Ready-made trips · Iceland
Reykjavik in 5 days
Colourful Reykjavik and the harbour, whale watching and Harpa, a day at Geysir and the Gullfoss waterfall, and a chance of northern lights from autumn to spring.
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- Length
- 5 days
- Best time
- February to March, June to October
- Pace
- Moderate
- Day trips
- Golden Circle
Five days in Reykjavik: Perlan, the Geothermal Beach and Sky Lagoon; Whale Watching and Harpa, plus a day trip to Golden Circle. Each full day is one our team has planned, to be walked in order around usual opening hours, with lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.
Day by day
1First Evening on LaugavegurArrival
- When you arriveLaugavegur StreetMain shopping and dining street.Tip: Reykjavik's main shopping street, genuinely good for browsing Icelandic design and local boutiques.
Lunch nearby: Hlemmur Mathöll or Kaffibrennslan
Dinner: Dill or Sægreifinn (The Sea Baron)
2Geysir and GullfossDay trip to Golden Circle
- MorningGeysir
- AfternoonGullfoss
Dinner: Kaffibrennslan or Hlemmur Mathöll
3Perlan, the Geothermal Beach and Sky Lagoon
- MorningPerlanMuseum with observation deck.Tip: A striking museum and observation deck built atop Reykjavik's hot water tanks — includes a genuinely well-done indoor ice cave exhibit alongside the panoramic views.
- AfternoonNauthólsvík BeachGeothermal beach.Tip: A genuinely unique geothermally-heated beach in Reykjavik — warm water pools distinguish it from typical cold Icelandic swimming.
- EveningSky LagoonGeothermal spa with ocean views.Tip: A newer, less crowded alternative to the Blue Lagoon, with a genuinely striking infinity-edge view over the ocean — book online in advance regardless.
Lunch nearby: Hlemmur Mathöll or Kaffibrennslan
Dinner: Perlan Restaurant or Dill
4Whale Watching and Harpa
- MorningWhales of IcelandLife-size models of the 23 whale species of Icelandic waters.Tip: The blue whale model is 25 metres long.
- AfternoonWhale Watching TourBoat tour to see whales.Tip: Faxaflói Bay tours run year-round from Reykjavik, but species and sighting likelihood vary by season — ask operators what's currently being seen.
- EveningSun VoyagerSteel sculpture by the sea.Tip: A genuinely striking steel sculpture resembling a Viking ship, positioned along Reykjavik's waterfront — especially photogenic at sunset.
Lunch nearby: Sægreifinn (The Sea Baron) or Matur og Drykkur
Dinner: Hlemmur Mathöll or Dill
5A Last Morning at HallgrímskirkjaLast morning
- Before you leaveHallgrímskirkjaIconic church with city views.Tip: Reykjavik's iconic church, with a tower offering some of the best panoramic views over the city's colorful rooftops.
Lunch nearby: Hlemmur Mathöll or Kaffibrennslan
Dinner: Dill or Grillmarkaðurinn
Where to stay
Miðborg (Downtown)
The old centre around Laugavegur, Hallgrímskirkja and the harbour.
Walkable; Flybus stops at BSÍ and downtown hotels.
Old Harbour & Grandi
The harbour district of whale-watching boats, museums and restaurants.
A 10-minute walk to downtown; bus 14.
Laugardalur
The green valley of the big pool, the zoo and the botanical garden.
Bus 14 to downtown, 15 minutes.
Everything in the plan is ready to book
The full plan has a map of each day, directions between stops, opening hours, restaurant choices, hotels in these areas and tickets, tours and trains linked to book with the provider you choose.
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