Reykjavik Reykjanes
3
Day Itinerary •
Iceland
Three days in Reykjavik and the Reykjanes Peninsula give you the full sweep of the world's northernmost capital city and the extraordinary volcanic landscape directly to its south. From the extraordinary Hallgrimskirkja church tower above the colourful old town to the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool, the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates visibly pull apart, and the extraordinary active volcanic fields that have been erupting since 2021. This route covers the essential Reykjavik and Reykjanes. The extraordinary Hallgrimskirkja and the old town harbour, the Perlan dome and its extraordinary panorama over the city, the National Museum and Settlement Exhibition, the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool, the Bridge Between Continents at Reykjanes, and the extraordinary Fagradalsfjall volcanic eruption landscape still steaming from recent activity.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Jun to Aug for midnight sun. Nov to Mar for northern lights.
Getting There
Fly into Keflavik International Airport. 45 min bus to Reykjavik.
Getting Around
Bus or taxi in Reykjavik. Car hire for Reykjanes Peninsula.
Budget Per Day
Approx 25,000 to 45,000 ISK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and driving
DAY 1
REYKJAVIK OLD TOWN
MORNING
HALLGRIMSKIRKJA AND THE OLD TOWN
Hallgrimskirkja is the most extraordinary church in Iceland, its extraordinary 74-metre concrete tower modelled on the basalt columns of the Svartifoss waterfall dominating the Reykjavik skyline and giving the finest panorama over the city and the Faxafloi bay from the top. The extraordinary expressionist facade designed by Gudjon Samuelsson and completed in 1986 is the finest piece of 20th-century sacred architecture in Scandinavia. The old town streets below the church are the finest in Reykjavik. Tower lift approx 1,000 ISK. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
THE OLD HARBOUR AND THE KOLAPORTID MARKET
The Reykjavik old harbour at Grandi is the most extraordinary maritime neighbourhood in Iceland, its extraordinary collection of corrugated iron fishing warehouses converted into galleries, restaurants and the extraordinary Whale Museum and Viking World. The Kolaportid flea market in the extraordinary old harbour warehouse is the finest weekend market in Iceland, its extraordinary collection of second-hand Icelandic woolens, smoked fish and traditional foods outstanding. Open weekends only. Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
LAUGAVEGUR AND THE REYKJAVIK OLD TOWN
Laugavegur is the most extraordinary shopping street in Iceland, its extraordinary collection of independent Icelandic design shops, bookshops, wool boutiques and cafes the finest urban street experience in the country. The extraordinary Skalholt Cathedral replica, the Landnamssyning Settlement Exhibition underground and the remarkable Tjornin lake with its extraordinary swans and ducks in the city centre are all outstanding. Settlement Exhibition entry approx 2,200 ISK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Grandi Matholl food hall in the old harbour is the most extraordinary food market in Reykjavik, its extraordinary collection of Icelandic food stalls serving langoustine soup, fish tacos, skyr desserts and Icelandic lamb at prices far lower than the restaurant street. Open daily. The finest hidden food experience in Reykjavik.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Braud og Co, Reykjavik Outstanding Icelandic bakery on Frakkastigur. The finest cinnamon bun in Iceland. | Lunch: Bergsson Mathus Outstanding all-day cafe near Hallgrimskirkja. Local skyr, smoked fish and Icelandic soups. | Dinner: Fishmarket Restaurant Outstanding Icelandic seafood. Local cod, langoustine and the finest Icelandic fish dishes.
