Mat Bar

Your guide to navigating day trips in western Iceland from Reykjavik by car without a commitment to camping.

Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland. It’s also the northernmost capital in the world. The city, on the southwest coast of the island nation, is home to less than 150,000 people (that’s 60% of the total population). It’s by no means sleepy, though. It has a thriving art scene (music festivals, independent record stores, pop-up exhibits) and foodie scene (Michelin restaurants, organic wine bars, coffee culture). A grand church towers over the city. Candy-colored houses line the streets. Thermal swimming pools are gathering spots for most neighborhoods. Northern lights sightings are a real possibility (seasonally, of course). It’s also the jumping-off point for exciting adventures all around the Land of Fire and Ice. Pack for all seasons, as the weather changes frequently throughout the day--no matter what time of year it is. And be prepared to fall in love. This detailed guide includes: Places: islands, neighborhoods Stay: hotels Eat: bakeries, cafés, coffee shops, food carts & halls, ice cream, Michelin stars, restaurants Drink: beer bars, breweries, cocktail bars, wine bars Shop: beauty products, bookstores, chocolate shops, clothing boutiques, flea markets, outdoor wear, record stores, vintage clothing, wool products Do: art museums, churches, concert venues, history museums, lakes, memorials, parks, peace stones, roads, sculptures, sports venues, squares, streets Transportation: airports, bus terminals, car rentals, ferries Note: I travel to Reykjavík quite frequently, so this guide is updated often.

SKIP the guides about the Golden Circle unless you're committed to staying in Reykjavic and only venturing out for a day. This guide has the highlights and agenda to do it all along the Southern Coast in just 3-4 days. (I recommend renting a Tesla and using the superchargers along the way to save time.) Maximize your time by seeing all of the South Coast plus a "secret" island where they have re-homed Beluga Whales. Highly recommend going all the way to Jökulsárlón, which was THE surprising highlight of my trip.