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If you’re planning to spend a weekend in Iceland and you’re wondering how to make the most of your short time there, you’ve come to the right place. I recently spent a weekend in the land of fire and ice and, while it’s not really enough time, you can still see some of the most popular sights and get a great introduction to the country.
Read on for the perfect weekend itinerary for Iceland.
How to get to Iceland
Flights to Iceland from the UK are available with most budget airlines with routes to Keflavik (South Iceland) and Akureyri (North Iceland) airports. I flew from Manchester to Keflavik International Airport with Easyjet which took around two and a half hours.
How to get around Iceland
Once you get to Iceland, there are a few options for getting to where you need to go. You can book a transfer, take a taxi, or hire a car.
Taking a taxi from Keflavik to Reykjavik costs around ISK 16,700 each way which is around £95. A cheaper alternative is to book a coach transfer which costs around £60 return.
I went with this option as I travelled to Iceland on my own and it was super easy. The coach was there as soon as my flight arrived, which was quite late at night, and took around 45 minutes to get to the BSI bus terminal in the city.
From the bus terminal, a lot of the accommodation is within walking distance, or you can change to another bus to take you closer.
I decided not to rent a car as I was a little worried about the changeable weather in Iceland and I’m not a confident driver. However, the main roads are very well maintained, even during winter, and they’re also quiet so driving looked quite easy.
As you’re only in Iceland a short time, hiring a car is a good way to see as much as you can.
Another good way to get around Iceland is by hiring a camper van. Cozy Campers offer camper rental options in Iceland and their vans come equipped with complimentary wi-fi, a state-of-the-art heating system, and insurance included.
I definitely want to do an Iceland road trip in summer next time!
When to visit Iceland
If you want more time to explore and milder weather, then visit Iceland in summer. You’ll get to experience the midnight sun between May and August and there are multiple days between May and July when the sun doesn’t even set.
The average temperature in summer is around 12 degrees celsius so it is mild, but not really warm.
One of the things I had on my list to do in Iceland was to see the northern lights so I decided to visit during winter. I went at the beginning of November and the weather was chilly (around 3 degrees with a cold wind) with sunny days.
It got light after 9.30am and the sun set just after 5pm so the days were short. The weather can be very changeable all year round so be sure to pack plenty of layers, waterproof clothing, and sturdy hiking boots.
How long should I spend in Iceland?
In my opinion – the longer the better! Is a weekend enough time to see Iceland? Absolutely not! I only just scratched the surface of everything Iceland has to offer and I’m already planning a trip back for summer.
I think a week would be a good amount of time to spend in Iceland and I would love to do a Ring Road road trip.
Where to stay in Iceland
I based myself in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, as I didn’t have much time in the country and it’s an easy base for taking day trips to other areas. Reykjavik is a fantastic city and is well worth exploring during your trip.
I stayed at the Baldursbra Guesthouse Laufasvegur, budget accommodation just a short walk from Reykjavik city centre. The guesthouse is very basic and I had a private room with a shared bathroom.
It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking to save money thanks to its fantastic location. There is also a shared kitchen where you can prepare your own meals if you want to self-cater.
You can check out my review of Baldursbra Guesthouse Laufasvegur here.
Book Baldursbra Guesthouse Laufasvegur
If you’re looking for a little more luxury for your stay in Iceland then try The Reykjavik EDITION. This five star hotel has an amazing location near to the Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture plus facilities like a gym, a bar, and rooms with fantastic views over the city.
Things to do in Iceland
There is so much to see in Iceland and so many incredible natural wonders to marvel over. I actually only had two full days here so here are the things that I prioritised.
The Golden Circle sightseeing route
The Golden Circle is the most popular sightseeing route in Iceland and I feel like everyone should visit on their first trip to the country. The Golden Circle is made up of three incredible natural sights: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.
I did a combination Golden Circle and northern lights coach tour with pickup from Reykjavik. This is an all day tour with the Golden Circle sights in the day time and then northern lights hunting at night and a little break in the city in between.
