Reykjavík is an incredible place to travel to alone (I've done this many times). Each place on this list is full of friendly, open people that are willing to have a chat or let you have your peace.

Reykjavík

This Iceland guide is the accumulation of over 2 years of planning and research with an Icelandic local. In this 13 day itinerary, you will travel to Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, the South, the East, the North, and part of the West to visit Iceland's most popular spots as well as hidden gems that few know about. It includes an interactive map with LOTS of hotels, restaurants, and spots to visit in Reykjavik (160 spots), the Golden Circle & the South (255 spots), the East (100 spots), the North (80 spots), and part of the West (150 spots) so that you can customize your own trip.  This is the exact itinerary we used during our 2021 Summer trip to Iceland.

Follow this guide exactly (weather and conditions permitting) for a guaranteed amazing set of experiences and hotels! Or, combine our insights with your own research to craft the trip of your dreams.

Iceland

13 Day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary

🇮🇸 FREE guide to help you spend the day in the world's most northern capital city.
👉 How to get from the airport to Reykjavik.
🏡 Best places to stay.
🍦 Local food.
🛍️ Fav shops.
💎 Hidden gems.
📸 Photography tips.

🇮🇸 Iceland’s dramatic landscape, from waterfalls to lava fields and glaciers, is why people visit. 
💎 But Reykjavik is a gem of a city and a terrific starting point or the perfect finale for your Icelandic adventure. 

Reykjavík, Iceland

Perfect Day in Reykjavik

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.

Europe

Reykjavík, Iceland: An Extensive City Guide

This guide will include a full list of places to see, activities to do, places to eat & drink near Reykjavik, Iceland.
Here are some of the things included:
- Places to see (in the city & with some driving)
- Activities
- Tours (tours that go through many of the places listed)
- Food & Cafe options
- Bars
- BONUS: Speakeasy bar

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Rainbow Street, Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavík, Iceland

Seljalandsfoss, Iceland

Sculpture & Shore Walk, Reykjavík, Iceland

Sun Voyager, Reykjavík, Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavík, Iceland

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, Austurbakki, Reykjavík, Iceland

Gullfoss Falls, Iceland

Café Babalú, Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavík, Iceland

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, Reykjavík, Iceland

Sky Lagoon, Vesturvör, Kópavogur, Iceland

Reykjavik Must See Places

All my favorite things to do in Iceland, lived there all my life.

Local Iceland Map

Your ultimate guide to the southern region of Iceland. Spots listed are places I visited and loved while in car camping around Iceland for a month. This includes places to eat, drink, see & do, explore, and camping spots.

Iceland | Roadtrip Itinerary

Active volcanoes. Dancing northern lights. Gushing geysers. Massive glaciers. Thermal hot springs. Thundering waterfalls. Iceland is the ultimate adventure destination. How have you not been here yet? It’s finally time. Start in the northernmost capital in the world. Reykjavik is a hip, modern city. Then start exploring the wild coastline, the sheep-filled countryside, the icy interior, and the peaceful islands. There are plenty of black-sand beaches, small fishing villages, turf-roofed houses, and epic hikes along the way. Just remember to pack layers. Sometimes, the Gulf Stream provides moderate temperatures. Other times, it’ll feel like you’re in the Arctic. Also don’t forget the long, dark winters and the 24-hour daylight during the short summers. If you take advantage of Icelandair’s free stopover program—a great excuse to visit Helsinki, Copenhagen, and even Paris—you can keep returning to discover which season you like best.


This detailed guide includes:
Places: regions, cities, islands, peninsulas, towns, neighborhoods
Stay: hotels
Eat: bakeries, cafés, coffee shops, food carts & trucks, food halls, ice cream, Michelin stars, pizzerias, restaurants, soup
Drink: beer bars, breweries, cocktail bars, wine bars
Shop: beauty products, bookstores, Christmas stores, chocolate shops, clothing boutiques, flea markets, knitwear, outdoor wear, record stores, vintage clothing, wool products
Do: art museums, bays, beaches, bridges, caves, churches, concert venues, cultural centers, fjords, geothermal areas, geysers, harbors, hikes, history museums, horseback riding, hot springs, lagoons, lakes, lighthouses, memorials, mountains, national forests, national parks, natural wonders, nature reserves, parks, peace stones, ponds, roads, rock formations, rocks, rootless cones, scenic drives, sculptures, shipwrecks, sports venues, squares, streets, swimming pools, thermal baths, tunnels, valleys, viewpoints, volcanoes, walks, waterfalls
Transportation: airports, bus terminals, car rentals, ferries, parking lots, transfers

Note: I travel to Iceland frequently, so this guide is updated often.

Keflavík, Iceland

Búðir, Iceland

Flatey, Iceland

Borgarnes, Iceland

Mývatn, Iceland

Skógar, Iceland

Stykkishólmur, Iceland

Thingvellir National Park, Selfoss, Iceland

Akureyri, Iceland

Stokkseyri, Iceland

Hveragerði, Iceland

Snæfellsnes, Iceland

Arnarstapi, Iceland

Siglufjörður, Iceland

Húsavík, Iceland

The Iceland Guide

Iceland is one of those countries that you could spend weeks in, but if you're like me and you don't have unlimited PTO, you're all about maximizing your time. I spent time in Iceland over a long weekend, and definitely had the time of my life. 

3-DAY ICELAND ITINERARY

After a quick trip to this beautiful country - which I am dying to go back to at some point - here are my recommendations for the city of Reyjavik! 

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Sandholt

Sandholt started as a small, family-run business. Four generations later, it's still one of the best bakeries in Reykjavík. It's now one of the city's hardest brunch reservations, as well. Bread, cakes, and drool-worthy pastries are on display when you enter Sandholt. A minimal dining room with sturdy wooden tables serves sandwiches, soups, egg dishes, and waffles, as well. The service is a bit slow, but once you have coffee in front of you, you'll be ready for a long, lazy brunch. Just don't forget to make a reservation well in advance.

🍰 Sandholt Bakery is one of the oldest bakeries in Iceland that's been served by four generations of master bakers.

🍪 Everything here looks (and tastes) delicious. 

🥖 The showcase displays beautiful pastries, baguettes and chocolates. You can also order off the menu for an eat-in breakfast or lunch.

🥪 Standouts were the skyr with fruit compote and granola or their decadent grilled cheese sandwich on homemade sourdough bread with sriracha cream.

⏰ HOURS: 7 am - 6 pm

A delicious bakery and dessert shop on one of the main streets. Also is a cafe if you're looking for a hearty lunch. There are no reservations for the restaurant though and is first come first serve. 

Incredible chocolate and baked goods. Centrally located on Laugavegur (the central shopping street). Pop in and get some truffles.

Popular spot, but their pastries are soooo good. One of the first spots I stopped at when arriving at Reykjavík.

Sandholt

About Sandholt

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