Since many of you reading this may be tourists stranded in Iceland over the coming Holiday season, we decided to compile a little list for you detailing what’s open, and when. Seeing as how most of the country pretty much shuts down during the Holidays, it can be tricky enough to find places to eat and things to do, but hopefully this guide will keep you fed, watered and entertained. We tried to make it as comprehensive as we could, but apologies if we’ve missed something.
A good rule of thumb to go by when planning any of your Holiday activities is to assume that most shops and restaurants are closed, and just call up the ones you’re interested in checking out. This should help avoid any disappointments.
The Official Tourist Information Centre has the most up-to-date information so be sure to pay them a visit,
or check out www.visitreykjavik.is.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
City Buses
24: Saturday service until 14:00
25: No service
26: Sunday service until 12:00
31: Saturday service until 14:00
1: No service
Bus Information: Call 540 2700
TOURS
The Official Tourist Information Centre (The Centre)
24: 09:00–12:00
25: Closed
26, 31: 10:00–14:00
1: 09:00–18:00
Reykjavík Excursions:
24:Golden Circle, Gullfoss Direct, Northern Lights (weather permitting), Horseback riding, Whale watching.
25: Golden Circle, City, South shore, Gullfoss, Northern Lights (weather permitting), Snowmobiling, Super jeep.
Normal schedule from December 26 onward including New Year’s day.
See: www.re.is
Iceland Excursions:
24: Golden Circle Classic, Greater Area Reykjavík Sightseeing, The Blue Lagoon and Keflavík.
25: The Golden Circle Afternoon, Iceland from Below, Iceland from Below & The Blue Lagoon, The Blue Lagoon.
31: All tours operating except: Blue Lagoon/Viking Horse, Blue Lagoon at 16:15 and 16:30 and Northern Lights at 20:00.
There is a special New Years Eve tour entitled Bonfire and Fireworks at 20:00.
Other days are operated according to program and schedule.
See: www.grayline.is
POOLS
The Blue Lagoon
23: 10:00–17:00
24: 10:00–13:00 (restaurant closed)
25: 10:00–15:00 (restaurant closed)
26: 10:00–20:00
31: 10:00–16:00
1: Regular opening hours
Sundhöll Reykjavíkur:
24: 08:00–12:30
25: Closed
26: 10:00–18:00
31: 08:00–12:30
1: Closed
Árbæjarlaug: 567 3933
Breiðholtslaug:
24: 09:00–12:30
25: Closed
26: Closed
31: 09:00–12:30
1: Closed
Grafarvogslaug: 510 4600
Laugardalslaug: 553 4039
Vesturbæjarlaug: 411 5150
24: 08:00–12:00
25: Closed
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
24, 25, 26, 31, 1:
Closed: ASÍ Art Museum, Nordic House, Kling & Bang, Saga Museum in Perlan, Hitt Húsið, Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum, Gljúfrasteinn Museum, Gerðuberg Cultural Center.
Gallerí Ágúst
24–1: open on appointment
2 onwards: Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 13:00–17:00
The Culture House
24: 11:00–14:00
25: Closed
26 (and all other days): 11:00–17:00
31: 11:00–14:00
1: 11:00–14:00
The National Gallery
24, 25, 26, 31, 1: Closed
The Reykjavík Art Museum,
Hafnarhús
24, 25: Closed
26-30: 13:00–17:00
31: 10:00–14:00
1: 13:00–17:00
Kjarvalsstaðir
Open daily 10:00–17:00
24, 25, 31, 1: Closed
26: 13:00–17:00
Ásmundur Sveinsson Sculpture Museum
24, 25, 31, 1: Closed
STORES
Kringlan Shopping Mall:
23: 10:00–23:00
24: 10:00–13:00
25, 26: Closed
31: 10:00–13:00
1: Closed
Vínbúðin (Liquor store) Austurstræti
23: 11:00–22:00
24: 10:00–13:00
25, 26: Closed
30: 11:00–20:00
31: 10:00–13:00
1: Closed
Vínbúðin (Liquor store) in other places
24: 10:00–13:00
25, 26: Closed
31: 10:00–13:00
1: Closed
BARS THAT GOT BACK TO US
English Pub
23: 12:00–04:30
24, 25: Closed
26: 11:00–03:00 live football at 12:30
31: 12.00–04:30
Esja
24, 25: Closed
26: 16:00–03:00
27, 28, 29, 30, 31: Regular opening hours
Satt Bar
24: 10:00–23:00
25: 10:00–00:00
26, 27, 28, 29, 30: 11:00–01:00
31: 10:00–01:00
1: 10:00–01:00
Trúnó
23: 11:00–03:00
24, 25: Closed
26: 18:00–03:00
27, 28, 29: 11:00–01:00
30: 11:00–04:30
31: 01:00–very late
1: 18:00–01:00
Barbara
23: 17:00–03:00
24, 25: Closed
26: 20:00–03:00
27, 28, 29: 20:00–01:00
30: 20:00–04:30
31: 01:00–very late
1: 18:00–01:00
Vox Lobby Bar
24: 10:00–23:00
25: 10:00–00:00
26, 27, 28, 29: 10:00–01:00
30: 10:00–02:00
31, 1: 10:00–01:00
RESTAURANTS THAT GOT BACK TO US
Bistró Vox: Hotel Nordica
Open every day 11:30–22:30, except for:
24: 11:30–20:00
26: 11:30–15:00
Vox Restaurant
Open Wednesdays to Saturdays 18:30–22:30, except on 24, 25, 1:
a special Festive 4 course Christmas dinner served between 18:00 and 20:00
Satt Restaurant
Open every day 11:00–22:00:
24: Lunch 12:00–14:00;
Dinner 18:00–20:30
25: Lunch 12:00–14:00;
Dinner 17:30–20:30
31: Lunch 12:00–14:00;
Dinner 18:00–21:00
1: Lunch 12:00–14:00;
Dinner 18:00–21:00
26-30: Five course menu á la Satt Restaurant will be served, 11:00–22:00
Café Paris
24,25: closed
31: 9:00–18:00
1: 11:00–01:00
Fiskfélagið/The Fish Company
24,25: Closed
23, 26, 31, 1: Open
Geysir Bistro Bar
24,25,26: Closed
31: Closed
1: 17.00–22.00
Grillhúsíð
24, 25, 26, 31: Closed
1: 17.00 Onwards
Fjalakötturinn: Hotel Reykjavik Centrum
24, 25: 07:00–23.00
26-30: Regular opening hours
31: 07:00–01.00
1: Regular opening hours
Icelandic Fish & Chips
24-26: Closed
31: 12:00–16:00
1: 17.00–21.00
Íslenski Barinn
24: Closed
25: 11:30–22:00
26: 11:30–23:00
31: 11:30–23:00
1: 11:30–23:00
Silfur
24: 11:30–21:00
25: Closed
26, 31: 18:00–22:00
1: 18:00–22:00
Kaffi Sólon
23: 11:00–01:00
24, 25: Closed
26, 27, 28, 29: 11:00–01:00
30: 11:00–02:00
31: 11:00–16:00, 18:00–22:00 (reservation needed-special New Years eve set menu)
1: 12:00–02:00
Lounge 1919
24,25, 26: 18.00–22.00
31: 18.00–22.00
Restaurant & Bar Hotel 101
23: 07:00–01:00
24, 25: Closed
26: 11:00–00:00
31: 07:00–01:00
1: 07:00–00:00
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