Kópavogur

Day Trips

Arrive at Keflavík Airport and take the Flybus or rental car to your accommodation in Kópavogur. Check into a cozy guesthouse near the town center and unpack before venturing out. Start the day with fresh skyr and strong Icelandic coffee at a nearby café.

Explore the scenic walking trails around Elliðavatn lake and discover hidden art installations along the shoreline. Head to Smáratorg Tower for panoramic views over the town and Faxaflói Bay. Enjoy a light seafood lunch at a waterfront bistro.

Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant serving locally sourced lamb and seasonal vegetables. Take an evening stroll along the coastal pathway towards Kollafjörður Bay. Relax back at your lodging with a craft beer from a nearby microbrewery.

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at a family-run bakery in Kópavogur. Drive or bike to Heiðmörk Nature Reserve, just minutes from town. Hike through lava fields and moss-covered ridges while scanning for wild geese and arctic fox signs.

Picnic by a tranquil pond under the Arctic birch trees, sampling local cheeses and rye bread. Continue on trails that lead to dramatic views over Reykjavik and the surrounding highlands. Learn about Iceland’s reforestation efforts at a small interpretive center.

Return to town for a casual dinner at a popular pizza joint using Icelandic ingredients. Catch the sunset from the top of Digranes hill, watching the sky turn pink over the bay. Unwind in your hotel lobby with a cup of hot chocolate or herbal tea.

Start with coffee and a sweet pastry at a nearby café before heading to Gerðarsafn, the Kópavogur Art Museum. View contemporary Icelandic and international artworks in a striking modern building. Join a guided tour to learn about local artists and their environmental inspiration.

Grab a light lunch at the museum’s art café, featuring panoramic garden views. Participate in an afternoon workshop or artist talk to deepen your creative connection. Wander the museum’s sculpture garden, exploring installations nestled among native shrubs.

Stroll into Smáralind Mall for dinner at an upscale food hall offering everything from sushi to vegan fare. Enjoy people-watching and relaxed ambiance under illuminated skylights. End the evening with live local music at a nearby pub.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before heading to Smáralind Mall. Browse Icelandic design stores for wool sweaters, jewelry, and home décor. Sample freshly baked goods at a specialty patisserie inside the mall.

Explore the mall’s art exhibitions and pop-up market stalls showcasing local crafts. Savor a traditional Icelandic lunch of plokkfiskur (fish stew) at the mall’s restaurant complex. Take a break at the indoor seating area next to a spring of natural Arctic water.

Dine at an award-winning restaurant nearby serving modern twists on Icelandic classics. Walk along the nearby Fjörður pathway to watch fishing boats return at dusk. Unwind with a locally distilled spirit at a cozy cocktail bar.

Catch a short bus ride or drive to Reykjavík’s Old Town. Begin at Hallgrímskirkja church and ride the elevator to the top for sweeping city views. Wander down Laugavegur, exploring colorful houses and quirky boutiques.

Lunch at a central brasserie featuring fresh Icelandic catch and foraged mushrooms. Visit Harpa Concert Hall and explore its geometric glass façade and harbor vistas. Stroll through the Sculpture & Shore Walk along the water’s edge.

Return to Kópavogur for dinner at a local gastropub offering reimagined traditional fare. Sample Icelandic craft beers on tap while mingling with locals. Relax under the midnight sun or northern lights, depending on the season.

Set out early for the famous Blue Lagoon, a 40-minute drive from Kópavogur. Arrive before the crowds to soak in the milky blue geothermal waters. Treat yourself to a silica mud mask and enjoy panoramic lava field views.

Indulge in a healthy spa lunch at the Lava Restaurant overlooking the lagoon. Try in-water cocktails or smoothies at the floating bar. Book a deep-tissue massage or geothermal steam session for ultimate relaxation.

Head back towards Kópavogur and stop at a countryside farm for a homemade dinner. Sample fresh goat cheese and artisanal breads in a rustic turf-roof setting. End the day with a peaceful rural drive as the sun dips low.

Have breakfast at your accommodation before driving out to the Seltjarnarnes peninsula. Walk the coastal path to the historic lighthouse, watching seabirds dive for fish. Photograph basalt cliffs and tidal pools along the way.

Explore Grótta Island during low tide, searching for seals and eider ducks. Enjoy a seaside picnic of smoked salmon sandwiches and local berries. Visit the small environmental center to learn about the area’s migratory birds.

Return to Kópavogur and dine at a waterfront restaurant by the harbor. Taste fresh mussels and charred vegetables while listening to the waves. If skies are clear, head back to Seltjarnarnes for potential northern lights viewing.

Depart early for the classic Golden Circle loop, starting with Þingvellir National Park. Walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates at the rift valley. Explore the historic Alþingi parliamentary site amid lava landscapes.

Continue to Geysir geothermal area to witness the Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes. Savor a hot soup and Icelandic rye bread at the on-site café. Head to Gullfoss waterfall and feel the spray as the rapids plunge into the canyon.

Stop at a nearby farm for a farm-to-table dinner featuring lamb and root vegetables cooked over geothermal steam. Drive back to Kópavogur under the gentle glow of the midnight sun or twilight. Rest in a countryside guesthouse before tomorrow’s exploration.

Drive north to serene Hvalfjörður fjord, known for whale-watching history. Begin the hike to Glymur, Iceland’s second-highest waterfall, through lush canyons. Cross streams via wire bridges and admire mossy cliffs en route.

Reach the scenic waterfall and stand at the base to feel its thunderous spray. Enjoy a packed lunch of sandwiches and chocolate against a backdrop of cascading water. Hike back down at a leisurely pace, pausing to capture photos of the fjord’s reflections.

Return to Kópavogur for a well-earned dinner at a contemporary grill house. Try charred arctic char or Icelandic beef paired with local beer. Relax in a hot tub at your hotel, reminiscing about the day’s adventure.

Spend your final morning strolling through Kópavogur’s park trails and visiting any missed galleries. Enjoy a casual brunch at a bakery known for hearty omelets and cinnamon buns. Pick up souvenirs at local design shops.

Check out of your accommodation and head to a nearby geothermal pool for a final soak in warm waters. Pamper yourself with a sauna session and optional spa treatment. Savor Icelandic chocolate and tea as you unwind.

Drive back to Keflavík Airport or Reykjavík if flying from there, stopping for one last view of the coast. Share photos and memories over coffee at a roadside café. Depart Iceland with a relaxed spirit and a camera full of unforgettable landscapes.