Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland and actually the world’s northernmost capital, turned out to be a unique combination of Viking heritage with a modern, cosmopolitan vibe. I got to see for myself, during my first ever trip to the iconic island start July and I'm happy to share all my experiences in this guide to Reykjavik.
The city dates back from the 9th century and literally translates to ‘Smoky Bay’, named by the first settlers after the steam that rose from the area's hot springs.
What began as a small settlement has evolved into a vibrant city, offering quite some cultural experiences, historical sites, and natural beauty, while still feeling small and quaint.
And although Iceland is a bit more expensive, you will not regret a visit to this unique island, or just the vibrant capital for a diverse city trip! There are some airlines that offer affordable flights to the U.S. from Europe, with a stopover in Reykjavik, like Play Airlines.
This can be a great and less expensive way to get a taste of Reykjavik, as a first introduction to the land of fire and ice!
And if you only have 24 or 48 hours to spare, then make sure to read on, as this guide, with custom map, can help you make the most of your time! But first:
Getting to Reykjavik affordably
Visiting Iceland has become increasingly accessible thanks to Play Airlines. This budget-friendly airline offers regular flights to Reykjavik from a several international destinations, including Schiphol Airport.
The journey from Amsterdam to Keflavik International Airport (KEF), Iceland's main airport, takes about 3 hours, making it a convenient and fast option for a short getaway.
But Play Airlines also connects Reykjavik with several U.S. cities. A return flight from Amsterdam to New York already goes for €500 p.p., depending on your flight dates of course. Check for yourself on: Play Airlines.
Via the Play website a few days stopover is easy to add, without extra charge, making a short city trip to Reykjavik perfect to combine with a transatlantic trip.
My July trip was my first time flying with Play Airlines and I found it surprisingly comfortable, setting it apart from many other budget airlines.
The leather seats of our plane were more spacious than usual, with extra legroom. And there were USB chargers and holders for your devices at every seat, enabling you to enjoy the flight in comfort and style!
How to get to Reykjavik city?
Once you’ve landed at Keflavik Airport, the easiest and more affordable way to reach Reykjavik’s city center is by taking the Flybus, operated by Icelandia.
It goes directly from the front of the arrivals hall with buses going every 15 minutes, adjusting to the flight arrival times.
It only costs €27 p.p. one way, these big buses are carbon-neutral, and even have Wifi aboard!
They will take you to the main bus terminal of Reykjavik in about 45 minutes and from there you can also take a smaller bus to your exact destination in the city center for a small extra charge.
The city bus makes multiple stops throughout the city, to get out close to your accommodation.
48-Hour stopover guide Reykjavik - Iceland
Reykjavik is a compact city, especially in the downtown area, making it easy to explore almost everything on foot, as most of the sites are located near each other.
But if you prefer not to walk, or if the weather takes a turn, Reykjavik's public transport system is reliable and easy, with stops all around the city center. Also a less expensive option than Icelandic taxis.
Check out all the details about bus travel in Reykjavik city: Visit Reykjavik - public transportation.
With just 48 hours in the city, knowing where to go is key to make the most of your time. That’s why I made this Google map for you, with all my favourite spots, activities, restaurants and sites to visit, to ensure you have the best Reykjavik experience.
Top 10 things to do in Reykjavik
And of course I'm happy to tell you more about my top 10 sites below, with many of my own pictures:
1. Explore rainbow street (Regnbogagatan)
This surely is one of Reykjavik's most photogenic locations in downtown and famed for its vibrant, colorful pavement leading all the way up to Reykjavik’s iconic church.
Situated right in the city center, where you will also find several bars, restaurants, and shops with local gifts and unique Icelandic products. A great place to start your exploration of Reykjavik city!
2. Admire Reykjavik’s street art & architecture
I was surprised to see that Reykjavik has a lively street art scene, with murals and graffiti all around downtown.
I marked a few of these spots on the map, but just walking around the city and side streets is the best way to discover even more murals. And to admire the colorful Icelandic architecture, which is quite typical and quaint.
Reykjavik’s street art is constantly evolving, with new pieces appearing regularly, so there’s always something fresh to discover.
Get an impression through this gallery:
3. Visit Hallgrimskirkja
This is Reykjavik's most recognizable landmark and a must-visit in my opinion, both from the inside and out. This impressive church, inspired by the basalt columns formed by cooling lava, has a unique architectural design that is symbolic of Iceland’s natural beauty.
Located in the downtown area, Hallgrimskirkja is easy to reach on foot from many parts of Reykjavik. The church took 49 years to build and is quite imposing from the outside, while its serene interior is nice to admire as well.
For a small fee of about €9 p.p. and €1,30 for kids between 7-16 years old, you can take the elevator to the top for panoramic views of Reykjavik and its surroundings. Find out more: Visiting Hallgrimskirkja.
4. Explore the Einar Jónsson museum & sculpture garden
Just a short walk from Hallgrimskirkja, you’ll find this lesser-known Museum and Sculpture Garden, a hidden gem in Reykjavik’s cultural scene. Einar Jónsson was Iceland’s first sculptor, and this museum, which is a unique structure, was built in dedication to his life’s work.
Inside, you’ll find a collection of his sculptures, heavily influenced by Icelandic folklore and mythology.
Outside, the sculpture garden is free to visit and offers a tranquil escape from the city center.
5. Discover museums & more with the City Card
Besides this museum on the edge of the city, Reykjavik offers many different museums and galleries. One of the most cost-effective ways to explore them is by purchasing a Reykjavik City Card. This gives you free access to several museums and galleries throughout the city and discounts on tours and services.
You can purchase the card for 24, 48 or 72 hours. And in addition to museum access, it includes unlimited bus travel within the Reykjavik capital and free entry to all of Reykjavik's public swimming pools.
Find out more on VisitReykjavik - City Card
We visited the City Museum’s exhibition ‘The Settlement’, where you can learn all about the origins of the city. Here you can also see one of Iceland’s first original settlements, kept intact on its original location!
6. Relax in Reykjavik’s thermal pools
Iceland is famous for its geothermal activity, and Reykjavik’s thermal pools are the perfect way to experience this natural wonder.
It's an important part of Icelandic culture and a great way to relax and wind down from a busy day of sightseeing.
The City Card grants free access to all of the city’s swimming pools, heated by geothermal energy.
One of the most popular pools among tourists and locals, is Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik’s largest pool complex.
But you can also visit the newer Sky Lagoon, located just outside the city, by the sea: Sky Lagoon.
Entry to the last one is however not included in the City Card, but both offer hot tubs, saunas, natural baths and steam rooms.
7. Experience the Perlan museum
This museum is also located a bit on the outskirts of the city, on a hill, overlooking Reykjavik. Housed in a futuristic building, said to be one of Reykjavik’s most iconic buildings, that used to store hot water.
Now it features exhibits that showcase Iceland’s geological and natural history. The highlights here are the Ice Cave, the world’s first indoor glacier, the lava screening, and the spectacular 360° Northern Lights show in the planetarium.
There’s also a café and restaurant at the top floor right under the impressive glass dome. As well as an observation deck with 360 views over Reykjavik, perfect for photography.
With the City Card you will get a discount on this museum. Find out more on Perlan Museum website.
8. Go on a whale-watching or puffin tour
Reykjavik is located along the coast, which makes it an ideal starting point for marine wildlife tours. Various excursions, including whale-watching and puffin tours, are offered in the harbor by several tour companies, such as SpecialTours.
Iceland’s waters are home to several whale species, like the minke and humpback whale and you can spot them on a variety of boats.
We chose the RIB boat tour to get even closer to these beauties, but unfortunately as Iceland’s weather is very fickle, it was too windy and not safe enough to go out on the day of our tour!
Luckily, the puffin express did go out on a more stable boat, which only runs in summer. This medium sized vessel goes to one of the islands, just 20 minutes from Reykjavik, where these cute and small seabirds come to nest this time of year.
Although it was hard to photograph them due to the wind and rain on our tour, I did my best and fortunately we were able to sit inside as well. Nevertheless, such a unique experience to see these rare creatures in their natural habitat.
9. Visit the Harpa Concert Hall
This is one of Reykjavik’s most impressive modern buildings. Located by the harbor, with a black façade made of geometric glass panels that reflect the sky and sea, creating a stunning visual effect.
Harpa hosts a variety of concerts, performances, and events throughout the year, and has a restaurant as well.
And even if you don’t catch a performance, the building itself is worth a visit for its architecture and the beautiful views over the marina and its surroundings.
Get an impression through my own pictures:
10. Enjoy Icelandic nightlife & restaurants
Most of Reykjavik's nightlife is concentrated around Laugavegur, which becomes Bankastraeti and eventually Austurstraeti as you walk down the main road.
Although this strip is lined with bars an shops, Laugavegur is where most of the action takes place, with bars, restaurants and cafés for every taste.
For a real authentic Icelandic meal, I can recommend Geiri Smart Restaurant, with a more contemporary and sophisticated vibe.
This hip restaurant is known for its creative cuisine, combining modern cooking methods with traditional Icelandic ingredients using locally sourced produce, seafood, and meat.
Fröken Reykjavik Kitchen & Bar is another nice restaurant, where we had a tasty lunch in a stylish setting. Located right next to the lovely lake and the Radhus, which are very photogenic as well.
The restaurant has a stunning interior and decor, with an extensive wine room and excellent menu, featuring modern dishes combined with Icelandic cuisine.
Both restaurants are stylish and delicious options for lunch and dinner.
Reykjavik, although compact, is a quite a versatile city with interesting architecture, history and (street) art. But also geothermal pools and authentic bars and restaurants, while wildlife and nature is always nearby.
With just 48 hours to spend, you can already experience much of what makes this city so special. And if you have more time to spare Reykjavik can be the perfect base to explore even more of South and West Iceland from.
Tours to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle and the south coast’s stunning waterfalls and black sand beaches are just a few options within driving distance. And if you do have more time or want to cruise around Iceland, like we did, check out all other Iceland blogs here.
Even with just a short stopover in Reykjavik, there's still much that I didn't see or do, with unique sites like FlyOver Iceland, the Lava Show and the Whales of Iceland exhibit, among others, that you can find on Visit Reykjavik.
I'm sure you will also get a deeper appreciation for this city with its unique combination of history, culture and natural beauty, by following this Reykjavik guide!
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