The perfect 12-48 layover

Thrainn Kolbeinsson - (thrainnko)
Itinerary created by
Thrainn Kolbeinsson
What you’ll do

It can be stressful to make a plan when time is limited. That's why I created this guide to make sure you can get the most out of your short stay. It is designed for anything from 12 to 48 hours but the amount of things you'll be able to do depends on how much time you have and the timing of your flights. Feel free to mix and match the locations depending on your time of arrival.

NOTE: Due to the recent and current seismic activity in and around Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon, I didn't include them in the guide. But here you can check whether the roads around Grindavík are open.

You can do plenty of things with a short amount of time in Iceland but it's crucial to have a solid plan to get the most out of your precious time.

NOTE: This itinerary is just for inspiration to give you ideas about the available attractions and activities. It is unlikely that you'll be able to do all this so depending on how much time you have, have a look at the options and prioritise what you’re most excited about!

If you want to visit some of the attractions I'd recommend renting a car but if you simply want to get to the city and soak in the Icelandic vibes down town, feel free to hop on one of the airport shuttles.

Have a great layover!

1

Blue Car Rental
Blue Car Rental
Car rental - get 5% off
Category
Car Rental

4 km (2.5 mi)

6 min

2

Sigurjónsbakarí
Sigurjónsbakarí
A classic Icelandic bakery
Category
Café

13.7 km (8.5 mi)

15 min

3

Hvalsneskirkja
Hvalsneskirkja
Magical Icelandic culture exploration
Category
Sightseeing

2.8 km (1.7 mi)

5 min

4

Stafnesviti
Stafnesviti
A picturesque lighthouse
Category
Sightseeing

21.7 km (13.5 mi)

19 min

5

Bridge Between Continents
Bridge Between Continents
Want to stand right between two continents?
Category
Sightseeing

2.5 km (1.5 mi)

2 min

6

Stampar
Stampar
A volcanic crater row
Category
Sightseeing

5.6 km (3.5 mi)

7 min

7

Reykjanestá
Reykjanestá
Epic rock formations at the tip of Reykjanes peninsula
Category
Sightseeing

489 m (0.3 mi)

1 min

8

Reykjanestá Lighthouse
Reykjanestá Lighthouse
Historic and scenic lighthouse
Category
Sightseeing

430 m (0.3 mi)

1 min

9

Reykjanes Lighthouse
Reykjanes Lighthouse
Historic Icelandic Lighthouse Tour
Category
Sightseeing

6.4 km (4 mi)

11 min

10

Gunnuhver Hot Springs
Gunnuhver Hot Springs
Inspiring geothermal springs
Category
Sightseeing

4.8 km (3 mi)

8 min

11

Brimketill lava rock pool
Brimketill lava rock pool
A natural pool right by the ocean
Category
Sightseeing

74.5 km (46.3 mi)

1 hr 7 min

If you feel like you're still good and time and you're looking to stretch your legs a bit, here's a few hiking options on your way from the airport to the city. To get to them, you start by turning here off road 41 and taking the gravel road. It is pretty rough but most cars will manage.

12

Choose the option that fits you the best

Reykjanes highlands
Reykjanes highlands
The hidden highlands of Reykjanes
Category
Sightseeing
Sogin
Sogin
An incredible geothermal area
Category
Sightseeing
Grænadyngja
Grænadyngja
A shield volcano overlooking a geothermal valley
Category
Sightseeing
Trölladyngja
Trölladyngja
A shield volcano with epic views
Category
Sightseeing
Keilir
Keilir
A mountain in the Reykjanes peninsula
Category
Sightseeing

20.1 km (12.5 mi)

27 min

If you want to grab any souvenirs or even a classic Icelandic wool sweater, here's a great stop on your way to the city.

13

The Icelandic Store
The Icelandic Store
Get some Icelandic clothes and souvenirs
Category
Sightseeing

14.2 km (8.8 mi)

17 min

I bet you'll be craving a hot dip after your flights and the activities of the day so here's two options. The Sky Lagoon is a bit more fancy and expensive (a great experience though) but you also have the choice of any of the many public pools.

14

Choose the option that fits you the best

Sundhöllin / Swimming pool
Sundhöllin / Swimming pool
Historic geothermal swimming pool in Reykjavík
Category
Spa
Est. Price
€8
Sky Lagoon
Sky Lagoon
Luxurious hot springs spa in Iceland
Category
Spa

Time to soak in the 101 vibes in down town Reykjavík. Depending on how much time you have but definitely walk down the main shopping street (Laugavegur) and the small side streets from there. I added some more ideas on day 2 that you can easily move over here if you have more time.

15

Down Town Reykjavík
Down Town Reykjavík
Experience the down town area in the capital
Category
Sightseeing
16

Choose the option that fits you the best

Grandi Mathöll
Grandi Mathöll
Vibrant street food hall in Reykjavík
Category
Restaurant
Tres Locos
Tres Locos
Vibrant Mexican restaurant in Reykjavik
Category
Restaurant
Höfnin Restaurant
Höfnin Restaurant
A seafood restaurant by the old marina
Category
Restaurant
Sandholt
Sandholt
A high end cafe in Reykjavík
Category
Café
Pósthús Food Hall & Bar
Pósthús Food Hall & Bar
Foodie paradise with diverse cuisines
Category
Restaurant
Grillmarkaðurinn
Grillmarkaðurinn
A high end grill restaurant
Category
Restaurant

There are so many options for accommodation in down town Reykjavík so I decided not to suggest any since there are so many good ones and they all depend on your budget and what you're looking for.

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