2 days in Reykjavík

Day by day

1. Day 1: Hallgrímskirkja and Einar Jónsson sculpture garden

   Hallgrímskirkja, Einar Jónsson sculpture garden, Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall, then Northern lights tour in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hallgrímskirkja

      The bright, plain interior holds a huge pipe organ, and a lift (paid) takes you up the tower for the best panorama of Reykjavík's coloured roofs, the harbour and Mount Esja. The statue of Leif Erikson in front was a gift from the United States.

   2. Late morning

      Einar Jónsson sculpture garden

      The garden is free and quiet, a few steps from the busiest square in the city.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Icelandic lamb soup

      Traditional restaurants and cafés in downtown Reykjavík, especially in winter.

   4. Afternoon

      Sun Voyager

      Unveiled in 1990, it is described by the artist as a dream boat and an ode to the sun.

   5. Late afternoon

      Harpa Concert Hall

      The foyers are free to wander, and it is home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera.

   6. Evening

      Northern lights tour

      Check the Icelandic Met Office aurora and cloud forecast, and book early in your trip so a rebooking is still possible.

2. Day 2: National Museum of Iceland and Perlan

   National Museum of Iceland, Perlan, Whale watching from the Old Harbour and Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, then Sky Lagoon in the evening.

   1. Morning

      National Museum of Iceland

      The permanent exhibition 'Making of a Nation' runs from the Viking-age settlement to the present day, with carved church doors, drinking horns, early Christian artefacts and everyday objects that show how Icelanders survived on a remote island.

   2. Late morning

      Perlan

      A 360-degree observation deck looks over the city and bay.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fish stew

      Lunch menus at traditional cafés and fish restaurants near the Old Harbour.

   4. Afternoon

      Whale watching from the Old Harbour

      From about May to August, many trips also pass the puffin colonies on the small islands of Lundey and Akurey.

   5. Late afternoon

      Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur

      Skólavörðustígur, which climbs from it to Hallgrímskirkja, is painted with a rainbow and lined with galleries, wool and design shops.

   6. Evening

      Sky Lagoon

      Book an evening slot in winter for a chance of northern lights from the water on clear nights.

Before you go

• Whale watching from the Old Harbour: Trips are often cancelled for rough seas; book early in your stay so you can rebook if needed.
• Sky Lagoon: Entry is by timed slot and popular times sell out; book online ahead.

If it rains

• Swap in Laugardalslaug geothermal pool (Laugardalur): Shower thoroughly without a swimsuit before entering, as required; staff and locals take this rule seriously.
• Swap in Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús (Downtown (101 Reykjavík)): Check whether your ticket covers all three sites and visit Kjarvalsstaðir in Klambratún park the same day.
• Swap in Whales of Iceland (Grandi): Visit before or after a whale-watching trip; it helps children understand what they will or did see.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 14–22 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 4.2 hours in December to 21 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Walking. Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, Laugavegur, the Old Harbour and Tjörnin are all within about 15–20 minutes' walk of each other.

More or fewer days

• One day in Reykjavík
• 3 days in Reykjavík
• 4 days in Reykjavík
• 5 days in Reykjavík
• 7 days in Reykjavík

Questions travellers ask