Reykjavík Itinerary: How to Spend One or Two Days in the City

Reykjavík in Iceland is one of those cities that’s effortlessly easy to explore, whether you’ve got a full weekend or just a single day to spare. Compact, colourful and surrounded by dramatic scenery, it’s the perfect base for dipping into Icelandic culture before heading out to waterfalls, lagoons or northern lights tours. Or even back home again if you’re visiting on an extreme day trip. Reykjavik is around 30 miles from the main international airport. This itinerary and more bring together the best of the city in a simple, time‑friendly plan you can follow without rushing. We’ve visited the city on both of our trips to Iceland.

How to get to Iceland from the UK

We visited Iceland via Keflavík International Airport (KEF) in south‑west Iceland, the country’s main international hub and the arrival point for all flights from the UK, including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and several regional airports. The airport sits around 50 km (31 miles) from Reykjavík, so although it’s the gateway to the country, it isn’t next to the capital; the transfer takes roughly 45–50 minutes.

Outside the peak summer months, return fares from the UK can be surprisingly affordable, often falling between £60 and £120 with budget airlines, with prices climbing in July and August. Once you land, getting into Reykjavík is straightforward, with several easy transfer options depending on your budget and how quickly you want to reach the city:

• Flybus shuttle — the most popular choice, running frequently to Reykjavík’s BSÍ bus terminal with hotel drop‑offs available.
• Airport Direct / other shuttle buses — similar service with different drop‑off points.
• Taxi or private transfer — fastest but most expensive.
• Car hire — ideal if you’re following a self‑drive itinerary.

Find the cheapest direct flights from the UK to Iceland

Perfect 1 Day Reykjavík Itinerary

Morning: Hallgrímskirkja → Rainbow Street → Old Town

A good place to start your day is at Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík’s landmark church, and take the lift to the top for panoramic views across the city and surrounding mountains. From here, stroll down Skólavörðustígur (Rainbow Street) towards the old town, passing colourful houses, small boutiques and cosy cafés. This gentle downhill walk leads naturally into the historic centre, where you can explore the harbour area and stop for an early lunch.

If you want to find out more about Reykjavik, the best option is to book a walking tour of the city. Two of the most popular walking tours in Reykjavík give visitors a really good feel for the city, each with a different focus.

The Vikings and Mythology Walk explores Iceland’s early settlement, sagas and folklore, taking you through the oldest parts of the city while your guide shares stories about the first settlers, Norse beliefs and how these legends still shape Icelandic culture today. It’s a great choice if you enjoy history told in a lively, story‑driven way.

The other well‑known option is the 2.5‑hour Reykjavík Highlights Walk, which covers the main landmarks at an easy pace, Hallgrímskirkja, the old town, the Parliament building, Harpa and the waterfront. It’s ideal for first‑time visitors who want a clear overview of the city’s layout, key sights and everyday life, all without needing to plan a route yourself.

Midday: Harpa Concert Hall & Waterfront Walk

Continue to the striking Harpa Concert Hall, known for its geometric glass façade. Visitors often spend time walking through the different levels, browsing the small design shops, stopping for a coffee with harbour views, or heading out onto the waterfront terraces for photos. From Harpa, follow the waterfront path to the Sun Voyager sculpture. It’s an easy, scenic walk with views across Faxaflói Bay, a great way to soak up Reykjavík’s calm, coastal atmosphere.

Afternoon: Culture or Geothermal Pools

Choose between a cultural stop or a relaxing soak.

• Culture: Visit the National Museum of Iceland or the immersive Whales of Iceland exhibition.

• Relaxation: Head to Sundhöllin, Reykjavík’s oldest public pool, for geothermal hot tubs and a classic Icelandic bathing experience. From most central hotels, you can walk there in 10–15 minutes. Several city buses stop nearby, and a taxi from anywhere in the centre takes around 5 minutes. Once you arrive, everything is right inside the main entrance: the indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, sauna and changing rooms.
• Or the Sky Lagoon: For something more modern, the Sky Lagoon is only a few minutes from the city centre and offers warm geothermal water, an infinity‑edge view over the ocean and its signature 7‑step ritual, a brilliant way to unwind in the afternoon.

Evening: Dinner

End your day with dinner in the old harbour, where many of the city’s best seafood restaurants are found.

