2 Days in Reykjavik, Iceland: An Amazing 48 Hour Itinerary

Are you planning on spending 2 days in Reykjavik, Iceland? If you only have a couple of days in the Icelandic capital, here’s exactly how to spend your time. 

We love Reykjavik and there’s so much to see in the charming Icelandic capital. Many people who come to Iceland base themselves here or spend a few days exploring the city at the end of an Icelandic road trip – we’ve done both. 

During our first-ever trip to Iceland, we stayed in the capital, whereas on our second trip, we hired a car and spent the final two days in Reykjavik, exploring the city’s iconic sights, museums, and hidden gems.

If you’re planning on visiting Iceland and will be spending 48 hours in Reykjavik, there’s plenty to do. Here’s exactly how to spend your time in the city regardless of your itinerary.

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Day 1: Classic Reykjavik

For your first day in Reykjavik, spend the day exploring the city itself. Reykjavik has a lot of interesting sights from the iconic church to so many fantastic museums. 

9:00 – Perlan Museum

Start your day with a trip to Pelan. This is without a doubt one of our favourite museums in Iceland because of how in-depth it goes into Iceland’s landscapes and wildlife.

We visited Perlan on our very first trip to Iceland back in December. The museum is located outside of the city, so you may have to take a bus to reach it. But there are plenty of buses and a stop right outside the museum – so this isn’t too hard. 

Situated atop Öskjuhlíð Hill, this museum is housed in a unique structure that was once a cluster of hot water tanks. 

Inside, you can explore some of Iceland’s most incredible landscapes, from volcanoes to glaciers, and how humans impact these environments. 

You can also learn a lot about Iceland’s native wildlife, including the Arctic fox, reindeer, puffins, and even polar bears, which once called the country home.

As well as the usual exhibits, you’ll also find several interactive parts of this museum. This includes an incredible Northern Lights Theatre, a volcano show, a lifelike display of seabirds perched on a cliff, and a real ice cave you can walk through.

Plus, don’t forget to head up to the observation deck for a panoramic view of Reykjavik.

❤️ This is one of our favourite museums in Reykjavik and a must-visit!

TOP TIP: We also recommend stopping here for lunch. There’s a cafe at the top of Perlan on a revolving platform that offers gorgeous views over the city. They serve a great selection of lunch food and it’s a great place to get some food. 

14:00 – Hallgrimskirkja Church

Next head to Hallgrimskirkja. This church is the symbol of Reykjavik – and one of the symbols of Iceland – and another iconic sight in the city. 

The walk will take about 25 minutes, but, to save some time, take a bus to Snorrabraut and then walk the rest of the way. This will cut about 10 minutes off your journey.

The church’s striking design is inspired by the hexagonal basalt columns found along Iceland’s south coast. If you’ve visited Reysnifjara, you’ll probably see the resemblance.

While the church’s exterior is impressive, we also recommend going inside. The interior has bold Gothic architecture and you absolutely have to climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

Entrance to the church itself is free, but tickets to the tower cost 1600 ISK (roughly £9 or $11).

15:00 – Rainbow Street

Once you’ve explored the church, head to Rainbow Street. This is another iconic spot to visit during 2 days in Reykjavik. 

Not only is it one of the most colourful streets in the city, but it’s a great place for photography, ideal for a bit of window shopping, and you can see great views of the church. 

You’ll find a lot of shops here where you can buy everything from Icelandic sweaters to trinkets and souvenirs. Plus, there are several cafes, ideal for a cup of coffee.

15:30 – Sun Voyager

Next, head to one of our favourite places to visit in Reykjavik. The waterfront of the city is really picturesque. You find some beautiful buildings and see great views across the water and the magnificent Mount Esjan in the distance. 

From Rainbow Street to the Sun Voyager will only take you around 12 minutes on foot and it’s a really easy walk. Once you’re there, you can admire the statue and take lots of photos. 

It’s shaped like the skeleton of a ship and is meant to represent adventure and exploration. It’s also just a gorgeous photography spot, especially on a clear day when the sun sets and gives the mountains in front of you a pink glow.  

16:00 – Harpa Concert Hall

After you’ve admired the Sun Voyager, head to Harpa Concert Hall. About 12 minutes on foot from Sun Voyager, this building is also inspired by the basalt columns along the south. The way the light reflects off it can create a truly stunning effect. 

It’s mainly used for concerts and events, but, even if you aren’t actually going to see anything, you can explore both inside and out. Inside, you’ll find yet more stunning architecture and beautiful reflective glass panels. 

17:00 – Reykjavik Food Tour

Last but not least, finish your day with a food tour of Reykjavik. This is one of our favourite experiences in the city centre. Since Iceland is known for its rather unique cuisine, a food tour is a great way to try a huge range of dishes at once. 

During our food tour, we tried some delicious foods, including arctic char, lamb soup with sourdough bread, and chocolate liquorice. But our favourite was by far the Icelandic hot dog which is a must-try in Iceland, even if you don’t go on a food tour!

