My 24 Hours in Reykjavík

Mokka Kaffi is my favourite place for coffee in Reykjavík so obviously I would start a perfect day in the city right here. Especially around Christmas time this is such a lovely place to be. It was established in 1958 and it can actually be considered a pioneer, since this café was the first one in Iceland to have an espresso machine.

If the weather is nice and warm, I’d go to Café Babalu, which has a beautiful terrace that they open whenever the sun comes out. Here I love to savour their delicious crêpes.

Full up on delicious treats and with no clouds in the sky, it’s time to get a view of Reykjavík from higher up. The church Hallgrímskirkja is not only worth seeing because of its unusual architecture, the highlight itself is the view which you have from the bell tower.

Heading on down on street level once more, there are a few shops in town that I would definitely pay a visit to, as they all sell very special items and clothes, many of them with a local background. You have Insula which is a tiny interior shop with wonderful, high-class decorative pieces such as blankets, scarves, candles and many more. Then there’s Geysir, which offers many local fashion brands. I especially like what they have in store by the Icelandic brand “Farmers Market.” My all time favourite however is 66 North. It’s perfect for me as I can clothe myself perfectly for all my adventures in nature with their Icelandic outdoor and functional clothing.

Having finished with shopping now, it’s on towards the iconic building Harpa, which is home to both the Icelandic symphony orchestra and the Icelandic opera. Owing to its spectacular façade, designed by the artist Olafur Eliasson, it has become an architectural attraction and a new landmark of the capital.

Afternoon would have rolled around by now so I’d probably be craving some lunch at the Kex Hostel. This cute hostel was established inside an old cookie factory and it is a cosy place to have lunch at, or just to step by for a drink. Another great spot is Gló where they serve awesome vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food. The fresh ingredients and the daily changing menu make it one of my favourite places to eat. If you’re up for fish, go and have the best lobster soup at Sea Baron, located at the old harbour of Reykjavík. For dessert, Valdis has the most delicious ice cream. The sun in your face and ice cream in your hand, what else could you need?

Tired from walking all day long? Icelandair Hotel Marina is a nice place to take break, have a cup of tea and relax your legs.

For dinner I would go to Grillmarket. Ordering their “Tasting Menu” is a great way to try a bunch of Icelandic specialities at once – an extraordinary food experience!

Make sure you still have enough energy left over to check out some clubs and bars, as there are some truly legendary ones in Reykjavík. Kaldi Bar is more on the cosy side with local beer and piano music. Kaffibarinn is rather small, but don’t let that deter you, because the vibes here and the music they play are great, and it’s kind of an attraction of the city.

Some more recommendations to make the most out of your Reykjavík stay: Enjoy the best sunset view from the Grotta lighthouse. Have an “Einstök,” a local craft beer, and Skyr, a traditional Icelandic dairy product high in protein. Maybe not together though 🙂 A very relaxing place to take a break at are the hot springs of Nauthólsvík. A ride on horseback through the lush nature at Laxnes horse farm can be just as soothing though.

If you would like to check out more of my recommendations in and around Iceland’s nature, have a look at my South Iceland guide.