7 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik, Iceland (Free 24 Hour Layover Itinerary)

Welcome to Reykjavik, the land of fire, ice, and hot dogs. One of the reasons we love Reykjavik so much is because of just how easy it is to add a quick layover in this unique town. Although we spent more than 24 hours in Reykjavik on our first visit, most recently we had a (literal) 24 hour layover on our way back to the United States from Europe. Having been there previously, we made it a challenge to create the ultimate layover itinerary for any others who wanted to make the most of their short visit to Iceland!

Our Essential Travel Resources :
​There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are our favorite websites and resources to help you plan an incredible trip.

For flights, we recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to your destination.

Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you if you're heading somewhere international!

We always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and always use NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi connections.

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick, especially for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your international or domestic travels.

Visiting Reykjavik & What to Expect

Iceland is a unique place, with a unique Nordic style culture. Known best for their geothermal hot springs, volcanos, black sand beaches and puffins - there's a few things you might want to take note of when planning a trip to Iceland (short layover or longer).

• Drive on the Right - Just like the United States, Iceland drives on the right side of the road - meaning renting a car should be easy! It's worth noting that you'll need your IDP (international drivers permit) and to try to avoid any river crossings or backroads that might not be paved.
• Food Prices - Expensive. Most food in Iceland needs to be imported, which means most items have a much higher price tag. Our best recommendations are to bring some snacks with you and then stopping at a Bonus Supermarket or Kronan Supermarket to stock up for the cheapest prices. We of course also recommend Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur for some modestly priced Icelandic hot dogs!
• Weather - The weather in Iceland can change drastically in just a few minutes. A clear memory for us is arriving at the Blue Lagoon when it opened - a sunny morning - and just a few minutes later we were in a hail storm! From wind, rain, sleet, and snow - it's important to dress in layers and be prepared for anything - even in summer months.
• How to Dress - Like we mentioned above, the weather in Iceland can change in an instant. We recommend wearing comfortable yet durable clothing and always keeping a raincoat and warm clothes handy. If you're planning to do some hiking or exploring outside of town, make sure to also wear shoes you're comfortable with getting dirty. (with the wind, don't even try an umbrella haha)
• Tours - Tours in Iceland tend to book out fairly early in advance, which is why we always recommend booking the activities you're interested in ahead of time. It's also important to keep in mind that weather plays a huge factor in whether tours are able to run as scheduled - so when you're only there for 24 hours it's worth contemplating if they're even worth it.

Looking for a place to stay? We loved the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica!

Our Favorite Tours near Reykjavik : 
- Sky Lagoon & 7 Step Ritual
- Golden Circle Full Day Tour
- Reykjavik Walking Food Tour

Our 24 Hour Itinerary :

Day 1 : 

• ​Arrive in Reykjavik and pick up your rental car. (Flights typically either arrive very early or late in the afternoon. If you get in early, see if you can join a whale watching tour!)
• Head to your hotel and check in.
• Make your way to your FlyOver Iceland experience.
• Grab dinner at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur for some world famous Icelandic hotdogs.
• Change into some warm clothes and head out with crossed fingers to see the Northern Lights. (If you're not confident to see them on your own, try this Northern Lights tour.)

Day 2 :

• Up and at it, make sure to bring your stuff with you when you check out of your hotel!
• Grab some breakfast (we were bummed we missed the Laundromat Cafe) then head to Kermóafoss for at least one waterfall stop in Iceland.
• Head over to Hallgrimskirkja Church, explore the area and walk down to "Rainbow Street Art" to see some of downtown.
• End your layover in Iceland with a stop at the Sky Lagoon. Make sure to get the Sky Pass to enjoy the Seven-Step Ritual and for private changing rooms & a quick shower before your flight!

In order to make the most of your layover, we recommend renting a car at the airport, just remember to take pictures of your rental car and any damage before you leave the parking lot!

