Reykjavik, Iceland is the northernmost capital in the world. It’s home to a little over 100,000 people but welcomes an influx of tourists each year. Its position on the Ring Road and central location to several attractions make it the perfect place to visit. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick visit or trekking the Ring Road – Reykjavik is the perfect place to start.
Flying to Iceland is pretty direct and short from the east coast of the US. This makes it the perfect getaway for a few days without jet lag and travel time! You fly into Keflavik International Airport, which is about 45 minutes away from the city. Unfortunately, there is no Uber in Iceland, but there are other rideshare apps, taxis, and public transportation that can help you get around the city if you don’t want to rent a car.
Iceland’s weather can be a bit temperamental, and unfortunately for us, we had three days in the foggy, misty air. Be sure to check out my essential tips for visiting Iceland and packing essentials before you go!
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Day 1: The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is one of the most popular things to do in Iceland since it includes three stunning locations all within a two-hour drive of Reykjavik. Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss waterfall are each unique natural attractions that any traveler can enjoy. You can do the Golden Circle on your own or through a guided tour like this one.
The first stop on the tour is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Iceland’s first national park. The first thing I noticed about the park was the dramatic geology. I’ve never seen anything like it before (or after). The park is in between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. While the rift valley, The Mid Atlantic Ridge, runs all the way through Iceland, it is most visible in Thingvellir. Iceland is the only country that the Ridge can be seen above sea level.
While geology wasn’t my favorite subject in school, it was still pretty amazing to learn that between these plates there was a pocket of magma that created Iceland. The separation of these two tectonic plates is still happening today! Each year the plates widen about an inch, which means that earthquakes are a regular occurrence.
Fun fact: Thingviller was used as a Game of Thrones filming location for one wildling camp and the entrance to the Eyrie.
One thing I wish I did here was either snorkel (open to anyone over 16) or scuba dive (PADI certified) in between the plates! (I didn’t know about this until after our trip).
The second stop on the tour is the Geysir Geothermal Area, about an hour away from Thingviller. Along the route, enjoy the scenery that makes Iceland so famous. As you get closer, you’ll start to see steaming vents and hot water on the ground. The water can get as hot as 140*F (or 60*C). There are two famous geysers in this area – the Great Geysir and Strokkur. The Great Geysir is the earliest documented geyser in European literature. This geysir is mostly inactive due to tectonic activity and human intervention. Strokkur, however, is very consistent – going off every ten minutes or so and throwing water anywhere from 60 to 140 feet (20-40 meters) in the air!
Geysers need three things in order to form.
1 – an intense heat source, which means magma is close to the surface of the earth. 2 – a water flow, in Iceland it’s water that has melted from a glacier. 3 – An underground reservoir for the water to gather, and a vent lined with silica so the water doesn’t just leak out. I didn’t know geysers were so complicated!
The third and final stop on the Golden Circle is the Gullfoss Waterfall. This jaw-dropping waterfall is known for its power and double drops. It’s most visited during the summer when you can often see rainbows that are thrown from its spray. However, if you’re visiting in the winter, even though you can’t get too close because it’s partly frozen, you can see chunks of ice floating.
Since the drive around the Golden Circle is about 6 hours, you can also rent a car and drive. I would only recommend this in the summer, as the winter can be very unpredictable.
Once you arrive back in Reykjavik, explore the city. Head downtown for dinner. No matter how little time you have in Iceland, you HAVE to have an Icelandic hot dog (unless you’re vegan/vegetarian, in which case, just skip ahead). The most well-known hot dog joint is Baejarins Beztu Pylsur which literally translates to “Best Hot Dogs in Town” and has been voted best hot dogs in Europe in 2006. I can’t say that I’ve tried all the hot dogs in Europe, but I’ve had a lot of hot dogs in my life, and it’s the best one I’ve ever had.
Baejarins Beztu is near Old Harbour and sunset is the best time to walk the water. Pass by the famous Sun Voyager, a sculpture designed to be an ode to the sun. Then walk down the waterside until you see the Harpa. The Harpa is the concert hall and it’s impossible to miss – it’s a modern landmark that shines during the day and lights up various colors at night. Check out what shows or performances are happening during your stay to see if you can really get the full experience.
Don’t be afraid to visit Iceland in the winter! There are some amazing destinations that are better in the winter.
Day Two: The Blue Lagoon
If you tell anyone that you’re going to Iceland they’re probably going to mention the Blue Lagoon – the Instagram-able hot spring popped up on social media in 2016. It has been a popular destination since.
If you have a short time in Iceland, then yes, you should go and experience it. However, with a few more days, you could explore other more-natural, less-touristy (read: less expensive) hot springs that you can visit that would give you more of an authentic feel. The Blue Lagoon requires reservations ahead of time. When you make your reservation you can also book transportation from your hotel or Keflavik airport (though it’s probably cheaper to do this on your own). We did the Basic package for $55 (USD) which included a face mask, one drink, and a towel. There is a Premium package for $78 (USD) which includes a second mask, a reservation at Lava restaurant (with sparkling wine), and use of bathrobe and slippers.
Tip: If you book early in the morning or late at night you may be able to get these packages cheaper!
You can add on an in-water massage to either package and purchase more drinks at the bar in the lagoon. There are snacks and sandwiches at the lagoon (not in the restaurant) and they sell waterproof phone cases so you can take as many selfies as you want.
Day Three: Explore the City
Start your last day in the city by visiting Hallgrimskirkja Church. It’s hard to miss this church since it towers the rest of the city at 244 feet. The white concrete also helps it to stand out among the colorful houses of the city. The exterior design was inspired by the rock formations that are created when lava cools. Inside, the church is minimalistic. You can either walk up to the top for a bit of cardio or take a slightly claustrophobic elevator for about $9.00 (USD). Either way you go, the top of the church gives you the best views of the city.
We were unlucky with mother nature in November and had a cloudy, misty day. Even then, it was still worth it to see Reykjavik from up high. You can also see the intertwining roads of the city and possibly some amazing street art.
Reykjavik isn’t a huge city and is very walkable. Wander through the streets and enjoy some of the world-famous street art! You’ll find sides of buildings, walls, and even construction sites covered with art.
Make your way to Laugavegur, one of the main roads in the city. Here you’ll find plenty of Icelandic pubs and restaurants – be sure to try Iceland’s favorite alcohol – Brennivin. There’s also plenty of shops for souvenirs on this road – you can find a lot of items that are handmade from lava – jewelry, keyrings, magnets, and even kitchen items like bowls and plates!
Since today’s your last day in Reykjavik, make a wise decision in what you want to see. There’s plenty of museums and art galleries in the city. You could visit the National Museum of Iceland or the National Gallery of Iceland for an immense look into Icelandic culture. Or if you wanted to explore something less-traditional, visit the Icelandic Phallological Museum for all things phallic. Or if you want to see more of the nature of Iceland, you can easily take a whale watching tour from Reykjavik. We opted for the whale watching and got to see some nature up close! Either way, there’s plenty to explore in this quaint city and you’ll have an amazing time!
Read More about Iceland
Cheap & Free Things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland
10+ Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland
Visiting the DC-3 Plane Crash in South Iceland
Save “3-Day Itinerary for Reykjavik” for Later
