Have you ever been to Reykjavik? Iceland‘s capital, where fire and ice co-exist, is a mix of culture, history, and natural beauty. Its geothermal pools, remarkable landmarks, and vibrant culinary scene promise an epic getaway for visitors from all walks of life. And let’s not forget the natural wonders, such as the midnight sun and the breathtaking Northern Lights, that make this city a dreamy travel destination. All this and more will be part of this 5-Day Reykjavik Itinerary For First Timers.
👉 Bonus: We’ve even created a free downloadable 5-Day Reykjavik Itinerary For First Timers PDF to make your planning super easy. [Get it here👇🏻]
Budgeting For A Reykjavik Trip
Reykjavik is among the top global travel destinations, and for a good reason. This northernmost capital of the world has a rich Viking history and was the location of the first permanent settlement in Iceland. Today, its geothermal pools, natural beauty, and stunning architecture attract millions of visitors. However, you don’t need enormous savings to visit Iceland’s capital. You can enjoy a pleasant trip even on a limited budget. Here, we will give you a rough budget estimation for a Reykjavik trip.
Transportation
Iceland’s capital has a well-developed public transportation system that is super affordable compared to private options. A general adult bus fare is 670 ISK (approx. $4.77), while children aged 6-17 get a reduced fare. You can buy a Reykjavik City Card to enjoy unlimited bus rides for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Taxis are more expensive, with fares starting at 730 ISK, with an additional cost per kilometer.
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Food
Reykjavik is the best place to try authentic Icelandic cuisine. Must-try signature dishes include Hakarl, Plokkfiskur, and Icelandic Skyr. That said, you can enjoy these dishes at affordable or luxury restaurants. A meal in a cheap eatery can range from $14 to $39, while mid-range restaurants charge $78 to $213 for a two-person meal. Luxury diners can expect to spend over $100 per person.
Accommodation
You can’t miss out on accommodation costs while creating your Reykjavik budget plan. Accommodation expenses vary depending on the type of hotel, number of guests, amenities, and the time of year. Still, expect to pay $101 or under per night in a cheaper hotel. Luxury hotels usually charge $550+ per night. Consider staying in hostels or guesthouses outside the city center to save money.
5-Day Reykjavik Itinerary for First Timers: Day 1: Explore Reykjavik City
Morning: Hallgrimskirkja✞
- Address: Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 9 AM – 8 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Your Reykjavik trip starts at the magnificent Hallgrímskirkja. The city’s largest church is 73 meters tall and overlooks the entire Reykjavik. You can take the elevator to the top of the observation tower for panoramic city views and the surrounding mountain. This modern cathedral hosts Mass, sermons, and worship services. You can participate in any ongoing events during your visit. Afterward, walk around the colorful streets of downtown Reykjavik.
😋Lunch Stop: Kol Restaurant – Upscale, Icelandic Cuisine, High-quality Cocktails
Afternoon: Harpa🎻
- Address: Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 8 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Enjoy world-class concerts at Harpa. This concert hall is the music house for all, from Icelandic musicians to international artists and bands. It is home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera. You can catch concerts and live performances throughout the year. Additionally, various conferences and summits are held in the hall. Harpa’s architectural beauty, featuring a glass façade and crystalline basalt columns, attracts many visitors.
After touring the building, head out to see the Sun Voyager by the waterfront. This sculpture resembles a dreamboat and symbolizes hope, progress, and freedom.
Evening: Local Cuisine🍛
- Recommended Restaurant: ÓX
- Address: Laugavegur 55, 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 6 PM – 12 AM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
After all the expedition, you must be pretty hungry. How about treating yourself to a fine dinner at ÓX? Located in the heart of the city, this 17-seater restaurant offers an intimate and unique dining experience in a sophisticated setting. Its menu features high-quality dishes, a result of modern renditions of traditional Icelandic cuisine. Three chefs prepare and serve your order using local Icelandic ingredients. It’s dinner and a show, where diners can interact with the chefs and learn about the dishes and their related topics.
