When you think of Iceland, you already imagine geysers and other majestic waterfalls. Rest assured, your 4-day epic in Reykjavik promises all that, but we visit the city before escaping into the surrounding nature! With its wealth of museums and historic buildings, Iceland's capital has more than one trick up its sleeve. Follow the Petit Futé to discover the best things to do in and around Reykjavik!
Day 1: What to do in Reykjavik in 4 days? Hallgrímskirkja, Einar Jónsson Museum and Lake Tjörnin
Your first steps in Iceland's capital will be full of delightful surprises!
Top-rated guided tour: We recommend this city tour with a Viking which is particularly popular with travelers to Reykjavik.
Morning: Hallgrímskirkja, Einar Jónsson Museum, House of Culture
From a distance, you can see a huge point... a peak. But what is it? An avant-garde building? A museum? No, it's actually a church, Hallgrímskirkjaa modern symbol of Reykjavik. Its design, inspired by Icelandic basalt columns, was imagined by Guðjón Samúelsson in 1937.
A few steps away, your steps will lead you to the Einar Jónsson Museum, with its superb sculptures by this Icelandic artist. Their originality? They are directly inspired by mythology and folklore, exploring themes such as Hope and Death.
After this unusual visit, you make your way back down to the center of Reykjavik. Between colorful houses and local boutiques, you'll stroll along a number of exotic shopping streets, including Laugavegur, Skólavörðustígur and Austurvöllur.
The morning ends at the House of Culture, where Icelandic historical treasures such as 14th-century manuscripts await you.
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Afternoon: Lake Tjörnin, cathedral and seaside promenade
After a hearty Icelandic meal, treat yourself to a digestive stroll around lake Tjörninlocated right in the heart of Reykjavik (yes, yes!). A haven for over 40 species of bird, it's surrounded by ancient Icelandic houses, adding to its charm.
Good to know: thanks to the geothermal hot water that feeds the lake, it never completely freezes in winter!
On its northern shores, you can see the town hall, built in part... on water. To the east, the National Gallery and Fríkirkjan Church complete the picture.
Finally, we invite you to end your first day in Reykjavík by continuing towards the sea. Treat yourself to a stroll along the coast, with the added bonus of an unobstructed view of the ocean and mountains. Here, you'll discover the Sólfar sculpture, an aluminum drakkar symbolizing the Viking spirit. It's sure to awaken your children's adventurous spirit and imagination!
Day 2: What to do in Reykjavik in 4 days? National Gallery, National Museum, Perlan and Nautholsvik
This second day seems to be all about museums!
Morning: National Gallery of Iceland and Reykjavik harbour
Back to the heart of Reykjavik to visit the National Gallery of Iceland and its collection of over 11,000 works. While some canvases by international artists such as Picasso and Munch are on show, the emphasis is on Icelandic painting and sculpture. A fascinating experience!
It's time to head for the harbour, once the heart of the fishing industry, for a drink on the terrace in a lively, activity-filled setting. The most popular are the whale-watching excursions by boat. If whale-watching doesn't appeal to you, why not take a look at the Hafnarhús, a former port structure. Admittedly, the building itself isn't much to look at, but it has now become a center for contemporary art, exhibiting Erró's postmodernist works. Lovers beware!
Not far away is another museum that is sure to appeal to a wider audience: the Maritime Museum. It traces 150 years of Icelandic fishing history through interactive exhibits and ships moored at the quay.
To book: Embark on a whale-watching cruise in Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavík by booking here. A unique opportunity to see the local wildlife, including whales, dolphins, porpoises...
Afternoon: National Museum, Perlan and Nautholsvik
We start the afternoon with another Reykjavik must-see: the National Museum of Icelandlocated south of the city center. Here, you'll discover 1,200 years of the country's history through archaeological and artistic collections. Simply magnificent! From the era of colonization to the conversion of the locals to Christianity, nothing is left to chance. The tour continues with the golden age of Icelandic literature and the Norwegian influence between 1000 and 1200, featuring religious wood carvings. Many other subjects are covered in this exceptional museum, with its displays of costumes, everyday objects and peasant houses.
With your mind enriched by Icelandic culture, you then take the road up the Öskjuhlíð hill to Perlan. For once, Reykjavik plays the card of a futuristic building, originally designed to store geothermal water. Now transformed into an interactive exhibition center, it features discoveries on volcanism, the northern lights and glaciers. The whole family will love it, and leave with stars in their eyes! The icing on the cake: a panoramic terrace offering a spectacular view of Reykjavik.
Discover Reykjavík by booking this bus tour, which includes a ticket to the Perlan Museum, located at one of the stops along the way.
Finally, forget the museums for a moment and head for the geothermal beach of Nauthólsvík. You'll be immersed in a unique experience: alternating hot baths at 30-35°C and immersion in the North Atlantic at 15-19°C!
Good to know you'll find on-site changing rooms, saunas and even beach volleyball courts.
Day 3: What to do in Reykjavik in 4 days? Blue Lagoon and Reykjanes Peninsula
It's time to get out of Reykjavik and discover the surrounding beauty. Remember to pre-book right here your round-trip bus transfer to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik to enjoy this hassle-free day.
