Reykjavik Hen Party

Star Bars

Bravo - This cosy safe haven might resemble the interior of an IKEA home exhibit, but there's a colourful charm to this bar that we've yet to see replicated anywhere else. By the way, the Nordic men here might be dishy, but in this venue, they're probably not interested...
Where? Laugavegur 22, Reykjavik

Snaps Bistro - For a taste of the big apple in Iceland's capital you can't go wrong with Snaps. This spectacular bistro is where all of Reykjavik's artsy-folk go to talk culture and look cool, so your bunch of giggling hens is sure to fit right in!?!
Where? Þórsgata 1, Reykjavik

Café Paris - If any city appreciates the simple elegance of Paris, it's Reykjavik. This bar is the perfect place to escape the hustle and the bustle of the inner city with a range of alluring cocktails inviting you in from the busy sidewalks.
Where? Austurstræti 14, Reykjavik

Best Bites

Saegreifinn - This delightful family restaurant serves plenty of traditional Icelandic cuisine for you to try. It's not great if you don't like fish, but if you aren't fussy, then you simply have to try the Lobster soup - it's been called the worlds best on more than one occasion...
Where? 4 Guildhall Hill, NR2 1JH

Hamborgarafabrikkan - Nope, the name of this diner doesn't translate to 'hangover-conqueror' but it might as well. The square-bun burgers cooked up here might seem unusual, but they're absolutely delicious - this is one holiday treat that you won't mind dropping any diets for.
Where? Höfðatún 2, Reykjavik

Sights & Sounds

Sights
Sights and Sounds in Reykjavik After a big night out in this relatively new city, you could end up feeling a little worse for wear. However, a stroll along Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach will help you sooth any aches and pains from the previous evenings excesses. This man-made safe haven is exceptionally calming. It's a great pace to sunbathe during the summer and you can enjoy a relaxing swim at any time of year - it sounds a little crazy, granted, but cold-swimming is actually one of Iceland's oldest traditions!

Sounds
Reykjavik's nightlife is seriously vibrant and it seems that the twenty-something's of this Icelandic town all keep warm at night by convening to par-tay! Austur has a great atmosphere, and while it's a little odd to think of it as a nightclub at first (it looks a bit like a ski lodge, inside and out) once the party gets rocking, you won't want to leave!
Paloma is one of the most chic clubs we've ever seen - it might not be the most glamorous party venue, but it's got buckets of soul and we came away totally in love!

In the Diary

March - Blues Festival. The city's best bars are treated to performances from some of the world's best jazz musicians - Blues Brothers fancy dress is actively encouraged.
June - Iceland Day. Celebrate all that's great about this wonderful island by enjoying street performances, concerts and stunning balls.
June - Secret Solstice. This spectacular music festival attracts big names as well as local favourites and it takes place at the brightest point of the Icelandic year.
December - Christmas in Reykjavik. The city comes to life with festive cheer - The annual lighting of the Oslo Christmas tree and the chance to see the Northern Lights are unmissable highlights!

Top of the Shops

Reykjavik isn't known for its daring fashion, but the variety of visually arresting styles you'll see upon landing in this beautiful city are a testament of how dressing for the cold doesn't necessarily mean sacrificing looking good. From chic Scandinavian dresses to glamorous fur coats, the shops here are full of gorgeous threads that'll look perfect around the Christmas markets when you're back home.

Kolaportid - This flea market is absolutely gorgeous - the rag-tag collection of Icelandic bric-a-brac you'll find here is just waiting to be explored, plus Kolaportid also sells traditional foods for you to take home with you. 'Shark meat, anybody?'
Where? Tryggvagata 19, Reykjavik
Geysir - The girls will love this fashionably bijou boutique selling traditional Icelandic clothing as well as handmade products from the farmers market and the enormously popular Fjallraven backpacks.
Where? Skólavörðustíg, Reykjavik
Kronkron - If fashion is all about the 'money, money, money' with your group of hens then this stylish shop has big name designers as well as a few surprisingly cute bits and bobs from Icelandic up-and-comers!
Where? 63B Laugavegur, Reykjavik

Girls About Town - Getting around Reykjavik...

While you'll be sorry to hear that the locals don't all get around via husky/reindeer pulled sledges, the Icelandic capital does have an excellent bus network that's perfect for scaling the length and breadth of this fantastic city. You can pay about 350 ISK for a one way ticket, or if you think you might be using the buses a lot you can buy yourself a Reykjavik City Card that'll give you unlimited travel for a set period of time, as well as free entry to most major attractions.

Hen Days

Reykjavik is a phenomenal hen party location, there's a load to do here amidst all the sightseeing and there's a wide variety of activities to try. Whale Watching, Snorkelling and Glacier Hiking are just some of the unforgettable experiences you can take the girls on in this spectacular location. A Golden Circle Tour always makes for a fabulous time, and a visit to the calming Blue Lagoon is a worthy pilgrimage for many a hen party! See more...

Hen Nights

The Northern Lights aren't the only thing that comes out at night in this amazing town, all of Reykjavik's bright young things love to party and once the sun goes down the city's streets are always buzzing. Start your evening with a delicious meal in an Icelandic Restaurant before exploring the town's best party spots with our Guided Bar Crawl. Of course, the bride-to-be's big night out wouldn't be complete without Guestlist Nightclubbing!

25 Reasons To Love Reykjavik

Nearly 100% of Iceland's energy is renewable.

The ex-punk, former Mayor of Reykjavik arrived at the election dressed as a Jedi Knight.

They have an annual Bacon Festival.

In a recent poll the majority of the nation said they believe in elves.

