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Reykjavik, Iceland · Free itinerary
3-Day Reykjavik Itinerary: Best Things to Do
Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital, a compact, vibrant city where colourful houses, geothermal pools, and a thriving arts scene sit beneath an ever-changing Arctic sky. From here, iconic landscapes — the Golden Circle's geysers and waterfalls, the dramatic Þingvellir rift valley — are within easy day-trip reach, while the city's harbour district, celebrated restaurants, and the soaring spire of Hallgrímskirkja keep downtown buzzing day and night.
3 days16 sights + 11 food & drink stopsReykjavik, Iceland
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1
Old Town, Hallgrímskirkja & the Harbour District
🗺️ Day route — numbered stops in order (static map)
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40mBrauð & Co 🍴 Food8:00 AM – 8:40 AM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikReykjavik's beloved artisan bakery on Frakkastígur opens at 6 am; arrive early for their legendary cinnamon rolls, cardamom knots, and sourdough fresh from the oven.
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8:55 AM – 9:00 AM· Walk to Hallgrímskirkja ·0.3 km ·5m
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1hHallgrímskirkja 🏛️ Landmark9:00 AM – 10:00 AM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikIceland's tallest church and Reykjavik's defining skyline icon; ride the elevator to the tower for sweeping 360° views of the city and surrounding mountains (church opens 9 am in summer; tower tickets required).
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10:17 AM – 10:30 AM· Walk to Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús ·1.0 km ·13m
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1hReykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús 🖼️ Museum10:30 AM – 11:30 AM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikBold contemporary-art museum in a converted harbourside warehouse on Tryggvagata, home to the largest collection of Erró's vivid pop-art works alongside rotating Icelandic and international shows (open daily 10 am–5 pm).
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Walk to National Museum of Iceland ·0.9 km ·12m
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1h 30mNational Museum of Iceland 🖼️ Museum11:30 AM – 1:00 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikComprehensive collection tracing Icelandic history from the Viking Age to the present, housed in a grand building near the University of Iceland (open daily 10 am–5 pm).
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1:10 PM – 1:15 PM· Walk to Tjörnin Pond ·0.4 km ·5m
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45mTjörnin Pond 🌳 Park1:15 PM – 2:00 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikStroll the scenic promenade around Reykjavik's central pond, home to dozens of bird species and framed by colourful buildings and the glass-and-steel City Hall.
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2:09 PM – 2:15 PM· Walk to Messinn ·0.5 km ·6m
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1h 15mMessinn 🍴 Food2:15 PM – 3:30 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikDowntown seafood institution renowned for its cast-iron fish pans heaped with the day's fresh catch, buttered potatoes, and vegetables — a Reykjavik lunch ritual (open 11:30 am–10 pm daily).
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3:40 PM – 3:45 PM· Walk to Harpa Concert Hall ·0.4 km ·5m
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1hHarpa Concert Hall 🏛️ Landmark3:45 PM – 4:45 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikWander through Henning Larsen's striking honeycomb-glass concert hall on the harbour waterfront — free to enter the lobbies and take in the kaleidoscopic light show (open 10 am–6 pm).
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4:52 PM – 5:00 PM· Walk to Sun Voyager ·0.6 km ·8m
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30mSun Voyager 🌄 Viewpoint5:00 PM – 5:30 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikJón Gunnar Árnason's iconic steel dreamboat sculpture stands on the Sæbraut waterfront promenade, framing Mount Esja across the bay — a prime spot for golden-hour photos.
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6:47 PM – 7:00 PM· Walk to Fiskmarkaðurinn (The Fish Market) ·1.0 km ·13m
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1h 45mFiskmarkaðurinn (The Fish Market) 🍴 Food7:00 PM – 8:45 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikAward-winning fine-dining restaurant inside one of Reykjavik's oldest buildings, blending Icelandic seafood with Japanese technique — book ahead for the tasting menu (open Mon–Sun 5 pm–10 pm).
2
Old Harbour, Grandi District & Sky Lagoon
🗺️ Day route — numbered stops in order (static map)
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50mKaffivagninn 🍴 Food8:00 AM – 8:50 AM📍 Grandi/Old Harbour, ReykjavikIceland's oldest restaurant (est. 1935) at the Old Harbour, beloved for hearty breakfasts, fishermen's soups, and unpretentious local atmosphere (breakfast from 8 am weekdays, 9 am weekends).
