You are here: what do you need right now in Reykjavík
You Are Here: What Do You Need Right Now?
For the moment you are already standing in Reykjavík and need a pharmacy, a bakery, a plug adapter or a SIM card. Always open, no email needed.
Where to Buy Food, Fresh Bakery, Plug Adapters, SIM Cards and Medicine in Reykjavík Today
You're already here
Only go through this part when you have landed. Still planning at home? Save this page and come back on arrival day.
The short version for your first day
| Thing | What to do |
|---|---|
| Food | Supermarket, not a restaurant, for at least one meal a day. |
| Water | Drink the tap water. Do not buy bottled. |
| Cash | Leave it at home. Cards work everywhere, buses and toilets included. |
| Power | Get a plug adapter if you came from the UK or North America. |
| Driving | Check the weather and the road map before any long drive. |
What do you need right now?
Tap what you are looking for. Distances are from Lækjartorg in the city centre, and tapping an address opens walking or driving directions from where you are standing.
| Place | Where | From downtown | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyfjaval24h | Hæðasmári 4, Kópavogur | 15 min by car or taxi, 4.5 km | Open all night, drive-up hatch. Call 577 1160 first. Healthcare |
| Lyfja Lágmúli | Lágmúli 5, Reykjavík | 10 min by car, 30 min walk, 2.5 km | Open 08:00 to midnight daily. Painkillers, cold and hay fever. Healthcare |
| Downtown apótek | On and near Laugavegur | Walk | Daytime basics, roughly 09:00 to 18:00. |
| Bónus Grandi | Fiskislóð, Grandi | 18 min walk, 7 min by car, 1.3 km | Cheapest food. The closest Bónus to downtown. Closes around 20:00, call or check Google to confirm. Opening hours |
| Krónan | Háteigsvegur 20 | 18 min walk, 1.5 km | Slightly pricier. Closes 21:00. Opening hours |
| Hagkaup Skeifan | Skeifan 15 | 10 min by car, 45 min walk, 3.5 km | Widest range, biggest lactose free, gluten free and vegan shelves. Shops guide |
| 10-11 Laugavegur24h | Laugavegur 116 | 15 min walk, 1.2 km | 24 hours: pizza slices and hot dogs late (fresh pizza made until about 04:00). Ready meals can be microwaved at the counter. Costs clearly more. |
| 10-11 Austurstræti24h | Austurstræti 17 | 2 min walk, 150 m | The downtown one. Also 24 hours: pizza slices and hot dogs late, ready meals you can microwave at the counter. |
| Brauð & Co | Frakkastígur 16 | 9 min walk, 750 m | Cinnamon buns. Opens 07:00, sells out by late morning. |
| Sandholt | Laugavegur 36 | 6 min walk, 500 m | Proper bread, pastries, tables to sit at. |
| Deig | Tryggvagata 18 | 5 min walk, 400 m | Cheap doughnuts and coffee. |
| Supermarkets, petrol stations, 10-11 | All over town | Several within a walk | Prepaid tourist SIMs and top-ups. No phone shop needed. Where to buy |
| Síminn | Kringlan mall, Kringlan 4-12 | 8 min by car, 20 min by bus, 3 km | Other easy prepaid option. Also in Smáralind. |
| Nova store | Lágmúli 9 | 25 min by bus, 8 min by car, 2.5 km | Only if your SIM or line has a problem. You do not need it to buy a SIM. |
| Elko Grandi | Fiskislóð 15, Grandi | 25 min walk, 8 min by car, 2 km | Closest electronics shop. Adapters, cables, chargers. Do you need one? |
| Hotel reception | Where you are staying | Downstairs | Most keep a drawer of adapters and lend them free. Ask first. |
| Hlemmur Mathöll | Laugavegur 107, main bus hub | 12 min walk, 1 km | Food hall at the top of Laugavegur. Many stalls under one roof, good when the group cannot agree. |
| Pósthús Food Hall | Pósthússtræti 5 | 3 min walk, 250 m | Small food hall in the old post office, right downtown. |
| Hafnartorg Gallery | Geirsgata, by the harbour | 7 min walk, 600 m | Newer food hall area by the old harbour, several restaurants in one building. |
| Grandi Mathöll | Grandi, by the old harbour | 20 min walk, 8 min by car, 1.5 km | Food hall in the Grandi harbour area. Street food stalls, good fish and chips. |
