One Day in Reykjavik: Perfect First-Time Itinerary

Most travelers come to Iceland for waterfalls, glaciers, and road trips, often skipping over its capital entirely. I’d urge you not to, even if you just have one day in Reykjavik.

This Reykjavik itinerary covers the city’s top highlights, from cinnamon buns to views from Hallgrímskirkja and a walk along the harbor.

It’s designed to help you make the most of limited time, whether you’re here on a layover, at the start of a road trip, or squeezing Reykjavik into a packed Iceland itinerary.

We ended up with limited time thanks to a luggage delay at Keflavík Airport, and while I wish we’d had longer, it proved that you can see a lot of this city in a single day.

Is one day in Reykjavik enough?

Yes, one day in Reykjavik is enough to get a solid feel for the city’s highlights, especially if you focus on the compact downtown area. Reykjavik is small, walkable, and designed in a way that makes it easy to move between major sights without rushing or needing a car.

Whether it feels like “enough” depends on your travel style. If you enjoy museums, cafés, and slower exploration, you will likely want at least two days. But if Reykjavik is part of a wider Iceland itinerary, or you’re there on a layover, one day is very practical.

One-Day Reykjavik Itinerary at a Glance

You can spend the day in Reykjavik like this:

• Morning: Brauð & Co, Hallgrímskirkja, Sculpture Garden
• Midday: Laugavegur Street, Bæjarins Beztu hot dogs, Old Harbour
• Afternoon: Harpa Concert Hall, Sun Voyager, optional museum stop
• Evening: Svarta Kaffið, Lebowski Bar

One Day in Reykjavik

The one-day Reykjavik itinerary below uses all available daylight to explore the city on a proper Reykjavik itinerary. If you go in the fall or winter months, daylight is precious. (We were here in November over the American Thanksgiving holiday.)

If you arrive in Iceland on a very early flight, an alternative option is to start your day at the Blue Lagoon. It’s a great way to relax your body and your mind in the Icelandic way.

The Blue Lagoon is about 40 minutes southwest of Reykjavik’s city center. There are buses that will take you straight from the airport to the lagoon, or you can self-drive, as we did. Sky Lagoon is another option, but we haven’t visited that one.

Note: If you are driving, pay attention to the zones you’re parking in. Downtown Reykjavik is composed of four parking zones that vary in price. Parking is typically free on public holidays, Sundays and after 6pm. Otherwise, you’ll see parking ticket machines curb-side. Always check available signage before leaving your car in a spot, as the parking enforcers in Reykjavik do not mess around.

Stop 1: Breakfast

I’m usually not a breakfast person. Something happens to me on vacation where I want to eat everything in sight, though, including bright and early.

I think it has to do with not wanting to miss out on anything. That often involves not wanting to miss out on all the delicious things there are to eat in a new place.

If you’re the same or just want to try the best snúður, or cinnamon buns, in town, make your way over to Brauð & Co on Frakkastigur.

There’s a line sometimes, but my traveling friend tells me that only makes things better. Get there bright and early for the best goodies. 

Another popular option is the Sandholt Bakery, which boasts some historical heft as a fourth-generation family bakery. This one has a bit more to offer in terms of menu options if you’re not only after pastries.

Stop 2: Hallgrímskirkja

Bellies full of sweet (or savory) treats, start your Reykjavik walking tour at Hallgrímskirkja.

The outside, and frankly, inside, of this church isn’t as church-like as you’d expect for a major European city. Give it a chance.

Fun fact: The harsh exterior is actually meant to represent Iceland’s volcanic origins. It was the last work from Iceland architect Guðjón Samúelsson.

The statue in front is of Leifur Eiríksson, or Leif Eriksson to us Americans. He was apparently the first European to happen across America.

The real goods at this spot, though, are up an elevator. Buying a ticket to the top of the church tower will give you panoramic views overlooking all of Reykjavik, including the Village of Grjóti, the city’s oldest neighborhood.

To be honest, if you’re not there for the tower, you’ve made a terrible mistake. Be sure to check the church’s operating hours, as they do close from time to time for services.

Stop 3: Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden

Next door to the Hallgrímskirkja church, this free sculpture garden is part of the Einar Jónsson Museum. I can’t speak to whether the museum is worth your pennies, but the garden is a good way to introduce yourself to Jónsson, Iceland’s first sculptor.