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8:51 AM – 9:00 AM· Travel to Perlan – Wonders of Iceland Museum ·3.1 km ·9m
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2hPerlan – Wonders of Iceland Museum 🖼️ Museum9:00 AM – 11:00 AM📍 Öskjuhlíð, ReykjavikStriking glass-domed museum atop Öskjuhlíð hill with immersive natural-history exhibitions, a real indoor ice cave, and a 360° observation deck with panoramic city views (open daily 9 am–10 pm).
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11:08 AM – 11:15 AM· Travel to Settlement Exhibition (Reykjavík 871±2) ·2.3 km ·7m
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1hSettlement Exhibition (Reykjavík 871±2) 🖼️ Museum11:15 AM – 12:15 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikUnderground museum on Aðalstræti preserving a 10th-century Viking longhouse in situ on one of Reykjavik's oldest streets, with digital reconstructions of what the city looked like at its founding (open daily 10 am–5 pm).
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12:20 PM – 12:30 PM· Walk to Grandi Mathöll ·0.8 km ·10m
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1hGrandi Mathöll 🍴 Food12:30 PM – 1:30 PM📍 Grandi/Old Harbour, ReykjavikVibrant street-food hall in a converted harbour warehouse, with stalls serving Icelandic fish and chips, Korean BBQ, fresh lobster soup, and craft beer — open daily 11 am–9 pm.
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1:36 PM – 1:45 PM· Walk to Icelandic Phallological Museum ·0.7 km ·9m
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1hIcelandic Phallological Museum 🖼️ Museum1:45 PM – 2:45 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikThe world's only museum dedicated to phallological specimens from virtually every mammal species in Iceland, now at Kalkofnsvegur in the Hafnartorg quarter near the harbour — genuinely fascinating and surprisingly educational (open daily 10 am–7 pm).
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2:49 PM – 3:00 PM· Walk to Laugavegur Shopping Street ·0.8 km ·11m
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1h 30mLaugavegur Shopping Street 🛍️ Shopping3:00 PM – 4:30 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikReykjavik's bustling main street lined with Icelandic wool shops, design boutiques, vintage stores, and independent cafes — pick up lopapeysa sweaters, local ceramics, or Icelandic skincare.
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4:50 PM – 5:00 PM· Travel to Sky Lagoon ·3.2 km ·10m
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2hSky Lagoon 🎭 Entertainment5:00 PM – 7:00 PM📍 Kópavogur, ReykjavikGeothermal oceanfront spa at Kársnes Harbour in Kópavogur with an infinity-edge pool overlooking the sea, a traditional Icelandic seven-step ritual sauna experience, and cold-water plunge (open daily; summer from 8 am).
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7:19 PM – 7:30 PM· Travel to The Laundromat Café ·3.5 km ·11m
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1h 15mThe Laundromat Café 🍴 Food7:30 PM – 8:45 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikLaid-back downtown café-bar with a creative menu of burgers, salads, and brunch all day, a well-stocked bookshelf, and a lively atmosphere — opens at 9 am daily.
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8:51 PM – 9:00 PM· Walk to Kaffibarinn ·0.6 km ·9m
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1hKaffibarinn 🍸 Nightlife9:00 PM – 10:00 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikLegendary Reykjavik bar in a red-trimmed house on Bergstaðastræti, co-owned by Blur's Damon Albarn, pulling a cool local crowd with DJs, craft beers, and a genuine neighbourhood vibe (opens from 3 pm on weekdays).
3
Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir & Gullfoss
🗺️ Day route — numbered stops in order (static map)
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40mReykjavik Roasters 🍴 Food8:00 AM – 8:40 AM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikTop-rated specialty coffee roastery and café on Kárastígur, perfect for a quick breakfast of open-faced sandwiches and single-origin espresso before hitting the road (opens 8 am weekdays, from 9 am weekends).
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Travel to Þingvellir National Park ·40 km ·1h 7m
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2hÞingvellir National Park 🌳 Park9:00 AM – 11:00 AM📍 Þingvellir, ReykjavikUNESCO World Heritage Site where the Mid-Atlantic tectonic plates visibly rift apart; hike along the Almannagjá gorge, visit the Öxará river, and stand at the site of the world's oldest parliament (open year-round).
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11:02 AM – 11:15 AM· Travel to Hakið Visitor Centre ·4.5 km ·13m
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45mHakið Visitor Centre 🖼️ Museum11:15 AM – 12:00 PM📍 Þingvellir, ReykjavikModern visitor centre above the Almannagjá gorge at Þingvellir with the interactive 'Heart of Iceland' exhibition on the park's geology, Viking Alþingi parliament history, and ecological significance (open daily 9 am–6 pm).
