After arriving at your apartment on Skólavörðustígur, take a gentle first walk uphill to Hallgrímskirkja on Skólavörðuholt. Allow about an hour to look around the church and, if the tower is open, take the elevator up for one of Reykjavik’s best city views. The church is usually open daily, though tower hours can vary; admission to the tower is roughly 1,400–1,600 ISK for adults. This is an easy first stop after travel, and the surrounding streets are ideal for a little unplanned wandering. If you arrive before check-in, nearby cafés can hold luggage only if arranged in advance, so confirm apartment baggage arrangements beforehand.
From Hallgrímskirkja, walk downhill through central Reykjavik toward the waterfront—about 20–25 minutes—or take a short city bus ride if the weather is poor. Continue along Sæbraut to the Sun Voyager, a quiet spot for photos and sea air; allow around 45 minutes, especially if the evening light is clear. Then follow the waterfront west toward Harpa Concert Hall, roughly another 15–20 minutes on foot. Spend time inside admiring the geometric glass façade, which is particularly striking as the daylight fades. Harpa is generally open daily, but interior access can be limited during performances or private events, so check the official schedule before setting out.
Finish with dinner at Íslenski barinn in downtown Reykjavik, a convenient walk of about 10–15 minutes from Harpa. Expect a relaxed, unfussy introduction to Icelandic food, with specialties such as lamb, fish, rye bread, and other local dishes; budget approximately 5,000–9,000 ISK per person before drinks. Reservations are sensible for dinner, particularly on a September evening, though arriving early may work if you prefer flexibility. Afterward, your apartment on Skólavörðustígur is within easy walking distance—roughly 10–15 minutes—or a short taxi ride if the wind and rain arrive.
Start at Brauð & Co. in the downtown area with one of Reykjavík’s best cinnamon buns or a freshly baked pastry and good coffee. Allow about 45 minutes and roughly 1,500–3,000 ISK. It is a small, popular bakery rather than a linger-for-hours café, so arrive early if you want the fullest selection; opening times can vary by day, so check the current schedule that morning. From there, walk west through Miðborg and Grjótaþorp toward the National Museum of Iceland—about 20–25 minutes—or take a short taxi ride if the weather is wet. The museum usually opens around 10 AM and admission is generally about 3,000–3,500 ISK for adults; allow two hours for the excellent chronological collection, from Viking settlement through modern Iceland.
Walk back toward central Reykjavík and settle into an easy circuit around Tjörnin, the city pond, with its gardens, sculptures, and views toward the colorful houses of Miðborg. This is a good place to pause for lunch from a nearby café or grab something simple to take away; allow around 45 minutes, and keep an eye out for the swans and ducks, which are a local favorite. Continue to Perlan in Öskjuhlíð, roughly 30 minutes on foot from the pond or 8–10 minutes by taxi. The forested hill makes for a pleasant approach, though the bus is the practical option in poor weather. Give yourself about two hours for the nature exhibitions, including the ice-cave and glacier displays, then head to the observation deck for a wide view across Reykjavík and the surrounding mountains. General admission is commonly around 5,000–6,000 ISK, and timed entry may be useful during busy periods.
Return downtown for your special dinner at Dill Restaurant, allowing time to freshen up before the tasting menu. Reserve well ahead—this is one of Reykjavík’s most sought-after tables—and confirm the menu, dietary requirements, and wine or nonalcoholic pairing when booking. Expect approximately 20,000–35,000 ISK per person before drinks, with dinner taking several hours. The restaurant’s modern Icelandic cooking makes the evening feel distinct from a standard city meal, so keep the rest of the night unplanned and walk back through Miðborg afterward if the weather is calm.
Begin at Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús, a short downhill walk from your apartment toward the Old Harbour. Plan about 1½ hours for the contemporary Icelandic and international exhibitions; the museum generally opens around 10:00, but confirm the September schedule before setting out. Admission is typically around 2,500–3,000 ISK, with combination tickets sometimes available. From Hafnarhús, wander along the harbor to Kolaportið Flea Market, which is usually open on weekends from late morning into the afternoon. This is the place for smoked fish, Icelandic sweets, secondhand woolens, vintage objects, and quirky souvenirs—bring some card payment, but a little cash is useful for smaller stalls.
Walk back inland along Aðalstræti to The Settlement Exhibition, built around the archaeological remains of a Viking-era longhouse. Allow about an hour; the displays are compact, atmospheric, and especially worthwhile if the weather turns typically changeable. It generally opens around 10:00 and admission is roughly 3,000–4,000 ISK. Afterward, take a break before heading to Sky Lagoon in Kópavogur: a taxi takes about 10–15 minutes, while buses usually take 25–35 minutes depending on the connection. Reserve an entry time in advance, ideally for mid-afternoon, and allow 2–3 hours for the lagoon and seven-step ritual. Bring a swimsuit and flip-flops or rent them there; towels are normally included, while drinks are purchased through the lagoon’s wristband system.
