Hello everyone. Long time listener, first time caller. I will be visiting Iceland over the Easter holiday as a solo traveler. I’m well aware of the traditions and that a lot of things will be closed. I was curious of a few things:
Does any one have any insight and recommendations to restaurants that would be open and serving traditional Icelandic Easter meals?
I know some Netto will be open most of the weekend and I will be travelling with my Costco membership card while in the city. Will gas stations be open around the southern part of the island Maundy Thursday and Good Friday? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8454 posts
We are just getting started on planning for Iceland the end of May, so I cannot help you on your info. We are going to catch a cruise out of there.
Dress warm as it never gets warm in Iceland--especially in April.
We travel internationally often and no longer do we plan on eating in restaurants. We ask the front desk in our hotels where is the best place is to eat. And food in Iceland may not be what many people like to eat.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3689 posts
Easter is an important holiday in Iceland as it is a 5 day holiday. Thus, many things are closed especially on Good Friday and Easter Sunday themselves. Tours generally go, but check as they may not on Easter itself.
As for restaurants, look to see where you want to eat and then check if they will be open. It is always good to make reservations for restaurants in Iceland anyway, so just email them and see if they are open and then make the reservation. Since lamb is very popular in Iceland, you will find Easter meals with that most of the time. FWIW, in all of our trips we have never had a bad meal in Iceland, the food is so good there!
The grocery stores, not just Netto, open late and close early, so take note of that. Costco will be closed on Easter, but I believe open the other days. It is not convenient though except for coming and going from KEF as it is not in the city center.
Gas stations will be open, but they may have limited hours. Just fill up in the middle of the day you and will be good.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3689 posts
David--I just noticed you said you are just starting planning for your trip in May. Just an FYI that most places book out 9-12 months in advance so if you do not have lodging secured yet, I would get that done asap. We have had to tweak our itinerary on one trip that we planned just 6 months in advance as there were not lodging options for our initial itinerary.