Over 70 ideas of things to do and places to go when visiting Reykjavík
The world’s most northernly capital city.
Reykjavík has the feel of a medium-sized town but the energy of a much larger city. Colourful buildings, street art, stylish bars and restaurants, art galleries and a great live-music scene. Reykjavík is usually the first stop for visitors to Iceland. It also is a good base from which to see several of Iceland’s ‘big sights’ which are easily accessible as day trips from Reykjavík. So whether it is a winter city break or a starting off point for an Icelandic adventure, Reykjavík is a great city.
Reykjavík Overview:
Country: Iceland (capital city)
Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK)
Language: Icelandic
Population: 235,000 (capital area)
Time zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC +0)
www.visitreykjavik.com
For further information about each attraction and details about opening times, prices and events, click on the attraction title for the external link to visit their website ...
History & Architecture
National Museum of Iceland – a journey through Iceland’s history, from the settlements to the 20th Century, guided tours available
Árbær Open Air Museum – historic buildings relocated from Reykjavík, family activities
The Settlement Exhibition – an open excavation of Viking ruins, exhibition with interactive digital technology and children’s activities
Saga Museum – recreation of the time of Iceland’s earliest settlers with waxwork figures, audio guided
AlϷingi – Iceland’s parliament building[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]
Hӧfði House – the site of the 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev summit which was the beginning of the end of the Cold War[/expander_maker]
Arts & Culture
National Gallery of Iceland (Listasafn ĺslands) – Icelandic art work inspired by the Icelandic landscape and ancient folktales, housed in a former ice factory
Harpa Concert Hall – world class music venue
Culture House – beautiful building originally a library and national archives, now exhibition space as part of the National Gallery of Iceland
Sun Voyager sculpture – steel sculpture of a Viking ship, located on the seafront
Reykjavík Museum of Photography – a diverse collection of Scandinavian photography[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]
Einar Jónsson Museum – displaying the work of Iceland’s first sculptor. Museum and sculpture garden
Reykjavík City Library – six library branches throughout Reykjavík, pre-school area and children’s activities available
Reykjavík Art Museum – across 3 locations: Hafnarhús – local and international contemporary art, housed in an old harbour warehouse. Kjarvalsstaðir – the modern art of Icelandic artist Jóhannes S. Kjarval. Ásmundarsafn – the work of Icelandic sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson, housed in his unique former home
Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum – Icelandic sculptor exhibition
Imagine Peace Tower – artwork lit each evening, located on Viðey Island but can be viewed from Reykjavík city
Museum of Design and Applied Art – design exhibitions and collections[/expander_maker]
Science, Technology & Transport
Perlan - award winning museum, Icelandic nature exhibitions, northern lights planetarium experience and indoor ice cave. Viewing area and rotating restaurant
Aurora Reykjavík – interactive attraction bringing the northern lights to life
FlyOver Iceland – state of the art visual technology combined with special effects showing you a bird's-eye view over Iceland’s breathtaking scenery
Icelandic Museum of Natural History – a summary of Iceland’s unique natural history, natural resources and nature conservation[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]Reykjavík Maritime Museum – find out how the ocean formed a nation and Iceland’s strong fishing tradition
Whales of Iceland – the largest whale exhibition in Europe, life-size models of 23 whale species[/expander_maker]
Religion & Faith
Hallgrímskirkja – landmark modernist concrete church built on a hill. Good views across the city from the top of the church tower
Domkirka – small Lutheran church, Iceland’s main cathedral
Mosque of Reykjavík – the Islamic cultural center of Iceland
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church – church services throughout the week
Cemetery Hólavallagarður – peaceful cemetery, which unusually for Iceland is planted with many trees
Shopping areas
Laugavegur – colourful street with shops, galleries and restaurants. Reykjavík’s main street
Skólavӧrðustígur – artists’ street up to the Hallgrímskirkja church. Filled with souvenir shops and little independent art galleries
Kolaportið – flea market, everything you could need under one roof
Kringlan – over 170 shops, restaurants, cinema and theatre. Reykjavík’s largest shopping mall
Smáralind shopping mall – large shopping mall 7km from Reykjavík
Unusual Attractions
Ráðhús (City Hall) – huge 3D printed map of Iceland on display, modern building on the edge of Tjӧrnin lake
Old Harbour – if you get there early in the morning you can see the working harbour.
Óðinn Coast Guard Vessel – guided tours, part of the Maritime Museum
Eimverk Distillery – Iceland’s only whisky distillery, tours available
Icelandic Punk Museum – find out about the influence punk had on the Icelandic music scene[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]
Icelandic Phallological Museum – a scientific approach for this unique museum
Numismatic – coin collection and history of Icelandic money, very small museum in bank lobby[/expander_maker]
Outdoor Activities, Sports and Walking Routes
Öskjuhlið Hill – gentle walking routes on a hill in Reykjavík, the award winning Perlan museum is at the top of the hill
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach – imported golden sands, geothermally heated waters, hot tubs and changing facilities
Reykjavík Botanical Gardens – around 3000 different plants, open all year
Tjӧrnin – picturesque lake in the centre of the city
Klambratún Park – one of Reykjavík’s largest parks[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]
Arbaejarlaug – indoor and outdoor family pools
Whale watching tours – sea tours and whale watching - departures from the harbour
Laugardalslaug – an Olympic sized pool, children’s pool and slides and naturally heated hot tubs
Grótta Nature Reserve and Lighthouse – the lighthouse is only accessible at low tide, great place for birdwatching and to see the Northern Lights
Reykjavík Skating Hall – ice skating, open September – May
Laugar spa – five-star spa and sauna
Sky Lagoon – geothermal spa in central Reykjavík
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Activities for Children
Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo – animals, funfair and large play areas
MiniGarðurinn – two mini-golf courses and a restaurant
Rush Trampoline Park – the largest indoor recreation park in Iceland
Keiluhӧllin Bowling Alley - family-friendly atmosphere and pizza restaurant
Klambratún Park – children’s outdoor playground, café and facilities[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]
Skemmtigarðurinn – amusement park, laser tag, archery, paintball and more... Entertainment for all ages[/expander_maker]
Festivals & Events
Winter Lights Festival (February) – light art to brighten the dark winter days
Icelandic Beer Festival (March) – Icelandic and international beer
Reykjavík International Literary Festival (Apr) – biannual festival for literature enthusiasts
Festival of the Sea (June) – a celebration of Iceland’s traditions and culture with fishing
Reykjavík Jazz Festival (Aug/Sept) – international music in a variety of jazz styles[expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"]
Reykjavík Dance Festival (November) – international dance, performance and choreography
For further details about events in Reykjavík – click here [/expander_maker]
Nearby Day Trips
Blue Lagoon – geothermal heated pools and Iceland’s no.1 tourist attraction
Golden Circle tour – visit the region's top three natural sights: Ϸingvellir national park, Gullfoss waterfall and geysers.
Lava Tunnel – guided tour underground to see the impressive colours of one of Iceland’s longest lava tubes
Viðey Island – short boat ride from Reykjavík, peaceful island with Imagine Peace Tower art work and historical ruins
Leiðarendi Cave – small lava tube 25 minutes from the city, tours available all year round