One Day In Reykjavik, Iceland: The Best Places To Visit

Spending one day in Reykjavik gives you enough time to see the main sights of Iceland’s tiny capital. But what Reykjavik lacks in size it certainly doesn’t lack in things to do!

There are plenty of ways to fill your day, whether you’re visiting Reykjavik in winter or during the summer, including (but not limited to) the unusual architecture, the colourful street art or the amazing food scene that draws you to visit the city.

Over recent years, Reykjavik has become a popular layover destination between the US and Europe and many travellers find themselves with only a short amount of time to explore the city. But whether you’re stopping in Reykjavik for a quick visit or before starting a longer Iceland adventure, we found that a day is a great amount of time to see the sights.

Spending A Day In Reykjavik At A Glance

Below is a quick overview of the sights and things to do during your day in Reykjavik that I think you’ll love!

• Get Awesome Views From The Top Of Hallgrímskirkja
• Visit One Of Reykjavik’s Museums
• Go Whale Watching
• Explore The Old Town
• See The Sun Voyager
• Visit The Harpa Concert Hall
• Enjoy Dinner In Downtown Reykjavik
• Soak At The Sky Lagoon

Get Awesome Views From The Top Of Hallgrímskirkja

Whenever I think of Reykjavik, one of the first things I picture is Hallgrímskirkja Church which stands in the heart of the city.

Not only is this iconic structure Iceland’s second tallest building, but it is also the tallest church on the island standing at a height of 74.5 metres.

Constructed from white concrete, Hallgrimskirkja’s unique architecture is said to resemble the basalt columns that you will find all across Iceland that are formed by the country’s volcanic activity.

Entrance to the church itself is free but if you want to see the sweeping views across the colourful town of Reykjavik, the surrounding ocean and beyond, you’ll need to pay 1400 ISK ($10) to use the lift to the top of the tower.

My favourite view of the church itself is from the bottom of Rainbow Street. This is where the colourful road leads up to the church perched at the top of the hill. It’s a great spot for some photos!

Visit One Of Reykjavik’s Museums

One thing that Reykjavik has plenty of is museums and you can easily visit a few of these in a day!

If you want to learn about whales, volcanoes or the history of Iceland, there’s a museum for you! Most of the museums are found fairly close together and are easy to reach.

The Reykjavik Maritime Museum, down by the harbour, used to be a fish processing facility. Now it’s a museum where you can learn about Iceland’s fishing history and today’s challenges with sustainable fishing.

Also located in Reykjavik’s harbour, Whales of Iceland is the largest whale museum in Europe! It features 23 life-size models of the whales found in Iceland’s waters and interactive screens where you can explore their anatomy.

Don’t forget to bring your headphones as you’ll get a free audio guide by scanning the QR code at the front desk.

Perlan Wonders of Iceland is found on the other side of Reykjavik and is housed in an unusual glass dome – you won’t be able to miss it!

Here, you can learn all about Iceland’s natural wonders like volcanoes and glaciers. You can even walk through a real ice tunnel!

Perlan also has an Aurora show that simulates the Northern Lights which is perfect if you’re visiting in the summer when you can’t see them in real life. Plus, there’s an observation deck with amazing views across Reykjavik.

If you’re only stopping in Iceland for one day, Flyover Iceland is a great way to see all the country’s attractions right from Reykjavik.

This virtual ride ‘flies’ over some of Iceland’s most iconic locations and has special effects including wind, scents and mists.

If you want to explore Iceland’s Viking history, then the Saga Museum is where you’ll want to visit. Here, you’ll step back in time and learn about the Icelandic sagas from the first inhabitants, the black death and the exodus from Norway.

Go Whale Watching

Now, this will take up a big chunk of your one day in Reykjavik (about 2 – 3 hours) but if you’re only stopping in Iceland for 24 hours and still want to see whales it is absolutely possible to do!

Multiple whale-watching tours depart from Reykjavik harbour daily with the most commonly sighted sealife being minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, humpback whales and harbour porpoises. However, there are many other species you can also see if you’re lucky!

The best time of year to see the whales in Iceland is between April – October but whales can be seen in Iceland’s waters all year round. Whale-watching tours can be booked online.

Read Also: The Best Things To Do in Iceland in Winter

Explore The Old Town

I loved wandering around Reykjavik’s Old Town as it has such a nice atmosphere! This buzzing part of the city is lined with brightly coloured buildings and lots of sweet little shops, restaurants and boutiques.

Laugavegur is one of Reykjavik’s main streets and is actually the city’s oldest shopping street. Although it’s now a thriving shopping area, it was once the road Icelanders used to take to wash their clothes in the nearby hot springs.

It’s not only the buildings in Reykjavik that are colourful! As you explore Reykjavik and other parts of Iceland, you’ll notice tons of amazing street art splashed across buildings.

You can spot huge colourful designs covering whole walls as well as little pieces of artwork dotted throughout the streets. A lot of the pieces are really cool and quirky!

When we stopped in Reykjavik for the night, we were pleasantly surprised with just how lively the atmosphere was – it wasn’t too much but just enough! We really enjoyed the live music at Rúblan bókakaffi which is a bookshop that doubles up as a bar!

See The Sun Voyager

Another iconic landmark and one of the most visited spots in Reykjavik, the Sun Voyager is a stainless steel sculpture found along the waterfront.

Although the sculpture looks a lot like a Viking longboat, the artist Jón Gunnar meant it to represent a dream of hope, progress, and freedom.

It was built to celebrate Reykjavik’s 200-year anniversary, but sadly, the artist passed away before the final piece was unveiled in 1990.

