Iceland Stopover Guide: How To Spend 24 Hours In Reykjavik
- Robynne Trueman
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Iceland has quickly become a popular destination for travelers looking for a long weekend getaway from the East Coast of North America (just a five-hour flight!) but it is also a frequent stopover for travellers bound for mainland Europe. With airlines like Icelandair and PLAY offering affordable flights from North America to Europe with free stopovers in Reykjavik, more and more people are discovering the natural beauty of the Land of Fire and Ice.
If your flight to Europe is routing you through Iceland's capital city, I have a few ideas for how you should spend your once-in-a-lifetime stopover in the world's northernmost capital.
Getting To Reykjavik From Keflavik Airport
Your Icelandic stopover will begin at the Keflavik Airport (KEF), approximately 45 minutes from the city of Reykjavik. Fortunately, there are plenty of convenient ways to get downtown. You could rent a car at the airport and drive if your accommodation in the city has parking. But the easiest option for a quick stopover will be to book a spot on the Flybus, which departs the airport around 35 minutes after each flight lands, connecting travelers to the city with ease.
Tickets for the Flybus begin at around $44 Canadian dollars and should be booked online in advance. The bus will take you directly to your hotel.
Where To Eat in Reykjavik
Reykjavik is not a city known for its food selection, but there are a few spots that I (as a budget traveler) found were great value for a hearty meal. These were my favourites restaurants in Reykjavik that are worth visiting on a stopover!
Bæjarins Beztu
Almost every tourist site will direct you to Reykjavik’s famous hot dog stand, and for good reason! These hot dogs are lamb-based with pork and beef and are topped with ketchup, sweet mustard and crisp fried onions. You can dine here for around $3.00 CAD, making it one of the few budget-friendly eats in the city.
Svarta Kaffiđ
On a cold day in Reykjavik, nothing hits the spot like a steaming bowl of soup, especially when the bowl is made of fresh bread. They have a limited menu, only one or two soup options, because everything is made fresh. Dining here for one person costs roughly $15.00 - $20.00 CAD. Pair your soup with one of their Icelandic beers.
Fish and Chips Vagninn
This English-style chip truck in the Reykjavik harbour region offers great value for money. The fish and chips are outstanding and reasonably priced compared to other local options ($18.60 CAD). Plus, you can enjoy a great view of the ocean while you eat.
Icelandic Street Food
This small restaurant downtown had a great vibe and we were even given generous samples by the owner the first time we passed by. Their menu is small but aims to provide a homestyle Icelandic dining experience at an affordable rate for visitors. All recipes belong to the owner’s Grandmother - this is a super authentic dining option that won’t force you to spend too much in one sitting.
What To Do Near Reykjavik
With just 24 hours to explore Reykjavik, you'll need to carefully plan your day to maximize time. I recommend starting or finishing with the Blue Lagoon since this is located between the airport and Reykjavik city center. Once you're downtown, this is where you can visit the iconic church, go whale watching from the harbour, and laugh the night away in a local bar.
Soak in the Hot Springs
Conveniently located en route to the airport in Keflavik, the Blue Lagoon is located in Grindavik, surrounded by fields of lava rock and geothermal springs. The smell of sulphur is strong, but it’s worth enduring. There are buses to and from the airport, as well as day trip tours from Reykjavik. Set aside a good portion of your day to soak in the hot water, enjoy a drink from the bar and exfoliate your skin with a mud mask. Their high-tech locker system alleviates all stress of where to store your valuables, and you can easily spend hours here enjoying the relaxing mineral waters. If you’re looking for something a little less touristy, check out the Sky Lagoon or Mývatn Nature Baths.
Visit Hallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík is Iceland's most iconic church and a must-visit during your stopover. The landmark stands at 74.5-meter-tall and was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson to resemble basalt lava columns. Completed in 1986, it offers panoramic city views and is open to visitors daily, with a small fee for climbing the tower.
Book a Whale Watching Tour
A day on the ocean watching the whales is a must-do while in Reykjavik. You can board boat tours from the old harbour in Reykjavik and with so many tour operators selling in the harbour, there's no need to book in advance. Just show up and shop around – you'll be out on the water in no time!
See a (Free) Local Comedy Show
If you’re only spending one night in Reykjavik for your stopover, do everything you can to make it a Monday so you can go to the free comedy show at Gaukurinn. Goldengang Comedy puts on an English stand up show there on Monday nights featuring up-and-coming comedians from vrious countries. Some acts will be more entertaining than others, but it’s a fun atmosphere, a great chance to meet people and a perfect place to try some Viking beer.
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