4 Days in Mosfellsbær: A Practical Itinerary

A four-day base in Mosfellsbær puts Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the south coast within easy reach, with lower room rates than the city centre.

Day 1: Reykjavík and the Grótta sunset

From Mosfellsbær, Route 1 into Reykjavík takes 15–20 minutes outside the 07:30–09:00 and 16:00–17:30 peaks. Park at Kolaportið or a garage near Harpa, then walk Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, where Hallgrímskirkja's tower costs a few hundred krónur and gives the best first orientation. Lunch on Hverfisgata or at the Grandi harbour, where the Saga Museum and the Whales of Iceland exhibition sit side by side. Book the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon well ahead; walk-up slots are scarce after 16:00.

Finish at the Grótta lighthouse in Seltjarnarnes, a 10-minute drive west of downtown, for the 22:00–24:00 summer sunset. On the way back, stop at the Mosfellsbær Nettó or Bónus on Háholti to self-cater breakfast; restaurant meals in the capital typically run 2,500–4,500 ISK for a main course, while a guesthouse kitchen cuts that sharply over four days. If you would rather not drive after a long flight, book the first night in Mosfellsbær, where parking is free and the roads are quiet.

Day 2: Golden Circle at your own pace

Leave Mosfellsbær by 08:00 via Route 36 through Þingvellir National Park, where the Almannagjá gorge marks the rift between the North American and Eurasian plates. Parking costs a few hundred krónur and the visitor centre at Hakið explains the old Alþingi site; walk to Öxarárfoss, about 20 minutes each way. Continue on Route 36 to Laugarvatn and the Efstidalur farm for ice cream if the weather holds.

The Geysir geothermal field at Haukadalur erupts every 6–10 minutes, and the short climb to Strokkur's viewing rope is free. Gullfoss is 10 minutes further; the lower path is often closed in winter ice, so check the board at the car park. The full loop back via Route 35 and Route 1 to Mosfellsbær is roughly 300 kilometres and 5–6 hours of driving with stops. Book a hotel with a kitchen in Mosfellsbær and you can eat dinner at 21:00 without hunting for a table.

Day 3: South coast to Vík, or a Reykjanes alternative

The south coast run to Vík is 190 kilometres each way, so start by 07:30. Seljalandsfoss, where you walk behind the falling water, charges a few hundred krónur for parking; Skógafoss is free and has a 527-step staircase to the top. The Skógar folk museum and the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue are 20 minutes apart. Midday in July and August brings several coach groups at Skógafoss, so visit it before 10:00 or after 16:00 if you can.

Reynisfjara's black sand and basalt columns near Vík are a short detour; keep well back from the water, as sneaker waves are a genuine hazard here. In poor weather, swap this day for the Reykjanes peninsula: Kleifarvatn, the Seltún geothermal area, and the bridge between continents are all within 60–90 minutes of Mosfellsbær. Winter daylight in December is roughly 10:00–16:00, so cap the drive at Skógar and turn back before dark.

Day 4: Þingvellir again, or the Kjós peninsula

Keep the last day short. The Kjós peninsula on Route 47 offers the Laxá river, the small church at Reynivellir and quiet gravel roads with far fewer cars than the Golden Circle; the drive from Mosfellsbær is under an hour. Alternatively, return to Þingvellir for the Silfra dive or snorkel site, which requires a certified guide and a booking made weeks in advance, or to the Nesjavellir geothermal area for short walks above the steam vents.

Before heading to Keflavík, allow 45–50 minutes from Mosfellsbær and the standard two hours before a short-haul flight. If your departure is before 08:00, stay the final night near the airport rather than driving in the dark. Otherwise, Mosfellsbær works well: it is cheaper than downtown Reykjavík for the same standard, 20 minutes from the city, and right on the road to the Golden Circle and the south coast. For this trip, I would book a self-catering guesthouse in Mosfellsbær for all four nights and drive everywhere.

Questions, answered

Do I need a car for a four-day stay in Mosfellsbær?

Yes. Buses to Reykjavík are infrequent and the Golden Circle and south coast have no practical public transport. A small rental car from Keflavík costs about 8,000–15,000 ISK per day in summer; book an automatic and full insurance, as gravel roads on the Kjós peninsula are rough.

When is the best time to visit Mosfellsbær?

June to August gives the longest daylight, roughly 20 hours in June, and all roads open. May and September are quieter and cheaper with 13–16 hours of light. December offers about five hours of daylight and frequent ice, so plan short drives and winter tyres.

Are there restaurants and shops in Mosfellsbær?

Yes, but the choice is small: a handful of cafés and takeaway places along Háholti and Reykjavegur, plus Nettó and Bónus supermarkets for self-catering. For a wider range, drive 15–20 minutes into Reykjavík or stop in Hveragerði on the south coast route.

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