Return toward the Old Harbour for an unfussy seafood dinner at Sægreifinn, famous for its rich lobster soup and casual grilled fish. A taxi from Sky Lagoon is the simplest option, usually around 10–15 minutes depending on traffic; public transit takes longer and may require a change. Expect approximately 3,000–6,000 ISK per person, and arrive before the main dinner rush if you want a better chance of finding a seat. Finish with a quiet harbor stroll, keeping in mind that you need an early start and rental-car pickup for tomorrow’s drive south.
Pick up the rental car and leave Reykjavík around 8:30 AM, following Route 1 through Hveragerði and Selfoss toward the South Coast. Allow roughly 3–4 hours including the planned stops, rather than relying on the two-hour direct driving time. The road is straightforward, but September weather can change quickly, so check Safetravel.is and road.is before leaving; keep fuel topped up in Selfoss, where you will find the most reliable early stop for coffee, toilets, and supplies.
Continue to Seljalandsfoss, allowing about an hour. The path behind the waterfall is spectacular but usually wet and slippery, so waterproof trousers, sturdy shoes, and a jacket with a hood are genuinely useful. From the main waterfall, walk the short marked path to Gljúfrabúi, a partly concealed waterfall set inside a narrow canyon; expect spray and uneven ground, and do not enter if the stream is running high. Parking at the waterfall area is paid, generally a few hundred ISK, and card payment is commonly available.
Drive east along Route 1 for about 25 minutes to Skógafoss. Spend around an hour at the base, then climb the long staircase beside the falls for the elevated view if the wind and rain are manageable. The café and facilities at Skógar are useful for a warm drink or a quick lunch, but hours can vary in September, so bring sandwiches from Reykjavík or Selfoss rather than depending on it. The viewpoint is free, while parking arrangements may involve a small fee.
From Skógafoss, it is roughly a 15-minute drive to the signed turnoff for the Sólheimajökull glacier viewpoint. Follow the marked access road and stay on established paths—this is a viewpoint stop, not a glacier walk, and the ice can be dangerous beyond the safe visitor area. Allow about 30 minutes, then continue west a short distance before turning inland toward Sólheimahjáleiga and The Garage. Check-in is usually in the late afternoon; confirm the exact arrival procedure and parking instructions with the property, then settle in for a quieter evening rather than adding another major stop.
Leave The Garage around 8:00 AM for Dyrhólaey, about a 35–45-minute drive west toward Vík í Mýrdal. The final access road is narrow and can be rough, so check conditions before setting out and use the marked parking areas rather than stopping on the roadside. Allow about 1½ hours for the upper viewpoint and, if conditions permit, the lower coastal area: the headland’s sea arch, black shoreline, and wide views along the cliffs are especially atmospheric in the morning. Keep well back from cliff edges, and remember that some paths may be restricted during bird-nesting season.
Continue roughly 20 minutes to Reynisfjara Beach for about an hour. Park only in the designated lot and take the sneaker-wave warnings seriously—stay far from the water, never turn your back on the surf, and do not climb onto the basalt columns if the area is closed or slippery. The hexagonal formations and offshore sea stacks are striking, but this is a place for looking rather than exploring close to the water. Check the forecast and road conditions at Safetravel.is before leaving; autumn wind and rain can arrive quickly.
Drive a few minutes into Vík í Mýrdal for lunch and supplies. Smiðjan Brugghús is a good casual choice for burgers, vegetarian options, and local beer, while Halldórskaffi offers a more traditional café meal; allow roughly 3,000–6,000 ISK per person. This is also the practical place to refuel, use an ATM, and pick up snacks for the rest of the drive. After lunch, head west for about 30 minutes to Kvernufoss at Skógar. Park near the Skógar Museum, pay the small parking fee if required, and follow the short riverside trail for around 20–30 minutes each way. The path leads behind the waterfall, but expect spray, mud, and slippery rocks—waterproof footwear and a rain shell are worthwhile.
Break up the return drive at Kaffi Krús in Selfoss, about 45–50 minutes from Skógar and roughly an hour from The Garage afterward. It is a convenient stop for coffee, cake, or a light meal, usually around 2,000–5,000 ISK per person; check the current opening hours before relying on it, since September hours can be shorter. From Selfoss, return east on Route 1 toward Sólheimahjáleiga, allowing about 1¼–1½ hours without additional stops. Aim to leave the café before dusk, as rural roads are unlit and weather can change quickly; fill the tank in Vík or Selfoss if needed and confirm the final turnoff to The Garage before setting out.