10 October 2023
Some travelers like to take advantage of a long layover by leaving the airport for a few hours and checking out a new city. But a layover just isn’t enough time to really get to know a new place.
That’s where stopovers come in.
Unlike a layover that lasts several hours, a stopover could be one day or multiple days. Perhaps most importantly, adding a stopover is your choice — as opposed to a layover that’s predetermined by flight schedules. This gives you plenty of time to recharge after a long flight and explore a new destination.
And one of the easiest ways to book a stopover is with Icelandair, Iceland’s largest carrier, which offers up to seven-day stopovers when flying from North America to Europe (or vice versa). There’s no fee to add these stopovers, though there can be minor tax differences (usually around $10 per person). And the airline even offers tours that you can join.
In fact, if you book a vacation package with Icelandair by Oct. 24, you can snag round-trip flights, three nights in a hotel and four included tours starting from just $949 per person.
The island nation is roughly the size of the state of Ohio, but there’s a ton you can do on your stopover. Here are some must-see items to add to your Iceland bucket list.
Explore cities and culture
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Iceland welcomed over 1.7 million visitors in 2022, but there are less than 400,000 full-time residents in the country. The capital city — Reykjavik — has a population of just over 138,000 people, while the next largest city, Kopavogur, has just 40,000 inhabitants.
(For context, Reykjavik’s population would make it the 199th largest city in the U.S. according to 2022 census data — just behind New Haven, Connecticut.)
But despite Iceland’s humble population numbers, these cities offer tons of great things for visitors to do.
Join a walking tour of Reykjavik
A walking tour is a classic way to learn more about a new destination. While they can last a few hours, you’ll walk away with a newfound understanding of (and appreciation for) the history and culture of a place and its people.
Related: How to use hotel points in Iceland
On a walking tour of Reykjavik, you’ll visit City Hall, where your local guide will explain Iceland’s volcanic and geographical history and significance. You’ll also see Althingi, the home of the country’s government (and the world’s longest-serving parliament). And if you’re worried about crowds, don’t be — the average group size is just six.
Learn Icelandic history at one of several museums
Museums offer a glimpse into the past as well as artistic expressions of what it means to be Icelandic. Reykjavik and the surrounding areas have dozens of museums to choose from, including the following:
National Museum of Iceland: Don’t miss the museum’s permanent exhibit — “Making of a Nation — Heritage and History in Iceland.”
Reykjavik Art Museum: Explore Icelandic art through the ages.
Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll: Learn about Icelandic pop and rock music dating back to 1830.
Whales of Iceland: Visit the largest whale museum in Europe.
Aurora Reykjavik: Check out the Northern Lights Centre, where you can experience an interactive exhibition of the aurora borealis or join a northern lights tour.
Explore Iceland through virtual reality with FlyOver Iceland
If you only have a few hours to spare, consider booking the FlyOver Iceland experience. This attraction takes you on a virtual tour of the island nation. The full-motion seating, coupled with the use of wind, sound and scents, brings the journey to life. The entire experience is about 35 minutes — though be forewarned that it just might inspire you to explore Iceland’s sights in real life.
Experience the magic of nature
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No visit to Iceland would be complete without time spent marveling at the country’s truly unique landscape. Once you’ve finished exploring Iceland’s cities and museums, get ready for glaciers, whale watching, lagoons and more.
Join a tour of the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is a 190-mile loop in Southern Iceland that includes Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall.
You can join a Golden Circle tour that takes about 5 1/2 hours and departs early in the morning from your Reykjavik hotel. Or, for those wanting the freedom to explore at your own pace, you could rent a car and take your time driving around the island. Just be sure to know the rules of the road.
Related: 9 common mistakes you don’t want to make in Iceland
See the northern lights
The aurora borealis, or the northern lights, is a natural light phenomenon caused by solar wind particles entering the atmosphere. Typically, these are only visible in the night skies of northern regions like Iceland. The country’s limited light pollution and long nights in the winter make it one of the best places in the world to see this incredible show with your own eyes.
Icelandair offers a northern lights tour from September through April.
Spot orcas and other whales all year long
Marine-life enthusiasts will love the fact that Iceland is a year-round destination for whale watching. Orcas can usually be seen from March to June and again in the winter months. Meanwhile, in Husavik — a small town on Iceland’s northern coast (and one of the best places in the world for whale watching) — you can see humpback whales, minke whales and harbor porpoises.
And if you’re unlucky enough to miss out on seeing these magnificent creatures during Icelandair’s whale watching tour, you’ll get a ticket to join it again on another date.
Relax in a geothermal bath or lagoon
Iceland is known for its baths and lagoons, including the Blue Lagoon in the southwest part of the island. However, there are several of these natural pools that are worth visiting across Iceland:
Sky Lagoon: An oceanside geothermal lagoon close to downtown Reykjavik
Forest Lagoon: A spa featuring views of one of Iceland’s longest fjords
Glacial Lagoon: Iceland’s most famous lagoon, which includes the chance to take a boat tour and travel around ice from the Jokulsarlon Glacier
Secret Lagoon: One of Iceland’s least explored lagoons, making it a great option for avoiding crowds
Hvammsvik Nature Baths: Eight natural hot springs located just 45 minutes from Reykjavik
Fontana Geothermal Baths: Conveniently located on the Golden Circle, with water temperatures naturally between 104 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
Related: These are the best times to visit Iceland
Join a pre-planned tour
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If crafting your own itinerary seems daunting, Icelandair has you covered with pre-planned vacation packages. Some of the most popular options include the Golden Circle City Break and the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights packages.
You can even rent a car and travel independently with an Iceland Fly & Drive Package.
And if you book by Oct. 24, you can snag round-trip flights, three nights in a hotel and four tours starting from just $949.
If you’d rather go at your own pace, remember that Icelandair offers stopovers of up to seven days, so you have plenty of time to explore the country however you like before continuing on to Europe — or returning home to the U.S.
Explore packages from your nearest U.S. gateway by clicking here.
How to book a stopover in Iceland
Thankfully, it’s easy to book an Icelandair flight from the U.S. with a stopover in Reykjavik. The carrier currently offers nonstop service from more than a dozen North American gateways, including:
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
From there, you can continue on to Europe after your stopover in Iceland — including flights to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) and even the Canary Islands.
To book, simply visit icelandair.com and select the “Stopover in Iceland” option from the booking section. Enter your departure airport and final destination, and then select the details for your stopover.
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The search results page will detail your flight times. Then, just follow the prompts on the screen to confirm your itinerary.
Once you’re booked, you’re ready to start planning your time in Iceland — though the hardest part may be figuring out how to fit it all in.
Bottom line
Icelandair makes it incredibly easy to explore Iceland on a stopover with no additional airfare cost when flying from the U.S. to Europe (and vice versa). With up to seven days to explore the country’s numerous museums, tours and outdoor activities, you won’t regret extending your trip to explore the beauty and culture of Iceland.
Or, you can book by Oct. 24 to snag an entire vacation package at a discounted rate.
What are you waiting for? Book your trip with Icelandair today.