Metropolis break (noun): a brief vacation spent in a metropolis, corresponding to when on enterprise journey.
Earlier than there was bleisure journey, there was the metropolis break—the quick house of leisure time that grants you entry to the cultural and culinary facilities that huge cities provide. On this sequence from TripIt, we discover among the world’s greatest cities for planning a fast getaway or extending a piece journey.
Listed here are our suggestions for profiting from your metropolis break in Reykjavík.
The place to fly in
Reykjavík is served by Keflavik Worldwide Airport (KEF), the primary worldwide airport for all of Iceland. It’s positioned 30 miles from Reykjavík.
As soon as on the bottom, vacationers have a couple of floor transportation choices to get to their ultimate vacation spot. Should you desire to journey by bus, guide a trip with Airport Direct or Flybus. The previous runs on a hard and fast schedule, whereas the latter has no fastened schedule, and can anticipate you in case your flight is delayed. Each journeys take about 45 minutes to get to town heart.
There may be additionally a public bus service, referred to as Strætó, that runs common routes to and from the airport. Taxis are additionally out there from KEF. Nevertheless, rideshares, corresponding to Uber and Lyft, are usually not out there in Iceland.
Desire to get round by yourself accord? Your greatest wager is to hire a automobile. Service desks are positioned contained in the arrivals corridor.
The place to remain throughout your metropolis break
Should you desire centrally positioned lodging with a contact of luxurious, look no additional than The Reykjavík EDITION (pictured above), which boasts views of the harbor close by, in addition to Mount Esja and Snæfellsjökull glacier within the distance. The lodge can be residence to myriad eating and leisure venues, together with Tides—a seafood-focused restaurant from Michelin-star chef Gunnar Karl Gíslason.
Searching for extra budget-friendly digs? KEX Hostel, additionally positioned simply minutes from the harbor, is a occurring place. Apart from providing a spot to put your head, KEX has cultivated one thing distinctive: an easy vibe that attracts locals and vacationers alike. Even if you happen to’re not planning to guide a room, you’ll need to spend a while there. Seize a chew at Flatus, order a beer or cocktail at DRINX, or peruse the spines of TEXT. No in a single day keep wanted.
Need to keep someplace that falls between 5 stars and shared areas with strangers? I get that! Listed here are a couple of to contemplate:
- The three-star Metropolis Middle Resort is true to its identify, positioned proper in downtown Reykjavík and only a few minutes stroll to main points of interest, eating places, and nightlife.
- Storm Resort, additionally a three-star lodge, is certainly a welcome shelter from the infamous Icelandic climate. Considerate design and comfy lodging make this a wise selection in your metropolis break; it’s additionally centrally positioned and strolling distance to most metropolis sights.
- 4-star Fosshotel Reykjavík is Iceland’s largest lodge, that includes 16 flooring and 320 rooms—many with spectacular views of town, harbor, and past. Should you’re in Reykjavík on enterprise, that is additionally a fantastic place to host a convention or conferences; the latter may be held on the highest ground of the lodge.
Trip leases, like these booked by Airbnb, are additionally out there in Reykjavík.
Methods to get round
A part of Reykjavík’s attraction is its straightforward walkability—sure, even in inclement climate. The town has invested in an underground geothermal heating system for its sidewalks and streets, saving the roads from damaging snow plowing, whereas additionally saving pedestrians from falling on slippery surfaces.
If strolling isn’t possible or fascinating, Reykjavík’s metropolis buses will take you to and from lots of the metropolis’s sights and points of interest. Pay for bus fare, plan your route, and see the place buses are in actual time with the Klappid app. Bus fare can be paid for through Klapp card or Klapp ten (a 10-pack of tickets). If you wish to buy a card, you are able to do so at these shops in Reykjavík.
As in your micromobility choices, you possibly can hire electrical scooters by Hopp. Obtain the app to get began. On the time of publication, it prices simply 100 Icelandic króna (ISK) to unlock an e-scooter, after which it’s 33 ISK per minute to trip.
Taxis are additionally out there for journeys in Reykjavík.
