Iceland’s capital is vibrant, hip and just three hours’ flying time from the UK so no wonder Reykjavik is on many people’s bucket list. The world’s northernmost capital sits on the edge of Faxafloi Bay with views towards Mt Esja. With its brightly-painted buildings, relaxed atmosphere and friendly locals, it’s an ideal city break. Here, we suggest just some of the many great things to do and see in this lovely city…
Perlan – Wonders of Iceland
Sparkling in the sun like a beacon above the city, dome-shaped Perlan is an exciting exhibition centre sitting atop the capital’s reserve hot water tanks. This iconic structure is among Reykjavik’s most striking buildings and houses several superb exhibitions, all included within the ticket price. We particularly enjoyed walking through a 330-foot ice cave made of real snow – a world first, apparently – before discovering all about glaciers at the exhibition dedicated to the subject. It’s difficult picking a favourite exhibition because they’re all top-class in their own right, including the Volcano Show which spotlights the true power of nature. But if we had to pick one, it would be the Aurora Northern Lights Show, which provides a captivating insight into the mysterious Lights which have fascinated people for eternity.
As well as the exhibitions, take in the city views and beyond from the spectacular 360º viewing platform – we spent ages outside – while on the top floor you’ll find a restaurant and café (see Where to Eat, below).
Take a dip in the Sky Lagoon
No trip to Iceland is complete without experiencing one of the country’s geothermal spas. For years, the Blue Lagoon was certainly the place to visit and remains equally impressive today, but an awesome experience can also be enjoyed at the Sky Lagoon, just a 15-minute drive outside the capital.
Renowned for its stunning ocean views, it’s located in the suburb of Kópavogur, which can also be reached by bus. It offers a large infinity-edge pool filled with geothermal waters, swim-up bar, café, restaurant and gift shop.
There are three packages to choose from. If you can, opt for Sér, the ultimate package, which includes private changing rooms and the Ritual, described as “a Seven-Step journey to bliss” comprising such experiences as the Cold Plunge, Cold Mist, Steam and Elixir.
The setting is mesmerising and the Sky Lagoon – with a design inspired by Icelandic nature and culture – offers a luxurious spa experience.
Head up the hill to Hallgrimskirkja
With its stepped concrete façade, this is Iceland’s tallest church and among the country’s most visited landmarks. If you’re ever lost strolling the capital’s streets, which is highly unlikely, just look for this parish church.
When it was decided to build a church in the 1920s, a design competition was launched. It was stipulated that the church must accommodate 1,200 people and boast a tower tall enough to be used for communication purposes; even today, radio and telephone companies utilise it for broadcasting.
The State Architect, Guðjón Samúelsson, among Iceland’s most respected architects, began working on the church’s design in 1937, modelling it on Icelandic mountains, glaciers and columnar rocks. It turned out to be his last piece of work.
Buy a ticket and take the elevator up the 220-foot tower for a bird’s-eye view of Reykjavik and beyond.
Explore the city’s colourful streets
Take time to simply stroll along Reykjavik’s streets, many adorned with murals and street art. Skólavörðustígur, often referred to as Rainbow Street, is particularly vibrant and its décor has been a permanent fixture since 2019. Edged by myriad shops, cafés and galleries, it’s a popular street.
Elsewhere, Laugavegur – one of the main shopping streets – is where you’ll find many historic buildings sporting striking street art; actually, Reykjavik has a prominent street art scene and you’ll spot many fine examples across the city.
Pop along to Harpa
The country’s biggest concert and exhibition hall opened in 2011 and is unmistakable on the sea front, thanks to its unusual, cube-like design. Overlooking the city harbour on one side, Mount Esja the other, it’ll certainly have you reaching for your camera! The honeycomb façade is the work of Olafur Eliasson, a Danish artist of Icelandic descent.
Even if you don’t grab a ticket for one of the many shows hosted at the venue, just strolling around inside, where you’ll find restaurants and shops, is an experience in itself.
Incidentally, the word Harpa has several meanings: as well as being an old Icelandic word refering to a period in early spring, it’s also a month in the old Nordic calendar and the name, in Icelandic, given to the stringed instrument.
Take in a fascinating art exhibition
Considering Reykjavik is a relatively small city, it has a surprising number of museums and art exhibitions, such as the Living Art Museum. But a must-see for any visitor, not just those interested in art, is Chromo Sapiens, an intriguing piece of work by renowned Icelandic artist, Hrafnhildur Arnardottir, which took over a year to assemble.
This large-scale multi-sensory installation is permanently displayed at Höfuðstöðin, an art and culture centre on the city’s outskirts. The building has had many uses in the past, including army barracks and storage for potatoes before lying empty for 20 years. Now it’s being put to good use again.
A visit here is highly recommended. The display is made from multi-coloured synthetic hair extensions and – according to the art centre’s literature – offers “colour, sound and irresistible textures” to guide visitors through “three distinct chambers, provoking an immersive experience of visual and auditory stimuli”.
Wander along the sea front
Reykjavik is so compact that it’s easily explored on foot. There’s no better walk than along the sweeping sea front where paths run for miles. Among the most-photographed spots along the front is the striking Sun Voyager steel sculpture. While it resembles a Viking ship, it’s actually a dream boat and ode to the sun.
The scene at sunset with the epic view of Mount Esja – a 3,000-foot volcanic mountain range across the water – behind makes for the perfect photo. Before heading away from the front, walk back to the Old Harbour, now lined by shops, cafés, museums and galleries.