There is even Icelandic Elf School that offers a certificate in Elf Studies.

Some roads have been re-routed around the homes of elves and dwarves.

The national dish, Hákarlis, is shark meat left in the ground for months to rot before serving. "Mmmmm!"

It's 4 times cheaper to fly to Iceland than get a train ticket from London to Manchester.

Iceland had the first democratically elected female and openly gay Prime Ministers.

During the summer months it remains daylight 24 hours a day.

Instead of Father Christmas, Iceland has '13 Yule Lads' who each bring presents for the good boys and girls.

Iceland is rewriting their constitution through social media allowing the public to make suggestions via Facebook.

It's not just the scenery, the people are beautiful too, in fact they have won Miss World more times than any other nation (per capita).

Iceland's Phallological Museum has the largest display of penises in the world.

March the 1st is National Beer Day.

Iceland banned strip clubs in 2010 (sorry Magic Mike but 'Nei!').

Until 1983 TV wasn't broadcast on Thursdays.

Iceland is the only country in the world not to have mosquitoes. Strange but true.

It's illegal to sell guns in Iceland.

And the country has no army, navy or air force.

60% of the entire Iceland population live in Reykjavik.

The population is so small that an Icelandic company invented an app to ensure people don't mistakenly date someone they might be related to.

There is a national ministry governing what names can be given to children so there'll be no 'Tallulah Peach Tree Moonbeam's' born in the near future.

It's illegal to sell underwear baring the national flag.

There'll always be someone there to look after you because mums go to Iceland.

Why: Reasons to celebrate a Reykjavik hen party

In striking Reykjavik you'll be spoilt for choice - there's so much to do and see that you're guaranteed a weekend the girls will love! Try a session of snowmobiling over icy glaciers and through snowy plains, or take the group for a relaxing afternoon in the geothermal Blue Lagoon, famous for its mineral rich waters. As well as having the most appealing activities in Reykjavik available for our groups we've also got some excellent nightlife options, from lively bar crawls to guestlist entry at one of Reykjavik's best nightclubs!

The Icelandic city has a fantastic mix of heart-pumping activities, relaxation opportunities and a friendly nightlife scene to ensure you're never stuck for things to do. There are also some fantastic sights to visit and a rich cultural scene, with a variety of museums and theatres, as well as the striking Hallgrimskirkja Church which towers over the city and is visible from 20km away. In short ladies you have everything you'll need for an unforgettable hen weekend in Reykjavik, with an inspiring range of possibilities, from Whale Watching to Snorkelling in the Silfra Fissure and Snowmobiling near active volcanoes!

Shop: Reykjavik shopping areas & recommendations

If it's cool vibes and edgy fashion you're after then there's no shortage of shopping opportunities for you! Reykjavik's laced with funky shops, quirky markets and designer stores, ideal for spending a few hours of retail therapy with your girls. Check out the Kolaportio Flea Market, which is held in a huge industrial building by the harbour every weekend and sells a great range of clothes, music and antiques, or if you're feeling peckish try some Icelandic fish delicacies including cubes of hakarl. Another great shopping area is the Kringlan Shopping Centre, where you'll find top brands like Prada and Hugo Boss as well as a huge mural by the artist Erro and a range of cafes, restaurants, banks, telephones and a cinema. We'd also recommend paying a visit to the clothes shop Liborius, which has a range of high fashion clothes designed by artist Jon Auoarson and has sold pieces to many celebrities, from Metallica to Scarlet Johanssen.

Stay: Choosing your Reykjavik hen weekend accommodation

Having been voted the world's richest city in 2009 the accommodation standards in Reykjavik are high and the service is excellent. We've got some great, group-pleasing options, whether you want to stay in a popular 3 star hotel, complete with a tasty buffet breakfast or you'd rather cut costs and stay in a central hostel, with lively music and an onsite bar. We'll make sure that you're well placed to enjoy your Reykjavik hen weekend to the max and have comfortable lodgings to return to after a day out in the Icelandic city.

Party: Where Reykjavik hen parties head after dark

Get the girls into gear and celebrate your big hen night in style with our fun evening options! We should mention that in winter the sun can set early - as early as around 3pm sometimes. However, this doesn't affect your entertainment - it just means you can pack more punch into the evening! With over 100 bars and restaurants in the city you won't be disappointed, and many areas of Reykjavik are buzzing and lively all night long on weekends! We can arrange a guided pub crawl for your group, given by an English-speaking guide, who'll take you to the best bars and pubs in Reykjavik, or how about a fun hen meal at a tasty restaurant? Let us know what your group are after and we'll set it all up for you, complete with the ever-popular guestlist nightclubbing! Do bear in mind that many of the clubs in the city have a smart dress code and the minimum age to drink in Iceland is 20.

When: The best times to visit for a hen party in Reykjavik

All year round Reykjavik's event calendar is packed with great festivals and events to check out, celebrating all aspects of the city's vibrant culture. Whether you're into art, music, theatre or sport there's something to suit everyone, and the summer months see events taking place almost daily. One of the city's event highlights is the Reykjavik International Film Festival in September, which concentrates on independent film-makers, or visit Yoko Ono's annual Imagine Peace Tower ceremony in October, where locals and visitors join her for the illumination of a super-beam on Videy Island. Another big event in October is the Icelandic Airways Music Festival which spans over 5 days and showcases some excellent Icelandic and European music. There are also activities available to suit every month, from warming up in the Blue Lagoon in winter to snorkelling the clear seas in summer, so no matter when you go you'll all have a fantastic time!

Looking for information and stats about Reykjavik? See more info here.

Chill out in the land of ice and fire!

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