Oct 22, 20204 min read

Make a Layover a Stayover and Spend a Day in Reykjavik

Updated: Feb 4, 2022

If you have a layover in Iceland, make the layover a stayover and spend at least 24 hours in Iceland. The more time the better. But if you have one only day to spend in Iceland make it count. It is called the land of fire and ice because it has both volcanic and glacial terrain. Here are some things you can do in 24 hours in Reykjavik.

Blue Lagoon

If you know you're going to be in Iceland be sure to book a ticket in advance for the famous Blue Lagoon, a must-see attraction. Swim in pools of geothermal hot water rich in skin-softening silica, wander over arched

bridges leading to small waterfalls and saunas, and watch the sun rise through the steam over snow-covered lava rock surrounding the lagoon. The waters here are said to have healing properties so relax and enjoy. Whether coming straight from the plane or taking a day trip, the Blue Lagoon is sure to revitalize you. Don’t forget your swimsuit when packing.

Perlan Museum

Next up the Perlan Museum, this striking domed building stands out against the Reykjavik skyline

almost as much as Hallgrimskirkja, but with many more attractions inside including interactive displays. Walk through a man-made ice cave, learn about glaciers, visit the planetarium, learn about the aurora, and learn about Iceland's volcanic landscape. You can also head down to the gift shop, the observation deck, or the unique on-site restaurant situated right under the full glass dome. The view of Reykjavik from here is amazing.

Hallgrimskirkja

This stunning church is easily the most recognizable structure in Reykjavik. With columns leading up the central tower, fitted with a clock that sounds every fifteen minutes, stained glass windows and a monument to Leif Erikson. Guests are even invited to take the elevator up to the very top where they can look out over the entirety of the city sprawled out below

them, with Perlan distinguishable on the horizon to the east, and a charming inlet with snowcapped mountains to the northwest.

You should be getting hungry about now and Hallgrimskirkja's little square leads directly to a pair of parallel cobblestone streets overflowing with restaurants, shops, cafes, and pubs. You might notice an abundance of Thai restaurants, those looking for a good meal at a fair price should step into Cafe Babalu. The bright orange cafe offers everything from crepes to soups to sandwiches with Icelandic favorites as fillings. Or try a lighter meal at Reykjavik Chips, where you can order snack foods with a delicious Icelandic lager to wash it all down.

Museums and Galleries

Spend the rest of your day exploring a host of unique museum and galleries including Punk Museum, i8 Gallery, Dead Gallery, Wind and Weather Window Gallery, where both beautiful and quirky art can be admired. Stop by the Viking-like Solfarid monument sitting on the edge of the water as if poised to set sail, Reykjavik is a city just bursting at the seams with fun things to do.

Dinner

Those with a refined taste might want to stop by Snaps, a low-lit restaurant that offers an exclusive feel that balances between privacy on one end of the restaurant and a classy vibrancy on the other end where the bar is located. A more economical option and a chance for a beer head to Svarta Kaffit, where anyone you can join in the lively atmosphere with a pint and a burger.

Northern Lights

If you have a car, make your way out from the glare of the city's lights on a clear night and watch the sky. Or take a boat tour from town and head to see the northern lights. When radiation particles from the sun hit the Earth's atmosphere exactly right, a thick band of light stretches across the horizon, causing the phenomenon known as the Northern Lights. Cameras will pick up the light as green, yellow, or sometimes red, purple, and blue, but the light itself can be anything from a pale wisp across the sky to a white band bright enough to read by. You can’t leave Iceland without trying to find the northern lights. It is one of the many reasons so many people go to Iceland every year.

Closing Thoughts

So, this was a tightly packed 24 hours in Iceland. There is so much more to see including 10,000 waterfalls, national parks, volcanos, ice caves, black sand beaches, and amazing landscape that will simply take your breath away. If you can, make it a vacation and not just a stayover.

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