30+ Best Things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland | Iceland Travel Guide
Reykjavik (or the “Smokey Bay”) may be the largest city in Iceland, but it is really tiny in comparison to other capital cities in the world. Instead, it felt more like a large town minus the suffocating congestion commonly associated with capital cities.
If you only have a week or so to spend in Iceland, consider allocating 1 – 2 days (at most) to explore Reykjavik. Or even just half a day if you are really pressed for time. And to help you along the way, this is my curated list of recommended list of things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland.
But if you don’t have the time to read it all, why not pin this post for later?
Table of Contents
Why Should I Spend Only One Day in Reykjavik, Iceland?
Firstly, let’s deal with an important question: how long should I spend in Reykjavik?
Reykjavik is small and its attractions are relatively few compared to what the entire island has to offer. With a population of less than 123,000, Reykjavik has the most number of people per square foot on the volcanic island which really isn’t all that many!
Option A: Using Reykjavik as a Base
If you want to, there are plenty of people who use Reykjavik as a base to explore the rest of Iceland.
This is the perfect choice if you only have a couple of days, or are using Iceland as a short layover on the way to North America. This gives you the luxury of fitting the things you want to do in Reykjavik with your day trips out of the city, although you might be too exhausted by the end of the day to want to go out exploring.
If this option appeals, there are plenty of tours that offer pickups from Reykjavik to wherever you might want to visit, whether it is the Gullfoss Waterfall, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach or an epic glacier hike at the Sólheimajökull Glacier. With this option, I would advise against booking any vehicles as it is hard to find parking in Reykjavik. It is like any other small European city and rented vehicles should be used only if you intend to spend much of your time going from place to place in Iceland.
Option B: Visiting Reykjavik only
If you have more time to spend, I would strongly recommend staying overnight at Reykjavik before using your rented car to explore the rest of the island. Iceland is vast, the travelling distance is long, and 1 hour in between attractions is considered a short distance!
Personally, I would much rather save time (and fuel money!) and see more sights by staying in accommodations closest the attractions, then choosing the comfort of staying at just one place for the entire trip.
The main things to do in Reykjavik wouldn’t take you more than 1 day to complete. Personally, I arrived in the evening and left the following day.
As there were some things I wish I had time for – bearing in mind that we had slotted Reykjavik at the tail end of our journey so we were too exhausted to do too many things), I would recommend around 1 to 2 days in Reykjavik.
And if you are looking for more tailored Iceland travel advice, check out the following Iceland travel posts, starting with a comprehensive 120+ travel tips to Iceland:
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Glacier Hiking at the Sólheimajökull Glacier
- Iceland’s Diamond Beach (Breiðamerkursandur)
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Skógafoss Waterfall
- The Best 8 Black Sand Beaches in Iceland
- Top 13 Travel Apps You Need When Visiting Iceland
- 33 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Europe (& Travel Hacks)
What is the best time to visit Reykjavik, Iceland?
What is the best time to visit Iceland?
As its name suggests, Iceland is a pretty cold place, even in the summer. It is not so much the temperature but the WIND that is the killer.
I went in July, which was meant to be the height of the summer season (and most popular among tourists). For most of my journey, I wrapped myself in around four layers of thermal wear, boots, gloves and hat.
Whatever you do, don’t go light on your clothes. The weather changes fast, it rains (and foggy) a fair bit, but has some truly stunning moments.
So what is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
Summer
If you are looking for warmer weather and a STUNNING midnight sky (check out the unfiltered sky above!), then summer is your best bet. An added bonus is that Iceland enjoys 24/7 of sunlight and with many of Iceland’s Golden Circle attractions being open 24/7, the neverending sunlight is a HUGE blessing.
As an added bonus, many of Iceland’s unique tours only run in the summer, like the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Zodiac boat ride which you can read about here.
Winter
But if you are hunting for the Northern Lights, September through March are better bets.
TL;DR Summer is the most popular time to visit Iceland (not just Reykjavik) because of the 24/7 sunlight, weather (at Iceland’s best) & temperature. You also get the midnight sky! Many tours run only in the summer too. If you want the Northern Lights, visit in the winter. |
Top Things to Do in Reykjavik, Iceland
Most of the “iconic” must-see attractions in Reykjavik are located near Laugavegur (more on that below).
