2 Days in Iceland: What to Do, See & Eat
Weekend trip? Long layover? We’ve got you. This itinerary will cover the things you can’t miss if you only have 48 hours in the capital Reykjavik and its surroundings.
Day 1. Explore Downtown Reykjavik & the Northern Lights
If you plan to visit Iceland anytime between September and April, then you’re in luck! During the colder months in this Nordic island country, you can book a tour to see the Northern Lights in the evening—the tour won’t pick you up until after sunset, so take advantage of the free day and explore downtown Reykjavik!
Morning: start your day at Brauð & Co, which translates into Bread & Co—I still dream about this place, so that says something!
The colorful shop is located on 16 Frakkastígur in the heart of Reykjavík and you can’t miss the colorful walls and, most likely, the line of people waiting to get some of their fresh pastries and coffee. Order one (or more) of their irresistible kanilsnúðar, which is similar to a cinnamon bun—but better—and some coffee. There are some benches if you walk down the street where you can enjoy your pastry while it’s warm.
Once you’re done, walk 3 minutes up the street toward Skólavörðuhæð hill, and you will find Hallgrímskirkja, the largest church in Iceland.
Admission to the church itself is free; however, a visit to the top will reward you with some breathtaking views of the city. For about 1000 Icelandic króna ($10), you can take the elevator to the top and find 360-degree views of Reykjavik and its colorful homes. On your way down, stop by the inside of the church, which has impressive architecture.
Afternoon: ready for lunch or a quick snack? We Sjávargrillið for typical Icelandic food or if you are looking for a smaller meal, stop by Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. The small food stand dates back to the 1930s and serves Icelandic hot dogs made mostly from Icelandic lamb, pork, and beef. The stand is open until late at night and can also make for the perfect late-night snack.
Before hitting the shops on the main street, pay a visit to Sun Voyager, a 1990 stainless-steel sculpture of a boat by Jón Gunnar Árnason beside the sea. Grab your camera, take some pictures, and enjoy views of Mount Esja in the background.
Now that you’ve hit all the main points in the downtown area, head over to Laugavegur, the main street in Reykjavik filled with cool stores, restaurants, and coffeeshops.
Given that Iceland is home to more than 60% of the world’s Atlantic Puffins, it’s not uncommon to see this cute black-and-white seabird in many different souvenirs. As you explore the city, one more thing will become clear: there are a lot of cats roaming the streets of Reykjavik!
Located between Laugavegur and Bergstaðastræti, you will also find Rainbow Street, one of the busiest streets in downtown Reykjavik.
Evening: if you only have two days in the city, take advantage of an early dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants before you head to your Northern Lights tour. We highly recommend the tasting menu at Grillmarkaðurinn—a restaurant offering a delicious range of Icelandic foods mixing traditional and modern cooking. Now, if you are sticking around for longer, save this place as your last meal there—it’s that good. If you’re looking for more fish and seafood options, check out Fiskmarkaðurinn, the sister restaurant of Grillmarkaðurinn, with just as good reviews.
From left to right, here’s everything we ate:
Freshly baked bread, whipped butter, and Icelandic lava salt
Lightly smoked artic char, crispy spiced bread, pickled fennel, and mustard sauce
Confit duck salad, mint dressing, mandarin & mozzarella
Fermented shark (yup, you read that right!) with lime and soy vinaigrette
Langoustine tempura with chilli mayonnaise, oats and roasted garlic
Cod with grilled apple puree, salad, black garlic and shellfish sauce
Horse tenderloin (yes, we also tried this!) with miso vinaigrette
Grilled lamb chops with crispy potatoes, glazed carrots and spiced nut crumble
Still got room for dessert?
The dessert platter—a selection of desserts along with exotic fruits, ice cream, and sorbet—is one of the best desserts I’ve ever had, so don’t skip!
After dinner, head back to your hotel and get ready for the Northern Lights. They will drive you to an area far away from downtown where there are almost no buildings or infrastructure that can contribute to light pollution. Pro tip: you will be holding your phone outside to take pictures, so touchscreen gloves are a must. If you get lucky (like we did!) you will see the Northern Lights on your first night; if not, make sure you book a tour that will take you back the next day in case the lights aren’t visible the day you booked the tour. Pictures don’t do it justice—and it can also depend on your camera—but it’s by far one of my most memorable experiences.
Day 2. Visit Iceland’s Famous Lagoons
After a late night chasing the Northern Lights, plan to relax on your second day by paying a visit to one of Iceland’s geothermal spas. The two most visited lagoons include the famous Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon, a new attraction that opened in 2021. I visited Blue Lagoon twice and tried both experiences—the regular day visit and the exclusive The Retreat Spa. Both are worth it, but I’d recommend the Retreat Spa if you go with a significant instead of a group of people, as the space is mostly quiet and filled with couples. The Retreat Spa also feels more private: you have your own changing room, access to a hidden spa, and cameras are not allowed in most areas. Our favorite part of the Retreat experience was the skincare amenities and The Blue Lagoon Ritual—a chamber area where you get to cover your body with silica, algae, and minerals. If you book through Blue Lagoon’s website, they also offer pick-ups and drop-offs in Reyjkavik or the airport (perfect if you’re just heading home or arriving)!
At the regular lagoon, there is a bar where you can purchase drinks, water, smoothies, etc. If you booked The Retreat Spa, a drink of your choice is included with your ticket. While the regular visit allows you to stay for as long as you’d like, The Retreat Spa is a 5-hour experience—which is more than enough to enjoy all the areas. When you get hungry, there is a café that offers small snacks, sandwiches, etc., but we highly recommend the Lava Restaurant to end your day before returning to the city (or the airport if you’re headed home). The restaurant was built into a cliff and features a natural lava wall and views over the lagoon.
From left to right: langoustine soup, arctic charr, cod, and lamb.
You can choose a la carte or the tasting menu, which is what we did. The big highlights of this meal were the langoustine soup and the lamb. As you leave the Blue Lagoon and wait for one of the shuttles, check out the shop located in the lobby to take home some of the spa’s best products!
Ready to visit Iceland?
While there is much more to see in Reykjavik—and Iceland—it’s still well worth a visit if you only have 48 hours in the country!
