From Keflavík International Airport, allow roughly 45–60 minutes to reach Skólavörðustígur Apartments in central Reykjavík. If you’re collecting a rental car, follow Route 41 toward the city, but check the apartment’s parking instructions before arriving—central street parking is limited and usually paid during the day. An airport bus or pre-booked transfer is often simpler on arrival. After checking in, take a little time to settle in; Reykjavík is compact, and the evening route is easiest on foot.
Walk uphill to Hallgrímskirkja, the city’s unmistakable landmark on Skólavörðuholt. The church is generally open into the early evening, though tower access can have shorter hours and may cost around 1,300–1,500 ISK; confirm the day’s schedule if the panoramic view matters to you. From there, stroll downhill through the center and continue along the waterfront to the Sun Voyager on Sæbraut. This is a particularly good first walk in Reykjavík: the sculpture is close to the road, but the sea-facing path feels open and gives you views toward Mount Esja.
Continue west along the waterfront to Sægreifinn in the Old Harbour for an unfussy seafood dinner. Expect about 3,500–6,000 ISK per person; the lobster soup and grilled fish are popular, and seating is casual, so it works well after a travel day. After dinner, walk a few minutes to Harpa Concert Hall and spend time outside and in the public foyer admiring its geometric glass façade, which looks especially striking after dark. Concert access requires a ticket, but the building itself is often freely accessible during opening hours. From Harpa, it’s about a 15–20-minute walk back uphill to the apartments, or a short taxi ride if jet lag and weather win out.
Start at Brauð & Co. for a warm pastry and coffee—arrive around 8:30–9:00 AM, when the selection is best and the shop is less busy. Budget roughly 1,500–3,000 ISK per person and allow about 45 minutes. From there, walk a few minutes downhill to The Settlement Exhibition on Aðalstræti. The museum is built around the excavated remains of a Viking-Age longhouse and is an excellent compact introduction to Reykjavík’s earliest history; plan on about an hour. Check the current opening time before leaving, as seasonal hours can vary, with admission typically around 3,000–4,000 ISK.
Continue on foot toward Reykjavík Old Harbour, taking your time around the waterfront rather than rushing straight through. The harbor is especially pleasant late morning, with small galleries, working boats, and views across the bay; allow roughly 45 minutes. For lunch, keep it casual nearby or grab something light before continuing. Then walk or take a short taxi ride west to the National Museum of Iceland—about 20 minutes on foot, or 5–10 minutes by car depending on traffic. Its chronological collection, from settlement through the modern era, deserves 1½–2 hours. Admission is generally around 3,000 ISK, and the museum is usually open through the afternoon, but verify the September schedule.
After the museum, drive or take a taxi to Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach—roughly 10 minutes by car from the museum, while buses take longer and may require a change. This is a good place to slow down: the sea can be brisk, but the geothermally heated lagoon and hot tubs make a short swim worthwhile when conditions are comfortable. Allow 1–1½ hours, bring a swimsuit and towel, and check the daily bathing schedule before going; facilities and water access can be seasonal, and admission is commonly free or modestly priced depending on the service used. Return to central Reykjavík afterward, allowing about 15 minutes by taxi or 25–35 minutes by bus.
Finish at Íslenski Barinn, a relaxed spot for traditional Icelandic flavors and local beer. Try a small selection rather than one large dish—this is a good place for lamb, fish, rye bread, or other Icelandic comfort food without making the meal feel overly formal. Reserve if possible for an early dinner around 6:00–6:30 PM, especially on a September evening; budget approximately 5,000–9,000 ISK per person and allow about 1½ hours. Since Reykjavík’s center is compact, you can walk back through the surrounding streets afterward rather than arranging another ride.
Begin at Perlan in Öskjuhlíð, ideally around 9:00–9:30 AM. From central Reykjavík, it’s a short taxi ride or roughly a 25-minute uphill walk; driving takes about 10 minutes, and the museum has parking, though spaces can fill later in the day. Allow about two hours for the Wonders of Iceland exhibitions, including the glacier-and-volcano displays, ice cave, planetarium-style experiences, and the 360-degree observation deck. Check the September opening hours when booking—typically around 9:00 AM–6:00 PM—and budget approximately 6,000–7,000 ISK per adult. Afterward, stay in Öskjuhlíð for an easy 45-minute woodland walk. The paths are generally gentle but can be muddy or slippery in autumn; look for remnants of former military installations among the trees, and wear shoes with decent grip.
Take a taxi or drive down toward Hallgrímskirkja for lunch at Kaffi Loki, a cozy spot on Skólavörðustígur with views toward the church. Try traditional Icelandic fare such as rye bread, smoked lamb, fish, or skyr-based desserts; lunch usually runs about 3,500–7,000 ISK per person. After eating, walk a few minutes to The Einar Jónsson Art Museum on Skólavörðuholt. Its compact galleries and sculpture garden make an excellent one-hour visit, especially if the weather turns typically changeable. Admission is usually around 2,000 ISK, with reduced hours possible outside the main summer season, so check the museum’s schedule before setting out.
