Thinking about taking a brief stopover in Iceland? Or maybe you just have a very short time to spend in the capital city? In any case, we’ll go over the best way to spend 3 incredible days in Reykjavik to make your first visit to Iceland unforgettable.
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It may surprise you to learn that Icelandair allows a free stopover to its country anywhere from 1 to 7 days. This means if you’re already traveling transatlantically, you can take advantage of spending just a few short days in Iceland at no extra cost.
While 3 days are not enough to see everything Iceland has to offer, it is enough time to dip your toes into the mesmerizing Land of Fire and Ice. You’ll be able to get a feel for how Icelanders live in the capital city and even see the top natural attractions along The Golden Circle.
Whether you’re only spending a few days in Iceland on a stopover, or are just short on time, we’ve got you covered. Here is the best way to spend 3 memorable days in and around Reykjavik to experience as much as possible.
72 Hours in Reykjavik
I want to start off by saying that 3 days in Iceland is absolutely not enough time to see all of the magic and beauty in this country.
However, 3 days in Reykjavik (and the surrounding area) is much more doable – especially if you are on a stopover. The stopover option is amazing because it allows you to sneak a peek at no extra cost and it will give you the chance to experience some of the beautiful nature and culture.
Because of this, this itinerary focuses on spending time in the capital city and The Golden Circle. It does not prioritize longer drives to the southern coast or The Ring Road (sorry!).
However, if you are interested in seeing all of the wonderful attractions along The Ring Road and have the time, check out my 5 Day Ring Road Itinerary instead.
Day 1: Blue Lagoon & Volcano Hike + Best of Reykjavik
Arrive In Iceland
You have two options when arriving in Iceland. The first option, and the one that I would recommend, is renting a car to drive yourself around. This will give you way more flexibility and time to enjoy the attractions at your own pace.
The second option is taking shuttle buses, private transfers, taxis, and/or tour buses to get around. This is totally doable but will most definitely be more expensive than renting.
The choice is yours! It depends on your budget and your level of comfort and experience. However, for the purpose and ease of this itinerary, we are going to assume you are renting a vehicle.
Blue Lagoon
I like to make The Blue Lagoon the first stop because it’s a nice way to relax and unwind after a long flight, am I right? Plus it’s quite close to the airport. Just keep in mind that you must reserve your ticket and a time prior to going. It’s best to do this several days before, if not even a week in advance.
The Blue Lagoon has definitely become quite the tourist spot but don’t let this deter you. It’s still an amazing place to visit. Remember that with any main tourist attraction, the earlier you go, the fewer crowds there will be.
Take your time and enjoy your free drink, silica mud mask, and of course the geothermal mineral-rich water. If you have extra time be sure to walk around the little trails they have outside before you leave. It was really cool to see the geothermal waters in their natural state.
FAGRADALSFJALL VOLCANO
The next stop, Fagradalsfjall Volcano (aka Geldingadalir Volcano), is a 15-minute drive from the lagoon. Fagradalsfjall is one of Iceland’s most active volcanos with eruptions happening somewhat frequently.
Even though the last eruption was in August of 2022, the lava can still be hot and makes for an adventurous hike. Depending on how much time you want to spend here, you can pick from a few hikes to different viewpoints. The hikes range from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Once you’ve explored all you desire, it’s time to head into Reykjavik for the rest of the day.
Capital City of Reykjavik
Although Reykjavik is the largest city in Iceland, it’s still quite a small city with a population of roughly 125,000. That being said, it’s an easily accessible walking city with plenty of Icelandic culture to offer.
There are plenty of stores and restaurants nearby. However, it is important to consider that Iceland is an expensive country just like the rest of Scandinavia. It’s still nice to splurge for dinner and some drinks here and there.
Hallgrimskirkja Church
Besides shopping and food, the main attraction of Reykjavik is Hallgrimskirkja Church. Standing at over 240 feet tall as the tallest building in the city – you can’t miss it.
This contemporary building captures Iceland’s raw, natural beauty but with a modern twist. It is said that Svartifoss Waterfall was the inspiration for this building. To read more about Iceland’s natural basalt columns, check out this post – Iceland Basalt Columns: 8 Astonishing Places to See Them.
Rainbow Street
Reykjavik’s Rainbow Street is located on one of the main tourist walking streets in the center. You will likely come across it as you explore the city without even trying.
However, if you want to find it, the easiest way is to walk straight down from the church. You will reach it shortly while you pass a bunch of cozy cafes, souvenir shops, and clothing stores.
The street has been a permanent installment since 2019 when the city painted it for Reykjavik Pride. It stands for a celebration and support of inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ people. It since has become a popular representation of the city.
There is a similar Rainbow Road in the cute and unique town of Seyðisfjörður located in the northeast part of Iceland. You can read more about this if you’re interested!
The Sun Voyager
Right on the waterfront is The Sun Voyager. It’s a popular steel sculpture meant to resemble ‘the bones’ of a Viking ship. It’s one of the main attractions in Reykjavik just after the church. Afterward, you can take a nice stroll along the waterfront.
