Pools, Hot Dogs, and Everyday Magic

Reykjavík looks like a small dot on the map. In practice, it punches well above its weight — both as a base for chasing waterfalls, geysers, and the northern lights, and as a destination worth exploring on its own terms.

In the latest episode of Destination Unlocked, host Daniel Edward sits down with Valur Heiðar Sævarsson, the founder of Your Friend in Reykjavik, to talk about how visitors can get past the standard tourist checklist and actually feel the city.

The Landmarks Everyone Falls For

Valur starts with the sights that keep showing up on every itinerary — and for good reason:

• Hallgrímskirkja: The tall church on the hill is Reykjavík’s answer to the Empire State Building. Climb it and you get a 360-degree view of the city that’s hard to beat.

• Harpa Concert Hall: All glass and geometric angles, sitting right on the waterfront. Worth walking past even if you don’t go in.

• Harbour Views to Mount Esja: Locals call it the “guardian of Reykjavík.” Look toward it from the harbour and you get a sense of just how close the wilderness really is — salmon rivers, green valleys, people escaping the city on foot.

Why Geothermal Pools Are Non-Negotiable

If there’s one thing Valur is emphatic about, it’s the geothermal pools. These aren’t spa retreats — they’re neighbourhood institutions. Hot tubs scattered across the city fill up year-round with locals talking politics, gossip, and everything in between. Many are covered by the Reykjavik City Card.

One thing to know before you go: the mandatory shower beforehand is non-negotiable, and it’s taken seriously. Private stalls are available if you’d rather not wash up in the open. Once you’re in the water, though, the whole thing feels remarkably easy — whether you end up at a quiet neighbourhood pool or somewhere busier like the Blue Lagoon.

From Reykjavík to the Golden Circle and Beyond

Reykjavík also works well as a base for day trips, and Valur has clear favourites for first-timers:

• The Golden Circle takes in Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and the famous geysers. It’s the classic Iceland introduction — and it earns that reputation.

• The South Coast runs out to black-sand beaches and dramatic waterfalls. Push a little further and you reach the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach.

Valur is also candid about driving in Iceland in winter. The roads demand attention, and slamming on the brakes for a photogenic horse is exactly the kind of thing that gets people into trouble.

For the northern lights, the advice is simple: get away from the city lights, find dark sky, and aim for around 10 to 11 PM when activity tends to peak.

Tasting Everyday Iceland

Food comes up too. Valur keeps it honest:

• Iceland’s famous hot dog “with everything.”

• A bowl of lamb soup on a cold day is exactly what it sounds like.

• And for those who want to go further, there’s always fermented shark — though that one is strictly optional.

The real rhythm of Reykjavík isn’t hard to find. Eat a hot dog by the harbour. Sit in a hot tub longer than you planned. Walk the streets of colourful houses with nowhere specific to be. The city rewards that kind of attention.

Listen to the full episode of Destination Unlocked: Reykjavik – Valur on Sagas, Museums, and Daily Life here and start mapping out your own Reykjavík adventure.