Iceland is unspoiled, full of cascading waterfalls, hot springs and welcoming people. In just three days, one can experience the best things to do near Reykjavik.
Tip: Icelandair offers free, up to seven day, stopover in Reykjavik on the way to or from USA and Europe (check the website to confirm the availability of this offer, and the availability of visitors being allowed into the country due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Tip: First of all, practice pronouncing Iceland’s capital town Reykjavik pronounced: Rick E Vik. Also, pick up a guidebook, or order one on Amazon, to get familiar with the best things to do near Reykjavik, hours, culture, and language.
Key info to know when traveling around Reykjavik
Everyone traveling to Iceland should know these facts in advance:
- the currency is Icelandic Krona isk;
- credit cards are widely accepted;
- English is widely spoken;
- mobile phone coverage good;
- Western European Time Zone (same as London)’
- tipping is not required;
- there’s a VAT tax you can get refunded at the Keflavík International Airport if you obtain a tax receipt from the vendor (for overall purchases of 1600 sik).
The Best Things To Do Near Reykjavik
Day One – In and around Reykjavik
The Blue Lagoon
First things first, you’ll want to start your journey in Iceland at the Blue Lagoon. Because you’ll likely have stiff muscles from your long flight, a soak in a geothermal spa, set in a lava wilderness is a welcome introduction to this land of therapeutic waters. Search any website and guidebook and you’ll find this listed as one of the best things to do near Reykjavik.
Float around sipping the drink you get from the swim up bar which is included in the entrance fee. Also, a silica mud mask from another swim up bar is included in the entrance fee (about $55 usd). The high mineral content in the water is what soothes the stiffness away, but you can book a massage or facial treatment too. Book a tour of the Golden Circle with entrance to the Blue Lagoon.
You can stay as long as you like – the typical stay is about 3-4 hours. Ideally, check into your hotel in Reykjavik first and drop your luggage there.
If driving straight to The Blue Lagoon from the airport , then store your luggage at their luggage check desk rather than leaving it in your car. https://www.bluelagoon.com/how-to-get-here The Flybus offers affordable airport transfers to the village of Reykjavik and also directly from the airport to The Blue Lagoon.
If you don’t go here first, you can likely fit a visit into your three day schedule. The Blue Lagoon is usually open at least until 21:00.
TIP: The minerals in the lagoon will strip your hair. As a result, if you have long hair, put it up in a bun, and cover it completely with the conditioner they supply.
Explore the village and history of Reykjavik
The highlights of the village of Reykjavik can be covered in one day. Hence, a visit to the National Museum Thjodminjasafn will give you an introduction to all things Icelandic, including Icelandic history spanning 1200 years, and Bjork’s music career.
A noteworthy landmark in Reykjavik is the architectural marvel, Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in Iceland which resembles a volcanic formation covered in hexagonal pillars. You can take a lift to the tower for views over Reykjavik. Hallgrimskirkja is a top photo on Instagram as it’s an icon and certainly on most travelers lists of the best things to do in Reykjavik.
Shop and walk throughout the village, the heart of Reykjavik
Shop for souvenirs along Laugavegur street. Some of the more popular gifts that are unique to Iceland, are the wool “Icewear” sweaters, and Icelandic moss tea.
Walk along the colorful houses and shops on Klapperstigur street. Consider taking a “Food Walk” and explore Iceland’s very unique culinary choices with a local guide.
Lonely Planet Pocket Reykjavik guide lays out a “Best Walk” through Historic Reykjavik. Starts at Kraum and ends at the National Museum and takes about 1 1/2 hours (1.6km).
The walking tour includes these stops:
Stop 1. Kraum – Reykjavik’s oldest timber house on one of the oldest streets Adalstraeti
Stop 2. The Settlement Exhibition, which is a Viking Longhouse, discovered and excavated in 2001, when the hotel next door was being renovated. Across from the Settlement Exhibition is Skuli Magnusson
Stop 3. Skuli Magnusson Statue of the town magistrate sheriff (1711-94)
Stop 4. Grassy park-like Austurvollur is next to Albingi ,and a statue of Jon Sigurdsson (1811-79), who lead the independence movement. Nearby is the Domkirkja cathedral built in the 18th century.
Stop 5. City Hall and Idno (The Craftsman’s House), which in 1896 was the main meeting hall, then a theater.
Stop 6. “The Pond” Tjornin and the National Gallery of Iceland, a church, and a park which hosts sculptures by historic Iceland artists.
Stop 7. is the National Museum mentioned at the top of this day’s agenda.
A few interesting facts about Iceland
First, there are no forests but lots of glaciers, for now. You can get a tour to walk on the glaciers with special spiked boots.
Second, Iceland is eco-friendly – recycle bins, green power sources, and geothermal energy.
Third, daylight hours vary greatly – January has only five hours of sunlight but in May you get twenty hours. Most hotels have blackout curtains but bring your eye masks to get some sleep.
Fourth, making national news in January 2018 – Iceland made it illegal to pay women less than men for the same job: https://www.businessinsider.com/iceland-has-made-it-illegal-to-pay-women-less-than-men-2018-1
Day Two – The Golden Circle
Because the Golden Circle is host to a wealth of stunning waterfalls and hikes, and is near Reykjavik, you’ll find this to be a must do on most visitors itinerary. Consider renting a car or small camper-van, or take one of the many bus tours on this breathtaking coastline route.
Often the first stop on the Golden Circle route is Pingvellir National Park – a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik. A UNESCO world heritage site, Pingvellir is the place of Iceland’s open-air parliament in Viking times.
