Reykjavik’s friendly people and cool vibe are just a few reasons why Europe’s northernmost capital city is one of my favourite destinations. One day is enough to see its main sights, with time left to enjoy its bar and restaurants (and maybe take a Northern Lights tour).
This 1-day Reykjavik itinerary is designed around a self-guided walking tour, making it easy to see the city’s highlights in 24 hours. Whether you have 6, 8, or 10 hours to explore, you can adapt this schedule to make the most of your single day in Iceland’s capital.
If you have more time in Iceland’s capital, I have suggested bonus things to do, and you’ll also find tips on where to stay and how to get around.
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TOP 5 THINGS TO DO
- Climb Hallgrímskirja’s tower
- Stroll around Old West Side
- Visit Harpa
- Watch the sun set at Sólfar
- Check out the street art on Laugavegur
BEST WAY TO GET AROUND REYKJAVIK: On foot
REYKJAVIK SELF-GUIDED TOUR
- Walking time: 1 hour (3 miles/5km)
- Total time needed: 6-8 hours
- Best start time: 9am
- Includes: Morning sightseeing, afternoon harbourside
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Complete 1-Day Reykjavik Itinerary (5-8 Hours)
Morning (9am-12pm): Hallgrímskirja & Old Town
Hallgrímskirja (45 minutes)
My 1-day Reykjavik itinerary starts with its most iconic sight, Hallgrímskirja. Consecrated in 1986, this Lutheran church was built over 40 years and dominates the city’s low-lying skyline.
Its architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, took inspiration from two Manhattan Art-Deco masterpieces: the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building. But he also paid homage to the Icelandic landscape, inspired by the shapes created when lava cools into basalt rock.
Before entering the church, take a moment to look at the statue of Leifur Eiriksson, a Viking explorer and the first known European to set foot in America. Once inside Hallgrímskirja’s coolly sparse interior, turn around and look up at the enormous pipe organ designed by Johannes Klais of Bonn.
Don’t miss taking the lift to the observation deck at the top of Hallgrímskirja. From the lofty position of the tower, 73 meters above the ground, you are treated to 360-degree views of Reykjavik.
Hallgrímskirja is open daily and admission is free. Entrance to the tower is ticketed.
Tjörnin Pond & City Hall (30 minutes)
Although City Hall is not the most beautiful building in Reykjavik, it is well worth visiting to view the topographical model of Iceland displayed on its ground floor. I found this useful when I visited the Golden Circle the following day.
The “blockhead statue” facing City Hall represents a faceless bureaucrat on his way to work. Sculpted by Magnús Tómasson in 1994, it is unclear if it was intended to be a tribute or a satire.
Tjörnin Pond, outside City Hall, is home to Reykjavik’s population of vocal ducks, geese and swans. In the midst of winter, the pond completely freezes over and becomes an icy playground for the city’s inhabitants.
But don’t worry about our feathered friends. During these cold months, warm water is pumped into a corner of Tjörnin Pond, creating a bird jacuzzi to keep them toasty.
Old West Side (30 minutes)
Leafy and quiet Old West Side was once home to Reykjavik’s sailors. It is known for its picturesque houses and gardens.
Afternoon (12pm-5pm): Harbour & Downtown
Harpa (30 minutes)
Most Icelanders will have an opinion about Harpa, Reykjavik’s harbourside concert hall. Built amidst the turmoil of Iceland’s crippling economic recession, many were outraged at its cost, put at 164 million Euros.
Conceived as a concert venue with retail space, a hotel and luxury apartments, it languished in construction purgatory. In 2009, the Government bailed it out, resulting in an uproar from its citizens.
And it was not only Icelanders who were outraged. On completion, Harpa did not meet the vision of its creator, Olafur Eliasson. It had become, in his words, “a conference centre with some music on the side.”
Ten years later, views have softened and even reversed. Harpa is lauded for its design and for its acoustics, becoming a potent symbol of Iceland’s economic recovery.
Don’t just admire it from the outside. Take the lift to the 5th floor to fully appreciate its honeycombed glass walls and ceiling, and to take in panoramic views over Reykjavik harbour.
Sólfar – “Sun Voyager” (15 minutes)
The “Sun Voyager” is a five-minute walk along the harbour from Harpa.
