Reykjavik, Iceland City Guide

Hallgrimskirkja

Arguably Reykjavik’s most famous landmark, a trip to this city isn’t complete with a stop to admire one of the most unique looking churches in the world. It is free to enter the church but costs money if you wish to climb the tower for 360 views of the city. The church was designed by architect Gudjon Samuelsson in 1937 and was modeled after the famous basalt columns that can be found throughout the country, most notably at the Black Sand Beach.

• Cost: 1,100 ISK (~$9)
• More information: Hallgrimskirkja
• Estimated time needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour

Harpa Concert Hall

During our walking tour of Reykjavik, we were introduced to the stunning Harpa Concert Hall. While it was closed for renovations, and we were unable to go in – it was still beautiful to admire from the outside. On a sunny day, the light reflects the colorful glass and makes it seem like water!

• Cost: Free to view outside; ticket prices depend on the show
• More information: Harpa Concert Hall
• Estimated time needed: 15 minutes (outside) 2-3 hours (show)

Sun Voyager Statue

This steel sculpture looks like the skeleton of a viking ship. It is located along the water and is meant to represent a dream boat as an ode to the sun, according to Icelandic sculptor Jon Gunnar Arnason.

• Cost: Free
• More information: The Sun Voyager
• Estimated time needed: 15 minutes

The National Museum of Iceland

This museum is the perfect place for anyone interested in history. It’s filled with artifacts from archeological digs and portrays background information on the origin of Iceland. From the vikings, to the country’s conversion to Christianity, from Danish rule to independence – you’ll learn a lot at this museum!

• Cost: 2,000 ISK ($20)
• Ticket Information: National Museum
• Estimated time needed: 2-3 hours

Aðalstræti 10

Aðalstræti 10 is technically an address to the oldest home in Reykjavik! It was built in 1762 when Reykjavik was merely a village. Now, you can visit the inside to see exhibits and learn more about the important connection this home has to the city.

• Cost: 1,650 ISK ($13)
• More information: Aðalstræti 10
• Estimated time needed: 30 minutes

Fagradalsfjall Volcano

You may have heard about the volcano that erupted in Iceland in 2021! It’s only about a 30 minute drive from the city and is one of the best things to do in Reykjavik Iceland, even if it’s no longer active! You will need a car to get to the volcano, as there are no public transportation options, or you can opt to traveling with a local guide. For more about our story hiking Fagradalsfjall, check out our previous post: Hiking an Erupting Volcano in Iceland.

• Cost: Free to hike (small parking fee)
• More information: Fagradalsfjall Volcano
• Estimated time needed: 4 hours

Reykjavik Food Tour

You wouldn’t expect Iceland to be a place known for it’s food – but we had some of the best meals during our trip! Out of the fun things to do in Reykjavik Iceland, this is one you don’t want to miss! The guides are very knowledgeable and take you to some unique places. From hot dogs to fermented shark – you’ll try it all!

• Cost: 13,900 ISK (~$110)
• Pre-Order Tickets here: Reykjavik Food Tour
• Estimated time needed: 3.5 hours

Rent a Scooter

As soon as you arrive to Reykjavik, you’ll notice everyone zipping around on these electric scooters. They are a fun way to explore the city and get to different sites faster. You simply need to download one of the apps to your phone. We downloaded the Wind (Smart E-Scooter Sharing) app which allowed us to link up payment and scan the scooter we wanted to unlock & ride it. The cost is based on per-minute. Mark and I even took a ride on one together one night after dinner and it was a lot of fun!

• Cost: 30 ISK / minute ($0.25 / minute)

Beer Tour

If you are interested in learning more about Icelandic beers, we recommend the Airbnb Experience: Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour. The tour includes drinks at three different bars, including a microbrewery. You will be lead by a local who teaches you about the beer & history of beer in Iceland. (Did you know beer was banned in Iceland from 1915 to 1989?!)

