Frequently Asked Questions

We get a lot of questions about many different things regarding our guest’s arrangements to come to Gullkistan. We are happy to assist, so please don’t be afraid to ask (gullkistan@gullkistan.is).

On this page we gather the most common questions. We hope they’ll be useful for you.

Where is Gullkistan?

Gullkistan is situated in a small town by Lake Laugarvatn in The Laugardalur valley South Iceland. (Also on google maps)

The village is surrounded by mountains on one side and  the Laugarvatn lake.

Laugarvatn has a special history as a school village and is known for its still weathers and calm atmosphere.

Passport and Immigration?

Citizens from the USA and all of Europe do not need to apply for a Visa to visit Iceland for up to 3 months.  

More details
Citizens from these countries do not need a visa for up to three months stay.

Citizens from these countries need to apply to for a visa to visit Iceland and stay at Gullkistan.

Grants

For grants we recommend that you pursue any possibilities in your home country such as Arts councils or government funds. 

For US citizens:

For Nordic and Baltic citizens

Shipping and mailing?
Gullkistan miðstöð sköpunar ehf
Dalbraut 1,
840 Laugarvatn
Iceland

You can mail things to the residency before you get there and receive personal mail. On packages mailed ahead of time just put your name and arrival date on the packet and our address.

For custom benefits just write “personal belongings, no commercial value – may be opened by customs.”

If you do send something please let us know so we can watch out for it.

How to get there?

Ways of getting to Laugarvatn can depend on the time of year. We recommend our guests to search online and to feel free to ask us for help. Gullkistan has a special deal with a taxi company so a direct ride can be arranged.

Climate?
The climate in Iceland is not what most people think. It has a mostly coastal climate with mild temperatures – sort of like the west coast of Canada and Ireland only a bit colder. Some say Iceland only has two seasons, spring and fall. This is true in some sense as we can have +10°C (50F) both in January and June.

Summers in Iceland starts late and it never gets hot, so one pair of shorts is plenty and windbreakers, fleece and lots of layers are useful, especially if you want to go walking, hiking or camping. In summer we have the midnight sun and it never really gets dark. In the winter on the other hand we have 3 hours of daylight on the shortest day, so it never really gets very bright.

http://en.vedur.is

http://www.outdoors.is/weather , http://www.hi.is/~oi/climate_in_iceland.htm and

http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/pageinfo_pays.php3?Pays=ISL&Opt=climate

Services in Laugarvatn town?

 

Below you find a list of the main services found in Laugarvatn town. Opening hours for all the services vary by season.

 

Please use the google maps links to see the current opening hours.

 

Grocery store and gas station

 

  • Samkaup Strax is a small grocery store and a gast station, but has everything one might need. [Google Maps]Distance from residency: 450 meters

 

Swimming pools

 

 

Restaurants and bars

 

  • Lindin [Google maps]
    Distance from residency: 700 meters.
  • Héraðsskólinn [Google maps]
    Distance from residency: 900 meters

 

Hotels and guesthouses

 

  • Björk Guesthouse [link]
  • Héraðsskólinn Guesthouse [link]
  • Galleri Laugarvatn [link]
  • Golden Circle Apartments [link]

 

Emergency services

 

In any type emergency call phone number 112. This is the number for any all emergency services including:

  • Ambulance
  • Police
  • Fire services
  • Search and Rescue teams

 

For general health services, contact Health service at Laugarás Town, which is 20 min by car.

 

Call in advance to meet with a doctor:
Tel. 480 5300 /  892 8804

 

Money?

Credit cards

Credit cards like Visa and Master card are accepted everywhere in Iceland.

Most other types of plastic cards are also acknowledged in the banks and ATMs.

Getting cash via ATM

Laugarvatn Town has an ATM [Google maps]  

Accommodation in Reykjavík?

Association for the Icelandic Arts Guesthouse

Gullkistan recommends booking at the SÍM Guesthouse, run by the Association for Icelandic Arts.

The guesthouse has 4 rooms reserved for:

  • Artists, curators
  • Cultural writers
  • Researchers
  • Cultural representatives
  • Their family members.

The guesthouse is affordable and nice and located in the City Center.

It’s a small place, so make sure
you book well in advance!

Telephone: +354 551 1346
E-mail: sim@sim.is

Other options

Reykjavík has a lot of accommodation in all categories. Prices vary a lot by season. Generally speaking it is important to book in a good advance. 

This detailed article about the different options should be helpful.

 

Renting a car?

There are many car hires, find the best offers.

Trips?

In summer Gullfoss and Geysir can be visited by taking a bus from Laugarvatn.

Selfoss is the biggest town in south Iceland, about 45 km from Laugarvatn. One bus goes there daily all year.

Reykjavík is 70 km from Laugarvatn through The Thingvellir National Park.

There are all kinds of hotels and accommodation around Iceland accessible through internet search.

Local transport?

At the residency there is a car that can be used by residents on shorter excursions for a fare fee.