We also tried the dreaded fermented shark which was an experience in itself!

Along the way, our guide shared fascinating insights into the history and culture behind each dish and some quirky folklore stories too. It was a really fun night, plus, the tour doubles as dinner, so you’ll kill two birds with one stone!

❤️ This was the food tour we did in Reykjavik, and we loved it!

Day 2: Bucket List Reykjavik

For your second day in Reykjavik, we’re going to be exploring some of the more bucket-list experiences in the capital, from wildlife encounters to seeing real molten lava. 

9:00 – Whale Watching

Start your day with a whale-watching tour from Reykjavik’s Harbour. This is easily one of the best things to do in Reykjavik and will give you a chance to see some of the country’s most magnificent wildlife. 

Most of the tours from Reykjavik depart at either 9am or 1pm. We recommend getting the earlier tour and it leaves the rest of the day free to see more of the city’s magnificent sights. 

The tours usually last around 3 hours and take you out into the waters of Faxaflói Bay, where you’ll have the chance to spot various species of whales, dolphins, and other marine life. 

The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and will provide fascinating information about the species you can see and the marine life as a whole. 

You’ll need to book these tours in advance as they can quickly sell out. But, even if you don’t spot any whales (though the chances are high!), the experience of being out on the open water with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and coastline is unforgettable.

❤️ We highly recommend this incredible experience in Iceland.

TOP TIP: Be sure to bring warm clothing, as it can get chilly on the boat, even in the summer months. Plus, if you get seasick, I suggest taking a tablet as the waters are pretty unpredictable. 

13:00 – Whales of Iceland 

Once you’ve finished your whale-watching tour, head to our second favourite museum in Iceland to learn even more about the ocean’s gentle giants. The Whales of Iceland museum is located in the Grandi Harbor area, just a short walk from the city centre. 

In this fascinating museum, you’ll find life-sized models of over 20 whale species from all over the world. If you saw them in the harbour, it’ll be even weirder to see them in full size floating above you. However, it’s strangely beautiful.

You’ll also find interactive displays such as the cinema that shows some of the effects that humans are having on the whales. It’s very eye-opening and a little scary, but very good. 

Tickets to the Whales of Iceland Museum cost 4300 ISK which is around £25 or $31.

❤️ Book tickets to Whales of Iceland in advance here.

16:00 – The Lava Show

Next, visit the Lava Show. This is one of the most incredible experiences you can have during 2 days in Reykjavik – we absolutely loved it. 

It’s a fairly new attraction in the city but has become very popular, especially with all the volcanic activity in Iceland. If you’ve ever been intrigued by volcanoes and want to see real molten lava and what a real eruption might look like, this is the perfect place.

It’s located in a building right next to the Whales of Iceland Museum, so you won’t have to travel far!

There are several ticket options. When we visited, we had premium tickets, which gave us entry to the premium lounge, a welcome drink, and premium seats. We also had a behind-the-scenes tour afterwards of the furnace used to heat the lava. 

These tickets cost 9,900 ISK (approximately £57 or $72), but standard tickets are also available for 5,900 ISK (£34 or $43).

The show itself is fantastic. Molten lava is poured down a tunnel into the showroom, and the host demonstrates how it interacts with various materials.

When we visited, he created a mini lava tunnel, put ice into the lava to show how it reacts with Iceland’s snowy landscapes, and showed how it cools and cracks. 

What makes this experience even more special is that it’s the only show of its kind in the world, making it one of Reykjavik’s most unique attractions.

❤️ We highly recommend this incredible experience in Iceland.

18:00 – Sky Lagoon

Last but not least head to the Sky Lagoon. This is one of Iceland’s newest geothermal pools and a great alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon. One of the best things about it is that it’s only about a 20-minute drive from the city centre. 

The easiest way to get there is to book tickets that include a transfer. But you can also take a taxi if you’d prefer. The bus is also an option, but the journey will take around an hour, so it’s not as practical. 

The Sky Lagoon’s location is what makes it so stunning. It’s situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, offering breathtaking sea views from a warm, geothermal infinity pool. 

Plus, one of the highlights of the Sky Lagoon is its 7-step ritual, which includes a sauna, a cold plunge, a steam room, and more. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy 2 days in Reykjavik.

❤️ The Sky Lagoon can be quite popular, so you’ll need to book in advance.

Is 2 days in Reykjavik enough?

All in all, two days is a great amount of time in Reykjavik. You can do a lot in 2 days and you won’t feel rushed like you might if you only had one day in Reykjavik.

Plus, you’ll have a chance to book some of the top tours in the city and some bucket list experiences like the Lava Show.

If you want to see the city really in-depth, visit more of the museums, discover some of their hidden gems, or go on a few day trips from Reykjavik, you might need more time. However, we actually think that 2 days is a really good amount of time in the capital. 

If you have any questions about this itinerary or your trip to Reykjavik, join our free Facebook Group and ask us anything. 

👉 Still deciding where to stay? Here are all of our favourite hotels in Reykjavik.

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