Holiday in Reykjavik
City in Iceland — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇮🇸
Country
Iceland
Type
City
Best time to travel
June–August (midnight sun, hiking), September–March (Northern Lights)
Budget/day
150–250 €
Getting there from Germany
Direct flights from Frankfurt, Berlin, and Munich to Keflavík (KEF) in 3.5 hours. Affordable stopover offers with Icelandair.
Deals for Reykjavik:
What makes Reykjavik special as a destination?
Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in the world, is a charming small city with big city ambitions: Colorful corrugated iron houses, a vibrant music and art scene, innovative restaurants, and the majestic Hallgrimskirkja church, whose basalt column façade is inspired by Iceland's volcanic landscape, shape the skyline of this unique metropolis at the edge of the Arctic. The city is the perfect base camp for Iceland's natural wonders: The Golden Circle with the Strokkur geyser, the Gullfoss waterfall, and the Thingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift apart, is just a few hours' drive away. The Blue Lagoon with its milky turquoise thermal water amidst black lava fields is Iceland's most famous spa experience. Reykjavik's culinary scene has developed into one of the most innovative in Northern Europe: From fermented shark (Hákarl) as a brave test of courage to New Nordic cuisine in restaurants like Dill, Iceland's first Michelin-starred restaurant. The Laugavegur shopping street offers Icelandic design, bookstores, and cafes. From September to March, the Northern Lights dance over the city, while in summer, the midnight sun provides endless days. Iceland's capital is small but full of surprises.
What are the top highlights in Reykjavik?
The top highlights in Reykjavik include Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights, Hallgrímskirkja, Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Golden Circle
Iceland's most famous route: Þingvellir (tectonic plates), Geysir (the original geyser), and Gullfoss (the golden waterfall) – doable in one day.
Blue Lagoon
The milky blue geothermal spa in the midst of a lava field – 37–40 °C warm water with silica masks and a swim-up bar.
Northern Lights
From September to March, the Aurora Borealis dances across the Icelandic sky – best seen on clear nights outside the city.
Hallgrímskirkja
The distinctive church, whose façade is inspired by Iceland's basalt columns – the best view of the colorful city is from the tower.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
'Iceland in miniature' – the Kirkjufell mountain, lava caves, black beaches, and the mystical Snæfellsjökull glacier in a day trip.
Hotels in Reykjavik
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Reise-SIM für Reykjavik
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
The best time to visit Reykjavik is June–August (midnight sun, hiking), September–March (Northern Lights). Cool, 10–15 °C, midnight sun (sun does not set), occasional rain and wind In winter: Cold and dark, -3 to 3 °C, only 4–5 hours of daylight, but Northern Lights and magical atmosphere
Recommended travel time
June–August (midnight sun, hiking), September–March (Northern Lights)
Summer
Cool, 10–15 °C, midnight sun (sun does not set), occasional rain and wind
Winter
Cold and dark, -3 to 3 °C, only 4–5 hours of daylight, but Northern Lights and magical atmosphere
How much does a holiday in Reykjavik cost?
Budget travellers: 80–120 €/day, mid-range: 150–250 €/day, luxury: 350–700 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
80–120 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
150–250 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
350–700 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Reykjavik?
Direct flights from Frankfurt, Berlin, and Munich to Keflavík (KEF) in 3.5 hours. Affordable stopover offers with Icelandair.
Book a package holiday to Reykjavik
Compare thousands of package holidays to Reykjavik and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Reykjavik?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Iceland is expensive – Bonus and Krónan are the cheapest supermarkets. Cooking for yourself saves a lot.
Be sure to book the Blue Lagoon in advance – walk-ins are not possible and tickets are often sold out weeks ahead.
A rental car is almost essential – most highlights are outside of Reykjavik. 4x4 for the highland tracks in summer.
Tap water in Iceland comes directly from glacier sources – buying bottled water is a waste of money.
What should you eat in Reykjavik?
Typical specialities in Reykjavik: Hot Dog (Pylsa) — Iceland's most famous snack: lamb hot dog with fried onions, raw onions, ketchup, sweet mustard, and remoulade – at Bæjarins Beztu., Plokkfiskur — Traditional Icelandic fish casserole: cod or haddock with potatoes and béchamel sauce – hearty and warming., Skyr — Iceland's thick dairy product (not yogurt!) with berries – high in protein and available everywhere., Lamb Soup (Kjötsúpa) — Icelandic lamb soup with root vegetables and herbs – the national dish for cold days., Hákarl — Fermented shark – an Icelandic 'delicacy' that smells of ammonia. Try it for the brave, washed down with a shot of Brennivín..
These specialties you must try!
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