So you’ve got one day in Reykjavik? How exciting!
I’m going to show you how to spend one day in Reykjavik and have the most incredible day. I also want to reassure you that one day is a great amount of time to spend in Iceland’s capital. Sure, a few extra days might be nice but we don’t always have that luxury so let’s make the most of the time we have!
Whether you’re visiting Iceland for one day on a layover, visiting on a cruise, maybe you’re here for a longer trip in Iceland and just have one day in Reykjavik or, like me, you’re doing an ‘Extreme Day Trip’ to Iceland (this is where you take the first available flight in and the last flight out) I’m going to show you the perfect way to spend your day in Reykjavik Iceland.
Jump to:
- Getting into Reykjavik from the airport or cruise terminal
- Hiring a vehicle in Reykjavik
- 1 day in Reykjavik - A quick video
- Stop 1 - Hallgrímskirkja (parking here is free) + climb to the top for amazing views
- Stop 2 - Frakkastígur (get a snack at Brauð & Co Bakery) + street art
- Stop 3 - Sun Voyager
- Stop 4 - Harpa Concert Hall
- Stop 5 - Rainbow Street
- Stop 6 - Fish and chips at Reykjavik Fish
- Stop 7 - Sky Lagoon
- Stop 8 - Icelandic Street Food
Getting into Reykjavik from the airport or cruise terminal
If you’re on a cruise
If you’re visiting Reykjavik on a cruise then there may be shuttle buses provided. If not, there are plenty of taxis available to whisk you into the city centre. It’s only a 10 minute drive so it shouldn’t be too expensive.
If you’re at the airport
If you’re at the airport then I highly recommend hiring a car. It’s the most convenient and cost effective way to see Iceland, especially if there are two or more people in your party. Iceland is also an easy country to drive in thanks to the great road conditions and relatively quiet roads.
I recommend getting a phone holder so you can use Google Maps to direct you.
If you don’t drive or don’t feel comfortable driving then you can take the Flybus for £23. It takes 45 minutes and leaves every half hour.
Hiring a vehicle in Reykjavik
for this extreme day trip I hired a car and it made it much easier, cheaper and more enjoyable. If you've got longer in Iceland, and especially if you're visiting in the summer, then a popular option is to hire a campervan. Check out a camper rental company like Campstar and you can find information about campsites on there too.
1 day in Reykjavik - A quick video
If you’d like a quick visual guide to spending a day in Reykjavik then check out my video here…
Stop 1 - Hallgrímskirkja (parking here is free) + climb to the top for amazing views
Our first stop is Hallgrímskirkja, partly because it’s iconic, partly because parking here is free and easy and partly because you can go up the tower and get your bearings for the whole city!
Hallgrímskirkja is Reykjavik’s iconic Lutheran church. It’s the tallest church in Iceland at 74.5 meters (244 feet) and the sixth tallest architectural structure in the country.
Designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson, the construction began in 1945 and was completed in 1986, taking over 40 years. Its striking design was inspired by Iceland’s natural geological formations, such as basalt columns formed by cooling lava. The exterior features a series of stepped concrete panels that evoke the rugged beauty of Iceland’s landscapes.
The church is not only a place of worship but also a cultural hub. Its spacious interior houses a magnificent pipe organ with 5,275 pipes!
Visitors can go up the tower (tickets cost £8 and there’s a lift to take you up) to enjoy breathtaking (although very chilly!) panoramic views of Reykjavík and its surroundings.
Stop 2 - Frakkastígur (get a snack at Brauð & Co Bakery) + street art
Have a walk down Frakkastígur, admire the traditional and colourful buildings as well as the street art and pop into Brauð & Co Bakery. We had ham and cheese croissants (£5.50) and they were delicious.
Stop 3 - Sun Voyager
Keep strolling down Frakkastígur and eventually you’ll come to the waterfront and the Sun Voyager sculpture.
Sólfar was designed by Icelandic artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. It was unveiled in 1990 as a tribute to the sun and the sea, reflecting Iceland’s connection with nature, exploration, and history.
