3 Days In Reykjavik: The Ideal Iceland Itinerary
Visiting the city of Reykjavik is one of our favourite things about travelling to Iceland. There’s something magnetic about this tiny, weather-beaten capital, surrounded by lava fields, glaciers, and steaming hot springs.
Since we first visited all the way back in 2015, I have always said it’s the only place I’ve visited that I can actually imagine settling down in. Although Iceland as a country can seem quite desolate Reykjavik has a strangely homely feel to it. It has the best of everything.
Reykjavik might be small, but it packs in more personality than cities three times its size. It’s a perfect launchpad for Iceland’s best adventures. Whether it’s your first time here or a return trip, this itinerary for 3 days in Reykjavik will help you hit the city’s highlights and explore what lies just beyond.
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Table of Contents
- Day 1: Dive Into Reykjavik’s Culture, Food & Street Art
- Day 2: The Golden Circle – But Better
- Day 3: Hot Springs, Lava & Coastal Wonders
- Where to Stay
- A Few Top Tips
Day 1: Dive Into Reykjavik’s Culture, Food & Street Art
Reykjavik isn’t huge so you can pack a lot into one day here. Spend your first day familiarising yourself with the things that make Reykjavik stand out.
Morning: Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja & a Walking Tour
Start your time in Reykjavik with a stroll along the harbour to the angular glass façade of Harpa Concert Hall. It’s architecturally stunning, and the views from the inside out to the sea and mountains are just spectacular.
From here, head uphill to volcano-shaped Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s iconic church. The structure is beautifully unique, and it’s worth paying to go up the tower for the panoramic city view. Bonus – the view will help you get your bearings within the city.
Next, join a walking tour – there are free and paid options, and both are fantastic. You’ll learn quirky tidbits about elf lore, Viking history, and how Icelanders handle 6 months of darkness without completely losing their minds. (Spoiler: it involves a lot of hot tubs and fermented shark.)
✅ We highly rate this walking tour. It’s a small group tour so plenty of chances to ask questions, and you’ll hear every word. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and we had a lot of fun!
Lunch: Reykjavik Street Food or Cafe Loki
We’ve eaten our way around the city and always end up recommending the same two places for lunch.
Try Reykjavik Street Food for quick, hearty dishes – the lamb soup is so comforting. The local fish stew is amazing, too. We like to get a few kinds and share.
Or walk across the street from the church to Cafe Loki for a traditional Icelandic plate – rye bread, mashed fish, and a little something called hákarl, if you’re feeling daring. The dried, fermented shark meat is definitely an acquired taste, but there are several other options.
Note: Iceland isn’t the cheapest country to visit so depending on your budget you might want to head to a local supermarket and pick up some picky bits for lunch instead. We love to eat local food when visiting a new country, but there’s no reason you have to eat out for every meal.
Afternoon: Museums, Murals & Local Shops
If it’s raining (and honestly, it probably is), duck into the National Museum of Iceland and dive into Icelandic history. And for something a bit more unusual, check out the Icelandic Phallological Museum – yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like.
Follow up with a wander through the Laugavegur area for street art, design shops, and record stores. This is the “cool” part of Reykjavik’s, though you won’t find anyone here trying too hard. For Icelanders, cool just seems to come naturally.
Evening: Dinner & Drinks With a Local Twist
Reykjavik’s food scene goes above and beyond. Splurge on a tasting menu at Dill – Michelin-starred but still cozy. Or go more casual at Sæta Svínið, said SYE-tah SVEE-nith, for great pub food and local beer.
If you’ve still got the energy, go out and enjoy the legendary nightlife. The party doesn’t even tend to start for locals until midnight. But if you stop in for a pint at Kaldi Bar or catch some live music at Húrra, you’ll get a feel for the city’s club scene and still get some sleep.
Day 2: The Golden Circle – But Better
I know some people sniff at the tourist attractions, but I always say, it wouldn’t be so popular if it wasn’t one of the best things to do. The same applies here.
Will you feel like you’re in a long chain of oggling spectators? Probably. Will it still be one of your best experiences ever? Definitely. And here’s the best way to do it.
Morning to Afternoon: Take a Guided Golden Circle Tour
The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most popular routes. It links together some of the country’s most astonishing natural landmarks in a single day.
