24 Hours in Reykjavik: The Perfect One-Day Itinerary

When we think of Iceland, volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs and fjords come to mind. In the past few years, Iceland has changed from less visited island to a top-tourist destination. Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, has become a favorite among tourists.

Want to spend 24 hours in Reykjavik? Sure, you are going to plan a wonderful journey in the heart of Iceland. But is 1 day enough to explore Reykjavik to the fullest or not?

Yes. It’s possible but how? To find out how, keep reading this blog post till end.

How to Spend 24 Hours in Reykjavik?

We have put together an itinerary to help you make the most of your 1 day in Reykjavik. Reykjavik is famous for blue lagoons, busy shopping streets, natural beauty and friendly Icelandic people.

Let’s take a look at what to see, what to do and how to make most of your precious time in just one day?

Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Start with Iconic Sights

8:00 AM-Breakfast at a Local Café

Start your day in Reykjavik by taking mouth-watering breakfast at local café. The capital city of Iceland is known for its breakfast scene with aroma of air and comfortable outdoor seating.

Top Café Picks

Sandholt Bakery: Old bakery with servings of tasty sourdough bread, pastries, chia bowls, and artisanal coffee in a relaxing environment.

Brauð & Co: Brauð & Co is a must-visit breakfast place for those who want to taste Icelandic pastries and cinnamon rolls with good ambience. You can take your pastry and eat while doing morning walk.

Tip: Ask from locals about their specialties in breakfast menu.

9:00 AM – Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church

After freeing from breakfast, walk to the iconic church named as Hallgrímskirkja Church. This church is the largest and most recognizable church in Reykjavik. The indoor and outdoor architecture of church is worth-praising, especially liked by history lovers.

Go on church’s top through elevator to enjoy aerial views of Reykjavik’s famous buildings, rooftops and attractions.

Spend some quality time by exploring beautiful interior and in last, do not forget to take a memorable snap of the Leif Erikson statue in front of the church.

Entry Fee: Around ISK 1,200 ($8 USD).

10:00 AM – Explore Laugavegur Street and Downtown Reykjavik

Laugavegur Street is the main shopping and cultural street of Reykjavik, full of colors, Icelandic culture and stunning views. Stroll down to Laugavegur from Hallgrímskirkja. The list of some things to do & see in the street.

• Explore street art & murals because this city is famous for wonderful artwork.
• In street, you would find boutique & design stores. Shop local & artsy things like Icelandic wool products, handmade jewelry, and quirky souvenirs.
• Stop at Harpa Concert Hall. It is located just a short walk from downtown, a great spot for taking pictures. The architectural glass design makes this place worth-visiting for tourists.
• Taste sweet treats from Omnom Chocolate and other famous candy shops.

By afternoon, you will have almost experienced all things that you would try in the morning. Now you are ready to enjoy the true colors of midday or afternoon.

Midday (12:00 PM – 2:00 PM): Cultural Activates

Now you have freed from breakfast and midday starts in Reykjavik. 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM is an ideal time for culture and history exploration.

Different cultural and historical spots are located that you could visit based on your personal interests and available time.

The National Museum of Iceland

An informative museum if you want to learn about Iceland’s history. Ancient artifacts & modern artwork, all are present in this museum for tourists. Where do Icelandic history starts and how? Get an idea of all these things under one roof.

Time Needed

• 45–60 minutes

Entrance Fees

• Around ISK 2,500 ($18 USD)

Reykjavik Art Museum (Hafnarhús)

All over the Iceland, Reykjavik Art Museum is the largest visual art institution. In Reykjavik, it occupies three locations.

• Hafnarhús by the old harbour
• Kjarvalsstaðir by Klambratún
• Ásmundarsafn in Laugardalur

Rotating exhibitions and artwork of famous artist Erró are displayed here.

Time Needed

• 30–45 minutes

Entrance Fees

• Around ISK 2,100 ($15 USD)

The Icelandic Phallological Museum

The world’s only genuine penis museum with unique artifacts, historical exhibitions and displayed artwork. The Icelandic Phallological Museum is not like other traditional museums so it is worth the visit for any tourist who want to explore something unique or different.

