Travel Tuesdays With Quilt: A 36-Hour Virtual Visit to Reykjavík
This week we’re taking you to Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. Most people tend to associate it with the Northern Lights, but did you know that the city has colorful buildings, vibrant nightlife, relaxing public baths, and some very interesting cultural sites?
While our Culture AI detected ‘Going on an adventure’ as the dominant theme of Instagram posts of Reykjavík, the second theme, classified as ‘Look what I made’ is what caught our attention. On sifting through the posts clustered under this, we learned that Reykjavík has a lot of artists! Residents and tourists showcase things they made, ranging from sculptures and oil paintings to murals and even recycled houses!
The objects detected from the photos were a lot more predictable, with sky, cloud, water, building, plants, and natural landscapes being the most common ones.
Reykjavík is also the largest city in Iceland and a great place to learn about Viking history before exploring the rest of the country. In the news last week for a volcano eruption that left hundreds of people enthralled with its fiery flames, it is very much a safe destination to explore. Drawing from blogs, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts, we curated a 36-hour itinerary for Reykjavík — format inspired by the New York Times.
36 Hours in Reykjavík
DAY 1
10 AM: Learn about Viking History
Reykjavík is home to two wonderful museums — the National Museum of Iceland and the Saga Museum. Spend the morning exploring Viking history and listening to Icelandic sagas. Meet historical figures like Snorri Sturlusson, Ingolfur Arnarson and Leifur Eiriksson. Learn about the pandemics of yesteryears, including the Black Death. There is so much to see and discover here!
1 PM: Try an Icelandic hotdog
Head over to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur to try the special Icelandic hotdog. With a lamb sausage, fried onions, apple ketchup, and a special sauce, going by the reviews it’s not to be missed!
2 PM: A Majestic Waterfall
Experience one of Iceland’s most majestic waterfalls — the Gullfoss Waterfall. Located in a valley with a steep drop, watching the waterfall in full worse is impressive, to say the least. If you’re lucky, you might spot a rainbow! In winter, however, the waterfall is partly frozen.
4 PM: Harpa Center
While the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is a sight to behold and the evenings are best kept free for this in the winters, there are other activities to experience in the summer, such as the tour of the Harpa Center. While this is a great spot to witness the Northern Lights, the unique conference and concert center offers spectacular views of the bay and mountains from the top floor.
6 PM: Take a dip in the Blue Lagoon
A tourist favorite and rightly so, a visit to the Blue Lagoon is a must when in Reykjavík! Take a dip in the geothermal pools and catch the midnight sun in the summer. With pale blue waters surrounded by volcanic black rocks, it feels like a scene straight out of a movie. The warm water of the manmade lagoon will keep you cozy even when the temperature is cold outside.
DAY 2
9 AM: Iglesia Hallgrímskirkja
A church like no other, Iglesia Hallgrímskirkja is one of the most striking places to visit in Reykjavík and can seat over 1200 people! With its unique design, it sits at 74.5 meters on top of a hill. It is the tallest structure and largest church in Iceland. A Lutheran church named after the 17th-century Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson, it is arguably one of the most photo-worthy places in Reykjavík, also offering the best bird’s eye view of the city.
11 AM: An Unusual Attraction
The Icelandic Phallological Museum in Reykjavík is an unusual and one-of-a-kind museum containing over two hundred penises of mammals native to Iceland and its waters, including whales, seals, and polar bears! Phallology is an ancient science and the museum was set up in 1974 by historian Sigurður Hjartarson when he found a bull’s penis.
1 PM: Spanish tapas with an Icelandic twist
Devour Spanish food with an Icelandic twist at Tapas Barinn. They serve exceptional seafood and European, Mediterranean, Spanish, and Scandinavian dishes. Try their tasting menu, lobster tail, Arctic char, Minke whale, and Skyr mousse. Wash it down with a glass (or two) of Sangria!
2 PM: The Golden Circle
Hafnarfjörður is a former colony of trolls, elves, and mythical creatures. Collectively referred to as ‘Huldufólk’ (or ‘Hidden Folk’), the Golden Circle route starts here, before proceeding to the Þingvellir National Park known for old stone shelters and Iceland’s former parliament, followed by the Fagradalsfjall Volcano. The Gulfoss Waterfall can also be covered as part of this route instead of doing it separately.
5 PM: Icelandic Punk in an Underground Toilet
Who would’ve thought that a former underground toilet could be turned into a punk museum?! From instruments and stage equipment to photos and handbills, you can find it all at the Icelandic Punk Museum. An odd but interesting experience to witness the collection jammed into old washbasins and toilets — give it a shot and tell us what you think!
8 PM: Reykjavík Kitchen
End the 36-hour excursion with a scrumptious meal at the Reykjavík Kitchen. The lamb and beef dishes, black pasta, and cured salmon come highly recommended. They also have vegetarian and vegan options.
Reykjavík is beautiful all year round with unique experiences in the summer as well as the winter. This itinerary focuses on places you can see and enjoy in the summer. Hope we’ve inspired you to plan a trip to the Icelandic capital! Until next week.
LOGISTICS
How to get there
Keflavik airport has over 20 airlines flying from various cities in Europe and North America. You can also bring your own car and take the Norröna ferry from Denmark.
Places to stay
Iceland has a variety of accommodation options to choose from based on budget and the type of experience you’re looking for. Farm stays, vacation rentals, B&B’s, hostels, and high-end hotels — take your pick! 201 Grandi by Center Hotels, Exeter Hotel, and Center Hotels Plaza are the most popular hotels among travel bloggers. Kex Hostel is a great budget option and is conveniently located downtown.
When to go
Summer is a great time to visit Reykjavík. Drive around, make the most of the long daylight hours, and warm weather. June to August is the peak tourist season. If the Northern Lights are what interest you the most, visit during the winter and enjoy off-season pricing.
Follow our page for more such travel itineraries. Write to anurag.banerjee@quilt.ai to learn about AI-powered market research and the latest consumer trends.
