Elding Premium tour from Old Harbour, 09:00. 3 hours.
Wander the city, eat well, rest before Sky Lagoon.
14:30 Saman Pass — geothermal infinity pool by the sea.
Round trip to Sky Lagoon, ~ISK 8,000 (~AUD $90).
Whale watching, it’s colder on the water than it looks from shore
Two booked experiences bookending a free afternoon. The morning whale watch is from Reykjavík's Old Harbour — a short walk. The evening Sky Lagoon is in Kópavogur, 6km south, requiring a taxi. The middle of the day is yours.
Head to Hverfisgata 16A — 5 min walk from the hotel. Eat well before the whale tour; when you leave you’re already partway to the harbour.
Continue down Hverfisgata from the café, past Harpa concert hall to the Old Harbour. Explore the harbour area — there’s plenty to see before the tour. Aim to reach Elding’s Pier 1 by 09:40 for check-in.
Look for Elding signage at Ægisgarður 5c. Show your ticket (PDF on phone or printed). Collect your weatherproof overalls and life vest — these are mandatory and provided.
Small group (12 max), fast RIB boat out into Faxaflói Bay. Common sightings: minke whales, dolphins, harbour porpoise. Less common but possible: humpback whales. Stop at a puffin island on the return. Sightings guarantee — if no whales, free re-tour.
Approximately 2 hours on the water. Return gear, head out from the pier.
Get changed for Sky Lagoon — pack your swimwear, nothing else needed. Towels, robes and all toiletries are provided at the lagoon.
~ISK 4,500 (~AUD 50) each way, 10-minute drive to Vesturvör 44–48. Book via the Hreyfill app or ask the hotel. Arrive by 14:20 for a smooth check-in before your 14:30 slot.
Show your PDF ticket at reception. Get changed, into the water. The infinity edge faces the North Atlantic — the view is the whole point. Work through the 7-step Skjól ritual when ready (lagoon → cold pool → sauna → cold mist → scrub → steam → shower). Allow 2–3 hours total.
Book the return taxi from Sky Lagoon using their free WiFi. ~10 minutes back to the hotel. Rest and get ready for dinner.
The Grey Cat is a 5-minute walk from the hotel on Hverfisgata — and it’s on the route to the harbour. Opens at 07:30 on Friday. Eat well before a morning on the water.
The Grey Cat · Hverfisgata 16A · on the walk to the harbour
One of Reykjavík’s most celebrated breakfast spots — small, local, no pretension. Famous for proper cooked breakfasts and excellent coffee. Walk in from the hotel, eat well, then continue down Hverfisgata to the whale watching pier.
A 2-hour RIB expedition out of the Old Harbour — small group (12 max), fast zodiac boat, and a stop at a puffin island. The Old Harbour is a 10-minute walk from the hotel; be there by 09:30.
Elding · Whale Safari · Old Harbour
A fast, small-group RIB tour out into Faxaflói Bay — the premium experience means a dedicated wildlife guide, a certified captain, and a maximum of 12 people on board. The boat is faster and more agile than the classic tour, which means more time near the whales. On the way back, a stop at a small island for puffin sightings during the summer months.
Lunch wraps up around 13:30, easy 10 min walk or short taxi back to the hotel. Get changed, rest your feet, and charge the camera. Taxi to Sky Lagoon departs at ~14:00 for your 14:30 Saman Pass slot, it’s a 20 min ride south of the city.
Iceland’s premier geothermal lagoon, 10 minutes south of the hotel by taxi. Built into the Kársnes cliffs overlooking the North Atlantic, the infinity edge is the centrepiece. Ticket booked for the 14:30 Saman Pass on 3 July.
Geothermal lagoon · Vesturvör 44–48, Kópavogur
A stunning geothermal lagoon built into the cliffs at Kársnes Harbour, with an infinity edge facing open ocean. The Skjól ritual, 7 steps moving through lagoon, cold pool, sauna, cold mist, sky scrub, steam room, and shower, is included in the Saman Pass and takes around 90 minutes. Stay in the lagoon as long as you like afterwards.
Tomorrow is a 12-hour day on the south coast with no included lunch stop, it’s worth having your own water, energy bars, and something for the kids. All three options below are within walking distance of the hotel. Hit Bónus before the Sky Lagoon or on the way back.
Always open, always nearby. Good for top-ups if you didn’t get to Bónus in time.
Best for stocking up: water, fruit, snack bars, cheese, crackers. Go before the Sky Lagoon, closes around 19:30 so don’t leave it too late.
The backup option if Bónus is shut when you get back from Sky Lagoon. Easy to spot on Laugavegur. Prices rise ~8% after 20:00 so go before if you can.
After the Sky Lagoon, you’ll want something hearty and no-fuss. Reykjavík’s best burger, bold flavours, relaxed vibe, exactly right after a long wet day.
Reykjavík’s best burger · Tryggvagata 12
After the Sky Lagoon, you’ll be hungry and ready for something properly satisfying. Le KocK is widely considered Reykjavík’s best burger, bold flavours, quality ingredients, and a relaxed industrial-cool interior. Connected to DEIG bakery and TAIL bar in the same building. Exactly right after a long wet day.
Go for the house special burger, the reason everyone comes back. Fries are excellent. Usually a fish or veggie option on the menu too. Book ahead for a late sitting (around 21:00–22:00 after the lagoon), it’s a popular late-night spot.
Morning at the Old Harbour (north), evening at Sky Lagoon in Kópavogur (south). Hotel sits in the middle.
Hotel: Reykjavík Residence on Hverfisgata · Old Harbour: 10 min walk north — whale tour pier · Hallgrímskirkja: 5 min walk — afternoon stop · Harpa: 10 min walk — afternoon stop · Sky Lagoon: 10 min taxi south to Kópavogur
Two activities at opposite ends of the day. Pace yourself — Sky Lagoon evenings are immersive but tiring.