How to Spend a Weekend in Reykjavik

The latest addition to the hotel scene in Downtown Reykjavik is the EDITION. The cool interiors of the well established brand fit in perfectly in the Icelandic capital and you can enjoy a wide variety of amenities here already. The main restaurant is a popular destination for locals who aren’t even staying at the hotel and in the summer a rooftop bar will give you unbeatable views of the harbour. With a sauna and hammam also on the way, this is one of the most stylish stays in an already stylish city.

We’ve gone for a variety of places to stay but have not veered too far from the geographical centre of the city. The Sand Hotel gives you everything you need in one perfectly formed package; Laugarvegur is the street to be seen on and if you want some evening entertainment then just step outside of the lobby and straight into one of the many bars on the doorstep.

Contemporary and cool, this edgy hotel is on the luxury end of the market but has a location to match the asking price. You are right in the heart of Reykjavík’s buzziest street and a night here will save you time as the shops are right outside your door. The other bonus is the restaurant on the ground floor, but more on that later.

Another downtown hotel, the wide variety of rooms here, from cosy single beds to larger family suites, makes the Kvosin stand out from the others on this list. There’s a great rooftop to take in the views of the harbour and if you’re in town for a business conference chances are you’ll end up staying here (or close by).

If you’re a fan of all things Nordic and cool, then this is the place for you. A trendy spot with even trendier rooms, this hotel is the one we’d pick if we were on a budget and looking for a short stay with no fuss. The bright interiors will also lighten the mood if you end up visiting in the winter months.

You won’t see much of Iceland’s past in modern Reykjavík but this hotel does its level best to give you a glimpse into what the city was like centuries ago. It’s a modern building that sits in the old part of town, but it has been designed around a grand department store that operated in the 18th and 19th centuries. If you do end up spending more time resting in your hotel than outside exploring, then this is hard to beat as a base.

Expect long queues at Iceland’s best-known bakery. The intoxicating smell of freshly cooked pastries waft down the street as you approach this popular hangout, and if you’re staying at the Sand Hotel the good news is that you’re adjacent to this place. Coffee is taken very seriously in Iceland, so you know you’ll be in for a proper cup of morning joe here.

More commonly known as the Penis Museum, this intriguing attraction is dedicated to the male member. There are around 300 jarred animal genitals, ranging in size from 2mm (a hamster) to two metres (a blue whale). The museum even had its first human donation in 2011, where it joins some serious research specimens, and some not so serious exhibitions, including those of a merman’s manhood as well as an elf’s (the elf penis is of course invisible, as any student of Icelandic folklore will tell you).

It’s hard to miss this towering structure when in Reykjavik. This church has a unique design and is at the end of another popular street just off Laugavegur. The walk up to the church is where you’ll find the Instagram-friendly rainbow street and there are also plenty of fashionable boutiques here if you want to buy local. The church itself is a great spot to take pictures, too.

If you ask any local foodie where to go for a great meal in Reykjavik, this modern Middle Eastern restaurant will be a top recommendation. If there aren’t any free tables (don’t be surprised if it is fully booked in the evenings), ask for a seat at the bar. The helpful staff will be able to serve you food and offer some local cocktails at very decent prices.

Reykjavik has many things going for it, but you might feel a little short-changed if you’re expecting to find historic traces of Iceland from the past. There aren’t many farms and certainly no grass covered dwellings – known as turf houses – in the city. Your best bet on a short trip is a morning at Árbæjarsafn; this open air museum is a 10-minute drive from the centre, and offers visitors the chance to see a traditional side of Iceland.

A fair distance from Reykjavik, this natural geothermal lagoon was discovered by accident but has since gone on to become one of the top tourist attractions in the country. Its gentle waters are said to possess all manner of healing minerals while the environment helps your mind and soul. This is a great option if you’re spending a few days in Iceland as there is also an onsite spa hotel, but if you’re pressed for time there is now another alternative.

The newest geothermal spa in Iceland, and probably the most impressive, sprawls across 5,000sqm (53,820sqft) in Kópavogura town. The natural hot lagoons (which can reach 40C/104F) are subtly separated from the Atlantic Ocean by infinity edges, making you feel as if you’re bathing in its vast waters, all the while looking at a 700,000-year-old stratovolcano and the odd friendly seal. You’ll also find cold plunge pools, a sauna, changing rooms, a cafe, bar and turf house here. The real benefit is its proximity to central Reykjavik; you can have breakfast in your hotel, take the plunge here straight after and be back in your room before lunchtime.

Iceland first came to major international attention for travellers when the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted in 2010. Such events are actually quite common here, but the ash cloud from this particular eruption had a significant impact on international air travel. With thousands of flights grounded, people began to research what was causing the disruption and discovered Iceland and its many natural wonders. The country once again hit headlines when a smaller volcano erupted in 2021; this time the lava flows were only 30km (18mi) from Reykjavik. The previously barren land in the Fagradalsfjall area has now become a major tourist hotspot and you can squeeze in a trip here on a weekend visit.