As soon as you land in Keflavík International Airport, you may be eager to get on the Ring Road & start exploring Iceland’s natural wonders of waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, & lava fields. But take some time to spend your first day unwinding & recharging in Reykjavík, Iceland’s little capital. The country has the smallest population in Europe with a size of about 350,000. Approximately 120,000 of Icelanders live in Reykjavík, making this city easy to consume in just one day.

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I fell in love with Reykjavík not for its sights, rather for its laid-back vibe & cool atmosphere. There is also something very special about an island nation that thrives among old Viking history & magical elfin legends, all while embracing contemporary architecture & a modern way of life.

The colorful architecture, lively arts scene, & cozy restaurants brighten up the city even on the dreariest of days. The locals are very welcoming & because most speak English, they make you feel at ease. Everything is easy to navigate by foot with just your printed map in hand.

Laugavegur is the main shopping district, vibrantly decorated with whimsical street art. The city allows local artists to express their creativity on the blank walls of buildings & to prevent ugly graffiti. Wander through the rows of streets lined with cute boutiques, Icelandic souvenir shops, & independent bookstores. Keep in mind, the locals like to sleep in so most businesses don’t open until after 10:00am.

Marvel in Awe of Hallgrímskirkja Church

Hallgrímskirkja Church is the most iconic structure & a national monument in Reykjavík. The Lutheran parish church was built in 1937 by state architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, in memory of renowned religious poet, Hallgrímur Pétursson. Due to its controversial design, it took 41 years to complete! In front of the church is a statue of Leifur Eiríksson, the first Norse explorer to land on North America. The statue was a gift from the US in celebration of the 1000 year anniversary of Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament.

Hallgrímskirkja’s dramatic pillar design was inspired by the lava-formed basalt columns seen along the country’s rugged coastline. Standing at 240 feet, it is the sixth tallest structure in the country & has one of the best skyline views. The church is free to enter but you have to pay 1,000 ISK ($7.00) to take the elevator to the top. Be sure to also check out the spectacular organ that measures 49 feet high & consists of 5,275 pipes!

Satisfy Your Senses at Harpa

Situated right along the old harbor is Harpa, a gorgeous concert hall designed entirely of geometric, multicolored glass panels. Since May 2011, the building has been an important classical music & performance venue, as well as an international conference center. Its construction long withstood much controversy during a time when Iceland was suffering one of the largest economic crisis in history. Today it stands proudly as a symbol of perseverance & attracts many visitors every year.

An architectural masterpiece, Harpa is free to explore inside during the morning hours of 8:00am – 12:00pm. Design buffs who would like access to off-limit areas can take a guided tour as well. The concert hall features state-of-the-art technology in sound & acoustics, & is rightfully home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra & The Icelandic Opera. It is also an impressive spectacle at night as the windows change colors to music, showcasing a beautiful light show worth watching in the cold.

Take a Shining Selfie by Sólfar

Keep strolling down Reykjavík’s scenic waterfront path & you will come across Sólfar (Sun Voyager), a unique steel sculpture designed by former mechanic, Jón Gunnar Árnason. The Sólfar was first unveiled in 1990 to commemorate Iceland’s 200th anniversary. Being in the land of Nordic sagas, many people understandably mistake the sculpture for a mythical Viking ship. However, the artist created Sólfar with a vision of a dream boat. Its ever-flowing poetic lines proudly gleams as a symbolic promise of uncharted territory, hope, & freedom.

Across the bay stands the magnificent snow-capped Mount Esja which makes this landmark a beautiful spot for photos.

Learn About Iceland’s Natural History at Perlan

For a different cityscape perspective with panoramic views, you can visit Perlan (aka the Pearl) just on the outskirts of Reykjavík. It has a glass dome ceiling with an observation deck on the 4th floor which you can access for a small fee of 490 ISK ($4.00). There are sixteen binoculars with signs that direct your eyes to various points of interest all across the city.

