Reykjavik in 48 Hours: Spas and Scenic Day Trips
Dramatic views on the trail within Þingvellir National Park on the Golden Circle tour
Iceland makes it surprisingly easy to spend just two days exploring, with inexpensive flights on Icelandair and with its popularity as a layover on the way to or from Europe (in my case returning home from Paris.) Reykjavik is a compact, walkable town full of modern design and cozy cafés.
Just outside the city you’ll find waterfalls, geothermal spas, and dramatic landscapes that feel like another world. The Golden Circle tour, an efficient way to see lots of sights outside of Reykjavik in just a day, was a spectacular compliment to dining and shopping downtown.
Whether you’re passing through on the way to another destination or planning a quick stop in Iceland itself, this tourist-friendly country offers a perfect mix of culture, comfort, and natural wonder.
Where to stay
Stay at the modern and centrally located 101 Hotel a Design Hotel (several other properties and guesthouses have 101 in the title, so be sure to check that you’re booking the Marriott.) This hotel has a view of the opera house, the Ingólfur statue, and the picturesque, white House of Collections. Newer rooms are spacious and many come with a soaking tub and shower. The hot tub and steam room in the lower level spa (open to all guests) are delightful and helpful after a day of hiking. Kastrup is the onsite restaurant and meals here are delicious (see below.) This is a truly lovely hotel that we were surprisingly pleased by, given the limited photos on their website and some mixed reviews (from people who stayed in older rooms or who didn’t appreciate noise from the boisterous downtown streets outside).
There are a variety of other options near local landmarks, including Hotel Leifur Eiriksson (directly across from and with magnificent views of the Hallgrímskirkja church) and the Center Hotels, with locations near the waterfront area.
For luxury you could try The Edition or stay nearby and take advantage of their restaurants, Tides and the Rooftop bar with sweeping water views.
Places to eat
Kastrup in the 101 Hotel has fabulous food. The fish of the day when we went was ‘wolf fish’ which our server said was recommended, given it’s available less often than the other fish dishes on the menu and it was well worth it.
Have dinner at Brut. Try the skate wing, a local favorite served with lemon and capers.
Things to do
Explore downtown Reykjavik. Shop, grab a coffee, get a famous Icelandic hotdog, and take in the combination of sleek modern buildings and charming, historic homes within the city.
Walk along the waterfront and see the Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager statue.
Sólfar (Sun Voyager) statue
At the top of the hill above rainbow street, find the Hallgrímskirkja church. Tour the inside and see sweeping views of the city from the top of the tower.
Hallgrímskirkja church
Golden Circle
Take a Golden Circle tour with East West tour company. There are many guides offering Golden Circle tours, but this one has two unique stops that make it a truly special experience - a dairy farm and a tomato farm, both with amazing food. Adding these to the other awe-inspiring places on the tour really makes the day complete and gives you a taste of life in Iceland beyond the much more touristy destinations. Check out the sites below you’ll see on this tour:
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir is located directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic plates are diverging
Gullfoss Waterfall (Golden Falls)
Strokkur (Geysir Geothermal Region)
Kerid Crater
Volcanic crater lake in the Grimsnes Area
Friðheimar Tomato Farm
Popular dish in the farm restaurant: Tomato soup fresh from the greenhouse tomatoes
Farmhotel Efstidalur (dairy farm and hotel)
Icelandic Horses at the Bru horse farm
Sky Lagoon
Go to the Sky Lagoon and take the seven step ritual.
Getting around
If you need an activity for an even shorter same-day layover trip to Iceland, the Sky Lagoon is a great way to spend a few hours. To get there and away from the Keflavik airport, take the Flybus or get a private transfer .
For transfers to and from the airport, bus station, or popular destinations like the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, there are bus companies that offer this, including Fly Bus and Reykjavik Excursions. Once you arrive in Reykjavik, it is easily walkable and you can see most of downtown in a couple of hours. There’s no Uber or Lyft in Iceland; instead try these two alternatives:
Hopp: This service offers a low-cost, app-based taxi service similar to Uber, with options for ride booking, fare estimates, and real-time tracking. Hreyfill: This is another well-known taxi company in Iceland, and they also offer an app for booking rides.
Next time…
We plan to try the Blue Lagoon and head north to see the northern lights!