Date
07. May 202607. May 26
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10 min
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Guide to Reykjavík
View over Perlan at night.
New Year’s Eve fireworks at Hallgrímskirkja church.
The sauna at Sky Lagoon.
Gullfoss waterfall in winter.
Must-try: the Icelandic hot dog.
Is Reykjavík the coolest city in the world (and we don’t mean the weather)? We think it is – but we might be a little biased. Come visit us!
If you’re planning a visit to Iceland, you might just think of Reykjavík as the starting point for your journey. Let us assure you that Iceland’s capital has plenty to offer, and it’s well worth spending a day or two of your trip taking in the sights in and around the city.
To help you work out how to spend your time here, we’ve put together a travel guide of things to see and do in Reykjavík, from museums to outdoor attractions.
Whether you’re traveling with kids and looking for family-friendly activities, or want to learn more about Iceland’s history and culture, discover our favorite spots in our welcoming capital.
There are plenty of attractions in Reykjavík that combine education and entertainment to give you a taste of Iceland’s unique wonders.
One of the most popular museums and top things to do in Reykjavík is Perlan, a nature ‘exploratorium’ that’s home to interactive and immersive exhibits on Iceland’s natural wonders, from lava caves to the northern lights. There’s also the Settlement Exhibition, which brings the Viking Age to life, and the National Museum of Iceland, which gives you insight into the history of Iceland, from the Settlement to the present day.
Ready to pay to visit something out of the ordinary, something unique to the city? We’ve got you. The Icelandic Punk Museum houses a small but mighty collection of punk-rock historical artefacts. Did we mention that it’s located in a former underground public toilet? Or, for an even weirder way to spend an afternoon, check out the Icelandic Phallological Museum – a quirky exhibit displaying a collection of more than 200 genitalia from different species of Icelandic mammals.
If you have a little more time to spare, there are some standout things to do in and around Reykjavík that’ll take you outside the city center and give you an introduction to Iceland’s iconic landscapes.
No visit to Iceland is complete without a stop at a geothermal lagoon, and while there are a number of public swimming pools (all geothermally heated) within the city, the famous Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon are both within easy reach of Reykjavík. Just make sure to book ahead, as they can sell out during peak season.
If the weather’s good, there are also plenty of green spaces and parks to visit, with a few hiking opportunities on the city’s edge.
Ready to grab a bite to eat? Reykjavík’s street food scene provides affordable, delicious options. Try the famous Icelandic hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, where a hearty hot dog costs much less than a sit-down meal – making it one of the best cheap eats in Reykjavík.
Scattered around town, popular food halls like Hlemmur Mathöll and Pósthús Food Hall and Bar offer a range of cuisines (pizza, burgers, seafood, sushi etc) at relatively low prices, allowing you to sample various dishes without overspending – and there’s the added bonus that you don’t need a reservation for such places. The city has a number of these places, including Hafnatorg Gallery, Borg29 Mathöll, and Grandi Mathöll (mat means food, höll means hall).
Another great choice for delicious and reasonably priced food is the excellent bakeries of Reykjavík. Seek out bakeries such as Brauð & co, Brikk, Sandholt, and BakaBaka in downtown Reykjavík and surrounding neighborhoods. You can’t leave town without trying a snúður (cinnamon bun).
Want to learn what typical dishes to try? Check out our guide to Icelandic food. And if you want to spend a little more, Reykjavík has also become a foodie hotspot, with plenty of gourmet restaurants serving up local and fusion dishes, using seasonal ingredients and expert techniques to create something truly special.
Alcohol in Iceland is more expensive than in other European countries due to high taxes. The country also had a 74-year-long prohibition on beer, which only ended in 1989!
Nowadays, you can easily find a drink in many bars and restaurants across the city. Our tip? Make use of the happy hours in various bars across the city. Most bars have a designated happy-hour period when drinks are offered at a discount, usually in the early evening. There are listings websites that can guide you to the best deals, such as Visitor’s Guide or What’s on Reykjavík. The print version of the Reykjavík Grapevine (pick it up around town) lists happy hours, and the app Barhopp is a good one for this information, too.
Now you’ve got your itinerary ideas, here are some final tips to help you organise your visit:
Reykjavík is a compact city and it’s very easy to get around on foot – and why not learn about our history or try some Icelandic snacks while you get your bearings?
A walking tour is one of the best things to do in Reykjavík city center if you have a day or less to spare. These usually take a few hours and can be a great way to get to know the city at the start of your stay.
Whether you’ve got a thing for, say, cats, food, or folklore, our tours can put you in touch with the right people for that! We partner with high-quality local providers to offer guided walks that tap into city treasures and tales.
Or, explore Reykjavík at your own pace with a sightseeing hop-on hop-off tour. Get on the bus wherever you choose along the designated route, and get off the bus wherever you like. Or simply stay on board for the entire loop around the city and enjoy the audio commentary as you go. With a ticket valid for 24 hours, you call the shots.
You can also plan a self-guided walking tour taking in the city’s top sights, from the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church to Harpa concert hall.
Looking for other fun things to do in Reykjavík? We can help you with tickets to FlyOver Iceland, a virtual flight ride over stunning Icelandic landscapes; the Lava Show, which recreates a volcanic eruption by superheating real lava; and Whales of Iceland, where you can investigate 23 life-size models of whale species found in the ocean waters around Iceland.
There are plenty of festivals and celebrations in Reykjavík throughout the year, with many offering free and paid activities you can join.
In the lead-up to Christmas, there’s plenty going on in Reykjavík, including Christmas markets and ice skating, plus big sparkling events for New Year’s Eve. Then in February, there’s the Winter Lights Festival, with installations set up around the city to celebrate days getting longer after a dark winter.
And if you’re looking for things to do in Reykjavík in the summer, Culture Night is an event in August, with free music and art exhibitions throughout the city.
For more inspiration on free things to do in the city, check out our blog about free activities in Reykjavík.
Two ticketed events that happen in the fall are Reykjavík International Film Festival (aka RIFF, in October) and Iceland Noir (November), a literature festival celebrating dark storytelling in this UNESCO City of Literature.
Other events include DesignMarch (in early May), Reykjavík’s annual design festival with free and ticketed events, the Food and Fun Festival (February/March), with international chefs collaborating with top local restaurants to create culinary experiences, and the Reykjavík Arts Festival, which happens every two years (in odd-numbered years) in May or June, showcasing international and local art, music, theater, and dance at iconic venues throughout the city. And of course, there are some great music festivals to center a trip on, including the superb three-day Iceland Airwaves held each November.
There are also a range of day trips you can take from the city. You can either drive yourself or take an organized tour. Here are a few of our favorite options:
From tours to museums to festivals, there are so many things to see and do in Reykjavík. Whether you’re in the city for a few hours or a few days, we hope we’ve inspired you to explore our surprising little capital.
Get more inspiration for your trip with our other guides or book your trip to Reykjavík and browse the latest flight deals to find the best prices on your journey to Iceland.
