Explore Iceland on a stopover with Icelandair — for no additional airfare cost

10.10.2023 - 14:23 / thepointsguy.com

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.

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.

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.

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:

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