We know: Iceland has a reputation for being an expensive destination. But don’t be put off by tales of high prices. It’s easy to find free things to do and see in Reykjavík. We’re talking unique Icelandic experiences that cost nothing but will leave you with a great photo, or even better – a vivid vacation memory.
The list of free activities in Reykjavík extends to museums, sightseeing options, free walking tours, and more. And of course, the stunning landscapes and natural wonders of the city are free to admire and access.
For some priceless tips on living large while visiting Reykjavík on a budget, read on, and check out our map that pinpoints the budget-friendly places we cover.
Reykjavík is a compact city so getting around is easy, and traveling from A to B can be as swift or leisurely as you like. It may come as no surprise, but one of the top free things to do in Reykjavík is exploring the city on foot. You can walk on a self-guided tour (with little chance of getting lost) to cover the highlights:
Do a zig-zag of main downtown shopping and dining streets Skólavörðustígur (aka ‘Rainbow Street’), Laugavegur, and Hverfisgata. At one end of Skólavörðustígur is Reykjavík’s landmark church – Hallgrímskirkja – and at the other end is the well-known rainbow painted on the street.
Circumnavigate Tjörnin, the pond right in the city center, and neighboring parks and landmarks.
Stroll the harborfront, stopping at photogenic landmarks like Harpa concert hall and the Sun Voyager waterfront artwork.
Take a free tour
If you want the local lens, there are also free, guided walking tours available daily, year-round, at no charge (with donations welcome – you pay what you think it was worth). Set aside around two hours for this. You’ll hear a little about the history of Iceland and the evolution of Reykjavík as a city.
Alternatively, download an app to your smartphone and go at your own pace to delve into city-specific themes. The Reykjavík Art Walk is a free app developed by Reykjavik Art Museum, giving you the story behind 200 public artworks in the capital.
Take in our street art
It may be small, but Reykjavík has a big reputation for street art. The style influences and inspirations behind the works seen on some of the walls in central Reykjavík vary widely. This incredible diversity, along with the fleeting, ephemeral nature of wall art in general, makes a street-art walk in Reykjavík such a fun free activity.
There’s no official map for this treasure hunt, just lace up your shoes and begin. There are some easy-to-find beauties along the main street, Laugavegur. Get a taste of things in this blog article from the city and see what’s local in this user-created map.
Many of the city’s big-name landmarks are reachable on foot and free to visit. With a few free museums and galleries to discover too, there are loads of options for sightseeing in Reykjavík on a budget.
Charming churches
One of Reykjavík’s most famous attractions is Hallgrímskirkja – the rocket-shaped church that stands on a small hill in the heart of downtown. It took 41 years to build the church, from work beginning in 1945 until it was consecrated in 1986.
It was designed by state architect Guðjón Samúelsson, and is inspired by the basalt lava columns found in nature all over Iceland. While you can go inside for free (but not when services or planned events are in progress), you do need to pay to access the observation deck of its 74.5-meter (244ft) tower (reached by elevator). The views are fab!
It might surprise you that despite its domination of the skyline, Hallgrímskirkja isn’t the capital’s cathedral. The Dómkirkja, Reykjavík’s cathedral, is a modest building consecrated in 1796. Around a century later, the national parliament (Alþingi), was built next door. So this area by Tjörnin pond is the historic heart of the city, but there’s little of the pomp and grandeur that surrounds such buildings in other capital cities.
The waterfront
As photogenic landmarks go, there are few better than Harpa, the concert hall and convention center on the city waterfront. It opened in 2011, and its award-winning design comes from Icelandic-Danish artist Ólafur Elíasson together with Henning Larsen Architects. Step inside to see the amazing interplay of light through the glass facade.
From Harpa, a short walk east takes you to the captivating Sun Voyager monument, and with more time you can walk to Höfði House. This relatively modest whitewashed building is renowned as the site of a meeting between US president Ronald Reagan and Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev, which is said to mark the beginning of the end of the Cold War. While the building itself isn’t open to the public, it’s free to walk around and admire from the outside. Fun fact: a 4-ton piece of the Berlin Wall stands in the grounds of Höfði House. Nearby is the picturesque yellow Hofði lighthouse, a popular spot for photos.
