How to spend 3 days in Reykjavik

Reykjavík is one of the northernmost capitals in the world—and the only one heated by geothermal energy. It’s a compact, walkable city with a creative edge shaped by long winters, volcanic surroundings, and a strong sense of independence. Reykjavík also makes a great base for short adventures beyond the city, without needing to pack up and relocate each night. Here’s our guide to 3 days in Reykjavik

Why 3 days in Reykjavík? (Is it enough?)

Three days is a good amount of time to settle into Iceland's capital. You’ll be able to explore downtown, soak in a geothermal pool or two, try some Icelandic food, and still get out of the city for a bit of nature. The city itself is small, so you won’t spend your time commuting between sights. You can easily walk between galleries, shops, swimming pools, and restaurants.

With three days in Reykjavik, you’ve got time to squeeze in a classic day trip like the Golden Circle or a tour that packs in waterfalls, geysers, and hot springs. It’s a manageable trip on its own or a great jumping-off point before exploring the rest of the island. 

For short-and-sweet Iceland trips, Reykjavik offers just enough adventure, without needing to go completely off-grid.

Getting to & around Reykjavík

Unless you’re on a cruise, you’ll be flying to get to Iceland. Most international flights land at Keflavík Airport, which is around 45 minutes from the city. Flights from Europe are relatively short, while flights from the U.S. and Canada are longer but usually overnight—so it’s possible to arrive in the morning and start exploring right away.

Many tours and day trips include hotel pick-up, so you don’t have to rent a car unless you want to explore on your own. Things generally run on time, and even if you don’t speak Icelandic, it’s pretty straightforward to navigate.

Airport to city

Keflavík International Airport is about 30 miles (50 km) from downtown Reykjavík, and it takes around 45 minutes to get into the city. The Flybus and Airport Express are the main shuttle services—they sync with flight arrivals and will drop you off either at the main bus terminal (BSÍ) or directly at hotels and guesthouses. They’re comfortable, have WiFi, and run no matter what time your flight gets in.

If you're traveling in a small group, splitting a taxi or booking a private ride might make sense financially. It’s also a good idea to book your transfer ahead of time, especially if you land very early or late. 

Getting around in Reykjavík

Most of Reykjavík’s main sights, restaurants, and shops are concentrated downtown, so walking is usually the easiest way to get around. It rarely takes more than 20–30 minutes to get from one end of the center to the other.

If you’re going farther, Reykjavík’s public bus system (Strætó) is reliable. A single ticket gives you 75 minutes of travel with transfers included. The Reykjavík City Card might be worth it if you plan to visit several museums or public pools, as it covers transport too.

Taxis are around, but they’re pricey, so they’re best saved for occasional use. In warmer months, electric scooters are a convenient option for short distances. And if you get turned around, just look for Hallgrímskirkja—the church’s tower is visible from most parts of the city and makes a handy landmark.

Day trips & car rental

If you want to get out of Reykjavík and see more of the country, you’ve got two main options: join a tour or rent a car.

Tours are easy—you get picked up from your hotel, and everything’s planned—but having your own car gives you more flexibility. You’ll find most of the big rental companies at the airport and downtown. In summer, a regular 2WD works fine for something like the Golden Circle. If you're visiting in winter, it’s worth going for a 4WD with studded tires—road conditions can be tricky.

Cars get booked up quickly during peak season (June through August), so it’s best to reserve early. If you’re not comfortable driving in winter or just want a break from navigating, there are plenty of day tours to choose from. You won’t have to worry about parking or road conditions, and the guides usually add helpful context along the way. Some of Iceland's best road trips start in Reykjavik.
 

Where to stay in Reykjavík

Where you stay makes a big difference. Places within walking distance of Laugavegur (the main shopping street) tend to be more expensive, but you’ll save time and avoid paying for buses or taxis.

Breakfast is worth having included. Eating out in Reykjavík can be expensive—main dishes at casual restaurants start around $25 USD (23 EUR)—so loading up on breakfast can keep you going until dinner. Most places serve buffet breakfasts with local staples like rye bread, pickled herring, and skyr. See our guide to how to plan a trip to Iceland if you plan on seeing the rest of the country during your trip.

Stay central in Miðborg

Miðborg is Reykjavík’s downtown area, and it’s where you’ll find most of the city’s restaurants, shops, museums, and bars. If you’re visiting for the first time, staying here makes things easier—you can walk pretty much everywhere. 

The streets around Hallgrímskirkja church are slightly quieter but still close to everything. Places near Tjörnin lake are good if you want a view and easy access to City Hall.

It’s more expensive than staying further out, but the convenience really makes a difference, especially if you’re short on time. A lot of places around here are in older buildings that have been renovated, so the architecture adds some character too. If you're deciding where to stay, see our guide to Iceland accommodation.

Accommodation options

You can find all kinds of accommodation in Reykjavík, from high-end hotels to hostels and everything in between.

Many travelers go for mid-range places—often small hotels or guesthouses with local design touches. Most hotels include free WiFi, and many provide breakfast.

