The Ultimate 24 Hours Guide

Not only is Reykjavik the largest city and capital city of Iceland, but it’s often the starting point for A road trip around the country. This travel guide will show how to spend an entire day in Reykjavik and then explore the beautiful nature of Iceland.

Most visitors to Iceland start their trip at the Keflavik airport and then travel to Reykjavik. That’s what we did and we recommend that you do so, too.

Reykjavik makes for an incredible city break. You should spend at least a day there. Justin and I spent 2 days in Reykjavik. Our first day was spent mostly resting and recovering after an overnight flight to Toronto. After waking up feeling completely refreshed, we set off to fully explore the charming and colorful city.

In this guide to having the best day in Reykjavik, we’ll share everything that you need to know before your vacation. Starting at the airport, we’ll detail the easiest way to get into town. Then, we’ll recommend where to stay, the best attractions and activities in Reykjavik, how to get around, and how to make the most of your stay.

In a hurry? Want a quick version of the itinerary for a day in Reykjavik. See our mini guide below in the yellow box.

How to get to Reykjavik from Keflavik Airport

So, you’ve decided to travel to Iceland. Here’s where you can Find the best deals on flights to Reykjavik. There’s a good chance that you’ll arrive in the early morning hours at Keflavik Airport, especially if you’re flying from North America.

How can you get to Reykjavik from elsewhere? I recommend booking Bus tickets to ReykjavikYou can book in advance. Buses depart the Keflavik airport 35-40 minutes following each flight arrival. Your ticket ensures you a seat.

It’s great because you don’t need to schedule a particular bus ride. Once your flight has landed and you have collected your luggage, simply hop on the bus. A bus left every 30 minutes when we travelled to Iceland at the beginning of May.

We didn’t feel rushed to catch any bus. We had a cup of coffee at the airport, and walked around a bit to stretch our legs before we boarded another mode. I exchanged my money at the airport for some Icelandic krónur. Although we mosty used our credit cards to buy everything, it doesn’t hurt to carry around some cash.

The bus ride from Keflavik Airport to the BSÍ Bus Terminal is about 45 minutes. There are lockers in the bus terminal where you can keep your luggage until you get to your hotel room or Airbnb.

Renting a car in Iceland

Yes, we rented a car in Reykjavik, but we didn’t pick up our rental car from the airport. Reykjavik is a very walkable city, so it is not necessary to rent a car. Instead, we stayed two nights in Reykjavik before picking up our car rental in the city and embarking on our roadtrip of the Ring Road.

Many car rental establishments will pick you up at your accommodation and bring you to the rental agency’s office. This makes it easier to pick up your car, especially if there is luggage.

Here’s everything you need to know about Renting a vehicle in Iceland. I recommend using Discover Cars. Compare car rental prices Comparing companies to find the lowest rates. We’re always impressed with their customer service and only have excellent things to say about Discover Cars.

We walked to town in the morning after storing our bags at the bus station. Justin and I went on the Sandholt BakeryLaugavegur is a great place to grab a quick breakfast. It opens at 7:00am. This family bakery has operated for four generations, and it’s one of the oldest operating bakeries in all of Iceland.

They are known for their sourdough, sandwiches, and breakfast options. Enjoy their sourdough fresh bread with local jams or jellies for vegans. After walking around a bit, we checked in to our accommodation and got some much-needed rest.

Blue Lagoon – Alternative Morning Idea

If you’re like us and you need to kill some time before your hotel room or apartment is ready, there are a few things you can do. Visit the Blue LagoonWhen you arrive. Iceland’s hot springs are a great way to start your trip.

For us, it wasn’t a super convenient choice because the Blue Lagoon didn’t open until 8:00am. This meant that we would have to wait at the airport a few more hours. However, it’s a great way to start your trip if you can swing it.

Whether traveling right from the airport or relaxing at the Blue Lagoon, here’s how to spend one amazing day in Reykjavik. With everything I’ve suggested, you could easily spend two or even three days in Reykjavik. Choose highlights from this list to spend 24 hours in the city.