As such, all you need to do is find the right location, and almost everything else you might want to see and do in Reykjavik will be within walking distance.
Hallgrímskirkja Church
Constructed in 1986, Hallgrímskirkja Church is the most famous Lutheran church in Reykjavik. At 75m, Hallgrímskirkja Church has one of the best views in Reykjavik and can be spotted from almost every angle in the capital city. A pretty useful point of reference when trying to move around Reykjavik.
Hallgrímskirkja Church was designed Guðjón Samúelsson to mimic Iceland’s famous landscapes, including the basalt columns of Svartifoss Waterfall, volcanoes, glaciers and mountains. Its organ is also the largest concert organ in Iceland at 15 m and has 5275 pipes that weigh over 25 tonnes.
You can enter Hallgrímskirkja Church for free (check out the stunning glass art on the door!) but for the 360º view, you have to go up to the tower. The ticket costs ISK 900 ($8) for adults and ISK 100 ($0.80) for children aged 7 – 14. Entry is free for children under the age of 7.
Opening Hours:
The opening hours differ according to the seasons.
- From May to September (summer), you can access the tower from 9am to 9pm.
- From October to April (winter), the tower is open from 9am to 5pm.
Apart from the operating hours, the church is open daily except for Sundays from 1030am – 12.15pm for mass services.
If you go on a Friday, you might also be able to attend a choral concert.
Lief Erikson Statue
If you stand in front of the Hallgrímskirkja Church, you will see a statue of Iceland’s most famous explorer, Lief Erikson.
Leif Erickson discovered North America in the year 1000 (over 500 years prior to Columbus’s discovery) and even founded Vinland – a Norse settlement that is believed to be around Canada’s Newfoundland and New Brunswick.
Einar Jónsson Art Museum Sculpture Gardens
The Einar Jónsson Art Museum Sculpture Gardens opened in 1984 and has some incredible sculptures that visitors can see for free. Located beside Hallgrímskirkja church, the garden is full of Rinar’s bronze cast works & something I wish I’d known about when in Reykjavik!
If you have time to spare, drop by the garden! The museum itself is also open to visitors but has an entrance fee.
Opening Hours
Closed on Mondays; open from 10am – 5pm every Tuesday to Sunday.
The sculpture garden is free to see, but the museum itself costs ISK 1,000 ($8) to visit
Laugavegur Shopping Street
Laugevegur is the main commercial shopping street of Reykjavik, rather like Oxford Street or Regent Street in London.
If you are looking for bars, restaurants, clothing and souvenir shops (one of them was manned by a Penangnite / Malaysian!) or local supermarkets like BONUS, then this is the place to go. It is vibrant with lots of quirky street art along the main facade of buildings and alleyways, and is definitely one place you should visit!
TL;DR Laugavegur tops my list of things to do in Reykjavik, even if you aren’t interested in shopping. |
Our accommodation was located along Laugavegur, which made it the perfect place to explore everything we wanted to see in Reykjavik. If you can, I would recommend staying near Laugavegur!
For more shopping streets, look for Austurstræti, Bankastræti, Lækjargata, and Skólavörðustígur. For Icelandic thermal wear, you will hear many people recommend visiting 66° North, which has a really nice selection and can be found everywhere. Unfortunately, I found it VERY expensive. A more affordable but equally nice option is Ice Wear.
P/S: Laugavegur is walking distance to the Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja Church, Sun Voyager and Brauð & Co.
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center
The Harpa Concert Hall was constructed in 2007 but officially opened only in 2011 due to Iceland’s financial crisis.
Located at the Reykjavik waterfront, Harpa is a truly stunning multi-coloured glass building. The unusual glass facade looked like the hexagonal basalt columns we saw at the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. And the interior was no less stunning.
I would not have known about Brauð & Co if not for Google, but it really felt like everyone knew! The line was LONG.
You can find this lovely little bakery housed within a brightly painted building. The cinnamon buns are one of its most popular products. A little too sweet for me, but definitely one of the top things to do in Reykjavik if you have a sweet tooth/love cinnamon buns!