The 26 sculptures are bronze casts of his work, and some of the pieces are quite moving.

I’m not even being facetious. It’s a worthwhile stop on any Iceland itinerary, as you’ll be visiting the church anyway. The garden is open year-round, 24 hours/day.

Check online for museum times if you’d like to extend things into an artsy afternoon.

Stop 4: Laugavegur Street

Laugavegur is Reykjavik’s main shopping street, the old town, and ground zero for all of your tchotchke needs.

I don’t usually shop much on vacation, as I don’t shop much in real life and want to save space in the carry-on. There is something to be said about weird window displays during the holiday season, though.

The Santa second from the left in the photo above looks so suspicious!

The one thing I did bring home from the Laugavegur shopping street was a pair of Icelandic wool gloves at the request of a friend of mine.

The gift envy was real with that one, as they were as soft as a newborn lamb, but they made it to the appropriate hands.

READ MORE: Gloves should already be on your Iceland packing list. Check out what else you should pack for the best trip!

Take some time to stroll around the main drag and downtown Reykjavik. The city center rewards walking explorers with colorful murals and street art. It’s also generally safe to walk around at night if you want to come back.

Stop 5: Snack/Lunch Time

Depending on how aggressively you did up breakfast, you may only have room for a sausage for your mid-afternoon treat. I find that there’s always room for sausages, frankly. 

Keep in mind that Iceland is expensive if you’re not being mindful of your spending. In fact, this city is one of the most expensive cities I’ve visited, even when we’re talking about street sausages.

Remind yourself that you’re on a remote island out here, and it can cost hard to play hard.

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is a chain of hot dog stands that literally means “best hot dogs in town.” I’m not going to argue. They were delicious.

There are several stands around town, some with extended hours, but they’re all open during traditional lunch and dinner times. Check their site for additional details on hours if you’re looking for a midnight snack at a particular location.

If you want a beer with your sausage, visit MicroBar Reykjavik nearby, a trendy place to try the best of Icelandic craft beers. An optimal way to try a variety is the mega-flight, which involves trying all of the local beers in one sitting.

There will be more walking involved after said mega-flight, so you’ve been warned if that’s the choice you made.

Stop 6: Harpa

Walk off that sausage (and mega-beers) with a stroll around the Old Harbour.

Start at the Harpa concert hall, home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Icelandic Opera. If you go inside, you can enjoy the view from the top floor of the surrounding bay and distant mountains.

The view from the outside of the hall is striking, as well, and reminiscent of the harsh lines of the Hallgrímskirkja.

Note: If you had the mega-flight, you may have already forgotten that, but it was the church from earlier.

Stop 7: Sun Voyager

Continue walking down the seawall, and you’ll be able to find the Solfar Sculpture, also known as the Sun Voyager. The sculpture from Jón Gunnar Árnason is meant to represent a dreamboat.

I’m not talking about the Chris Hemsworth kind, but the kind that sails in the hope of following one’s dreams, whatever that may be.

It’s a quintessential spot in the city and a great place to take sunset photos.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately depending on your timing, sunsets come a lot quicker in the winter months. The skies are often murky, but I think that makes it seem that much more mysterious.

If you have the time, you have some additional options for harbor-side activities. The Reykjavík Maritime Museum is found alongside the western harbor as you walk from the Harpa Conference and Concert Center, in the opposite direction of the Solfar.

The museum has been open since 2005 as part of a revitalization project of the western harbor. It features more than 150 years of fisheries history, including the history of the “Cod Wars.” That’s not a typo.

Optional Stop 8: The Icelandic Phallological Museum

Our delayed luggage situation forced a Costco run in the middle of our itinerary, so we missed out on a potential gem with the Icelandic Phallological Museum. We had a timed date with Thingvellir National Park and the rest of our Iceland road trip.

Fun fact: They have 280 specimens, for Pete’s sake. I can’t think of museums that’d be MORE worth my time.

Stop 9: Dinner

We wanted nothing more after a day out in the chill than some soup. The best container for soup is a bread bowl, so imagine our glee when we were able to get into Svarta Kaffid, Reykjavik’s bread bowl paradise.

