Metropolis crack (noun): a brief vacation used in a town, these kinds of as when on enterprise vacation.
Ahead of there was bleisure vacation, there was the metropolis break—the brief space of leisure time that grants you access to the cultural and culinary features that significant cities offer. In this sequence from TripIt, we explore some of the world’s greatest metropolitan areas for setting up a rapid getaway or extending a do the job trip.
Listed here are our ideas for generating the most of your town split in Reykjavík.
Where by to fly in
Reykjavík is served by Keflavik Global Airport (KEF), the key intercontinental airport for all of Iceland. It is situated 30 miles from Reykjavík.
At the time on the floor, travelers have a couple of floor transportation alternatives to get to their closing place. If you prefer to journey by bus, e book a trip with Airport Direct or Flybus. The previous runs on a fixed plan, while the latter has no set routine, and will hold out for you if your flight is delayed. Both equally journeys consider about 45 minutes to get to the metropolis centre.
There is also a general public bus support, named Strætó, that operates standard routes to and from the airport. Taxis are also out there from KEF. On the other hand, rideshares, these kinds of as Uber and Lyft, are not accessible in Iceland.
Like to get close to on your possess accord? Your greatest bet is to lease a car. Service desks are situated inside of the arrivals hall.
In which to continue to be for the duration of your metropolis crack
If you choose centrally situated lodging with a touch of luxury, look no more than The Reykjavík Version (pictured previously mentioned), which boasts sights of the harbor close by, as nicely as Mount Esja and Snæfellsjökull glacier in the length. The hotel is also home to myriad dining and leisure venues, which includes Tides—a seafood-targeted cafe from Michelin-star chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason.
Hunting for much more price range-welcoming digs? KEX Hostel, also found just minutes from the harbor, is a occurring spot. In addition to supplying a position to lay your head, KEX has cultivated one thing distinctive: an easy vibe that attracts locals and vacationers alike. Even if you are not scheduling to reserve a space, you will want to invest some time there. Grab a bite at Flatus, order a beer or cocktail at DRINX, or peruse the spines of Text. No overnight keep necessary.
Want to stay someplace that falls in between five stars and shared spaces with strangers? I get that! Here are a handful of to contemplate:
- The three-star Town Heart Hotel is accurate to its identify, positioned proper in downtown Reykjavík and just a handful of minutes stroll to significant attractions, places to eat, and nightlife.
- Storm Resort, also a three-star resort, is in truth a welcome shelter from the notorious Icelandic weather. Considerate design and style and at ease lodging make this a smart option for your city break it is also centrally found and going for walks length to most metropolis sights.
- 4-star Fosshotel Reykjavík is Iceland’s greatest hotel, featuring 16 flooring and 320 rooms—many with breathtaking views of the city, harbor, and outside of. If you’re in Reykjavík on business enterprise, this is also a wonderful place to host a meeting or meetings the latter can be held on the prime flooring of the lodge.
Trip rentals, like all those booked by Airbnb, are also available in Reykjavík.
How to get around
Component of Reykjavík’s charm is its uncomplicated walkability—yes, even in inclement weather conditions. The metropolis has invested in an underground geothermal heating process for its sidewalks and streets, preserving the streets from harmful snow plowing, while also conserving pedestrians from falling on slippery surfaces.
If walking is not feasible or fascinating, Reykjavík’s metropolis buses will consider you to and from a lot of of the city’s sights and points of interest. Pay back for bus fare, strategy your route, and see the place buses are in true time with the Klappid app. Bus fare can also be paid out for via Klapp card or Klapp ten (a 10-pack of tickets). If you want to order a card, you can do so at these merchants in Reykjavík.
As for your micromobility choices, you can rent electric powered scooters via Hopp. Down load the app to get started off. At the time of publication, it charges just 100 Icelandic króna (ISK) to unlock an e-scooter, and then it is 33 ISK for every minute to ride.
Taxis are also accessible for outings in Reykjavík.
