Having just spent a week exploring Iceland, it was finally time for me to explore Reykjavik. Many visitors use the city as the base for a short Iceland break, and with only 48 hours of my trip remaining, I wanted to make the most of it. After arriving back the night before, my friends and I stayed up late over a few Gull beers planning the next two days.

Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas. A snowstorm had gripped Reykjavik, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. For the remainder of the trip, we were staying at Center Hotels Arnarhvoll, which worked perfectly because most of our plans were within walking distance. We could even see Harpa Concert Hall from breakfast.

So, slightly hungover and with several layers on, I stepped outside and faced the storm.

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Day 1 – Exploring Central Reykjavik

Icelandic Phallological Museum

I kicked off my 48 hours in Reykjavik at the Phallological Museum. From whales to humans, and even mythological creatures,  the museum’s unique collection of penises provided a fascinating (and at times hilarious) glimpse into the diversity of nature. 

It was certainly an odd start to the day but it is one of Reykjavik’s most popular attractions, and in hindsight it may have been a little early in the morning for that sort of phallic content. By the time we had finished it was nearly lunch. 

The museum’s café was packed, so we layered up, stepped out into the snow and went off in search of something warm to eat.

Lunch at FoodCellar

The smart thing to do would have been to quickly Google somewhere to eat while we were still protected from the elements inside the museum. Instead, we headed off in the direction we thought we had seen restaurants earlier.

After wandering around in circles, we were lucky enough to stumble across FoodCellar, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for it. The storm meant the restaurant was nearly empty, so we settled in with beautifully cooked steaks and a few Icelandic Gull beers.

A few of our friends would be leaving us after lunch to catch their flights home, so the restaurant became the perfect place to reminisce and share some stories. Moments like this are what Reykjavik is about for me: finding somewhere warm, enjoying fantastic food and swapping stories with both new and old friends.

Harpa Concert Hall

One of our friends had arranged a FlyBus to the airport, and the pickup point was just outside Harpa Concert Hall. I’d like to have said we stood out in the storm with him for solidarity, but instead we toasted him with a glass of wine from the warmth of the bar inside. 

Concert halls are some of the most beautiful buildings in the world to me. When I was in Sydney, I could often be found spending my evenings around the Opera House when I wanted somewhere to eat or drink.

Harpa Concert Hall’s futuristic architecture was just as inspiring to be around. To see adverts of upcoming performances give;s a sense of occasion you don’t find in a regular bar. We spent some time walking around and admiring the architecture, before enjoying another glass of wine in the bar and planning our next stop.

Icelandic Punk Museum

This one was harder to find than I expected. The Icelandic Punk Museum is hidden below ground in a renovated public toilet, of all places. Iceland has a vibrant punk history, and this small museum explores the bands that have helped shape the country’s music scene, with each room, or former toilet stall, dedicated to a different part of that story.

The experience is really interactive too, giving you the chance to try on punk jackets and play instruments. I relished the opportunity to channel my inner rebel for a while.

Rainbow Street

During our time in the Punk Museum, the storm had started to subside. As Rainbow Street was just around the corner, we took the opportunity to grab some photos whilst the weather was calmer. 

Originally painted in celebration of Pride, the rainbow became so popular that it was made a permanent feature. It has since become one of Reykjavik’s most recognisable photo spots, leading up towards Hallgrímskirkja.

We were lucky because plenty of people were still sheltering from the storm, making this the quietest we saw the street during our trip. It became one of my favourite spots in Reykjavik, and I ended up returning several times before leaving Iceland.

If you want to stop for food or return later in the evening, there are plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants nearby. I didn’t eat here personally, but Mama Reykjavik is a popular choice and firmly on my list for next time.

Drinks at Einstök Bar

I love a good bar in the evenings, and Reykjavik is home to my favourite. Einstök Bar had a warm, cosy atmosphere that was perfect to shield yourself from the Icelandic weather

The staff were incredibly welcoming and often encouraged us to order our cocktails off-menu. Instead of choosing from a list, they would ask which spirits we liked and whether we preferred sweeter or more sour flavours. Each round brought us something completely different, which made the evening feel more memorable.

If cocktails aren’t your thing and you’d rather stick to beer, Einstök is also one of Iceland’s best-known craft beer brands, so there is plenty to choose from.

Day 2 – FlyOver Iceland & Sky Lagoon

Originally, my plan for Day 2 was to hike a volcano in the morning before soaking in the waters of the Blue Lagoon. But I had quickly learned during this trip that Iceland’s weather doesn’t care about your plans.

