Founded by hardy Viking settlers in 874 AD, Reykjavik is today a colorful beacon of Nordic prosperity in the far reaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Green, red, white, and blue houses are snowcapped in winter and drenched in the Midnight Sun in summer, while iconic works of modern architecture like the Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa, the Icelandic Opera House, dominate the low-lying skyline.
The first Viking settlers named what would later become the Icelandic capital after the smoke they saw drifting over the bay. Reykjavik means “Smoky Bay” in Old Norse, but you’ll be pleased to hear that the smoke came from natural hot springs.
Embrace Icelandic bathing culture with a visit to the Sky Lagoon, or better yet, visit a public thermal swimming pool before gorging on Icelandic cod or a bowl of hearty lamb stew in one of the city’s gourmet harborside restaurants.
Visit Reykjavik in winter and you’ll have fantastic opportunities to spot the Northern Lights in the dark skies around the city. In spring, the whales begin migrating back to the bay, while in summer, the sun literally never sets. Autumn is when you’ll beat the crowds, making Reykjavik a surprising four-season destination.
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, then keep reading, as I unveil my perfect 3-day Reykjavik itinerary!
If you’re still deciding where to stay then make sure to check out our article on the best boutique hotels in Reykjavik!
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How to Spend the Weekend in Reykjavik, Iceland
Getting Around Reykjavik
Although Reykjavik is the Icelandic capital (and as much as 60 percent of the nation’s population live in the city or its surrounding suburbs), you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that it’s actually more like a large town.
That makes getting around during your weekend in Reykjavik surprisingly easy, and the city center itself is incredibly walkable. Even in winter, the underfloor street heating (fed by geothermally heated waters, of course) keeps the city center’s streets clear of ice, and in summer, the endless sun means you’ll never really be walking out in the dark!
That being said, you can also hop on the local buses to get around. This is particularly helpful in the colder months when outside temperatures are often below freezing. You can check departure points, times, and bus numbers on Google Maps.
You can download the local bus app (Klappið) to buy tickets, but don’t forget, unlimited bus travel is also included in the Reykjavik City Passes, which also get you into the best museums in the city.
Keflavik International Airport is located around an hour’s drive from the city center. If you’re on a city break or stopover package, transfers are typically included.
If not, book a Flybus transfer online for a quick ride into the city. The Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon both offer bus transfer services, while countless tour companies sell tours to famous sights like the Golden Circle if you don’t fancy self-driving in a rental car.
Reykjavik Weekend Itinerary – Day 1
Free Walking Tour
Reykjavik can be an expensive city to visit (you’re paying Nordic prices throughout your stay) but you can save a little Krona by joining a “Free Walking Tour.” City Walk Reykjavik leads daily tours throughout the year, and at the end, you only pay what you feel the experience was worth.
It’s a great way to start, and you’ll meet your local guide in the main square opposite the Althing (Iceland’s Parliament Building) before strolling through the city center, past iconic sights like Rainbow Street, and along Laugavegur, the main street in the city. The tour ends by Tjörnin (The City Pond), inside Reykjavik’s City Hall.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the Settlement Era (when Vikings first landed in Iceland), Iceland’s long maritime history, and all the curious foods that Icelanders have developed over the years (including the infamous fermented shark).
You’ll also learn how Iceland is a progressive nation, with Reykjavik at the heart of the nation’s liberal ideals. Did you know that Iceland was the first country to elect a female president, for example? Or that in 1975, all the women in the country went on strike to demand equal wages?
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
After your walking tour it’s time for lunch. You’ve got a busy afternoon ahead of you, so it’s time for some of Iceland’s famous fast food. The most popular dish in the country is the humble hot dog, and at the world-famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur stand you can even order the infamous “Bill Clinton,” which comes with nothing but mustard.
Next up is Hallgrímskirkja, a Lutheran church built in the unusual Neo-Gothic Expressionist style found all over Iceland. At 75 meters (245 feet), this is one of the tallest buildings in the country, and the views from the observation tower are one of the highlights of your 3 days in Reykjavik.