If you visit on a clear day, you’ll have awesome views across the ocean to Mount Esja. It’s also a great spot to watch the sunset (or rise!).

Visit The Harpa Concert Hall

Another cool building that pays homage to Iceland’s hexagonal basalt columns is the beautiful Harpa Concert Hall.

Found right next to the Sun Voyager, Harpa opened in 2011 and is made up of stunning glass panels that reflect the light (day or night) beautifully.

To get a closer look, you can join a guided tour to check out its unique design and learn a bit about its history. Tours don’t run every day though so it’s best to check the website for availability during your visit.

Harpa is also home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and hosts all kinds of concerts and events year-round. You could even see what’s on while you’re visiting!

If you simply want to admire the building from the outside though, it’s in a pretty waterfront location and has some stunning views across the harbour.

Read Also: Visiting The Westman’s Islands, Iceland

Enjoy Dinner In Downtown Reykjavik

As I mentioned earlier, Reykjavik has a really nice vibe and this is especially true in the evening when it’s time for dinner (and possibly a few drinks!).

You’ll find pretty much any cuisine in Reykjavik and although you won’t be able to visit all the amazing dinner spots in one day, there are a few places I can definitely recommend!

Kol is a warm and cosy restaurant found near Hallgrímskirkja and takes inspiration for its dishes from all over the globe.

From traditional Icelandic cuisine to Italian and French-inspired dishes, you’ll be spoilt for choice on what to have! They have an extensive cocktail menu and they cater very well to dietary requirements.

If you love pub grub, tacos and some quirky decor, then Bastard Brew & Food is a great spot to grab a bite to eat. We actually happened to stumble across this spot during happy hour which definitely helped with the high prices that Iceland is well known for.

If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet or simply enjoy a plant-based meal once in a while, then Vegan World Peace is my favourite place to eat in Reykjavik.

The menu is pan-Asian with an extensive selection of dishes, ranging from Mapo Tofu, Vegan Chicken Kungpao and Pad Thai. They also have some tasty vegan desserts which are delicious!

Soak At The Sky Lagoon

I couldn’t think of a better way to end your one day in Reykjavik than a relaxing soak at The Sky Lagoon.

Unlike the popular Blue Lagoon, The Sky Lagoon has stunning views across the ocean and on a clear day, you can sometimes see as far as the Snæfellsjökull Glacier on the Snæfellsness Peninsula.

There are three different passes to choose from: the Pure Light pass, the Pure pass, and the Sky pass. All passes give you access to the Lagoon and Glacier Pool, but only the Pure and Sky passes include access to Sky’s 7-step ritual.

The additional steps include a sauna (which has an amazing view!), a cold mist, a cleansing sea salt scrub, and a steam room, all finished off with a refreshing shower.

Depending on the time of year you visit Iceland, you can relax and watch the sunset, soak in the midnight sun, or even catch the northern lights from The Sky Lagoon.

You can easily book your Blue Lagoon ticket online, as well as a transfer from Reykjavik or the airport.

When’s The Best Time To Visit Reykjavik?

To be perfectly honest, there isn’t really a right or wrong time to spend a day in Reykjavik as it really is an amazing city.

That being said, with Iceland’s ever-changing seasons and the huge difference between them, you’ll need to consider a few things.

If you want to see the Northern Lights, you’ll need to avoid the summer months in Iceland as the sun doesn’t set during this time.

If the Northern Lights are on your bucket list, then the best time for you to visit will be between late September and early April.

If you enjoy getting festive, Christmas is a really fun time to visit Reykjavik! The city looks like the inside of a snow globe, and Icelanders have unique traditions, such as 13 mischievous Yule Lads leaving gifts in the lead-up to Christmas.

If you want to experience the midnight sun, see the purple lupin bloom, and enjoy the possibility of warmer weather, plan your visit between May and August.

Is One Day Enough To See Reykjavik?

Although Reykjavik is a city, it is a very small city so one full day is enough to see the main sights. However, there are plenty of things to do, so if you prefer a slower pace, spending a few days here is also a good amount of time.

Reykjavik is also a great place to base yourself if you want to spend a few days exploring Iceland’s nearby attractions like the Golden Circle and the Reykjanes Peninsula or to take longer day trips to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach.

Where To Stay In Reykjavik?

You’ll find a whole range of accommodations in Reykjavik ranging from high-end luxury hotels to budget-friendly cosy hostels.

Luxury – Sand Hotel by Keahotels

Found above one of Reykjavik’s oldest bakeries, Sand Hotel is a luxury accommodation perfect for a night in the city. This 4-star boutique hotel has an onsite gym, a bar and a breakfast included in the price.

Check prices and availability on Booking.com.

Mid-Range – Hotel Frón

Conveniently located in the heart of Reykjavik, Hotel Frón is a great mid-range accommodation to stay in. You can choose from a range of modern rooms, studios and apartments.

Check prices and availability on Booking.com.

Budget-Friendly – Loft HI Eco Hostel

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly spot to rest your head, Loft HI Eco Hostel has a range of budget rooms and shared dorm rooms. It’s also a great place to meet other travellers as there’s a shared common area and an onsite bar.

Check prices and availability on Booking.com.

Final Thoughts: One Day In Reykjavik, Iceland: The Best Sights To Visit

Whether you’re stopping in Iceland for 24 hours or at the start of a longer trip, there are plenty of things for you to do with one day in Reykjavik.

With lots of unusual buildings, street art, museums, and shops, you can spend hours exploring the streets of this pretty city. If you’re looking for a bit more of a treat, whale watching and the Sky Lagoon are great ways to enjoy some of Iceland’s natural wonders in this short period of time.

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll definitely enjoy your one day in Reykjavik!