The sculpture resembles a Viking ship and is an ode to the spirit of discovery, symbolizing hope, progress, and freedom. Positioned against the backdrop of Faxaflói Bay and Mount Esja, the Sun Voyager becomes especially enchanting at sunrise or sunset, when light plays off its polished surface.
Stop 4 - Harpa Concert Hall
From the Sun Voyager, walk a few minutes to Harpa Concert Hall which is absolutely stunning both inside and out.
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre was opened in 2011 and is also on the waterfront. The building’s striking, modern design was a collaboration between Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson, Henning Larsen Architects, and Batteríið Architects. Its façade is made up of a lattice of geometric glass panels inspired by Iceland’s basalt landscapes, reflecting the surrounding sky, sea, and city lights. By day, sunlight dances across its surface, while at night, the panels are illuminated by a dazzling LED display.
There are a range of performances happening inside the concert hall but if you’ve just got one day in Reykjavik then it’s unlikely you’ll have time to enjoy one. Nevertheless, make sure you go inside and enjoy the beauty of the building inside.
There’s a lovely bar/restaurant on the ground floor where we had a coffee (£5) and enjoyed the beautiful atmosphere.
Stop 5 - Rainbow Street
Keep strolling around the city and make your way to Reykjavik’s ‘Rainbow Street’. Also known as Skólavörðustígur, part of Rainbow Street is painted with a bright and bold rainbow design, a symbol of joy, support for the LGBTQ+ community and to celebrate diversity.
There are lots of great shops, bars, cafes and restaurants along this street so it’s a lovely place for a wander.
Stop 6 - Fish and chips at Reykjavik Fish
If you’re feeling peckish then stop for fish and chips at Reykjavik Fish. There are three locations around the city but we visited the one on Rainbow Street and the fish was delicious. (Fish, chips and a soft drink cost £21.50)
All in all, that first part of our Reykjavik one day itinerary took about 3.5 hours. This didn’t feel rushed so you could do it faster if you’re short on time.
Stop 7 - Sky Lagoon
We then hopped back in the car for the 11 minute drive to Iceland’s Sky Lagoon. If you don’t have a car, you’d need to get in a taxi.
The Sky Lagoon was definitely the highlight of our day in Reykjavik. It’s a luxurious geothermal spa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It opened in 2021 so it’s relatively new and competes with the Blue Lagoon which I've also visited and loved. It was designed with sustainability and aesthetics in mind and has a really natural feel with huge rocks, moss-covered walls and stone paths, creating a harmonious connection with nature.
There’s an incredible infinity pool that seems to merge seamlessly with the sea and the sky. With billowing steam and often cloudy skies, it really is difficult to see where one ends and another begins and it makes the lagoon feel even bigger than it really is. The water is heated by geothermal energy, so it’s deliciously warm regardless of Iceland’s often-chilly weather.
Sky Lagoon is known for its Ritual, a seven-step wellness journey inspired by Icelandic bathing traditions. The journey includes a cold plunge (I definitely didn’t do this step!), sauna, body scrub, and steam bath, a fresh juice and then finishing with a warm rinse in the geothermal waters.
You can also enjoy a drink from the swim up bar and I highly recommend visiting at sunset for the most breathtaking views as the sun goes down. (I booked the 15:00 time slot in November and this was perfect to watch the sunset!)
When booking your Sky Lagoon package, you can book either Saman or Ser. I accidentally booked Ser which includes the private changing rooms which, admittedly, were lovely, but I’m not sure I needed to pay an extra £17 for it! It was nice to have a long, private shower and space to get ready before flying home. You do need to book your package in advance and if you want to take photos in the Sky Lagoon then you are allowed.
Stop 8 - Icelandic Street Food
If you have time for dinner before heading back then pop in to Icelandic Street Food. Here you’ll find traditional Icelandic food with a modern twist and an informal ‘fast food’ vibe. It also isn’t quite as expensive as the more traditional restaurants!
