So that you’ve bought in the future in Reykjavik? How thrilling!
I’m going to point out you find out how to spend in the future in Reykjavik and have probably the most unimaginable day. I additionally wish to reassure you that in the future is a good period of time to spend in Iceland’s capital. Certain, a number of additional days is likely to be good however we don’t at all times have that luxurious so let’s take advantage of the time we’ve got!
Whether or not you’re visiting Iceland for in the future on a layover, visiting on a cruise, perhaps you’re right here for a longer journey in Iceland and simply have in the future in Reykjavik or, like me, you’re doing an ‘Excessive Day Journey’ to Iceland (that is the place you’re taking the primary obtainable flight in and the final flight out) I’m going to point out you the right technique to spend your day in Reykjavik Iceland.
Moving into Reykjavik from the airport or cruise terminal
In case you’re on a cruise
In case you’re visiting Reykjavik on a cruise then there could also be shuttle buses supplied. If not, there are many taxis obtainable to whisk you into town centre. It’s solely a ten minute drive so it shouldn’t be too costly.
In case you’re on the airport
In case you’re on the airport then I extremely suggest hiring a automobile. It’s probably the most handy and value efficient technique to see Iceland, particularly if there are two or extra folks in your social gathering. Iceland can be a straightforward nation to drive in due to the good street circumstances and comparatively quiet roads.
I like to recommend getting a cellphone holder so you should utilize Google Maps to direct you.
In case you don’t drive or don’t really feel snug driving then you’ll be able to take the Flybus for £23. It takes 45 minutes and leaves each half hour.
1 day in Reykjavik – A fast video
In case you’d like a fast visible information to spending a day in Reykjavik then take a look at my video right here…
Cease 1 – Hallgrímskirkja (parking right here is free) + climb to the highest for wonderful views
Our first cease is Hallgrímskirkja, partly as a result of it’s iconic, partly as a result of parking right here is free and straightforward and partly as a result of you’ll be able to go up the tower and get your bearings for the entire metropolis!
Hallgrímskirkja is Reykjavik’s iconic Lutheran church. It’s the tallest church in Iceland at 74.5 meters (244 toes) and the sixth tallest architectural construction within the nation.
Designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson, the development started in 1945 and was accomplished in 1986, taking on 40 years. Its hanging design was impressed by Iceland’s pure geological formations, corresponding to basalt columns fashioned by cooling lava. The outside encompasses a collection of stepped concrete panels that evoke the rugged fantastic thing about Iceland’s landscapes.
The church will not be solely a spot of worship but in addition a cultural hub. Its spacious inside homes a powerful pipe organ with 5,275 pipes!
Guests can go up the tower (tickets price £8 and there’s a elevate to take you up) to get pleasure from breathtaking (though very chilly!) panoramic views of Reykjavík and its environment.
Cease 2 – Frakkastígur (get a snack at Brauð & Co Bakery) + avenue artwork
Have a stroll down Frakkastígur, admire the standard and vibrant buildings in addition to the road artwork and pop into Brauð & Co Bakery. We had ham and cheese croissants (£5.50) they usually had been scrumptious.
Cease 3 – Solar Voyager
Preserve strolling down Frakkastígur and ultimately you’ll come to the waterfront and the Solar Voyager sculpture.
Sólfar was designed by Icelandic artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. It was unveiled in 1990 as a tribute to the solar and the ocean, reflecting Iceland’s reference to nature, exploration, and historical past.
The sculpture resembles a Viking ship and is an ode to the spirit of discovery, symbolizing hope, progress, and freedom. Positioned towards the backdrop of Faxaflói Bay and Mount Esja, the Solar Voyager turns into particularly enchanting at dawn or sundown, when gentle performs off its polished floor.
Cease 4 – Harpa Live performance Corridor
From the Solar Voyager, stroll a couple of minutes to Harpa Live performance Corridor which is completely beautiful each in and out.
Harpa Live performance Corridor and Convention Centre was opened in 2011 and can be on the waterfront. The constructing’s hanging, fashionable 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 impressed by Iceland’s basalt landscapes, reflecting the encircling sky, sea, and metropolis lights. By day, daylight dances throughout its floor, whereas at evening, the panels are illuminated by a blinding LED show.
There are a number of performances occurring contained in the live performance corridor however in the event you’ve simply bought in the future in Reykjavik then it’s unlikely you’ll have time to get pleasure from one. Nonetheless, be sure to go inside and revel in the fantastic thing about the constructing inside.
There’s a beautiful bar/restaurant on the bottom ground the place we had a espresso (£5) and loved the attractive environment.
Cease 5 – Rainbow Avenue
Preserve strolling across the metropolis and make your technique to Reykjavik’s ‘Rainbow Avenue’. Often known as Skólavörðustígur, a part of Rainbow Avenue is painted with a vivid and daring rainbow design, an emblem of pleasure, help for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and to have a good time range.
There are many nice outlets, bars, cafes and eating places alongside this avenue so it’s a beautiful place for a wander.
Cease 6 – Fish and chips at Reykjavik Fish
In case you’re feeling peckish then cease for fish and chips at Reykjavik Fish. There are three places across the metropolis however we visited the one on Rainbow Avenue and the fish was scrumptious. (Fish, chips and a comfortable drink price £21.50)
All in all, that first a part of our Reykjavik in the future itinerary took about 3.5 hours. This didn’t really feel rushed so you could possibly do it sooner in the event you’re quick on time.
Cease 7 – Sky Lagoon
We then hopped again within the automobile for the 11 minute drive to Iceland’s Sky Lagoon. In case you don’t have a automobile, you’d have to get in a taxi.
The Sky Lagoon was undoubtedly the spotlight of our day in Reykjavik. It’s an expensive geothermal spa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It opened in 2021 so it’s comparatively new and competes with the Blue Lagoon which I’ve additionally visited and cherished. It was designed with sustainability and aesthetics in thoughts and has a very pure really feel with enormous rocks, moss-covered partitions and stone paths, making a harmonious reference to nature.
There’s an unimaginable infinity pool that appears to merge seamlessly with the ocean and the sky. With billowing steam and sometimes cloudy skies, it truly is tough to see the place one ends and one other begins and it makes the lagoon really feel even larger than it truly is. The water is heated by geothermal power, so it’s deliciously heat no matter Iceland’s often-chilly climate.
Sky Lagoon is thought for its Ritual, a seven-step wellness journey impressed by Icelandic bathing traditions. The journey features a chilly plunge (I undoubtedly didn’t do that step!), sauna, physique scrub, and steam bathtub, a recent juice after which ending with a heat rinse within the geothermal waters.
You can too get pleasure from a drink from the swim up bar and I extremely suggest visiting at sundown for probably the most breathtaking views because the solar goes down. (I booked the 15:00 time slot in November and this was excellent to look at the sundown!)
When reserving your Sky Lagoon package deal, you’ll be able to e-book both Saman or Ser. I by chance booked Ser which incorporates the non-public altering rooms which, admittedly, had been pretty, however I’m undecided I wanted to pay an additional £17 for it! It was good to have an extended, non-public bathe and house to prepare earlier than flying residence. You do have to e-book your package deal upfront and if you wish to take pictures within the Sky Lagoon then you’re allowed.
Cease 8 – Icelandic Avenue Meals
When you have dinner time earlier than heading again then pop in to Icelandic Avenue Meals. Right here you’ll discover conventional Icelandic meals with a contemporary twist and an off-the-cuff ‘quick meals’ vibe. It additionally isn’t fairly as costly because the extra conventional eating places!
