48 hours in Reykjavik – Weekend Edition
Reykjavik In Less Than 48 Words
At a latitude of 64°08’, Reykjavik is officially the world’s most northerly capital. There’s no denying that the city is modern, cool, and chic, though it can’t be mentioned without touching on its unique natural beauty – set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and coastlines.
Hallgrímskirkja is the tallest church in Iceland, taking on the form of a basalt lava flow. (Photo by Oli Haukur)
First 24 Hours
Touch down at the Icelandic capital via the Reykjavík-Keflavík Airport, which serves as the country’s main hub for international transportation. It is located some 50 kilometers southeast of the city. After getting back your bearings (and your cargo), you can head to the heart of Reykjavik by hopping onto the Flybus that arrives at the terminal every 40 minutes. It will ferry you along a stretch of black volcanic landscape to the city center, and set you back ISK1,100. You can, however, opt to hire a private taxi, at a higher cost of around ISK7,500.
Get to know more about the city at Reykjavik’s main tourist office (Adalstraeti 2), where the staff will orient you about the cityscape and other valuable information. Try to get a street map if possible. The office is usually open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. during weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during weekends. However, at peak tourist season (June to September), it is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
HOTEL HOLT: Check in at Reykjavik’s hotels
Once in the heart of the city, you can rest your tired mind and body at Reykjavik’s excellent hotel and accommodations. One of the best there is the Hotel Holt (Bergstadastraeti 37), which is known for its accommodating staff who give tips on sightseeing and restaurants, as well as an Old world ambience in terms of design. If you’ve got money to burn, however, the 101 Hotel (Hverfisgata 10) is worth the splurge with its cozy and stylish amenities, charming boutique hotel, and free internet access.
A more practical choice is the Castle House Luxury Apartments (Skalholtsstigur 2a), which is located very near the city center, and offers affordable options through self catering amenities. You can also try out the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica (Sudurlandsbraut 2), with excellent amenities, helpful and friendly staff, spacious rooms, and location by the city outskirts.
HALLGRIMSKIRKJA: Take a breathtaking view
Kick off your 48 hour visit to Reykjavik by heading to Hallgrímskirkja (Skólavörðuholt 121), the tallest church in Iceland which reportedly took 38 years to build. Taking on the form of a basalt lava flow, it is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, clearly visible in the Reykjavik skyline. Inside, you can find a gigantic organ 15 meters tall, with over 5,275 pipes. Its best part is the viewing deck at its top level, which offers a view of the city harbor, the candy-colored tin roofs of the surrounding neighborhoods, and the snow-covered peaks lying beyond.
THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK: Let’s take a hike
A Unesco World Heritage site, the Almannagja Fissure is situated where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. (Photo by Prof. Tournesol)
After the church, it is on to one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, the Thingvellir National Park (Reykjanes peninsula). A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it sprawls over a scenic volcanic landscape. It is possible to see a lot of faults and cracks while traversing the region, which are often filled with surprisingly clear water. You can see there the Almannagjá, the biggest crack in the park and almost like a canyon in itself. Take a picnic in its grasslands, swim at its lakes, or just go for a lovely stroll in this beautiful tract of land.
PERLAN: Take a sightseeing tour at a hill
At the center of Reykjavik, you can find the Öskjuhlíð Hill, rising 61 meters above the cityscape. It is a veritable outdoor playground, with its slopes covered with trees and gardens. Relax for a bit, feel the breeze, and then head up to its summit, where the Perlan waits to be explored. It is a landmark building visible from miles away, and was built atop six massive hot water storage tanks. The first floor is called the Winter Garden, a 10,000-cubic meter worth of exhibition space. If you’re lucky, chances are that you will arrive there in time for concerts, art exhibits, or flea markets.
Speaking of shops, you will see three at the site – the Gourmet, Souvenir, and Christmas shops. You can buy there snacks, unique stuff, and Christmas decorations. You can also see a museum, the Saga Museum that chronicles the Icelandic history and lifestyle. However, the highlight at the site is its viewing deck at the fourth floor with six panoramic telescopes. The top floor has a pearly dome with a 360-degree walkway, as well as a restaurant that revolves once every two hours.