One Day in Reykjavik Itinerary: Hallgrimskirkja

You won’t miss this one. HallgrimskirkjaThe church is the sixth-tallest structure in Iceland. It seems to tower above all else in Reykjavik. The building is a spectacular sight. But the view from its top is also very impressive.

The church is open to all. You can explore the exterior and the interior of the church for free. However, you’ll want to splurge on the ticket to the top of the church tower. It’s an extra 1000 ISK (about $10 Canadian).

After a short elevator ride, you’ll enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view overlooking the whole city. It was a bit windy up there, though it’s completely covered so you’ll be protected in all kinds of weather.

I wasn’t able to stop snapping photos of Hallgrimskirkja. The architect wanted it to look like the basalt lava flow in Iceland. Perhaps that’s why it really isn’t like any other building in the world.

This is the main street for shopping in downtown Reykjavik. You’ll be able to do some window shopping, browse the boutiques, and perhaps bring some souvenirs home for family and friends. Everything might be a little pricier here than you’re used to – don’t say that I didn’t warn you!

Laugavegur is also home to many bars, cafes and restaurants. We stopped at one that caught Justin’s eye, the Lebowski Bar. We went into the bar for a beer and found out that Icelandic bars are not cheap. But, it was a pretty unique spot and we didn’t have any regrets.

Tip: If you’re thinking about drinking, you can pick up beer at the duty-free shop at Keflavik Airport. It’s actually fine to buy beer on your arrival at the airport and bring it along with you. It’s definitely cheaper than drinking at the pubs!

One Day in Reykjavik, Street Art and Murals

Reykjavik is one of the most colorful cities I’ve visited. The houses are painted a variety bright colors. There’s street art everywhere.

The walls of city parks and construction sites are covered with large murals. I recommend that for your one day itinerary in Reykjavik you walk around and admire the city’s character, as shown through its artwork.

Reykjavik a Day: Harborfront & Solfar

Just a few streets away from Laugavegur, take a scenic stroll along waterfront. Admire distant mountains from the water. One iconic sculpture you must check out is Sólfar, also known as the Sun Voyager. It is a tribute to the sun and the promise of freedom and undiscovered territory.

We walked the waterfront path taking photos of Solfar, and admiring views. Harpa was one of Reykjavik’s most iconic buildings.

Harpa Concert Hall: 24 Hours in Reykjavik

Even if you only have 24 hours to spend in Reykjavik. HarpaThe concert hall is located on the waterfront. You can’t miss it. It’s a giant glass building that’s quite stunning.

Don’t just observe Harpa from the outside. To fully appreciate Harpa, you need to explore the building’s interior. Harpa offers free access to its interior. We’d love to return to see a concert or exhibition here!

Reykjavik Card: One Day in Reykjavik

While the above attractions can easily fill day, you may want to check out some of Reykjavik’s museums or other attractions, especially if the weather isn’t cooperating. I recommend that you buy a Reykjavik City Card.

Bonus: Meet Friendly Cats

If you’re a cat lover like us, you’ll likely meet some friendly kitties when you’re in Reykjavik. We saw a few cats roaming around. They didn’t seem to mind getting some love and attention from us.

Restaurants in Reykjavik

Reykjavik Chips also served a snack which was more like a full meal. You can get fries with vegan sauce on top. Delicious!

Reykjavik Accommodation: Where to Stay?

Old Charm Reykjavik Apartments certainly lives up to its name – it’s a very charming place to stay. This delightful, colorful home reflects the old-world charm of downtown Reykjavik while incorporating many modern elements. From location to amenities, Old Charm Reykjavik Apartments has everything you’ll need for a convenient and cozy stay in Reykjavik.

Our incredible journey around Iceland began with a stay in Reykjavik. Even if your time in Iceland is limited, there are still many things you can do in Reykjavik. This Reykjavik itinerary allows you explore and feel the vibe of this vibrant place.

Lauren is the full time travel blogger and creator of content behind Justin Plus Lauren. She founded Justin Plus Lauren in 2013, and has visited more than 50 countries. Lauren is a vegan travel expert and one of the earliest vegan travel bloggers. She is also interested in eco-friendly and sustainable travel as well as outdoor adventure.