4 DAY TOUR – WEEKEND IN REYKJAVIK

Reykjavik is the northernmost capital in the world having a population of 150,000 and located on the southwest coast of Iceland. If you think that there is nothing interesting to do in this remote region of the North Atlantic, you are very mistaken! Remarkable as it may seem, in Iceland, you will find whatever you need to have a wonderful time: everything from swimming pools and saunas to concerts, and from disco bars and fine gourmet restaurants to whale watching and unique Icelandic designer boutiques… So if planning to visit Iceland, you can be sure that there‘s plenty to see and do.

Day 1/ Thursday: Keflavik Airport. Transfer to Reykjavik by a rented car or a Flybus. City tour on foot where you will have a chance to get to know the city. This city reminds many visitors of an elf town with its colourful roofs and houses.

Alternative choices of the day:
Having a cup of coffee at Mokka, the oldest cafe house in Reykjavik, located at Skólavördustígur 3A. With its history spanning 55 years it is a very popular spot among Icelanders where you are likely to bump into singer Björk or guys from Sigur Rós or meet other famous Icelandic writers and poets.

Visit one of the 20 swimming pools based in the capital and relaxing after the journey in a hot jacuzzi or sauna. At the same time have a close look at Icelandic swimming pool traditions. The swimming pool for Icelanders is a place for socializing and keeping themselves updated with the latest happenings.

Light dinner at café houses Café Loki or Tíu Dropar. Restaurants Lækjarbrekka, Fiskfélagið /Fish Company, Við Tjörnina are all Höfnin popular choices where you can have authentic Icelandic dishes but if you wish to eat something quickly, then Bæjarin‘s beztu pylsurs (hot dogs) are just a right choice! They are truly the best hot dogs in the world! When the US president Bill Clinton was visiting Iceland he couldn‘t resist the temptation.

Overnight accommodation at a booked hotel or guesthouse.

Day 2 / Friday: The plan for this day is to explore Iceland more thoroughly and admire its nature. The most popular tours include “Golden Circle” and the other-worldly “Blue Lagoon.” The day starts by having breakfast at a hotel or Kaffitár, a cosy café located in the very heart of Reykjavik offering a great selection of coffees.

Alternative choices for the day:
A day trip to the Blue Lagoon or a day trip to see Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall) and Geyser the area where Strokkur Geyser erupts every 8-10 minutes are great choices. En route, a visit to Þingvellir National Park where the oldest existing parliament in the world was founded in 980 AD is another highly recommended and very popular site to see.

For an Icelandic horse riding tour, a visit to Eldhestar in the town of Hveragerði or Íshestar in Reykjavik are a couple of good options. Saturday evening in Reykjavik is the time for relaxation and fun that lasts till the early hours of the morning. If you have energy and want to experience Icelandic nightlife, then the Saturday evening is a right time to do so. Night bars you may want to visit include Nasa, b5, Vegamot, English Pub, Solón, Slippbarinn, Prikið… You can be sure that you won’t be bored there.

Day 3 / Saturday: Reykjavik and its suburbs:

Alternative choices for the day:
A walking tour in Reykjavik’s Old Town. En route a visit to Skólavörðustígur Street which is home to designers, artists and craftsmen. Situated at the top of this street is Hallgrimskirkja, the tallest church in Iceland. Be sure to visit the church and admire its impressive pipe organ built in Germany and consisting of 5275 pipes. The church tower offers an extraordinary view of Reykjavik.
If you go to the Eymundsson Bookstore and order a cup of coffee, you can relax at the cafe Te & Kaffi and enjoy your time reading your favorite magazine or book. Not far away from the Reykjavik Harbour, there is another popular spot called Kolaportið. It is a very popular flea market open Saturdays and Sundays where Icelanders go to meet and mingle. Kolaportið also has the largest fish market in Iceland. An old Icelandic man playing an accordion and entertaining the crowd with folk melodies is a common sight in this market. You will enjoy the lively and fun atmosphere!

A light walk in the old Reykjavik’s harbour Reykjavíkuhöfn. The area around the port is rather densely packed with restaurants, cafes and stores… Once you reach the Icelandair Hotel Marina, it is a must to check it out from the inside and try original cocktails in Slippbarinn, the largest cocktail bar in Iceland. Trust the bartender’s taste and you won’t regret it. This may help you survive a freezing cold day while sheltering you from biting Icelandic wind.

A visit to the beautiful Harpa, the new concert hall and conference centre. Harpa was completed in 2011 after long debates and discussions due to the financial crisis in which Iceland was still embroiled. In 2013, Harpa won a prestigious Mies van der Rohe award, the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture in a contest including 370 competing buildings. This award is considered to be very important in the architecture industry. It is a truly unique and impressive building. Visitors are always welcome to the Munnharpa Café House, 12 Tonar Icelandic Music Shop and Kolabrautin Restaurant.
If the weather is good, you can make this day special by climbing Mount Esja (914 m) also known as “Reykjavik Mountain“ and only about 20 minutes drive from the city. At the top, you can admire the spectacular view of Reykjavik and its suburbs.

Day 4. / Sunday: Arrangements depending on your departure time and how much time you have. Breakfast and a flight back home.

We can arrange your trip based on when your weekend starts.
Available days: Thursday to Sunday or Friday to Monday.
Send us your enquiry by email at info@kriatravel.com and, depending on the time of the year and the length of your weekend, we will advise you on the best options you can choose and the things to see during this time of the year to make sure that your weekend in Reykjavik live long in your memory.