Two Days in Iceland - must sees?

[calico]

In July, we will have 2 full days in Iceland. Should we rent a car or do a day tour? Any recommendations for companies? Which sight/activities should we prioritize? Does it get really cold/wet in summer? Thanks!

[rupertpenny]

With two days I’d spend one day in Reykjavik and one either doing the Golden Circle or driving along the south coast to Vik and back.

You don’t need a car or to do a tour in Reykjavik. It is very small and easy to wander around. If you want to do something more relaxing spend part of the day at Sky Lagoon.

I’ve driven myself around the Golden Circle and along the South coast and both routes are straightforward and can fill a summer day. There are tons of tours that do both routes as well. I prefer to drive myself, but I can also borrow a car from family when I’m in town. I’d price out the difference between renting a car and your tickets to see what’s cheaper.

Yes, it can (and will), be cold and wet in the summer. The weather is really unpredictable and you could have two glorious days. It at least will be light outside.

[Susie]

Thingvellir National Park is really lovely, and fairly close to Reykjavik.  

[7costanza]

I went in winter so did not rent a car, instead we did a golden circle bus tour. With two days I would do that one day, and spend a day exploring Reykjavik. If you can swing it with the timing, the Blue Lagoon was also a great experience, and we were able to go straight from the airport.

[isabel]

Another rec for the golden circle and Thingvellir. I wish we had spent more time in that park.

I was kind of meh on Vik, but it was at the end of a full trip around the ring road and we saw so many amazing things that it was maybe just underwhelming by comparison.

Reykjavik is really lovely. Highly recommend just walking around the city. There are tons of great bakeries and coffee shops. We had a coursed dinner at Matur og Drykkur which was modernized traditional Icelandic cuisine. It was really good. If you get a chance Ox and Dill are both Michelin starred and supposed to be fantastic. We were too late in getting reservations but they’re a priority for next time. Reykjavik Roasters was one of our favorite coffee shops. We went multiple times. Also recommend Braud & Co around the corner for bread/pastries.

[rupertpenny]

Mar 7, 2024 16:22:47 GMT -5 isabel said:

Another rec for the golden circle and Thingvellir. I wish we had spent more time in that park.

I was kind of meh on Vik, but it was at the end of a full trip around the ring road and we saw so many amazing things that it was maybe just underwhelming by comparison.

I agree Thingvellir is the best part of the Golden Circle. 

Vik itself is kind of underwhelming, but it's a good place to stop and eat before you head back to Reykjavik. Last time I was there we went to a good brewery that served real food. I guess if one is only in Iceland for two day there isn't enough time to get tired of gas station hotdogs.

[adalove]

We did this on a stopover on our way to Paris. It was great. We did a walking tour of Reykjavik and the golden circle snorkeling trip and loved it.
www.dive.is/diving-snorkeling-tours/snorkeling-day-tours/silfra-snorkeling-tour-with-pick-up-from-reykjavik

We stayed in this hotel and liked it a lot;
www.hotels.com/ho232690/hotel-holt-art-museum-reykjavik-iceland/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA6KWvBhAREiwAFPZM7pW1T5AmTxhYQC87-uHq1iPL91Wq-8kMR_xzHOq_HeSeNYJym8qohhoCoroQAvD_BwE&recommendations-overlay=recommendations-overlay&semcid=HCOM-US.UB.GOOGLE.PT-DSA-c-EN.HOTEL&semdtl=a113512952276.b1123607719037.g1dsa-1338369212874.e1c.m1CjwKCAiA6KWvBhAREiwAFPZM7pW1T5AmTxhYQC87-uHq1iPL91Wq-8kMR_xzHOq_HeSeNYJym8qohhoCoroQAvD_BwE.r1.c1.j19002464.k1.d1660080653130.h1.i1124066654114.l1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1