Islenski Barinn (Iceland Bar)
When in Iceland, try the local food. The lady at the Tourist Information Center recommended that we drop by Islenski Barinn and it was by far one of the best local Icelandic meals we had!
Some local delicacies I’d recommend include the Icelandic meat soup (tastes like hearty ABC meat soup with lots more ingredients and flavour), hardiskurr (dried fish) with fresh Icelandic butter, hákarl (fermented shark), and the meat platter (which included reindeer and whale!).
The hákarl (i.e. fermented shark) came in small cubes placed within a sealed glass jar, and toothpicks were given to spear it.
I had no issues eating hákarl despite the many terrible reviews online. It barely smelled and tasted like sashimi that had gone slightly bad. Not the gag-inducing horror that I was expecting, such that I even popped three of the cubes in at one go and had no trouble eating it! Must be all the durian I’ve had before… but definitely worth a try if you’re in Reykjavik and looking for some local food.
If you’re looking for liquor, try the Brennivin – Iceland’s signature caraway-flavoured schnapps. I recommend reading the alcohol section in this travel post on how to find the best alcohol offers in Iceland.
Sun Voyageur (or “Solfar”)
The Sun Voyageur was erected in 1990 to commemorate Reykjavik’s 200th anniversary.
Located along the Sæbraut road, the Sun Voyageur is a famous ship sculpture by Jon Gunnar Árnason. The ship points north across the bay towards Mount Esjan and was meant to greet the sunset located in the west of Reykjavik. It is an ode to the sun and a ‘dreamboat’, and represents hope, progress and freedom
I would pair the Sun Voyageur with a visit to the Harpa Concert Hall, which is a 10-minute walk along the harbour.
If you lack the time, skip this. There is nothing to do or see beyond taking the above picture, and it is often surrounded by a huge crowd of tourists! At the same time, it IS one of the most iconic sights of Reykjavik and not that far from Harpa.
Colourful, Modern Houses
The streets of Reykjavik are vibrant and full of character. Many of the buildings facing the harbour (near the Sun Voyager) were modern, and other parts were more traditional, even if many roads were being dug up/under construction. Bright colours are a common feature.
Reykjavik’s Most Instagrammable Street Art
I saw so many street art it almost made me wish I had another day to spend in Reykjavik! They have been around since the 1990s and can be found everywhere, each with their own distinct styles. You will find quite a few along Laugavegur, Old Harbour and Grandi.
Drinking Glacier Water
If you’re ever in Iceland, drink the tap water. Icelanders are very proud of the fact that they have some of the cleanest, freshest drinking water in the world.
Iceland’s tap water originates from the glacial waters of the nearby mountains, and there are plenty of public drinking fountains to quench your thirst with around Reykjavik. In fact, when we went glacier hike at the Sólheimajökull Glacier, the guide even asked us to fill our water bottles with the glacial water flowing down the glacier!
Exploring the outskirts of Reykjavik
If you want to use Reykjavik as the base for exploring Iceland, then you definitely don’t want to miss out on some of its most outstanding attractions, starting with the 300 km Golden Circle.
Some of the things to do in Iceland include:
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Glacier Hiking at the Sólheimajökull Glacier
- Iceland’s Diamond Beach (Breiðamerkursandur)
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
- Skógafoss Waterfall
- Kerid Crater
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
- Arnastapi, Snæfellsjökull glacier and Kirkjufell mountain on the Snaefellsnes peninsula
- Þingvellir National Park
- Haukadalur valley for its hot springs, mud pots & geysers (like Strokkur)
Other Things You Can Do
To make this a comprehensive list, I’ve also put down other things to do in Reykjavik that I wish I’d had the time for.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
One of my biggest regrets is not being able to visit Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, which is Reykjavik’s most famous hotdog stand. Hotdogs (or pylsurs) are really popular in Iceland, and Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is its most famous. It even appeared on No Reservations by Anthony Bourdain!
If you have a chance, make sure you try a hotdog with Icelandic sweet mustard, remoulade (Icelandic mayonnaise), crunchy onions, raw onions, and ketchup!
