3 Days In Reykjavik – The Ultimate Guide

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Iceland is a dream destination for many, myself included. It is one of the most beautiful countries and I can’t believe I waited so long to visit. If you do go to Iceland, I’m sure you’ll have grand plans to see as much of it as possible. But don’t overlook the country’s capital – a city with a small town feel. Here’s how to spend 3 days in Reykjavik – with some much-needed budget saving tips to help you on your way.

Where is Reykjavik?

Reykjavik is the capital – and largest – city in Iceland, a country with less than 400,000 inhabitants. On the western side of the country, Reykjavik doesn’t feel like your typical city. It retains small town charm despite its surge in growth since the end of WWII. Although this region has been settled for well over a thousand years, the city still feels rather new.

Keflavik airport is where you’ll fly into, at the tip of a south-western peninsula. From there it takes about 45-minutes to drive into Reykjavik. There is no train, so the only way to get to the city from the airport is either by bus or with a car. Note, rental cars can be expensive but are necessary to explore more of the island on your own.

The bus is super easy and goes regularly throughout the day in both directions. Book the FlyBus airport shuttle in advance and save time at the airport. Drop off/pick up in Reykjavik is at designated Bus Stops or select hotels. You’ll often transfer from a larger bus from the airport to smaller buses at the BSI bus station that more easily navigate the narrower Reykjavik streets.

TOP ICELAND ACCESSIBILITY TRAVEL TIP: It might be better to book your Reykjavik accommodation around where the nearest bus stop is if you have a lot of luggage or mobility challenges. I recommend Fosshotel Reykjavik as the bus stop is right outside the hotel.

How expensive is Iceland?

The rumors are true, Iceland is not typically a budget destination. That’s not to say it’s way out of reach, so don’t let this put you off.

The four main costs you’ll come across, whether you’re spending just 3 days in Reykjavik or longer in Iceland, are Accommodation; Transportation; Food; and Activities. If visiting Iceland you will have to understand that it won’t be cheap. But that’s not to say you have to spend your life savings.

Typically to make a trip to Iceland more affordable – while still fun and enjoyable – you will have to figure out what is most important to you. Meaning, which of these things you might be willing to cut costs on.

A few things I considered while planning my trip to Iceland:

• Accommodation – Book central, or rely a bit more on public transport and stay further out? Stick with a hotel, or stay in a hostel? If staying longer, a rental property might be cheaper than a hotel.
• Transportation – Rent a car or book tours/buses? Car rentals can be expensive, but most tours are also not cheap. If you are staying longer than a few days you might find a car rental is worth it, for short visits I’d recommend selecting a guided bus tour. Avoid taxis and take a shuttle from the airport – it’s much cheaper.
• Food – Some hotels have breakfast included, check when booking. There are pubs and more affordable restaurants, but I’d plan for at least one good meal that costs a little more and experience authentic Icelandic food. Bakeries and supermarkets are good for snacks, a quick breakfast or a cheap lunch.
• Activities – Walking around is free! Museums are not cheap so you might have to prioritize ones you want to visit. Tours are also not always cheap, but there are more cost effective options such as walking tours, or self-guided tours.

Where to stay in Reykjavik, Iceland

I much prefer a hotel than a hostel, so that’s what I booked in Reykjavik. The first time I visited I stayed at Center Hotels Plaza Reykjavik. The room was really nice, although the hotel was like a rabbit warren and depending on where your room is it can be a maze to get there.

The best thing about Center Hotels Plaza Reykjavik was its location. Right next to Ingólfur Square with lots of restaurants around – and walking distance to all major sights in Reykjavik.

My second time in Reykjavik I stayed at Fosshotel Reykjavik. This hotel brand has a few locations in the city, so make sure you book the right one for where you need to be. Definitely a step up in terms of luxury, and such a classy hotel.

From Fosshotel Reykjavik it is a short walk to the harbor where I was lucky enough to catch a midnight “sunset” in June – a time of year with almost 24-hours of daylight in Iceland.

On my most recent visit to Reykjavik I stayed at Hotel VON. It’s very central, surrounded by shops and only minutes away from the famous Rainbow Street.

