Itinerary for a Perfect Weekend in Iceland

Visiting Iceland for a quick stopover? Or maybe a weekend or long weekend on your way to mainland Europe? Then this post is for you! Welcome to your itinerary for a perfect weekend in Iceland.

Iceland is such an amazing destination, and it truly makes a great place to take a nice long layover. While you can’t see all of Iceland in a just two days, you can see many of the most popular sites and get a feel for the country!

Sound good? Let’s great right into the itinerary for a perfect weekend in Iceland!

Guide for two days in Iceland

Day One in Iceland

Arrive in the morning and head to the Blue Lagoon (8am-10am)

If you’re flying from the USA, then your flight will most likely land in Iceland early in the morning. If you’re flying from other parts of the world, we recommend arriving to Iceland as early in the day as possible, in order to maximize the amount of time you have in the country.

Once you arrive, we recommend picking up your rental car, or hopping on the bus, and heading straight to the Blue Lagoon.

This is the perfect morning activity while you wait to check into your hotel. It’s super close to the airport (20 minutes,) and just a short detour on the way to Reykjavik.

Check into your hotel in Reykjavik – or drop off your bags (11am)

After the Blue Lagoon, hop on the bus or into your rental car and drive to Reykjavik (45 minutes).

We recommend staying in Reykjavik as there is a lot to see and do, and you can easily access other parts of the island. Downtown Reykjavik is super walkable, and there are tons of fun shops, restaurants and bars.

The Best Places to stay in Reykjavik – all downtown!

• Hotel Von – $$
• Grandi by Center Hotels – $$
• House of the Snowbird – ($$)

• Thingholt by Center Hotels – ($$$)
• Hotel Borg by Keahotels – ($$$)
• Hotel Ódinsvé – ($$$)

• 101 Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels – ($$$$)
• Apótek Hotel – ($$$$)
• Sand Hotel ($$$)

Of course, AirBnbs are also a fantastic option. There are many affordable (+ luxury) rentals in Reykjavik!

Grab Brunch/Lunch at Sandholt Bakery (12pm-1pm)

Sandholt Bakery is a must-visit in Reykjavik! Their food and pastries are so good. There might be a line, but it’s definitely worth the wait.

Take a walking tour of Reykjavik – or, explore on your own (2pm-4pm)

If you only have a short time in Iceland, I definitely recommend taking a guided walking tour of Reykjavik. This is a great way to see the city and learn more about its history.

These tours are usually around two hours, and in that amount of time you’re able to see most of Downtown Reykjavik. We took this walking tour with a guide named Luca, and it was great! But there are a ton of options on Viator, including a walking tour to learn more about the history of elves, trolls and ghosts in Iceland!

TWO OPTIONS FOR THE AFTERNOON:

If you want an adventure: Hike to Reykjadalur Valley Geothermal River (5pm-8pm)

This is a fantastic afternoon activity for travelers who enjoy hiking! The Reykjadalur Valley is located about 45 minutes by car from Reykjavik, and is an easy afternoon trip. However, you will need a rental car to access the area.

Once you arrive to the Reykjadalur Valley (meaning steam valley in Icelandic), you’ll depart on a two mile up-hill hike to a geothermal river that you can swim in! Along the way you’ll see lots of little hot spring rivers, but be careful and do not touch them, some of them can get up to 100°C (212°F).

At the top of the hike, you’ll arrive at an amazing geothermal river that is perfect for relaxing. It is warm and the views, on a nice day, are outstanding.

Things to know before hiking the Reykjadalur Valley

• I recommend only doing this hike on a nice day!
  • I hiked it in the rain and strong wind, and it was honestly not enjoyable. At some points I was not strong enough to walk against the wind, and it was freezing and unpleasant.
  • You also only get the beautiful, scenic views when it’s not down pouring
  • Lastly, it is more fun to spend time in the river when it isn’t raining and windy
• Wear waterproof clothing: including boots and a raincoat – it can start raining in Iceland at any time.
• This hike is moderately strenuous and steep – on a clear day with no bad weather, it is much easier
• The hike should take about 45 minutes up, but with bad weather it takes longer. Hiking back down is quicker.

If you want a low-key afternoon: Take a food tour

I absolutely love taking food tours, I think they’re such a fun way to learn more about a city and its culture and history. Icelandic food is definitely unique, and a food tour is a great way to sample some local delicacies.

Three food tour options:

• Food Lovers Tour – this is a food tour + walking tour (so you get the best of both worlds!)
• Reykjavik Food Walk
• Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour – perfect if you want to skip the food and just enjoy some drinks!

Have dinner (or drinks) at Bastard Brew & Food

Bastard Brew & Food is one of my favorite places I ate in Reykjavik! The restaurant is cozy and inviting, and they have a great selection of food on the menu. The prices are also very reasonable, by Iceland standards, and this place was recommended to us by many locals.

If you’ve just been on a food tour and are too full for dinner, it’s also a nice place to come for drinks.

Day 2 in Iceland

Have breakfast at Braud & Co.

Braud & Co. is another must-visit bakery in Reykjavik! While they don’t have any indoor seating, it’s a great place to grab breakfast to go.

Their pastries are delicious, and I highly recommend the Hindberjastykki (croissant with raspberry crumble + cream), the cinnamon bun and the baguettes!

Their coffee is only okay, but it definitely gets the job done!

