Timeline
14:49
Grab a quick bite at Hlemmur mathöll before the crowds arrive. The food court opens at 07:30, giving you plenty of time to eat while the morning light is still settling.
15:34
Walk to Höfði house. This 1909 building is the site of the 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev summit. Spend some time looking at the flags of the United States and the Soviet Union inside.
16:19
Stand by the window or outside facing southwest. At 16:19 on 15 January, the sun sets in the SW, casting a low, golden glow across the water and framing the historic house perfectly.
16:49
End the evening with a burger at Hamborgarafabrikkan. It is just a three-minute walk from Höfði house and stays open until 21:00, making it a cozy spot to digest your meal and the history you just witnessed.
Local tip
The winter sun stays low all day. Dress warmly for the walk between Hlemmur and Höfði house, as the wind off the bay can be brisk in January.
Check before you go
- Hlemmur mathöll is open Mo-Sa 07:30-23:00.
- Hamborgarafabrikkan is open Mo-Su 11:30-21:00.
Worth knowing
- Hlemmur mathöll is open at 14:49 only on Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Reykjavík (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).