Driving it can feel like completing a checklist, but joining a small-group tour helps turn the experience into a real adventure, not just a string of photo ops.
Other reasons to opt for a tour instead of self-driving in Iceland? In winter, roads can be icy and the weather unpredictable (we got stuck in a huge snowstorm while on a coach trip. I was so thankful we were with an experienced driver who had the right car for the conditions) plus Google Maps can’t explain possible volcanic detours.
When choosing your tour, keep in mind that a great one will include:
- Thingvellir National Park: A rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet – and drift apart a little more every year. It’s also the site of Iceland’s first parliament (circa 930 AD).
- Geysir Geothermal Area: Home to the original Geysir (now mostly retired), but the smaller Strokkur still puts on a good show every few minutes.
- Gullfoss: A double waterfall that’s so powerful you’ll feel the pounding in your chest.
Some tours will offer extras like a visit to Friðheimar, a tomato greenhouse where you can eat soup under the vines. Or a dip in the Secret Lagoon – less flashy than Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, but just as steamy – and way less crowded. Pick what looks like fun!
We’ve taken a few different golden circles and can rate these two highly.
✅ This is the most popular Golden Circle tour on Viator for a reason. You’ll get more than just a lift to Iceland’s best spots, because the guides are incredible. Knowledgeable, entertaining and organised, they ensure this doesn’t feel like your run-of-the-mill tourist trap.
✅ For something a little more adventurous, try seeing the Golden Circle by snowmobile. This is such a cool experience, but be aware that if the weather’s bad, the snowmobiling will get called off for safety reasons. It also isn’t suitable for children under 6 and pregnant travellers.
Evening: Dinner Back in Reykjavik
Once you’re back in the city, we like to settle in for a cosy meal. Head to Messinn for sizzling pans of buttery Arctic char or check out Bastard Brew & Food for comfort food with a twist and a solid local beer list.
Day 3: Hot Springs, Lava & Coastal Wonders
Today, venture beyond the city again, but head in a different direction. Depending on your energy (and the weather), here are two excellent options:
Option 1: South Coast Day Tour
If you’re up for a longer day, the South Coast is absolutely worth the drive. Many tours leave early and get back late – but you’ll see some of Iceland’s most jaw-dropping scenery in one go.
Stops usually include:
- Seljalandsfoss: A waterfall you can walk behind. Bring a rain jacket.
- Skógafoss: A classic, powerful curtain of water, often with a rainbow.
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: Wild waves, basalt stacks, and a moody Game-of-Thrones vibe.
- Optional: A glacier walk on Sólheimajökull, which is every bit as cool as it sounds.
You’ll spend a lot of time on the bus, but the landscape changes constantly – volcanoes, glaciers, and lunar-looking plains – and it never gets boring. Bring along that extra battery for your camera. This was one of my most photographed trips ever!
✅ This has to be one of our favourite tours ever and we highly recommend you make time for it if you’re visiting Reykjavik.
Option 2: Soak & Savour in the Reykjanes Peninsula
If you prefer a slower pace, head to the Reykjanes Peninsula instead. This is where you’ll find the Blue Lagoon, and while it is touristy, we still love it. Pre-book for an early morning or late afternoon slot.
In between, explore:
- Bridge Between Continents: A small footbridge that straddles North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
- Krýsuvík Geothermal Area: Bubbling mud pots, sulphur vents, and very few people.
- Brimketill: A lava-rock pool at the edge of the ocean where waves crash like angry gods.
You can either rent a car for this loop or join a guided tour. Bonus: This option lets you get to Keflavik airport faster if you fly out that night.
Where to Stay
Like most cities, Reykjavik has a whole host of different accommodation options. We’ve been lucky enough to stay in a few lovely places which we’ve recommended below, and one not so lovely hotel (which surprisingly we won’t be recommending!)
What I’m trying to say is that it’s mostly a good old case of you get what you pay for here, so if you’re happy slumming it then opt for something budget, and if you want a little more comfort then you’ll want to pay a little more.
Another option you might want to consider if you fancy a night of adventure and luxury, is staying in one of Iceland’s glass igloos. There are several good ones close to Reykjavik.
Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel
The Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel is beautiful inside and out. The rooms are smart yet comfortable and we really appreciated how quiet it was here. It’s close to the main action but not in it, which we think is the perfect balance.
