5 days in Reykjavík

Day by day

1. Day 1: Hallgrímskirkja and Einar Jónsson sculpture garden

   Hallgrímskirkja, Einar Jónsson sculpture garden and Sun Voyager, then Northern lights tour in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hallgrímskirkja

      Go up the tower on a clear morning; on cloudy days the view is short and the queue is long. (45 minutes, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Einar Jónsson sculpture garden

      Enter from Freyjugata, behind the museum, when the main square is full of tour groups. (20–30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Icelandic lamb soup

      Traditional restaurants and cafés in downtown Reykjavík, especially in winter.

   4. Afternoon

      Sun Voyager

      Walk the shoreline path from Harpa to the sculpture around sunset, which in winter happens mid-afternoon. (20 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Northern lights tour

      Check the Icelandic Met Office aurora and cloud forecast, and book early in your trip so a rebooking is still possible.

2. Day 2: Harpa Concert Hall and Whale watching from the Old Harbour

   Harpa Concert Hall, Whale watching from the Old Harbour and National Museum of Iceland, then Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Harpa Concert Hall

      Climb to the upper foyers for framed views of the harbour and Mount Esja, then come back after dark to see the facade lit up. (30–60 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Whale watching from the Old Harbour

      Take seasickness tablets beforehand and wear the warm overalls the operators provide; it is much colder on the water than in town. (3–3.5 hours, expensive).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fish stew

      Lunch menus at traditional cafés and fish restaurants near the Old Harbour.

   4. Afternoon

      National Museum of Iceland

      Start at the settlement-era rooms and allow time for the medieval Valþjófsstaður church door. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur

      Many bars on Laugavegur have happy hours in the late afternoon, the best-value time for a drink in Reykjavík.

3. Day 3: Perlan and Tjörnin and City Hall

   Perlan, Tjörnin and City Hall and Laugardalslaug geothermal pool, then Sky Lagoon in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Perlan

      Use it as a rainy-day substitute for glacier and aurora experiences, especially with children. (2–3 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Tjörnin and City Hall

      In hard winters the pond freezes and locals skate on it; part is kept ice-free by geothermal water for the birds. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Icelandic hot dog

      Hot-dog stands such as the long-running Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur near the harbour, and petrol stations across the country.

   4. Afternoon

      Laugardalslaug geothermal pool

      Shower thoroughly without a swimsuit before entering, as required; staff and locals take this rule seriously. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Sky Lagoon

      Book an evening slot in winter for a chance of northern lights from the water on clear nights.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Golden Circle

   A 6–8 hour loop by car or tour each way. Getting there: Hire car or guided tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Golden Circle

      A 6–8 hour loop by car or tour (Hire car or guided tour); about 120 km.

   2. Day

      Golden Circle

      The classic loop links Þingvellir National Park, where the Alþingi parliament met from 930 and the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart; the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes; and the two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall. Best for first-timers, families and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Reykjavík

      Dinner: try Skyr.

5. Day 5: Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús and Grótta lighthouse and Seltjarnarnes

   Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús, Grótta lighthouse and Seltjarnarnes and Viðey Island, then Laugavegur and Bankastræti in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús

      Check whether your ticket covers all three sites and visit Kjarvalsstaðir in Klambratún park the same day. (1–1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Grótta lighthouse and Seltjarnarnes

      Check the tide table before crossing the causeway, and note that the island is usually closed to walkers during the spring nesting season. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Skyr

      Any supermarket for breakfast, and as a dessert in traditional restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      Viðey Island

      Ferries are more frequent in summer; check the schedule and take the return times seriously, as the island has few facilities. (Half a day, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Laugavegur and Bankastræti

      The main strip of bars, cocktail spots and late-night venues, busiest from late evening on Friday and Saturday.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Whale watching from the Old Harbour and Sky Lagoon before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Downtown (101 Reykjavík) keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Skólavörðuholt ($$$) suits couples, first-timers and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–32 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 4.2 hours in December to 21 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Reykjavík
• 2 days in Reykjavík
• 3 days in Reykjavík
• 4 days in Reykjavík
• 7 days in Reykjavík

Questions travellers ask