DAY 2
HALLGRIMSKIRKJA AND PERLAN
MORNING
THE PERLAN MUSEUM AND DOME
The Perlan hot water storage dome above Reykjavik gives the most extraordinary free panorama over the city, the Faxafloi bay and the Snaefellsnes glacier on the horizon from the extraordinary observation deck. The remarkable Wonders of Iceland exhibition within the dome tells the story of Iceland's extraordinary natural forces with a remarkable artificial glacier walk, a real ice cave and an extraordinary northern lights planetarium show. Entry to exhibition approx 3,900 ISK. Travel: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ICELAND
The National Museum of Iceland in Sudurgata tells the complete extraordinary story of Iceland from the first settlers of 874 AD to the present, its remarkable collection of Viking age objects including the extraordinary Valur sword, medieval church art and the finest collection of traditional Icelandic objects in the country. The extraordinary founding of the world's oldest parliament, the Althing, at Thingvellir in 930 AD is told with remarkable objects. Entry approx 2,500 ISK. Travel: 20 min bus to Perlan
AFTERNOON
THE SUN VOYAGER AND THE WATERFRONT
The Sun Voyager sculpture by Jon Gunnar Arnason on the Reykjavik waterfront is the most extraordinary public sculpture in Iceland, its extraordinary stainless steel boat form facing the Faxafloi bay giving the finest single viewpoint over Mount Esja across the water. The extraordinary Harpa Concert Hall beside it, designed by Henning Larsen and Olafur Eliasson, has an extraordinary geometric glass facade inspired by Iceland's basalt columns. Harpa exterior free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Reykjavik Art Museum at Hafnarhus in the old harbour is the most extraordinary contemporary art space in Iceland, its remarkable collection including the extraordinary works of Erro, Iceland's most famous painter. Entry approx 1,800 ISK or free on the first Thursday of the month. The finest contemporary art experience in Reykjavik.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Reykjavik Coffee and skyr before the Perlan dome opens. | Lunch: Cafe Loki, Reykjavik Outstanding traditional Icelandic food hall opposite Hallgrimskirkja. Hakarl and lamb soup. | Dinner: Matur og Drykkur Outstanding modern Icelandic. Traditional ingredients transformed into extraordinary dishes.
DAY 3
REYKJANES PENINSULA
MORNING
THE BLUE LAGOON GEOTHERMAL POOL
The Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula is the most famous geothermal pool in the world, its extraordinary milky blue silica-rich water at 38 to 40 degrees surrounded by black lava fields giving the most extraordinary bathing experience in Iceland. The extraordinary silica mud masks, the in-water bar and the remarkable steam rising from the turquoise water in all weathers are outstanding. Book online well in advance. Entry from approx 9,990 ISK. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE BRIDGE BETWEEN CONTINENTS
The Bridge Between Continents at Sandvik on Reykjanes is the most extraordinary geological experience in Iceland, a footbridge crossing the Leif the Lucky ridge where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are visibly pulling apart at approximately 2cm per year. The extraordinary fissure visible on both sides of the bridge and the volcanic landscape stretching in all directions is outstanding. The extraordinary Reykjanes lighthouse on the peninsula tip is the finest viewpoint. Entirely free. Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE FAGRADALSFJALL VOLCANIC LANDSCAPE
The Fagradalsfjall volcanic system on Reykjanes has been erupting intermittently since 2021, the most extraordinary accessible volcanic eruption site in Europe. The hardened lava fields from multiple eruptions give an extraordinary lunar landscape visible from the road. The extraordinary Meradalir valley still steams in places from recent activity. Check safetravel.is before visiting for current access. Walking on the cooled lava is extraordinary. Access free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Gunnuhver hot spring area on Reykjanes beside the tectonic bridge is the most extraordinary geothermal area on the peninsula, its extraordinary boiling mud pools and steam vents named after a ghost whose spirit was trapped here in 1627. Entirely free. The extraordinary Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark interpretation centre nearby tells the full story.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Blue Lagoon cafe Outstanding geothermal breakfast before the pool. Local skyr and Icelandic bread. | Lunch: LAVA Restaurant, Blue Lagoon Outstanding restaurant overlooking the extraordinary geothermal pool. | Dinner: Coocoo's Nest, Grandi Outstanding neighbourhood restaurant in the old harbour. Local fish and lamb.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Reykjavik City Centre Hotel Borg or Canopy by Hilton. Old town walking distance. Approx 25,000 to 50,000 ISK. Budget Option Kex Hostel or Loft Hostel. Central location near Laugavegur. Approx 8,000 to 18,000 ISK per night.
Top Tips
1. Book the Blue Lagoon online well in advance. Walk-in entry is not available. Entry approx 9,990 ISK.
2. The Hallgrimskirkja tower lift gives the finest single city view in Iceland. Go early morning before queues.
3. Iceland is extremely expensive. The Bonus supermarket on Laugavegur saves significantly on food costs.
4. The Settlement Exhibition beneath Adalstraeti is the most extraordinary archaeological site in Reykjavik.
5. Northern lights apps like Aurora Forecast are essential for planning evening drives. Check cloud cover too.
6. The volcanic eruption sites on Reykjanes change constantly. Check safetravel.is before visiting the lava fields.
Total Budget
25,000 to 45,000 ISK/day