A Day in Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon
End your Iceland trip with a walk through Reykjavík and a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon.
Read below, which sightseeing spots you should not miss, when in Reykjavík and how to make the most out of your visit to the Blue Lagoon.
The old town and the rainbow street
Reykjavík can easily be explored on foot. The old town of Reykjavík is where you will find the rainbow-colored street, which will lead you all the way to the Hallgrimskirka. You will find many small wooden houses along this street and many small shops. Here you will either find a nice souvenir or a small piece of Icelandic art. Several small cafés and restaurants are located in this area as well.
The Hallgrimskirka – Reykjavík’s most famous church
Hallgrimskirka might be the most famous sight of Reykjavík. The iconic church is located on a small hill in the city center. Thus, you have a great view over the city from here.
The church is about 75 meters high and was completed in the 1980s. Since then it became an important symbol of the Iceland’s national identity.
The entrance to the church is free. If you want to visit the viewing platform at the top of the church, you have to pay about 1.000 ISK (7€).
Further stops on your Reykjavik itinerary
- Harpa Operahouse – The modern opera house is located at the harborside. The building can be visited outside of the play times for free.
- Sun Voyager – This sculpture is located close to the Harpa Opera House. It was designed by Jón Gunnar Árnason in 1986 and has been one of the most iconic pieces of art in Iceland ever since.
- Perlan Musuem – South of Reykjavík you can find a very unique museum, which was built into a former water-tank. The exhibition celebrates the naturals wonders of Iceland and you will find (artificial) ice caves, (artificial) geysers and a Northern Lights installation. Entrance is about 4.490 ISK (32€) for adults and 2.490 ISK (18€) for children between six and 17 years.
- Árbær Open Air Museum – This museum displays more than 20 typical Icelandic buildings, which form a town square, a small village and a farm. Most of the buildings have been relocated to Reykjavík, but you get a good impression of the architectural as well as cultural history and development. The museum is open all year round. Entrance fees for adults are 1.950 ISK (14€). Children between 0-17 years do not pay any entrance.
Even though, the Blue Lagoon is one of the major attractions of Iceland, it is definitely worth a visit. Especially as it is listed by National Geographic as one of the 25 world wonders.
End your perfect Iceland adventure with a visit to the Blue Lagoon and relax in the 39° warm water.
Tickets
If you plan a visit to the Blue Lagoon, I recommend to book your tickets online and in advance in order to get a good timeslot. We were lucky and got a slot for 2 p.m. at the same day – but don not rely on having such luck. When visiting in Winter time, consider that you only have limited sunlight. I recommend to book a timeslot, which offers you the possibility to see the lagoon in both: sunlight and darkness.
Tickets are booked for a certain timeslot, but you only have to enter the lagoon at that time – you can stay at the lagoon until it closes. I would recommend to plan about 2-3 hours for your visit to the lagoon (excl. driving time from Reykjavík, which is about 45 Min each way).
Costs and included services
Prices start at about 47€ per Person for the comfort package, which includes the entrance to the lagoon, a towel, a silica mask as well as one free drink. I highly recommend the Somersby Cider as even alcoholic drinks are included – it was the best one I ever had and so refreshing!
Good to know
When planning your trip to the Blue Lagoon with a friend, make sure that both of you have bags packed as they only have separated changing rooms for men and women. This is important to know as you will have to take a shower before entering the Blue Lagoon. To ensure that the water does not get polluted, you will have to shower naked. But do not worry – there are some private showers available, which you can close. In the Lagoon itself you can again wear your swimsuit.
How to get to the Blue Lagoon
By Car – Starting at Reykjavík city center, it takes about 45 minutes to get to the Blue Lagoon. Take Highway 41 to Highway 43 and follow the signs to Blue Lagoon. Parking is free.
By Bus – There is no public bus connection from Reykjavík to the Blue Lagoon, but you can book a ticket for one of the shuttle bus services. The busses usually depart from the BSI bus terminal. Check online for providers.