Even though leasing a automobile isn’t definitely essential if you’re setting up to continue to be in just the city boundaries, you will want a single if you program to investigate far more of Iceland for the duration of your journey. (And you definitely must, if you have the time!)
Professional tip: Use TripIt’s Navigator attribute to lookup transportation choices readily available to you. It will exhibit you the approximated costs and journey occasions for every option, so you can decide which functions very best. For illustration, if you include a cafe reservation to your itinerary (a lot more on where to try to eat, below), Navigator also can help you obtain the finest transportation choices for receiving to your table. You can find Navigator inside of your system aspects screens.
Where to take in
If you only have time for 1 meal in Reykjavík, dine at Snaps Bistro (pictured over). The dishes are delectable, the wine checklist is impressive, and for a city that is normally short on daylight, you are going to enjoy the eating-in-a-greenhouse vibes. You will need to have a reservation, so ebook just one as early as you can.
Investing a few foods in the cash city? Enjoy seafood? Put Tides (outlined higher than) and Fish Market on your eating itinerary. Similarly, you’ll will need a reservation for the two.
Prefer extra informal dining possibilities? KEX Hostel’s restaurant Flatus (also talked about previously mentioned) is a fantastic location for pizzas and other informal fare. Icelandic Avenue Foodstuff is a further terrific spot for everyday eats. Just want something you can seize and go (particularly right after the pub)? Check out “the very best hotdog in Europe” at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur—open late (late!) evening, and notably, considering that 1937.
Speaking of pub lifestyle, in Iceland, Prohibition on beer (but not wine or spirits) was in effect till 1989—and microbreweries have been making up for misplaced time at any time given that. You can check out local craft beers at quite a few of the city’s bars and pubs, such as Microbar, Reykjavík’s to start with craft beer bar Kaldi Bar and Skúli – Craft Bar.
Tip: Alcoholic beverages is highly-priced in Iceland, so extend your króna at satisfied hour(s). Many pubs and bars provide discounted charges. Examine out their social media accounts for specials and hrs.
Less night owl, more early riser? For breakfast, head to Brauð & Co for freshly baked merchandise, or Café Babalú for sweet and savory crepes. The latter’s vibrant exterior is tricky to miss, and the cafe is also 1 of the greatest locations for a cup of espresso in the town. Other options for a cup of joe include Reykjavík Roasters, Mokka Kaffi, and Kaffibrennslan.
What to do on your city split
If you only have a small volume of time in Reykjavík, be sure to tick the packing containers on some of the city’s most remarkable sights, which include Hallgrimskirkja (tip: climb to the best of the tower to snap that iconic pic of the colorful properties fanning out down below) Harpa, the city’s glass-windowed live performance hall and convention heart and the Solar Voyager, pictured previously mentioned.
For a dose of the country’s heritage, head to the Perlan, a museum—and an functioning geothermal h2o storage facility it is perfectly really worth a check out. The fourth floor characteristics a 360° observation deck that lies on the top rated of the warm drinking water tanks, and presents a 1-of-a-kind view of Reykjavík and the encompassing space.
Want to up your Nordic type? Head to Laugavegur, 1 of Reykjavík’s oldest streets and its main shopping district, to peruse the myriad suppliers that includes all the things from superior-conclude boutiques, classic clothing shops, house decor, cozy cafes, and significantly a lot more.
Organizing to check out much more of Iceland through your trip? Several of the country’s most wonderful points of interest, together with the Blue Lagoon, Silfra (where you can snorkel in between two tectonic plates) in Thingvellir Nationwide Park, Gullfoss (waterfall), Strokkur (geyser), Reynisfjara (black sand seaside), Skógarfoss (waterfall), and Seljalandsfoss (waterfall) are within just a several hours generate.
Notice: As destinations reopen close to the entire world, be positive to consult with and adhere to all local pointers and travel restrictions, as they fluctuate extensively and will keep on to modify. One way to remain on major of switching recommendations is to seek advice from the COVID-19 vacation steering element in the TripIt app for destination-distinct info, such as tests and vaccination needs, latest infection premiums, quarantine rules on arrival, and other information and facts you need to know right before visiting the place.
