Looking for things to do in Reykjavik? With just over 120,000 people, Iceland’s capital is one of Europe’s smallest by population, but it’s bursting with color, liveliness, and charm. And despite having an area twice that of Washington, D.C., its greatest hits are easy to navigate in a short amount of time.

Two Days in Reykjavik: A Perfect Itinerary

You can comfortably see the heart of the tourist center in a single day, but a second day will give you more time to indulge and dive deeply into Icelandic history and culture. Here’s a great two-day Reykjavik itinerary to help you plan your trip.

Day 1: History, Street Art, and Lagoon Relaxation

Breakfast & the Best of Iceland’s History

Start out with an excellent breakfast roll from Brauð & Co. — they have several flavors, and they’re all amazing. Then, to get yourself situated, make your way toward the university part of town for a visit to the National Museum of Iceland (Þjóðminjasafn Íslands in Icelandic).

This excellent museum will help you understand Iceland’s history and culture, from the first settlements in the late 800s C.E. all the way up until the 20th century. This is a young country! It’s only been around since 1944; prior to that, it was largely ruled by various kings of Norway and Denmark (there was also a brief moment of unity with Sweden). The museum explains all of this in depth and with great clarity, and using the free WiFi for their audio guide makes the experience even better. You’ll learn about all sorts of objects, including chessmen, grave jewelry, mittens, and more.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for this little guy! It’s not every day that you are presented with the question, “Thor or Christ?” But that’s exactly what you’re invited to ponder as you take a look at this two-and-a-half-inch-tall statue, because no one seems to know exactly what it might be. (As a totally random side note, there’s a hot debate on the Internet as to who would win in a fight, Thor or Jesus Christ. People never cease to amaze.)

You’ll need roughly two hours to cover the National Museum of Iceland well. Once you’re done browsing through their very nice gift shop, head over to the nearby Kaffihús Vesturbæjar for lunch. Their omelets (served on hearty bread with a nice side salad) are out of this world. They recommended the one that comes with goat cheese and beetroot pesto, and while I had my doubts, I was soon texting friends that it was pure heaven.

Reykjavik Shopping & Street Art

Now it’s time to head back into the city center so that you can spend some time wandering the streets. There’s plenty of shopping to be done — but be warned that it’s extremely pricey. Each of these adorable tiny sheep costs over $25 each!

As you wander, make sure to keep an eye out for the many examples of vibrant street (and doorway, and entire building) art.

Leisurely Lagoon Time

To finally get off your feet, head over to either Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. Take your pick — both of these geothermally heated pool experiences will be amazing. We opted for the Pure package at Sky Lagoon because the Blue Lagoon has been closed on and off for the past several months due to nearby volcanic activity. And we were soooooo happy with Sky Lagoon — it was one of the most relaxing experiences we’d had in a long time. Whichever lagoon you choose, book ahead, because they both fill up quickly.

For dinner, I can happily recommend having a meal at La Poblana. I wasn’t sure about the idea of having Mexican food in Iceland, but it was pretty yummy.

Day 2: City Views, Coastal Walks, and Hot Spring Bliss

Reykjavik’s Quiet Morning Streets

Fortify yourself with a delicious breakfast at Sandholt, and then strike out on a morning walk through the streets of the city center to see some of Reykjavik’s distinctive architecture.

If it’s not too chilly, take a walk along the seaside on the coastal path to look out at the mountains across the water.

The Largest Church in Iceland: The Hallgrímskirkja

Now it’s time to get a view of the city from above! The highest point in Reykjavik is the Hallgrímskirkja, the largest church in Iceland.

The church is impossible to miss — at 244 feet (74.5 meters) tall, it towers over the heart of the city. Built between 1945 and 1986, it’s an impressive monument both outside and in.

The best part is that — for a rather steep price — you can take an elevator to the top and look down at the city below.

Wear all of your woolies if you visit — it’s super windy up there! But the views can’t be beat.

Hvammsvík Hot Spring Bliss

For lunch and a fabulously relaxing afternoon, head 45 minutes north of the city to Hvammsvík Hot Springs.

This place is so amazing that we went twice in one week! There are eight warm pools, each with differing temperatures, and the setting is spectacular. There’s even a warm pool set right in the ocean — it disappears at high tide, but you can hop right into the ocean from its edges between tides if you dare.

Hvammsvík has a very nice cafe for lunch or a snack, so you can eat when you arrive. It’s easiest to get here in a car, but they do have two pickups a day in Reykjavik if need be.

Chasing Northern Lights Near Reykjavik

Should you decide to stay up late in hopes of seeing the northern lights, that’s unlikely to happen right in the city because of light pollution. If you want to try your luck, you can get away from the city at the nature reserve on Grótta Island; as an alternative, if you’re out closer to the airport, the area near the lighthouses at the tip of Garður has good northern lights spotting potential.

Reykjavik is tourist-friendly and easy to visit — the nearby volcano isn’t affecting the capital at all. And it’s a great place from which to start your Iceland travels!

Before You Go: Reykjavik Tips

• Timing matters: Reykjavik is a year-round destination, but your hours of sunlight will vary depending on when you go. You’ll have much less sunlight for sightseeing in the winter — but a much better chance of catching the northern lights.
• Book ahead: The Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon often sell out days in advance, as do northern lights tours.
• Money matters: Reykjavik is expensive! The good news is that you won’t need to carry much cash — credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
• Stay central: If you base yourself downtown, you can walk almost everywhere. Most major hot spring destinations offer shuttle service, but you’ll need to find your own transportation — or take a long-ish walk — to visit the National Museum.

Planning to head out beyond Reykjavik? Read my Best of South Iceland post to help you plan the perfect itinerary. And if you can’t decide which waterfalls to visit in Iceland, this post will help you choose.