The Thingvellir National Park is the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet and you can literally see the drift between them. You can also walk across the Bridge Between Continents, a symbolic bridge between the plates.
You can also scuba dive or snorkel between continents here in the Silfra fissure, one of the clearest sites for snorkelling in Europe.
The Geysir geothermal area was my favourite spot in Iceland as I’d never visited anywhere like it before. The area is home to bubbling hot springs, colourful mineral deposits and erupting geysers.
The most impressive of these geysers is Strokkur which erupts every four to 10 minutes, shooting boiling water and steam into the air. Because of the frequency of its eruptions, you’re bound to see one during your visit and it is really something special.
Gullfoss waterfall is an incredible waterfall with two drops. I’m not sure what I was expecting but I was blown away by how huge the waterfall is, it’s such an awe-inspiring sight.
Book a Golden Circle and northern lights coach tour
Northern lights tour
One of the things on my bucket list was to see the northern lights in Iceland so I booked a northern lights tour. The tour takes you out of the city and finds the place with the best chance of seeing the aurora borealis, according to the weather forecast and cloud cover.
This was actually really exciting as it felt like we were driving for ages and then all of a sudden our guide yelled “here!” And the coach driver pulled quickly into a side road. We got off the coach, waiting a little while and then we saw them!
They were quite faint as it was very cloudy, but still a special experience. It was very cold so be sure to wrap up really warm.
You don’t have to do a trip to see the northern lights. I spoke to some locals and they said that if they’re visible they can be seen from Reykjavik.
Another couple that I spoke to had heard that Grotta Lighthouse, just outside of the city was a good viewing point. You can get a bus or a taxi here, or even walk if you’d prefer.
Things to do in Reykjavik
As well as exploring Iceland’s natural sights, you should plan to spend some time in Reykjavik during your weekend in Iceland. It’s a fantastic city with a really nice feel to it and lots to see.
You should plan your itinerary before you travel. Use this list of things you should know before you visit Iceland to help.
Take a free walking tour
My favourite way to see a new city is by taking a free walking tour, and I try to do this wherever I go. It’s a great way to get your bearings and learn more about the history of the city.
If you’re just spending one day in Reykjavik then try to do a free walking tour in the morning as an introduction to the city. You’ll see the Harpa Concert Hall, Rainbow Road, and Hallgrimskirkja Church, plus monuments to the first settler of Iceland.
On a free walking tour you are expected to leave a tip at the end for what you think the tour is worth. However, this is not mandatory and if you really can’t afford to pay this you can just slip away at the end.
Go to the top of Hallgrimskirkja church
I’m a big fan of a rooftop view and so I headed to the magnificent Hallgrimskirkja Church. The church is impressive enough from the outside as it is such a unique architectural design, influenced by the basalt columns that can be seen all over the country.
Inside the church is a huge bright, airy, modern space. While I was there, a choir were practising which gave it a lovely atmosphere and felt really special.
It costs around £8 to go to the top and you get some great views over Reykjavik. Be sure to wrap up warm as it’s windy up there!
Head out on a whale watching tour
Reykjavik Harbour is the starting point for whale watching tours. I booked one of these during my stay but unfortunately it was cancelled as the sea was too choppy.
Whale watching tours head out to Faxafloi Bay where you can spot minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, and even humpback whales and orcas sometimes.
See the Sun Voyager sculpture
The Sunvoyager sculpture was created by Jon Gunnar Arnason and resembles a viking longship. It’s one of the most recognisable sights in the city and is worth a look.
Sunset is a great time to pop by as the sculpture looks fantastic at golden hour. You get fantastic views of the bay behind the sculpture, across to Esja mountain.
The sculpture represents a dream of hope, progress and freedom.
Harpa Concert Hall
This magnificent glass building is another example of modern architecture in Reykjavik. It’s impressive to look at from the outside but head inside for restaurants, exhibitions, and souvenir shopping.
The hall plays host to a variety of plays and shows so if you’re lucky there might be something on while you’re visiting.
