Reykjavik · Travel guide
Things to Do in Reykjavik
Reykjavik is a compact capital with a full Iceland-sized menu around it. Use this hub to map the city's landmarks, museums, food and nightlife, then choose the day trips and itineraries that fit your stay.
4 neighborhoods · 14 things to do · 5 itineraries
Reykjavik in brief
What should I not miss in Reykjavik?
Do not miss Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, the Sun Voyager, the Old Harbour and Perlan, then add a geothermal pool or spa.
Is 3 days enough in Reykjavik?
Yes, three days covers the main city sights, museums, food and geothermal bathing, although each major day trip takes much of a full day.
Do and don'ts in Iceland?
Do follow weather and road advice, respect changing ocean conditions and book popular lagoons ahead, but do not treat black-sand beaches or fast-changing weather casually.
Explore by area
Reykjavik's neighborhoods, mapped
Downtown Reykjavik is the main base for walking to Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, the Old Harbour and Laugavegur, while the Golden Circle, South Coast and Snaefellsnes Peninsula open up Iceland beyond the capital. Reykjavik has few distinct visitor districts, so these area guides work best as a city-and-day-trip map.
Downtown Reykjavik
The compact heart of Reykjavik, linking Hallgrímskirkja, Laugavegur, Harpa and the waterfront on foot.
Golden Circle
A straightforward day-trip loop joining Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
South Coast
Head east for waterfalls, black-sand beaches, sea cliffs and big open views.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
A longer westbound day trip with Kirkjufell, volcanic coast and Snæfellsjökull.
See & do
The best things to do in Reykjavik
The best things to do in Reykjavik range from free waterfront landmarks and museums to geothermal bathing, late-night bars and full-day drives to Gullfoss or the black sands of Reynisfjara. Start downtown on foot, then spend at least one day outside the city for the landscapes that make Iceland the trip.
Hallgrímskirkja
In Downtown Reykjavik
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
In Downtown Reykjavik
Sun Voyager
In Downtown Reykjavik
Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Street)
In Downtown Reykjavik
Perlan – Wonders of Iceland
In Reykjavik
Golden Circle
In Reykjavik
Thingvellir National Park
In Golden Circle
Gullfoss
In Golden Circle
Skógafoss
In South Coast
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
In South Coast
Sky Lagoon
In Reykjavik
Dill
In Reykjavik
Laugavegur
In Reykjavik
Kaffibarinn
In Reykjavik
Highlights across the city; each neighborhood guide has the full list for its area. Ratings link to each place's Google listing; prices are approximate, per person, in USD.
Plan your trip
Reykjavik itineraries, from a weekend to a week
Three days is enough for Reykjavik's main sights, museums, meals and a geothermal soak, with one major day trip taking most of another day. Choose a one- to five-day plan below, then adjust it around weather, daylight and the road conditions.
- 11 daysView plan →
A focused first day for downtown landmarks, the harbour and a geothermal soak.
- 22 daysView plan →
Add museums, food and either a lagoon visit or a compact excursion.
- 33 daysView plan →
The best first-trip balance, with city time and one full Iceland day trip.
- 44 daysView plan →
Make room for a second landscape route, such as the South Coast.
- 55 daysView plan →
Slow down in the capital and choose two or more major day trips.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Reykjavik
Downtown Reykjavik is the best base for first-time visitors because Hallgrímskirkja, Laugavegur, Harpa and the Old Harbour are close enough to connect on foot. The Golden Circle, South Coast and Snaefellsnes Peninsula are better treated as day-trip areas than as city neighborhoods, unless you want to spend nights outside the capital.
Popular areas to stay
Tap an area to preview it, then open the full where-to-stay guide.
Know before you go
Reykjavik travel essentials
The essentials are simple: the centre is compact and walkable, Keflavík Airport is about 45 minutes away by shuttle, and the city is an expensive base for exploring Iceland. Plan around fast-changing weather, dark-season aurora conditions from roughly September to April, and the fact that a bus, taxi or tour is needed for most day trips.
Best time to visit
Choose summer for long daylight or the darker September-to-April season for aurora hunting.
Northern Lights
Look from September through April, when darkness, clear skies and aurora activity align.
Is Reykjavik expensive?
Yes, so budget carefully for meals, accommodation, transport and paid attractions.
Best day trips
The Golden Circle, South Coast and Snaefellsnes are the main full-day escapes from the capital.
Best restaurants
Plan ahead for serious tasting menus, seafood, modern Icelandic cooking and casual local stops.
Best shopping
Browse Laugavegur, Skólavörðustígur, wool shops, design stores and the weekend flea market.
Best nightlife
Downtown bars cluster around Laugavegur, with venues ranging from craft beer to dancing.
Best museums
Perlan, the National Museum and the Settlement Exhibition cover nature, history and Reykjavik's beginnings.
Reykjavik on screen
Reykjavik on screen
Reykjavik and the wider Icelandic landscape have played themselves and stood in for otherworldly settings on film and television. Look for the city's bars, streets and nearby scenery in these screen works.
- Film, 2013
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The film used Reykjavik and other Iceland locations for Walter's journey, including city streets and Icelandic landscapes.
- Film, 2020
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
This comedy is set around an Icelandic band and features Reykjavik locations alongside the wider country.
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