Breakfast here is delicious. The bathrooms are luxurious. It does have a fitness centre with a hot tub and sauna, but we were too busy to use it.
We’d actually really recommend staying close to the harbour if you’re visiting over the winter months, because there is a chance you’ll spot the northern lights there, where the light pollution is a little less. I ventured out in my PJs and caught the most incredible show, and I loved knowing I could hop back to the hotel at any point if I got a little chilly!
For more details, we’ve put together a Northern Lights guide to make sure you don’t miss out.
Kvosin Downtown Hotel
This is a great option if you want to save some money on eating out, as most rooms come with a little kitchenette, perfect for making light meals. The hotel has lovely views of the cathedral and is central to everything.
It feels like a little home from home, but much smarter than our home! The bed was super comfy and the reception areas were lovely.
Several guests we spoke to were returning for the second or third time, which is testimony to the standard here! We would certainly love to return for another visit.
A Few Top Tips for Spending 3 Days in Reykjavik
Here are a few things we learnt from visiting Reykjavik.
#1 Dress like the weather’s trying to trick you – because it is
Seriously, don’t be fooled by the sunshine. I’ve left the apartment in sunglasses and ended up buying gloves two hours later. Layers are your best friend.
A good waterproof jacket and comfy shoes you can walk in all day are essential. And don’t worry about dressing up – even the poshest restaurants don’t care if you turn up in hiking boots.
We’ve put together an Iceland packing guide to help you out here, as it’s actually quite tricky to know what to squash into your suitcase.
#2 Skip the taxis and use your feet (or a scooter)
Reykjavik’s centre is small and totally walkable – it’s one of the best bits about it. You don’t need a car unless you’re heading out of town, and taxis are eye-wateringly expensive.
If your feet get tired, those electric scooters dotted around are surprisingly fun, although I nearly fell off one trying to ride it up a hill. But honestly, just pottering around on foot is part of the charm.
You’ll stumble across hidden street art, quirky shops and those warm little cafes that seem to exist just when you’re starting to freeze.
#3 Don’t miss the swimming pools
It sounds weird, but swimming pools in Reykjavik are kind of a big deal. There are loads of them – all outdoors and all heated with lovely geothermal water.
We tried a few, but Laugardalslaug is a favourite – it’s got hot pots (Icelandic for hot tubs), steam rooms, and locals chatting away like it’s the pub. It’s the perfect way to warm up after a chilly day wandering around.
Just brace yourself for the naked shower rules – it’s a thing. No swimsuits allowed in the showers. It’s awkward for about ten seconds, and then you just get over it.
#4 Embrace the food – even if it’s weird
Reykjavik has a bit of a reputation for strange food, and while I skipped the fermented shark (I have limits), I did try a few oddities and loved the traditional lamb soup and the skyr-based desserts.
Try the hot dogs. They’re a big Icelandic thing!
#5 Plan your budget like it’s a military operation
Reykjavik isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s the only place I’ve paid £8 for a slice of cake and genuinely felt like it was a bargain.
If you’re on a budget, grab lunch from the supermarket or bakeries (Bonus and Sandholt are lifesavers).
Lots of museums have free entry one day a week, and walking tours are brilliant for getting a feel for the place without dropping a fortune.
#6 Stay up late, even if you’re knackered
If you’re there in summer, Reykjavik never really goes dark – it’s a bit disorienting at first, but brilliant for squeezing more into the day.
If you’re there in winter, you’ve got the opposite problem – but then you might get lucky and catch the northern lights.
I set an alarm to check the sky in the middle of the night (before aurora watching apps existed) and ended up standing by the harbour in my pjs at 2am watching green lights flicker across the sky. Totally surreal.
Whatever the season, Reykjavik doesn’t really sleep early, so pace yourself and soak it all in.
Conclusion: 3 Days in Reykjavik
3 days in Reykjavik might sound short, but it works well in bite-sized pieces! It’s easy to explore, full of character, and incredibly memorable.
Add in a couple of day trips beyond the city limits, and you’ll leave with a playlist of obscure Icelandic indie bands, tons of otherworldly lava field photos, and an oddly specific opinion about geothermal bread.
And if you find yourself already plotting a return trip before you’ve even left, don’t worry. That’s just Iceland doing what it does best.
