Three days in Reykjavik provides enough time to experience the capital properly while including one or two significant day trips. It is the standard structure for visitors arriving on a Friday evening and departing on a Monday morning — a format that suits Reykjavik particularly well since the city'
Three days in Reykjavik provides enough time to experience the capital properly while including one or two significant day trips. It is the standard structure for visitors arriving on a Friday evening and departing on a Monday morning — a format that suits Reykjavik particularly well since the city's weekend nightlife is a genuine cultural experience in its own right.
Day 1: Arrival and Old City
Arrive Keflavik in the afternoon. Drive or bus to Reykjavik (45 minutes). Check in, drop luggage, and walk the old city. The route from Hallgrimskirkja church down Skólavörðustígur to Laugavegur covers the core of old Reykjavik in 30 minutes of walking — with detours into shops and cafés, allow 2 hours. The old harbour (Grandi) for dinner: Reykjavik Street Food Hall (various Icelandic options, mid-price), Kaffivagninn (oldest restaurant in Reykjavik, harbour fish dishes), or the Museum of Street Food. Evening at a geothermal pool if energy allows — Sundhöll is the most atmospheric, within walking distance of the city centre.
Day 2: Golden Circle Day Trip
Leave Reykjavik by 8am. The standard Golden Circle route covers Thingvellir National Park, Geysir/Strokkur, and Gullfoss in a loop of approximately 300km, returning to Reykjavik by 5pm. Additions: Silfra snorkelling at Thingvellir (book ahead, 3 hours), Secret Lagoon at Fludir (30-minute detour from the route, relaxed geothermal pool, GBP 20). Evening in Reykjavik — cocktails at Slippbarinn or Bankastræti bars, dinner at Matur og Drykkur or similar.
Day 3: City Exploration and Departure
Settlement Exhibition museum (Aðalstræti 16, 90 minutes). National Museum (Suðurgata, 90 minutes). Lunch at Hlöllabátar or Messinn. Hallgrimskirkja tower viewpoint. Drive to Keflavik Airport (45 minutes). Optional Blue Lagoon stop before departure if your flight is in the evening (advance booking required).
Where to Stay
Accommodation in the 101 Reykjavik postcode puts you within walking distance of everything. Budget: KEX Hostel (dorms from GBP 35, private rooms from GBP 90) or Loft HI Hostel (Bankastræti 7, rooftop terrace, central location). Mid-range: Canopy by Hilton (converted historic building, excellent breakfast) or Hotel Holt (art collection in every room, traditional Reykjavik character). Luxury: Hotel Borg (Art Deco, opposite the parliament square, Reykjavik's grandest address) or Ion City Hotel (new build, design-focused, close to Hallgrimskirkja).
Reykjavik Card
The Reykjavik City Card (available from the Visit Reykjavik tourist office at Aðalstræti 2 or online) provides unlimited access to all city buses, entry to seven city museums, and free geothermal pool entry for 24, 48 or 72 hours. A 48-hour card costs approximately GBP 45 and pays for itself if you use the pools daily and visit three or four museums. The pools alone (two entries at GBP 5 each) plus the Settlement Exhibition (GBP 12) and two bus rides account for most of the card value.
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