Your choices there are a vegetarian or a meat option, and you will be full after just one portion of soup, no matter what your eyes tell you when you walk in.

This place is family-owned, casual, and a bit too small for how delicious it is, so expect a wait if you’re there at peak dinner times. The close quarters just make things cozier, too. There’s beer, too, if you’re into that.

Stop 10: Lebowski Bar

Don’t go to bed yet! You need a White Russian to help you sleep better, probably.

The Lebowski Bar may have been a trap targeting American men who want more reason to lounge in bathrobes, but if falling into this trap is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

It’s exactly what it sounds like, a Big Lebowski-themed bar.

I wouldn’t eat here based on the reviews, but their cocktail menu boasts 20 different kinds of White Russians, and we had no complaints about those.

Cue the Banana Russian (vodka, Kahlúa, banana liqueur, cream, and chocolate syrup) and the Tree Hugger (vodka, Kahlúa, soy milk, and hazelnut syrup). Names aside, they sound pretty good, right? 

They have other kinds of adult beverages, too, but really, that feels silly to even consider.

Reykjavik Tours

If you’d rather have someone else do the planning for you, book a one-day tour in Reykjavik. Here are a few highly-rated options for you:

A one-day Golden Circle tour is also possible. If you’re interested in something like that and have the time, check out the guided tours below:

Can you visit Reykjavik on a layover?

Yes, Reykjavik is one of the easiest cities in Europe to visit on a layover thanks to its proximity to Keflavík Airport. With a long enough stop, you can comfortably explore the city center before heading back for your flight.

With More Than One Day in Reykjavik

We definitely felt there were some stones left unturned on our Reykjavik one-day itinerary. There are all kinds of alternatives available for you as you plan how to spend your time here.

Here are the top things we’d love to return to on a repeat visit:

• FlyOver Iceland: If you’re unable to explore some of the most bucket-listy Iceland attractions, this interactive experience allows you to get as close as possible to the real thing.
• National Museum of Iceland: For more of a historical perspective on your Reykjavik trip, visit a museum that gives you an overview of the city’s Viking beginnings.
• Perlan: This domed nature museum also goes by Wonders of Iceland. The point here is to interact with Iceland’s natural wonders, so expect to do things like walk through ice tunnels.
• Rainbow Street: We were jet-lagged and barely noticed the colorful Skólavörðustígur Street, painted as such for the city’s annual Pride events. The missed Instagram potential haunts me every day.
• The Settlement Exhibition: This exhibition in the middle of the city is a blend of modern technology and Reykjavik’s Viking origins. You can see the ruins of one of the first homes in Iceland on your trip below the city.
• Whales of Iceland: Visit the largest whale museum in Europe at Whales of Iceland. The biggest and most impressive feature is the life-sized whale models of more than 20 different species.

READ MORE: Love a good waterfall? Reykjavik is a great base to see some of Iceland’s best.

When to Visit Reykjavik

The best times of year to visit Reykjavik depend on what you’d like to do while you’re there. The summer months promise warmer temperatures, more opportunities for outdoor adventure, and midnight sun.

We visited in November and found Reykjavik’s weather to be quite mild. Temperatures outside of the city weren’t even low enough for visiting Iceland’s scenic ice caves.

Winter requires some flexibility as winter weather moves in, but that’s when you’re most likely to see the Northern Lights.

Is Reykjavik expensive for a day trip?

Yes, Reykjavik is one of the more expensive European capitals, especially for food and drinks. You can cut some costs by mixing casual bakeries, street food like hot dogs, and free attractions such as walking routes and viewpoints.

Where to Stay in Reykjavik

Unfortunately, our pick for accommodations, the Thor Guesthouse, doesn’t seem to be taking new reservations right now. That’s not a great sign.

Use the map below for options across budgets in Reykjavik:

Reykjavik deserves a day of your time.

While Reykjavik is a great base for adventures just outside of the city, it’s definitely worth your time all on its own to explore the best things to do in Reykjavik. I know we’d love to return on a longer trip to see all that has changed in the city.

More of that bread bowl soup would be welcome, too. There’s honestly no better way to deal with sketchy weather than carbs and warming soup.

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