Visit Videy Island
Lying just off the coast, Videy is a short ferry journey away and certainly worth exploring. It’s promoted as “an island, where art, history and nature lie just beyond the city shore” It’s a tranquil haven offering fine views, historical ruins and contemporary art pieces, including Yoko Ono’s famous “Imagine Peace Tower”, a memorial to John Lennon from his widow. Installed in 2007, it comprises a tall tower of light projected from a white stone monument. The island offers a network of trails, which can be explored on foot and bike. Wherever you wander, you’ll be blessed with fine views, including the impressive outline of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the west. In summer, there are daily ferry departures from Skarfabakki Pier and Ægisgarður Harbour. In winter, the service runs on Saturdays and Sundays from Skarfabakki. Trips to Viðey are free with the Reykjavík City Card (see below).
More things to do if you have time
Rent a car
Although there is plenty to keep you occupied in Reykjavik, we’d recommend hiring a car and enjoying a couple of day trips beyond the city.
We booked a car through Holdur Car Rental, the country’s largest car rental company who also run the Europcar franchise in Iceland. Operating since 1966, they offer a personalised service and we can honestly say that every employee we spoke to couldn’t have been more helpful.
Suggested day trips:
Trip 1
Gullfoss, Geysir & Thingvellir
Known as the Golden Circle, this route is, arguably, the most popular day trip itinerary in Iceland. Yes, it’s likely to be busy but don’t let that put you off because a real taste of what the country offers is experienced on this beautiful trip.
In one day, you can visit three of the country’s most favoured attractions. Thingvellir National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is where the Icelandic government was formed in 930AD, while sulphur-tainted air fills the atmosphere on approaching Geysir and its spouting vents. Although largely inactive now, smaller Strokkur delights admirers by hurling plumes of hot water 100 feet into the air. The other must-see attraction is mighty Gullfoss, the “Golden Waterfall”. Water tumbles over the three-tiered fall into the 230-foot gorge while a curtain of vapour rises high into the sky.
Trip 2
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The peninsula north of Reykjavik offers a stunning array of landscapes, including waterfalls, lava fields, a glacier and beaches. The Snæfellsjokull glacier is an ancient volcano which last erupted 1,800 years ago. Its crater is famous because it was the starting point of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth.
Another famous landmark and one of our favourite spots in Iceland is Mount Kirkjufell, meaning Church Mountain. This 1,520-foot mountain on the peninsula’s north coast, close to the town of Grundarfjordur, is said to be the most photographed mountain in the country and it’s easy to see why.
Fans of the popular TV series, Game of Thrones, will recognise it featured in the series.
Where to eat and drink
Perlan Veitingahus
As well as its exhibitions, Perlan houses a fine restaurant and café on the top floor, where you’ll sit right under the glass dome and enjoy a 360° view over the city and surrounding mountains.
Top chefs Friðgeir Ingi from Eiriksson Brasserie and Guðmundur from Laugaás designed the popular menu used in the restaurant. The focus is on traditional Icelandic and European dishes, using seasonal and high-quality ingredients. We enjoyed delicious pizzas before finishing off with coffee and cake; in fact, everything being dished up plus the wide selection of cakes on offer looked inviting.
Open for lunch and dinner, a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere help towards an enjoyable dining experience; mind you, this place is highly recommended for the views alone!
Cat Café (Kattakaffihusið)
Just off one of the main shopping streets, Iceland’s first cat café opened in 2018 offering simple, wholesome, effective options, including grilled pesto sandwich and avocado on sourdough bread. There are plenty of desserts, too, so try the lemon cake. The cat-loving owner aims to create a warm, cosy atmosphere where customers can relax, enjoy good food and meet the cats – and she certainly achieves that. To date, around 150 have been re-homed.
Radagerdi
This pleasant restaurant inside an historic 18th century house is found close to the Grotta lighthouse and surrounding nature reserve. Despite being just a six-minute drive from the centre of Reykjavik, its location is peaceful – it’s almost like you’ve taken a trip to the countryside.
There is ample parking, the setting is fab and the food, which is influenced by Italian cuisine, was delicious on the evening we visited.
Fridheimar
If, like virtually every other tourist who visits Reykjavik, you decide to enjoy a day trip exploring the Golden Circle, you’ll be looking for somewhere to stop for lunch. Well, you’ll find no better stop-off than Fridheimar, located in the village of Reykholt.
This family-run restaurant and farm specialises in tomatoes which, as you might expect, dominate the menu. The fruit comes from their own on-site greenhouses and, amazingly, two tonnes are harvested daily thanks, in part, to the green energy used to help the tomatoes grow. This makes Fridheimar the country’s biggest producer.
There is plenty of parking for guests who enjoy their meals at tables amongst the plants. We sampled the tomato soup which was delicious – the accompanying bread was tasty, too.
This visitor-friendly tomato farm and restaurant is well worth adding to your itinerary when out and about enjoying the Golden Circle.
Before you travel
We booked our 7-day adventure via Discover the World, experts in arranging trips to Iceland. As we were flying from Heathrow, we booked an overnight stay at the Renaissance Hotel, minutes from Terminal 2, which also included parking for the duration of our trip. This was arranged by HolidayExtras who specialise in all aspects of pre-travel arrangements. We’ve worked with them many times before and have always received nothing but top-notch service.
Location:
More Information
For everything you need to know about Reykjavik, check out the city’ tourist office website:
Tip
Buy a Reykjavik City Card (24, 48 and 72-hour cards available) and enjoy free travel on buses and complimentary entry to many attractions, including museums and swimming pools.
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