Kolaportið Flea Market
Kolaportið, Reykjavik’s flea market, is close to the Harpa Concert Hall and the Old Harbour. It offers an eclectic mixture of almost all kinds of things, including vintage clothes, second hand books, hand knitted goods and fermented snacks.
If you come here, don’t forget to haggle!
Opening Hours:
Open on weekends from 11am to 5pm.
Old Harbour Area
The Old Harbour is located on the west of Reykjavik. There are many old fishing boats and tours available, including opportunities to book a whale watching trip!
If you come on a weekend, you can visit Reykjavik’s flea market, Kolaportið, which offers a large array of goods from vintage jumpers to hand-knitted goods and fermented shark.
For the history buffs, the nearby Reykjavik Maritime Museum offers a great peek into Iceland’s maritime history.
And for foodies, try the following:
- Bryggjan Brewery – Iceland’s first independent microbrewery for some Icelandic beer (tours available). There is even jazz every Sunday night!
- Sægreifinn – boasting the world’s best lobster soup, although the grilled fish on a spear is pretty popular too!
- Valdís Ice Cream Parlor
- Kaffivagninn Coffee House – founded in 1935 and the oldest restaurant in Iceland!
Austurvöllur and Parliament
Austurvöllur is the name of a park in the centre of Reykjavik with a view to Iceland’s Parliament building. A popular place for a picnic, national celebrations or concerts, there are also guided tours on offer if that piques your interest.
Árbæjarsafn
Árbæjarsafn is a Skansen-style open-air museum and probably one of the most unique experiences available. It’s the perfect place for experiencing what it was like to live centuries ago, and include a labourer’s cottage, general store, blacksmith’s shop.
Opening Hours:
- June – August: 10am – 5pm
- September – May: 1 – 5pm
Daily guided tours are available. And tickets cost ISK 1,700 ($14) for an adult, ISK 1,100 ($9) for students with student cards.
Free entry for children who are 17 years and younger. Árbæjarsafn is also free for City Card holders.
Höfði House
Built in 1909, Höfði House is considered one of the prettiest and most culturally significant buildings in Reykjavik. It is located along the same stretch of road as the Sun Voyageur and the Harpa Concert Hall but because it was much further down the road, we didn’t have a chance to drop by.
The house itself is not open to the public, but visitors can explore from the outside.
If you have time, I would do a quick stop just to snap a photo of this photogenic building!
City Hall
The City Hall has a gigantic 3D printed map of Iceland on the ground floor, with the building itself overlooking the Tjörnin (otherwise known as The Pond).
Tjörnin (The Pond)
Tjörnin is Reykjavik’s city pond and extends through Reykjavik, popular among locals and tourists alike, especially bird enthusiasts. Painted houses, trees, and flowerbeds line its banks, while swans and ducks frolic in its waters. It is great for a walk between the National Museum of Iceland and downtown Reykjavik.
During winter when the pond freezes over, Tjörnin becomes a popular place for ice skating or an icy game of “football”!
P/S: Look out for the Hafmeyjan mermaid.
The Nordic House
The Nordic House was established to support Iceland’s links with other Nordic nations and is designed by Finnish-born architect, Alvar Aalto.
A mere 15 minutes walk from the city centre, the Nordic House hosts many cultural events and exhibitions including the Reykjavik International Film and Literary Festival. It also has over 30,000 items in seven Nordic languages, as well as books, films and magazines by Nordic artists to be viewed by library users.
Whales of Iceland
Whales of Iceland is the largest whale exhibition in Europe. Located in the Grandi area, Whales of Iceland has 23 man-made life-size models of 23 cetacean species that occupy Iceland’s seas. This includes a 25m long blue whale, sperm whale, endangered North Atlantic right whale, fin whale and orca.
One of the exhibit’s most unique features is the virtual reality glasses that bring the seafloor to life. The perfect outing if you want to learn more about whales or turn it into a fun, family trip.
Address: Fiskislóð 23-25, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm daily, but closed on 25 December
Admission Price
- ISK 2,900 ($24) for an adult
- ISK 5,800 ($47) per family (2 adults, 2 children)
- ISK 1,500 ($12) for children aged 7 – 15 years.
