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Iceland city breaks 2025

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ABOUT OUR CITY BREAK TOURS

Maximize your time with our Iceland city breaks, a perfect mix between nature and city!

Discover Iceland with direct flights from the US and a choice of top hotels in Reykjavik. Whether you call it an Iceland city break, short escape, weekend getaway, or mini vacation, our trips let you experience both city life and nature—all in just a few days.
Stay in Reykjavík and explore at your own pace, or join a guided tour to Iceland’s must-see sights like the Golden Circle, South Coast, or Northern Lights in winter. No matter how you choose to explore, you’ll be surrounded by Iceland’s natural wonders—from geysers and waterfalls to black sand beaches and volcanic landscapes.

We offer three ways to book your trip:

  • Ready-made packages for a seamless experience.
  • Customizable online options where you pick your own hotels, tours, and add-ons.
  • Tailor-made experiences—contact us, and we’ll design a trip beyond what’s available online.

What Is A City Break?

Gullfoss waterfall in Iceland.

A city break is a short trip that lets you experience a destination’s culture, history, and everyday life in just a few days.

In Reykjavik, you get a mix of city life and nature, with top sights just a short trip away. Walk along the harbor, visit Hallgrímskirkja church, and explore Reykjavik’s neighborhoods with local shops, cafés, and galleries. In the evening, enjoy Icelandic seafood, relax in a geothermal spa, or take a Northern Lights tour in winter.

We are one of the few travel companies that let you customize your Iceland city break. Choose your hotel, add activities, and build a trip that fits you. Most packages include flights, transfers, and guided day tours, but you can also explore on your own or rent a car for more flexibility. Popular add-ons include glacier hikes, whale watching, horseback riding, and more.

Whether you're adding it to a longer European trip or visiting on its own, Reykjavik is the place to visit year-round, perfect for a weekend break or short break with friends and family. 

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“Start your morning with a walk up Hallgrímskirkja for the best city views before the crowds arrive (9 AM in summer, 10 AM in winter). Then, grab a warm cinnamon bun from Brauð & Co. before heading out on your first adventure.”

Sara Kristinsson, Social Media Assistant at Vulkan Travel

What To Do On City Breaks In Reykjavik

You will have enough time to discover Iceland´s unique landscapes and sights during the day, relax in a geothermal pool in the afternoon, and feast at one of Reykjavik´s famous restaurants in the evening. 
Here are some top experiences to make the most of your trip:

Aerial view of Hallgrímskirkja church and Reykjavik city

Walk around Reykjavik

Colorful streets, cozy cafés, and local culture  
Explore Reykjavik on foot and take in the city's culture and history. Walk along the harbor, visit Hallgrímskirkja, and stop by the Settlement Exhibition. Grab a coffee at a local bakery, browse Icelandic design shops, or check out the city's street art and galleries.

Geysir eruption in Iceland

Visit the Golden Circle

Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall, and shifting landscapes
Just an hour from Reykjavik, the Golden Circle route includes some of Iceland’s best sights. Watch Strokkur erupt, feel the power of Gullfoss, and walk between tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park.

Blue Lagoon spa

Soak in a geothermal spa

Hot pools and Iceland’s bathing culture
After a day of exploring, soak in warm, mineral-rich waters. The Blue Lagoon is world-famous, while Sky Lagoon offers ocean views and Iceland’s traditional seven-step bathing ritual. For a more local vibe, visit one of Reykjavik’s public pools.

Volcanic eruption in Reykjanes

Explore Reykjanes Peninsula

Iceland’s newest volcanic landscapes
See Iceland in the making—where lava fields, steaming hot springs, and recent eruption sites reveal the island’s ever-changing nature.

Reynisfjara black sand beach on Iceland’s south coast

Discover the South Coast

Black sand beaches, glaciers, and waterfalls
Join a guided tour or drive along the scenic South Coast to see natural wonders like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, walk on the black sands of Reynisfjara Beach, and take in the views of towering glaciers.

ATV tour near Reykjavik

Get active outdoors

Glacier hikes, snorkeling, and horseback riding
Go beyond sightseeing—hike a glacier, snorkel in Silfra’s clear waters, or ride an Icelandic horse through lava fields. For more speed, try an ATV ride or snowmobiling. In winter, explore natural ice caves, only open for a few months.

