A Female Solo Traveller's Guide To Reykjavik, Iceland: Stay, Eat, Do

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A relatively young city by Europe’s standards, Reykjavík still manages to offer genuinely interesting history, culture and captivating architecture, as well as a gateway to staggering natural phenomenons and otherworldly landscapes. Iceland is full of the unexpected, and like nowhere else I have been, and I fear I only scratched the surface of everything the Nordic country has to offer. 

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EAT + DRINK

Reykjavík has become a bit of a hot foodie destination in recent years, filled with the most incredible bakeries, cafes and restaurants. Serving everything from Snúður (chocolate covered cinnamon rolls) and rye bread baked in hot springs, to Icelandic classics and delicacies such as lamb stew or shank, fermented shark (Hákarl) and of course freshly caught seafood, the city’s food scene is deliciously varied.

If you’re after experiential dining then Dill, the city’s first of only two Michelin starred restaurants, is not to be missed, with the same to be said for TIDES at The Reykjavík EDITION, which offers some of the best seafood in the city. But if you’re after a more authentic experience then try somewhere like Reykjavík Kitchen. Family owned and run, a theme throughout the city, Reykjavík Kitchen has a slightly larger menu than most fine dining options despite its smaller size. The staff are lovely, attentive without being overbearing, a skill when the space is packed with locals and tourists every night, and the decor follows the pattern of black metal and gold, dark woods and low hanging mood lighting. Don’t miss the Lamb Ribeye – lamb being a must try in Iceland – or the Reynisfjara, a black tagliolini with oven-baked cod, shrimps and a citrus sauce.

LÓA Restaurant, on the corner of Snorrabraut and Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s main shopping street, boasts Icelandic classics with a Mediterranean twist. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, moving from buffet style to a la carte, LÓA has something for everyone without compromising on ingredients or taste, while also catering for vegan and gluten free diners as a part of the menu and not just as a token change on request. As a meat-eater though, the Dyngjufjöll (roasted chicken thighs) with crispy potatoes seriously hit the spot despite the fact that I was, frustratingly, sick when I visited. Iceland is known for its friendly population, and that translates to LÓA – I was made to feel instantly welcome, with the team gently checking in knowing I wasn’t feeling too great. I didn’t feel up to staying for a cocktail, but LÓA’s Tuui Lounge and Bar hosts a daily happy hour from 4-6pm, and then again from 9pm til late, perfect for travellers coming back from day tours or excursions hunting for the northern lights.

For more casual dining check out Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, which has been in business for over 60 years. World famous, and rightly so, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur serves the best hot dogs in Iceland – made from a blend of beef, lamb, and pork – and is a favourite of both locals and tourists. As is family-run Kaffi Loki, directly opposite Hallgrimskirkja (more on that later). Cosy and quirky, at home in a part of town known as “the neighborhood of the gods,” Kaffi Loki serves the very best Icelandic home style food and is known for its rye bread ice cream made in-house, but be warned that they don’t take reservations and tables a few and far between.

Reykjavík also has an abundance of bakeries, but some of the most popular, for good reason, are Brauð & Co, BRIKK, DEIG and Sandholt. Each is a must visit if you love sweet treats, sourdough and colossal breakfast bagels, as is Hlemmur Food Hall, Reykjavík’s first food hall. Inspired by Europe’s famed food markets, you can try everything from LA style tacos and Neapolitan pizzas to Vietnamese street food and gelato, which locals enjoy after a late night swim at one of the many swimming pools in the city, a hotspot for meeting friends and family, no matter the time of year.

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What To Do

Sky Lagoon 

While most venture to the Blue Lagoon, the country’s most well known geothermal spa and biggest tourist draw, the Sky Lagoon is a less travelled but just as beautiful natural spa experience. The lagoon’s design harmoniously blends natural elements and a powerful backdrop with modern architecture, with features such as turf walls and a cave-like entrance reflecting traditional Icelandic heritage. Famed for their seven-part Skjól Ritual, an all encompassing, rejuvenating wellness journey inspired by Icelandic bathing culture designed to promote relaxation and well-being. The spa’s natural geothermal infinity-edge pool, however, is the star, providing panoramic views of the North Atlantic that feel otherworldly. 

Day and Night Tours

At all times of the day you can’t help but notice the bougie tour company buses with coloured led lighting and enormous snow tyres making their way through Reykjavík, transporting tourists to and from ethereal waterfalls, three million year old glaciers, lava caves, and volcanic craters. BusTravel Iceland is one such company, offering tours from the city to the far reaches of the country. The most popular are day tours, namely to explore the Golden Circle and the country’s varied southern coast. Their Grand Golden Circle Tour will take you through Iceland’s most well-known tourist route to see the Kerið Volcanic Crater, its waters bright turquoise in the summer months, and the mesmerising Geysir Geothermal Area in Haukadalur where nature is at its most explosive. Next is the two-tiered Gullfoss, one of the country’s most iconic and powerful waterfalls, with the day finished off at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Þingvellir National Park, where you can through the rift valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates continue to drift apart.

A tour of the south coast is a must for Game of Thrones fans, offering visits to filming locations including the thunderous and imposing Skógafoss waterfall, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, aptly named for the black sand and rock formations that fight against the intense currents and waves. BusTravel Iceland’s Northern Lights Bus Tour, a night time excursion to hunt for the elusive Aurora Borealis, is also no-brainer. Guides will spend the day monitoring the weather and the best locations to spot the lights that night before driving groups about an hour outside of the city to the countryside to give you the best chance at seeing them dance in the skies.

Dive The Silfra Fissure

Diving in Iceland’s Silfra Fissure is a unique, and popular, underwater experience, with the fissure the only place in the world where divers of all abilities can swim between two tectonic plates, a result of earthquakes in 1789. Located in Þingvellir National Park, Silfra is renowned for its crystal-clear glacial meltwater, providing exceptional underwater visibility thanks to the water’s decades long filtration through porous underground lava. It is a rare phenomenon. Year round expert divers lead you through mesmerising rock formations and distinct sections of the fissure, including Silfra Hall, Silfra Cathedral, and Silfra Lagoon, to explore the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Explore Reykjavik

Reykjavík itself is filled with things to do. Walk the Rainbow Street, one of the main streets in downtown Reykjavík, up to the unique church Hallgrímskirkja where you can venture up its tower for unmatched views of the city and the ocean beyond. Head to the harbour for a chance at spotting whales in the distant waves or upclose via boat before seeking out Sun Voyager, a sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason that has become synonymous with the city and the dream of hope, progress and freedom. For those seeking a touch of retail therapy, hit Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s main shopping street, which boasts an eclectic array of art galleries, book stories and clothing brands. Finish the day like a local experiencing one of the city’s 18 public geothermal swimming pools, some boasting waterpark slides and saunas.