So that you’ve received at some point in Reykjavik? How thrilling!
I’m going to point out you how one can spend at some point in Reykjavik and have essentially the most unbelievable day. I additionally wish to reassure you that at some point is a good period of time to spend in Iceland’s capital. Certain, a couple of further days may be good however we don’t all the time have that luxurious so let’s benefit from the time we now have!
Whether or not you’re visiting Iceland for at some point on a layover, visiting on a cruise, possibly you’re right here for a longer journey in Iceland and simply have at some point in Reykjavik or, like me, you’re doing an ‘Excessive Day Journey’ to Iceland (that is the place you are taking the primary out there flight in and the final flight out) I’m going to point out you the proper solution to spend your day in Reykjavik Iceland.
Bounce to:
Entering into Reykjavik from the airport or cruise terminal
Should you’re on a cruise
Should you’re visiting Reykjavik on a cruise then there could also be shuttle buses supplied. If not, there are many taxis out there to whisk you into the town centre. It’s solely a ten minute drive so it shouldn’t be too costly.
Should you’re on the airport
Should you’re on the airport then I extremely advocate hiring a automobile. It’s essentially the most handy and value efficient solution to see Iceland, particularly if there are two or extra individuals in your get together. Iceland can be a straightforward nation to drive in due to the nice street circumstances and comparatively quiet roads.
I like to recommend getting a cellphone holder so you should utilize Google Maps to direct you.
Should 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
Should 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 simple 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 ft) 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 putting design was impressed by Iceland’s pure geological formations, comparable to basalt columns fashioned by cooling lava. The outside incorporates a sequence of stepped concrete panels that evoke the rugged fantastic thing about Iceland’s landscapes.
The church just isn’t solely a spot of worship but additionally 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 raise 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) and so they had been scrumptious.
Cease 3 – Solar Voyager
Hold strolling down Frakkastígur and finally 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 mild 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 gorgeous each inside and outside.
Harpa Live performance Corridor and Convention Centre was opened in 2011 and can be on the waterfront. The constructing’s putting, 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 encompassing sky, sea, and metropolis lights. By day, daylight dances throughout its floor, whereas at night time, the panels are illuminated by a blinding LED show.
There are a selection of performances occurring contained in the live performance corridor however in case you’ve simply received at some point in Reykjavik then it’s unlikely you’ll have time to get pleasure from one. Nonetheless, be sure you go inside and revel in the great thing about the constructing inside.
There’s a beautiful bar/restaurant on the bottom flooring the place we had a espresso (£5) and loved the attractive ambiance.
Cease 5 – Rainbow Road
Hold strolling across the metropolis and make your solution to Reykjavik’s ‘Rainbow Road’. Often known as Skólavörðustígur, a part of Rainbow Road is painted with a vivid and daring rainbow design, an emblem of pleasure, help for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and to have a good time variety.
There are many nice retailers, 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
Should 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 Road and the fish was scrumptious. (Fish, chips and a gentle drink price £21.50)
All in all, that first a part of our Reykjavik at some point itinerary took about 3.5 hours. This didn’t really feel rushed so you would do it quicker in case you’re brief on time.
Cease 7 – Sky Lagoon
We then hopped again within the automobile for the 11 minute drive to Iceland’s Sky Lagoon. Should 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 extremely pure really feel with big rocks, moss-covered partitions and stone paths, making a harmonious reference to nature.
There’s an unbelievable infinity pool that appears to merge seamlessly with the ocean and the sky. With billowing steam and infrequently cloudy skies, it truly is tough to see the place one ends and one other begins and it makes the lagoon really feel even greater 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 understood 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 tub, a recent juice after which ending with a heat rinse within the geothermal waters.
You too can get pleasure from a drink from the swim up bar and I extremely advocate visiting at sundown for essentially 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 bundle, you’ll be able to guide both Saman or Ser. I by chance booked Ser which incorporates the non-public altering rooms which, admittedly, had been pretty, however I’m unsure I wanted to pay an additional £17 for it! It was good to have an extended, non-public bathe and area to prepare earlier than flying residence. You do have to guide your bundle upfront and if you wish to take images within the Sky Lagoon then you’re allowed.
Cease 8 – Icelandic Road Meals
In case you have meal time earlier than heading again then pop in to Icelandic Road 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!
