City Break, Weekend in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a great destination for a long weekend.  But I recommend a day trip out of the city. Iceland’s Golden Circle is a great option. Low cost carriers make Iceland an affordable destination for a long weekend from much of Europe and the East Coast of the United States. Iceland Air also allows customers to add a layover of up to 7 days at no additional cost on many tickets between the U.S. and Europe.

Many flights to Reykjavik arrive in the morning, so you can drop off your luggage and take a whale watching tour.

There are several tour operators, but I’ve used Elding. If your tour doesn’t spot a whale, you get a complimentary ticket for another whale watching tour, and it can be used within two years. Either way, the view from the boat is worth the trip.

The modernist Hallgrímskirkja church towers over the city.

The church tower provides a great 360° view of Reykjavik.

Many hotels are just outside the city center. The bus service is apparently efficient, but I recommend staying in the center. The Hotel Reykjavík Centrum is my pick, but I recommend picking based on location above everything else.

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If you are staying in town, all of the shopping, restaurants and nightlife are within walking distance. Check out my post on 5 Great Iceland Eats that won’t break the bank.

Great walks include a loop around Tjörnin Lake, and the path along the water to the Sun Voyager sculpture.

It’s worth checking to see if you can get tickets to an event at the Harpa Concert Hall. If not, don’t worry, you can still visit the shops or grab a bite to eat in the beautiful facility.

Geothermal swimming pools are an important part of Icelandic culture and there are plenty of options besides the touristy and expensive Blue Lagoon.  The blue color of the mineral rich water against the surrounding lava fields is stunning though. The Blue Lagoon is actually man-made, and fed by run-off from a nearby Geothermal Plant. If you decide to go, I recommend making a stop to or from the airport. Many of the buses into town allow you to stop along the way and leave luggage.