Ask Flóra: The most asked questions at our front desk.

Our front desk answers hundreds of questions a week, and the same ones come up again and again. Whether it is where to park, what to eat, or what time the Northern Lights are supposed to start, we have gathered the questions we hear most and answered them properly. Here is everything our guests want to know.

Is the tap water drinkable?

Yes. Icelandic tap water is among the cleanest in the world. Cold tap water in the Reykjavík area is groundwater collected in protected areas such as Heiðmörk and is not chlorinated. The hot tap is geothermal water containing sulphur, so cold water should be heated in a kettle for coffee, tea or cooking rather than drawn hot from the tap.

Do you have uber in Iceland?

No. Uber does not operate anywhere in Iceland, including Keflavík Airport, and neither do Lyft nor Bolt. Passenger transport for a fee requires a licensed Icelandic taxi driver. You can book with Hreyfill or BSR by phone or app. Taxis are not hailed on the street here, you call, book or go to a taxi rank.

What’s the most Icelandic food I could try?

Kjötsúpa, the lamb and root vegetable soup, and plokkfiskur, mashed fish and potato served with dark rye bread. Beyond those, harðfiskur with butter, skyr, hangikjöt, and an Icelandic hot dog with everything on it. Fermented shark and svið are the ones guests photograph rather than finish.

Where do I park?

Most of central Reykjavík is paid parking, divided into zones with different rates and charging hours, and the boundaries are marked on signs and meters rather than being obvious from the street. The simplest way to pay is with a parking app, either Parka or EasyPark. You register the car's number plate, start the session on your phone and stop it when you leave, which avoids hunting for a meter.

Parking at our properties:

Reykjavík Residence: The hotel is located in central Reykjavík surrounded by a paid street parking zone, so guests should use Parka or EasyPark.

ODDSSON Midtown: free on site parking for guests.

ODDSSON Downtown: free parking for guests,

Tower Suites: Street parking in front of the building in a P4 zone.

201 Hótel: Free on site parking.

Where is the rainbow street?

Skólavörðustígur. The painted stretch runs from Bergstaðastræti down to Laugavegur, and the city council voted to make it permanent in 2019. Hallgrímskirkja sits at the top of the street, which is why almost every photograph frames the two together. It is a short walk from most of the city centre.

Where should I eat?

Reykjavík is full of restaurants, and in the centre most of them are within a short walk of one another. For an overview of what is out there and what actually has a table free, we recommend the Dineout app, an Icelandic restaurant booking platform that lists most restaurants in the city. You choose a date, a time and the number of guests, and it shows you which places have availability, with menus, photos and descriptions, and you book straight through the app. If you would rather eat in your room, Wolt covers Reykjavík for both delivery and pickup from a wide range of restaurants.

What time do the Northern Lights start?

There is no set time. The season runs from late September to early April, since outside those months the midnight sun keeps the sky from getting dark enough. Within the season, the most productive window is usually between 21:00 and 02:00. Three things have to line up, darkness, clear skies and solar activity.

What should I wear?

Layers, a waterproof and windproof outer shell, and shoes with grip. The temperature matters less than the wind and rain, and conditions change within the hour. See our packing list for all seasons.

Where to buy souvenirs?

Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur are the main shopping streets. For a genuine lopapeysa, the Handknitting Association of Iceland at Skólavörðustígur 19 sells sweaters knitted by its members.

Do I need a plug adapter?

Iceland uses the European two round pin plug, type F, at 230 volts. Guests from the UK, North America and most of Asia will need an adapter.

Where do I go to see whales or puffins?

Both leave from the old harbour, a few minutes' walk from downtown. Whale watching runs year round with the best odds from April to October. Puffins are only here in the breeding season, roughly May to August, so the tours stop after that.

How do I get to the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon?

Sky Lagoon is in Kársnes in Kópavogur, a short taxi ride from central Reykjavík, and it also runs its own shuttle from central pickup points. The Blue Lagoon is out on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 45 minutes away and near the airport, so many guests visit on the way to or from their flight. Its transport partner, Destination Blue Lagoon, runs transfers between Reykjavík, the lagoon and Keflavík Airport several times a day, and can be booked alongside your entry ticket on the Blue Lagoon website. Both lagoons require booking a time slot in advance and regularly sell out in high season.

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