Ó RESTAURANT: Dinner is served
Sjavarkjallarinn offers delectable seafood dishes, such as this lobster soaked with the flavors of truffles, foie gras and cauliflowers. (Photo by htomren)
End your first day in Reykjavik with a hearty dinner at the city’s superb restaurants, recharging for the next day ahead. Ó Restaurant (Hotel Óðinsvé, Thorsgata 1) is one of the top choices, serving innovative dishes inspired by traditional European recipes. A nice alternative is Sjavarkjallarinn (Aoalstraeti 2, Reykjavik IS101), known as the Seafood Cellar. True to its name, it offers fresh and delicious seafood dishes, coupled with excellent service.
Have a taste of India in Reykjvik at the Indian Mango (Frakkastigur 12, Reykjavik 101), which specializes in Indian cuisine, with outstanding buffet and set menu choices. If you’re looking for a cozy atmosphere, you can’t go wrong with Prir Frakkar (Baldursgata 14), while Café Paris (Austurstræti 14) is a place to hang out and munch on sandwiches and pasta.
Next 24 Hours
The second day of your trip is ideal for exploring more about the city’s cultural heritage. This can be done by visiting the numerous museums found all over the city. One of the top places to find history in Reykjavik is the Reykjavik Maritime Museum (8 Grandagardur 101), which educates visitors on Iceland’s thriving fishing industry and seafaring heritage. Another is the National Museum of Iceland (Sudurgata 41 Reykjavik 101), featuring collections of artifacts and exhibits on the country’s history and current affairs. Art aficionados can’t go wrong visiting the Reykjavik Art Museum (Asmundursafn 13), set in an igloo-type building, and is home to some of Iceland’s art masterpieces.
IMAGINE PEACE TOWER: Let’s imagine a peaceful world
An outdoor work of art, Imagine Peace Tower was created by Yoko Ono in memory of John Lennon. It shoots a white beam of light in the Icelandic skies. (Photo by Yoko Ono official)
A nice side trip is the Imagine Peace Tower (Viðey Island), a monument for peace commissioned by Yoko Ono in memory of the late peace activist and Beatles member John Lennon. You can see the words “Imagine Peace” carved in 24 languages onto its white stone slab. On specific dates, it projects a dazzling beam of light into the Icelandic skies from a 10-metre wide wishing well. It reaches a height of at least 4,000 meters, and can be seen penetrating the clouds on a clear day. Certainly a sight that make you want to have world peace.
BLUE LAGOON: Go geothermal at one of Reykjavik’s most popular attractions
Found in Grindavík at the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon offers a bizarre spa experience among jagged lava fields. It is fed by a huge geothermal plant next door, and the water averages a simmering temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. The milky blue waters are ideal for relaxing, as well as for medicinal baths. You will be required, though, to bathe first in the communal shower area without any clothing before you can jump into the lagoon, for hygienic purposes.
An alternative spa experience is provided by Heita Potturinn (Laugardalur, Sundlaugavegur). Often called as the “Hot Pots,” it takes pride in its hot pools with controlled temperatures of 44 degrees Celsius. They are also not heavily chlorinated and are believed to possess medical properties.
Tourists frolic in the Blue Lagoon, a man-made lake that is warmed by the neighboring Svartsengi geothermal power plant. (Photo by AGrinberg)
LAUGAVEGUR: Where shopping is an art form
Reykjavik is a city with a thriving shopping scene. Most of the action is centered at downtown Laugavegur district, which is chock-full of fashion boutiques, art galleries, designer labels, and jewelry shops. Some of the biggest names to be found there are the Blue Lagoon and 66°North shops. If you’ve got money to burn (or just want to go window shopping), it is best to head to Skólavödustígur, a street which has in recent years become the city’s hotspot for chic shopping. Top-class labels include Skátabúdin, Snorrabraut 60, and Cintamani. Not too far away is the Kringlan shopping mall, which bustles with social activity – cafes, cinemas, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
SIRKUS: Go wild at night
A 48-hour visit to Reykjavik can be capped by the city’s happening nightlife. Perhaps one of the most popular establishments is Sirkus (Klapparstígur 31), frequented by 20-somethings and local art students, and is known for its live music. Wine connoisseurs will delight in Rex (Austurstraeti 9), a London-style club offering 25 different types of wine, plus a host of international dishes. Beer-lovers ought to try out Ari I Ogri (Ingólfsstræti, City Centre), serving unique specialty beverages on their menu. A nice alternative is Barrin (Laugavegur 22), which is all about the most fashionable music, interiors and clientele.
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