An Iceland stopover is a great option for your trip to or from Europe. Here are my honest opinions from a three-day visit. What are the top sights in and around Reykjavik? Why Sky Lagoon and Blue Lagoon were the highlights of my visit. How to get to Reykjavik, best airport transfer, what to pack, where to stay and what to eat in Iceland’s capital city, plus a day trip on the Golden Circle.
How to Get a FREE stopover in Iceland
Best of all, your stopover flight to Iceland could be a FREE perk, depending on your airline ticket. Icelandair connects cities in the US and Canada to lots of popular destinations in Europe. Connecting through KEF airport near Reykjavik, you can stay for up to one week. Use this Icelandair stopover page to book your flights.
A lower cost option is recent start-up Play Airlines. It also offers a free Iceland stopover perk for up to 10 days. But it has fewer flights and destinations to choose from in the US, Canada and Europe.
On a three-day Iceland stopover in Reykjavik, I had enough time to discover the capital city’s colorful buildings and quirky street art. Where else can you see a puffin and polar bear against the backdrop of the Northern Lights above colorful buildings? Plus, the Sky Lagoon, Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle in the surrounding area.
What’s NOT Free on an Iceland Stopover: Everything Else
An Iceland stopover is different from the Turkish Airlines deal that gives you a free tour or hotel room in Istanbul. Just to be clear, only the option of a longer stay in Iceland on your connecting flight through Reykjavik’s KEF airport is free. You are on your own to pay for your accommodations in Iceland, meals and activities during your visit to this very expensive country. More on that later.
Many other airlines offer flights to Reykjavik from North America and Europe. I’m a Star Alliance groupie, so I booked on Swiss Airlines through Zurich, and got switched to Lufthansa through Munich at the last minute. From Iceland, I booked a ticket back to the US with Mileage Plus points on United.
Landing at Iceland’s KEF international airport at midnight was eerie. It wasn’t daylight but not dark, either. Visiting in mid July meant I wouldn’t see the Northern Lights. For that, plan to visit between September and April, when the nights are long and dark.
Flybus Airport Transfer from KEF to Reykjavik
I was glad I had pre-booked my airport transfer on Flybus, which guarantees a bus to meet every flight. You can’t miss the bus stop, right outside the bag claim. And, indeed, there was a comfortable tour bus waiting to take me on the 45-minute ride to Reykjavik’s main bus depot, BSI.
I had paid a little extra for a shuttle van from the bus station to my hotel. But I learned on arrival that the van couldn’t stop at the Hotel Holt in a restricted traffic zone. The driver deposited me in front of the deserted Hallgrimskirkja church and drove off. At 2 AM, I was all alone with no hotel in sight. Google maps revealed that I still had to drag my large bag through the empty streets for 15 minutes, about the same distance as if I had walked from the bus station. Lesson learned. On the return trip I took a cab to BSI bus station and got on the Flybus from there.
Where to Stay on a Reykjavik, Iceland Stopover
Get ready for some sticker shock when browsing Reykjavik hotels on Trip Advisor. Even modest hostels with shared bathrooms can go for a couple hundred US dollars per night. I decided to splurge a little on a hotels that offered value and service for the price.
A splendid breakfast buffet is included at the charming Hotel Holt, on a quiet street in the restricted travel zone of Reykjavik. The museum quality art collection and friendly, helpful staff made this hotel a good value for my Iceland stopover.
The mid-priced Hotel Holt — The Art Hotel ticked all the boxes. A friendly front desk clerk waited up until 2:30 am to welcome me. The outstanding customer service started even before my arrival, helping me to book the Sky Lagoon and a Golden Circle tour. The hotel was within walking distance of the city’s main sites, but the front desk arranged a taxi when I needed one. Although my single room and private bath were tiny, being surrounded by museum quality art and kind people was priceless.
At a slightly higher price point, the Hotel Reykjavik Saga is popular with tour groups, located near Tjornin Pond on a main street. I was intrigued by the Drag Queen Brunch advertised outside the centrally located Hotel Borg.
