Reykjavík Grapevine - 16.06.2017, Síða 60

How to get there:
Take route one south.
Follow the smell of fresh tomatoes.
Distance from
Reykjavík
97km
Tomatoes,
Ethiopian Food
And Soccer Golf
Flúðir Town Guide
Words: Steindor Grétar Jónsson Photos: Art Bicnick

A half an hour’s drive inland from
the ring road, Flúðir is a tiny town
often overlooked by those looking
to circle the island in their limited
time in the country. The municipal
area is home to 800 people, smack
dab in the middle of the Golden Cir-
cle and neighbouring such attrac-
tions as the Laugarvatn Fontana
geothermal spa and Slakki petting
zoo. But Flúðir itself is a great little
community with plenty to explore
in and of itself.
Stay: Guesthouse Flúðir
& Icelandair Hotel
The luxurious Icelandair Hotel
Flúðir is the major player in the
area; Guesthouse Flúðir is less ex-
pensive and right across the street.
Both are good options, along with
the many summer cabins and cot-
tages in the region, many of which
can be booked through Airbnb.
Visit: Friðheimar
The tomato-centric restaurant at
Friðheimar received a boost when
Kim, Kourtney and Kanye dined
there last year. Their tomatoes are
grown all year round in artificially
lit greenhouses, with imported bees
taking care of the pollinating. Visi-
tors can walk among the plants and
taste the crops in the airy restau-
rant. They also breed horses there,
and put on horse shows in fourteen
different languages.
Sports: All sorts of golf
Many golf enthusiasts own summer
cabins outside of Flúðir and take
advantage of Selsvöllur, the local 18-
hole course. But less traditional ver-
sions of the sport also have a home
in the area. Markavöllur, an 18-hole
football/soccer golf course just out-
side of town, caters to those who
would rather kick the ball than take
a swing at it. And if you prefer to
fling, there’s a free course for fris-
bee golf, AKA frolf, by the commu-
nity centre—but you have to bring
your own disc.
Swim: Secret Lagoon
What used to be known to locals as
“Gamla laugin” (“The Old Pool”) has
been rebranded and redeveloped
as The Secret Lagoon. The owner
claims that it’s the oldest swim-
ming pool in Iceland, with geo-
thermal water streaming in from a
nearby hot spring, which erupts at
five minute intervals. Despite reno-
vations, it’s retained its charming,
rustic qualities. For those looking
to take a cheaper, less adventurous
dip, the other pool in “downtown”
Flúðir will do just fine.
Eat: Minilik
You might not expect Flúðir to be a
spot for Ethiopian food, but Mini-
lik—named after the mythical son
of King Solomon and the Queen of
Sheba—is a local favourite run by
an Icelandic-Ethiopian family. This
unassuming cabin offers reason-
ably priced food and a wide selec-
tion of veggie options. Make sure to
order the ceremonial coffee—the
Ethiopian coffee beans are roasted
in front of you, involving your sens-
es in the ritual even before you take
your first sip.
Hike: Miðfell
The area surrounding Flúðir is
green and fertile, as evidenced by
the local horticulture, including the
biggest mushroom producer in Ice-
land. There’s plenty of hiking trails
to choose from for experienced
hikers, but for the more casual
outdoorsman, the town mountain
Miðfell is an easy climb. At the top,
there’s a small lake, which is said to
be the home of a Nykur, a horselike
water spirit, which drowns anyone
who dares straddle it. So watch out.
SHARE & VIEW GALLERY:
gpv.is/travel
Are you human or are you mermaid
The best of Icelandic produce
with a nod to Japan and South
America. Modern Icelandic
flavours, share plates and award
winning cocktails.
Sushi Social
Þingholtsstræti 5 • 101 Reykjavík
Tel. 568 6600 • sushisocial.is
Our kitchen is open
17.00–23.00 sun.–thu.
17.00–24.00 fri.–sat.
SOCIALIZE
WITH THE
LOCALS
ICELANDIC
SEAFOOD
makes world’s best sushi
58 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 10 — 2017
Look at this fucking hipster