Continue downhill toward Tjörnin, the city pond, for a relaxed 45-minute stroll. Follow the waterfront paths past the birds and colorful houses, then wander through the surrounding historic streets rather than rushing straight to dinner. From there, take a taxi or a 20–25-minute walk west to Grandi for dinner at Matur og Drykkur. This is a good place to finish the Reykjavík stay with a more polished interpretation of Icelandic cooking—reserve ahead, particularly for a Thursday evening, and expect roughly 10,000–18,000 ISK per person before drinks. Allow about two hours; after dinner, the harbor area is pleasant for a brief walk, but keep the evening unhurried so you’re rested for collecting the rental car the next morning.
Pick up the rental car around 8:00 AM in Reykjavík and set your navigation for Þingvellir National Park, allowing roughly 45 minutes before you begin exploring. Park in the main visitor area and pay the national park parking fee online or at the machines; bring a card, as Iceland is very cash-light. Spend 1½–2 hours walking the marked paths through the Almannagjá gorge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart, and past the historic site of Iceland’s old parliament. Check the park’s visitor-centre hours and road conditions before leaving—late September can bring wind, rain, or an early dusting of snow.
Continue about 35 minutes toward Efstidalur II, a working farm near Laugarvatn. This is a good unhurried lunch stop: order farm-made ice cream, soup, or another light meal while looking through the dining-room windows into the cowshed. Allow 45–60 minutes, and check the farm’s current September opening hours before setting out, since seasonal hours can be shorter. From here, it’s approximately 35 minutes by car to the Geysir Geothermal Area. Park at the visitor area and spend about an hour following the paths around steaming vents and bubbling pools; Strokkur usually erupts every 6–10 minutes, so wait through a few eruptions rather than leaving after the first.
Drive roughly 10 minutes to Gullfoss, arriving with enough time to walk both marked viewpoints above the two-tier waterfall. Allow about an hour, and keep your outer layer secured—the spray and wind can make the paths surprisingly slippery. The site is free to visit, but the café and visitor-centre facilities have seasonal hours, so use the farm stop for your dependable meal. From Gullfoss, follow Route 30 toward Flúðir, allowing about 45 minutes without stops; refuel in the Flúðir area if needed, as services become more limited farther east. Finish at the Secret Lagoon, where a 1½-hour soak is an ideal way to unwind after the drive. Admission is approximately 4,000–6,000 ISK per person, with showers and changing facilities included; reserve an evening slot ahead if possible, and bring a towel or confirm the rental fee. Afterward, keep the evening simple in Flúðir—you’ll have covered the main sights, and the roads are much less enjoyable after dark in poor weather.
Start slowly at The Garage, taking about an hour for breakfast and the property’s unusually beautiful setting beneath Eyjafjöll. This is one of those mornings not to rush: look toward the mountains and sea, and check the weather before setting off, since wind and rain can change conditions quickly along the coast. Aim to leave around 9:00–9:30 AM, then drive west along Route 1 for roughly 10 minutes to Seljalandsfoss. Parking is paid, generally around 1,000 ISK, and the waterfall is open year-round; wear waterproof layers and sturdy shoes if you want to use the path behind the falls, which can be slippery and occasionally closed in poor conditions.
From the same parking area, follow the marked path for about 10–15 minutes to Gljúfrabúi, a partly concealed waterfall tucked into a narrow canyon. Allow 30–45 minutes for both the walk and a little time to watch the spray and changing light. You may need to step across wet stones near the entrance, so waterproof footwear is genuinely useful. Continue east on Route 1 for about 25 minutes to Skógafoss, where the waterfall is at its most powerful after rain. Spend around an hour here: view it from below, then climb the long staircase beside the falls for a broad look over the coast. The nearby parking and facilities are convenient, but the lower viewing area can be very misty.
A short drive brings you to Skógar Museum, usually open from about 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in September, though seasonal hours can change. Allow roughly 90 minutes to explore the indoor collections and the open-air area of historic turf-roofed buildings, boats, tools, and transport exhibits. It’s a good cultural counterpoint to the waterfalls, and the café is handy for a light snack if you did not eat much at breakfast. Later, continue east on Route 1 for approximately 25 minutes to Smiðjan Brugghús in Vík. Settle in for a relaxed burger and local beer stop—budget about 4,500–8,000 ISK per person—and check the kitchen’s closing time before leaving, as rural Icelandic restaurants can finish service earlier than expected. From Vík, allow about 30 minutes back to The Garage; if the forecast is clear, the dark surroundings near the property can be a pleasant place to step outside and look for northern lights after dinner.