I spent one day in Reykjavík during my solo Iceland trip in September 2023, and it was my first real taste of the country. After flying from Winnipeg and spending a long layover in Montréal, I finally arrived in Iceland with only three days to explore. I don’t drive, so I knew I would be walking around Reykjavík and relying on guided tours for the rest of the trip. What surprised me first wasn’t the city itself, but the weather — strong wind, cold air, and skies that seemed to change every few minutes. It made Reykjavík feel dramatic, a little wild, and completely different from anywhere I had been before.
I had wanted to visit Iceland for a long time, so even with only three days, I wanted to make every moment count. I spent my first day exploring Reykjavík on foot, and one thing became clear almost immediately: the weather could change in minutes.
Staying in a Reykjavík Hostel
For this trip, I stayed in a hostel in Reykjavík.
As a solo traveler, a hostel made sense for me because I wasn’t looking for luxury. I mainly wanted somewhere practical to sleep between exploring the city and joining tours.
The hostel had a shared kitchen and common area, which I appreciated because food in Iceland can get expensive.
Having access to a kitchen is something I would definitely recommend for budget travelers who want to avoid eating every meal at a restaurant.
The dorm room itself was simple, with bunk beds and the basics I needed for a short stay.
Exploring Reykjavík on Foot
Once the weather improved a little, I headed outside and started walking.
One of the things I liked immediately about Reykjavík was how easy it felt to explore the center on foot.
I didn’t follow a strict itinerary.
I mostly walked, looked around, took photos, and stopped whenever something caught my attention.
That is usually how I enjoy cities the most.
Walking Through Reykjavík’s Colorful Streets
One of the first things that stood out to me was the city’s personality.
Reykjavík has colorful buildings, unusual cafés, small shops, street art, and little details that make the city fun to explore without having a specific destination in mind.
I passed places like Café Babalú, which immediately caught my attention because of its bright colors and quirky exterior.
Even ordinary streets felt interesting.
I also came across a small treehouse in a residential area, something I probably would have missed if I had been rushing from attraction to attraction.
Rainbow Street
One of the most recognizable streets I visited was Rainbow Street, along Skólavörðustígur.
The colorful road is one of those places that instantly makes you stop and take photos.
With cafés, shops, colorful buildings, and pedestrians all around, this was one of the livelier areas I saw during my walk.
Hallgrímskirkja Area
I also walked around the area near Hallgrímskirkja, one of Reykjavík’s most recognizable buildings.
Even if you are not planning to spend much money on attractions, simply walking through this part of the city is worth it.
The streets around the church are easy to explore, and there are lots of cafés, shops, and interesting buildings nearby.
Harpa Concert Hall
Another stop I really enjoyed was Harpa Concert Hall.
The architecture is probably what impressed me most.
From the outside, the glass building already looks striking, but walking inside gives you an even better look at the geometric design.
If you have just one day in Reykjavik, walking is one of the easiest ways to experience these seven city highlights without a car.
You don’t necessarily need to attend a performance to appreciate the building.
For me, simply walking around and seeing the architecture was enough.
Walking Along the Reykjavík Waterfront
From Harpa, I continued along the waterfront.
This was one of my favorite parts of exploring Reykjavík because you get views of the water, boats, mountains, and the city all at once.
The weather kept changing while I walked.
One moment there were dark clouds, and not long after, patches of blue sky appeared.
That became a theme throughout my entire Iceland trip.
The Sun Voyager
Eventually, I reached The Sun Voyager, one of Reykjavík’s best-known waterfront sculptures.
The sculpture sits beside the water with mountains in the background.
Even though it is a simple stop, I think it is one of the best places to experience Reykjavík’s waterfront.
The combination of the sea, mountains, clouds, and sculpture really captures the atmosphere of the city.
One Day in Reykjavik Without a Car
One thing I learned very quickly was that you do not necessarily need a car to enjoy Reykjavík itself.
Reykjavík Without a Car
I explored almost everything on my first day by walking
I also saw Reykjavík’s yellow public buses throughout the city
For me, not driving was not a major problem.
Inside Reykjavík, I could walk.
For the rest of Iceland, I joined organized tours.
If you are a solo traveler who does not drive, this is one of the easiest ways to experience Iceland without worrying about renting a car.
A Random Colorful Street Find
One of the things I enjoyed most about walking around Reykjavík was finding places I wasn’t specifically looking for.
I came across this colorful painted pathway while wandering around downtown.
These smaller details made the city feel creative and playful.
It is one of the reasons I recommend leaving some free time in Reykjavík instead of planning every minute of your day.
Craving Rice in Iceland
After walking around for hours, I started craving something very familiar.
Rice.
I ended up finding a Vietnamese restaurant in Reykjavík.
I wasn’t looking for traditional Icelandic food that night. I just wanted something warm, filling, and familiar after spending the day walking in cold and windy weather.
I ordered a rice dish with grilled meat.
It may not have been the most Icelandic meal, but it was exactly what I wanted at that moment.
And that is one thing I like about travel.
Not every meal has to be about trying something new. Sometimes you just want comfort food.
Is Reykjavík Expensive?
One thing that definitely stood out to me was the price.
Iceland is expensive.
I don’t usually spend much on shopping when I travel because I prefer spending money on experiences.
On this trip, most of my budget went toward tours rather than souvenirs.
For Reykjavík, staying in a hostel, walking around the city, and using shared kitchen facilities can help keep costs lower.
What Surprised Me Most About Reykjavík
The biggest surprise for me was the weather.
It could change so quickly.
The wind also made the temperature feel much colder.
But at the same time, that weather added something to the experience.
The clouds, cold air, mountains, water, and unusual landscapes made Iceland feel completely different from anywhere else I had visited.
My first impression was simple: Iceland felt like another planet.
Would I Spend More Time in Reykjavík Next Time?
Yes.
Three days in Iceland was not enough.
If I could redo the trip, I would stay longer and give myself more time in both Reykjavík and other parts of Iceland.
I would also try more tours.
Because I don’t drive, tours worked very well for me and allowed me to experience places I would not have been able to reach easily on my own.
My First Day in Reykjavík
My first day in Reykjavík was simple.
I arrived, checked into my hostel, waited out the wind, then spent the rest of the day walking.
There was no complicated itinerary.
I just explored.
And sometimes those are the travel days I remember most.
I walked past colorful cafés, Rainbow Street, Harpa, the harbour, Sun Voyager, and quiet residential areas before ending the day with a warm plate of rice.
For a first introduction to Iceland, Reykjavík was a great place to start.
And the next day, I left the city and headed toward Iceland’s South Coast.
If you enjoy making the most of short trips, you can also read about my overnight layover in Hong Kong and how I explored the city during a limited amount of time.
Explore More Reykjavík Tours and Experiences
Prefer exploring Reykjavík with a local guide? A walking tour can be a great way to discover the city’s history, culture, and landmarks. Explore available Reykjavík tours and experiences, and compare routes, meeting points, and prices before booking.
EXPLORE REYKJAVÍK WALKING TOURS
Wallet Roamer Tip
If you are visiting Reykjavík without a car, stay somewhere central if possible. It makes it much easier to explore the city on foot and join tour pickups for destinations outside Reykjavík.