Although Iceland’s untamed natural wonders are clearly the star of the show, I really enjoyed visiting Reykjavík. Everyone was so friendly. There’s a slow and deliberate pace to the city, which gives it a relaxed and chilled (literally) vibe. And, to top it off, the vegetarian food scene is amazing!
Reykjavík is a good base from where to explore the surrounding Icelandic landscape, such as the Golden Circle. It’s also a popular layover location. This means that visitors often skip through the city, but there are lots of things to do in Reykjavík.
Whether you’re on your way further afield, heading out to explore Iceland’s scenery or looking to soak up Reykjavík’s highlights, this guide will enable you to create the perfect Reykjavík itinerary.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links and, at no extra cost to you, I receive a small commission if you make a purchase via these links. For more information, visit my disclosure page.
Hallgrimskirkja is one of the most recognisable sights in Reykjavík. The church’s sloping, triangular shape is supposed to be reminiscent of Icelandic landscape. Made of dark concrete, the formidable structure did remind me of a volcano!
Hallgrimskirkja is centrally located in Reykjavík, and the observation desk from the tower gives a great view of the city. It’s possible to gaze straight down the main road, which is lined with the colourful houses that are typical of Nordic countries, all the way to the seafront.
Opening hours: The church is open 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and the tower is open 11 a.m.–2.45 p.m. Monday–Saturday. Timings differ on Sundays; see here for up-to-date opening hours.
Cost: The church is free to enter. It’s 1000 ISK (about £5.50) for adults to climb the tower.
Dress code: Dress respectfully as it’s a place of worship. This is unlikely to be a problem in the winter months!
Created in 1990 by Jón Gunnar Árnason, the Sun Voyager is a large stainless-steel structure. Sitting on the Reykjavík’s coastline, it is one of Iceland’s most famous pieces of modern art.
I thought it looked like a Viking ship, or the skeleton of a sea creature. However, the Sun Voyager is apparently less literal than this. Facing out into the bay, the sculpture has been called a “dreamboat” and symbolises the pursuit of hope and progress. As Árnason was dying when he designed it, the Sun Voyager may even represent the journey to the afterlife.
Though the day was was grey and cloudy, the morning light reflected beautifully off the steel sculpture. It must be even more breathtaking and magical in the light of sunrise or sunset.
Of all the museums I visited whilst in Reykjavík, the National Museum of Iceland was easily my favourite. It presents the island’s history from the time of the first settlers all the way up to the present day.
It’s strange that I live in one of Iceland’s nearest neighbouring countries, and yet I knew so little about its history and culture. For example, did you know that Allied forces “peacefully” occupied Iceland during WWII to prevent it being used strategically by the Nazis?
I think that, being from England, it’s especially important that I educate myself about the countries I visit from their perspective (hi there, colonialism). I genuinely really enjoyed lessening my ignorance about Icelandic history. And they have a dress-up section, so what’s not to love?
Opening hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily
Cost: an adult ticket is 2000 ISK (about £11)
Restrictions: They have free lockers where you can leave large bags and coats.
The Pearl is an observation deck and museum centre in the south of Reykjavík. The massive glass dome sits high on a hill, and it’s easy to see how it got its name. When we visited in winter, the Pearl also resembled a frosted igloo!
The Pearl’s external balcony is a massive platform that runs around the circumference of the dome. From its position on Öskjuhlíð Hill, we had panoramic views all the way to Esja Mountain, Keilir Volcano and even Snæfellsnes Glacier. It’s the perfect viewpoint to see how truly nestled in wilderness the city of Reykjavík is.
Opening hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily
Cost: The observation deck is 990 ISK (about £5.50) for adults and free for children. Entrance to the museum’s exhibitions is more expensive. See here for up-to-date information about prices.
Reykjavík’s Settlement Exhibition is based around the excavation of one of Iceland’s first ever houses. Amazingly, they can date it to the year 872±2, making it 1150 years old! The exhibition has displays that describe the settlement process and give a brief history of Iceland over the last millennia.
Opening hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily
Cost: 1740 ISK (about £10) for adults and free for children
Once a farm, Árbær is now an open-air museum. The buildings form a small village that aim to show how the citizens of Reykjavík used to live.
Unlike a lot of museums, you can really get up close and personal with all the houses and artefacts at Árbær. We were able to properly explore the village and all the historic items in the buildings. As someone who’s worked on a lot of period dramas and interactive exhibitions, this is my kind of museum!
Opening hours: Due the museum being partially outside, opening times are seasonal. See here for up-to-date opening hours.
Cost: 1740 ISK (about £10) for adults and free for children
Dress code: Wear warm clothes in the winter!
Perched on the very edge of the ocean, Harpa Concert Hall is a recent addition to Reykjavík’s coastline. The modern building’s striking façade is made of hundreds of panes of coloured glass.