| Gróa | Tryggvagata 26, by Kolaportið | 4 min walk, 300 m | Vegan and gluten free deli and café. Vegan lasagna, kimchi grilled cheese. |
| Supermarket free from shelf | Bónus, Krónan, Hagkaup | Several within a walk | Lactose free, oat milk, gluten free. Clearly labelled. |
| Bæjarins Beztu | Tryggvagata 1, by the harbour | 4 min walk, 300 m | Hot dog stand. Cheap, fast, open late. |
| 66°North | Bankastræti 5 | 3 min walk, 250 m | Icelandic outdoor brand. Proper winter jackets, waterproofs, thermals. Premium prices, built for this weather. What to pack |
| 66°North Outlet | Faxafeni 12 | 10 min by car, 4 km | Same brand, past season stock at lower prices. Not walkable, take a car or taxi. |
| Icewear | Laugavegur 91 | 10 min walk, 800 m | Wool sweaters, thermal layers, rain gear, hats and gloves. Mid range prices, several shops downtown. What to pack |
| Fjallakofinn | Hallarmúli 2 | 10 min by car, 3 km | Serious hiking and camping gear shop. Boots, crampons, sleeping bags, staff who actually hike. Hiking guide |
| Útilíf | Smiðjustígur 6 | 6 min walk, 500 m | Outdoor shop downtown. Jackets, base layers, boots, and honest advice on what you actually need. |
| Ellingsen | Fiskislóð 1, Grandi, by the old harbour | 15 min walk, 1.2 km | Iceland's oldest outdoor equipment store. Wool thermals, gloves, hiking and camping gear, fishing supplies. Local shop, not a tourist brand. What to pack |
| Wash Laundromat | Grettisgata 3 | 6 min walk, 500 m | Self service, 07:00 to 22:00 daily. Card or coins. Machines take 10 kg. |
| Grandi area laundromat, new | Grandi, near the harbour | 20 min walk, 8 min by car, 2 km | A new self service laundromat recently opened in this area. Tap the address to see the exact location on Google Maps, and call ahead to confirm hours. |
| Eco-Campsite laundry | Laugardalur, by the pool | 40 min walk, 10 min by car, 4 km | Washers and dryers next to Laugardalslaug. Good for campers and long stays. |
| Byko Grandi | Fiskislóð 15, Grandi | 16 min walk, 6 min by car, 1.3 km | Hardware store. Duct tape, glue, zip ties, screws, rope, a new strap for a snapped suitcase. Supermarkets do not stock these. Call 515 4000 to confirm hours. Shops guide |
| JYSK Grandi | Fiskislóð 15, next to Byko | 16 min walk, 6 min by car, 1.3 km | Cheap household basics: extension cords, towels, blankets, storage boxes. In summer also tents, coolers and picnic gear. Call 510 7000 to confirm hours. |
Hours change in Iceland, including on Google. Before a late trip, find the phone number and call.
Food and groceries
| Shop | Address | Price | Usually open until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bónus Laugavegur | Laugavegur 59 | Cheapest | 23:00 |
| Bónus Grandi | Fiskislóð 2 | Cheapest | 20:00 |
| Bónus Skipholt | Skipholt 37 | Cheapest | 18:30 |
| Krónan | Háteigsvegur 20 | Mid | 21:00 |
| Nettó | Hallveigarstígur 1 | Mid | Midnight (opens 07:30) |
| Hagkaup Skeifan | Skeifan 15 | Dearest, widest range | Midnight, reported around the clock (call to confirm) |
| 10-11 Austurstræti | Austurstræti 17 | Expensive | 24 hours, pizza and hot dogs late |
| 10-11 Laugavegur | Laugavegur 116 | Expensive | 24 hours, pizza and hot dogs late |
| N1, Orkan petrol | All over town | Expensive | Late or all night |
Bónus hours change a lot by branch: the Laugavegur shop stays open latest, while Skipholt closes earliest. The 10-11 stores run around the clock, but they are not a hot food buffet: it is pizza slices and hot dogs. At Austurstræti the Sbarro counter inside makes fresh pizza until about 04:00, then closes while the store stays open. Slices can sell out earlier, and hot dogs late at night vary by branch. Any 10-11 can microwave a ready meal for you at the counter if you ask. Tap any address to get walking or driving directions from where you are. Hours change constantly here, including on Google. Before a late trip, find the branch phone number and call. Opening hours by chain.
