{"id":11137,"date":"2024-09-17T11:21:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T15:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eurotriptips.com\/?p=11137"},"modified":"2025-01-19T13:51:56","modified_gmt":"2025-01-19T18:51:56","slug":"48-hours-reykjavik-things-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/48-hours-reykjavik-things-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"48 hours in Reykjavik"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reykjavik has become quite the poster city for all things Scandinavian in the past couple of years. It’s got fresh air, accessible nature, colorful cottages, and plenty of coffee shops filled with cozy candles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s no longer enough for visitors to drive through Reykjavik on their way to the West Fjords or to get a picture of the funky-looking church. It’s become its own destination, with more and more people using it as a base to explore West Iceland<\/a>. Most people will now visit the city while on an Icelandair stopover<\/a>, getting double the fun with two holidays in one!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I started my road trip, I planned two full days in Reykjavik to get used to the daylight and jet lag and to figure out what makes the city so attractive. Let’s see what I did during my (in hindsight, all too short) two days in the Icelandic capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A walking tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Downtown Reykjavik<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A walking tour is perfect for getting your bearings in the city and learning some fun facts and trivia about Scandinavia, Iceland, Reykjavik, and everyday life in Iceland from an Icelander. Most tours start at the famous Hallgr\u00edmskirkja church and ends at the Parliament House, and lasts about two hours, with several stops at significant, historical, or quirky places along the way. And if you ask your guide about their favorite places to eat and drink, they’ll let you know the best spots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hallgr\u00edmskirkja<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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You’ve got to check out Hallgr\u00edmskirkja, no matter how long you’re in Reykjavik. It’s an awesome church, and the view from the top is incredible. It’s actually a Lutheran parish church, and it’s named after a poet and priest named Hallgr\u00edmur P\u00e9tursson. Gu\u00f0j\u00f3n Samuel designed it in 1937, and he was inspired by the shape of the basalt rock formations in the area. That’s exactly what gave Hallgr\u00edmskirkja its distinctive look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before you head to the top to check out the view of Reykjavik and Kollafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur Bay, be sure to check out the impressive 25-ton, 102-rank, 72-stop, 5,275-pipe organ!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sun Voyager<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Reykjavik’s most famous artwork<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Sun Voyager is an absolute must-see! This incredible sculpture by artist J\u00f3n Gunnar \u00c1rnason is a true ode to the sun. It represents the untamed beauty of undiscovered territories and the thrilling journey of progress and freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve heard some people mistakenly think it’s a Viking ship, but trust me, it’s so much more. I’ve found that the golden rays of the sun reflect beautifully on the structure at dayfall, making it absolutely stunning. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the city and the harbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morning coffee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Luckily, the city has a thriving indie coffee scene! And it’s not just because there are no Starbucks in the country (shocking, I know!). Take a few moments to unwind, smell the delicious coffee, and mingle with locals at my favorite coffee shops in Reykjavik.<\/p>\n\n\n\n