Iceland – Day 3: Reykjavik – Quiet Christmas Eve before Ring Road

Day 3 was December 24, which is the day that most Icelanders celebrate Christmas. Most stores and restaurants are closed on this day.

I took this day slowly, did more walking around the streets and photographed as much as I could. I started my day with breakfast at Sandholt:

Left: Ordered an omelette, toast, and side salad / Right: Croissants and sandwiches

Wandered around Skólavörðustígur.

Mt Hekla, an outdoor clothing and equipment shop

Checked out the church with almost no pedestrians or people walking around:

Hallgrimskirkja

Went to see where my next hotel was going to be (I stayed here for New Year's Eve):

Hotel Odinsve is located above the Snaps restaurant

Snaps Restaurant is a French-style bistro

Snaps Bistro Bar

Chinese tourist taking photo of cat on the street

Then checked out a very desserted craft beer bar called Session Craft:

It was easy to miss because it's on the 2nd floor above a Subway sandwich shop

It was very empty

Beer menu changes on a whim depending on availability

The very popular rainbow street art on Skólavörðustígur

Harpa Concert Hall

Hotel Leifur Eiriksson is a popular budget hotel close to the Hallgrimskirkja church

Everywhere you looked, you could see the Reykjavik seaside

Ended off the night with a fancy gin and tonic at Einstök Bar on Laugavegur

Was a low-key day, took it easy, and geared up for Day 4, which was the start of my Ring Road journey.