MapVivid
Perlan and around
A day in Reykjavik · 9:30–17:00 · 5 stops
Open it on your phone:
mapvivid.com/reykjavik/itineraries/perlan-and-aroundA walking day around Perlan, Einar Jonsson Museum and Hallgrimskirkja, with a lunch break nearby and Sun Voyager to end the day.
Every stop on Google Maps: open the list
Morning
9:301Perlan ↗1 h
Glass dome museum with 360-degree city views
- Visit the ice cave exhibit
- Try the observation deck
↓ 24 min walk
11:002Einar Jonsson Museum ↗1 h 30 min
Sculpture museum with a garden near Hallgrimskirkja
- Free garden access
- Allow 45 minutes
↓ 2 min walk
12:303Hallgrimskirkja ↗1 hGo early
Iconic basalt-inspired church with a tower viewpoint
- Take the lift up the tower
- Check organ concert times
Lunch
13:30Lunch break nearby · Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps ↗
↓ 7 min walk
Afternoon
14:454Laugavegur ↗1 hAt night
Main shopping street with cafes and bars
- Evenings are lively
- Look for local design shops
↓ 6 min walk
16:005
Good to know. Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
Reykjavik tips
Transportation
- Ride Strætó buses: Reykjavik's yellow city buses cover the capital area; pay with the Klappið app or card rather than cash, since drivers give no change.
- Book the airport bus: Keflavík Airport is a long drive from the city, so pre-book the Flybus or a similar shuttle to BSÍ terminal and hotel drop-offs.
- Walk the centre: Downtown sights like Hallgrímskirkja, Laugavegur, Harpa and the Old Harbour are all within easy walking distance of each other.
Local Hacks
- Grab a hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu: This tiny stand near the harbour is a local favourite; order one with everything for the classic mix of toppings.
- Use pools instead of pricey lagoons: City pools offer hot tubs and steam rooms for a small fee, a budget-friendly alternative to famous spas.
- Explore Grandi: The old harbour district of Grandi has food halls, cafes and the Whales of Iceland exhibition, a short walk from the tourist core.
Saving
- Shop at Bónus and Krónan: These discount supermarkets are the cheapest way to eat; pick up skyr, bread and snacks for road trips and lunches.
- Drink tap water: Icelandic tap water is excellent and free, so carry a refillable bottle instead of buying bottled water.
- Buy alcohol at the airport: Alcohol is heavily taxed and sold only at state Vínbúðin stores, so arriving travellers often stock up at the duty-free shop at Keflavík.
Security
- Check road and weather sites: Before any drive out of town, check road.is for conditions and vedur.is for forecasts; storms can close roads quickly.
- Register your trip on SafeTravel: For hikes or remote drives, leave a travel plan on safetravel.is and read their alerts, which local rescue teams rely on.
- Respect sneaker waves: On day trips to black-sand beaches like Reynisfjara, stay well back from the water; sudden waves have swept visitors away.
Cultural
- Follow pool etiquette: In geothermal pools like Sundhöllin or Vesturbæjarlaug, shower thoroughly without a swimsuit before entering; staff take this rule seriously.
- Join the hot pot chat: Neighbourhood pools are where locals socialise; sitting in the hot tubs is the best way to see everyday Reykjavik life.
- Do not expect to tip: Service is included in Icelandic prices, so tipping is not expected, though rounding up for great service is appreciated.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack windproof layers: Weather changes fast year-round; a waterproof shell, warm fleece or wool layer, hat and gloves are useful even in summer.
- Plan around the light: June brings near-midnight sun, so bring an eye mask; from about September to April long dark nights give chances to see the northern lights.
- Bring grippy shoes in winter: Icy pavements are common, so wear waterproof boots with good tread or slip-on crampons for walking around town.
Planned with MapVivid. Opening hours change, so check each place before you go. This day, with the map: mapvivid.com/reykjavik/itineraries/perlan-and-around
Day 1 of 29:30–17:005 stops
Perlan and around
A walking day around Perlan, Einar Jonsson Museum and Hallgrimskirkja, with a lunch break nearby and Sun Voyager to end the day.
Opens Google Maps with every stop of the day, ready to save to your own list.
Morning
109:30 · 1 hGlass dome museum with 360-degree city views
3 tips
- Visit the ice cave exhibit
- Try the observation deck
- Allow 2 hours
📷 Photos
24 min walk
211:00 · 1 h 30 minSculpture museum with a garden near Hallgrimskirkja
3 tips
- Free garden access
- Allow 45 minutes
- Combine with Hallgrimskirkja
📷 Photos
2 min walk
312:30 · 1 hIconic basalt-inspired church with a tower viewpoint
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Take the lift up the tower
- Check organ concert times
📷 Photos
Lunch
Lunch break nearby · 13:30
Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps7 min walk
Afternoon
414:45 · 1 hMain shopping street with cafes and bars
- Tip: At night
3 tips
- Evenings are lively
- Look for local design shops
- Walk down from Hallgrimskirkja
📷 Photos
6 min walk
516:00 · 1 hSteel sculpture of a ship on the waterfront
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Visit at sunrise or sunset
- Free
- Walk the seafront path
📷 Photos
Take this day with you
Add the stops to your calendar
Times are local time in Reykjavik. Apple Calendar adds every stop at once (Outlook too). Google Calendar adds one event per link.
Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.