whale capital of northern Iceland when you visit below.

2 Good Weather Husavik Iceland Sights to See

The Whale Museum

Are you surprised that there is a place in Húsavík called the whale museum? What do you expect of a place that has a lot of whales? If you want to enjoy your day or learn more about whales before you go for whale watching, it won’t be a bad idea to visit here. Your eyes will come across numerous exhibits in the Whale Museum.

If you want to see the life-size Blue Whale skeleton, the Whale Museum has it. There is a great chance that you know that Blue Whales are the biggest mammals in existence. When we say that their skeletons are gigantic, we aren’t joking. You will be amazed by its size when you see it! You will find out about the different types of whales in existence there. 

Gamli Baukur Restaurant

If you are looking for an awesome restaurant to dine in, it won’t be a bad idea to try out the one that is closest to the harbor.

Gamli Baukur Restaurant is made of a wood-paneled interior, as well as a number of fixtures and maritime artifacts. When you are inside, you will notice that the environment is both comfortable and cozy.

The restaurant uses a lot of local ingredients, meaning that you will likely consume organic foods. It also offers fresh seafood. Want fresh local delicacies? You should consider going here.

Traveling to Iceland? Don’t Forget!

While you are traveling in Iceland, there are some brands that you should consider using to protect your body and skin, especially when the weather is harsh. Weleda, Hyalogic, and Qtica are natural health brands you should consider trying to help maintain your health.

Also, it won’t be a bad idea to use lip balm to make your lips softer and avoid getting chapped if it gets cold outside. Everyone that has been to Iceland understands the benefits of a lip balm from trusted products like Weleda’s Everon Lip Balm, Hyalogic’s HA Lip Balm and Qtica’s Intense Relief Lip Repair Balm.

Happy travels!

Where to Stay in Iceland

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Iceland sees a lot of visitors annually because of its intriguing features. You can stay in a charming bed and breakfast in Iceland and even visit the Whales Museum. Iceland is an amazing place to visit, and if you’re thinking of coming to Iceland but wondering where to stay in Iceland, we have some accommodations that you could try out in Reykjavík and Keflavík.

Where to Stay in Iceland: Reykjavík and Keflavík

Reykjavík is the capital city of Iceland, and as the capital city, it is one place that a lot of visitors like to visit. If you are wondering where to stay in Iceland’s capital city, you are in luck.

This capital city is known to have a lot of accommodations. It doesn’t matter if you want a top resort or even a cheap hotel, you will find a place to suit your needs and budget. 

Luxurious Hotels

If you are looking for a luxurious hotel, you should consider trying out Hotel Borg. This hotel comes with gorgeous buildings and has 99 deluxe rooms created in the Art Deco style.

You could also try out the Icelandair Hotel Marina. It can be seen from the harbor. If you are looking for luxury, it won’t be a bad idea to lodge there. You will enjoy the class and upscale accommodations.

If you want modern design and the best restaurants, you should consider choosing from Centerhotels. They have a range of four-star hotels that will take care of you.

Want a hotel that can give you deluxe rooms, as well as suites, and top-notch services? Try out the Fosshótel chains. They are spread throughout Iceland.

In addition, there are other lush hotels that you can try out like Radisson Blu Saga Hotel and Hilton Reykjavík Nordica. The hotels have great views of the city. If you are looking for where to dine in luxury, it won’t be a bad idea to try out Grillið.

Budget Guesthouses and Hostels

We understand that not everyone can travel in luxury, and many people may want to explore Iceland on a budget. We have listed out some budget guesthouses and hostels that you can lodge in. There are many of them around the country.

You can get to Kex, B47, and 101 Hostels, which are merely a few minutes away from Laugavegur Main Street. 

If you want alternatives that are far cheaper than this, you should consider getting guest houses that are far away from the center of things, like Bus Hostel Reykjavík and HI Reykjavík City Hostel.

These hostels can be accessed easily from downtown and would not dig a deep hole in your pocket. 

You can enjoy Iceland on a budget. You can visit cool places without leaving yourself in debt. One thing that we love about Iceland is that it caters to people of different walks of life and budgets. Happy travels!