To book: go here to book your Blue Lagoon entry package!
Morning: Blue Lagoon
Visit Blue Lagoonlocated near Grindavik, is one of Iceland's most emblematic sites. Not to be missed! Nestled in a breathtaking volcanic landscape, this 5,000 m² artificial lagoon is fed by geothermal water from the Svartengi power station. The water temperature is between 37°C and 40°C!
Good to know: its milky-blue color is due to the minerals it contains, notably silicon and sulfur, renowned for their benefits to skin and joints.
Take the time to float in the geothermal mist, smear your face with the purifying white mud or simply enjoy the lunar scenery formed by the surrounding lava fields..
Petit Futé Tip: visit Iceland in winter for an even more magical experience, with the snow adding a magical touch to the landscape.
Afternoon: Reykjanes Peninsula
After your visit to the Blue Lagoon, explore the Reykjanes Peninsula. Here you are in the heart of a wild region, marked by volcanic activity and the raging ocean. Wild, unspoilt, magical: we love it!
Among the must-sees, we recommend the Bridge between the Continents. Here , you can literally walk between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates! The footbridge across the fault illustrates the plate drift that shapes Iceland.
You then set course for Seltúnanother fascinating geothermal spectacle, with its solfataras, fumaroles and boiling mud pools. An original feature: sulfur deposits color the ground in shades of ochre and red. It's a surreal landscape, ideal for some of your best vacation snaps!
The afternoon continues on to Reykjanestá, at the tip of the peninsula. Here, the landscape continues to take your breath away, with its sheer cliffs. The Atlantic Ocean slams into the coastline, carving out astonishing rock formations in the process.
Finally, on the way back, treat yourself to a stop at Strandarkirkja. This isolated little church is surrounded by the kind of local legends we love!
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Day 4: What to do in Reykjavik in 4 days? The Golden Circle
Your 4-day tour of Reykjavik is drawing to a close, but you haven't seen everything yet. A must-see is waiting for you: the Golden Circle!
We recommend you book this day trip to Iceland's iconic Golden Circle. Admire the breathtaking natural scenery and discover the spectacular Geysir region, Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir National Park.
Morning: Thingvellir National Park
It all begins 50 km east of Reykjavik, in the thingvellir National Parka UNESCO World Heritage Site of outstanding beauty. Famous for its geological and historical importance, it's also the site of Iceland's ancient parliament, the Alþing, founded in 930.
Do you enjoy hiking? We recommend the one that starts at parking lot P1. Following the path, you'll come to a panoramic platform offering breathtaking views over the valley. Your steps then lead you to the Almannagjá fault, a spectacular witness to continental drift, before reaching the Lögberg, literally "Rock of the Law".
Good to know: for the record, this is where laws were proclaimed in the days of the Viking parliament.
Afternoon: Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall
The Golden Circle is made up of three major sites, so let's get on with it! Here we are at Geysiran exceptional site known for its hot springs and impressive geysers. Iceland as we imagine it, 100%!
Although the Great Geysir is now inactive, Strokkur promises a grandiose spectacle, projecting a jet of water up to 30 metres high every 5 to 8 minutes. Just before it explodes, a blue bubble forms on the surface. A must-see! You can also explore the site's other sights on a footpath, such as the Blesi pools and the bubbling waters of Fata and Konungshver.
Finally, this spectacular fourth day in the heart of wild Iceland ends at Gullfoss, the "golden waterfall". Fed by the river Hvítá, it plunges down in two successive levels, plunging 32 metres into a basalt gorge. The spectacle is even more majestic on a sunny day, when the mist raised by the falls forms a rainbow. A 100% Instagrammable landscape, not to be missed before leaving Reykjavik and surrounding area!
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Where to stay in Reykjavik for 3 days? Our selection of the best hotels
There are some very nice hotels in the city center if you prefer city tours. However, there are also great alternatives in the Golden Circle for a wilder experience, as close as possible to the Northern Lights. Are you tempted? Click here for the full list of establishments.
- The best location
Located on the main artery, Fosshotel Reykjavik is also the city's largest hotel. Some cities have superb views over the bay! Book your room your room in this top-of-the-range hotel.
- The most cocooning
At Thingholt by Center Hotels, everything is in place to ensure you have a pleasant stay: a spa, attentive staff, comfortable rooms and cosy decor. Click here to book your room with breakfast included (and delicious!).
- Nature in the spotlight
Enjoy the peace and quiet of the Northern Light Inn, ideally placed to admire the Northern Lights! Its proximity to the Blue Lagoon is another plus for nature lovers. A magnificent, welcoming hotel book here.
Read the article: Top European destinations for a weekend with friends in 2025
Spending 4 days in and around Reykjavik is ideal when you're planning to visit Iceland in 15 days. You can even spend more time there, as Iceland is an ideal destination for van travel, but you have to take your time. This is a road trip you're sure to remember for a long time! In spite of the cold, we invite you to take this trip in winter to enjoy the snow, the glittering landscapes and the Northern Lights. So, are you ready to discover one of the best destinations of the year?
Discover also the most popular activities to do during a 3 or 4-day stay in Reykjavik and its surroundings:
Are you tempted? Take a look at our airfares and book now !
