How to Spend 48 Hours in Reykjavik, Iceland

American travelers interested in breaking a flight to Europe into chunks often choose IcelandAir's option of a multi-day stopover in Iceland. They often take the chance to poke around the country a bit. If you have just a few days to explore Iceland, you'll probably spend most of your time in Reykjavik rather than hitting the glaciers or hiking in Landmannalaugar.

Forty-eight hours can get you a nice taste of Iceland's capitol. There's something for just about everybody - except perhaps craft beer aficionados. Here's enough to get your stay started.

Where to Sleep

Iceland's accommodations are notoriously expensive. One of the exceptions is Guesthouse Isafold. It's just a few blocks away from the center of Reykjavik, and is still reasonably priced with rooms starting around $96. That's a steal for Reykjavik. It's also clean, quiet and comfortable. The price includes a filling, European-style breakfast.

What to Do

If you're eager for some exercise, check out Laugardalslaug swimming pool. Swim some laps and then relax in the hot tubs. This is a great way to meet locals, too. The pool is right next to Laugardalsvöllur, where you might be able to catch a soccer match if your timing is good. If you're a shopper, spend some time marching around the Laugavegur; people wear some outrageous clothes in Iceland, and this is the place to pick up some of your own. If you like museums, take your pick. I'd opt for the Maritime Museum - the Saga Museum is a bit cheesy, but still has interesting bits about Iceland's history. Also, find out whether the Viking Festival is underway. This is also a bit touristy, but a boatload of fun. If your really lucky, you can sign up to run the Miðnæturhlaup, or Midnight Run, which is a terrifically fun run starting at 10 p.m. sometime in late June (think solstice time). You can run the 10K or 5K distances.

Where to Eat and Drink

One of the locals pointed me to Kaffitar, which makes the best cappuccino I found in Iceland. Cafe Rót's coffee isn't quite as good, but it's a still a great place to hang out. When it's time to eat, check out Icelandic Fish & Chips, The Scandinavian or Krua Thai, which serves spicier, more savory southeast Asian food than I expected. I seriously wanted to bring Icelandic Fish & Chips home with me. You can find some really outstanding desserts just about anywhere, but Sufistinn Kaffihus south of Reykjavik is your best bet for the rich, gooey and chocolaty.

Touristy, but Still Cool

Some travelers act like a visit to The Blue Lagoon is the sum total of everything Iceland has to offer. It's not. That said, just about everyone who soaks in its waters will leave more relaxed than when they arrived. Plus, the opaque, pastel-blue water is cool to look at. If your trip is truly only 48 hours, you won't have time to see the more scenic, less touristy Mývatn Nature Baths. So jump on the convenience of the Blue Lagoon.