What To Do In Reykjavik: Guide to Unique Activities & Hidden Gems

We tried almost all the New York Times 36 Hours in Reykjavik recommendations then added more great activities with a local guide. Not only what to do in Reykjavik, but also what to do in Iceland that’s close to Reykjavik. We also visit the Sky Lagoon, and do some mountain biking, an ATV adventure on black sand beach, and hike to a nearby natural hot spring.
Our tour includes what people think is the Reykjavik cathedral, but is actually a church known as the Hallgrímskirkja, then the Harpa Concert Hall for great modern architecture. Another Times rec we didn't agree with is 12 Tonar, a record store and gathering spot for local musicians. The Times recommends the Kaldi Bar to sample local brews and a place called Micro Bar - but we think the Times missed the mark here, so our local guide will take us to Reykjavik’s best craft beer brewery.
After all the beer - the Times thinks you might need a hangover cure in the form of a hotdog at Bæjarins Beztu.
Walk that off with a 2 mile round trip walk from downtown Reykjavik out to a beautiful lighthouse.
Next on the Times’ list: the Mokka-Kaffi that specializes in waffles.
The Times recommends i8 Art Gallery and the Reykjavik Art Museum’s contemporary collection. They also recommend some street art.
The NYT makes two hotel recs. The 1st is Hotel 101 - we 100% agree with this one and they also recommend the Kex hotel - and we did go check it out as part of the 20 hotels we visited in Iceland to find the 8 best - but we think there are better budget options.
The Swank Guide’s recommendations for the best hotels in Reykjavik is here: Inside Reykjavik’s 3 Best Boutique Hotels, LINK: • Inside Reykjavik’s 3 B...
We recommend Hotel 101, The Reykjavik Edition and The Kvosin Downtown Hotel. We think these are the best boutique hotels in Reykjavik.
We then tap a native of Reykjavik as our guide for all things the New York Times missed. He’s with a tour company called Funky Iceland that’s super professional, knowledgeable, and that The Swank Guide highly recommends.
You can book Funky Iceland here: www.viator.com/tours/Reykjavi...
We take you first to the Einar Jónsson Art + Sculpture Museum. If you're up for a stroll - consider a walk around the lake and the pleasant residential area west of the lake to see some local architecture and bits of the city that 99% of tourists miss.
After visiting Iceland’s Parliament, you are less than a 5 min walk to the city’s dining and nightlife center. If you want to stay near the Parliament area - check out our video about the Kvosin Hotel. The charming city center has tons of restaurants, cafes and bars. Reykjavik is pretty small - and you could probably walk the perimeter of the city center in under an hour - but this is where you’ll find most tourists and most of the city’s nightlife.
We then take you to the the Sky Lagoon that’s only 10 minutes from the city center. You can book that here: www.skylagoon.com/
Another great option - that’s a bit farther out of the city is the Blue Lagoon baths and spa - our video about that experience is here: • Inside the Silica Hote...
If you want to go a little bit out of the city for some outdoor adventure - check out our Greenhouse hotel video where we show you how to enjoy some mountain biking, hiking and an ATV adventure on black sand beach: • Inside The Greenhouse ...
You can book that here: www.viator.com/tours/Reykjavi...
Our video about what to do in Iceland comes out 22 January - and we’ll post a link here as soon as it does.
We hope you enjoy this Iceland travel vlog.
Swank Guide website: swankguide.com/
#SwankGuide #Icelandhotel #icelandadluxury

[@carolbunnell-pickering7052]

FANTASTIC!!

[@SwankGuide]

Glad you like it!

[@michaelfazzino3700]

Headed there in a few weeks. Spending some nights at the greenhouse hotel from your previous video. Can’t wait!

[@SwankGuide]

Hope you enjoy it! Would love to hear how it is this time of year

[@JeffLogan]

The New York Times have terrible recommendations. Yours are better, but not the best. You missed all the best dining options like Kaffivagninn which is where the locals go.

[@SwankGuide]

Thanks - I think - but we don't do restaurant recs - we're focused on unique places to stay and activities. I'd love to cover restaurants but they chnage too quickly and there are sooo many to cover. The waffle place and hot dogs was only b/c the NYT raved about them.