Reykjavík itself is pricey, but the landscape around it is the cheapest thrill in travel. This is the practical version of a Reykjavík guide: where to actually stay (with live prices compared across 100+ booking sites), what's worth your time, where to go after dark, and a budget you can book today.
For UK travellers, aim for September–March for the Northern Lights, or June for the midnight sun. Prices ease outside midsummer. Mid-week departures (Tuesday to Thursday) almost always beat weekends on price, and setting a budget first, rather than a fixed destination, is the single biggest money-saver. You can do exactly that with our Reykjavík trip builder.
The same room is often £30–£50 cheaper on one booking site than another, so always compare before you book. We check 100+ booking sites through Hotellook and show the cheapest stays in Reykjavík, with photos and star ratings, so you can see the floor price in one glance, then book direct.
Compare live Reykjavík hotels →
Where to eat: Dill (Michelin), Bæjarins Beztu hot dogs, Sægreifinn lobster soup.
Shopping: Laugavegur, Kolaportið flea market, Hand-knit wool shops.
After dark, locals head to Kaffibarinn, Húrra, Paloma. Want more? The what's-around page maps restaurants, shopping, nightlife and casinos near your stay.
Most travellers fly, our sample trip uses Gatwick → Reykjavík return.
Here's a worked example you can book today, flights and hotel are the fixed base, and activities are optional so you can dial the price to your budget: