Reykjavik is the cool coastal capital city of Iceland, a place where high-end shopping and cuisine mix with history and Viking heritage. The captivating capital provides visitors with an array of things to see and do, from cultural and historical, to rejuvenating and natural sights, too.
Even if you’ve only got one day in Reykjavik, you’ll have the chance to fit a whole lot of the city’s best landmarks into your itinerary. However, if you’ve got a little bit more time, you can use the capital as a jumping-off point to explore some of the best of the nation’s nature, just a stone’s throw away. Here’s what you can get up to.
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One day in Reykjavik? Where to stay.
Kex Hostel: It may be a hostel, but the super stylish Kex – situated in a former biscuit factory – features private rooms that feel more like those in a boutique hotel. As well as endless style, Kex boasts a chic onsite restaurant and bar with a heated terrace. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel: Situated just off Laugavegur, this polished hotel plays host to rooms influenced by Balinese aesthetics. Expect four-poster beds, organic toiletries and views of the surrounding landscape. The onsite restaurant serves up organic meals, while there’s also a fitness center and bicycle hire. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices.
Things to do in Reykjavik in a day.
Hallgrímskirkja
Translating to the Church of Hallgrímur, this monumental building is one of the most visited landmarks in the whole country. This Lutheran church is situated at the summit of Skólavörðuhæð hill in the center of Reykjavik and stands at a towering height of 74.5 meters, making it the largest in Iceland and one of its tallest structures.
This non-standard church building is well known for its distinctive design, which mirrors the geometric appearance of basalt columns found throughout the country, such as the Svartifoss waterfall. Construction of the church began in 1945, and it was completed in 1986. Today, thousands of visitors go to see Hallgrímskirkja. Inside, there’s an enormous pipe organ featuring 5,275 pipes, as well as an elevator to an observation deck that offers incredible views of Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains.
Harpa
Harpa is another stunning building in the Icelandic capital. This is Reykjavik’s opera house, concert hall, and conference center, which opened its doors in 2011. Situated on the edge of the city’s harbor, the contemporary landmark dramatically reflects its surroundings thanks to sharp angles and a glass facade that covers the entire building.
The building is the home of Iceland’s Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera and regularly plays host to concerts at its 1,800-seat auditorium. Even if you don’t have time to schedule an event, there’s a daily guided tour of Harpa; visitors can see inside the concert hall and take a glimpse behind the scenes. There’s no charge to enter the building, but for tours, there is a small fee.
Sun Voyager
Though it seems as if it’s paying homage to Iceland’s Viking past, Sun Voyager is a modern sculpture that depicts the eerie skeleton of an unknown vessel against a backdrop of the sea and sky next to the Sæbraut. The steel structure is the work of Icelandic sculptor Jón Gunnar Árnason, who based his design on “the promise of undiscovered territory, a dream of hope, progress, and freedom.”
The design was the winning entry for a competition to create a public piece of art to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Reykjavik. It was unveiled on the city’s birthday, 18th August, in 1990. Today, thanks to its surrounding benches, the gleaming sculpture is a place for locals and visitors alike to take a moment to admire the views and the artwork in harmony.
Old Harbour
Up until recently, Reykjavik’s Old Harbour was still in use. The industrial area has undergone much renewal in recent years and is now a hub of art galleries, cool cafes, museums, and eateries. But this district has a long history, as you might be able to tell from its name.
It’s from the Old Harbour and its trade that Reykjavik took shape. In fact, by the early 20th century, this port was the nexus of Iceland’s thriving trawler industry. Many people still visit for the boats, but today they’re not fishing vessels: they’re whale-watching boats that head out into Faxaflói Bay for the chance to spot cetaceans.
FlyOver Iceland
FlyOver Iceland is a relatively new attraction in Reykjavik set in the neighborhood of Grandi. This virtual reality experience takes visitors on a journey across the Nordic nation, literally (or virtually) flying over the island and swooping through its glaciers and valleys, past its waterfalls, and over soaring volcanoes.
You’ll also get to enter inside an ancient Viking house and learn facts about life in Iceland centuries ago, as well as how people survived the freezing depths of winter. Taking a trip to FlyOver Iceland is a fun excursion for visitors who may not have time to actually see all of these sights in person during their travels.
Click here for more information and to book your Entry Ticket to FlyOver Iceland Experience.
Check out the colorful shopping streets
Take some time out of your sightseeing itinerary with a trip to some of Reykjavik’s rainbow-hued retail areas. First up is the city’s premier shopping street: Laugavegur. With its pavement daubed in pastel colors, this compact but comprehensive street is a thoroughfare of cool and makes for an ideal crash course into Icelandic style and design.