Day 2: Golden Circle Tour
Morning: Þingvellir National Park🏞️
- Address: 806 Selfoss, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Social Media: Official Website
- Things To Do: Hiking, Camping, Snorkeling, Diving, Birdwatching, Rod Fishing
Day 2 is all about covering the notable attractions in the Golden Circle in southern Iceland. Your first destination is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place has a significant historical importance, as it was the site of Iceland’s first parliament, established in 930. It is also of great geological significance, thanks to its location in a rift valley between Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. You can try many outdoor activities here, including hiking, camping, and birdwatching. Snorkeling or diving between tectonic plates is a must-do here.
Midday: Geysir♨️
- Address: 806, Iceland; Google Map
- Things To Do: Exploring the Geysir Geothermal Area, watching Strokkur Geyser, exploring Haukadalur Valley
Follow the Golden Circle route to the Great Geysir. This geothermal area, located in the Haukadalur Valley, is renowned for its erupting hot springs. It can typically hurl boiling water up to 600 m. Though it is dormant at present, Geysir could shoot water over 200 feet into the air during its peak in the 1800s. This area is home to numerous hot springs, boiling mud pits, fumaroles, and solfataras, offering an insight into Iceland’s geothermal activity. It is also home to Strokkur Geyser, which erupts every 8 to 10 minutes.
Afternoon: Gullfoss💧
- Address: 846, Iceland; Google Map
- Things To Do: Follow the walking trails to the falls, take pictures, spot a rainbow
Your Golden Circle Tour will be incomplete without visiting Gullfoss, a stunning two-tier waterfall. Also known as the Golden Falls, this powerful waterfall is formed by the Hvitá River as it plunges 32 meters into a crevice. The result is a picturesque multi-step cascade along a 90° bend of the Hvitá River. It has been featured in many music videos and TV series. You will embark on an adventurous experience to the falls and take many pictures at the top. If you are lucky, you might even see a rainbow. Optional: Relax in the Secret Lagoon hot spring.
🌜Evening: Return to Reykjavik for a good night’s sleep.
Day 3: South Coast Adventure
Morning: Seljalandsfoss⛰️
- Address: 249, 861, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Things To Do: Hiking to the falls, walking behind the falls, taking pictures
Embark on a South Coast Adventure on your third day in Reykjavik. On this full-day tour, you will explore the dramatic landscapes of Iceland’s southern coast and visit its key attractions. Your first destination is Seljalandsfoss, the only known waterfall of its kind, where you can walk behind it. See the falling water from a magical perspective while enjoying a misty embrace. The hike to the falls only takes 15 minutes and is suitable for most fitness levels. Afterward, head to Skógafoss Waterfalls, which is within 500 steps from the parking area. It is known for its stunning double rainbow.
Afternoon: Reynisfjara🖤
- Address: CX8Q+MM7, Mánabraut, 870 Vík, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: Accessible at all times
- Things To Do: Walking along the beach, taking pictures, visiting Hálsanefshellir Cave and Dyrhólaey
You are likely more familiar with beaches full of pristine sands. But have you ever heard of a black sand beach? If not, this is your opportunity to visit one in Iceland. Reynisfjara is a world-renowned black sand beach formed from cooled lava and volcanic activity. Its dramatic basalt columns and rock formations are other significant attractions. And let’s not forget its sea stacks, which are said to be trolls turned to stone. Walk along the beach, admire its basalt columns and sea stacks, and take beautiful pictures.
Evening: Vik🛖
- Address: Iceland; Google Map
- Top Destinations: Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Sólheimajökull Glacier, Katla Ice Cave
- Things To Do: Glacier Hiking, Snowmobiling, Horseback Riding, Ice Cave Tours
Did you know Reynisfjara is in the charming village of Vík? This remote seafront village is renowned for its natural attractions, including the Black Sand Beach, Sólheimajökull Glacier, Katla Ice Cave, and Mýrdalsjökull Glacier. It is a hub for enjoying many adventurous activities, such as glacier hiking, snowmobiling, and paragliding. If you have time, consider booking a guided glacier hike at Solheimajokull or Mýrdalsjökull. You can then stay at Vik or return to Reykjavik. If you decide on the former, enjoy a lovely dinner at Restaurant Suður-Vík.
