Start at Hallgrímskirkja
A good first day in Reykjavík leaves room between the sights. Walk a few streets, stop for something to eat, look out across the water and make time for a swim. You can use the route below as a loose plan and shorten it whenever you want.
Hallgrímskirkja makes a useful starting point above the city centre. The church’s tower offers views over the rooftops towards the sea and surrounding mountains. Check the church’s current visiting arrangements if you want to go inside or up the tower, since this is also an active place of worship. [1]
Start with the outside if your timing does not fit a visit. Take a moment to get your bearings, then follow Skólavörðustígur downhill into the centre.
Walk the centre without rushing it
Skólavörðustígur leads you towards the main shopping streets. Spend some time around Laugavegur before continuing towards Bankastræti and Austurstræti. Rather than setting a fixed time at every corner, use a café stop or lunch as your break in the day.
The side streets are part of the experience too. Look for the small changes in roof colour, the gardens between houses and the way the centre opens into squares. Keep pavements clear when stopping for photographs and remember that many of these streets are residential.
Take a turn towards Tjörnin
Tjörnin, the pond in the city centre, and neighbouring Hljómskálagarðurinn park make a pleasant change from the shopping streets. Add a short walk here if you want some open space before returning towards the harbour. Visit Reykjavík lists the pond and park together as one of the city’s central outdoor areas. [2]
You do not need to walk every path to make the visit worthwhile. Choose the section that fits your energy and the weather, then continue when you are ready.
Harpa and the waterfront
Head towards the Old Harbour and Harpa for a different view of the city. Harpa sits on the waterfront at the edge of the centre, with outlooks across Faxaflói towards Esja. Its public visitor information covers the building and the activities available inside. [3]
Leave time to look at the glass façade from more than one angle. If you would like to go inside, check Harpa’s current opening hours. A visit to the building and a ticket to an event are separate plans.
The waterfront can feel very different from a sheltered street a few blocks away. Bring a layer you can put on quickly, and shorten this part of the walk if the wind makes it uncomfortable. On a clear day, simply watching the light change across the bay can be enough.
Make time for a swim
A Reykjavík swimming pool is a useful final stop after walking around the centre. Sundhöllin on Barónsstígur has an indoor pool, hot tubs, a steam room and other facilities listed on the city’s official pool page. Check current opening times and any closures before you go. [4]
Bring swimwear and a towel. The city’s visitor instructions explain the changing room routine: wash thoroughly without swimwear before entering the pool, then put your swimsuit on. Ask the staff if you need help with lockers or the facilities. [5]
Give this stop its own time. It works better as a proper break than a rushed final item before dinner. If you would rather finish earlier, keep the pool for another day.
Put the day together
This is a suggested order, not a timed tour. You can begin near your accommodation or reverse the route if that suits you better.
| Part of the day | A simple plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Hallgrímskirkja, then Skólavörðustígur and the central streets |
| Around lunch | A meal and, if you feel like it, a walk by Tjörnin |
| Afternoon | The Old Harbour, Harpa and the waterfront |
| Later | Sundhöllin or a slower evening in the centre |
If you only have a few hours
Choose the church and central streets, or the harbour and waterfront. Add one meal or coffee stop and leave the rest for later. Trying to cover the whole route between airport transfers can make a short visit unnecessarily hurried.
If the weather turns
Swap a longer waterfront walk for an indoor visit that interests you. Check opening times before changing the plan. There is no need to keep walking an exposed stretch just because it was next on the list.
Keep the wider trip in mind
If you are leaving the city the next morning, keep enough time for packing and preparation. For a warm water day outside the city, read our natural hot springs guide. If the South Coast is next, our Skaftafell guide helps you plan time for the trails and glaciers.
Common questions
Do I need a car for this route?
This guide is built around walking in and around the centre. Choose transport that suits your mobility and where you are staying. Allow extra time for the uphill sections and check local conditions.
Can I visit Harpa without attending a concert?
Harpa publishes visitor information and building opening hours separately from its event programme. Check those details for your visit; ticketed events have their own arrangements.
Is Sundhöllin a natural hot spring?
No. It is a staffed city swimming pool with bathing and swimming facilities. For natural geothermal bathing places outside the city, see our hot springs guide.
Can I do this on arrival day?
Yes, if your arrival time and energy allow. Choose one part of the route first and keep the rest optional, especially after an overnight flight.
Sources & useful links
Checked 26 September 2026. Trail access, weather and operator details can change.