Layover in Iceland: How to Spend 1 Day in Reykjavik

Layovers in Iceland are becoming more common for those traveling to Europe from North America, so naturally, people often wonder how to spend 1 day in Reykjavik on a layover.

I myself do day trips to Reykjavik at least once a month, and can attest that one day in Reykjavik is just enough time to see the highlights of this quirky Nordic capital, and for adventurous travelers, even squeeze in some hot springs, hikes, or northern lights, if you are lucky!

Here is the only guide you’ll ever need on how to spend 1 day in Reykjavik on a layover!

About Reykjavik

Reykjavik was believed to be founded as early as 800s, when the first of the Norse settlers first arrived in Iceland. Today, it remains the capital city of Iceland with about two thirds of the entire nation’s population living in and around the city.

Reykjavik is without a doubt the cultural and commercial hub of Iceland. This is where you’ll find the most museums, restaurants, and events on the entire island.

Despite its status as a the biggest city in the country, Reykjavik maintains somewhat small town vibes and the purest Nordic charm. Surrounded by history and natural beauty, you’ll always be within sight of the sea since the city sits adjacent to the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula.

When to Go

Since you are interested in what to do in Reykjavik on a layover, when you go will likely depend on your final destination. Luckily, a layover in Iceland is optimal in any season.

If you come in winter, I’d definitely advise indulging in at least one hot spring bath and perhaps taking a northern lights tour. The months from December to February tend to be the windiest and coldest in Reykjavik, so walking around the city itself may be uncomfortable.

If coming in autumn or spring, the weather should be good enough for you to enjoy exploring the city center of Reykjavik on foot (still with proper winter clothing of course!) while indulging in local food and museums along the way.

If coming in summer, then I would advise taking a tour to one of the offshore islands from Reykjavik to visit the puffins, as this is peak puffin season.

Reykjavik in 1 Day: Best Things to Do

This list compiles the top things every traveler can and should do with just one day in Reykjavik.

Bear in mind that Reykjavik’s city center is quite small, so most of these sites can be seen within a couple hours. For the ambitious traveler, you absolutely could do EVERYTHING on this list in a single day.

1. Visit Hallgrimskikja Church

Hallgrimskirkja is definitely the star of Reykjavik’s downtown skyline.

Hallgrimskirkja was built in 1986, and remains today one of the most famous examples of Icelandic Expressionist architecture. As a lutheran church reaching almost 244 feet (74 meters) in height, it absolutely towers over all the 2 story buildings below.

It’s the tallest church in the country by far, and the sixth tallest structure in the nation. Hallgrimskirkja Church can be found at the center of the city making it a great place to start your day exploring in Reykjavik.

2. Stroll the Old Town

The old town of Reykjavik is very small. Cradled in a small peninsula, Reykjavik is mostly comprised of just a few pedestrian friendly streets and the waterfront areas.

While walking around, you can admire some traditional fisherman style buildings synonymous with Nordic culture, and even a turf house (grass-roofed wooden house) or two.

The city center of Reykjavik is not the bustling, busy place you may expect from a capital city, but rather a calm and relaxing place to do some shopping, try some local food (more on that later), and maybe visit a cafe or two. In the evening, this is where the nightlife also happens to be.

From Hallgrimskirkja, I’d recommend walking down Rainbow Street and just going from there. Keep an eye out for any murals and street art along the way since Reykjavik is known for its budding street art scene!

3. Walk Around Tjörnin Lake

This is not exactly a tourist site, but one of my favorite places in Reykjavik is along the shores of the tiny Tjörnin Lake. It’s more of a large pond located in the city center, where you can take in some of the best views the city has to offer.

From one side of the lake, you can see the Fríkirkjan Church, a classic example of a wooden Nordic style church. Around the lake you can also pay a visit to the city hall, the Icelandic Parliament building, and several sculptures and monuments alongside the lake.

It’s a tranquil place to bring you coffee and slow down for a moment, even if just to admire the swans and scenery.

For me personally, I always head to Baka Baka, or any other nearby bakery, grab a sweet pastry to-go, and enjoy it at the lake park.

4. Soak in the Sky Lagoon

No trip to Iceland is complete until you’ve experiences at least one thermal spa, and Reykjavik happens to be home to one of the best in the country.

The Sky Lagoon is located just 10 minutes outside the city center and makes a fantastic end to your day of exploring Reykjavik. This spa has it all: from saunas with ocean views, to a world-class hot spring bath with its own swim up bar, an onsite waterfall, and of course, the infamous infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

This is where you’ll be able to really self-indulge on your layover in Reykjavik while snapping all those insta-worthy photos to make your family back home jealous.