• Cost: 11,500 ISK ($89)
• Pre-Order Book here: Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour
• Estimated time needed: 2.5 hours

Golden Circle Day Trip

If you’re looking to experience more of Iceland’s countryside, but have limited time in Reykjavik, we recommend renting a car or doing a day tour of the Golden Circle. There are lot of local tour companies that offer transportation to / from Reykjavik. Þingvellir National Park, Strokkur Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall, Fridheimar Green house, the Secret Lagoon & Kerid Crater are some of the most popular spots. Check out our previous post: Self Driving the Golden Circle for more information. If you’re not comfortable driving in Iceland, you can also always book a guided tour* that takes you straight from Reykjavik to the major sites,

• Cost: ~$75 (Tour)
• Pre-Book Tour: Golden Circle Tour
• Estimated time needed: 1 day

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of the more touristy things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland, but we felt the hype was worth it! The Blue Lagoon is actually about 30 minutes outside of the city. We recommend making this either your first or last stop, since it’s so close to the airport. It’s a luxurious experience and your basic ticket includes access to the locker rooms, a towel, face mask & one drink at the swim up bar! Check out our previous post for more information: Visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. (If you don’t have a rental car, you can book transportation to/from the Blue Lagoon that includes your entrance tickets here*).

• Cost: Starting at 7,000 ISK (~$53)
• Pre-Purchase Tickets here: Blue Lagoon / Blue Lagoon with Transportation*
• Estimated time needed: 2-3 hours

Whale Watching

While we weren’t able to go whale watching in Reykjavik, we did in Akureyri in Northern Iceland. If you’re only visiting Reykjavik, this is a worthwhile experience as whales are very active in this area! Peak season for whale watching is between April – October. There is indoor and outdoor seating on the boats, as well as a drink & snack bar. Even if you don’t see any whales, it’s wonderful to see the Icelandic coast from the water – and you’ll be sure to see other marine wildlife!

• Cost: ~$80
• Pre-Purchase Tickets here: Whale Watching & Marine Life Cruise*
• Estimated time needed: 3 hours

Reykjavik Accommodation

We stayed in the cutest studio apartment in downtown Reykjavik during our time there. It was the perfect location to walk to almost everything we wanted to do and was super spacious & clean. The price was reasonable, compared to many of the hotels in similar locations.

Reykjavik Travel Tips

Transportation

• Reykjavik is a very walkable city! If you don’t feel like walking, we recommend renting a scooter (mentioned above).
• It’s best to avoid taxis in Reykjavik because they are very expensive.
• The most affordable way to get to and from Keflavik Airport is on Fly Bus. If you’re traveling with a group, you may want to consider a private transfer*.

Tipping

• Like many European countries, tipping is not required. In fact, gratuity is often built into the bill here so be sure to look at your receipt.
• Leaving some extra cash on the table for good service is accepted with a smile, but not expected.

Weather

• When traveling to Iceland, you have to decide which is more important: Daylight for exploring or seeing the Northern Lights.
• Winter is the best time to see the Northern Lights, but also means usually only ~4 hours of daylight. Temperatures range from 27 – 38 F.
• Late Spring or Summer is the best time to visit if you’re looking for endless daylight for exploring. Temperatures range from 48 – 56 F (so still moderately cool).

General Tips

• Iceland is known for being one of the safest countries in the world!
• There is so much more to Iceland than Reykjavik, so don’t be afraid to stray from the city during your visit. There are plenty of day-trips that will allow you to see more of Iceland’s Southern Coast, even if you’re not comfortable driving.
• There are so many amazing restaurant options in this city but we highly recommend making reservations as you often won’t be able to get seated as a walk-in without a wait.
• Reykjavik is an expensive city due to the conversion between USD to ISK, so be prepared to spend a lot on food and alcohol.

Reykjavik Fun Facts

• Keflavik Airport was previously an American military base
• Two thirds of Iceland’s population lives in Reykjavik
• Iceland is the only country to bankrupt McDonalds (there is currently no McDonald’s in the country!)
• Reykjavik is the Northern most capital city in the world
• Iceland has nearly eliminated the pay gap between men & women (woo hoo!)

Reykjavik was a city that really surprised us! We can’t wait to get back to Iceland (next time in the Winter) to see the Northern Lights and explore even more.

Skál, Amanda