Icelandic Phallological Museum
The Icelandic Phallological museum was founded by 1997 and contains the world’s greatest collection of phalluses if that is up your alley. Specimens include the human kind and the blue whales, which is a whopping 2.5m! Enough said.
As the museum is quite small, budget around 30 – 60 minutes to complete the exhibition.
National Museum of Iceland
If you are a fan of museums, consider visiting the National Museum of Iceland. It covers 1200 years of Iceland’s history all the way up to the 21st century from the time of the Vikings. With over 2,000 items and 1,000 photographs with the museum, it should take around 2 hours to complete.
The National Museum of Iceland opens at 10 am and is part of the Reykjavik City Pass.
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach and Bath
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach and Bath is a summer hotspot although it is open all year round. Free during the summer, sea walls ring the bathing spot to form a lagoon.
Due to its geothermal waters, the temperature is warmer than the open water. It goes from 3 – 5°C in the winter up to 17°C in the summer.
Opening Hours:
The pool is open from 11 to 2 pm daily, drained, before reopening from 5 – 8 pm.
Admission Price
During the summer, it is free to access the beach, hot tub, changing rooms and toilets. However, it costs ISK 500 ($4) to access Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach and Bath during the winter.
Grotta Lighthouse
Grotta Lighthouse is a 15-minute drive from Reykjavik, located on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. It is not as popular among the tourists and during the low tide, you can walk all the way out to the lighthouse.
Come here for some birdwatching or stroll along the stunning coastal paths hugging the side of the Atlantic ocean. It is also a popular place for spotting the Northern Lights!
Perlan
Perlan is a nature exploratorium and one of Reykjavik’s most iconic glass dome buildings on top of Öskjuhlíð hill, supported by six cylindrical hot water tanks beneath it.
This exploratorium has many incredible exhibitions (that have an admission price!) including the Forces of Nature exhibition that lets visitors, see, hear and feel the power of volcanoes, plate tectonics, earthquakes and geothermal. The Glaciers and Ice Cave exhibition lets visitors don cold-weather gear before exploring a 100m ice cave made of 350 tons of snow from Icelandic mountains – the first of its kind in the world!
Finally, on the fourth floor, there is a 360° outdoor observation deck – yet another Reykjavik panoramic view!
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm (last admission at 9pm)
Þúfa
Located in the Grandi area, Þúfa (pronounced as th-oo-fha) is an outdoor art installation by Ólöf Nordal that is located on a small, 8m hill. It is accessible via a spiralled path and offers great views of the Harpa Concert Hall and surrounding areas.
Reykjavik Free Walking Tour
This is one thing that I wish I’d had the time to do but it definitely goes on my list due to the rave reviews I’ve seen online. It is 3 hours long and completely free, although you are free to leave a tip.
Settlement Museum
The Settlement Museum is unusual as the area was initially excavated for a different construction only for an ancient house (estimated to have been built in 871) to emerge. The site was preserved and the Settlement Museum built around it.
Viðey Island
Viðey Island is a quick Elding ferry ride from Reykjavik in Kollfjörður.
Replete with gorgeous green fields (during the summer), Viðey Island is a place that can be easily seen by foot or bike.
If you are lucky, you might find some elusive puffins! You can’t find ANY puffins in Reykjavik so if puffins are on your list of things to do, then I would advise putting down either Viðey Island or the Dyrhólaey Arch (South Iceland) on your itinerary.
Apart from the puffins, you can also visit Iceland’s oldest church, the Viðey House and the Imagine Peace Tower, which was by Yoko Ono.
Northern Lights
The Northern Lights can be seen around Reykjavik, provided that you get a clear night. It is definitely something to keep an out for if you’re there during the winter!
Hike the Mount Esja Trail
Remember the Sun Voyageur with Mount Esja in the background?
Mount Esja is some 10km from Reykjavik and is one of the most popular hiking trails in Iceland. Standing at a height of 900m above sea level, it is a fairly easy hike that nevertheless offers some stunning views of Reykjavik.
