Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Reykjavik?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 weeks 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 week enough time in Reykjavik?
One week is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Reykjavik. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Reykjavik as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
How to spend a week 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.
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.
Shopping in Reykjavik is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.
After you've explored most of Reykjavik, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small-group Glacier Lagoon (Jokulsarlon) Day Trip from Reykjavík ($213)
- Golden Circle and Fontana Geothermal Spa Day Trip from Reykjavik ($120)
- Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Trip from Reykjavik ($73)
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Reykjavik, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Reykjavik. Plenty of amazing options are available.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Reykjavik, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Reykjavik?
Two weeks provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Reykjavik at your own pace to go hiking, take in the beautiful scenery, grab some drinks at a bar, and find the best deals at the shops. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Reykjavik, Iceland
How to spend 2 weeks in Reykjavik
With 2 weeks in Reykjavik, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time hiking. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Small-group Glacier Lagoon (Jokulsarlon) Day Trip from Reykjavík ($213)
- Golden Circle and Fontana Geothermal Spa Day Trip from Reykjavik ($120)
- Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Trip from Reykjavik ($73)
- Golden Circle Day Trip with Fridheimar Greenhouse visit from Reykjavik ($79)
- Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach Guided Day Trip from Reykjavik ($178)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Reykjavik, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.