Fresh bakery
| Bakery | Address | From downtown | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brauð & Co | Frakkastígur 16 | 9 min walk | Cinnamon buns. Go before 10:00. |
| Sandholt | Laugavegur 36 | 6 min walk | Bread, pastry, sit-down breakfast. |
| Deig | Tryggvagata 18 | 5 min walk | Cheap doughnut and coffee. |
| Krónan, Hagkaup counters | All over town | Varies | Same idea for a third of the price. |
Bakeries open around 07:00 and the popular things are gone by late morning. Every supermarket sells rúgbrauð, the dense dark rye that goes with butter and smoked fish.
Plug adapters and electronics
| Where | From downtown | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Elko Grandi, Fiskislóð 15 | 25 min walk, 8 by car, 2 km | Closest proper electronics shop. |
| Elko, Keflavík airport | At arrivals | Buy it before you leave the airport. |
| 10-11, Krambúðin, petrol | Walk | Sold at a markup, but open late. |
| Hotel reception | Downstairs | Often lends them out free. Ask first. |
Iceland uses the European two round pin plug (type F) at 230V. Phone and laptop chargers handle 230V, so you only need the adapter, not a voltage converter. Check your charger says "100 to 240V". More on plugs and chargers.
SIM card and data
| Provider | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets, petrol stations, 10-11 | 10-11 Austurstræti 17, for example | Prepaid SIMs and top-ups, all over town. No shop visit needed. |
| Síminn | Kringlan 4-12 | Prepaid tourist SIM and eSIM. Also in Smáralind. |
| Nova store | Lágmúli 9 | Only for problems with your SIM or line. Not needed to buy a SIM. |
| eSIM online | Before you land | Fastest. No shop visit. |
Coverage is solid along the ring road and around towns, thin in the highlands and some fjords. Download offline maps before you leave the capital.
Pharmacy and medicine
| Where | Open | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lyfjaval, Hæðasmári 4, Kópavogur | 24 hours | Drive-up hatch. 577 1160. 15 min south by car. |
| Lyfja Lágmúli 5 | 08:00 to midnight | Latest normal pharmacy. 10 min by car, 30 min walk. |
| Lyfja, Lyf og heilsa branches | Roughly 09:00 to 18:00 | All over the capital area. |
| Call 1700 | Out of hours | Medical advice by phone. |
| Call 112 | Always | Emergencies. The 112 app sends your location. |
A pharmacy is an apótek. Painkillers, cold remedies and antihistamines are sold in pharmacies, not supermarkets. Doctors, clinics and costs.
Getting around town
| Option | How you pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strætó city bus | Klappið app | No cash on board. |
| Hopp taxi app | In the app | Licensed local driver. No Icelandic ID needed. |
| Hreyfill 588 5522 | Card in the car | Traditional taxi firm. |
| BSR 561 0000 | Card in the car | Traditional taxi firm. |
| Uber, Lyft, Bolt, Grab | Not available | No car service in Iceland. |
All taxi fares are 25 percent higher between 20:00 and 08:00. Buses, taxis and airport transfers and where to park.
Something to do this afternoon
The honest local answer is a neighbourhood swimming pool. A fraction of the price of a lagoon, open early and late, warm in any weather. Read the shower rules once before you go.
What can I do today? reads the weather as a plan. Or try pool etiquette in five minutes, a ready-made Reykjavík day, or what is on this week.
Weather just changed my plans
This happens to nearly everyone, and it is not a ruined trip. Check the forecast, check the road map, then decide with the tool rather than with hope.
What can I do today?, Can I drive today? and Plan B for today.
The three checks, in this order
- 1. vedur.is for the weather and any warnings.
- 2. road.is for road status and closures.
- 3. Can I drive today? which reads both feeds for your exact spot and answers in one line: Go, Caution, or Not today.
I forgot something somewhere
| Where you left it | What to do |
|---|---|
| A shop, café or restaurant in town | Call first, then a courier app or taxi can collect it. |
| On a Strætó bus | Contact Strætó lost property. |
| On a tour bus | The tour company's lost property desk. |
| Keflavík airport | Airport lost and found, before you leave the country. |
| Outside greater Reykjavík | No courier network. Ask the place to post it on. |
A taxi firm will run a parcel across town for roughly the price of the fare.
The three checks, in this order
- 1. vedur.is for the weather and any warnings.
- 2. road.is for road status and closures.
- 3. Can I drive today? which reads both feeds for your exact spot and answers in one line: Go, Caution, or Not today.