Blue Lagoon Iceland
While not located in Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon Iceland is close to Keflavik Airport and a popular choice to will the hours away prior to a flight.
We made a conscious decision to stay away from Blue Lagoon Iceland because:
- It is VERY pricey;
- Far too commercialised for our tastes;
- Time-consuming (there is just so much to see and do in Iceland); and
- Blue Lagoon products (like its mineral masks) can be bought at the Keflavik Airport departure lounge.
FAQs
What does “Reykjavik” mean?
Reykjavik means ‘smokey bay’. It originated from Old Norse word ‘reykja’ (which means “smoke”) and vík (for “bay”).
Is Reykjavik safe?
Reykjavik’s crime is next to non-existent, although reports state that some petty theft does occur especially around bars at night.
Personally, I always felt safe in Reykjavik even when we were exploring the city at around midnight. Bear in mind however that this was in the summer when it is perpetually bright throughout the day.
Even so, the streets were clean. There were no beggars! And Reykjavik is not known to have any unsafe or bad areas to avoid. It doesn’t get safer than Reykjavik!
How do I get to Reykjavik?
Some of the airlines that fly to Iceland include Icelandair, Wizzair, Easyjet and Lufthansa. To get to Iceland, look for Keflavík International Airport.
From Keflavík Airport, you can get to Reykjavik using your rented car, bus or taxi. If you’ve rented a car, I would recommend a pick up at the airport. After exiting the arrival lounge, follow the signs leading you to the airport shuttle.
The shuttle is free and has several stops. Each car rental company is located at different stops along the shuttle route. Just check the list on the bus to know which stop to get off at.
Where should I stay in Reykjavik, Iceland?
We stayed at the Hotel Frón, which was located right along Laugavegur. The fantastic central location far outweighed the cramped rooms And as we were only staying for one night, the small size wasn’t that a huge issue for us.
What should I wear in Reykjavik?
Iceland’s weather is fickle. This is one place where you won’t ever be able to use your summer dresses, shorts and slippers.
Instead, I went around in triple to quadruple layers of thermal, waterproof clothes. Waterproof is key because it can rain quite a bit and also because you are more than likely to visit attractions that are located outside of Reykjavik. If you walk close to Skógafoss Waterfall, you will get wet.
What are the top free things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland?
If I could see Reykjavik all over again in one day, these are the things I would cover:
- Reykjavik free walking tour, to get my bearings around Reykjavik
- Visit Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Walking tour at the Harpa Concert Hall, for a great insider’s guide into this gorgeous concert hall and convention centre;
- Going to the top of the 63 for a city panorama of Reykjavik;
- Walk along Laugavegur (and side hunt for street art!);
- A stop by BONUS (because visit local supermarkets is always a highlight whenever I’m travelling! You never know what you’ll find);
- Lunch at the Islenski Barinn, especially for the Icelandic meat soup!
- Hotdog from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
- Lobster soup & grilled fish on a stick at Sægreifinn – gotta try this “world’s best” lobster soup once in my life!
- Valdís Ice Cream Parlor – can never say no to ice-cream; and
- Kolaportið – because I love flea markets!
And if I had time, I would slot in either a whale watching tour or a quick visit to the Viðey Island because I really wish I’d had the chance to meet a puffin or two!
Any extra tips on things to do in Reykjavik?
Try ‘Appy Hour, which is an app that identifies all the Happy Hours happening throughout Reykjavik. To download ‘Appy Hour, and all the other free mobile apps you will need to visit Iceland, check this post out.
Better yet, purchase your alcohol at Reykjavik Airport and take advantage of the duty-free options. The alcohol is very expensive in Iceland so Reykjavik Airport is your best option. For further details on where to purchase alcohol, as well as other travel tips you might need when visiting Iceland, check this post out (there are over 120+ tips!).
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28 Comments
Michelle
Reykjavik has been on my list for a long time. I do find it funny how much they love hot dogs there. LOL! Thanks for showing me so many great things to do.
Iuliya
I know! I was astonished at the national obsession with hot dogs!
Renata
This is such an interesting post. I haven’t been to Iceland yet and do only read about those epic road trips. Therefore, it’s very inspiring to read about what to do in Reykjavik – and the great idea to choose it as a base.
