Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, is a bucket list destination! This little city, and the entire country of Iceland, have so much to offer. If you have a limited time in Iceland, it’s definitely worth checking out Reykjavik and basing yourself there. It’s close to the airport, walkable and has tons going on. Although it’s a short amount of time, you’ll be amazed how much you can do and see in 1 day in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Option 1: Golden Circle Adventure
If you only have one day in Iceland, it can be very difficult to decide how to spend it. The most common way travelers will spend their day is by going on a Golden Circle tour. Honestly, I do recommend this as it will allow you to see some of the top sites in Iceland.
However, it will also use almost your entire day, leaving you with very little time to explore Reykjavik. If you have two days in Iceland, or really just want to see as much as possible in a short time, a Golden Circle tour is totally worth it. You can drive yourself with a rental car, or go on a guided tour. Either are great options. Driving offers more flexibility, but if you only have one day in Iceland, getting to be with a guide who knows the area and the sites is such a great way to learn and see as much as you can with an expert.
Guided Golden Circle Tours:
- Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater
- Golden Circle Small-Group Afternoon Tour from Reykjavik
- Private Golden Circle Tour from Reykjavik
- Expensive, but amazing reviews and a completely private tour.
For the purposes of this guide, we’ll focus on just how to spend 1 day in Reykjavik and all the awesome things to do there during your trip!
Hotels in Reykjavik
When thinking about where to stay, especially if you only have 1 day in Reykjavik, my biggest tip is to stay as centrally as you can.
Reykjavik has a great selection of hotels and hostels at a variety of price points, so you’ll be able to find something great close to the city center.
With just one day in Reykjavik, being able to get up and walk right out your door to start exploring is a must.
Awesome Hotels & Hostels in Reykjavik:
1 Day in Reykjavik
Start Your Day With Coffee and Breakfast
Whether you’re looking for coffee and a pastry or a full breakfast, Reykjavik has great options.
The absolute best place to get pastries, in my opinion (and most people I’ve talked to), is from Braud & Co. The cinnamon rolls are particularly amazing. The coffee is good, too!
While there’s really nowhere to sit, besides a couple stools, this is a great option for grab and go to start your day of exploring! Expect a line, but it moves quickly.
If you’d like to start your day with a great sitdown breakfast, a few of my favorite spots include:
Consider a Walking Tour
A great way to spend part of your 1 day in Reykjavik is by going on a walking tour to learn more about the city and Iceland in general. There are a bunch of great options for a range of interests and this will allow you to really get to know the city in a short amount of time.
Awesome Walking Tours
- Reykjavík Small Group Walking Tour
- Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour: Meet the Elves, Trolls & Ghosts of Iceland
- The Reykjavik Cat Walking Tour
- Funky History Walking Tour in Reykjavik – With Local Storyteller
If you’re a foodie, a food tour is also such a great way to learn more about Reykjavik as well as traditional Icelandic cuisine! The food in Iceland is very unique and having the opportunity to try a selection of dishes on a food tour is so fun.
Fun Fun Tours
- Reykjavik Food Walk – Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland
- Private Food Walking Tour in Reykjavik
- The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour
- Reykjavik Food and Drink Adventure – Local Evening Experience
Go Shopping on Laugavegur Street
Laugavegur Street is the main shopping street in Reykjavik and there are so many great shops to pop into.
You’ll find everything from bookstores, to hand-knit wool shops, to chocolate shops, souvenir shops, local art stores and more.
One of my favorite shops (not on Laugavegur street, but very close) is Vinberid chocolate shop. They’ve been operating since 1995 and it’s such a great place to grab some sweets, gifts and yummy souvenirs.
Grab an Icelandic Lunch
After exploring Reykjavik in the morning, it’s time to grab an Icelandic lunch. For lunch I recommend something pretty quick and casual in order to maximize the time you have to explore Reykjavik.
A few of my favorite lunch restaurants in Reykjavik include:
- Reykjavik Fish
- Great fish and chips
- Reykjavík Chips
- Another great fish and chips option. OR, if you’re just looking for a snack, the fries and milkshakes are really good.
- Icelandic Street Food
- A great place to try traditional Icelandic soups!
- Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
- Famous grab & go hotdog stand dating back to 1937!
If you’d like a sweet treat after lunch, I recommend grabbing ice cream at Valdís – it’s my favorite ice cream in Reykjavik and is so good!
Walk Along the Old Harbor
After lunch, take a walk down to the Old Harbor area of the city. From there, keep walking towards Tjörnin Lake where you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the city on the other side.
Warm Up With a Coffee or Hot Chocolate
Iceland is usually chilly year round, so after a walk to the harbor and lake, it’s a good time to warm up with a hot chocolate before heading to Hallgrimskirkja Church.
Reykjavik has a ton of great, cozy cafes that are wonderful to enjoy a coffee, tea, hot chocolate or pastry.
A few of my favorites include:
- Iða Zimsen
- Inside a great bookstore!
- Kaffibrennslan
- Mokka Kaffi
- Reykjavik Roasters
Tour Hallgrimskirkja Church
While in Reykjavik, you can’t miss Hallgrimskirkja. Like you literally can’t miss it, it’s huge (the second tallest building in all of Iceland) and right near the center of town. At 244 feet, this church towers over the town, sitting on a hill.
The church is free to visit, but if you want to visit the towers, which you totally should, there’s a small fee. The towers offer amazing views of Reykjavik and are very much worth it!
Enjoy a Cozy Dinner
After a long day of sight seeing on your one day in Reykjavik, it’s time to sit down for a nice dinner before heading off on your final activity of the evening.
There are a wide variety of restaurants to choose from in Reykjavik, at a variety of price points, but a few of my top favorites include:
- Tapas Barinn
- A great mix of both Icelandic and Spanish tapas. This is probably my favorite restaurant in Reykjavik.
- Bastard Brew & Food
- International focused menu, also known for their beer.
- They also serve a great brunch!
- Íslenski Barinn – The Icelandic Bar
- Known for their traditional Icelandic dishes like puffin, reindeer and fermented shark.
- They also serve less “adventurous” dishes like fish and chips, burgers and veggie burgers.
- Known for their traditional Icelandic dishes like puffin, reindeer and fermented shark.
If you’re looking for a more casual dinner, you can also check out any of the restaurants I recommended for lunch – they’re delicious too!
Go on a Northern Lights Tour
If you’re visiting Iceland during Northern Lights season, late August – April, then I definitely recommend going on a Northern Lights tour. While it is often possible to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik, less populated areas with fewer lights tend to offer more viewing opportunities.
There are a bunch of different Northern Lights tours you can take from Reykjavik, ranging from boat tours, to group tours to private tours.
On these tours, expert guides will bring you to the locations with the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights on any given night. They have special equipment they use to track the Northern Lights and see where they’re the strongest.
Awesome Northern Lights Tours:
- Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik with PRO photos
- Northern Lights Superjeep Tour from Reykjavik
- Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik
- Private Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik
And just like that, you’ve spent 1 day in Reykjavik! If you have any questions, or anything to add to this Reykjavik travel guide, please let me know in the comments.
If you’re thinking of extending your time in Iceland, or would like more tips and recommendations for your trip, be sure to check out my other guides:
- 20 Essential Iceland Travel Tips for the Best Trip
- Iceland in November: Everything You Need to Know for Your Trip
- Best Places in Iceland to Visit on Your Trip
- Itinerary for a Perfect Weekend in Iceland
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♡Kate
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