Harpa looks pretty with the sun shining off the glass panes, but it looks extra spectacular when it’s lit up at night. This effect is made even more special by the building’s colourful reflection in the sea.
We didn’t go inside, but there are concerts and gigs most weeks. See the official Harpa website for up-to-date info on shows.
Did you even go to Iceland if you didn’t post an Instagram at the Blue Lagoon? The milky, thermal water is definitely one of Iceland’s most iconic and popular photo opportunities. The lagoon is nearer to Iceland’s only international airport than to Reykjavík, so this makes it perfect to combine with a flight. What better way to end a busy trip in a sub-zero country than by soaking in a lava field before heading home? Ice and fire, eat your heart out.
Yet when I went to book tickets two weeks before my visit, they were all sold out. It turns out the Blue Lagoon is so sought after that sometimes you have to book a month in advance. Tl;dr: book well in advance!
Opening hours: Opening times vary depending on the season. See here for up-to-date opening hours. Book in advance!
Cost: There are different packages, but a day ticket in the cheapest package ranges between 5990 and 6990 ISK (about £33 to £38). I cannot stress this enough: book in advance! See here for up-to-date prices.
Dress code: a swimming costume!
Restrictions: Cameras and phones are allowed at the Blue Lagoon, and they also seem to have really thought out wheelchair accessibility. Be aware that the Blue Lagoon is about a 45-minute drive from central Reykjavík.
Glo is one of those restaurants where everything is healthy, but you still feel like you’re treating yourself. They use a meat substitute called “oumph” and do both meat and vegan meals. I had a vegan meal, which was honestly incredible and really reasonably priced for Iceland.
Sometimes you need to treat yourself to pizza after a cold day’s exploring! Eldsmidjan also does takeaway and has a few locations across Reykjavík, so there’ll almost definitely be one nearby. Their pizza tastes just as good the next day, which makes it ideal for taking for lunch on a day trip out to see Iceland’s incredible nature.
Svarta Kaffid resembles a wooden cabin from the outside, with a matching cosy interior. The restaurant’s speciality is soup in a bowl made out of hollowed out bread. Genius, right?
This was definitely the trendiest café we visited! The food was amazing, although it looks like they’ve recently changed the menu a bit. Be prepared for good food and bougie prices to reflect this!
This tiny, peaceful café feels like it’s in the front room of someone’s house. The simple menu changes daily, and you can choose between a large or small portion of two dishes (one of which is always soup). There is always a vegan, vegetarian and gluten free option available.
I recommend booking accommodation near to Snorrabraut, a main road that runs through the north of Reykjavík’s peninsula. This will ensure that you close to both the city centre and the public transport links around the city.
We stayed just off Laugavegar, one of Reykjavík’s main highstreets, and it was the perfect location. There were plenty of eateries nearby, and Hallgrimskirkja and the Sun Voyager were within easy walking distance.
Much as I loved exploring Reykjavík, I concede that Iceland’s highlights lie outside the capital. Most people use Reykjavík as a stepping stone to see Iceland’s incredible nature.
If this is the case, never fear! Everything in this guide is doable as a two-day itinerary. If you only have one day, I recommend prioritising the Blue Lagoon (book in advance!) and the sites within walking distance of central Reykjavík.
Reykjavík as a city is well prepared for visitors year-round.
However, if you’re looking to head out of Reykjavík and explore the rest of Iceland (which I highly recommend!), the summer months of May to September are generally the easiest time for this. During those months, the days are long, and the weather is more pleasant.
To see the Northern Lights and the country layered in snow and ice, the winter months of October to April are the best time to visit. Be prepared to rent a 4WD to drive around Iceland during these months.
I visited in late October, and we had a good balance of sunlight and sprinklings of snow. We were also lucky enough to see the Northern Lights!
It will come as no surprise that easiest and most popular way to get to Reykjavík is by plane! As the capital of Iceland, most international flights arrive in Reykjavík. Though flight prices can climb steeply, flights into Reykjavík are often incredibly cheap.
Reykjavík is an easily walkable city (if it’s not too icy), but it can get quite hilly. The bus system is also very tourist friendly. Tickets can be bought at most supermarkets or via an app for 480 ISK (about £2.70) per journey.
It’s unlikely that you’d need to hire a car to explore Reykjavík. The cheapest way to get to central Reykjavík from Keflavik Airport without hiring a car is to take the special FlyBus airport transfer service.
Reykjavík might not be your reason for visiting Iceland, but I really recommend spending at least one, if not two, days exploring the city. Its rustic yet modern charm gives Reykjavík a chilled atmosphere, making it perfect for relaxing before or after a tour of Iceland’s amazing scenery.
Have you ever been to Reykjavík? Or has this guide made excited to visit Iceland? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links and, at no extra cost to you, I receive a small commission if you make a purchase via these links. For more information, visit my disclosure page.
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