Iuliya
Glad you found it helpful, and hope you get to visit Iceland one day soon!
Becki Redell
Reykjavik is a stunning city. I only managed a quick visit before but it looks like i missed a lot. I remember seeing quite a bit of street art, but not the ones you posted up. I visited in the winter, so eveything was covered in snow, I’d love to go back in spring or summer next time. This is such a useful guide.
Iuliya
The street art that I found were by accident! I had NO idea Reykjavik even had street art until I kept encountering them. Glad you found this to be a useful guide 🙂
Sage Scott
Iceland has been on my bucket list since I was a little kid and we moved to Europe for the first time. Like DECADES ago before everyone visited. And I still haven’t been able to visit. When I finally get the chance, I want to stay for a month and see every inch of this beautiful island nation!
Iuliya
Oh my, it happens!! So easy for time to just slip by some how. Hope you get to visit and stay for a month in Iceland soon!
Cate Michelle
I really want to get to Reykjavik soon! That church is just so iconic and beautiful – I can’t wait! Thanks for a great and VERY inspiring post!
Iuliya
I hope that you get to visit Reykjavik soon! And glad you found this post helpful 🙂
Stephanie
I loved reading this! It is truly THE guide to Iceland, you’ve covered everything! This made me so so so nostalgic for my trip there! I see you went in July and I’m just dying to go in the summer (I actually might be so lucky as to get a grant to go this summer!) I went in winter to see the Northern Lights, the weather wasn’t actually so bad! One night we even went out in just sweaters and no jackets, I was surprised! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this, awesome work!
Iuliya
Glad you enjoyed reading this article! And WOW, I can’t believe you went out without a jacket?! My mind is spinning. I would looove to see the Northern Lights one day.
Pubali
This is quite a comprehensive guide about Reykjavik. And reading all the reasons you cited, I am convinced that summer is the best time to visit – I mean, the photo of the sky is enough to convince, and add to that there is 24/7 daylight. 🙂
Iuliya
I hope that you get to visit Reykjavik soon!! 🙂
Tania Muthusamy
I have been wanting to visit Iceland and Reykjavik looks amazing, with the colourful buildings, harbour and church. I love that you included lots of free things go do there too.
Iuliya
Free things are so important!!
Erica
I love Iceland and Reykjavik! They are such interesting and beautiful places. One of my personal favourite things to do in Reykjavik is the Saga Museum. It is such a fun way to learn about Icelandic history. It is a great way to spend a few hours!
Iuliya
ooh I didn’t get to the Saga Museum! Maybe next time 🙂
Putri
What an elaborate post! It’s great that you write the diff between making Reykjavik as a base or a visit, it gives a clear hint before making an itin, and it is duly noted!
Do you encounter any language barrier when you were there? Or most informations are written in English?
Iuliya
NO language barrier whatsoever! Everyone speaks perfect English. And while most of the signs are in Icelandic, there’s also plenty of English signs as well. You can kind of figure your way around!
Pam
I absolutely loved Reykjavik and their hotdogs! I mean, I know it’s a weird thing to love, but theirs was SO good! haha Thank you for showing Reykjavik – so many people skip over it to do the ring road – and miss out on this wonderful city.
Iuliya
You’re welcome! I can see why you loved their hotdogs; I especially liked their special condiments and mustard sauce! We even bought an entire Icelandic mustard sauce bottle back. That’s how much we loved it. Hah!
Ella
I’m visiting Iceland in May and spending two days in Reykjavik – thank you so much for the great recommendations. I’m excited to see and photograph the Hallgrímskirkja Church.
Iuliya
That’s wonderful to hear!!! Iceland is a great place to visit. My TOP recommendation would be to do the zodiac boat ride at Jokulsarlon & glacier hiking at Solheimajokull – you can find the posts on my blog! If there were 2 things I would redo, it would be those!!
Naomi
Iceland is on my bucketlist! such a great post, saving it for when I start planning!
Iuliya
Amazing!
Ashley
Great post! Iceland looks beautiful. Drinking the glacier water sounds amazing. Thanks for the great post.
Iuliya
You’re welcome!