Time Needed

• 30 minutes

Entrance Fees

• Around ISK 2,000 ($14 USD)

1:00 PM-Enjoy a Traditional Icelandic Lunch

For 24 hour food Reykjavik, it’s impossible not to eat delicious lunch from local eatery or spot. The use of local ingredients, freshness and good ambiance would definitely force you to fill your appetite with lunch.

Great Lunch Spots

• Icelandic Street Food
• Café Loki (Near Hallgrímskirkja)
• Sea Baron (Sægreifinn) (Near Old Harbour)

Must-Try Dishes

• Lamb soup (kjötsúpa)
• Plokkfiskur
• Skyr  

Afternoon (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM): Nature Meets Comfort

After fun-filled morning and cultural midday experiences, now it’s the time to make afternoon amazing. Let’s take a look at what to do at afternoon time during your 24 hours in Iceland.

2:00 PM-Stroll Along Reykjavik’s Scenic Waterfront

The beautiful waterfront of Reykjavik is located at Old Harbour. Stroll along this waterfront and Sculpture & Shore Walk to enjoy panoramic views of city center & blue lagoon.

Must-see Spots

Sun Voyager (Sólfar): Sun Voyager is a beautiful sculpture giving resemblance of Viking ship. You can go to this spot for taking photos with Mount Esja in the background.

Harpa Concert Hall: Even you visited before, it is recommended to must visit during afternoon time for beautiful glass views. Check out their exhibitions or gift shops.

Mount Esja Viewpoint: Crowded viewpoint in Reykjavik but worth the visit on clear day.

3:30 PM-Relax in a Geothermal Spa

Itinerary of 22 hours in Reykjavik is incomplete without relaxing in a geothermal spa or experiencing hot springs. Before evening starts, spare some time for yourself to unwind and relax at geothermal spa.

Two Great Options

Sky Lagoon

Sky Lagoon is a luxurious & intimating Oceanside beautiful pool with infinity poo, located just 10 minutes away from downtown. Features of the lagoon:

• Lagoon Soak
• Cold plunge
• Sauna
• Steam room

Price: ISK 8,000–12,000 (60–$90 USD)

Laugardalslaug

Famous public swimming pool where direct interactions with locals are common. This includes hot tubs, a saltwater pool, steam bath, and Olympic-size swimming pool, a budget-friendly experience.

Price: ISK 1,200–1,500 ($8–$11 USD)

Evening (5:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Dining & Enjoy Nightlife

5:00 PM – Dinner in Reykjavik

We bet you won’t forget your dining experience in Reykjavik because there are various popular spots. The Nordic cuisine and tasty upscale joints are must-to try for foodies.

Top dinner spots:

Dill Restaurant: Michelin-starred restaurant with new Nordic cuisine and seasonal tasting menu. Tables fill up quickly so try to make your bookings in advance.

Fish Company (Fiskfélagið): Fish Company is located in a cozy basement and highly recommended for fish & seafood lovers.

Apotek Restaurant: For cocktails, you could give this restaurant a try. Overall food quality and ambience is good with better value for money.

Sægreifinn (Sea Baron): Lobster soup and fresh fish skewers in a relaxing and casual setting.

Must-try Dishes

• Arctic char
• Lamb fillet
• Langoustine tails
• Fermented shark

7:00 PM-Enjoy Reykjavik’s Evening Atmosphere

After dinner, walk is a must-to-do activity. The evening environment of Reykjavik is truly pleasing and memorable. Here’s how to enjoy.

Evening Walks and Sunset Views

If you are with your better half, must do the experience of evening walks and sunset views at golden hour. In summer, the midnight moon will give you vibes of romantic retreats. But if you visit in winter, stop at cozy café to sip favorite cocktail.

Live Music & Local Bars

To enjoy live music and local bar experiences, following are some spots to go for:

• Kex Hostel
• Húrra
• Kaffibarinn
• Lebowski Bar

Concluding Thoughts!

Reykjavik is a walkable city of Iceland and attracts a lot of visitors every year. 24 hours in Reykjavik are enough to explore each corner but only if you plan your itinerary wisely.

Based on this itinerary, you could spend quality and memorable time in this Iceland’s capital city. When landed at Reykjavik airport, be sure to make your itinerary as fun-filled as you want.

Frequently Asked Questions