Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting? What It’s Really Like & How Long to Stay
This site contains affiliate links, which means that we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, for qualifying purchases. It supports the work that goes into keeping this content free. Thanks for reading! More info: Privacy Policy.
Looking for an honest answer to the question: Is Reykjavik worth visiting? If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, you might be wondering what Reykjavik is really like, how much time you should spend there, and whether it’s worth staying in the city or just using it as a base.
We’ve been to Iceland many times over the years and have seen Reykjavik change from a quiet, almost sleepy town into a lively capital with good museums, restaurants, and a compact but interesting city center. In this article, we share our experience of visiting Reykjavik, what you can realistically see and do, how long you need, and in which cases it makes sense to include the city in your Iceland itinerary.
What to Expect
Reykjavik has transformed dramatically over the years. When we first visited in 2006, it felt like a quiet, almost sleepy town. Shops seemed stuck in another era, tourist attractions were sparse, and we honestly struggled to fill a day and a half in the city.
Fast forward to today, and Reykjavik is a completely different place. It’s now a vibrant city brimming with trendy cafes, cozy restaurants, stylish shops, fascinating museums, and plenty of attractions worth your time. So yes, it’s well worth visiting.
That said, while Reykjavik has evolved into an exciting destination, it’s still a relatively small city. So don’t expect the same level of activity or attractions as you’d find in London, Paris, or New York.
Below, you can learn what Reykjavik has to offer, how much time you might need to explore, and some tips to help you make the most of your visit.
How Many Days Do You Need in Reykjavik?
When planning a trip to Iceland, Reykjavik will likely be on your itinerary. You may have heard about its lively restaurant scene, museums, nightlife, and compact but pleasant city center. But how much time do you actually need there?
For most travelers, 1 day in Reykjavik is enough to see the main sights and get a feel for the city. If you want to visit a few museums, relax at one of the lagoons, and explore at a slower pace, 2 days is ideal.
The city center is compact and easy to walk, so you can cover the highlights in a short time. That said, Reykjavik has grown into a more interesting destination in recent years, with new attractions, galleries, and food spots, so if you have extra time, you could spend up to 3 days in the city without getting bored. Below, you’ll find more details on what to see and do.
READ ALSO: How to See the Best of Reykjavik in 1 Day
What to See & Do
There are basically two main streets that are worth visiting in downtown Reykjavik – Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur. It’s where most shops, restaurants, and cafes are located.
Start your day with a stroll around the city center and check out some shops. Make sure to visit the Hallgrímskirkja Church and go all the way to the top for the best views in Reykjavik.
Stop by for a coffee at one of the many cafes or head to Reykjavik Lake and feed the ducks, or visit the Magic Ice Bar.
Walk towards the Harbor where you can visit Harpa – the beautiful modern Reykjavik concert hall. Nearby, you’ll also find the Whales of Iceland Exhibition. Don’t forget to take a picture of the Sun Voyager – the steel boat sculpture beside the sea. In addition, you can also visit some museums.
If you visit just one museum in Reykjavik, I highly recommend Perlan. It’s an interactive museum where you can get acquainted with all the natural wonders of Iceland. You can walk inside a real ice tunnel, see the Northern Lights, and so much more. In my opinion, Perlan is one of the must-see places in Reykjavik. Here you can find more inspiration and tips for visiting Perlan.
There are also many nice restaurants to go to for dinner in Reykjavik. Keep in mind that it can get very busy on the weekends, so make reservations or go early to avoid disappointment.
If you are staying longer, you can take some amazing half-day tours from Reykjavik, check out FlyOver Iceland (a unique experience), or spend time at the famous Blue Lagoon or – our preference – Sky Lagoon. There’s definitely enough to keep you busy for several days!
LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Reykjavik
Should You Stay in Reykjavik During Your Entire Trip?
Reykjavik is a convenient base for a short stay in Iceland, but it’s not ideal for exploring the entire country. If you have more than three days in Iceland – and especially in summer – I recommend renting a car and traveling beyond Reykjavik. While you can join a variety of excursions and day trips from the city, only some of them are realistically doable as day trips, and you’ll spend a lot of time on the road.
Traveling all the way to Iceland and staying only in Reykjavik means missing out on the landscapes that make the country so special. By leaving the city, you can see places like the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and much more.
For inspiration, check out our detailed Iceland 4-day itinerary, which covers top attractions, or our 7-day summer itinerary – ideal for a first short trip. If you have extra time, consider driving the full Ring Road to see all the top areas.
That said, Reykjavik is a good base for shorter visits, especially in winter. The city offers a wide range of half-day tours that operate year-round, making it a good option if you’d rather not drive in snowy or icy conditions. However, even in winter, multi-day tours can be more efficient than day trips, as they allow you to spend more time sightseeing and less time in the car.
TIP: If you’re visiting Iceland in winter and prefer not to drive, Reykjavik is a convenient base for some of the best winter excursions. It’s also easy to get to the city from Keflavík Airport by bus or private transfer, and if you stay in Reykjavik, you won’t need a car to get around.
READ ALSO: Where to Stay in Reykjavik
Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting? (Conclusion)
If you’re planning your trip to Iceland, Reykjavik is definitely worth a visit for a day or two to see its main attractions, soak up the local atmosphere, and enjoy its vibrant cafés, bars, and museums. However, I wouldn’t recommend staying longer than necessary.
