How to Spend a 24 Layover in Reykjavik

This guide to spending a 24 hour layover in Reykjavik was written by Alice Smith, who frequently visits Iceland.

Iceland is one of my favorite countries in the world. It’s a fantastic blend of history and stunning natural scenery and I fully intend to visit again and again. Because there’s so much to see and do, if you only have a 24 hour layover in Reykjavik, it can be tricky to know what to prioritize. So, here are my recommendations for how to make the best of 24 hours in Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital.

How to Spend 24 Hours in Reykjavik on a Layover

Reykjavik is a popular city to transit through when traveling between North America and Europe. If you’re able to get a long layover or a stopover in Reykjavik, these tips for enjoying a glimpse of Iceland will help you out.

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Getting out of the airport

Your first stop during your 24 hour layover in Reykjavik will be to work out how to get out of the airport. We found passport control to be fairly quick in Reykjavik and we were out of the plane and into the lobby in no time. Once you’re here, you have several options for getting to the city center.

If you want the most freedom during your short time in Iceland, you can hire a car. However, this also depends on what you want to see. If you plan on spending most of your time exploring the capital itself, then there’s not a huge need for a car. But, if you want to get out of the city and see some of the beautiful scenery that Iceland is famous for, you may want to consider it.

I also suggest thinking about the time of year you are visiting Iceland before you rent a car. If you’re visiting the city in the winter months, you’ll need to be more careful driving than in the summer, although Icelanders do take good care of their roads in winter.

The second option would be to take the bus. Reykjavik has a very convenient bus service from the airport to the city. There’s a machine in the terminal lobby that looks a bit like a cash machine, except you can use it to buy bus tickets that go directly to the capital.

The buses leave every 30 minutes and will get you to the city center in about 45 minutes. They also offer a pickup service from the center, so you will be able to easily get back to the airport.

In my opinion, the bus is the easiest option for a 24-hour layover in Reykjavik because you don’t have to deal with collecting a car. However, if you want the freedom a car gives you, this is also a viable option.

The Blue Lagoon

One of the things that is often highest on people’s Iceland bucket list is to visit the Blue Lagoon. On a 24 hour Iceland layover, this is one of the best things to do! Just like getting to the city center, it’s also really easy to get to the Blue Lagoon from Keflavik Airport and they have their own dedicated bus service.

The Blue Lagoon Bus Terminal is located 1km from Keflavik Airport and the bus leaves every hour. You can also buy tickets for this bus within the airport terminal and one-way tickets cost about $28/£22. You can also purchase tickets from the airport to the Blue Lagoon, and then on to Reykjavik City Center if you want. But for this, you’ll need to purchase 2 separate tickets.

On top of buying your bus tickets, you’ll also need to purchase tickets to the Blue Lagoon itself. There are several packages available, the most expensive ones coming with access to the on-site spa as well as the lagoon. The cheapest package costs $63/£50 and includes the use of a towel, a mud mask, and a complimentary drink.

Despite the cost of this attraction, it’s really a must-visit place in Iceland. You have to book your tickets in advance, but once you’re in, you can stay as long as you like. They also have a restaurant on-site, so if all you wanted to do during your 24 hour Reykjavik layover was relax at the Blue Lagoon, you could 100% do this (and I totally wouldn’t blame you!).

Reykjavik City Center

The other option, of course, is to spend some time at the Blue Lagoon and then head into Reykjavik’s city center and explore some of the sites of the capital.

I utterly loved Reykjavik’s city centre. It was so vibrant and exciting and, despite the less-than-warm weather, all the locals were standing outside the pubs drinking and chatting in the streets. The city also has a pretty exuberant nightlife scene with plenty of bars and clubs open until late. Although I don’t recommend going to these if you’re on a layover – you don’t want to miss your plane!

Here are a few of the things I do recommend doing during your 24 hours in Reykjavik.

Hallgrímskirkja Church

Alongside the Blue Lagoon, this historic church is one of the symbols of the city. Hallgrímskirkja is stunning. The design was inspired by the basalt columns located along the south coast. And you can easily see the resemblance when you look at the beautiful structure.

The inside is fairly minimalist. When we visited, the whole place was bathed in a red glow that made the towering columns look kind of eerie. However, the best part about visiting this church is the views from the top.

If you’ve ever wanted to see panoramic views over Reykjavik, this is the best place to do it. In fact, it might be the only place to do it seeing as the church is the tallest building in the city.

From the top, you can see the multi-colored buildings of Reykjavik and the icy mountain scenery in the distance. It’s incredibly impressive.

Sun Voyager

Next, take a walk along Iceland’s seafront to the Sun Voyager Statue. This curious statue almost looks like the skeleton of a boat. However, it’s actually an ode to the sun, hence its name. The artist designed it to convey hopes of freedom, and its sleek, stainless steel form definitely conjures up images of a journey.

