Breakfast Feasts & Coastal Beginnings

Our final morning at our first Reykjavík hotel kicked off with a lovely Icelandic breakfast spread. Alongside the usual warm cooked options, the buffet was overflowing with fresh breads, cheeses, salads, and local raw fish. It was the perfect feast to fuel up for the busy day ahead—we were switching hotels and gearing up for the next major leg of our adventure.

Bags packed, we set out on foot for a morning stroll around the capital. Reykjavík’s identity is deeply rooted in the sea, and spending our last day beside the water just felt right.

Maritime Art & Rainbow Farewells

Almost immediately, we stumbled upon a massive, vibrant mosaic adorning the former Customs House. Designed by Icelandic artist Gerður Helgadóttir and unveiled in 1973, this stunning piece made of hundreds of brightly coloured glass and ceramic tiles pays homage to the city’s harbour. It’s one of those artworks that a camera simply can’t capture—you really have to stand in front of it to appreciate its scale.

A little further down, we paused at Looking Seawards, a bronze sculpture by Ingi Þ. Gíslason depicting two fishermen gazing out toward the open horizon. Unveiled in 1997, it’s a moving tribute to generations of Icelanders who built their lives around the ocean.

The maritime vibes were everywhere: an Icelandic Coast Guard vessel bobbed gently in the harbour, frame-perfect against the backdrop of open water, towering mountains and dramatic skies. To top it all off, as if Iceland itself were bidding us a magical farewell, a vibrant rainbow appeared across the sky! 🌈

Dreams of Exploration at the Sun Voyager

Continuing along the waterfront, we reached the iconic Sun Voyager (Sólfar). While it’s often mistaken for a Viking ship skeleton, sculptor Jón Gunnar Árnason actually designed it as a “dream boat”—an ode to the sun, discovery, and unseen horizons. Standing beside a monument to exploration while gazing out over Faxaflói Bay and Mount Esja felt very fitting, given that we were about to board a flight to Greenland on Monday!

Leaving the shore briefly, we looped back through Miðborg (central Reykjavík), passing the impressive Hallgrímskirkja, strolling down the vibrant Rainbow Street, and arriving back at Kvosin Downtown Hotel.

Art Walks along the Sæbraut Waterfront

We grabbed a taxi to our second hotel—the official launching pad for our upcoming expedition. Check-in wasn’t open yet, so we dropped our bags and immediately hit the pavement to explore a new stretch of the coastline.

This walking route treated us to even more public art and coastal landmarks:

• Höfði Lighthouse: A sleek, modern addition to the shoreline, built when newer city developments began blocking the old lighthouse at the Maritime College.
• Partnership Sculpture: Crafted by Pétur Bjarnason in 1991 to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between Iceland and the USA. An identical sister sculpture sits in Coral Gables, Florida, visually connecting the two nations across the Atlantic Ocean.
• Íslandsvarðan: Set along the scenic Sæbraut waterfront, this modern bronze piece by Jóhann Eyfells puts a contemporary twist on traditional vörður (the stone cairns that guided ancient travellers across Iceland’s wild landscapes). Its circular viewing window frames Faxaflói Bay perfectly.

Comfort Food, Craft Beer & Mandatory Souvenirs

After another loop past the Sun Voyager, our appetites caught up with us. We ducked into Miðborg and found a cosy Icelandic fish and chip shop. Being British, we naturally had to ask for vinegar alongside our tartare sauce—and the golden, crispy meal was precisely what our tired feet needed.

Refuelled, we went on a mission to relocate a charming Christmas shop we’d spotted the night before. Buying an official Christmas tree ornament has become our favourite travel tradition, and even though Icelandic souvenir prices make your eyes water, some keepsakes are non-negotiable!

Next up was a stop at Bastard Brew & Kitchen to unwind. I grabbed another pint of their delicious Hazy Bastard NEIPA, and we kicked back to enjoy the great music and lively local atmosphere.

Countdown to Greenland (and Future Icelandic Dreams!)

By late afternoon, we returned to our new hotel to check in and get our briefing for tomorrow’s departure. Holding our luggage tags and reviewing the itinerary—a midday bus to Keflavík Airport, followed by a flight straight to Nuuk, Greenland—made the entire adventure suddenly feel very real.

With our logistics sorted, we headed down to the hotel bar to claim our complimentary welcome drink (which conveniently overlapped with Happy Hour!). Afterwards, we wandered back into Miðborg for one last evening in the city. We discovered Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar, an intimate wine bar filled with quirky artwork, before heading to Primo for a delicious salmon dinner.

As we took our final taxi ride back to the hotel, we couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic. We’ve truly only scratched the surface of this magnificent country, and we already know we’ll be back to explore more of its wild landscapes in the future. But for now? The suitcases are tagged, the plans are set, and a whole new Greenland chapter awaits!