Iceland just might be one of the most LGBTQ-friendly places on earth — right up there with San Francisco or Key West. Rainbow Street was painted for Reykjavik Pride in 2015 and it still welcomes everyone to enjoy strolling through the capital city of Iceland.
What to See in Reykjavik on an Iceland Stopover
The Sun Voyager sculpture is the jewel of Reykjavik’s waterfront. Although it resembles a Viking long ship, the 1990 artwork was intended as an inspirational dream ship to mark the city’s 200th anniversary. The gleaming metal changes appearance, reflecting the current weather or even the Northern Lights. Arrive early to get the best shots without crowds, as this is one of the most popular photo spots in Reykjavik. It’s absolutely free to visit as you stroll along the waterfront.
Nearby, you can’t miss the unique architecture of the Harpa Concert Hall. Its construction was interrupted by the 2008 economic downturn and controversy over financing its completion. Today, it is home to Iceland’s Symphony and Opera, as well as restaurants and an Icelandic craft souvenir store. There’s no charge for going inside to admire the soaring public spaces but guided tours are available for a fee. Also good to know: there are free, spotless public restrooms on the lower floor.
Explore Downtown Reykjavik on an Iceland Stopover
Laugavegur is the city’s main shopping street. It is lined with quirky souvenir shops and boutiques selling local products such as lava jewelry and hand-knit, Icelandic wool sweaters. I didn’t need to change my euros or US dollars into Icelandic krona. My American credit card was accepted everywhere, even for small purchases. Pro tip: My United Explorer card allows me to pay in the local currency. The exchange rate with the card is usually better than allowing the local business to convert your credit card dollars into krona.
You can wander for hours in the charming streets of downtown Reykjavik, lined with souvenir stores and fun photo opportunities like these giant polar bears.
Hallgrimskirkja Church tower is at the end of Skólavörðustígur, also known as Rainbow Street. It is the best place to get a bird’s eye view of Reykjavik, accessible by elevator. Ticket prices and opening times are on the church website. This landmark, with its mighty bell tower, opened in 1986. Construction began after World War II. It is a working parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. A majority of Icelanders are members.
The statue in front of Hallgrimskirkja depicts Leif Erikson, the Iceland-born Viking explorer believed to be the first European to set foot in North America in about the year 1,000 — long before Christopher Columbus.
The Settlement Exhibition
I only had time for one museum, so I chose The Settlement Exhibition, for a look at underground remains of a Viking Age long house beneath the center city. I found it a bit overpriced with interactive touch screens more geared toward school kids. But it was worth a short visit to learn some history about the hardy folks who settled this land of fire and ice as far back as the year 870.
Yes, there is a Penis Museum
Other museum options range from the National Gallery of Art to the Saga museum of Viking wax figures. But the strangest and most popular is the Icelandic Phallological Museum, commonly known as the penis museum. It’s exactly what the name implies: the world’s largest (and only) exhibition of the private parts of mostly land and sea animals. Six-foot whale penis, anyone? Pay about $25 USD to go inside, or you can just grab phallic-themed food and drinks in the bar.
Sightseeing around Tjornin Pond
On the northwestern end of the city center, take a stroll around Tjornin Pond to admire the views, the ducks and the sculpture collection. Easily the quirkiest is the Monument to the Unknown Bureaucrat. It’s actually meant as a compliment to all hardworking civil servants. Is it a place of honor — or making fun of a clueless paper-pusher with his head under a rock? You decide.
The Althingi Parliament House was built in 1880, but the tradition of representative government in Iceland goes back much farther. The legislature began in the year 930 amidst the majestic crags of Thingvellir, now a national park you can visit on the Golden Circle Tour. By comparison, the present-day building is quite small and not open to the public. Next door is the Reykjavik Cathedral, a small church built in 1796 that was also not open at the time of my visit in midsummer.
There’s a lot of history to see on a walk around Tjornin Pond, including the modest Reykjavik Cathedral next to the surprisingly small Althingi Parliament building. Representative government was a tradition here when monarchs still ruled elsewhere in Europe.