Positioned against the backdrop of the ocean and the mountains in the distance, the sculpture is a symbol of Iceland’s maritime history. It’s one of the best things to see in the city and, if you’re a fan of photography, you can get some great pictures here.

Harpa Concert Hall

Located near the Sun Voyager Sculpture, Harpa Concert Hall is another great place to stop in Reykjavik’s city center. The design of this place is pretty remarkable. With glass panels that reflect the sun, it almost looks like a kaleidoscope, and it’s a very beautiful place.

Inside, Harpa offers a range of different concerts and cultural events. The main concert hall has impeccable acoustics and is primarily used for operas and other musical performances. The smaller halls and meeting spaces cater to a diverse range of events, from contemporary music and theater to conferences and exhibitions.

Even if you just stop here for a quick photograph, this is a beautiful building and one of the top places to visit in Reykjavik.

Visit one of Iceland’s Museums

Once you’ve explored a few of Reykjavik’s famous landmarks and sights, you might want to use the rest of your layover to explore some of the city’s museums. Iceland has a surprisingly large number of museums, from the delightful Perlan to the bizarre Phallic Museum.

A few of my favorites include:

• Perlan – This immersive experience will take you on a whirlwind tour of Iceland’s natural wonders and history. It tells the story of wildlife, glaciers, and ice caps, and even has its very own ice tunnel you can walk through.
• Whales of Iceland – If you’ve ever wanted to see the true size of all the whales in our oceans, you have to visit this museum. It has so much information on the world’s largest creatures and you can learn so much.
• The National Museum of Iceland – This cultural gem tells the story of Iceland from its early settlements to modern times. You’ll be able to see artifacts, art, and historical documents that show the nation’s evolution.
• Viking Maritime Museum – If you’re interested in Maritime History, this museum will be right up your street. You can explore historic Viking ships and see a range of exhibits that highlight the maritime adventures that have defined Icelandic culture.

Since you only have a short time in Iceland, you’ll likely only have time for one of these museums. But, if you fancy diving deeper into the culture of the country, this is a great way to spend your time.

Drive the Golden Circle

Last but not least, another great way to spend a 24 hour layover in Reykjavik is to drive the Golden Circle. This route is one of Iceland’s most famous road trips and you’ll be passing by a collection of beautiful sights and scenery.

If you’re driving from Reykjavik airport, I recommend heading to the furthest point away and making your way back. This is the typical route around the Golden Circle, so you may meet other tourists but will mean you’ll be getting closer to the airport with each stop, ideal for driving this on a layover.

Stops on the Golden Circle

The first stop, Gullfoss Waterfall, is about a 2-hour drive from Keflavik Airport. This waterfall is one of Iceland’s most popular. If you’re visiting Iceland in winter, you can only walk down to the first platform, whereas if you’re visiting in the summer months, you can walk all the way down to a platform right above the water’s edge. The power of the water is incredible and it really takes your breath away.

Depending on what time you get here, you may also want to have a bite to eat. There are toilets, a cafe, and a little shop where you can buy Icelandic winter gear. This means it’s also a great place for a pit stop after a lot of travelling.

The next stop on the Golden Circle Drive is Geysir, the geothermal site. There are a few different geysers here but the most famous one is near the entrance and shoots hot water into the air every 8-15 minutes. My top tip for this is not to stand too close to it. I made this mistake and ended up drenched in slightly sulfur-smelling water!

Finally, head 50 minutes back towards Reykjavik and you’ll reach Thingvellir National Park. This site is located at the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. There are lots of things you can do here, from hiking to admiring the fantastic scenery to even swimming between the tectonic plates. There’s a canyon and a beautiful lake here that are also worth seeing.

Once you’ve spent plenty of time at the National Park, you could either drive back to Reykjavik or head to the airport, depending on how much time you have left.

Final Thoughts on Spending a 24 Hour Layover in Reykjavik

So, whilst 24 hours in Iceland isn’t nearly enough to see all the magical things this country has to offer, it’s enough to get a teeny taster of the capital. Whether you opt for staying in the center, relaxing in the milky waters of the Blue Lagoon, or driving out of the city to see some of Iceland’s most beautiful spots, I hope this article will help you make the most of a 24 hour layover in Reykjavik.

About the author: I’m Alice, the UK travel blogger behind Adventures of Alice. Through my blog and social media, I share stories, itineraries, photography, and practical tips for exploring big cities and the great outdoors. I took my first trip abroad in 2016 and feel like I’ve been on a non-stop adventure ever since! I created Adventures of Alice to inspire people to explore the unexplored and to show that budget-friendly travel can still be luxurious.

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