The Icelandic capital has risen from relative obscurity to become one of the world’s coolest city breaks. Even when snow lightly dusts this part of southwest Iceland, the streets enveloped by Faxafloi Bay have the warmest of atmospheres. While the country’s natural landscapes are never far away, Reykjavik has a stunning array of attractions. The nightlife and live music scene is also second-to-none. Here’s what to do with 2 Days in Reykjavik.
Day One
Morning
Although you’re probably keen to hit the streets running, it’s always a good idea to freshen up after your flight. You might want to leave any luggage in the safe hands of your hotels in Reykjavik too. At the forefront of Scandi design, there is no shortage of wonderful places to stay. There are the cool neutral interiors of Kvosin Downtown Hotel and Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina, and the modern urban chic of Tower Suites and Canopy by Hilton. Our where to stay in Reykjavik guide has some excellent picks.
Once you feel a little more human, there’s no better way to kick off your 2 days in Reykjavik than with our Insider Reykjavik City Tour. Of all our tours of Reykjavik, this one provides some of the best-personalized hints and tips on how to get the most out of this laid-back city. In between, your expert guide will lead you through Reykjavik’s clean, safe streets. You’ll of course see important landmarks including the Althing (parliament) building and Hallgrimskirkja church.
Afternoon
In the afternoon of your first day in Reykjavik, you can tick off two of the Reykjavik region’s most impressive sights. Join our Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights tour, and you’ll be whisked out of the city for a few hours enjoying the geothermally heated waters. But this is only the start of the afternoon’s delights. On returning to the capital, you’ve got some time to sample some of Iceland’s cuisine. You could opt for a humble pylsur (hot dog) or the famed fermented shark. Then you’ll rejoin your guide to seek out the otherworldly glory of the northern lights igniting the sky outside the city.
Evening
Reaching the city center as the clocks strike midnight, there’s still a couple of hours to check out the city’s legendary bar and club scene. There’s a huge range that hugs the streets between the waterfront Harpa Concert Hall and eighteenth-century cathedral. From unfussy to uber-stylish, you’re bound to find something that suits your mood.
Day Two
Morning
If the island’s wild landscapes are still calling, look no further than the full-day Golden Circle Snowmobile Adventure. Jumping into a jeep, you’ll be taken around the sights of the Golden Circle in style. Have your camera and social media accounts at the ready, for you’ll be witnessing the spectacle of Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Geysir Geothermal Area. Each has adorned the posters of Iceland for decades – with good reason. What’s more, you won’t return to Reykjavik until you’ve experienced a snowmobile ride and explored Langjökull Glacier, the second-largest in Iceland. However, there are so many attractions in and around Reykjavik that you might instead want to consider our Silver Circle Super Jeep Tour or even our Valley of Thor Jeep Tour.
Afternoon
Each and every one of these full-day tours is epic in its own way. But if you’d prefer a slower start to the day after last night’s antics, why not begin with a lazy breakfast at one of the waterfront cafes before tackling our Reykjavik Elves & Trolls Walking Tour? Visiting graveyards, downtown’s Elf Stone, and other related sights, you’ll soon discover why more than half of Icelanders still believe in these rarely seen creatures.
Evening
Reykjavik’s beer scene has gone and a long way in a very short time. The drink wasn’t even legal in the country until 1989. Today, Reykjavik is the center of the nation’s brewing industry. Join our Reykjavik Beer Tasting Tour and you’ll have the chance to sample some of the very best brews in lively bars. You’ll also still have time to check out any of the clubs you missed last night.
2 Days in Reykjavik – Capturing the City at its Best
Reykjavik once had a reputation as a dowdy and rather boring city. Follow our recommendations for 2 days in Reykjavik and you’ll find this is definitely no longer the case. For a more in-depth look into the city sights, don’t miss our Reykjavik city guide. And if that has you captivated, you should also check out our Reykjavik design guide.
Want More Iceland?
Once you get a taste of the wonders of Iceland, it’s very possible you’ll realize that 2 days in Reykjavic just won’t cut it. Don’t worry, we have some great inclusive package tours for you spread out over four or five days, that strike the perfect balance between urban explorations in Reykjavic and witnessing the glories of the Icelandic countryside. Or, zoom out to get the full picture of all Iceland’s photogenic landscapes by checking out our Iceland package tours. No matter how much time you have, there’s a tour to suit everyone.