My recommendation is to grab your breakfast and take it in the car with you while you start to drive the Golden Circle Route.

Drive the Golden Circle – with some fun additional stops!

Driving the Golden Circle is an incredible day trip that will allow you to see so many amazing sites in Iceland!

You will start and end the day in Reykjavik, visiting numerous interesting spots along the way. You’ll see waterfalls, geysers, hot springs and even a tomato farm.

If you visit each stop on the list, you can expect a full day tour (7+ hours) – but you’ll only have about 3.5 hours of driving total.

Some spots on the Golden Circle are definite must visits, like Thingvellir National Park, but others, like the Secret Lagoon, are often passed by and only visited if travelers have extra time.

Golden Circle Stops:

1:Reykjavik – you’ll start + end your day here! 

2: Þórufoss Waterfall – OPTIONAL – a “secret” waterfall located near Thingvellir National Park. It was also a filming site for Game of Thrones. 

3: Thingvellir National Park – MUST VISIT – walk (or scuba dive) between the continents and see the site of Iceland’s first Parliament.

4: Strokkur – MUST VISIT – this geyser erupts every 8-10 minutes, and is surrounded by geothermal pools. 

5: Gullfoss Waterfall – MUST VISIT – a giant waterfall, and one of the most visited in Iceland. 

6: Secret Lagoon – OPTIONAL – if you enjoyed the Blue Lagoon, the Secret Lagoon is a great place to check out. It’s a more low-key lagoon option.

7: Fridheimar – OPTIONAL – okay, this is definitely not a *necessary* stop, but it was definitely one of my favorites. Visiting this tomato greenhouse for lunch was a highlight of my trip to Iceland. Be sure to make a reservation. 

8: Skálholt – OPTIONAL – one of the oldest churches in Iceland. 

9: Kerid Crater – MUST VISIT – a super picturesque and gorgeous stop on your way back to Reykjavik.

10: Reykjavik – you’ll end your day back here!

The Best Golden Circle Stops

Note: If you don’t have a rental car, you can also take a guided Golden Circle tour. There are great options to choose from on Viator.

Souvenir shopping on Laugavegur Street

Laugavegur street is a great place to visit if you’re hoping to do some shopping while in Iceland. On this street you’ll find a plethora of souvenir shops selling everything from Christmas ornaments, to Icelandic candy to famous Icelandic wool sweaters.

I checked out a bunch of these shops, and two of my favorites are:

• Vínberið for great candy and Icelandic chocolate!
  • This store is a little expensive, but the chocolate options are fantastic and definitely make great little gifts to bring back from your trip.
• Iceland Memories for great local art!
  • I got the cutest Northern Lights print here to frame for my art wall.

Have dinner at Tapas Barinn

Tapas Barinn features a menu that blends both Spanish tapas with classic Icelandic dishes. The food is delish and the atmosphere of the restaurant is fun and enjoyable!

I recommend making a reservation, as they get busy on the weekends!

Must-try dishes from the menu:

• Patatas Bravas
• Cauliflower and Romanesco Broccoli
• Baked Goat Cheese with Honey 
• Soft Baked Candy Beets with Feta Cheese

Day 3 in Iceland

Have breakfast at The Laundromat Cafe

Another fantastic breakfast/brunch spot in Reykjavik! The Laundromat Cafe has great food and the restaurant is cute and eclectic. There’s even a real laundry mat in the basement!

This is a great stop for a last breakfast in Iceland before heading to the airport or visiting a few waterfalls!

IF YOU HAVE AN AFTERNOON/EVENING FLIGHT

Visit to Seljalandsfoss, Gljúfrabúi + Skógafoss

If you have a late afternoon flight, and are looking to make the most out of your Iceland trip, then definitely consider visiting the waterfalls in Southern Iceland.

Start by visiting Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi. These two waterfalls are located right next to each other, about two hours by car from Reykjavik. These waterfalls are incredible, to say the least. You can actually walk behind Seljalandsfoss and watch the cascading water. Gljúfrabúi is also amazing, and is located a short walk within a cave.

From Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi, drive the extra 30 minutes to Skógafoss, one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland. You can climb stairs to the top of the falls, and watch the water pouring down from above.

It is free to visit all of these waterfalls (just pay for parking), and they are absolutely worth the trip.

Keep in mind, from Skógafoss you will have a three hour drive back to the airport – make sure to plan accordingly so you don’t miss your flight!

Note: Again, it is possible to take a guided tour to these waterfalls (and black sand beach!) – but it is a full day excursion. A guided tour is a fantastic option for those who choose not to rent a car, and have a night flight out of Iceland.

---

In conclusion:

Iceland is such an incredible destination, and one that I definitely recommend visiting at least once. A weekend in Iceland is a great amount of time to start to get a feel for the country, and to see some of the best sites and attractions.

After a weekend in Iceland, it’s very likely you’ll want to book a longer trip, or even another long layover to explore even more!

I hope you found my guide and itinerary for how to spend a weekend in Iceland to be helpful! If you have any questions, or anything you’d like to add to this post, let me know in the comments!

Now that you have the perfect weekend itinerary, check out our post with our 18 best tips for planning a trip to Iceland – these tips will help make sure your trip planning runs smoothly!

Also, be sure to follow us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad, for tons of Iceland photos and mini guides.

♡Kate

Note: This post includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.