Things to do in Reykjavík: a small capital and the land around it
Reykjavík is a small, colorful harbor town you can cross on foot in half an hour, with pools, museums and good coffee. Most visitors come for what lies outside it: the Golden Circle, the south coast and the Blue Lagoon. The one thing to know: Iceland is expensive, and the weather decides the plan.
The short answer
- First trip
- Spend a day in town, then use the city as a base for two day trips by bus or tour.
- Where to stay
- The old center around Laugavegur for walking, the harbor for a quieter edge, Vesturbær for a local feel.
- How many days
- Three nights is a good start: one for the city, two for the land outside it.
- Best time to go
- June to August for long light, October to March for northern lights chances and short days.
- Book ahead
- The Blue Lagoon, which sells out, and any tour in summer or over a winter holiday.
- From the airport
- Keflavík is about 50 km away. The Flybus takes about 45 minutes to the BSÍ terminal.
Where to stay in Reykjavík, in brief
Miðborg, the old center
first-time visitors
Laugavegur, the harbor and the pond within a short walk. Everything is close. The catch is price, and noise from bars on Friday and Saturday nights.
Harbour and Grandi
views and food halls
The old harbor and the former fish factories beside it, with museums, whale-watching boats and food halls. Quieter than Laugavegur at night.
Skólavörðuholt
a calm hill
The residential hill under Hallgrímskirkja, with small shops and cafes. It is a five to ten minute walk down to Laugavegur, uphill on the way back.
Vesturbær
a local base
The west side, with the main swimming pool and the university. Residential and calm, a 20 to 30 minute walk from the center.
Things to do in Reykjavík
Hallgrímskirkja
The tall church on the hill, with a tower you can ride up for a view over the painted roofs, the bay and Mount Esja. Check tower opening hours before you go.
Harpa concert hall
A glass-fronted building on the harbor, free to walk into. The lobby and the harbor walk beside it are worth a short stop.
Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur
The main shopping street and the colorful lane that runs up to the church. Good for a slow walk, for coffee and for wool and design shops.
A geothermal pool
Locals use the hot pools every day. Laugardalslaug is the biggest, and Sundhöllin in the center is the oldest. Shower without a swimsuit first: it is the rule, and it is enforced.
The harbor and the Sun Voyager
A short walk along the shore from Harpa to the steel boat sculpture, with the mountains across the bay. Wrap up, it is windy.
National Museum of Iceland
The best single place for the country's history, from the settlers to modern times. Allow two hours, and use it on a wet afternoon.
Whale watching and puffin trips
Boats leave the Old Harbour for the bay. Sightings are likely in summer and not guaranteed. Dress for cold, even in July.
a few days ahead in summer
Golden Circle
The classic day: Þingvellir national park, the Geysir area and Gullfoss waterfall, about 6 to 8 hours with stops. Go by tour or hire a car.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer
Blue Lagoon
A geothermal spa about 50 minutes from the city, near the airport. Entry is by timed ticket, and it is dear. Many people go on the way to or from a flight.
2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer
South coast
Waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and the black sand beach at Reynisfjara. A long day trip, about 10 to 12 hours, best with a tour in winter.
1 to 2 weeks ahead
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Reykjavík can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Reykjavík, and which to pick- Blue Lagoon entry2 to 4 weeks ahead in summer
Tickets are timed and sell out, and a late booking costs you your preferred slot.
- Day tours to the Golden Circle and south coast1 to 2 weeks ahead
Small-group departures fill in summer and over winter holidays, and winter tours can be canceled for weather.
- A table for dinner at a well-known restaurant1 to 2 weeks ahead
The city is small and the best rooms have few seats, more so at weekends.
What to skip in Reykjavík
- Driving the south coast in a day in winter
Daylight is short and roads can close for ice or wind. Take a tour, or split it over two days.
- Paying for bottled water
Tap water is cold, clean and free. Bring a bottle and fill it.
- Expecting the Blue Lagoon to be quiet
It is busy at most hours. Book an early or late slot, or try a smaller geothermal bath instead.
Best time to visit Reykjavík
June to August has the longest days, with light late into the night around midsummer, and the mildest weather, though it is still cool, often 10 to 15 degrees. Roads to the interior open, boat trips run most often, and prices and crowds are at their highest.
From October to March the days are short and the weather is changeable, but the northern lights are possible on clear dark nights, and the pools are at their best in the cold. Roads can close, so keep plans flexible. April, May and September are cheaper and quieter.
- From Keflavík airportKeflavík is about 50 km from the center. The Flybus takes about 45 minutes to the BSÍ bus terminal, and a version with hotel drop-off takes longer. Taxis are fast but dear.
- On footThe center is compact. The church, the harbor and the main street are all within a 10 to 20 minute walk. Bring a windproof jacket.
- Strætó busesThe city bus network, Strætó, covers the capital area. Buy tickets in its app, and note that buses are less frequent in the evening and at weekends.
- Tours and car hireMost visitors reach the Golden Circle and the south coast by organized tour. A hire car gives freedom, but check the road conditions and the wind warnings in winter.
Reykjavík in three days
- Day 1
Take the Hallgrímskirkja tower, walk down Skólavörðustígur and Laugavegur, then along the harbor to Harpa and the Sun Voyager. End in a pool.
- Day 2
Take a Golden Circle tour: Þingvellir, the Geysir area and Gullfoss. Return for an early dinner.
- Day 3
Go to the Blue Lagoon in the morning, or take a south coast tour. Use the National Museum if the weather turns.
Day trips from Reykjavík
- Golden CircleÞingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, a loop of about 230 km from the city. It takes 6 to 8 hours by tour or car.
- South coastSeljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and the black sand at Reynisfjara, about two hours each way. Best by tour in winter.
- Blue LagoonAbout 50 minutes by bus or car from the city, on the Reykjanes peninsula. Book a timed ticket, and add a transfer or a rental car.
Reykjavík: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Reykjavík?
Three nights is a good start: one day in the city, one on the Golden Circle and one on the south coast or at the Blue Lagoon. Add a day for each extra tour you want.
Is Reykjavík worth visiting?
Yes, as a base. The city is small and pleasant, with pools and good coffee, and most of the draw is the landscape within reach. Don't expect big sights in town.
Is Reykjavík expensive?
Yes, it is one of the dearest capitals in Europe. Cook or buy lunch at a bakery, use tap water and book day tours early to keep costs predictable.
What is the best time to visit Reykjavík?
June to August for long days and open roads, and October to March for the northern lights and pools in the cold. Spring and autumn are quieter.
Can you see the northern lights from Reykjavík?
Sometimes, from autumn to spring on clear, dark nights. City lights get in the way, so many people join a tour that drives out of town.
Do you need to book the Blue Lagoon in advance?
Yes. Entry is by timed ticket and slots sell out, especially in summer. Book a few weeks ahead and check the lagoon's own site for current times.
Do you need a car in Reykjavík?
Not in town. The center is walkable. For the Golden Circle and the south coast, a tour is simpler in winter, and a car is useful in summer if you are comfortable with Icelandic roads.