I’d highly recommend any of these places since all are perfectly located for what you’ll want to do with 3 days in Reykjavik. But some others that also get good reviews are: Vintage Hotel (as amazingly decorated as it sounds); Black Pearl Apartment Hotel (all the amenities you’ll want for a longer stay, including full kitchen); and Hotel Phoenix (classic décor, great location and breakfast included).

Getting around Reykjavik

While you might want a car for exploring more of Iceland, you likely won’t need one in Reykjavik. Unless you get a killer deal picking up near the airport, I’d recommend having some car free days in Reykjavik and renting the car at a downtown location when you need it.

To get from the airport to Reykjavik city center, the best option is a transfer company like Reykjavik Excursions who do one way or return transfers to Keflavik Airport.

City regulations mean there are over a dozen designated bus stops in Reykjavik rather than buses being able to access all of the city’s small streets. Check out this webpage for stops and closest hotels to them.

None of my hotels were more than 5 minute walk from a stop, but it might be worth checking the stops out before booking a place to stay, especially if you don’t pack light.

If your hotel is central you won’t need to do anything other than walk in Reykjavik. Should you wish to take a city bus, have the exact fare in cash, or use the Straeto app to buy tickets online and activate them when ready to use. Another fun way to get around is an e-scooter rental – check out Hopp scooter sharing.

When to visit Iceland

I’ve visited at the height of the summer, when the days are so long the sun barely goes down. I’ve also visited in the winter when the biting wind made me feel like my face might fall off. Honestly, I still can’t decide which I liked more.

Iceland is stunning at any time of year. And the weather will always be a little temperamental – it is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, after all. So don’t pin all your hopes on a summer vacation meaning nothing but sunshine.

July and August are the most popular months, so traveling outside of those might be less busy for you. Which means also less competing for restaurant reservations, or hotel prices being lower.

I really liked the snow covered scenes that winter provided – and if you bundle up and have plenty of layers you’ll be just fine. But shorter days in the winter mean you’re limited for your day trips, although the potential to see the northern lights might make that worth it.

For me, the longer days of the summer were the perfect way to see more of Iceland. In fact, there was nothing like sitting on a rock at Reykjavik harbor at midnight watching the sunset. Now that’s an experience.

3 Days In Reykjavik, Iceland

Hopefully by now you’ve got some ideas on where to stay and how to get there. Now for the fun stuff. What to do with 3 days in Reykjavik. A few days here catapulted it to one of my favorite cities. I liked how laid back and small-town it felt, but with easily enough things to do. Here are some ideas for your itinerary.

Day 1 in Reykjavik, Iceland

MORNING

Given the time change and location of Iceland, many flights arrive early in the day. My overnight flight from Vancouver, Canada arrived at 6am – too early to check into my hotel. This made it almost impossible to not book a visit to Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon.

Combine an entrance ticket with an airport transfer that will take you from the airport to the lagoon, then onwards to downtown Reykjavik when you’re ready. Spend the morning relaxing with some soothing mud masks and an after-soak lunch at their in-house restaurant, before arriving at your hotel mid-afternoon.

AFTERNOON

If, like me, you booked a central hotel like Center Hotels Plaza Reykjavik you will be in close proximity to all the sights. A good place to start on day one is The Settlement Exhibition which will really give you some history on Iceland, and Reykjavik’s then-to-now transformation.

The lower level of the museum is centered around the foundations of a 10th Century hall, discovered in 2001 under the city. Climb the levels of the museum to progress through the centuries until you arrive at modern day Reykjavik.

An hour or two getting to grips with Iceland’s Nordic roots and you’ll probably be ready for a good meal. Time to find somewhere good for dinner.

EVENING

So as not to completely undo the clean living vibe of the Blue Lagoon, I can’t recommend Vegan World Peace enough. Their food is ridiculously tasty, and it’s all so photogenic.

Try the Rainbow Rolls (fresh Vietnamese-style veggie rolls with pretty edible flowers), or the Pad Thai which was delicious. Prices here are more or less reasonable and on-par with North American dining.

End your day with a walk to the harbor to the Sun Voyager sculpture, with the ocean and mountains as an idyllic backdrop. Depending on the time of year, this is a great place for a sunset so take a seat and enjoy.