Optional Day 2 in Reykjavík (Two Options)

Option A: Perlan, Geothermal Beach & Local Neighbourhoods

Morning: Perlan
Perlan sits on top of Öskjuhlíð hill, giving it some of the best panoramic views in the city, and the experience inside is much more substantial than many visitors expect. The building itself is striking, a series of old hot‑water tanks transformed into a modern museum. Inside you’ll find a walk‑through ice cave, a planetarium show about the northern lights, and interactive exhibitions that explain Iceland’s glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes and natural forces in a really engaging way. Our favourite reason for visiting is the rotating restaurant – it goes slowly, but it’s fun as the view keeps changing.

Afternoon: Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach or a Boat Trip
Choose between two very different experiences:

• Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach: A unique mix of warm geothermal lagoon water, hot tubs and cold‑water dips, a favourite with locals. A walk here from the centre will take about 20-30 minutes. If you prefer not to walk, several city buses stop close to the beach, and a taxi takes 5–10 minutes, depending on where you’re staying. Once you arrive, the golden sand, warm lagoon and hot tubs are right beside the path, making it an easy and very local-feeling addition to a Reykjavík itinerary.
• Boat Trip: Head back to the old harbour for a whale‑watching tour or a puffin‑spotting boat trip (seasonal). These typically last 2–3 hours and offer a great chance to see Icelandic wildlife up close.

This whale‑watching trip is one of the most popular departures from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, and it’s a really easy addition to a one‑ or two‑day itinerary. The tour lasts around 3 hours and takes you out into Faxaflói Bay, where you have the chance to see minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises and white‑beaked dolphins. The scenery alone is worth the trip.

The boat has indoor heated cabins, outdoor viewing decks, toilets, and a small café serving hot drinks and snacks, so it’s comfortable even on colder days. Sightings are never guaranteed, but if you don’t see whales, the operator offers a free return ticket valid for up to three years, which is a nice reassurance. It’s a relaxed, scenic experience that fits perfectly into a Reykjavík afternoon, especially if you’re already exploring the harbour area.

Evening: Hlemmur & Laugavegur
Return to the city and spend the evening around Hlemmur and Laugavegur, an area full of relaxed restaurants, bars and cafés. It’s a great place for a final dinner and a slow wander through Reykjavík’s liveliest neighbourhood.

Best Hotels in Reykjavik

Hotel	Rating (out of 5)	Price Category
Reykjavik Lights	4.5	Mid‑range
Fosshotel Reykjavik	4.4	Mid‑range
Center Hotels Plaza	4.0	Budget
Storm Hotel	4.6	Mid‑range

Best Way to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik

The northern lights can be seen from Reykjavík, but the chances depend heavily on darkness, cloud cover and solar activity. Forecast tools show that on any given night, the probability can sit around 20–30% when conditions are moderate, with higher chances when the skies are clear and solar activity increases. Clear, dark skies are essential, and the best viewing season runs from September to April, when nights are longest, and the city has enough darkness for the aurora to be visible.

If you want to maximise your chances, there are a few organised tours you can book from Reykjavik to see the northern lights. Obviously, these tours don’t guarantee you will see the northern lights, but you will escape the city’s lights, and most offer a free retry tour.

This northern lights bus trip takes you from Reykjavík into darker countryside areas where the aurora is much easier to see. The tour lasts around 3–4 hours, with guides choosing the clearest viewing spots on the night and serving hot cocoa while you wait for the lights to appear. You travel in a warm, comfortable coach, and if the aurora doesn’t show, you’re given a free return ticket to try again on another evening. It’s a simple, atmospheric way to experience the northern lights without needing to drive yourself.

Search for Cheap Flights

Reykjavík is one of those rare capitals that feels both manageable and memorable, offering just enough culture, scenery and Icelandic character to fill a day or two without ever feeling rushed. With its colourful streets, waterfront views, geothermal pools and easy access to nature, it’s the perfect introduction to Iceland, whether you’re there on a quick stopover or building it into a longer adventure. One day gives you a clear taste of the city; two days let you slow down, explore a little deeper and enjoy the rhythm of local life. Either way, Reykjavík makes a brilliant starting point for any Iceland trip.

For further Iceland travel information, please check out these two posts of ours – Iceland 3-4 Day Itinerary: Drive It Yourself or Join Tours and South Iceland Highlights: What’s Actually Worth Seeing