Can you see all of Reykjavík in 24 hours? Honestly, you could probably see it in less, but you didn’t fly all the way to Iceland just to see a city; you came to experience it.
Two days is the perfect amount of time to visit Reykjavík. Ideally, you spend one day on the way into Iceland before hitting the road to explore the rest of the country and one day on your way out.
If you’re not planning on renting a car, you can also bookend your trip with days in Reykjavík and take day trips with tour companies to places like the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or Golden Circle.
My case for spending more than 24 hours in Reykjavík is the food. There is so much delicious food to eat, you’ll want to give yourself as many opportunities as possible for a great meal.
In this itinerary, you’ll eat at great restaurants, bakeries, and street carts, and walk it all off while exploring the city streets.
Let’s get into.
Day 1: The heart of Reykjavík
We’ll spend the first day in a 10×10 block radius around the center of Reykjavík.
Bakery hopping for breakfast
Reykjavík is known for delicious bakeries, especially their cinnamon buns. After landing in Reykjavík, your first stop is Braud & Co., the bakery with the best cinnamon buns in Reykjavík. The buns have an ooey-gooey center that will immediately make you warm up to the city.
Braud & Co. has multiple locations around Reykjavík, but you’ll want to go to the one on Frakkastígur, so you’re close to the next stop on our mini bakery tour: Sandholt Bakery.
Compared to Braud & Co., Sandholt is more of an upscale spot with French-style pastries beautifully displayed in glass cases. Don’t be fooled by the fancy pastries; it still has a down-to-earth vibe. You can sit down for a proper breakfast or brunch at Sandholt or grab a pastry to go to continue on your adventure.
ThatPlannerFriend Tip: The line inside Sandholt is to wait for a table. If you’re just taking pastries to go, you can walk right up to the counter on your left to order.
Stroll around the city center
Walking around Reykjavík is like stepping into an outdoor gallery. The houses are painted in bright colors, and there are murals on almost every block. Stroll around the streets and marvel at the art.
See the Skólavörðustígur rainbow street
Bright colors in Reykjavík aren’t just for walls; the streets are painted, too. Skólavörðustígur is known as the “Rainbow Street.” This multi colored street leads you to the top of the hill.
Visit Hallgrimskirkja
Iceland’s largest and most famous church stands tall on the top of a hill. Hallgrimskirkja has become a symbol of the nation’s capital. The architecture was inspired by Iceland’s volcanic geological features.
You can go to the top of Hallgrimskirkja for 1400 ISK (about $11) in the summer between 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. It’s one of the few places to get a rooftop view of the city since most buildings are no more than six stories tall.
Hot dog hopping for lunch
Hot dogs are a thing in Iceland. Icelandic hot dogs are a blend of lamb, pork, and beef, with allegedly better quality ingredients than an American hot dog. For lunch, grab a dog from the two most popular hot dog stands in the city.
Víkinga Pylsur serves Icelandic hot dogs with a gourmet twist outside of Hallgrimskirkja. Stop here for a bite after you visit the church.
Next, go to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur for a more traditional dog. A classic Icelandic hot dog is served with ketchup and a sweet brown mustard. You can also add sauerkraut, crispy onions, and more.
The flagship Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is near the harbor on Tryggvagata. It’s a little stand that has been serving hot dogs since the 1930s. There is also an outpost on the east side of town within a convenience store on Laugavegur.
Shop along Laugavegur
Laugavegur is the main shopping street in Reykjavík. It’s the perfect place to shop for souvenirs. My favorite stores are Epal, a Scandinavian home goods store, and Verzlanahöllin, a secondhand shop where locals go to find deals.
At the very end of Laugavegur is Hlemmur Mathöll, a popular food hall where some of Reykjavík’s best restaurants started (including the one you’ll have dinner at).
Wine at Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar
Before dinner, grab a glass of wine at Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar, a lowkey natural wine bar on Laugavegur. On sunny days, they’ll put chairs and tables on the street, but it’s always a cozy vibe inside.
Dinner at Skál!
Skál means “cheers” in Icelandic, and at this small restaurant in Reykjavík, it also means you’re about to have one of the best meals of your life. Skál! cooks with local, seasonal ingredients and makes beautiful and delicious small plates.
For about 100 USD, you can enjoy eight courses. Just order the Skál! Experience and the kitchen will take care of you. Skál! was recently featured on the New York Times, so you’ll definitely need to make a reservation a few days in advance.
Day 2: Go a little further
On your final day in Reykjavík, go beyond the city center.
Coffee at Reykjavík Roasters
Locals get through the cold, dark winters with smooth cups of coffee from Reykjavík Roasters. Reykjavík has a big coffee culture, which means you can get a great cup of joe anywhere. Grab an espresso or drip coffee for a final walk around the harbor.
Walk around the Old Reykjavík Harbor
To the west of the city is the Old Reykjavík Harbor. While you can still see boats in the harbor, this area has been transformed into a tourist hub with places like FlyOver Iceland and the Saga Museum.
It’s about a 20-minute walk to the tip of the harbor. At the tip, you’ll find you’ll Þúfa, a green hill art installation that looks out to the North Atlantic Ocean. It’s a great place to take in the ocean breeze.
Brunch at Kaffihús Vesturbæjar
For a proper breakfast or lunch, head to Kaffihús Vesturbæjar. This all-day cafe is located in the Vesturbæjar neighborhood. It’s a far walk to Vesturbæjar, but if you rented a car, there is plenty of street parking.
Explore Vesturbæjar
For a taste of local life, walk around Vesturbæjar after brunch. This area is one of the oldest in the city, where the first settlers lived.
Relax at the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is considered a must-do experience in Iceland. It’s a geothermal spa that is heated by a nearby power plant. While it’s not a natural wonder, it’s a fun one. The Blue Lagoon gets its name from the blue hue the silica in the water gives it. The silica also has healing powers for people with psoriasis.
It costs about 120 USD per person to visit the Blue Lagoon. This includes a welcome drink and face mask in the lagoon. Many people recommend going to the Blue Lagoon as soon as you land in Iceland, but I think it’s a great ending to your trip. You can shower after the spa experience, so you’re nice and clean for your flight home.
From the Blue Lagoon, you can go straight to the airport if your flight is out that night. If you have one more night in Reykjavík, go to…
Dinner at Rok
For elevated Icelandic cuisine, go to dinner at Rok. Rok serves Icelandic food with big portions, so it’s a bang for your buck. Order a few plates to share with the table. Here you can try reindeer and other Icelandic staples like Arctic char.
Extras to add to your itinerary
Sky Lagoon
You can start your morning at the Sky Lagoon, a geothermal spa about 15 minutes from downtown Reykjavík, with a soothing seven-step ritual.
Museums
There are plenty of museums around Reykjavík that are perfect for a cold, rainy day, like the Perlan Museum and the Reykjavík Art Museum.
Where to stay
The best place to stay is within the heart of the city, between the streets of Lækjargata and Snorrabraut, and below the famous Hallgrimskirkja church.
I recommend Þingholt by Center Hotels, closer to Lækjargata on the east side of the city center. The hotel is within walking distance of all the major sights and the old harbor. Center Hotels is a chain of hotels in Iceland with a boutique-like feel. There are plenty of Center Hotels to choose from in Reykjavík.
For a full guide to Reykjavík, check out this Mini Reykjavík Guide.
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