Perlan is a circular building located on top of a water reservoir that holds geothermal hot water. In contrast, it also features a man-made indoor ice cave that replicates those in glaciers at 14°F! There are multimedia exhibits that provide interesting information on Iceland’s geology as well as the detrimental effects of global warming that is currently occurring in Iceland. Along the ground floor, there is a virtual aquarium where you can learn more about the marine life in Iceland’s waters.

Enjoy the Nordic Coffee Culture

As a coffee snob, I need my daily cup of joe. Regardless of the need for a caffeine boost, the smell & taste of freshly roasted beans always perks up my day. I especially love checking out new cafés & Iceland is the perfect country to enjoy a hot brew. Here I list three of my personal favorites we visited in Reykjavík:

Stofan – Stofan means “living room” & is exactly what its name refers to inside this homey café. With comfortable vintage furniture & warm ambiance, Stofan makes you feel right at home. Free high speed WiFi is available, but there are also books & retro board games for those who prefer to come unplugged. Stofan has a decent menu of homemade pastries, delicious soups, & they even offer beer on tap during happy hour!

Reykjavík Roasters – Possibly known as the most famous coffee shop in Iceland, this roastery roasts their own beans imported directly from farmers in Colombia & Nicaragua. Reykjavík Roasters is for serious coffee connoisseurs as they don’t offer any decaf nor non-caffeinated beverages. The café also functions as a coffee school, offering workshops on roasting & brewing techniques for those who want to level up their barista skills.

Café Babalú – Located near Hallgrímskirkja, you will find the bohemian Café Babalú. An eclectic little coffee shop decorated in quirky little knick knacks, Café Babalú is reminiscent of an old secondhand store. Among the ordered chaos inside, you will find a variety of vintage postcards, dusty books, ancient maps, & souvenirs collected from around the world. Fancy decor aside, the café has a great coffee & tea selection, even offering a full vegetarian menu!

Go Budget Shopping for Food

As you probably already know, everything in Iceland is expensive. While we don’t mind splurging on authentic foreign cuisines during our trips, we wanted the full road trip experience & eat frugally out of our campervan. Surprisingly, the price of groceries in Iceland is similar to that in the US! Our favorite Icelandic convenience store for budget shopping was Bónus. You can’t miss its logo that features a bright pink piggy bank with a suspicious looking black eye! Other frequented stores included Krónan & Nettó, but we preferred Bónus for its variety of items & camper necessities.

You may find a few recognizable American brands such as Pringles, Spam, & Coke. (Fun Fact: Icelanders drink more Coca-Cola per capita than any other country in the world!) Unfortunately, due to Iceland’s high import costs, fresh produce & meat is usually pretty pricey. Thus, we mostly resorted to simple foods including apples, eggs, potato salad, Skyr (a high protein yogurt-like dairy treat), & lots of PB&J.

We also came prepared for the unknown by packing ramen noodles, instant coffee, nuts, & our favorite protein bars from home. Though I expected to lose some weight while skimping on meals in Iceland, I stayed surprisingly well nourished & quite satisfied throughout the entire trip.

Angella’s Travel Tips

• Iceland is recognized as one of the most peaceful countries in the world, known for its low crime rates & non-existent standing army.
• Icelanders are generally open-minded conversationalists with a dry, yet witty sense of humor. As long as you respect local etiquette (& not complain about the weather or high costs), you will make memorable connections.
• Tap water in Iceland is completely safe to drink! Save your money & plastic waste by refilling a reusable bottle instead.
• Just like the food in Iceland, alcohol prices also come at a premium. For those who need a drink, I highly recommend purchasing alcohol duty-free at the Keflavík Airport.
• While all the sights mentioned here are easily accessible by foot, you may also choose to travel by car. Downtown parking is plentiful & accepts most major credit cards. Be mindful that many of the streets are directed one way & you cannot make right turns on red.
• Weather in Iceland is highly unpredictable, where sunshine can quickly turn into a snow flurry within minutes. So prepare to dress in layers, wear sturdy walking shoes, & bring along waterproof gear for your trek around the city.