Absolute Best One Day in Reykjavik Itinerary
Those traveling to Europe or Scandinavia from the United States may have a layover in Iceland. If you do, you might find yourself in Reykjavik for a few hours or a whole day. One day in Reykjavik, Iceland will not give you the ability to see all of Iceland, but it will give you time to explore some really neat places!
One Day in Reykjavik Itinerary
Iceland has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and it is easy to see why.
It has a unique history and has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
But for those who only have one day in Reykjavik, we have some ideas on what you can see during a short visit.
Grab a Meal or Coffee at a local Restaurant
Start your day in Reykjavik at Bergsson Mathus.
This quaint eatery has great coffee and a wonderful array of small plate choices.
I say small plates, but for me, the servings were large and enough to fill you up!
Bergsson Mathus is right off Vonarstræti so while there you might as well take some time to walk around and check out some street art.
It will help you find your way through town easily while also giving you landmarks for the shops and restaurants you might want to check out.
FREE Reykjavik Walking Tour
After breakfast, head to the main square (in front of the House of Parliament) for the FREE Walking Tour of downtown.
The FREE tour happens twice a day (10:30 am & 2 pm) every day.
A local tour guide will take you around downtown and give you a broad view of the area along with a little humor.
While it is free, you should plan on giving a tip at the end.
Hallgrímskirkja
Now that you have your lay of the land, check out Reykjavík’s main landmark, the Lutheran church, Hallgrímskirkja.
It is visible from just about anywhere as it is the tallest structure in Reykjavik.
Completed in 1986, the concrete structure took over 40 years to build.
It was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson who drew upon the Icelandic environment that surrounded him, the vision of lava as it cools into basalt rock.
In front of the church is a statue of Leif Eiríksson who was the first European to discover America.
The statue designed by Alexander Stirling Calder was a gift from the United States commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of the establishment of Iceland’s parliament at Þingvellir (930 AD).
Hours of Operation:
- 9am-9pm from May to September
- 9am-5pm from October to April
Admission:
While the church is free to visit, you do have to pay to access the tower which is 240 feet high.
Check out the Street Art
When you walk around Reykjavik, you will find numerous displays of art in various forms.
One of the places where you’ll find unique street art and some artsy shops is on Laugavegur.
Laugavegur (which means “Wash Road”) used to be the main path to the hot springs where many Icelanders would do their laundry.
Now, it is a place to purchase trendy clothes, jewelry, and much more.
This is also a great time to grab lunch.
You’ll find tons of small eateries and food stalls in this part of Reykjavik.
Perlan Museum
Reykjavik has a few different museums you might be interested in exploring while in the city center, but the one you should not miss visiting is the Perlan Museum.
The museum is full of interactive exhibits that showcase all of Iceland’s best features!
What also makes the museum worth visiting is the view from the top level.
You get a sweeping view of the beautiful landscape.
There is also a small cafe located inside the museum if you didn’t eat at Laugavegur.
The best way to get here from the city center is by taxi.
Geothermal Pool
A trip to Iceland isn’t complete without a trip to one of their several area Geothermal Pools.
If you have the time, consider visiting Blue Lagoon.
It is about 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik, but you can book a shared transfer from the center of Reykjavík to the Blue Lagoon in advance.
Once there, you can take full advantage of all the spa services they provide or just simply relax in the geothermal pools.
What else you need to Know about Spending less than 24 hours in Reykjavik
The best time to go to Reykjavik
While Spring in Iceland is lovely, my personal favorite time to visit Iceland is in the summer.
When you travel to Iceland between May and August, the sun is up for nearly 21 hours.
When you only have one day in Reykjavik, you will appreciate having so many hours of light because it allows you to see things you might not otherwise be able to do in the winter months.
Transportation in Iceland
There are a few different ways to get from the Airport to central Reykjavic.
Depending on how long you are visiting, here are your options:
Bus Tour of Reykjavik
Those visiting Reykjavik for the day may want to consider doing a bus tour.
The City Sightseeing bus will take you to all the major landmarks and you can hop on and off as you wish to see the places that you might not otherwise see on such a short visit.
Tickets are good for either 24 or 48 hours depending on which you choose.
Driving in Reykjavik
Depending on how much time you have during your layover in Iceland, you may choose to rent a car.
You will find that the rental car office is near the airport and driving is very easy in Reykjavik.
Those spending more time 2 or more days in Reykjavik will certainly want a car to get around.
The rental car agency may try to sell you their GPS.
While useful, we found it quite buggy. If you have access to Google Maps on your phone, you may find it easier to navigate.
Driving in Iceland is very easy. They drive on the right side of the road (just like in the States) and use lots of Roundabouts (like in the UK).
Roadways are marked and speed is tightly enforced by a radar system. Whatever you do, don’t speed!
Public Transportation in Reykjavik
Don’t have a lot of time and just want to head into Reykjavik from the airport?
You can use their public transportation system.
Download this bus map and plan out what you are going to see in advance.
While there are Taxis in Iceland, there is no Uber or rail service.
If you get the chance to spend one day in Reykjavik during a layover in Iceland, don’t waste your time at the airport!
Have you been to Iceland? What things do you enjoy doing in Reykjavik?
Want to read this article later? Pin it so you don’t forget it!