Whale watching in Iceland

Go whale watching & chase the northern lights

Wildlife and winter skies
Take a boat tour from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor to spot whales, puffins, and seabirds. Visiting in winter? Join a guided tour for a better chance to see the northern lights.

Reykjavik at night

Experience Reykjavik after dark

Casual bars, live music, and good food
Reykjavik has a lively but laid-back nightlife. Grab a craft beer, check out live music, or enjoy a late seafood dinner. On weekends, Reykjavik’s bars and clubs keep the city buzzing late into the night.

South Iceland Map – Top Day Trips

Discover the most popular sights and experiences just outside the capital city. Explore on a self-drive adventure or join a guided day tour to see waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers, and more.

 

Create Your Iceland Short Break

Plan your trip, your way. Unlike standard packages, our customizable city break lets you handpick every part of your Iceland experience—from hotels and add-ons to trip length and flights.

How it works:

  • Choose your hotel – Select from centrally located options in Reykjavik.
  • Add extra experiences – South Coast, glacier hiking, whale watching, food tours, and more.
  • Decide your trip length – Stay for a long weekend or extend your adventure.
  • Include flights (optional) – Depart from major US cities.
  • Get expert advice – Need recommendations? Our travel specialists are here to help.

Customize your itinerary online or talk to us for a tailor-made experience that fits your schedule and budget.
 

Reykjavik City Break

6 Benefits Of A Short Iceland Getaway

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Rejuvenating
A short getaway will give you a rest from work and daily life and make you feel rejuvenated.

Ikon timesaving

Save time
Ideal for those looking to get the most out of Iceland in a few days. 

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Get the best of both worlds
You do not have to choose between enjoying the city or exploring the outdoors.

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Customizable
Make the trip your own! You can choose the hotels to your liking and add activities to suit your needs.

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Short & easy
Due to the short duration city-breaks can easily fit into your life and vacation days. 

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Memory-filled
The time limit pushes you to focus on only doing the things that you want to, which can make a greater quality holiday overall.

See all City break packages
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Reykjavik is small, easy to explore, and has great food, culture, and nature. You can walk everywhere, relax in a geothermal spa, and take day trips to some of Iceland’s most famous sights—all in just a few days.
 

Yes! Four days gives you time to explore Reykjavik, visit the Golden Circle, and unwind at Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. If you have an extra day, consider a South Coast tour or a northern lights trip in winter.

Iceland isn’t cheap, but with some planning, you can make it work. Expect to spend $200–250 per day per person, excluding flights and accommodations.

  • Meals: $50–100/day (a main course at a mid-range restaurant costs $25–40).
  • Activities & tours: $50–150/day (extras like whale watching, a South Coast tour, or glacier hiking).
  • Local transport: $20–50/day (Reykjavik is walkable, and most tours include hotel pickup, but taxis and buses are available).
  • Ways to save: Eat at food halls like Hlemmur or Grandi, choose free activities like hiking, and check what’s already included in your package.
     

The best time to visit depends on what you want to see and do in Iceland. Each season has its own highlights, whether it’s chasing the northern lights, experiencing the midnight sun, or enjoying Iceland’s landscapes without the crowds.

For more details, read our guide: Best time to visit Iceland

The best time is September to April, with the highest chances in February and March. The darker the night and the farther from city lights, the better. A guided tour helps, and staying 3–4 nights in winter increases your chances.

Try fresh seafood, Icelandic lamb, and kjötsúpa (meat soup). Other favorites include skyr, geothermal-baked rye bread, and kleinur (Icelandic donuts). For a casual meal, check out a food hall like Grandi Mathöll.

For a full trip, 7–10 days is ideal, but for a city break, 3–5 days is enough to see Reykjavik and take a couple of day trips.

No, you don’t. Reykjavik is easy to explore on foot, and most tours offer hotel pickup. But if you want more flexibility, renting a car is an option.

Both are great! Blue Lagoon is bigger and more well-known, while Sky Lagoon has ocean views and Iceland’s traditional seven-step bathing ritual.

It’s possible, but 3–4 nights gives you more time to explore the city and take a day trip to the Golden Circle or South Coast.

WE HELP YOU WITH YOUR CITY BREAK
 

Staff

Diana Pajkic

Sales Manager [email protected] +1 833 521 4324
Staff

Jenny Hartwich

Sales Agent [email protected] +1 833 521 4324
Staff

Susanne Westling

Online Administrator [email protected] +1 833 521 4324