Your Ultimate 3-Day Reykjavik Itinerary: Make Every Moment Count

So you’ve got three days in Reykjavik and you want to actually use them. Good. This city is small enough to feel manageable but packed enough that it’s easy to waste a morning dithering over where to go. The streets are colourful, the coffee is strong, geothermal steam rises from just about everywhere, and the Viking history seeps into corners you’d never expect. This itinerary cuts through the noise and gets you to the good stuff — without the frantic pace that leaves you needing a holiday from your holiday.

Day 1: Dive Right In

Breakfast at Brauð & Co

Start the morning at Brauð & Co. The smell alone will have you through the door before you’ve made a conscious decision — warm croissants, proper coffee, a colourful storefront that looks exactly like it should. It’s widely considered one of Reykjavik’s best bakeries, and rightly so. We stopped at their Hverfisgata location on the way out of the city for a road trip once, grabbed breakfast in a hurry, and still talk about it. You’ll find several locations around town, so it works no matter where you’re based.

Morning Adventure: Snorkeling Between Tectonic Plates

Yes, the water is cold. Genuinely, properly cold. But snorkeling at Silfra Fissure is one of those experiences that stays with you, and the 2.5-hour tour is set up well for beginners — guides keep a close eye on everyone and the briefing beforehand is thorough. Try to book the earlier slot, around 9 or 10 a.m., so the rest of the day is still yours. It’s about an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, and once you’re in the water, floating between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates with 100 meters of visibility beneath you, the cold stops mattering quite as much. Afterwards they hand out hot chocolate and cookies. Our group — cold, hungry, slightly stunned — was very grateful for that.

Before you book, have a look at the thousands of five-star reviews on this highly-rated tour — it’s reassuring reading.

Lunch at Café Babalú

Back in dry clothes, head downtown to Café Babalú. It’s the kind of place that’s slightly chaotic in the best way — mismatched furniture, staff who seem genuinely pleased to see you, and a menu built around hearty soups that are exactly what you want after a cold morning in a fissure. We found a table upstairs, ordered soup and cake, and sat there longer than we planned. That felt right.

Afternoon Stroll: Exploring Reykjavik

The afternoon is yours. Reykjavik is compact and very walkable, so just pick a direction and go. A few places worth anchoring your wander around:

• Laugavegur Street: Reykjavik’s oldest and most famous street, lined with independent boutiques and cafes that reward slow browsing.
• Rainbow Street: Colourful, photogenic, and genuinely cheerful — it earns its Instagram reputation.
• Hallgrimskirkja Church: The architecture is striking from the outside, but go up to the top for the view — it’s worth the few minutes it takes.
• Harpa Concert Hall: Even if you’re not catching a show, step inside. The geometric glass facade looks different every hour depending on the light.

If you want more ideas, our guide on the 10 best things to do in Reykjavik is a good next read.

Evening: A Food Tour to Remember

End the day on a walking food tour. Reykjavik’s restaurant scene is great but it can be hard to know where to spend your money, especially if you’re budget-conscious. Our guide Alfei took us to a mix of well-known spots and places we’d never have found on our own — over eight dishes in total, including the famous Reykjavik hot dog and rye bread ice cream. It’s part meal, part education, and the conversation about Icelandic food culture makes it more than just eating. We’d recommend the 5 p.m. slot, which leaves you time for a relaxed evening walk afterwards.

Why We Choose Viator for Tours

Most of the tours in this itinerary are booked through Viator. Here’s why it’s become our default:

• Free Cancellation: Most tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance with no charge — useful when Icelandic weather has other ideas.
• Reserve Now, Pay Later: Lock in your spot without paying immediately, so you can plan ahead without committing funds early.
• Lowest Price Guarantee: Find the same tour cheaper elsewhere and Viator refunds the difference.
• Convenience: Verified reviews, clear logistics upfront, and a straightforward booking process mean fewer surprises.

Browse Viator’s offerings and see what fits your trip.

Day 2: An Unforgettable Day Out

Breakfast on the Go

Day two is a big one — the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon in a single day. Pickups start at 8:30 a.m., so keep breakfast simple. Grab something from your hotel or a bakery near you and save the leisurely morning for another day.

The Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon Tour

This tour covers a lot of ground. You’ll walk through Thingvellir National Park, where the tectonic plates meet above water this time; watch Strokkur Geyser do its thing every few minutes; and stand at the edge of Gullfoss Waterfall, which is as dramatic in person as it looks in every photograph. Then the day winds down at the Blue Lagoon — geothermal water, silica mud masks, and a well-earned sense of having done Iceland properly. It’s a long day, but it balances the active and the restorative well.

You’ll come back to Reykjavik tired and hungry, which is exactly the right state for dinner.

Dinner at Reykjavík Chips

Reykjavík Chips is the right call after a day like that — crispy fries, a lineup of dipping sauces, no fuss. They’re open until 11 p.m., so there’s no rush to get there.

Day 3: Choices to Make the Most Of Your Last Day

Your final day in Reykjavik comes down to what kind of traveller you are at heart.

Option 1: Full-Day Tour of the South Coast

If you’ve still got energy and daylight to burn, the South Coast tour is a strong choice. You’ll see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss — two waterfalls with completely different characters — walk on Reynisfjara black sand beach, and get close to Sólheimajökull Glacier. Having a guide handle the driving means you can just look out the window and take it all in.

Option 2: Explore Reykjavik

If a slower pace sounds better, stay in the city. Start the morning at Café Loki for a traditional Icelandic breakfast — the menu leans into local ingredients and it’s a good place to sit for a while. After that, a walking tour is a solid way to see the parts of Reykjavik you might have walked past without knowing what you were looking at. The city has layers, and a good guide surfaces them.

Closing Dinner and Cocktails

Whichever day you chose, finish the trip at Forrettabarinn. It’s a cosy place, the small plates are creative without being precious, and it feels like the right pace for a last evening. Then walk over to Jungle Cocktail Bar — inventive drinks, a good atmosphere, and a decent send-off for whatever comes next.

Where to Stay in Reykjavik

A few reliable options across different budgets:

• Luxury: The Reykjavik EDITION — modern design, good views, properly comfortable.
• Mid-range: Center Hotels Plaza — well-located and does everything it needs to do without fuss.
• Budget: Nordic Hostel — affordable, tidy, and better designed than most hostels at this price point.

For a more detailed breakdown of where to stay in Reykjavik, our full accommodation guide covers the options properly.

Renting a Car in Europe

If your trip extends beyond Reykjavik and you want to move at your own pace, a rental car opens things up considerably. We use Discover Cars for bookings — the process is straightforward and the pricing is transparent. Make sure you read up on driving rules before you go, particularly if Iceland is your first time driving on this side of the Atlantic.

Wrapping Up

Three days in Reykjavik is enough to get a real feel for the place — the city itself, the landscapes just outside it, and the food and culture that make it unlike anywhere else in Europe. Whether this is your whole Icelandic trip or just the start of something longer, this itinerary gives you a solid foundation. Enjoy it.

If you’re planning more stops on the same journey, we’ve got itineraries for Oslo, Dublin, and London as well. Worth a look before you finalise your plans.