Updated September 2022.
Smoke Cove
Legend has it that the first permanent settlers in Iceland, specifically the Viking, Ingólfur Arnarson, named the land “Smoke Cove” (Reykjavik) due to the billowing steam rising from the hot springs due to geothermal energy.
Overview
- Upon Arrival (2-3 hours): Blue Lagoon - geothermal spring
- 8:00 AM (Sunrise) - 8:15 AM: Sun Voyager - Viking ship sculpture
- 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM: Brauð & Co - local bakery
- 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Hljómskála Park - first Icelandic park beside the geothermal pond, Tjörnin, and City Hall
- 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM: Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Street) - famed street with rainbow painted on the ground
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Hallgrimskirkja - iconic cathedral
- 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur - hot dog stand
- 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Austurvöllur - famous protest square beside Parliament and neoclassical church
- 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM: Ingólfur Arnarson - statue of Reykjavik founder.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre - beautiful music hall
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Museum Visit - visit one of the many museums
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The Icelandic Phallological Museum (Hið Íslenzka Reðasafn) - phallic museum
- 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM: Dinner
- 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM: Laugavegur - bars and drinks or Seltjarnarnes - Northern Light viewspots
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Tips
To/From Airport
The best option to get from the international Keflavik airport (KEF) to Reykjavik (without a car) would be through Airport Direct (bus or private car). The company also has airport transfers with a Blue Lagoon stop-over to/from the airport.
The best option to get from the international Keflavik airport (KEF) to Reykjavik (without a car) would be through Airport Direct (bus or private car). The company also has airport transfers with a Blue Lagoon stop-over to/from the airport.
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Around Reykjavik The easiest way to get around Reyjkavik is by foot, since it is a relatively easy place to get around; however, some of the sites are a little far away and would be easier to get to by car. Otherwise, there are Straeto Buses one can take.
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Straeto Bus (Source: Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Richard Eriksson)
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Currency Exchange
The easiest place to exchange currency would be at the Keflavik (KEF) airport. Although most places in Iceland accept card, there are a few remote places that accept cash or if one needs coins to ride the bus.
The easiest place to exchange currency would be at the Keflavik (KEF) airport. Although most places in Iceland accept card, there are a few remote places that accept cash or if one needs coins to ride the bus.
1-Day Plan
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8:00 AM (Sunrise) - 8:15 AM: Sun Voyager
Sculpture that resembles a Viking ship that appears stunning in the sunlight. Coming here to watch the sunrise is a magnificent experience, although it can be hard depending on time of year, as the sun practically doesn’t set in the summer months.
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Sun Voyager on a cloudy morning
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8:30 AM - 8:45 AM: Brauð & Co
One of the best bakeries in Reykjavik with multiple locations. It has a small interior, so it’s recommended to know what you want before going in. They showcase their baked goods in the display case.
There's not much space inside to eat, but one can take their baked good for a nice stroll. Recommend their cookies, danishes, and cinnamon rolls and taking a look at the fun artwork on the building. Opens at 6:30 AM everyday, so great early morning option as well. |
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9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Hljómskála Park
Stroll through the park beside the lake, Tjörnin, a geothermal pond that is frequented by birds and occasionally turtles. This was the first formally-planned park that took over 15 years to be built starting with land set aside at 1901. The Pavilion was built in 1923 as the first venue specifically built for music and is where the Reykjavik Brass Band plays out of.
Other sculptures not pictured to the left:
After walking past Reykjavik’s City Hall, which has an underground parking lot with an exit that allows one to appear as if walking out of the pool. There is also a very cool statue of the Unknown Bureaucrat, showcasing the mundanity, pressure, and non memorable life of being a bureaucrat. |
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9:45 AM – 10:00 AM: Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Street) Pedestrian street known for a painted rainbow on the ground. It starts on the Laugavegur shopping street and leads to the famous Hallgrimskirkja.
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10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Hallgrimskirkja
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Modern cathedral built in 1986, taking 41 years, and draws inspirations from Icelandic traditions and resembles the natural formations of Iceland's landscape, such as the columnar basalt "organ pipe" formations in Svartifoss. It can be seen thruoghout the city and is known for its curved spire and side wings. Named after the Icelandic poet and cleric Hallgrímur Pétursson, author of the Passion Hymns, it is the second tallest building in all of Iceland at 244 feet tall. Be aware of services that will close the church, but the tower is open. A statue of Leifur Eiríksson stands before the cathedral, a hero of Viking age Iceland and the first European to arrive in America in 1000 AD. It was actually a gift from the U.S. to Iceland with an identical statue in Newport, Virginia. It was placed there in 1932, before the cathedral had even been built. |
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11:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
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Family-run food stand serving hot dogs since 1937. Perhaps the secret to their deliciousness is the crispy fried onions that are on the bottom of the hot dog and flavorful lamb mixed sausages. Highly recommend getting all the toppings of 'eina með öllu' or 'one with everything', which would include raw onions, crispy onions, ketchup, mustard and remoulade.
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton visited in August 2004 during a UNICEF conference and only ordered a hot dog with mustard, which became known as ‘The Clinton’. His visit also made the hot dog stand more infamous. |
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11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Austurvöllur
Enjoy eating your hot dog here and look at this famous square where gatherings and protests occur. National Day is celebrated annually on June 17, where a wreath is laid before the statue of Jón Sigurðsson, the leader of the Icelandic independence movement from Denmark.