See More: An Honest Review of the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik

5. Check out Reykjavik’s Museums

For an indoor activity, opt to check out one of the awesome museums in Reykjavik.

One of the most popular museums is Perlan, which showcases everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Iceland’s history, culture, and natural landscapes. You can even visit a real manmade ice cave while here, perfect for those who don’t have time to visit the real ones far away.

For something a bit quirkier, check out the Punk Rock Museum for something you can tell your mom about, and the Phallic Museum, for something you probably can’t.

6. Marvel at Harpa Hall

Most travelers tend to stop by Harpa Hall which is located just outside the city center along the waterfront.

Harpa Hall is a cultural center that primarily functions as a concert hall. For most tourists, you won’t be able to attend an actual event, but you you can still visit to admire the architectural beauty from the inside.

The building itself is largely made of geometrical glass panels, both inside and out. It’s particularly beautiful on sunny days when the sun’s light shines through the glass and reflects all throughout the building.

From Harpa Hall, make a quick stop to admire the Sun Voyager nearby. This funky metallic sculpture represents the Viking ships that sailed to Iceland many centuries ago and makes a great photography spot during sunset.

7. Try Local Food

Definitely don’t forgo stuffing your face with as much local cuisine as possible during your layover in Iceland.

I’d start at Loki Cafe for brunch, which is conveniently right across from Hallgrimskirkja. They serve up all the traditional Icelandic classics like lamb stew, rye bread, fermented shark, and the beloved Brennevin gin.

In case you didn’t know, fish & chips is also an original Icelandic dish (sorry England), and to find the the fluffiest, crispiest version in town, head to the aptly named Fish Restaurant.

And of course, you can’t say you’ve been to Iceland until you try an Icelandic hotdog. Grab one at any convenience store or street stall you come across. My favorites are the ones served at the Vikinga Pyslur food truck.

8. Try Local Beer

Thanks to the pristine waters and ingredients available, Iceland is also home to some fantastic local breweries.

Einstok is a commercial scale local brewery that I highly recommend. You could grab a bottle or two for yourself from the nearest Vinbudin shop, or better yet, head to the Einstok Bar to sample the many varieties they have available on draft amidst a laidback, cool bar vibe.

9. Go Bar Hopping

Reykjavik has a thriving nightlife scene that caters to anyone, and the best way to experience it is to visit several bars in one evening.

There are LGBTQ friendly bars where you can dance your heart out like The Flamingo, or rock bars like Gamli Gaukurinn and Lemmy for live music lovers.

For more of a loungy vibe, head to Jungle, and for something more chaotic, head to The Lebowski Bar. If you want a quieter evening, there are a handful of beer bars and wine bars as well located around Rainbow Street.

Things to do Outside Reykjavik

If you have a bit more time on your hands, or if this isn’t your first time in Reykjavik, opt to venture outside the city itself to explore some nearby landmarks that show off some of top things Iceland is known for. Amongst those are hot springs, geysers, and waterfalls, all within an hours drive from Reykjavik.

Unless you’ll be renting a car for your 1 day in Reykjavik, a tour is recommended in order to reach these places outside the city. I’d advise you book any tours before your arrival so you don’t waste any time once you land.

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is easily one of Iceland’s most famous attractions. It also happens to be right next to the airport, making it the easiest bucket list activity to tick off on your layover in Reykjavik.

The Blue Lagoon is a nature made geothermal hot spring spa that is well known for its picturesque, icy blue waters. Most people will spend about 3 hours here, soaking in the healing baths, enjoying facials, and sipping on wine from the pool.

I’d recommend visiting the Blue Lagoon as the last part of your layover in Reykjavik on your way back to the airport. Or better yet, if you’ve got money to throw around, you can look into staying overnight here for the most indulgent layover in Iceland possible.

Boat Trip to Puffin Island

If you are visiting in summer, you may want to spend half a day on a boat tour to one of the offshore islands in Reykjavik where the puffin colonies gather.

Akurey Island, often times referred to as Puffin Island, can be easily reached by boat from the Old Town Harbor of Reykjavik in less than an hour. It’s the most accessible place to view these beloved birds from Reykjavik where you can admire them in their natural habitat.