7 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik

1. Sky Lagoon
Let's just say, there's a reason the Sky Lagoon made our list and the Blue Lagoon didn't. As two people who have visited both lagoons, we highly encourage you to visit the Sky Lagoon if only to participate in their incredible Seven-Step Ritual. Located right in town, tickets often sell out, so make sure to purchase your tickets here in advance! (We arrived when they opened at 10 am and they were already sold out for the day.)

​Unlike the Blue Lagoon, our experience at the Sky Lagoon never felt crowded, and instead we felt completely renewed during our experience. With incredible views overlooking the water, we even saw a seal while we were soaking in the warm thermal waters! With a Lagoon Bar where you can get an Icelandic Beer while you enjoy the Lagoon, and a gift shop and a Sky Cafe for after your experience - the highlight is the Seven-Step Ritual - an experience where you're taken through a series of steps including the lagoon, a glacier pool, sauna, mist, cleansing scrub, steam and shower. All we're going to say is that you'll leave feeling absolutely incredible.

Read all the reasons we recommend the Sky Lagoon!

2. The Best Hot Dogs in the World
It's no joke - Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is known around the world for having the most delicious hot dogs, and some people travel all the way to Iceland just to try them! Located in a small hut in the center of town near the Reykjavik Marina, you'll simply have to look for the line of people coming from a small red building. Proudly displaying a photo of Bill Clinton grabbing his own hotdog, we recommend trying "one with everything" - raw onions, crispy onions, ketchup, mustard and the special remoulade sauce. To top it off, this will be one of the cheapest food items you'll find in town!

3. Hallgrimskirkja Church
An iconic stop on anyone's Iceland trip, the Hallgrimskirkja Church is the tallest church in all of Iceland, and was built in 1945. With free entry for all guests, what most people don't know is you can actually make your way to the top of the tower for 1000 ISK (just over $7) per person, and we promise it'll be one of the best views of all of Reykjavik!

4. FlyOver Iceland 
Even though our first FlyOver experience wasn't in Iceland (we can't help living so close to the Mall of America) - we can promise this Icelandic version of the fun attraction is just as impressive as the FlyOver America in Minnesota. The experience begins with a Viking and troll storytelling experience that shares the cultures and natural surroundings of the Icelandic people. The exciting part comes next, where you're strapped into an incredibly flying ride that soars you over and through the beautiful glaciers, waterfalls, fjords and natural landscapes of Iceland. With 4D elements, this is a great immersive way to experience the aerial views of Iceland! Similar to the Sky Lagoon, tickets tend to sell out way in advance - so make sure to purchase your Flyover tickets here ahead of time!

5. Rainbow Street Art
In addition to many other colorful murals throughout Reykjavik, this might be the most well known. Just a few blocks down from the Hallgrimskirkja Church is the famous Rainbow Street Art - essentially a block of road that's been painted into a rainbow to celebrate Gay Pride with a perfectly centered Hallgrimskirkja Church in the backdrop. As you explore the area, keep an eye out for some of the many other graffiti and street art exhibits!

6. Waterfall Chasing
A stop in Iceland truly wouldn't be complete without a waterfall. With many famous waterfalls outside of Reykjavik like Seljalandsfoss, Godafoss, Skogafoss just to name a few, there's actually a hidden waterfall located right in Reykjavik! Kermóafoss is a smaller, yet still impressive, local waterfall in Elliðaárdalur Park. Open 24/7, it'll require a short hike but is a great way to get your waterfall fix in! **Note : The waterfall pictured above is not the Kermóafoss waterfall.**

7. Northern Lights
A bucket list experience for anyone, seeing the Northern Lights is truly incredible. (Trust us, we've seen them countless times now and they never get old.) Iceland is one of the best places in the entire world to view the Aurora Borealis, however if you've never experienced them yourself then you might not know what to look for. After reading up on our best tips, you have the option to either head out on your own or to join a tour. If you're not confident in your northern lights spotting skills, we recommend joining a tour - however it's worth noting that you'll be with many, many other tours and people and that the tours often get cancelled.

Watch our Adventures in Iceland here!

Other Iceland Blog Posts : 

• 24 Hour Layover Itinerary (Reykjavik)
• Sky Lagoon - Why You Need To Go

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