Alternate ideas for Day 1

I enjoyed the Blue Lagoon, but do find it a little overrated. Another option a little closer to Reykjavik city center is the Sky Lagoon. In fact, some day tours offer pickup or drop off there which is really convenient, and Sky Lagoon tickets are cheaper than the Blue Lagoon.

The National Museum of Iceland can be visited in place of the Settlement Exhibition for informative Iceland history.

And if vegan food is a little too healthy (or not meaty enough) try the nearby Sæta Svínið Gastropub. In the summer their patio is great for people watching.

Day 2 in Reykjavik, Iceland

MORNING

For breakfast you can’t go wrong with Baka Baka. The smell of freshly baked goods draws you in when you walk by. Try their cardamom buns which are amazing. For something a little more substantial try the Laundromat Cafe – great selection, hearty portions and it’s weirdly enough an actual laundromat too!

From Baka Baka, you’re only steps away from some of the best little shops in Reykjavik. Buy some local handmade soaps, lava salt or traditional knitted Icelandic sweaters to take home. Keep walking and you’ll soon spot Skólavörðustígur, otherwise known as Rainbow Street.

The incredibly photogenic street really brightens up the city even on a grey and gloomy day. Take a look up the hill to see Reykjavik’s famous church perfectly positioned at the end of the rainbow.

Hallgrimskirkja church is a little further than it looks, but worth the hike. This modern church is remarkable, although I have to admit it’s more impressive from the outside. Unlike most other churches in Europe, it has to be seen up close. Check out the schedule for local concerts for a unique musical experience.

The church is free to enter and check out, but I recommend a ticket up the tower for 1400 ISK. On a clear day you’ll have great views all around Reykjavik from the 360° viewing platform.

The surrounding streets have lots of places to eat, whatever you feel like. But I would recommend you end it with an ice cream from either Valdís or Sæta Húsið. Both are absolutely delicious (and very pretty).

AFTERNOON

Make your way back towards Ingólfur Square where to you can meet your guide for an Elves & Trolls of Iceland Walking Tour. Book in advance for this amazing 1.5 hour walk around Reykjavik where you will learn local legends of all things supernatural. Note: This tour doesn’t run every day so check in advance to avoid disappointment. Tours start at 1pm or 5pm usually.

If you have limited time in Iceland, you might be disappointed you couldn’t see more of the country. Never fear, there’s a way around that. Head to FlyOver Iceland, a simulated journey that soars above the country allowing you to see hundreds of miles in mere minutes. Vancouver, Canada where I live has a Canadian version of this same tour.

EVENING

For dinner, stay in this area and visit a local’s favorite Garlic for some out of this world risotto, or head back towards your hotel. In the city center there are some other fabulous options.

Fish Company is a popular place if you like seafood (you’re in the perfect place for it). Or Chickpea if you’re looking for a more budget friendly veggie option. And Bjórgarðurinn at the Fosshotel Reykjavik has some delicious Icelandic beers and elevated pub food. The tempura vegetable open tortilla was amazing.

After dinner you can catch a show, depending on what’s on, at the Harpa Concert Hall. Even if you don’t see a show, take a closer look at the outside and inside of the concert hall. A walk along the pier to Ingólfsgarður Lighthouse will give great views looking back over the concert hall – and some stunning harbor photos.

Alternate ideas for Day 2

Another walking tour you can take is an Icelandic foodie tour. Visit 6-8 local restaurants and try some of their most authentic dishes. If you want to do this tour you might have to adjust your dinner plans.

Running out of money? Skip the guided tours and take a self-guided walking tour of Reykjavik. Use an app for access to an audio guide – or try a fun scavenger hunt instead.

Day 3 in Reykjavik, Iceland

MORNING

Start your day with a visit to Sandholt bakery. Their European-style pastries are the perfect light breakfast to take away and walk some of the interesting streets nearby. Or sit inside for a bigger breakfast to set you up for the day ahead.

You’ve already had some history of Iceland on Day 1, but why not try one of the more unique Reykjavik museums? The Phallological Museum might get the vote as the weirdest. View the world’s largest collection of penises, then hit the cafe for a phallically-named beer and a penis shaped pastry.

AFTERNOON

For a light lunch, now might be as good a time as any to try a world famous Icelandic hot dog. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is just around the corner from the Phallological museum, and is a cheap lunch by Icelandic standards.

