Iceland’s capital might be compact, but what Reykjavik lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character. This pint-sized city perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle manages to pack world-class restaurants, cutting-edge galleries, geothermal pools, and Viking history into a walkable city centre. Add in the ethereal landscapes that lie just beyond the city limits, and you’ve got yourself one seriously IDEAL weekend destination.
With direct flights from across the UK taking just over three hours, Reykjavik has become the go-to spot for those seeking something a bit different from their city break. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights in winter or basking in the midnight sun come summer, timing is everything here. But whenever you choose to visit, 48 hours gives you just enough time to sample the best of both the capital and its spectacular surroundings.
Day One: Reykjavik Revealed
Morning: Coffee, Culture & Colourful Streets
Begin your Icelandic adventure the way locals do – with proper coffee. Skip the chains and head straight to Reykjavik Roasters on Kárastígur 1, where baristas treat coffee-making like the art form it is. Their single-origin brews pair brilliantly with their signature coffee yogurt or sourdough toast – simple but perfectly executed. Arrive before 9am to beat the weekend crowd and snag a window seat for prime people-watching.
Suitably caffeinated, take a leisurely 10-minute stroll down to the harbour area via Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street. The colourful corrugated iron buildings that line these streets aren’t just Instagram fodder – they’re a practical solution to the harsh weather, though admittedly they do look rather fetching against grey Nordic skies.
Your cultural immersion begins at the National Museum of Iceland on Suðurgata 41. Yes, we know museums can be a bit… well, museum-y, but this one’s different. The interactive displays are genuinely engaging (we promise), and you’ll emerge with a proper understanding of how this windswept island became one of the world’s most progressive nations. If time allows, pop over to the Settlement Exhibition (Landnámssýningin) at Aðalstræti 16 – a separate museum built around excavated remains of a 10th-century Viking longhouse.
Afternoon: Architectural Wonders & Artistic Quarters
Post-museum, it’s time to tick off Reykjavik’s most famous landmark. The imposing Hallgrímskirkja church might look like something from a sci-fi film set, but this Lutheran parish church is actually inspired by Iceland’s basalt lava flows. Take the lift to the top of the 73-metre tower (1,400 ISK) for panoramic views across the city’s colourful rooftops to the mountains beyond. On clear days, you can even spot the Snæfellsjökull glacier, some 120km away.
Descend back to earth and weave your way through the charming Þingholt neighbourhood towards Grandi, Reykjavik’s regenerated harbour district. This former fish-packing area has transformed into the city’s creative quarter, with the excellent Reykjavik Art Museum (Hafnarhús) leading the charge. Their contemporary exhibitions showcase both established Icelandic artists and emerging talents – and entry is free with the Reykjavik City Card.
Evening: Happy Hour & Harbour Dining
By now, you’ve probably noticed that Iceland isn’t exactly cheap. Which is why happy hour (usually 4-7pm) is something of a national institution. Join the locals at Kaffibarinn on Bergstaðastræti – yes, that’s the bar from the film ‘101 Reykjavik’ – where beers drop to almost reasonable prices and the atmosphere gets progressively livelier.
For dinner, the Old Harbour area offers everything from traditional Icelandic fare to innovative Nordic cuisine. Messinn on Lækjargata serves spectacular fresh fish in their signature style – sizzling cast-iron pans filled with the catch of the day, butter-fried potatoes, and your choice of rich sauces. The arctic char is sublime. If you’re feeling more adventurous, Grillmarkaðurinn (The Grill Market) offers a proper Icelandic feast – think puffin, minke whale, and fermented shark, though their lamb and langoustine are equally impressive and perhaps more palatable.
End your evening with a stroll along the harbour to see Harpa Concert Hall illuminated against the night sky. This geometric glass masterpiece, inspired by basalt columns and the Northern Lights, looks spectacular after dark when its LED facade creates a mesmerising light show.
Read: 6 must-eat foods in Reykjavik and where to try them
Day Two: Beyond Reykjavik
Morning: The Golden Circle Beckons
Here’s where having your own wheels becomes essential. The famous Golden Circle route encompasses three of Iceland’s most spectacular natural attractions, and while tour buses run the circuit daily, there’s something liberating about exploring at your own pace.
Rent a car in Iceland the evening before or early morning to make the most of your second day – the freedom to stop for photos whenever the landscape demands it (which is approximately every five minutes) is worth the investment.
Set off early – we’re talking 8am early – to beat the coach parties. Your first stop, Thingvellir National Park, lies just 40 minutes northeast of Reykjavik. This UNESCO World Heritage site isn’t just historically significant (Iceland’s parliament was founded here in 930 AD); it’s also where you can literally walk between two continents. The park sits in a rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which are slowly pulling apart at about 2cm per year.
Afternoon: Geysers & Golden Falls
Continue east for about an hour to reach the Geysir geothermal area. While the original Great Geysir rarely performs these days, its neighbour Strokkur reliably shoots boiling water 15-20 metres into the air every 5-10 minutes (occasionally reaching up to 30 metres). Pro tip: position yourself upwind unless you fancy an impromptu steam facial.
Just 15 minutes further along Route 35, Gullfoss waterfall provides a thundering finale to your Golden Circle tour. This two-tiered cascade plunges 32 metres into a rugged canyon, creating near-permanent rainbows on sunny days. The viewing platforms offer spectacular vantage points, but wrap up warm – the spray creates its own microclimate that’s decidedly chilly.
If time allows on your drive back to Reykjavik, detour via the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir. This natural hot spring might not be so secret anymore, but it’s far less touristy than the Blue Lagoon and authentically Icelandic, complete with a bubbling hot geyser putting on a show every few minutes.
Evening: A Soak & Seafood
You can’t leave Iceland without experiencing its geothermal bathing culture. If you didn’t stop at the Secret Lagoon, head to Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik’s largest thermal pool complex. For 1,330 ISK, you get access to multiple hot pots, a proper 50-metre pool, steam rooms, and that essential Icelandic experience – sitting in 40°C water while snowflakes land on your face (weather permitting, obviously).
For your farewell dinner, Sægreifinn (The Sea Baron) down by the old harbour is an institution. This glorified fishmonger’s serves the freshest seafood soup in town – a creamy, dill-scented bowl of whatever came in that morning, served with homemade bread. Order at the counter, grab a weathered wooden table, and toast your whirlwind Icelandic adventure with a cold Einstök.
The Essential Extras
When to Visit: Summer (June-August) offers midnight sun and lupine-covered landscapes, but winter brings Northern Lights and fewer crowds. May and September strike a nice balance.
Getting Around: Reykjavik city centre is completely walkable, but having a car for day two opens up endless possibilities. Book in advance for better rates, and remember Iceland drives on the right.
Money Matters: Cards are accepted everywhere (yes, even for public toilets), but happy hour is your friend. Budget around £6-12 for a beer in regular hours, though upscale restaurants might charge more.
Packing Essentials: Layers, always layers. Iceland’s weather has commitment issues – sun, rain, wind, and snow can all happen in one afternoon. A proper waterproof jacket isn’t negotiable.
Language: Everyone speaks excellent English, but learning “takk” (thanks) and “skál” (cheers) goes down well.
Forty-eight hours in Reykjavik merely scratches the surface of what Iceland offers, but it’s enough to understand why this small island nation captures such big imaginations. You’ll leave plotting your return – perhaps for a proper road trip around the Ring Road, or to chase the Aurora Borealis across winter skies. But for now, this perfect weekend will have to do. Skál to that!
