Timeline
17:22
Grab a coffee and a pastry at Café Flóran. It is just a one-minute walk from the anchor, making it the perfect low-stress start. The café is open until 22:00, so it will be warm and welcoming before the evening chill sets in.
17:47
Walk 11 minutes south to Arnarhóll. This small hill offers a quiet vantage point just north of the center. Find a spot on the grass facing southwest. The golden light begins at 16:57, giving you about 20 minutes of soft, warm illumination before the sun dips below the horizon at 18:07.
18:22
Head to Bæjarins beztu pylsur for the quintessential Icelandic dinner. This 24/7 hot dog stand is the place to go after dark. The queues are part of the experience, but they move quickly. Order a hot dog with all the toppings to keep your energy up as the city lights come on.
Local tip
The walk from Arnarhóll to the hot dog stand is short, but it gets dark quickly in October. Keep your head up and enjoy the transition from golden light to the electric glow of the harbor.
Check before you go
- Café Flóran is open Mo-Su 10:00-22:00.
- Bæjarins beztu pylsur is open 24/7.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Reykjavík (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).