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So that you’ve bought someday in Reykjavik? How thrilling!
I’m going to indicate you the way to spend someday in Reykjavik and have essentially the most unimaginable day. I additionally need to reassure you that someday is a good period of time to spend in Iceland’s capital. Certain, a couple of additional days may be good however we don’t all the time have that luxurious so let’s profit from the time we now have!
Whether or not you’re visiting Iceland for someday on a layover, visiting on a cruise, possibly you’re right here for a longer journey in Iceland and simply have someday in Reykjavik or, like me, you’re doing an ‘Excessive Day Journey’ to Iceland (that is the place you’re taking the primary accessible flight in and the final flight out) I’m going to indicate you the proper technique to spend your day in Reykjavik Iceland.
Moving into Reykjavik from the airport or cruise terminal
When you’re on a cruise
When you’re visiting Reykjavik on a cruise then there could also be shuttle buses offered. If not, there are many taxis accessible to whisk you into town centre. It’s solely a ten minute drive so it shouldn’t be too costly.
When you’re on the airport
When you’re on the airport then I extremely advocate hiring a automotive. It’s essentially the most handy and price efficient technique to see Iceland, particularly if there are two or extra individuals in your celebration. Iceland can be a straightforward nation to drive in because of the nice highway circumstances and comparatively quiet roads.
I like to recommend getting a telephone holder so you need to use Google Maps to direct you.
When you don’t drive or don’t really feel snug driving then you may take the Flybus for £23. It takes 45 minutes and leaves each half hour.
1 day in Reykjavik – A fast video
When you’d like a fast visible information to spending a day in Reykjavik then take a look at my video right here…
Cease 1 – Hallgrímskirkja (parking right here is free) + climb to the highest for wonderful views
Our first cease is Hallgrímskirkja, partly as a result of it’s iconic, partly as a result of parking right here is free and straightforward and partly as a result of you may go up the tower and get your bearings for the entire metropolis!
Hallgrímskirkja is Reykjavik’s iconic Lutheran church. It’s the tallest church in Iceland at 74.5 meters (244 ft) and the sixth tallest architectural construction within the nation.
Designed by architect Guðjón Samúelsson, the development started in 1945 and was accomplished in 1986, taking on 40 years. Its putting design was impressed by Iceland’s pure geological formations, comparable to basalt columns shaped by cooling lava. The outside contains a collection of stepped concrete panels that evoke the rugged great thing about Iceland’s landscapes.
The church will not be solely a spot of worship but in addition a cultural hub. Its spacious inside homes a powerful pipe organ with 5,275 pipes!
Guests can go up the tower (tickets price £8 and there’s a raise to take you up) to get pleasure from breathtaking (though very chilly!) panoramic views of Reykjavík and its environment.
Cease 2 – Frakkastígur (get a snack at Brauð & Co Bakery) + road artwork
Have a stroll down Frakkastígur, admire the standard and vibrant buildings in addition to the road artwork and pop into Brauð & Co Bakery. We had ham and cheese croissants (£5.50) and so they had been scrumptious.
Cease 3 – Solar Voyager
Hold strolling down Frakkastígur and ultimately you’ll come to the waterfront and the Solar Voyager sculpture.
Sólfar was designed by Icelandic artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. It was unveiled in 1990 as a tribute to the solar and the ocean, reflecting Iceland’s reference to nature, exploration, and historical past.
The sculpture resembles a Viking ship and is an ode to the spirit of discovery, symbolizing hope, progress, and freedom. Positioned in opposition to the backdrop of Faxaflói Bay and Mount Esja, the Solar Voyager turns into particularly enchanting at dawn or sundown, when gentle performs off its polished floor.
Cease 4 – Harpa Live performance Corridor
From the Solar Voyager, stroll a couple of minutes to Harpa Live performance Corridor which is completely beautiful each in and out.
Harpa Live performance Corridor and Convention Centre was opened in 2011 and can be on the waterfront. The constructing’s putting, fashionable design was a collaboration between Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson, Henning Larsen Architects, and Batteríið Architects. Its façade is made up of a lattice of geometric glass panels impressed by Iceland’s basalt landscapes, reflecting the encircling sky, sea, and metropolis lights. By day, daylight dances throughout its floor, whereas at evening, the panels are illuminated by a stunning LED show.
There are a number of performances taking place contained in the live performance corridor however for those who’ve simply bought someday in Reykjavik then it’s unlikely you’ll have time to get pleasure from one. Nonetheless, be sure you go inside and luxuriate in the great thing about the constructing inside.
There’s a beautiful bar/restaurant on the bottom flooring the place we had a espresso (£5) and loved the attractive ambiance.
Cease 5 – Rainbow Road
Hold strolling across the metropolis and make your technique to Reykjavik’s ‘Rainbow Road’. Often known as Skólavörðustígur, a part of Rainbow Road is painted with a vibrant and daring rainbow design, an emblem of pleasure, help for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and to have a good time variety.
There are many nice outlets, bars, cafes and eating places alongside this road so it’s a beautiful place for a wander.
Cease 6 – Fish and chips at Reykjavik Fish
When you’re feeling peckish then cease for fish and chips at Reykjavik Fish. There are three areas across the metropolis however we visited the one on Rainbow Road and the fish was scrumptious. (Fish, chips and a mushy drink price £21.50)
All in all, that first a part of our Reykjavik someday itinerary took about 3.5 hours. This didn’t really feel rushed so you may do it sooner for those who’re brief on time.
Cease 7 – Sky Lagoon
We then hopped again within the automotive for the 11 minute drive to Iceland’s Sky Lagoon. When you don’t have a automotive, you’d have to get in a taxi.
The Sky Lagoon was undoubtedly the spotlight of our day in Reykjavik. It’s an opulent geothermal spa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It opened in 2021 so it’s comparatively new and competes with the Blue Lagoon which I’ve additionally visited and liked. It was designed with sustainability and aesthetics in thoughts and has a very pure really feel with large rocks, moss-covered partitions and stone paths, making a harmonious reference to nature.
There’s an unimaginable infinity pool that appears to merge seamlessly with the ocean and the sky. With billowing steam and sometimes cloudy skies, it truly is tough to see the place one ends and one other begins and it makes the lagoon really feel even larger than it truly is. The water is heated by geothermal vitality, so it’s deliciously heat no matter Iceland’s often-chilly climate.
Sky Lagoon is understood for its Ritual, a seven-step wellness journey impressed by Icelandic bathing traditions. The journey features a chilly plunge (I undoubtedly didn’t do that step!), sauna, physique scrub, and steam tub, a recent juice after which ending with a heat rinse within the geothermal waters.
It’s also possible to get pleasure from a drink from the swim up bar and I extremely advocate visiting at sundown for essentially the most breathtaking views because the solar goes down. (I booked the 15:00 time slot in November and this was good to observe the sundown!)
When reserving your Sky Lagoon bundle, you may e-book both Saman or Ser. I by accident booked Ser which incorporates the non-public altering rooms which, admittedly, had been pretty, however I’m undecided I wanted to pay an additional £17 for it! It was good to have an extended, non-public bathe and area to prepare earlier than flying residence. You do have to e-book your bundle prematurely and if you wish to take pictures within the Sky Lagoon then you’re allowed.
Cease 8 – Icelandic Road Meals
When you’ve got time for supper earlier than heading again then pop in to Icelandic Road Meals. Right here you’ll discover conventional Icelandic meals with a contemporary twist and a casual ‘quick meals’ vibe. It additionally isn’t fairly as costly because the extra conventional eating places!
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