Last Updated on twenty seventh February 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
Are you planning on visiting Reykjavik throughout a wider Iceland journey? The capital of Iceland is brimming with cultural points of interest and a plethora of historical past, all simply ready to be tapped into. Here’s the best way to spend the right at some point in Reykjavik itinerary, in addition to what to know earlier than you go.
While most individuals’s Iceland adventures deal with the nation’s phenomenal nature (and it ought to – the waterfalls, seashores and glaciers are otherworldly!), there’s lots to do in Reykjavik as effectively.
I not too long ago spent a couple of days in Reykjavik, and I extremely suggest including at the very least at some point onto your journey to the nation to take pleasure in all the capital’s highlights!
Suggested itinerary for at some point in Reykjavik
Sunrise on the sculptures and shore stroll
Whether you’ll be capable to catch the dawn on the Sculptures and Shore Walk largely is dependent upon what time of 12 months you’re visiting Reykjavik.
However, in case you’re visiting Iceland within the winter months, dawn will likely be as late as 11:00 am in late December and early January – and among the best locations to catch the dawn is the Sculptures and Shores Walk.
This is a brief, flat stroll alongside Reykjavik’s shoreline, the place you may soak up numerous notable statues. Most well-known is the Sun Voyager, a statue of a ship that represents a homage to Iceland’s solar.
Climb to the highest of Hallgrimskirkja
Once the solar has climbed over the horizon, head to Hallgrimskirkja. It’s a 15 minute stroll between the 2 points of interest; cross by Lake Tjörnin if you wish to see Reykjavik’s glimmering metropolis centre waters.
If you stroll previous Lake Tjörnin, just remember to stroll up Rainbow Street, probably the most instagrammable locations within the capital metropolis! It was painted to help Reykjavik’s LGBTQIA+ group, taking inspiration from Seyðisfjörður in West Iceland, the place there’s one other rainbow highway.
This highway is lined with cosy cafes and unbiased retailers, and Hallgrimskirkja sits on the finish. There’s additionally a number of unbelievable avenue artwork on this space.
Hallgrimskirkja is a Lutheran church, relationship again to 1986. It’s alleged to symbolize the fireplace and different components of Iceland and a few have additionally stated that it symbolises Thor’s hammer.
You can enter the church; it’s fairly naked in comparison with the intricate Catholic church buildings in Southern Europe, however there may be a formidable organ.
From the church’s floor ground, you may ascend in a elevate to close the highest, then there are stairs going as much as the point of view. From the highest of the Hallgrimskirkja, you may soak up unbelievable views spanning over Reykjavik, together with the waters of Faxaflói Bay and the encompassing mountains.
FlyOver Iceland expertise
From the church, you may stroll to Bíó Paradís after which the 14 bus to Grunnslóð, which is correct by FlyOver Iceland. FlyOver Iceland is an immersive digital flight expertise the place you’ll take within the wonders of the nation in all seasons.
The immersive flight solely lasts ten minutes, however you’ll go to a number of the most lovely and distant components of Iceland; some native folks have visited the attraction and have come out crying as a result of they didn’t know their nation was so lovely!
Your entrance ticket additionally features a show of a standard Icelandic home and an immersive exhibition detailing Iceland’s ogres.
Saga Museum
If you need to go to a museum in your day in Reykjavik, the Saga Museum is close by and particulars the story of Iceland’s first settlers – the Vikings – by means of their fascinating tales.
It’s an immersive museum that’ll assist you to study all concerning the origins of the nation, depicting how the primary settlers got here to Iceland, how the primary Viking parliament was shaped and the way the nation’s tradition was shaped on sagas (Viking tales).
Maritime Museum
You may not have time to go to each museums, however in case you’re extra within the ocean fairly than Icelandic historical past, head to the Maritime Museum.
Being an island, Iceland has an intricate reference to the water round it; and you’ll study all about this within the maritime museum, which boasts a show of boats, details about fishing and the marine life that you simply’ll discover within the water.
Afternoon whale-watching tour
From Reykjavik, you may partake in a whale-watching tour to see a number of the greatest beasts within the ocean.
You can go whale watching any time of 12 months – whereas they’re extra frequent within the spring and early summer time months, the waters round Reykjavik are so ample with minerals that whales feed all through the seasons!
Dinner at Dill’s Restuarant
Icelandic delicacies has a little bit of a repute for being fairly dear, but it surely’s price visiting certainly one of Reykjavik’s prime eating places in case you’re into gastronomy!
Dill’s Restaurant is likely one of the highest-rated within the nation; it’s earned a prestigious Michelin star. They serve contemporary Icelandic fish, lamb that the nation is understood for and a few vegetarian specialties.
Seasonal night exercise
Your night exercise will rely on what time of 12 months you go to. If you’re in Reykjavik within the winter months, you might need an opportunity of seeing the northern lights, because the solar units as early as 3:30 pm and the nights are very darkish.