Created by the artist Jón Gunnar Áranson (1931 – 89), Sólfar represents a Viking longship. According to its creator, it was meant to represent a dream vessel floating off to a new beginning towards the setting sun.
Downtown Reykjavik, Laugavegur & street art (flexible)
The closest that Reykjavik gets to a downtown area is Laugavegur, the city’s main shopping street, and Skólavörðustígur, which leads up to Hallgrimskirkja. Amongst this area’s shops, bars and restaurants, keep your eyes peeled for some of Reykjavik’s best street art.
A fitting place to end your day in Reykjavik. All that remains is to sit down with a refreshing glass of Icelandic craft beer. Skál!
Reykjavik Self-Guided Walking Tour Map & Route (Optional)
If you find it easier, you can visit these attractions using my self-guided walking tour of Reykjavik . Think of it as a framework on which to hang your itinerary.
For step-by-step directions and to send to your phone, click here or on the image itself.
Time permitting, I encourage you to go off-piste to discover other corners of the city. As central Reykjavik is not large, this is feasible in one day.
More Than One Day in Reykjavik? (Optional Things to Do)
- Visit a museum – Reykjavik has several popular museums, including the National Museum of Iceland, Reykjavik Art Museum and The Settlement Exhibition allows an insight into early Icelandic life. The most bizarre is the Icelandic Phallological Museum, a vast collection of pickled penises!
- Whale and puffin watching – Iceland is home to over half of the world’s Atlantic puffin population, and this whale-watching tour and this puffin tour have received positive reviews from other travellers.
- Visit the Blue Lagoon – The Blue Lagoon is a hugely popular excursion from Reykjavik. As it’s close to the airport, some people visit as a side trip before or after their flight.
- Tour the Golden Circle – I took this day tour of the Golden Circle, a 300 km circular route that loops from Reykjavik into central Iceland’s otherworldly landscape.
Practical Information for Your Day in Reykjavik
Getting there and getting around
Keflavik Airport, Reykjavik’s international airport, is 50 km southwest of the city. If you don’t have a rental car you will need to take a taxi or use the efficient airport transfer bus.
>>> CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR AIRPORT SHUTTLE TRANSFER
As Reykjavik is so compact, the best way of getting around is on foot. There is the inevitable hop-on-hop-off bus but you will not need this to visit the attractions listed in this post.
Where to stay
If you want to be in the thick of things, the downtown area of Reykjavik, close to the Laugavegur shopping street, is your best bet. Here you will find most of the museums, restaurants and bars.
However, if you are a light sleeper be aware that there is a high concentration of bars that stay open late at the weekend. But if you are also out burning the midnight oil, this won’t make any difference!
I stayed at Hotel Fron, 3-star hotel on Laugavegur which is perfect if you are visiting Iceland on a budget but are looking for a bit of comfort. A big bonus was the free breakfast.
If this doesn’t met your needs, consider Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Center, a stylish 4-star hotel just a few minutes’ stroll from Laugavegur Shopping Street and 500 meters from Harpa Concert & Conference Center.
Tips for visiting Reykjavik
When to visit
- Feb/March or Oct/Nov are good months to visit Reykjavik. There are enough daylight hours to allow you to sightsee, but you will also be able to see the Northern Lights if they decide to come out to play.
- In midwinter, the sun doesn’t rise until 11.45 am, setting again at 2.45 pm. Whilst this might be optimal for Northern Lights chasing, it limits daytime activities.
- In mid-summer, there is pretty much 24-hour light, with the sun setting at midnight, and twilight persisting until it rises again at 3 am.
What to pack
- Pack warm clothing at whatever time of year you are visiting Reykjavik. This means a hat, scarf, gloves, lots of layers and a warm, preferably windproof, coat.
- Don’t forget your refillable water bottle. Icelandic water is pure and delicious straight out of the tap. Just let the water run for a minute before filling your bottle.
Solo travel in Reykjavik
Iceland is a fabulous solo destination. It is not only one of the best destinations in Europe if you are travelling alone, but it is also one of the best countries in the world for solo travellers. This applies even if you are on your first solo vacation.
Safety is a concern of many solo travellers, especially solo female travellers. The crime rate in Reykjavik approaches zero and there is little chance you will be robbed, attacked or harassed.
And you need not fear solo travel loneliness. With Reykjavik’s lively bar scene and abundance of organised outdoor activities, meeting other travellers is easy.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.