Whereas renting a automobile isn’t actually crucial if you happen to’re planning to remain inside the metropolis limits, you want one if you happen to plan to discover extra of Iceland throughout your journey. (And also you positively ought to, in case you have the time!)
Professional tip: Use TripIt’s Navigator characteristic to go looking transportation choices out there to you. It can present you the estimated prices and journey occasions for every choice, so you possibly can resolve which works greatest. For instance, if you happen to add a restaurant reservation to your itinerary (extra on the place to eat, under), Navigator additionally helps you discover the most effective transportation choices for attending to your desk. You’ll find Navigator inside your plan particulars screens.
The place to eat
Should you solely have time for one meal in Reykjavík, dine at Snaps Bistro (pictured above). The dishes are delectable, the wine listing is spectacular, and for a metropolis that’s typically quick on daylight, you’ll admire the dining-in-a-greenhouse vibes. You’ll want a reservation, so guide one as early as you possibly can.
Spending a couple of meals within the capital metropolis? Love seafood? Put Tides (talked about above) and Fish Market in your eating itinerary. Likewise, you’ll want a reservation for each.
Desire extra informal eating choices? KEX Hostel’s restaurant Flatus (additionally talked about above) is a good spot for pizzas and different informal fare. Icelandic Road Meals is one other great place for informal eats. Simply need one thing you possibly can seize and go (particularly after the pub)? Attempt “the most effective hotdog in Europe” at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur—open late (late!) night time, and notably, since 1937.
Talking of pub tradition, in Iceland, Prohibition on beer (however not wine or spirits) was in impact till 1989—and microbreweries have been making up for misplaced time ever since. You may attempt native craft beers at lots of the metropolis’s bars and pubs, together with Microbar, Reykjavík’s first craft beer bar; Kaldi Bar; and Skúli – Craft Bar.
Tip: Alcohol is dear in Iceland, so stretch your króna at completely satisfied hour(s). Many pubs and bars provide discounted costs. Take a look at their social media accounts for offers and hours.
Much less night time owl, extra early riser? For breakfast, head to Brauð & Co for freshly baked items, or Café Babalú for candy and savory crepes. The latter’s colourful exterior is tough to overlook, and the cafe can be among the finest locations for a cup of espresso within the metropolis. Different choices for a cup of joe embrace Reykjavík Roasters, Mokka Kaffi, and Kaffibrennslan.
What to do in your metropolis break
Should you solely have a brief period of time in Reykjavík, remember to tick the containers on among the metropolis’s most spectacular sights, together with Hallgrimskirkja (tip: climb to the highest of the tower to snap that iconic pic of the colourful buildings fanning out under); Harpa, town’s glass-windowed live performance corridor and convention heart; and the Solar Voyager, pictured above.
For a dose of the nation’s historical past, head to the Perlan, a museum—and an working geothermal water storage facility; it’s properly value a go to. The fourth ground contains a 360° commentary deck that lies on the highest of the new water tanks, and gives a one-of-a-kind view of Reykjavík and the encompassing space.
Need to up your Nordic type? Head to Laugavegur, one among Reykjavík’s oldest streets and its primary purchasing district, to peruse the myriad shops that includes every thing from high-end boutiques, classic clothes outlets, residence decor, cozy cafes, and rather more.
Planning to discover extra of Iceland throughout your journey? Most of the nation’s most stunning points of interest, together with the Blue Lagoon, Silfra (the place you possibly can snorkel between two tectonic plates) in Thingvellir Nationwide Park, Gullfoss (waterfall), Strokkur (geyser), Reynisfjara (black sand seaside), Skógarfoss (waterfall), and Seljalandsfoss (waterfall) are inside a couple of hours drive.
Observe: As locations reopen world wide, remember to seek the advice of and cling to all native pointers and journey restrictions, as they differ extensively and can proceed to vary. One solution to keep on prime of adjusting pointers is to seek the advice of the COVID-19 journey steering characteristic within the TripIt app for destination-specific data, together with testing and vaccination necessities, present an infection charges, quarantine guidelines upon arrival, and different data you want to know earlier than visiting the world.