Strokkur is a Geyser of scalding water which sprouts by the side of the road every ten minutes and is 15 to 30 meters high. Furthermore, there are several other smaller hot pools to explore here too. Strokkur is 90 minutes from Reykjavik or 45 minutes from Pingvellir.
Waterfalls and Hot Springs near Reykjavik Iceland
Next, Gulfoss waterfall is a wide tiered double cascading waterfall, and a ten minute drive from Strokkur. The sound can be deafening at certain times of the year when at full capacity.
If you are driving, you can stop at the “secret lagoon” Gamla Laugin just south of the Geysir. This hot spring lagoon was formally open only to the residents of Fludir but since 2014, is open to the public. A calm geothermal pool surrounded by natural rocks. Entrance fee is about 2700 isk.
Continuing along the route, you’ll come upon Skogar, a town just up the road, and at the base of the Skogafoss waterfall. Consequently, this is the one you see in most Instagram photos. The drive from Gulfoss to Skogafoss is two hours (back towards the coast). This travel blogger The World Pursuit shows a map of their route along the Golden Circle.
Waterfall heaven along the Golden Circle
At Skogfoss, you can take the steep trail up about 450 steps to the top of the waterfall (60m / 200ft) for a different view point. If you decide to stay below, you can walk right up to the base of the waterfall. Due to the powerful sprays of water, you should keep your phone and non waterproof cameras well tucked away. This is also the waterfall where spirits appeared to Floki in the History Channel Vikings series.
The majestic Seljalandfoss waterfall is only 27 meters (17 miles) from Skogafoss. Want to know how to pronounce it? Click here. While there, you can walk behind the falls into a small cave.
TIP: Between May and September, you might spot a colorful Puffin bird along the grassy sea cliffs. Another sight along the side of the road is moss covered homes tucked inside the grassy covered lava mountains.
Wildlife in Iceland is unique
Along these country roads you’ll likely spot sheep and Icelandic horses with beautiful manes, and some with blue eyes. You might also want to sign up for a horseback riding tour as there are many to choose from all throughout Iceland.
Day Three – Hot Springs Swimming
Laugardalur “Hot Springs Valley” is a park and home to one of Reykjavik’s local favorite geothermal swimming pools. Check the website for rates and times – entrance fee likely about 600 isk per person.
Once you arrive here, you’ll find a spa, skating rink, botanical gardens, cafe, children’s zoo, and farmers market here. This naturally hot springs swimming pool is the heart of the city’s social life.
Certainly, Iceland is known for it’s hot springs – there are seventeen (17) public swimming pools in Reykjavik, with water temperatures from 29c to 43c. You’ll soon discover that an outdoor soak in a hot spring is an essential part of experiencing Reykjavik, just as the locals do. Consequently, hot springs are an important part of the Icelandic culture. There are many tourists who travel far to experience the waterfalls and hot springs in Iceland.
Most people come for the waterfalls and hot springs in Iceland, but if you don’t think you can spend a full day soaking at Laugardalur, consider renting bikes or taking a short ferry ride to Videy Island (five minutes from Skarfabakki Harbor). Videy is a tiny uninhibited island with modern artwork, abandoned village, and excellent bird watching.
What to Eat in Reykjavik
You might be surprised to find that Icelandic people love American foods. Burger, hot dog (pylsur), and pizza places abound in Reykjavik. Top American chain restaurants – Subway, Dominoes, Taco Bell, KFC, Ruby Tuesday, Quiznos. There’s a rumor that Icelandic people drink the most Coke per capita. The population of Iceland is 323,000 in an area of 40,000 sq. miles.
The American Bar has a wide menu that can please everyone in your group, Vegans and Carnivores alike. It is located right near The Settlement Exhibition – Stop 2 of the historic walk in Day One itinerary above. There’s a funky laundromat & cafe downstairs from the American Bar.
One might not be surprised that it’s easy to find a Thai restaurant here, but why not eat like a local and partake in the fresh-from-the-farm ingredients and seafood from local waters. Fish Soup “Fiskisupa” or Kjotsupa (meat soup) are local favorites. Porskur (cod) and ysa (haddock) and bleikja (Artic car) and Skotuselur (monkfish) are popular with the locals. Skyr is an innovative dairy product that’s been around for 1000 years (similar to yogurt).
Yet, Vegetarians will find plenty of cafe’s to choose from featuring the local farmers harvests. Glo is often voted best vegetarian restaurant, with a few locations around town, including Laugavegur street.
Traditional Icelandic food and drink
As you explore the main streets in Reykajivik, you’ll find plenty traditional Icelandic foods, try Old Iceland Restaurant, on Laugavegur Street. You may be surprises to find that the Icelandic menus are similar to those in Scandinavian towns like Copenhagen, Denmark.
Also, you’ll likely want to taste some of the local beers including the Viking Gylltur and Einstok White Ale, or Reyka Vodka from a 4,000 year old lava field.
TIP: You can drink the tap water, but don’t drink from the waterfalls and hot springs in Iceland.
Where to Stay
Reykjavik has a wide choice of places to stay from camping, hostels, cottages, hotels for all budgets, and private homes.
Hotel with a view: Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina is harbor-front with small “cool funky” Icelandic designed rooms located at 101 Reykjavik. From about 22,000 isk, or about $175 usd, per night).
Hotel Orkin is a short walk to city center and offers several room combinations with up to six-beds per room. A free breakfast buffet, WiFi, and parking are free. From about 27,000 isk, or $220 usd per night.
On Booking.com or Airbnb you might find a quaint cottage like this one North Star Cottage out in the country. A small cabin but great location near the waterfalls along the Golden Circle route. From about 25,000 isk or $200 usd per night.
It won’t be easy to head home from this ruggedly beautiful land, lined with lava fields, waterfalls, and hot springs in Iceland.
