Heading to Reykjavik? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip:
TL;DR
- Perfect for: 1-2 days (5-7 days if adding Highlands hiking or touring the Golden Circle)
- Best for: Adventurous soloists, nature junkies, culture geeks, introverts
- Why visit: Safest city for solo wanders, with epic landscapes and culture
REYKJAVIK AT A GLANCE
- Population: 135,000 — Iceland’s cozy, walkable capital
- Founded: 1786, and the world’s northernmost capital
- Famous for: Aurora Borealis, geothermal pools, colorful houses, unique museums
- Nicknames: The Land of Fire and Ice
- Solo vibes: Exceptionally safe, friendly locals, popular with adventurers traveling alone
ESSENTIAL INFO
- 💰 Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK)
- 🗣 Language: Icelandic (near-universal English spoken)
- 🌦 Best time to visit: June–August (Midnight Sun, festivals); Dec–Feb (Northern Lights)
- ✈️ From airport:
- Cheapest: Bus 55, ISK 1,960 (~$14 USD)
- Easiest/Fastest: Flybus direct to center, ISK 4,000+; taxi about ISK 30,000
- 🧳 Safety: Incredibly safe; just mind petty theft in touristy spots
- 🎭 Cultural calendar tip: Airwaves music festival in early November
- 🎦 What to watch on the plane: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga — Icelandic comedy vibes
WHERE TO STAY (FOR SOLO TRAVELERS)
- 🛏️ Kex Hostel – Industrial-chic, live music, social scene, perfect for solo minglers, right by the water
- 🏘️ Best neighborhood: City Center (Miðborg) – Step outside into cafes, bars, and all main sights
- 🧭 Alt neighborhood: Vesturbær – Low-key chill, coastal walks, great for solitude near the buzz
- 💸 Budget option: Loft HI Hostel – Rooftop views, central, traveler events and modern dorms/private rooms
- Tip: Book close to Laugavegur if nightlife or tours are your jam; don’t leave valuables in shared hostel lockers overnight
TRANSPORT & NAVIGATION
- 🚶♂️ Walkability: Super easy, city core is compact and pedestrian-friendly
- 🚌 Bus: Strætó, ISK 670/single ride; day passes via Reykjavik City Card
- 🚋 No trams/metro – Not needed; city is small
- 🚖 Taxis: Expensive! Use Hreyfill or BSR app, or hail downtown; base ISK 600 + ISK 180/km
- 🚲 Bike/e-scooter: Hopp e-scooters and bike rentals everywhere; ride coastal paths or to Laugardalur
TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ALONE
- 🏛️ Hallgrímskirkja Church – Ride elevator for solo city views, marvel at stunning modern architecture
- 🌿 Öskjuhlíð Hill & Perlan – Easily accessible forested trails, safe at any hour, panoramic domed lookout
- 🧠 Icelandic Phallological Museum – Only-in-Reykjavik weirdness, perfect quirky photo ops and fun facts
- 🧭 Walk Old Harbour to Grandi – Colorful street art, sea breezes, artsy cafés, and the Sun Voyager sculpture
- 🎨 Local thermal pools (try Sundhöllin) – Chill out with Reykjavik residents; top for relaxing alone
- 🔀 Wildcard: Free daily street art walking tour – Great intro to the city and fellow travelers
WHAT TO SKIP
- ❌ Blue Lagoon (in-town layovers only): Crowded, touristy, expensive—local pools offer authentic vibes and cost less
- ❌ Saga Museum: Dated wax displays; opt for National Museum for richer, updated Icelandic history
- ❌ Puffin boat tours: Puffins rarely seen close to city—save your cash for a day trip south
EATING & DRINKING
- 🧍♂️ Solo-friendly spot: Icelandic Street Food – Homey soups, communal tables, chatty locals
- 🥃 Quiet pub/bar: KEX Hostel Bar – Hipster meets Icelandic, local brews, music
- 🍽️ Try these local foods:
- Lamb soup at Café Loki
- Hot dogs from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (must-visit!)
- Skyr everywhere
- 💸 Best cheap eats: Grandi Mathöll Food Hall – Wide choice, dishes from ISK 1,500–2,500
- 🥦 Veg/vegan: Kaffi Vínyl & Veganæs – Chill vibe, inventive dishes
- 🍸 Cocktails/nightcap: Slippbarinn – Classy edge, top mixology, lively conversation
BEST OF REYKJAVIK IN 1 DAY – SOLO ITINERARY
- Sunrise: Watch from the Sun Voyager sculpture—mountain and sea views, peaceful start
- Morning: Hallgrímskirkja tower, then stroll down Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavik’s rainbow street
- Lunch: Soup and bread at Icelandic Street Food
- Afternoon: Perlan’s dome for the view and Aurora show; walk the forested trails nearby
- Evening: Noodle soup or fish at Grandi Mathöll; poke around the Old Harbour shops
- Dinner: Laugavegur night—KEX Hostel bar or Sæta Svínið Gastropub, try lamb or seafood
- Night: Join a Laugavegur “rúntur” pub crawl, or catch live music at Húrra
LOCAL TIPS & INSIDER WISDOM
- 🎉 Festival tip: Iceland Airwaves (Nov) – Electric energy, packed venues, solo-friendly crowds day and night
- 📍 Hidden gem: Sundhöllin swimming pool – Relax like a local, retro bathhouse charm, central
- 📷 Photo spot: Panorama from Hallgrímskirkja tower; Sun Voyager at dusk
- 🧠 Etiquette tip: Always shower (naked!) before entering pools—strict rule!
- 🚩 Safety reminder: Very safe, but the weather changes fast—carry layers and check safetravel.is daily
- 👀 One last thing: Ditch your plans if there’s a Northern Lights alert—locals do too. Chase those auroras!