Or, in case you’re in Iceland through the summer time, it’ll keep mild till extraordinarily late (and in June, the solar doesn’t even actually set!), which signifies that you’ll take pleasure in daylight within the Blue Lagoon!
Option 1: Northern lights tour
The Icelandic northern lights are at their greatest in January and December, that are the darkest months of the 12 months.
However, in case you’re visiting any time from October to April, you would be in for an opportunity of seeing this photo voltaic spectacle; they mild up the darkish horizons of the ocean and countryside round Reykjavik most nights within the winter (though it’s by no means assured that you simply’ll see them!).
You can both do a northern lights boat tour or a bus tour to a number of the greatest northern lights-watching spots in Iceland’s countryside.
Option 2: Blue Lagoon journey
If you’re visiting Iceland in the summertime, you would spend the night soaking in one of many nation’s greatest points of interest – the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
The Blue Lagoon is open within the winter, however in the summertime months, it stays open till midnight, giving vacationers the distinctive alternative to bask within the midnight solar!
Iceland is famend for its heat geothermal waters, and the Blue Lagoon particularly is claimed to have quite a few well being advantages due to the presence of minerals throughout the water. Soak within the spa, apply a silica face masks or take pleasure in drinks on the bar – your first drink is included in most packages!
You can go to the Blue Lagoon independently you probably have a rent automotive; merely self-drive the 45 minutes from Reykjavik and park proper exterior. Or, in case you aren’t hiring a automotive whereas in Iceland, there are many excursions that embody transport from the capital similar to these ones.
Where to remain in Reykjavik
Reykjavik Lights Hotel is a classy place to remain, with minimalist but trendy rooms, lovely mountain views and an incredible breakfast buffet served every morning. It is a few half hour stroll to the town centre from right here, however frequent buses join it with the remainder of Reykjavik.
For a metropolis centre residence, take a look at Foss Hotel. This resort has trendy bedrooms with snug beds and up to date furnishings, a big foyer with a restaurant and bar and a health centre.
Other issues to do in Iceland
After you’ve spent your day in Reykjavik, there’s lots to do within the surrounding countryside too! In truth, many vacationers decide to spend a day within the capital earlier than having fun with another excursions round Iceland. They embody:
Golden Circle
Named so as a result of it options all of Iceland’s greatest pure phenomena in a small route (waterfalls, geysers, craters and extra!), the Golden Circle is the must-visit journey that it’s worthwhile to do when visiting Iceland. You can rent a automotive and go to on an unbiased highway journey, or there are a couple of excursions bookable on Get Your Guide.
Southern Iceland
Southern Iceland is house to dramatic waterfalls, black sand seashores and the picturesque city of Vik. Highlights embody Reynisfjara, with jagged stacks main out into the ocean and Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. Again, you may tour Southern Iceland independently or e book a tour on Get Your Guide.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Known as “Iceland in miniature”, Snæfellsnes Peninsula boasts fjords, a craggy shoreline and dramatic mountains. Most well-known is Mount Kirkjufell, which soars 463 metres and has a dramatic waterfall in entrance.
It’s considered essentially the most photographed mountain in Iceland, and it’s lovely throughout the seasons! Tours are additionally accessible on Get Your Guide.
Tips for visiting Reykjavik
Here are some tricks to take advantage of out of visiting Reykjavik!
- Save cash the place you may: If you’re travelling on a funds, it can save you cash by not consuming (alcohol is dear!), making your personal sandwiches the place attainable and taking advantage of free actions.
- Check the climate: The climate in Reykjavik can vary from -15°C to 10°C within the winter months, and 5°C to 25°C in the summertime, however it may possibly actually fluctuate with rain, snow and all the pieces in between! Pack accordingly, with coats and rain gear when vital.
- You don’t want money: You will pay for all the pieces in Reykjavik on card, together with points of interest, retailers and taxis! You’ll solely want money in case you’re venturing to extra off-the-beaten-track Iceland.
Are you able to spend 24 hours in Reykjavik?
One day in Reykjavik isn’t fairly sufficient to see all the Icelandic capital’s greatest points of interest, however you’ll love exploring this charismatic Nordic metropolis, regardless of the season.
With ample museums, immersive experiences and loads of tradition, this metropolis has one thing for each season. If you might have wet days when you’re in Iceland, then you definitely may need to see Reykjavik on today – but it surely’s effectively price spending a day within the capital metropolis even you probably have wall-to-wall sunshine. It’s the sort of place that’s good for any climate!
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Claire Martin is a journey blogger and freelance author who specialises in overland adventures. She’s drove round Australia, travelled from Bali to London with out flying, lived in Mexico and has spent many months exploring Europe. You can observe her adventures on her weblog, Claire’s Footsteps.