One day in Reykjavik: things to do and see
I travel for many reasons, but the motivation that brought me to visit Iceland is so far the less conventional. During a charity event, my husband bid a meet and greet with the Duran Duran during the first date of their latest tour. The concert was in Iceland, and as he couldn’t attend, I flew there and spent one day in Reykjavik. While before leaving, I was hesitant that I could visit many attractions, I then discovered that it is possible to visit Reykjavik in a day. Shortly after 9 am, I landed, and after renting a car, I started my tour driving in Iceland. It takes approximately 40–45 minutes from Keflavik international airport to reach Reykjavik. But before arriving downtown, I stopped to see my favorite attraction in the Icelandic Capital.
What to do in one day in Reykjavik?
I asked this question to myself before leaving for Iceland. To answer, I did some researches, and I discovered that one of my favorite architects, Alvar Aalto, realized one of its latest buildings in Reykjavik. For this reason, my one-day itinerary in the Icelandic capital started from The Nordic House. This is a hidden gem among the Finnish modernist architect Alvar Aalto’s works. Opened in 1968, this place works since then as a cultural institution to support Nordic collaboration. Close to the Iceland University and the National Museum, the Nordic House faces a manmade pond. It’s from the high, wooden viewpoint over the pond that you can enjoy one of the best views of the building. In detail, from this perspective, you can admire the rooftop of the edifice whose shape resembles the mountains in the background.
The Nordic House by Alvar Aalto in Reykjavik
In the Nordic House, the trait of Aalto is everywhere present. The Finnish architect designed lamps and almost all the furniture. Wooden and white are the dominant colors, and the library is probably the space where you can better feel the atmosphere of the building. I loved spending some time leafing through the books and discover the collection of artworks. What is enchanting is the core of the library on a lower level to form a heart shape. On an even lower level is the adorable children library. The Nordic House also hosts a lovely restaurant facing the pond and its bird sanctuary. On beautiful days it is possible to eat outside tasting the Nordic cuisine delicacies while admiring the quiet nature around.
What The Nordic House| Where Sæmundargata 11 | When 10 am — 5 pm; on Wednesdays 10 am — 9:30 pm| Cost Free, except for certain events
Things to see in Reykjavik
Reykjavik is a relatively small city, but almost two-thirds of Icelanders live in the capital and its surroundings. This is why the city offers many attractions. Among them, there are several museums, an iconic church, a concert hall, sculptures, parks, and a historic house.
The Pearl or Perlan Museum
Along the route that from Keflavik airport brings you to the Nordic House, you will probably notice a shiny, glass dome. This iconic roof belongs to the Perlan Museum. Also known as The Pearl, this edifice is made of six tanks of hot water covered by a dome. Inside there is a Glacier Museum and an observation deck. Considered one of the best attraction for families visiting Reykjavìk
Top tip If you visit Reykjavik during wintertime the viewing platform on the fourth level is ideal for admiring the Northern lights at sunset.
What Perlan| Where Varmahalíd 1, 105 Reykjavík | Cost from $33 and up depending on the show
Good to know Many people decide to visit the Blue Lagoon as soon as they land in Reykjavik given its proximity to the airport. As I choose to spend a night, I planned my itinerary in Iceland around my stay at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon.
Hallgríms Church
Example of expressionist architecture, built between 1945 and 1986, Hallgríms is Icelandic’s largest church. With its triangular concrete façade is one of the symbols of Reykjavik. In addition, this church is a national monument dedicated to the most renowned Icelandic poet, Halligrímur Pétursson. During your one-day walking tour in Reykjavik, you must include a visit to it. You can be lucky enough to assist to an organ performance played through the Pipe Organ with its 5275 pipes. Moreover, inside the church, you can experience another enjoyable moment. Using an elevator, you can reach the top floor and from there admire the entire city of Reykjavik with a 360-degree view from a height of 246 ft (75 mt).
What Hallgríms Church | Where Hallgrímstorg 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland | Opening hours October-April 9am-5pm; May-September 9am-9pm| Cost Free entry; Tower ticket $9, free for under 7 years ago
What is the religion in Iceland?
Iceland started to be a settlement in the ninth century. The exact year is unknown but In the Book of Icelanders is mentioned the year 871 when Ingólfur Arnarson arrived in the actual Reykiavík. Over the next two centuries, half of the population was pagan and the other half Christian. During a dramatic parliament discussion in 1000 AD to avoid an internal division and an eventual war, law baptized all the Icelanders as Christians. Catholic for the following 5 centuries, under the papacy in Rome, Icelanders became Lutheran in 1540 as ruled by the King of Denmark (and Iceland). Since then Iceland national church is evangelic-Lutheran.
Harpa concert hall and conference center
Home of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and of the Icelandic Opera, the Harpa is Reykjavik Conference and Concert Hall. What is impressive about this building is its ceiling. Entering inside, you can appreciate the geometric patterns of it. Fascinating is also the glass wall facing the harbor and an artificial fishing island. Even if you haven’t booked any ticket for a concert, you can explore it during the daytime. Inside are lovely shops of souvenirs and a nice restaurant. The honeycomb façade was designed by the Danish artist Ólafur Eíasson. Every day runs guided tours, and I suggest to visit the official website to check hours.