Icelandic Street Food
If you’re in the mood to try some local cuisine, there’s a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant called Icelandic Street Food which offers hearty Icelandic comfort food. The founder opened it using his grandmother’s recipes (including lamb soup) so that all visitors can try true Icelandic food for a more affordable price than dining out.
Day 2: The Golden Circle
Day 2 of your 3 days in Reykjavik, will be spent on The Golden Circle. The Golden Circle is a 140 mi (230km) circular road that starts and ends in Reykjavik. It takes about 3 hours to drive this route without any stops.
This route has become popular because it’s easy to do in one day and gives you a nice taste of the natural beauty of Iceland without having to go too far.
There are plenty of day tours available each with their own unique stops highlighted. However, for the most part, these next three attractions are the main ones you will see.
Listed below are just a few possible Golden Circle tours available with extra add-ons:
- From Reykjavík: Golden Circle with Snorkel in Silfra (snorkeling tour)
- Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater (crater tour)
- From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobile Tour (glacier tour)
THINGVELLIR (ÞINGVELLIR) NATIONAL PARK
The main attraction of Thingvellir National Park is the rift valley where two tectonic plates meet. It’s known for being a place where you can walk between two continents – Europe and North America.
There is also the option to go snorkeling in between this rift to see the tectonic plates up close. This is the only place in the world where you can do this. Keep this in mind if you want to try it out when you book your tour.
THE GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA
Another main attraction is a geyser geothermal area located in Haukadalur Valley. There are two main geysers to see here – the Great Geysir and Strokkur. The Great Geysir doesn’t erupt that frequently so count yourself lucky if you get to experience that one! But, Strokkur erupts much more often about every 10 mins or so.
I personally loved exploring this geothermal area. You can see hot bubbling pools of water and steam coming out from everywhere. It also gives you another sneak peek into why Iceland is known as the Land of Fire and Ice.
GULLFOSS WATERFALL
Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most visited and treasured waterfalls. It’s nestled in between a charming canyon and quite powerful during the summer months. Expect to get splashed on if you get too close!
There are two sections of this waterfall with the first one being about half the height as the second one. You’ll love exploring this natural beauty!
Day 3: Tour Options or Relax in Reykjavik
Day three in Iceland can totally be up to you! Depending on when your flight is, you can either take the day to relax and spend more time exploring Reykjavik or you can take another tour to see more of the island’s natural beauty.
Either way, there are plenty of great ways to spend your last day in Iceland.
Option 1: Take Another Tour
I think most people would rather see as much of the country as possible, so it is quite common to find day tours to the most popular places around Reykjavik. Below are just some that I would recommend but if they don’t work for your schedule, you shouldn’t have a difficult time finding ones that do.
Possible Day Trips From Reykjavik
- From Reykjavik: South of Iceland Full-Day Trip: Visit Skógafoss where you can walk around one of Iceland’s most popular waterfalls, experience Sólheimajökull glacier, and spend time admiring Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Vik.
- Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise
- Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour
Option 2: Relax & See More of Reykjavik
If you’d rather take a more relaxing day and enjoy Reykjavik, there is still plenty to see and do. There are a handful of museums if you want to learn about the history and culture of Iceland.
There are plenty of bars and local restaurants to try out. There is a fun and quirky bar if you want to experience a non-traditional Icelandic place. If you’re a fan of The Big Lebowski, then you’ll love this bar.
It’s called Lebowski Bar and it’s filled with all sorts of amusing Lebowski memorabilia making it a whimsical and enjoyable atmosphere. They serve traditional American-style food like burgers and fries but you can try some local Icelandic beer instead if you don’t want any food.
Below are some Reyjkavik walking tours in case that interests you:
I hope this post has given you the right idea of things to do while in Reykjavik. Or maybe it even convinced you to take advantage of Iceland’s stopover option on your way to your actual destination. 3 days in Reykjavik is just enough time to be introduced to the country but it will also leave you with the feeling of wanting to visit again to better explore the island!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need to see Reykjavik?
3 days in Reykjavik is more than enough time if you only plan on exploring the capital city. You could even get away with venturing onto The Golden Circle one of those days and still have enough time to experience the city.
Is 2 nights enough in Reykjavik?
If you plan on spending two full days in the city, then yes two nights should be more than enough time. Reykjavik is not a big city and although it has its appeal, most of the natural beauty surrounding Iceland is going to be around The Ring Road.
What are the best times of year to visit Reykjavik?
Spring and Summer are the best times to visit Iceland if you want longer days and warmer weather for outdoor activities. Especially if you want to go hiking, camping, whale or puffin watching.
Fall and Winter is the best time to visit if you want a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights if you prefer fewer crowds and cheaper prices, and if you want to go ice-caving.
For more Iceland information, you may also like:
- Easy, Epic, & Best Iceland Ring Road 5 Day Itinerary
- Iceland Glaciers That Will Blow Your Mind: Vatnajökull vs Sólheimajökull
- What To Wear In Iceland In October: Essential & Important Packing Guide
