Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Reykjavik?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Reykjavik?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the clean city of Reykjavik, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to go hiking, take in the beautiful scenery, grab some drinks at a bar, and find the best deals at the shops. Many tourists set aside one to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Reykjavik below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Reykjavik?

Many visitors spend one to five days in Reykjavik during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to go hiking, take in the beautiful scenery, grab some drinks at a bar, and find the best deals at the shops.

Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in Iceland. It makes a good starting point for exploring the country, but many people head quickly into Iceland's countryside, as that is what the region is known for. In town you'll find the National and Saga Museums, which offer a fascinating overview on the country's Viking past. Just outside of town is the world famous Blue Lagoon Spa, which is in the town of Grindavik. The city has a thriving nightlife scene that is centered around its many festivals.

Do you have one or two days to visit Reykjavik? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Reykjavik?

As a popular city, Reykjavik offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Reykjavik such as the hiking, the gorgeous scenery, the nightlife scene, and the shops and boutiques. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule one to five days to fully experience the clean city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Reykjavik

When visiting Reykjavik, you can't miss the Thermal Pools as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.

Reykjavik is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city offers the perfect gateway to world-renowned natural beauty including waterfalls, hot springs, and active volcanoes.

A few tour suggestions include:

Funky History Walking Tour in Reykjavik - With local storyteller ($66)
Reykjavik Folklore Walking Tour: Meet the Elves, Trolls & Ghosts of Iceland ($43)
Private Food Walking Tour in Reykjavik ($195)

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Reykjavik?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the clean city of Reykjavik, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to go hiking, take in the beautiful scenery, grab some drinks at a bar, and find the best deals at the shops. Many tourists set aside one to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Reykjavik below.

Reykjavik, Iceland

How to spend 2 days in Reykjavik

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Reykjavik, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

Known for it's hiking, Reykjavik sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

A few tour suggestions include:

Hike to Mt Esja ($169)
Glacier Hike, South Coast Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Tour ($182)
Glacier Hike and South Iceland Sightseeing from Reykjavik ($201)

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Public transit in Reykjavik is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Reykjavik, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.