Where to eat in Reykjavik
There is no shortage of places to eat in Reykjavik. You can choose from traditional restaurants serving local cuisine to trendy bars and everything in between.
For a reasonably priced meal: Lebowski Bar
Inspired by the film, The Big Lebowski, this bar is American themed and kitted out like a 50s diner, complete with bowling alley. There are tables or you can sit at the bar and eat if you prefer.
The menu is simple – just burgers and the drinks are reasonably priced, compared to other bars in Reykjavik. I went for The Smokey burger, a double smashed beef burger with cheese, bacon, and onions and it was delicious.
For hot chocolate: Mokka Kaffi
I needed a bit of warming up when I was sightseeing in Reykjavik so I googled where to find the best hot chocolate. A result came up from my friend Jess from A Wanderlust For Life.
Jess recommended Mokka Kaffi and it did not disappoint – in fact, it’s probably one of the best hot chocolates I’ve had in my life! The cafe itself is small, friendly and cosy.
I had a five minute wait to get a table but it was well worth it. The hot chocolate came with cream and actually wasn’t too expensive.
For local fish: The Reykjavik Fish Restaurant
I wanted to try something local while I was in Iceland, but I wasn’t sold on the fermented shark idea so I stuck to some local seafood instead. I headed to the Reykjavik Fish Restaurant and sampled one of their platters which came with Icelandic char, cod and mussels.
The food was delicious and this is a really large restaurant so you should be able to find a table without booking.
For brunch: The Laundromat
I got talking to a mother and daughter at a bus stop while waiting for a pick up for a tour and they recommended The Laundromat for brunch. They serve a range of brunch options including pancakes, smashed avocado, and vegan brunches.
The cafe is really cool inside with eclectic decor and posters. On the outside it says it serves the best brunch in Reykjavik so that was good enough for me!
I chose the eggs and tomatoes on toast and a cappuccino.
For a viral favourite: Baejarins Beztu Pylsur hotdog stand
I think this hotdog stand has become a bit of a sensation on TikTok. The hotdog itself is made of lamb and comes with crispy onions, sweet mustard, raw onion, ketchup, and remoulade.
It’s one of the cheapest options for food in Reykjavik with a hotdog with all the trimmings costing around just £4. To me, it tasted just like a normal hotdog – nothing special but it made for a tasty afternoon snack.
Top tip: If there’s a huge queue for the hotdog stand, you can actually get the same hotdog just around the corner in the 10 11 store. They have a stand inside with the same brand of hotdog!
Or, if you’re heading home from Keflavik International Airport, you can grab one from there too. Just head through passport control and you’ll find the kiosk.
And remember, airport rules apply so you can eat a hot dog for breakfast, no problem!
FAQs
Is Iceland expensive?
Yes, there’s no doubt about it, Iceland is expensive. I would say it’s a similar price for food and drinks to Switzerland. Because Iceland is an island, a lot of their produce has to be shipped in and their cost of living is higher than the UK.
A meal in a restaurant will cost you around £30 per person.
For the whole of my trip including flights, accommodation, trips and spending money, I spent around £660. Find out how much I spent on a weekend in Iceland here.
Can you see the northern lights in Reykjavik?
Yes, you can see the northern lights in Reykjavik. I got talking to some locals while I was there and they said you don’t need to take a bus tour to see the aurora borealis as they can be seen from the city.
Another couple that I spoke to said that the Grotta Lighthouse is a great spot for northern lights viewing. You can take a taxi or the number 11 bus to the lighthouse but be aware that the bus is cash-only.
What is the best month to see the northern lights in Iceland?
I don’t think there’s a best time to visit Iceland, as the country has so much to see in both summer and winter.
The northern lights can only be viewed during winter in Iceland, between September and April when the nights are long and dark.
In summer, the weather is milder, it’s easier to get around and you can take advantage of the midnight sun for longer hours of sightseeing. Some areas of Iceland are also inaccessible during winter and summer is better for outdoor activities like hiking.