What Harpa| Where Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland | Cost Free to visit; guided tour from $14.50
Höfdi house
While I have never been a massive fan of the 80’s pop band Duran Duran, there is an event of that era that I will always remember. It was the meeting between the US president Ronald Regan and the URSS president Mikail Gorbaciov that, as a child, I watched on TV. It was in 1986, and the theatre of the meeting was the white Höfdi house in Reykjavik. More than 30 years later, I reached the house in total loneliness. Only three marble commemorative plaques underline the importance of the place. The house once belonged to local poet Einar Benediktsson, seems abandoned, and there is no possibility to admire its interior. Given the historical importance, visiting it is one of the things to do in Reykjavik.
What Höfdi house | Where Borgartún 105, Reykjavík, Iceland| Cost Free
The Reykjavik summit
The meeting between Regan and Gorbachev, known as the Reykjavik summit, took place on the 11th and 12th of October 1986. Even if it ended without any joint declaration is considered a milestone in the Cold War. During the meeting, for the first time, the two presidents discussed about the possibility of eliminating nuclear weapons forever. The Reykjavik summit is widely considered as an essential step towards the end of the Cold War.
Sun Voyager
Considered one of the best photography subjects in Reykjavik, especially at sunrise, the Sun Voyager is a steel sculpture. The Sólfar, this is its Icelandic name, faces the sea, and it’s an homage to the Vikings origins of the city and the country. Realized by Jón Gunnar Árnason in 1990, it reminds when the first Vikings settlers from Denmark came sailing to Iceland. Even if during my 24 hours in Reykjavik it was drizzling, many people were by the Sun Voyager to snap a photo. Resembling a ship, the sculpture is midway between Harpa and the Höfdi house and constitutes an ideal stop between these must-see attractions during a layover in Reykjavik or a 24 hours stay.
What Sun Voyager| Where Sæbraut, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland| Cost Free
Where to stay in Reykjavik for one night
As a solo traveler, I usually book boutique hotels, as I prefer the cozier and more intimate atmosphere. I did it in Athens, in Marrakesh, and I choose a Small Luxury boutique hotel again in Reykjavik. Sand Hotel by Kea hotels is on Laugavegur, the main shopping street in Reykjavik. What makes it the perfect place to stay in Reykjavik for one day it’s is proximity to two of the best addresses in the city. In detail, the delicious Sandholt Bakery and the old Gudsteinn Eyjólfsson haberdashery are just next doors to it. The hotel breakfast is rich, healthy, and delicious with a wide variety of delicatessen to choose from and gluten-free options too.
What Sand Hotels by Kea hotels| Where Laugavegur 34, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Parking in Reykjavik
Almost next to every attraction in Reykjavik there is a parking space. Each area is indicated through a combination of letters and numbers, and payment machines are easy to find. A big parking area is opposite the Harpa. In front of the Sun Voyager, there are few more parking spots and more are in the area of the Höfdi house. While the Sand Hotel by Kea hotels doesn’t have private parking, there are many spots nearby. All these spots are usable upon payment by coins or cards. However, the reception at the Sand Hotels, which I contacted by email before my arrival, advised me of a great parking location free of charge near the hotel itself. I was lucky enough to find a space for the night there.
One day walking tour of Reykjavik
Ideally, you can start your one day walking tour of Reykjavik from the Hallgríms Church. Admiring from the tower bell the entire city you will get a sense of how Reykjavik looks like. Going toward the main shopping street, you can enjoy some street art along Frakkastigur and the neighboring houses. Enjoy a restorative break at the Sandholt Bakery and proceed with your tour of one day in Reykjavik going to Harpa. On the way stop by the Althingi Parliament House and then visit The Settlement Exhibition to discover the Viking roots of Reykjavik. Stroll around the city until you reach Harpa. Have lunch in this beautiful building before exploring more of its enchanting interior. Leave it for the Sun Voyager and end your walking tour visiting the Hofdi House. For dinner, you can try Icelandic cuisine at the Old Iceland in 72 Laugavegur.
Other things to do in Reykjavik
You have more time to spend in Reykjavik here are some other attractions you can check:
- Stroll around the botanical garden in Laugardalslaug, with its artic flowers and plants;
- Explore the Volcanic house with its immersive eruptions videos and hands-on lava activities;
- Reykjavik city hall also hosts the city’s tourists information center with a fascinating 3D map of Iceland;
- Tjörnin is a pond in the heart of Reykjavik where people skates on its frozen water during wintertime. In summer you can stroll in the close park.
Day trips from Reykjavik
The best day trips from Reykjavik include:
- The Reykjanes Geopark with never-ending fields of lava rocks covered by moss offers a breathtaking lunar scenario. The Blue Lagoon is the best attraction there.
- The Videy island — reachable from Reykjavik by ferryboat, the island houses some contemporary artworks and a population of native horses. You can explore it walking or by horseback;
- The Golden Circle, with its tectonic plates and some natural wonder like the Gullfoss waterfall and the Geyser, is a favorite day trip from Iceland’s capital.