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Travel to Lindin Restaurant ·15 km ·34m
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1h 15mLindin Restaurant 🍴 Food12:30 PM – 1:45 PM📍 Laugarvatn, ReykjavikCharming lakeside restaurant at Laugarvatn between Þingvellir and Geysir, serving traditional Icelandic lamb soup, freshly caught fish, and warm rye bread — a classic Golden Circle lunch stop (open daily from noon).
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Travel to Strokkur Geyser, Haukadalur ·23 km ·44m
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1hStrokkur Geyser, Haukadalur 🌄 Viewpoint2:00 PM – 3:00 PM📍 Haukadalur, ReykjavikStand close to Strokkur — one of the world's most active geysers — and watch it erupt 15–40 metres skyward every 5–10 minutes in the steaming, sulphurous Haukadalur geothermal valley (free, open year-round).
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Travel to Gullfoss Waterfall ·8.9 km ·25m
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1h 15mGullfoss Waterfall 🌄 Viewpoint3:15 PM – 4:30 PM📍 Hvítá River, ReykjavikThe 'Golden Falls' plunge in two dramatic tiers into a 70-metre-deep canyon — walk the viewing platforms on both levels for thunderous spray and rainbow mist (free admission, open year-round).
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Travel to Kerið Volcanic Crater ·49 km ·1h 18m
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1hKerið Volcanic Crater 🌳 Park5:00 PM – 6:00 PM📍 Grímsnes, ReykjavikVivid crimson-and-ochre volcanic crater with a striking teal-blue lake 55 metres below the rim; walk the full loop in 20 minutes and descend to the water's edge (small admission fee; open daily during daylight hours).
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Travel to Matur og Drykkur ·53 km ·1h 24m
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1h 45mMatur og Drykkur 🍴 Food7:00 PM – 8:45 PM📍 Grandi/Old Harbour, ReykjavikMichelin-listed Old Harbour restaurant reviving centuries-old Icelandic recipes with modern technique — expect salt cod, whey-cured lamb, and skyr panna cotta in a warm warehouse setting (dinner from 6 pm; closed Mon–Tue).
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8:55 PM – 9:00 PM· Travel to Kiki Queer Bar ·1.6 km ·5m
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1h 30mKiki Queer Bar 🍸 Nightlife9:00 PM – 10:30 PM📍 Miðborg, ReykjavikReykjavik's most inclusive and fun LGBTQ+ bar on Laugavegur, with drag shows, pop and electronic DJs, and a welcoming crowd that epitomises the city's famously open nightlife culture.
🏨 Where to stay
Real, vetted stays near your route — check the reviews, then book.
Loft HI Hostel
Miðborg (City Centre)
Award-winning eco-hostel steps from Laugavegur with a rooftop bar, sociable common areas, and both dorms and private rooms.
KEX Hostel
Miðborg (Harbour Side)
Stylish hostel-hotel hybrid in a converted biscuit factory near the waterfront, with a popular bar, live music nights, and harbour views.
Center Hotels Arnarhvoll★★★★
Miðborg (Harbour Front)
Sleek 4-star hotel next to Harpa Concert Hall with panoramic sea and mountain views, Nordic-design rooms, and an in-house bar and restaurant.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Reykjavik?
3 days are a great amount of time to explore Reykjavik. This itinerary covers 16 sights and 11 food & drink stops across 3 days, giving you a thorough introduction to the city.
What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?
Some of the best things to do in Reykjavik include Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík Art Museum – Hafnarhús, National Museum of Iceland. Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital, a compact, vibrant city where colourful houses, geothermal pools, and a thriving arts scene sit beneath an ever-changing Arctic sky. From here, iconic landscapes — the Golden Circle's geysers and waterfalls, the dramatic Þingvellir rift valley — are within easy day-trip reach, while the city's harbour district, celebrated restaurants, and the soaring spire of Hallgrímskirkja keep downtown buzzing day and night.
Where should I stay in Reykjavik?
Popular options in Reykjavik include Loft HI Hostel and KEX Hostel. The city centre also has a range of hotels for every budget — book in advance for the best rates.
What's the best time to visit Reykjavik?
Much of this itinerary is indoors — 8 of its 16 sights are museums, entertainment venues, or shopping stops — so Reykjavik holds up outside peak season too. Book the popular indoor attractions ahead in busy months, and check the seasonal climate for Iceland before you go.