7 Step Ritual at Sky Lagoon — The Highlight of My Iceland Stopover
The highlight of my Iceland stopover was the seven-step ritual at Sky Lagoon. I made a reservation on the Sky Lagoon website and arrived early enough to enjoy the experience before large tour groups showed up. Take off your shoes to enter the well-organized changing area. You’ll get an electronic bracelet to access a secure locker for your stuff and pay for any food or drinks. A naked shower is mandatory before you put on your bathing suit to plunge into the geothermal warm water.
The 7 step ritual begins outside this replica of a traditional turf house. Atfer a cold plunge, go inside the panoramic sauna. Next, enjoy a cold mist, steam room and salt scrub, then return to the lagoon to relax and admire the panoramic sea view.
There’s an option to book a timed bus transfer to Sky Lagoon, but I opted for a 10-minute taxi ride from my hotel. Yes, the fare was a bit pricey — 4050 krona one way ($30) — but I split it with a friend. There was a line of taxis waiting to take us back to town. Being able to enjoy the ritual without watching the clock? Priceless.
For comparison, I also experienced the Blue Lagoon as part of a Golden Circle Tour. My honest opinion about which is better: Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon? Watch the Video here, and while you’re there, please subscribe to my Youtube channel. Read this post about the Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon for more info and useful links.
The Blue Lagoon is more like an Icelandic spa amusement park. My ticket included one drink at the bar and the facial masque of my choice. A waterproof bag to protect your phone or camera is recommended, so you don’t have to worry about dropping your device as you enjoy the steamy fun.
What to Eat on an Iceland Stopover
Get used to the idea that everything in Iceland is expensive. I spent the equivalent of nearly $40 each for some very simple meals: fish and chips lunch with a beer, or a simple plate of Pad Thai with a small glass of wine. But if you love seafood like I do, Reykjavik restaurants are the place to splurge for some memorable feasts. Decide for yourself if you’re willing to try local delicacies like whale — a hard no from me.
My favorite meal during my Iceland stopover was this traditional plokkefiskur, literally mashed fish with fresh veggies and yummy cream sauce. Definitely worth a splurge at the Messinn restaurant, where I was lucky to get a table without a reservation.
Nine-dollar coffees and $14 dollar glasses of generic wine got me wondering how the locals get by. I picked up The Reykjavik Grapevine English-language newspaper with the headline “Welcome to Housing Hell.” The editor lamented having to work two jobs to afford a shared apartment with roommates. New buildings are popping up everywhere — at prices few can afford. Reykjavik residents refer to themselves as “Downtown Rats” and put up with the prices, rather than live outside the city center.
What to Pack for an Iceland Stopover
I have never been this cold in mid-July! Friends warned me to pack long underwear and a winter jacket, plus waterproof shoes. That was OK during sunny weather for the first two days of my stopover. But when icy-cold rain started during my Golden Circle tour, the temperatures in the mid-40s Fahrenheit were bone-chilling. If you are escaping a heat wave in Europe or the US like I was, be careful what you wish for — and be prepared with whatever you need to stay warm and dry. I can’t even imagine visiting during the long, dark days of the Icelandic winter without Arctic exploration-level gear. Don’t forget your bathing suit — required at both the Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon.
This Black Cone is a Monument to Civil Disobedience, declaring as early as 1793 that it is the people’s duty to rise up when the government fails them. Icelanders seem resigned to the high cost of living but enjoy benefits like low cost health care and education. However, Icelandair says tourism was down 16% in 2024, blaming high prices that scare some visitors away.
My Honest Opinion About an Iceland Stopover
I’m glad I came! In my opinion, two full days was enough to experience the Sky Lagoon and some highlights of Reykjavik. I also got a taste of Iceland’s natural wonders on the one-day Golden Circle Tour, including the Blue Lagoon. Obviously, it’s not enough time to be an expert. So I’d like to tip my hat to the blogger Full Suitcase, for some helpful Iceland trip-planning tips if you’d like to stop over or stay even longer in Iceland.
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