Nearby, one can see the Alþingishúsið, Iceland’s Parliament House and the Dómkirkjan í Reykjavík (closed on Saturdays), a quaint neoclassical cathedral consecrated in 1796 known for its unique chalices & altar. |
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12:30 PM – 12:45 PM: Founder Statue, Ingólfur Arnarson
Statue atop the grassy hill (Arnarhóll) honors the founder of Reykjavik, Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norseman who came in 874 AD and named the place Reykjavik.
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1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Beautiful glass honeycomb building known for different events, concerts, and operas. Recommend taking a tour if one isn’t interested in the different events. Book the tour in advance here.
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Harpa Concert Hall
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2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Museum Visit
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Visit one of the other museums in the afternoon.
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4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: The Icelandic Phallological Museum (Hið Íslenzka Reðasafn)
Interesting and small museum focused on phalluses. It mostly focuses on those of animals although there is a section regarding human males as well. Despite its size, it is rather extensive; however, the museum is quite small. I would recommend stopping here for a snack as their café has some delicious penis-shaped waffles and order a drink to walk around the museum with.
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6:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Dinner
Try one of the restaurants in the area. For almost all of the restaurants in Reykjavik, recommend making a reservation in advance.
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM: Laugavegur (Drinks) or Seltjarnarnes (Northern Lights)
Stroll down Laugavegur to check out a few bars or head to Seltjarnarnes if the timing is right to see the Northern Lights. It's hard to get here without a car, but if one would like to walk, there is also a nature path that one can take from the Suðurströnd Parking
- Grótta Island Lighthouse: Lighthouse on the northern tip of Reykjavik that on clear days, one can have a view of the mountain Esjan and Snaefellsjokull glacier on clear days and at night, see the Northern Lights. Around this area, there are also two great spots to watch the Northern Lights like the Kvika Footbath, a thermal footbath, and a Northern Light View Point, near the golf course.
Blue Lagoon (visit after landing in KEF)
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One of the most iconic places to visit, it is considered one of National Geographic’s 25 wonders of the world (in 2012 and remains the marketing campaign of the Blue Lagoon). This geothermal seawater hot spring’s temperature ranges from 98-104°F (37°C-40°C). Known for its healing abilities, the teal blue water is filled with silica, algae, and minerals.
I would recommend purchasing the cheapest “Comfort” option (unless one wants a full spa experience) and spending 2-3 hours, although one can stay as long as they like. There are timed tickets to help stagger groups, so it is usually not too crowded. The water never exceeds 5 feet deep, with lifeguards on duty everywhere. One can wander freely in the water or on land, but it can be quite cold. There are also saunas and steam rooms, alcoholic beverages, and facemasks to enhance the experience. It is located much closer to the KEF airport than it is to the city of Reykjavik, but there are buses that will take you there from the airport. I highly recommend going there right after a flight to soak and rejuvenate in the waters. There is a luggage storage building right beside the parking lot and walking paths in the moss fields around the Blue Lagoon. One can even stay overnight in a hotel and truly soak in the experience. |
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Things to Note:
- You need to pre-book your ticket and arrive within an hour of the booked time.
- The silica in the water can make one’s hair stiff and unmanageable. It’s recommended to keep hair up and leave conditioner in it.
- An electronic wristband is provided to you to lock/unlock a locker where your clothes and electronics can be stored. The wristband also serves as a way to record each time one buys a face mask or a drink, but there is one complimentary drink and mask provided with an entry ticket.
- One must shower without a swimsuit before entering the pool in the gender-separated locker rooms. There are showers with doors for privacy.
Restaurants
- Matarkjallarinn – Foodcellar: ($80) Set-price menu restaurant with some of the best-tasting Icelandic food I’ve had in Iceland. While on the pricier side, it has impeccable service and a wide variety of food options. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time and try the Secret Menu!
- Three Coats: Traditional Icelandic seafood restaurant, also serving smoked puffin.
- Grillmarkaðurinn: Offers a delicious tasting menu with a beautiful interior.
- Seabaron: Casual Icelandic restaurant known for their traditional lobster soup.
Other places to try:
- Kolaportið: Indoor flea market open on weekends from 11 – 5 selling items and traditional Icelandic food.
- Baka Baka: Bakery in Reykjavik that also provides lunch and dinner.
- Omnom Chocolate Ice Cream Shop: Ice cream shop serving vanilla soft-serve style sundaes with beautifully shaped and unique toppings named after animals.
Museums
- Perlan: Interactive natural history museum composed of 6 cylindrical heating supply tanks with a reflective glass dome resting on top. The original design was supposed to be a temple with mirror panels so the Northern Lights could reach people’s feet and has a restaurant and café on the fifth floor with a 360 view of the capital area.
- The Settlement Exhibition: Museum focused on the history of the Vikings who first settled in Reykjavik are preserved in this interactive museum.
- National Gallery of Iceland: Art museum dedicated to 19th-century and 20th-century Icelandic and international artists, and the ticket allows entry into two other museums: Safnahúsið, smaller museum dedicated to Icelandic art, and Hús Ásgríms Jónssonar, house dedicated to pioneering Icelandic artist of Ásgrím Jónsson.
- National Museum of Iceland: Small museum providing history of Icelandic with different exhibits of artifacts.
- Whales of Iceland: Museum about whales with life-sized and interactive models. It is recommended to take the guided tour for a full experience.
- Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Center: Dedicated to the phenomenon behind the Aurora Borealis with a 30-minute movie, audio guide, and virtual reality experience.
Other Attractions
- Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach (Closed on Sundays) – 810 ISK: Open public beach but given the cold temperatures in Iceland, there is a geothermally-heated hot tub; however, one can still swim in the ocean. There are beach towels and swimwear to rent at the kiosk.