The night before, while we were at Einstök Bar, I received a message saying my excursion had been cancelled because of the weather. I tried to book the Blue Lagoon separately, but there was no availability left for the entire day.

Luckily, I always like to have a backup plan. A few weeks before my flight, PLAY Airlines had emailed me about Sky Lagoon, and on the Flybus from Keflavík I had spotted a leaflet for FlyOver Iceland. With both still fresh in my mind, I knew exactly how to reshape the day.

FlyOver Iceland

With the weather still making outdoor activities difficult, we decided to start the morning at FlyOver Iceland. Despite the snow, we walked towards the Old Harbour, although it took considerably longer than Google Maps predicted.

Because I hadn’t booked in advance, I thought arriving early would give us the best chance of getting a space. Unfortunately, I hadn’t checked the opening time. We arrived to find the doors still closed, and I had also stepped straight into a puddle on the way, leaving me with a freezing wet sock. A quick Google search led us to nearby Kaffivagninn, where we escaped the snow and warmed up with a coffee, or hot chocolate for me.

When FlyOver finally opened, the first time slot was already full, so we booked the next one. The experience takes you on a simulated flight across Iceland, with preshows exploring the country’s nature, history and folklore beforehand.

What started as a backup plan ended up being one of my favourite indoor experiences in Reykjavik, especially on a day when the weather had ruined our original plans.

Sky Lagoon

Any FOMO I had about missing the Blue Lagoon disappeared almost instantly when I arrived at Sky Lagoon. At the time of my visit, it had only been open for a few months, so everything still felt pristine.

One of the biggest advantages of Sky Lagoon is how close it is to Reykjavik city centre, making it much easier to fit into a day alongside other activities. It’s easy to forget that only minutes earlier you were surrounded by city streets when you’re submerged in a warm infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic, surrounded by rocks and enjoying an ice-cold Gull beer.

One Last Drink at Einstök

I’d enjoyed Einstök so much the night before that, with this being my final evening in Reykjavik, I decided to go back. Returning to a favourite spot felt like the perfect way to round off the trip and gave me one last warm memory of the city.

With fantastic cocktails and such a cosy atmosphere, it has easily become one of my favourite places in Reykjavik.

Late-Night Hot Dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

After a few drinks, going to bed on an empty stomach never feels like a good idea, especially with an early flight the next morning. Luckily, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur was still open late, making it an easy final stop.

I’d take an Icelandic hot dog over the traditional post-night-out kebab any day. They’re also one of the cheaper eats you’ll find in Reykjavik, which probably explains why I ended up ordering more than one.

Getting Around Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a really easy city to navigate, and I walked to the majority of the activities in this itinerary. Staying somewhere central like Center Hotels Arnarhvoll definitely helped. Walking also meant I could see more of the city while keeping transport costs down.

Reykjavik also has a public bus network if you don’t want to walk everywhere. The only time I used a taxi during this itinerary was travelling from FlyOver Iceland to Sky Lagoon, as we wouldn’t have made our booking in time otherwise.

A lot of hotels and attractions have taxi call buttons at reception, which makes arranging one really easy without needing to worry about having the right app or mobile data.

What I Would Do Differently

If I were planning this city break again for my first visit to Reykjavik, I would add a Northern Lights tour. I had already been lucky enough to see them while travelling along Iceland’s South Coast, so I didn’t need to fit another tour into these 48 hours.

If you’re visiting Reykjavik for a weekend break, though, I’d seriously consider adding one. Light pollution can make the Northern Lights harder to see from the city centre, so organised tours take you away from Reykjavik in search of darker skies and better viewing conditions.

Is 48 Hours in Reykjavik Enough?

I think 48 hours is enough to get a real feel for Reykjavik. Some things can’t be planned, like the Northern Lights, and will rely on luck. Having more days increases your chances but you have to be flexible.

If you plan to stick to the city, and maybe venture to the Blue Lagoon, 48 hours is enough.The important thing is knowing what is important to you, and having it booked to avoid disappointment and wasting time.

Would I Recommend This 2-Day Reykjavik Itinerary

Yes, this is the exact route I took in Reykjavik, and I had an amazing time. I would recommend any and all of these activities for a trip to Reykjavik. It gives a combination of local food, fun attractions, and some relaxation time in hot water springs.

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