Vacation rentals have become more common, especially on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, and many come with kitchens. That can help stretch your budget, since dining out adds up quickly. Groceries in Iceland are relatively expensive, but cheaper than eating all your meals at restaurants. See more of our Iceland travel tips.
 

3-day Reykjavik itinerary overview

With three days, you’ll have time to explore the city, head out on a short day trip, and still ease into the pace of life here. If you want to use Reykjavik as a base for a longer trip, see our sample Iceland itinerary.

Day 1: Reykjavík's highlights & geothermal spa

Start off in central Reykjavík. Head to Hallgrímskirkja, the tall, angular church that’s become a bit of a landmark here (it's best places to visit in Iceland). Its design is meant to mimic the lava columns you’ll see around Iceland. You can take an elevator to the top for wide views across the city, the harbor, and the mountains in the distance.

From there, walk down Skólavörðustígur. It’s lined with small shops where you’ll see locally made wool sweaters, lava jewelry, and Icelandic design pieces. Stop at Brauð & Co around the corner—it’s a small bakery known for its cinnamon rolls and pastries. People queue up early for a reason.

Keep walking until you reach Harpa Concert Hall. The glass panels reflect the light in interesting ways, and the whole structure shifts depending on the weather and time of day.

For lunch, head toward the harbor. There are a few restaurants there that serve Icelandic staples like fish stew or plokkfiskur. After eating, make your way to the Settlement Exhibition. It’s built around a real Viking-era longhouse that was uncovered during construction. You’ll get a good sense of how early Icelanders lived.

Then walk over to the National Museum of Iceland for a broader overview of the country’s history—from the first settlers all the way to the present day. It’s a great way to put everything into context before heading out to the countryside.

Wrap up the day with a soak at Sky Lagoon. It’s about 30 minutes outside the city, and you can get there by shuttle or city bus. This lagoon is known for its seven-step bathing ritual: warm lagoon soak, cold plunge, sauna, mist, body scrub, steam room, and rinse. It's one of the best geothermal spas in Iceland.

Day 2: Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir & Gullfoss)

Day 2 of this 3 days in Reykjavik itinerary is your day trip out of the city. The Golden Circle includes three major natural sites, all within about 60 miles (100 km) of Reykjavík.

Start with Þingvellir National Park, one of the best things to do in Iceland. It’s where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, and you can actually walk through the gap between them. It’s also the site of the world’s first parliament, dating back to 930 CE. Walk the Almannagjá gorge and, if you’re up for it, check out Silfra. It’s a clear-water fissure where people snorkel between the continents.

Next, head to the Geysir geothermal area. The original Geysir is quiet these days, but Strokkur erupts every few minutes, shooting hot water up to about 100 feet (30 meters). The surrounding pools are colorful and steamy, with that distinct sulfur smell.

The last main stop is Gullfoss. This two-stage waterfall crashes into a canyon, and you can get fairly close to the edge. On sunny days, you might catch a rainbow in the mist.

You can expect to spend around 7–8 hours total. If you take a guided tour, most leave around 8:30–9:00 AM and return in the early evening.

If you drive yourself, you’ll have more flexibility to make extra stops—Kerið crater and the Secret Lagoon are easy additions. If you’re traveling in winter, keep in mind that daylight is limited, and road conditions can change quickly.
 

Day 3: History, local life and museums

Start your last day with breakfast at Sandholt Bakery on Laugavegur. It’s been around for nearly a century and does a nice range of breads and pastries. From there, head to the waterfront to see the iconinc Sun Voyager—a modern sculpture that looks like a Viking ship aiming for the horizon.

Next, head to Hafnarhús, one of the Reykjavík Art Museum buildings. It focuses on contemporary work and has a permanent collection by Erró, who’s known for collage-style pieces with political themes.

From there, it’s an easy walk to the Old Harbor. This used to be Reykjavík’s main fishing area, but these days it’s a mix of restaurants, shops, and whale-watching boats. If it’s the weekend, step inside Kolaportið—a big indoor flea market where you’ll find used books, records, and snacks like dried fish and licorice.
 

Grab lunch nearby—fish and chips or a seafood sandwich are easy picks (see our guide to the best Reykjavík restaurants) then head to Perlan. This museum is up on a hill and has a wraparound observation deck, plus exhibits on Icelandic nature. There’s also an ice cave you can walk through, built to show what it’s like inside a glacier.

In the afternoon, go to one of the city’s public swimming pools. Laugardalslaug is the largest and has a lot of different hot pools, but Vesturbæjarlaug has a more relaxed, local feel. These places are part of daily life in Reykjavík. People come here to soak, chat, and unwind.

End your evening back on Laugavegur, where shops are winding down and restaurants are getting busy. If you’re in the mood for something traditional with a twist, try Matur og Drykkur. It’s laid-back and focuses on historic Icelandic recipes made with local ingredients like Arctic char, lamb, and seasonal herbs.