National Museum of Iceland
You should still have time for a quick visit to the National Museum of Iceland (which closes at 5 pm), where you can consolidate all that history you learned on your tour earlier at this excellent institution.
I’d recommend dinner down by the harbor, where some of the best restaurants in Reykjavik are congregated along the waterfront. My personal favorite is Kopar, where you’ll enjoy delicacies like Icelandic lamb and cod served with an international twist.
For something a little fiery, try Himalayan Spice, or visit the Reykjavik Fish Restaurant for no-nonsense fish and chips. From dinner, make your way deeper into the harbor, where you can spend an evening at the Lava Show, the only place in the world where hot, molten lava is poured indoors!
Reykjavik Weekend Itinerary – Day 2
Whale Watching
Day 2 of your weekend trip to Reykjavik begins with a whale-watching tour (if you’re visiting between March and October, that is!). You’ll head out into Reykjavik’s bay early in the morning, when you’ll have the best chance of spotting humpbacks, minkes, orcas, and more.
If you’re not here in whale-watching season, have a head into one of Reykjavik’s many art galleries, like the National Gallery of Iceland or Hafnarborg (and don’t worry, winter travelers have an added stop this evening!).
Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon
After your morning escapade, it’s time for a little relaxation. If you’d like the typical spa experience you see all over the tourist brochures, then book a slot at Sky Lagoon. Overlooking the bay, you’ll love the outdoor thermal pool, the swim-up bar, and the Seven Step Ritual.
You can also look at booking a slot at the Blue Lagoon, but be wary because recent volcanic activity has forced this once iconic spa to close on more than one occasion in the past year.
If you’re looking to see Reykjavik on a budget, then skip the tourist lagoons and just go straight to one of the city’s public thermal baths. Costing just 1300 Icelandic Krona a session (and they’re free with the Reykjavik City Card!), swimming pools like Laugardalslaug have hot pots, plunge pools, and large outdoor thermal bathing areas.
Go Museum Hopping
This afternoon, it’s time for a little museum hopping. Curious travelers can visit the unusual Icelandic Phallological Museum (I’ll let you Google that one), history fans will want to see the excavated Viking ruins in the Settlement Museum, while Perlan offers an exciting, interactive insight into Icelandic nature.
If you’re here in winter, then get ready for your Northern Lights Tour in the evening (weather dependent). You’ll want a quick, hearty dinner before you set off for a late night roaming the countryside in search of the Aurora Borealis. I’d recommend popping into Ramen Momo for dumplings and noodle soup in Reykjavik’s original ramen bar.
If you’re here in summer, it’s time for a more leisurely dinner. Book a table at Dill or ÓX for Michelin-starred tasting menus, or head to the Lebowski Bar for burgers and White Russian cocktails late into the night.
Reykjavik Weekend Itinerary – Day 3
Your Reykjavik itinerary comes to a close with an action-packed day trip to some of the best sights in Iceland. If it’s your first time in Reykjavik, then there’s no alternative – you have to book a Golden Circle tour!
Sure, it’s cliche, but this is your opportunity to see the fire, ice, and nature that Iceland is so famed for. It’s going to be busy, so you might want to consider renting a car and self-driving rather than joining a large coach tour.
Thingvellir National Park
Your first stop from Reykjavik will be Thingvellir National Park. This spectacular rift valley is not only where Icelanders held their first “Thing,” or parliament, way back in the 10th century AD, but it’s where the North American and European tectonic plates are slowly drifting apart. You can even go snorkeling in Silfra, where the rift is filled with pure Icelandic glacial water (dry suits are provided!).
Haukadalur Geothermal Field
Next up is the Haukadalur Geothermal Field, where you’ll be awed by the powerful geysers and humbled by the bubbling hot springs. From here, it’s a short drive to Gullfoss, where a powerful, tiered waterfall carves a path through dramatic Icelandic scenery.
Make your way back to the city for the final evening of your 3-day Reykjavik vacation. I’d recommend a few Icelandic beers at Skuli, a traditional Icelandic meal at Old Iceland Restaurant, or quick, tasty, but worldly eats at Icelandic Street Food.
