“I’ve got a few days in Iceland and I want to make the most of it.”
This is the usual request I receive from friends and readers alike, many of whom are stopping in Reykjavik on a quick layover with Icelandair. So I thought I’d provide a longer answer than usual for the Looptail, replete with some photos, for the best things to do during the weekend layover. Assuming you have three days, you can get a lot of ground covered and still join locals for drinks late into the night on the main streets of the capital – which is exactly how you’re expected to spend your weekend evenings.
Driving on the open ring roads outside the capital – photo by Jodi E.
1. Rent a car instead of doing a day tour. It’s one thing if you are there on a longer trip and can take your time exploring, but if you’re going to be there for a weekend, definitely rent a car at the airport and use this to see the sights. Parking is easily found in the capital, and having your own transportation means that you can navigate your way around the region at your own pace.
Tip: Pick up a SIM with data from Vodafone.is and use your phone as a GPS to get around. Data rates are reasonable, and if you don’t have a favourite GPS programme, try Waze (this is what I did and it worked great).
Gullfoss Waterfalls – photo by Jodi E.
2. Use your rental car to stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way to or from the airport. The Blue Lagoon is situated 20 minutes from the Reykjavik airport, but close to an hour from Reykjavik proper. To maximize your time in town, definitely stop in the lagoon on the way to or from the city (for directions, see their website). Opening hours are until 8pm, 9pm or midnight, depending on the time of year. Bonus points for the awesome feeling of a crazy steaming lagoon in the night hours – it’s surreal. (Photos don’t turn out well, though.)
Fish restaurant, near the Bonus supermarket, photo by Jodi E.
3. Take a day to see Reykjavik itself. For one day, run around town by foot to take in the port, the sights, and the amazingly colourful buildings.
Some tips:
- Don’t miss the 871 Settlement museum, which has interactive exhibits about the history of Iceland, centered around a Viking longhouse they’ve dated back to 871.
- There’s a fish restaurant right across from the Bonus supermarket that makes a great fish soup. Tourists will recommend Seabaron near the port, but locals recommended Fish. (Seriously, that’s what it’s called). Just ask anyone for the Bonus grocery shop, then walk across the street to the tiny storefront with the fish sign hanging above it.
- The same Bonus supermarket is good for snacks and eats if you are going to be needing provisions for your car ride.
- On the weekend, check out the Kolaportid fleamarket.
- For the Northern Lights, check forecasts online before deciding whether to hop in your car and drive out to see them. If you do, be sure your phone is topped up and you have blankets and snacks in case your car breaks down (make sure you have an emergency number to call as well).
- Don’t miss the main Hallgrímskirkja church, looming up over the city. You can take the stairs to the top, too. Worthwhile.
Reykjavik’s colourful houses from above – photo by Jodi E.
4. Don’t go to bed early on a weekend. Reykjavik on a weekend night is…raucous. Locals partake in “the Rúntur” – what my friend Inga explained as a late-night bar crawl on and around the main drag, Laugavegur street. Residents drink at home with friends first, then head out at midnight or later to overtake the bars, ending around 5AM.
Tip: after the bar-hopping ends, locals will be found eating hot dogs on the street, most notably at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur.
Seeing a geysir in Geysir – photo by Jodi E.
5. Visit the Golden Circle: Geysir, Gullfoss and Pingvellir. See a geyser in Geysir, gorgeous roaring waterfalls in Gullfoss, and the place where continents meet and clash with crumbling stones and green grass as far as the eye can see. Iceland’s magic scenery isn’t to be missed, but if you only have a weekend the best way to get a “best of” is to do the Golden Circle in a day. This is easily undertaken because the ring road makes it hard to get lost. Just be sure you head back to the city before it gets too dark, as lighting is almost non-existent on the roads once you leave the capital.
For more photos from Iceland, please see my Legal Nomads post, Instagramming Iceland.
I can’t think of a nicer trip than Italy Thank you
I take it you won the trip Kathy? I thought we would get an e-mail saying that the draw is over.
OK – so I have read through this article 3 times, looked all over this page and I have not found any link or info on how to “Win a Trip to Italy.” Is this some BS scam to get people to read the article? Because no where are there instructions on the contest. Although the Icelandic article was interesting, the more I read, the more PO’d I became.
Suan the Italy contest ended last week. Winner will be announced March 18th. Sorry for the inconvenience or confusion. However, stay tuned for more giveaways coming up this year on the Looptail!
Definitely would love to visit Iceland, but Italy is good too!
I would love to visit Iceland! “Thanks for this great promotion!”
Would love to visit Iceland!
Iceland looks lovely!
I would love to go to Iceland someday!
Love to be there!
Iceland is where I want to be!
I would love to visit Tuscany and of course Iceland will be very nice to visit too.
Great place to visit,
I think I want to see Russia.
Thank you for the great travel tips for Iceland! I love the “must do” tips for a short visit.
Thanks Melanie!
Awewsome and beautiful
After my trip to Iceland, I think I may travel to London, England.
i reall y want to go on a vacation somewhere awesome.
Iceland: what an experience that would be. Met some Icelandic people in our recent G-Adventures Southern Cross trip and would love to go.
what a fantastic place to vacation!
Want to travel everywhere! Next destinations are Paris and Venice, Florence and Rome Any suggestions on how to save money while traveling there?
Wouldn’t mind stopping over to see the Northern Lights, but would love to go to Italy and as you say “eating my way around”. I would love to have the opportunity to taste the flavours of Italy.
Well, I wouldn’t mind a layover in Iceland en route to Italy. What are cycling conditions like? Would it be worth assembling my bike and trailer for say 5 days – then repacking themfor the onward flight(s)?
Hi Simon, it would depend on when you went. Definitely wouldn’t recommend it in winter months, but in the summer I suspect it would be gorgeous!
Perfect for a layover in Reykjavik: Blue Lagoon, The Golden Circle tour and spending some time in the city as it’s a lovely place!
Some impressions of this amazing and stunning country: http://www.fm1721.net/#!iceland/c1w1d
Iceland is definitely on my bucket list….
I would definitely like to visit Iceland which seem to be a very nice country.