Iceland · 5-day itinerary
5 days in Reykjavík
Glaciers, geysers and the northern lights. Here's a 5-day plan that clusters each day by neighbourhood, with real times, so you walk less and see more.
Day 1
Arrive & settle into Reykjavík
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Arrive in Reykjavík
Check in at your stay in Downtown (Laugavegur).
- 12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. · Harbour
Harpa and harbour walk
The glass concert hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture.
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Hot dog from Bæjarins Beztu
Day 2
Icons & culture
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. · Downtown · ~$14
Hallgrímskirkja tower
The basalt-inspired church with city views.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
Day 3
Into the green
- 1:15 p.m. Lunch
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner · Fresh langoustine
Day 4
Day trip: Golden Circle
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Evening at leisure
Dinner somewhere that catches your eye, then a stroll or an early night.
Day 5
Farewell, Reykjavík
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Wander Reykjavík
Unscheduled time for cafés, rest, or the discovery you didn't plan.
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Depart Reykjavík
Check out and head to the airport or station, allowing plenty of time.
- 7:00 p.m. Dinner · Geothermal rye bread
Where to stay in Reykjavík
Shoestring
Hlemmur
Bus-hub convenience and the food hall.
Hotels in HlemmurComfort
Downtown (Laugavegur)
Walk to everything, with tour pickups nearby.
Hotels in Downtown (Laugavegur)Luxury
Harbour / Old Town
Design hotels with sea and mountain views.
Hotels in Harbour / Old Town
What to eat in Reykjavík
Icelandic hot dog
Lamb-blend pylsa with raw and crispy onions and remoulade, 'eina með öllu'.
Lamb soup
Kjötsúpa: hearty lamb and root-vegetable soup for cold days.
Skyr
Thick cultured dairy, like a mild strained yogurt.
Plokkfiskur
Comforting fish-and-potato stew, usually with rye bread.
Rúgbrauð
Dense, sweet rye bread, sometimes baked in geothermal ground.
Hákarl
Fermented shark, for the brave. Chase it with Brennivín.
Where locals send visitors
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur $
Hot dog stand · Harbour · Best for lunch
The famous hot dog stand, open since 1937.
ReviewsSægreifinn $$
Seafood shack · Old Harbour · Best for lunch
The Sea Baron's lobster soup in a harbour fishing hut.
ReviewsBrauð & Co $
Bakery · Downtown · Best for breakfast
Sticky cinnamon buns from the graffiti-painted bakery.
ReviewsHlemmur Mathöll $$
Food hall · Hlemmur · Best for lunch
A food hall in the old bus station with Icelandic and international stalls.
ReviewsMessinn $$$
Fish pans · Downtown · Best for dinner
Fish served sizzling in the pan with potatoes.
ReviewsGrillmarkaðurinn $$$$
Icelandic grill · Downtown · Best for dinner · Reserve ahead
Icelandic lamb and fish cooked over the grill, with tasting menus.
Reviews
Heads-up: what to steer clear of
- Safety: At Reynisfjara black-sand beach, sneaker waves have killed visitors. Stay well back from the water and never turn your back on the sea.
- Safety: Check road and weather conditions before every drive. Conditions change fast, and off-road driving is illegal and heavily fined.
- Local rules: Stay on marked paths at geothermal areas; the ground can be thin over boiling water.
Giro's notes, reviewed October 2026. Things change, so check current advice before you go: Government of Canada travel advisories .
Good to know
- Book a rental car early for the Ring Road.
- Weather changes fast; check road.is and safetravel.is daily.
- Tap water is excellent; skip bottled.
Daily budget per person
| Shoestring | ~$206 |
| Comfort | ~$384 |
| Luxury | ~$925 |
A shared double room, meals and local transport. Flights and tickets not included.
Make this Reykjavík trip yours
Giro rebuilds this plan for your dates, your group and your budget. Swap stops, drag them between days, add your flights and hotel, and share it with everyone coming.
Plan this tripTimes and prices are estimates (prices in CAD at the latest ECB rate). Check opening hours before you go. Place descriptions and photos from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, credited on each photo. Giro may earn a commission on bookings, at no extra cost to you.