Although many people fly here each year, few people actually explore this tiny but cool capital city. With most of the country’s top attractions lying outside the city in nature, it’s easy to see why people want to get out and explore as soon as possible. But there are plenty of reasons to spend one day in Reykjavik and discover its homely charm and friendly locals.
Honestly, Reykjavik is small – you could easily see it all in one or two days if you planned it properly. I went in November, so it was dark by 4pm, which meant the capital definitely had a festive and mystical feeling for me. Really, it did feel like we were leading up to Christmas every evening, which through me with over a month to go.
This takes some adjusting, but with late-Autumn and Winter being the peak seasons, it’s important to maximise your daylight hours.
So, here’s how to spend one day in Reykjavik and see all the best places in the Icelandic capital.
How to Move Around Reykjavik
The best way to move around Reykjavik is on foot. I saw a few people hire bikes which is also a great way to get around, but the city is small enough that a car isn’t needed. For context, Downtown Reykjavik where most of the action is spans just 3.6 km2 (1.4 square miles).
Really, the only public transport you’ll likely use is the Fly Bus to and from Keflavik Airport. Reykjavik itself is largely pedestrianised, so public transport and parking are sparse.
If you are planning on hiring a car to explore the Icelandic Ring Road or for day trips, you should either wait until your last day in Reykjavik to hire a car or find accommodation that comes with parking as standard.
The Perfect One Day In Reykjavik Itinerary
Morning
Wake up with the sun and head out to enjoy the colourful streets of Reykjavik. The morning is all about exploring cultural sights and museums – some are a little more niche than others!
Breakfast at Cafe Babalu on the famous Rainbow Street. It has amazing pastries and coffee and sets you up perfectly to explore Downtown Reykjavik.
Morning Activities:
- Visit Hallgrimskirkja: The iconic church lies at the top of Rainbow Street and dominates the skyline.
- Check out one of the niche Reykjavik museums – either the Icelandic Phallological Museum or The Icelandic Punk Museum. These are located on the border of Downtown and Centre, so they’re the perfect way to make your way towards the heart of Reykjavik.
- Wander to Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre. Even when this place doesn’t have a concert (it’s home to the local opera and symphony), you can see local exhibitions and appreciate the beautiful architecture. From here you can also see the amazing Sun Voyager sculpture on the waterfront with the mountains behind it!
Lunch at Icelandic Street Food
Despite the on-the-nose name, Icelandic Street Food is the perfect cosy spot that’s affordable (a rarity in Reykjavik!) and – most importantly – delicious.
It’s a small spot with a counter and a couple of stools, so you might have to take your food to go. I’d recommend the fish soup – it’s a local specialty that’s tasty, fresh, and filling. The staff are super friendly and always ready to recommend things to do that aren’t in the guidebooks. When I went, the owner told me about a free underground English-language stand-up event on a Saturday night and it was such a fun experience!
Afternoon
Once you’ve had your hearty fish soup, you might be in need of a little wander and some fresh air. The afternoon is all about seeing natural wonders in the heart of the city. Wear some good trainers, there’s a fair bit of walking in the afternoon!
Afternoon Activities
- Visit the gorgeous Hljómskálagarðurinn. This sprawling park is a beautiful oasis of calm just a street away from the fun bars and restaurants of Downtown Reykjavik.
- Wander across to Perlan. Home to an indoor real-ice glacier experience, interactive exhibits, and a 4K planetarium, it’s one of the most popular attractions in Reykjavik. Click here to book your ticket in advance, especially when you only have one day available to explore.
- Finish up at the Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach. This is a public beach with hot tubs and geothermal lagoons. Costing just six euros for half a day, it’s much cheaper and less touristy than the Blue Lagoon, and you don’t even need to leave the city.
Dinner at Chickpea
While there are plenty of high-end, amazing restaurants in Reykjavik, I am a budget traveler and I explored Iceland on a budget. It is worth mentioning that most restaurants have discounted lunch menus so I’d try and have your main meal for lunch to save some money!
However, one of my favourite places to eat in Reykjavik was Chickpea. Nestled upstairs in Ingólfsstræti on Hallveigarstigur 1, this place serves up veggie and vegan meals made from scratch with local ingredients. The vibe is very relaxed and you see a lot of locals eating here which is always a good sign!
The menu changes all the time, but their falafel bowls were delicious and had all the veggies I’d been missing with my days of eating assorted fish and potato-style dishes.
Night
I’m not going to lie, drinking in Reykjavik is not cheap. However, I downloaded the AppyHour app from Reykjavik Grapevine before I left which changed the game. Most bars in the city have a happy hour or set of drink deals and this app collates them all and tells you when they are and where to find them. This saved me so much money and meant I could go and try the local beers without needing to win the lottery.
There aren’t a ton of clubs in Reykjavik, but pubs and bars are popular here. You’ll find some with live music and some with comedy sets which gives a bit more variety.
The best bars that I went to include:
- Bravó – home to the longest happy hour in the city (from 2pm)
- Einstök Bar – the brew bar of the Icelandic brewery, Einstök
- Víking Brugghús – A friendly and colourful pub in between Downtown and Centre
Spending the night?
I stayed at the KEX Hostel which is located right near the Sun Voyager Sculpture. A bed in a four-bed female-only dorm costs around 30 euros a night, which was one of the cheapest options in Reykjavik. They also have a huge library-style bar with its own happy hour and plenty of social activities like quizzes and tour desks. It’s also right next to a car hire place if you’re looking to hit the ring road and popular tours will pick you up from KEX with no issues.
Click here to see the latest rates or see other hotel suggestions.
Author’s Box: Rebecca is a freelance writer specialising in budget and adventure travel. She can often be found searching for the best tacos and cannolis in a given location, or hiking and bouldering in new destinations. She has been featured in Lonely Planet, The Independent, Stylist Magazine, and Time Out Travel.
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