Nearby, the short Bankastræti is jam-packed with jewelers and designer boutiques. There’s a famous coffee shop here, Kaffitár, for a caffeine fix and delicious snacks. From here, another shopping street – Skólavörðustígur – runs towards Hallgrímskirkja; with its many galleries, it’s a good place to pick up arts-and-crafts souvenirs. Simply wandering around these streets and the interesting side streets pay dividends.
Reykjavik’s city lake (Reykjavikurtjorn)
Also known as Tjörnin (literally “the pond”), this body of water is Reykjavik’s small but much-loved central lake, which is actually a collection of five different lakes that are fed by marshlands near the airport. You’ll find it located right next to Reykjavik’s Rådhus (City Hall) and several interesting museums.
Here, locals enjoy taking time out of their busy days to soak up the city’s surrounding nature, attracting everyone from dog walkers to birdwatchers. Feeling more like a fishing village than a capital city, it’s the ideal antidote to the urban streets of Reykjavik.
Check out the museums: (National Museum of Iceland or Perlan)
Reykjavik has a collection of museums where you can while away a few hours to learn more about the city and Iceland as a whole. A good place to start your trip is the National Museum of Iceland. Opening its doors in 1863, the museum tells the story of the nation and details Icelandic cultural history.
Elsewhere there’s the Perlan. Translating to “The Pearl” – named after its shining glass dome – this is a modern space to learn about Iceland’s nature. Here you’ll find a planetarium, a replica of Europe’s largest cliff, and even a real 100-meter-long ice cave that you can explore up close. Learn how water and volcanic activity have shaped the country and finish up with some food at its fifth-floor cafe.
If you are brave enough, head to Nauthólsvík beach.
Going swimming at the beach may not be the sort of thing you’d expect to be doing in Reykjavik, but at Nauthólsvík beach, it’s a possibility. Made from imported sand, here the water is geothermally heated mixed with cold seawater, which means in the summer month, you can enjoy bathing in balmy temperatures (somewhere between 15°C and 20°C).
In winter, don’t expect the geothermal waters to heat it by much; it’s more of a cold-water swimming destination this time of year. Overall, the facilities are good, it’s free to use, and there’s even a hot tub to warm up if it’s a chilly day.
Relax in the Blue Lagoon nearby
If the beach sounds a bit too cold for you, then a dip in the deliciously warm waters of the Blue Lagoon may be more suited to your tastes. This geothermal spa, located a 45-minute bus ride from the city, is a favorite with locals and tourists who want to spend some time unwinding.
Situated inside an 800-year-old lava field, the water supplied to the Blue Lagoon is an eye-popping shade of cloudy blue. This is because of the high silica content of the water; the silica also forms a white-ish mud that coats the bottom of the pool. You’ll see bathers scooping handfuls of this nutrient-rich mud and rubbing it on their bodies. The average temperature of the water is balmy: between 37°C and 39°C.
Click here for more information on this tour that includes Blue Lagoon Admission with Transfers.
Where to eat in Reykjavik
Fiskfélagið: Fiskfélagið (“the Fish Company”) is the place to go in Reykjavik for a taste of Nordic fusion food. Inspired by traditional Icelandic cuisine but flavored with tastes from around the world, this is a high-end dining experience. On its backdrop of a 19th-century building, an array of modern gastronomic delights await.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur: This famous hot dog stand dates back to 1937 and has been a staple of the capital’s food scene ever since. Translating to “The Town’s Best Hot Dog,” Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur was set up by the grandfather of the current owner. Today it’s a small chain, but the flagship stand can be found close to the Harpa opera house. Everybody’s been here, from Bill Clinton to Anthony Bourdain and Kim Kardashian.
More than one day in Reykjavik?
Go on a tour of the Golden Circle.
There is an array of natural wonders to discover just on the doorstep of the Icelandic capital. One of the best ways to see them is to take a tour of what is known as the Golden Circle, a route that takes in some of the most iconic sights in the country. This full-day tour leaves the capital and stops at must-see destinations, including Kerid Volcanic Crater, Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir, and the storied Thingvellir National Park.
Click here for more information about the Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crate.
Spot some whales
Another way to get up close and personal with Iceland’s breathtaking nature is by embarking on a whale-watching cruise in Reykjavik’s Faxaflói Bay. Unlike other destinations around the world famed for their whale watching, Iceland’s whale population can be spotted year-round. However, the peak season is between April and October.
A rich tapestry of marine life lives in the waters off the coast of Iceland, such as whale-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and minke and humpback whales. The boat on this particular whale-watching tour is overseen by a team of knowledgeable guides who’ll help you learn more about the lives of these majestic mammals.
Click here for more information and to book the Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise.