🗺️ Reykjavik attractions: what to see in one day

Reykjavik is compact, and its main sights are close to each other. In a couple of days you can walk to the city attractions, and make a separate trip to the lagoon.

There is almost nowhere to pay on the spot. The waterfront, the Höfði house, and the public areas of Harpa are open without a ticket, while paid places are booked online in advance. We checked the status of each attraction against official websites (as of 09/2026).

Below are six Reykjavik attractions. For each one you will find what makes it different from the others on the list, whether admission is paid, and how to get there.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

1. Blue Lagoon

💡 In short:

Main sights: Blue Lagoon, Viðey Island, Mount Esja, the Höfði house, Harpa, and Perlan
Free: the waterfront, the Höfði house from outside, the public areas of Harpa
Book paid places online: tickets are often sold by time slot
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official Blue Lagoon website

Blue Lagoon with steam and hotel building

The Blue Lagoon is not in the city but on the Reykjanes Peninsula, near Grindavík. It is a geothermal spa complex in a lava field, and the official website calls it one of the 25 wonders of the world (as of 09/2026, Blue Lagoon).

The water is pumped up from a depth of two kilometers. It contains silica, minerals, and algae, so after bathing a white clay remains on your skin. The milky tint of the water comes from the silica, and you will see clouds of steam even from the parking lot.

Tickets are sold only for a specific time slot, so arrive at your scheduled time. Rates depend on the day, hour, and package; see current prices on the tickets page.

Important: the lagoon's operations are sometimes suspended due to seismic activity on the peninsula. Check the status on the website before your trip.

The catch: the site is outside the city, so getting there will eat up half a day.

2. Imagine Peace Tower

Peace Tower beams at night over Reykjavik

The Imagine Peace Tower stands on Viðey Island, 400 m from the Reykjavik shore. The memorial to John Lennon was commissioned by Yoko Ono, and it is switched on on the same dates every year.

The base of the tower is made of white stone: a cylinder about 10 m tall. Inside there are fifteen spotlights, and mirror prisms lift the beam several kilometers into the sky (as of 09/2026, official tower website).

The light is turned on on October 9, Lennon's birthday, and turned off on December 8, the day of his death (as of 09/2026, Visit Reykjavík). The dates do not change from year to year.

You can get there by ferry from the Skarfabakki pier. On the day it is switched on, the first return ferry leaves at 20:30, and buses to the city are arranged.

The catch: outside October and early December, you will only see the stone base.

3. Mount Esja

Esja rises 914 m above the city and is visible from almost any street (as of 09/2026, Iceland.org). The mountain sits 10 km from the capital, and locals call it their guardian angel.

Several marked trails lead to the top. The route starts at the Esjustofa parking lot, where there is also a cafe, so you can grab a coffee and leave your car before the climb.

In summer, reaching the lower viewpoint takes one to two hours. From there you get a panorama of the city, the ocean and the zigzagging coastline. Reaching the actual summit takes longer and requires sturdy footwear.

The easiest way to get there is by car, about 20 minutes from the center. A city bus also stops near the trailhead; check the schedule on the route page.

The catch: the summit climb takes several hours and requires experience.

4. Höfði House (Höfði)

Hofdi white house with dark roof by the sea

Höfði House was built from white timber in 1909 (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia). First it was home to the French consul, and later the poet Einar Benediktsson lived there.

In the twentieth century the mansion passed to the state and became a residence for distinguished guests. Churchill and Marlene Dietrich were received here, as the plaques inside recall.

The house gained worldwide fame in October 1986. On October 11 and 12, Reagan and Gorbachev met here (as of 09/2026, Reykjavík Summit). No treaty was signed, but the meeting brought the end of the Cold War closer.

The interior is rarely open to visitors, so you will be viewing the house from outside. From the Sæbraut waterfront you can see the white facade and the commemorative plaque about the summit.

The catch: there are no regular tours of the house; only an exterior view is available.

5. Harpa Concert Hall

Glass facade of Harpa Concert Hall by the sea

Harpa stands by the old harbor and combines a concert hall, a conference center and an artistic concept. The project was led by architect Henning Larsen, and the glass facade was designed by artist Olafur Eliasson (as of 09/2026, Harpa).

The facade is made of glass panels in blue and yellow shades and resembles honeycomb in a steel frame. By day the building catches the light; at night hundreds of LEDs illuminate it, and the walls seem to float above the water.

Inside there are four halls named after natural motifs: Eldborg, Silfurberg, Norðurljós and Kaldalón. The main stage belongs to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, whose season runs from autumn to spring.

Public areas are open free of charge; a ticket is needed only for a concert (as of 09/2026, Harpa opening hours). Step into the lobby and go up to the upper levels for a view of the harbor and mountains.

The catch: the concert halls open only before a performance.

6. Perlan Cultural Center

Glass entrance to Perlan amid grass and flowers

Perlan sits on the Öskjuhlíð hill, and its dome is visible from anywhere in the city. The building was converted from former water tanks: a glass dome was placed on top, and the interior was divided with concrete floors.

Today it houses a nature museum, an ice cave about 100 m long, a planetarium, and a 360-degree observation deck (as of 09/2026, Perlan). Set aside half a day for your visit, otherwise you will rush past the exhibits.

Buy tickets in advance on the official website. The restaurant under the dome and the observation deck offer a panorama of the city, mountains, and bay, so it is worth going up around sunset.

The catch: the center is on a high hill, so walking up takes time.

Tours and tickets in Reykjavik

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

See offers on GetYourGuide

The widget loads once you give your consent.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is it worth going to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik?

It is, if you are willing to give up half a day. Open evening slots get booked in advance, so reserve your time several days ahead.

Can you hike Mount Esja without a guide?

Yes, no guide is needed because the trails are marked. Pick a day with clear weather.

Are tourists allowed inside Höfði house?

There are no regular tours inside the house. You can only get in for official events.

What can you see at Harpa for free?

Harpa's public areas are open without a ticket: the lobby, staircases, and upper levels with a view of the old harbor. You only pay for a concert by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra or another performance. Opening hours change, so check them on the official website.

In short: what to book

If you have one day in the city, start with the free options: Harpa, the waterfront, and Höfði house from the outside. On the second day, add Perlan with its nature museum. If you are going for the spa, plan a separate half day for the Blue Lagoon.

One day: Harpa and the waterfront, no ticket needed.
Two days: Perlan and the nature museum under the dome.
For the spa: the Blue Lagoon, book your slot in advance.

Reykjavik tours and museum tickets are easy to browse on GetYourGuide.

What to see in Reykjavik: six places and how to get to them