This is a perfect day to wander at your leisure. Explore the charming streets, boutiques, cafes and other sites.

Things to do in Reykjavik

Hallgrímskirkja Church
This is a must-see spot in Reykjavik. Take the elevator to the top for a view of the city, harbo, and mountains.

Harpa Concert Hall
The concert hall is an iconic building with unique glass designed by Olafur Eliasson. Guided tours are available, or you can wander around on your own.

Sun Voyager Sculpture
Sculpture by artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. This is another well-known artwork located along the harbor.

Perlan Museum
Perlan is the largest nature museum in Iceland. Exhibits include an ice cave, a northern lights show, a lava show and views of the city.

Settlement Museum
This is an open-air excavation site that includes artifacts from the 800’s.

Suggested food in Reykjavik

Icelandic Hot Dog - My favorite hot dog is Víkinga Pylsur over by Hallgrimskirkja however Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is the most famous and an excellent choice.

Rye Bread Ice Cream - Grab a Rye Bread ice cream at Café Loki (this flavor is also available at Valdis Ice Cream).

Bakery - Braud and Co’s coffee roll (or just about anything they sell) is delicious.

Food Tour - You could also book a Reykjavik Food tour for a full introduction to Icelandic cuisine.

Additional tips for your first day

If you have an early morning flight arrival, you could go straight to the Blue Lagoon since it’s closer to the airport than Reykjavik. The Blue Lagoon typically opens at 8 am and depending on the time of year you travel you may be able to enjoy the lagoon and watch the late sunrise.

Northern Lights Tour - If you are traveling between September and April, book a Northern Lights tour for your first night. This is a great way to get an introduction to spotting the Northern Lights and if the weather is not cooperative most companies will give you a free do-over later which would be perfect at the end of your trip.

We booked a photography-focused tour so we would be with a guide that was also a photographer. The guide brought us to a good location for interesting photos, taught us some tricks for our camera settings and how to spot the Northern lights from the very first glow. We managed to catch the Northern Lights several more times on this trip. I am sure the tips from our guide really helped us spot them on our own on the other nights.

Western Peninsula

Búðakirkja Church in Budir (aka the Black Church) - This wooden church was originally built in 1703 and the current church was built in 1848. The juxtaposition of the black and white church with mountains and ocean is a landscape photographer's dream.

Arnastapi and Hellnar - Continue driving to the village of Arnarstapi where you can walk along the cliffs. From Arnarstapi, drive a short distance to Hellnar. This small village offers picturesque coastal scenery. You can also use a walking path to go between both villages.

Djúpalónssandur - This beach is known for its unique rock formations and the remains of a shipwreck.

Snæfellsjökull National Park - Home to a glacier and offers various hiking trails.

Kirkjufell Mountain - This distinctive mountain is often referred to as the "most photographed mountain in Iceland." Park across the street and walk down to the waterfall which has a view of the mountain across the street. You may also recognize this mountain from the TV series Game of Thrones.

Stykkishólmur - This town is known for its colorful houses, charming harbor, and great seafood restaurants.

Hotel - Stay in Reykjavik or close to the Golden Circle.

Things to do in the Golden Circle

Þingvellir / Thingvellir National Park - You could spend days exploring this park however, if you are driving the Golden Circle in one day, I recommend going to the visitor center and heading out to the viewing platform. After taking in the view, you can walk down to Almannagjá which is a gorge that marks the edge of the North American tectonic plate. Make sure to take time to see the Silfra rift which runs between the tectonic plates. With advanced planning, you can also snorkel or scuba dive the Silfra Rift.

Geysir Geothermal Area - Strokkur is a geyser that erupts every few minutes.

Gullfoss Waterfall - Walk along the marked paths to get different viewpoints. If it’s cold I recommend wearing microspikes on your shoes. The path down can be icy due to the spray from the waterfall. Gullfoss also has a lovely café and a large gift shop with items from all over Iceland.

Kerid Crater - This colorful volcanic crater is filled with a blue-green lake.

Golden Circle Dining Recommendations

Friðheimar Farm Greenhouse (reservations needed)
Efstidalur Ice Cream Farm

Things to do in Southern Iceland

Seljalandsfoss - This waterfall allows you to walk behind the cascading water. Remember your microspikes if it’s cold.

Skógafoss - This tall waterfall has a stream with beautiful black rocks. Climb the stairs to the top of the waterfall for a breathtaking view.

Vík - Upon reaching Vík, take some time to explore the picturesque town. This is also a good stop for restaurants and gas.

Reynisfjara Beach - Famous for its unique basalt columns, towering sea stacks and roaring waves.

Dyrhólaey - Impressive sea arches and stunning coastal views. Puffins can often be seen in the Summer.

Katla Ice Cave - If you are staying in the area for a few days book a tour to see this volcanic ice cave. The volcanic rock with blue ice is stunning.

Things to do in Southern Iceland

Skaftafell National Park - Svartifoss waterfall is a 1.5 -2 hour hike and it is known for its unique basalt column formations.

Fjallsárlón Ice Lagoon is typically quieter when compared to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon - View the blue icebergs and sometimes spot seals. Depending on the season you can get a boat tour to get closer to the icebergs. You can also walk along the shoreline for gorgeous scenery.

Diamond Beach - Located on the ocean just outside of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. This black sand beach has crystal clear sparkling ice chunks that wash ashore, creating a magical scene. If you don’t see any ice (diamonds), be sure to head back to the Glacier Lagoon paths to get a glimpse of these clear glacier ice chunks along the lagoon's edges.

Things to do on the Reykjanes Peninsula

Krísuvík - Explore the geothermal area by taking a walk along the boardwalks to see the bubbling mud, hot springs and colorful mineral deposits.

Blue Lagoon - Relax in the warm mineral-rich waters, try a face mask and enjoy a juice or cocktail.

After the Blue Lagoon, you can either head back to Reykjavik or continue back to drive along the coast.

Sights along the coast

Gunnuhver - This is Iceland’s largest mud pool and an active geothermal area.

Reykjanes Lighthouse - Iceland’s oldest lighthouse and built in the early 1900’s.

Bridge Between Continents - This bridge allows visitors to cross between the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and North American tectonic plates.