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I just spent 5 days roadtripping through Iceland and had the most incredible time! This guide is going to focus specifically on Reykjavik, where you will fly in & out, and where you should spend a few days.
Disclaimer: This blog post is written in partnership with Center Hotels. Thank you to the Grandi by Center Hotels for working with me! As always, all opinions written here are my own.
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Background On Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in Iceland. It’s a vibrant coastal hub known for its quaint, colorful houses and striking blend of modern life and natural beauty that sets it apart from many other European capitals. The city’s history dates back to 874 AD when Norse settlers first discovered Iceland and set up permanent residency — fun fact: there are no native people here. The first people to call Iceland their home were the Vikings.
Set against a backdrop of mountains and ocean, the city offers easy access to geothermal spas, lively cafes, art galleries, shops, local restaurants, and is an incredible jumping off point to nearby excursions. In the winter months, you have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights here, and if you visit during the summer, you can enjoy upwards of 24 hours of daylight thanks to the Midnight Sun.
Whether you choose to rent a car and explore Ring Road on an Iceland road trip, or base yourself in Reykjavik, you will need to fly into the Keflavík International Airport, located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of the city, with a drive of roughly 45 minutes.
Pro-tip: This taxi ride can be extremely expensive since Iceland is well, expensive, and also because the journey is a bit long. Instead, opt for the shared coach bus which costs just $20ish USD per person and will bring you right into the city center.
Where To Stay In Reykjavik: Center Hotels
During your visit to Reykjavik, I highly recommend staying at the Center Hotels chain. I just stayed at the Grandi Hotel by Center Hotels and loved it!
Center Hotels is a family-run Icelandic hotel chain based entirely in downtown Reykjavik, operating nine centrally located properties that range from cozy and classic to boutique and modern apartment-style accommodations. Founded in 1994, the hotel chain focuses on authentic Icelandic hospitality, walkable convenience, and local character.
Each hotel offers free breakfast, Wi-Fi, on-site restaurants or bars, and plus, they have amazing amenities for guests to enjoy at this property — including spas, hot tubs, and fitness centers. The brand emphasizes sustainability through its commitment to Green Key environmental certification, and booking directly often includes perks like early check-in, late checkout, and welcome drinks.
The Grandi location is incredible… just a 10-15 minute walk to all attractions! This hotel is ideal for travelers who want a comfortable, centrally located stay with easy access to Reykjavik’s attractions, dining, and nightlife, while enjoying a local, personal touch.
There is a cozy fireplace seating area in the lobby with a work station, a cafe on-site called Hygge that served the best pastries, soup, and bread, and a lively restaurant / bar area.
What To See In Reykjavik
Since you will be flying into Reykjavik, I recommend spending a few days in the city! At least two should be enough to see the highlights. This guide covers some things to do in Iceland, but here are some can’t-miss sites and experiences to do in Iceland’s capital:
- Hallgrímskirkja Church: famous Lutheran church in the heart of the city. It’s free to visit, but you should buy a ticket to ride the elevator to the top for the best view.
- Harpa Concert Hall: unique & free concert hall and event center near the Reykjavik Harbor.
- Sun Voyager (Sólfar): stainless steel sculpture on the waterfront that resembles a Viking longship
- Blue Lagoon: the famous geothermal spa near a lava field (and the airport!) where you can soak in the mineral-rich waters, grab a drink, and do a face mask.
- Sky Lagoon: another geothermal spa + lagoon, located only about 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavik. The lagoon overlooks the ocean and has a 7-step ritual through a series of saunas, cold plunges, steam rooms, etc that is absolutely worth the extra money!
- Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: a well-known hotdog stand chain around the city. If you book a Reykjavik food tour, you’ll get to try a hot dog here! Plus, fermented shark…yum!
- Laugavegur Street: the main shopping road in Reykjavik. Not far from the famous Rainbow Road for a photo-op too!
- Perlan Museum: an interactive nature museum in the city. If it is raining or cold, I recommend going here!
- Whale Watching Tour: this marine life cruise is a must during the summer months from Reykjavik.
- Lava Show: located in both Reykjavik and Vik, this is an Icelandic attraction / show where real molten lava is poured indoors, combining dramatic visuals with an educational explanation of volcanic activity.
- Street Murals: located all around the city!
Reykjavik Day Trip: Golden Circle
During one of your days in Reykjavik, you MUST do a Golden Circle road trip.
The Golden Circle is a tourist route in southwest Iceland. It’s a popular day trip from Reykjavík, covering about 230 kilometers (140 miles) round trip. It usually takes 6–8 hours to explore by car or tour bus. I definitely recommend booking a bus tour so you can see the below sites all in one day without any stress!
The route includes three iconic sites: Þingvellir National Park, where you can see the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates; the Geysir geothermal area, with its erupting Strokkur geyser — it’s the most active geyser in the world and erupts every 7-8 minutes; and Gullfoss waterfall, a dramatic two-tiered cascade. This is Iceland’s most visited (and most beautiful!) waterfall.
You can read about the stops within the Golden Circle in detail in this other guide I wrote about what to do in Iceland!
Where To Eat In Reykjavik
Here are a few restaurants you can’t miss during your few days in Reykjavik:
- Rok Restaurant: located in the center of the city with incredible local dishes & ambiance.
- Braud & Co: well-known artisan bakery with several locations around the city — try the cinnamon roll!
- Sushi Social: amazing rolls, cocktails, and apps with a location that is walkable to everything.
- Fridheimar: located 1 hour from Reykjavik, this tomato-themed restaurant is in a greenhouse on a farm & has the BEST soup and bread. I recommend seeing this during your Golden Circle day trip!
- Grandi Restaurant: for local cuisine, a complete wine list, & convenient location!
Pro-tip: If you’re an adventurous eater, you MUST try a food tour in Reykjavik! Throughout the course of a few hours you’ll be able to sample Icelandic cuisine from upwards of 8 restaurants — ranging from homemade breads and cozy soups to 400-year-old fermented shark!
That brings us to the end of this short and sweet post focused on a few days in Reykjavik! I hope you enjoy this lively capital city as much as I did!
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