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Iceland Airwaves - Reykjavik music festival

I inadvertently scheduled a 3 day stop over trip to Iceland November 6-9 during the big music festival, "Iceland Airwaves", in downtown Reykjavik. I was planning to stay in the center of town all 3 days. While I love music, the purpose of my trip was not to attend a music festival alone. I was planning to spend 1 day in Reykjavik and 1-2 days on tours/hikes of natural areas, (still TBD where/what). I am looking for some guidance from the forum as I am considering moving my stay outside Reykjavik to avoid the festival. Does this festival consume the entire town? How busy is it? Is there a different and charming neighborhood/location within Reykjavik to get hotel that is not in the mix of the festival? Am I making too big a deal out of the festival?

Thank you!

Posted by
3502 posts

I would not worry too much. I would suggest staying a few minutes from the heart of downtown which is what we always do anyway. Look at Center Hotel Laugavegur or Center Hotel Midgsrdur. We have stayed at both several times each and it’s about a 15 minute walk up the heart of town but on the main shopping street. The other nights I would recommend a 2day/1night tour along the south coast. I would recommend that even if there were not a festival going on. I personally have had good luck with www.troll.is for excursions.