Puffins only migrate to Iceland between the months of May to August, and yet, they are quite the popular spectacle for tourists and nature enthusiasts alike. I’d recommend that you book your tour ahead of time to ensure you a spot on a boat to visit these adorable creatures.

Is your Layover in Iceland in Summer? See: Where to Find Lupines in Iceland

Embark on a Golden Circle Day Tour

For adventurous travelers, I’d recommend looking into doing a full day Golden Circle Tour.

There are several tour operators that leave from Reykjavik and take you through the top sites along this famous route. Amongst these are Geysir, Thingvellir National Park, and Gulfoss Waterfall.

These tours do take the whole day, so you’ll need to be willing to spend your entire one day in Reykjavik on the road in a tour bus. But for those seeking to knock out as many sites as possible on a layover in Iceland, this is the best way.

Most notably, all Golden Circle tours will stop by Gulfoss, the biggest waterfall in Europe in terms of total water volume. So it’s worth the trip just to see that alone!

See More: A Guide to Laugarvatn – Golden Circle’s Hidden Gem

Search for Northern Lights

If you are visiting in winter, and your layover is overnight, opt to take a northern lights tour.

This I’d recommend booking closer to your departure date because you’ll want to see how the weather pans out before you go, because sadly, spotting the northern lights depends solely on the current weather conditions.

A northern lights tour is the best way to optimize your chances of spotting the aurora, because the operators know best in regards to where the lights are active and how to get there.

If you’d like to leave it up to chance, head to the Seltjarnarnes area in the evening time and test your luck. This is just outside of downtown Reykjavik and happens to be a very popular northern light viewing spot on clear nights.

See more: How to Maximize Chances of Seeing Northern Lights in Iceland

Take a Dip in a Geothermal River

If you will be renting a car for your one day in Reykjavik, then I’d recommend looking into hiking to Reykjadalur River.

This hike is located about 40 minutes from Reykjavik and is best done outside of winter simply due to accessibility issues. The hike itself is moderate with a well laid trail traversing some small hills, taking the average person about 40 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the river.

The reward is a naturally heated geothermal river surrounded by the most incredible nature. The best part is that it’s absolutely free, making it one of the best things to do in Iceland on a budget.

Things to Know Before You Go

Shengen Visa

Iceland is not part of the EU, but it is in fact part of the Shengen Zone. This means that all travelers who enter Iceland and leave the airport will be subject to obtaining a Shengen Visa.

If you hold a passport that permits you to obtain a Shengen Visa on arrival, then it should be pretty straightforward for you. However, you’ll still want to remember that the Shengen Visa is only valid for 90 days.

That means you can only travel through Shengen member countries for a total of 90 days in any 180 day period.

Icelandic immigration does tend to be quite strict, so I’d recommend making sure you still have valid days left on your Shengen Visa before your layover in Iceland if it’ll be at the end of your Europe trip.

Icelandic Weather

Regardless of the season, Reykjavik will probably be cold when you arrive. Make sure to bring a proper jacket, hat, and shoes, no matter the time of year.

In winter, it’s common to see temperatures between -5 C and – 10 C, but it can go as low as – 20 C. So you’ll definitely need full on winter gear to withstand the freezing temperatures and wind, especially if you want to enjoy outdoor activities.

Cost to Travel Iceland

Iceland is not a budget destination, although there are some hacks on traveling Iceland cheaper.

You’ll want to do your research ahead of your layover in Reykjavik, book any hotels far in advance to avoid price hikes, and know what you’re willing to spend before you plan your trip.

For example, most tours from Reykjavik will set you back at least $70, if not hundreds of dollars.

Entry into to the Blue Lagoon costs about $70, while a trip to the Sky Lagoon is about the same.

Visiting Harpa Hall, Hallgrimskirkja, and walking the city center, are of course free.

See more: How to Travel Iceland Cheaper in 2024

Where to Stay in Reykjavik

The Exeter Hotel: This hotel’s interior turns heads with its sleek, contemporary design. Located right in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor area, you have access to the waterfront and local landmarks a couple minutes walk from your doorstep.

Sand Hotel: This stylish hotel has a prime location in the center of Reykjavik, putting it within walking distance of most sites and attractions. Also has a fabulous breakfast buffet.

Ion Adventure Hotel: This hotel is actually an hour from Reykjavik so it’s only practical if you’ll have a car. But it’s a local favorite for both the ambience and location, the latter of which boasts an epic scenery, plus an insanely good onsite restaurant. The outdoor spa is also a bonus.

Reykjavik FAQ

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