Since you’re in Iceland, how about spending the afternoon searching for local wildlife? Whale-watching tours leave Reykjavik multiple times a day between April and September. Tours last 2-4 hours and are a great way of seeing Iceland from the water as well as seeking out these majestic creatures. Tours also operate in winter but your chances of seeing whales are lower.

EVENING

End your last day in Iceland with one of the best meals of your trip. Food Cellar might be a little pricy but it’s worth the money. I recommend you order a set menu like I did to try a little bit of everything. There are four to choose from including a steak, seafood, vegan and an Icelandic menu. Each will set you back just around 10,000 ISK (~$70 USD) per person.

After dinner, head into a local bar and toast to a great trip in Iceland. The Magic Ice Bar is an experience you won’t forget. Ice sculptures and drinks served in ice glasses make this a unique place to drink.

Visiting in winter? Book a Northern Lights tour. They leave around 9pm onwards and you’ll head out of the city where the sky is dark and there are more chances of seeing the phenomenal aurora borealis. It’s quite the experience!

I was also lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis from Reykjavik harbour without a tour. Use the Hello Aurora app to get notifications and projections on northern lights activity so you can hustle out of bed and see the lights without committing to a long tour.

Alternate ideas for Day 3

Brauð & Co is another of Reykjavik’s popular bakeries. Their cinnamon rolls make them one of the top spots to check out in the city. A great snack to take on a day trip out of the city.

Try the Icelandic Punk Museum instead of the Phallological Museum. It’s one of the cheapest museums in the city, and is located in a converted public bathroom.

And if whale-watching sounds like a time commitment, what about a puffin viewing tour? They typically last around an hour and are available May-August.

Visiting in winter? How about an Icelandic horse-riding tour through the snowy lava fields?

As an alternate dining option for some Icelandic cuisine, I recommend Reykjavik Kitchen. Entrees are around $30-40 but it was one of the best meals I had in Iceland.

Staying more than 3 days in Reykjavik?

If you have more time to spend in Reykjavik, but don’t have time to go touring the country, here are a few other ideas. There are a number of day trips that leave from Reykjavik that give a glimpse into the beauty of Iceland.

Plan a Golden Circle Day Trip. It will be a long day, but worth it to see some of Iceland’s most famous sights like Gullfoss waterfall or the Kerid Crater. Some tours offer a stop at a secret lagoon to go swimming, or pair their trip with a northern lights experience depending on the time of year.

Another direction you can go is Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Black sand beaches, Kirkjufell mountain and a visit to Iceland’s famous black church. All can be done in a day from Reykjavik.

Worried about packing too much travel into a day? Take a shorter hiking tour, or a Glacier Explorer Tour. Want something even more unique, there are Ice Cave adventures not to be missed.

If taking a tour without a car, the one thing I would recommend is to look for a small group tour. Typically 15 people or under. These tours are a lot more enjoyable and you get more talk time with the guide.

Less people also means you’re not waiting for as many stragglers as on a huge tour bus – you know what I’m talking about. On one of my small group trips our guide even made an unscheduled stop as we passed a local farmers market in a small community hall so we could take a look.

A perfect 3 Days in Reykjavik itinerary

While you might not want to follow my itinerary exactly, you can’t go wrong with 3 days in Reykjavik. There are so many fun things to see and do. The most important part of a successful itinerary is figuring out early on what is important to you.

Do you want to save some money on activities but not worry about food costs? Or cut back on your accommodation so you can do more tours? Don’t be put off visiting Iceland just because everyone tells you it’s expensive. If you listen, you’ll never make it to this beautiful country.

The last piece of advice I will leave you with is to have a good mixture of indoor and outdoor activities. Being an island in the North Atlantic means unpredictable weather and even summers might not be as warm as other places you might visit. Having museum visits as a back up plan is a great idea for rainy days – as is packing for all seasons.

A longer trip to Iceland is a must if you have the time. But 3 days in Reykjavik is a good introduction to a fantastic country. If you do spend longer here, rent a car, take a few tours, get out of the city and explore some of the countryside. The mountains and waterfalls are spectacular. Either way don’t miss a trip to Reykjavik, by far one of my favorite cities.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. What would you do with 3 days in Reykjavik? What are your other suggestions for time in Iceland?