Day 4: Reykjavik Museums And Culture
Morning: The National Museum of Iceland🏛️
- Address: Suðurgata 41, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
The second-last day of this 5-day Reykjavik Itinerary for First-Timers will be all about discovering the city’s history and culture. And, where else can you do that other than at the National Museum of Iceland? Built in 1863, this museum showcases Icelandic cultural history from the earliest settlement to the present day. Its permanent exhibition features 2,000 objects, all centered around the fascinating history of Iceland. You can also check out temporary exhibitions that change frequently, usually every few weeks.
Midday: Saga Museum⚔️
- Address: Grandagarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Experience the Icelandic sagas at the Saga Museum. This history museum recreates key moments in Icelandic history with lifelike figures. These exhibits tell the stories of Iceland’s turbulent past, where Icelanders endured natural catastrophes and the notorious Black Death. Visitors can don Viking costumes to fully immerse themselves in the sagas. They can also choose an audio guide, which is available in English, Swedish, French, Spanish, German, and Russian. Alternative: Visit the Reykjavik Art Museum to see Asmundur Sveinsson’s sculptures.
Afternoon: The Old Harbour Area⛴️
- Address: Reykjavik, Iceland
- Things To Do: Whale watching, dining, strolling along the pier
Walk around the Old Harbour area, which was the catalyst for Reykjavik’s formation. The harbour was one of the centers of the Icelandic trawling industry in the early 20th century. Today, it is a vibrant area bustling with life. Here, tourists come to watch whales, ride a boat, visit the Harpa Concert Hall, and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere. You can also take a whale watching tour. As the sun goes down, stop by a local restaurant to enjoy Icelandic cuisine. Seafood Restaurant Recommendation: Old Harbour House.
Day 5: Blue Lagoon And Relaxation
Full Day: The Blue Lagoon💆🏻♀️
- Address: Norðurljósavegur 9, 240 Grindavík, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 10 PM
- Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram
Since it’s your final day in Reykjavik, spend it relaxing at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. This spa is known for its milky blue waters, which are rich in salts and algae. They are also renowned for their health benefits and restorative qualities. A soak in these waters will leave you with a feeling of tranquility and relaxation. In addition to a soothing soak, you can treat yourself to various spa treatments, including in-water massages and flat therapies. The latter relieves pain, alleviates stress, and brings inner peace. Tip: Find exclusive Blue Lagoon spa deals with transfers from Reykjavik at TourTeller.
Farewell Dinner & Departure✈️
- Recommended Restaurant: Moss Restaurant
- Address: Nordurljosavegur 11, 240 Grindavík, Iceland; Google Map
- Opening Hours: 6 PM – 11 PM
- Social Media: Official Instagram
After an entire day of spa treatments and geothermal soaking, have a farewell dinner. The Blue Lagoon Iceland Spa center is home to a Michelin-starred Moss Restaurant. Chef Aggi Sverrisson is behind the establishment’s seven-course menus that take inspiration from Iceland’s landscapes and highlight seasonal ingredients. Enjoy this seven-course set menu with classic wines or prestihe wine pairing. (Savory, Seasonal, Sublime) If you want a gourmet dining, Lava Restaurant is your destination.
Afterward, catch a flight back home. Alternative: Spend an additional night in Reykjavik.
Also Read:
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This 5-Day Reykjavik Itinerary for First-Timers is customizable, meaning you can alter or replace any activity or attraction. This travel plan is ideal for families and couples, with some minor adjustments. For that, check out TourTeller, where you will find hundreds of tours at diverse rates. We have even added the new “Compare with similar tours” feature to help you compare and choose the right activity that best fits your budget and preferences. And, now you are all set for your wonderful Reykjavik trip! Bless bless~
