How many days · Reykjavík · Iceland
How many days do you need in Reykjavík?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
5 days is the sweet spot for Reykjavík, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days allow one day in the city, a Golden Circle day and a lagoon or whale-watching trip. Five days add the south coast waterfalls and Snæfellsnes and leave a buffer for weather, which in winter can cancel tours and close roads.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 5 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 4.2 h (Dec) to 21 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Hallgrímskirkja, Sun Voyager, Northern lights tour and Harpa Concert Hall |
| 2 days | Rushed | Harpa Concert Hall, National Museum of Iceland and Perlan |
| 3 days | Good | Whale watching from the Old Harbour, Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur and Tjörnin and City Hall |
| 5 days | Ideal | The highlights plus a day trip to Golden Circle |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Golden Circle and South coast waterfalls and Vík |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Reykjavík add up to roughly 17–26 hours of visiting time — about 2–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Northern lights tour (3–5 hours), Whale watching from the Old Harbour (3–3.5 hours) and Perlan (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Hallgrímskirkja | 45 minutes | Skólavörðuholt |
| Sun Voyager | 20 minutes | Sæbraut |
| Northern lights tour | 3–5 hours | Outside the city |
| Harpa Concert Hall | 30–60 minutes | Old Harbour |
| National Museum of Iceland | 1.5–2 hours | Vesturbær |
| Perlan | 2–3 hours | Öskjuhlíð |
| Whale watching from the Old Harbour | 3–3.5 hours | Old Harbour |
| Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur | 1–3 hours | Downtown (101 Reykjavík) |
| Tjörnin and City Hall | 45 minutes | Downtown (101 Reykjavík) |
| Laugardalslaug geothermal pool | 1.5–2 hours | Laugardalur |
| Sky Lagoon | 2–3 hours | Kópavogur |
| Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús | 1–1.5 hours | Downtown (101 Reykjavík) |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 5 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Hallgrímskirkja and Sun Voyager |
| With children | 6 days | Slower days and time for Laugardalslaug geothermal pool |
| With day trips | 7 days | Add Golden Circle and South coast waterfalls and Vík |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 4.2 hours of daylight) than in June (about 21 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Reykjavík with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Reykjavík?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 5 days is more comfortable. Three days allow one day in the city, a Golden Circle day and a lagoon or whale-watching trip. Five days add the south coast waterfalls and Snæfellsnes and leave a buffer for weather, which in winter can cancel tours and close roads.
+Is a week too long in Reykjavík?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Golden Circle and South coast waterfalls and Vík.