Iceland has so much more to offer beyond Reykjavik and the real beauty of Iceland lies outside the city. So, if you have more time, I highly encourage you to get out of the city and discover the natural wonders that make Iceland truly unique.
Take a look at our other articles for inspiration and itinerary ideas, and start planning your unforgettable journey across Iceland!
More tips for your trip to Iceland:
- When to visit:
- What to see:
- Itinerary:
- Practical tips:
- More: Check out our Iceland travel guide for a complete overview.
TIP: Did you find this guide helpful? Bookmark this post for later, share it with your friends, and save it to Pinterest to inspire your next trip.
We spent 2 and a half weeks in Iceland. In June 1016. We rented a car and bought a camping pass. We visited hot springs went scuba diving and sent a lot of time in the Western Fijords. We drove the Ring Road all the way around. Iceland is a wonderful country to visit.
Sounds like you had an amazing trip! Indeed, Iceland is a wonderful country that has so much more to offer its visitors than just Reykjavik and its immediate surroundings.
Happy travels!
Jurga–Thank you for your blog! I’m finding the informtation very helpful. We have a very short layover coming up in April. Our flight arrives at 3pm on a Friday afternoon, and we have to be back to the airport by 3pm the next day. We are trying to decide between staying in Reykjavik and enjoying a leisurely morning seeing the city, or should try to take in an excursion or perhaps staying at the Blue Lagoon and visiting more of Iceland on a future, longer trip. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Diana, I think that Blue Lagoon is a nice excursion to do e.g. on the day of your arrival (you can go there straight from the airport, they even have luggage lockers) – just book in advance. Afterwards I’d definitely go to Reykjavik. You can have nice dinner in the city and then the next morning visit the main highlights (view from the church tower is not to be missed, maybe also try Perlan) in town. If you decide to stay at the Blue Lagoon hotel, what will you do there the next day – it’s in the middle of nowhere. Unless, of course, you don’t mind soaking in the geothermal waters for hours on both days :).
You could even opt for a short half day trip something like horse riding in lava fields or similar, but that would probably be too stressful taking into account that you have to leave for the airport in time.
Hope this helps.
Hi Jurga,
Thanks for the reply. It helps quite a lot with planning. We don’t normally plan so detailed when we travel, but with such a short stay, this is an exception and we want to do as much as possible during our time.
Thanks again and Happy New Year!
Hi Jurga,
I am planning a trip for seven days and planning not to stay Reykjavik, We are a family of 4 with two preteen kids. Should we go for guided tours for all ? Could you please let me know which are the guided tour we must do so we are not wasting time. I am planning to visit in mid August.
Thanks
Ria
Hi Ria, if you have 7 days in Iceland and are traveling in summer, then you best rent a car and explore on your own. Check this for Iceland itinerary suggestions.
Some tours are well worth doing, e.g. glacier hiking, whale watching, puffin tours, silfra snorkeling, etc. Here you can find our suggested Iceland tours.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you haven’t booked your accommodations yet, then you really better hurry. I’m afraid it will not be very easy to find a lot of affordable accommodations on such a short notice. Here you can find some suggestions on where to stay in Iceland. I’d just try using Booking.com and their extremely handy map function and see what’s still available for your dates.
Iceland is very popular at the moment and definitely in summer. So make sure you book everything (car rental, accommodations, tickets to places like the Blue Lagoon, tours, etc.) asap.
Enjoy you trip!
P.S. If you are looking for more specific recommendations, feel free to join our Iceland and Scandinavia travel Facebook group – many people ask and answer questions there and share their travel experiences and tips.
Hi Jurga! We are going to Iceland for seven days in August and have booked an Airbnb apartment for a week in Reykjavik. We will have our two young children with us- 18 months and 3.5 years old. Based on a few articles I’ve read here it sounds like we should rent a car? And explore as much as we can while getting back to the city by 7 pm to put the kids to bed. Any itinerary suggestions for seven days from Reykjavik with little ones? Thanks so much!!
Hi Jenny, yes, definitely rent a car. You can’t do much without a car in Iceland unless you book guided tours which aren’t ideal with kids.
As you can probably already tell from this article, staying in Reykjavik is actually not ideal at all if you have more than 2-3 days in Iceland. Much too much driving up and down and definitely if you want to be back at your accommodation to put the kids to bed on time. If you can, I’d try to change accommodation and stay somewhere along the South coast for at least a few nights. It will allow you to see more beautiful places and drive less.
Check this itinerary for some ideas of the places not to miss in the South. It’s meant for winter when the days are short, but obviously you can do most of it in summer in even less time. Use Google Maps to check driving distances and times.
Another place that you can do from Reykjavik is Snaefellsnes Peninsula, but again, it’s a long drive just to get there; you won’t have much time to do sightseeing if you have to be back in Reykjavik so early…
One thing that can be really nice to do with kids in Iceland is going to the thermal pools. Blue Lagoon is obviously the most known (and super expensive). Cheaper and less busy options include a swimming pool of Hveragerdi, Secret Lagoon, and Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths.
I can’t help you much more. I’m sure there are some playgrounds and other kid-friendly things to do in and around Reykjavik, but taking into account the cost of traveling to Iceland, I’d try to see as much of the country as you can, even if it means more driving.
Have a nice trip!