Free museums and galleries in Reykjavík
Most museums in Reykjavík charge an entry fee, but there’s a handful of places (including a number of artist-run galleries) where you don’t have to pay admission. Contributions are often encouraged, but you decide if you donate and how much.
The Living Art Museum (Nýlistasafnið, or Nýló) is inside Marshall House in the hip Grandi harbor area. A non-profit, artist-run museum and association, venue for events, exhibitions, performances, discussions, and research, it was founded in 1978 in reaction to Icelandic art authorities’ disregard for contemporary art practices.
The Einar Jónsson Museum (Listasafn Einars Jónssonar) celebrates the life and works of Iceland’s most famous sculptor, Einar Jónsson, in a grand building that once served as both workshop, gallery, and penthouse apartment. The sculpture garden behind the house is open all year round, and admission is free (the museum itself charges a fee for entrance). It’s right by Hallgrímskirkja.
Libraries and City Hall
Visiting a library (or bookstore) is an excellent budget-friendly activity in Reykjavík, especially when you’re looking for some rainy-day shelter. Icelanders love books! In fact, Reykjavík is a UNESCO City of Literature, the first city to receive the designation that doesn’t have English as its native language.
The Reykjavík City Library, also known as Grófin, is a hive of activity, with exhibitions, workshops, and events for all ages – from poetry slam evenings to craft sessions and kids’ storytime.
As well as being housed in an architectural gem (designed by acclaimed Finnish architect Alvar Aalto), the Nordic House (Norræna húsið) is a venue for art, culture and language. It hosts exhibitions (many with free entry) and free summertime ‘Pikknikk concerts’ in the garden’s greenhouse.
Reykjavík City Hall is another unmissable and integral part of the scenery around Tjörnin, the pond in central Reykjavík. More than just housing the mayor and other officials of the city, the building functions as a gallery and exhibition space. However, the biggest attraction inside City Hall – literally and figuratively speaking – is the giant 3D map of Iceland, on permanent display. It’s free to enter City Hall.
There are plenty of ways to experience the local culture that don’t cost the earth. These free activities in Reykjavík will give you a true taste of local life.
Culture Night, or ‘Menningarnótt’, held in August, is a perfect example. The event transforms the city into a hub of activities with free concerts, art exhibitions, and performances. If you’re looking for free things to do in Reykjavík in winter, another great choice is the Winter Lights Festival in February, which celebrates both the winter world and the growing light after a long dark winter, featuring free events, light installations, and more.
December is also a good time to visit for the pre-Christmas vibe: fairy lights adorn the city, Christmas markets are held, and there are often free (or cheap) concerts in churches. On New Year’s Eve, the fireworks that light up the Reykjavík skyline are brilliant, loud, colorful, and free!
In summer, there’s a lot of streetlife on show. Fishermen’s Day (early June) and Icelandic National Day (June 17) offer free events such as parades, music, and performances. Reykjavík Pride is a big week of LGBTQ-friendly events in August, culminating in the Pride parade and concert. Similarly, the biennial Reykjavík Arts Festival (May-June) showcases a range of artistic events, some of which are free or offer tickets at a reduced rate for early bookings.
Live music events
If you’re after some evening entertainment while sticking to a budget in Reykjavík, lean into the city’s live music scene. There are loads of live gigs around town, if you know where to look – and for that, you can’t beat local listings in the Reykjavík Grapevine or Setlist.
Record stores, bookstores, libraries, museums, hostels, pubs, and hotel bars are great places to check out live bands, small concerts, classic troubadors, quiz nights, and DJ events, often with smaller crowds. Churches host regular music performances and choir concerts too. Harpa concert hall occasionally offers free concerts in the lobby or lower-priced tickets for early-bird bookings. On weekends, the downtown area sometimes features street musicians.
Exploring the great outdoors is arguably one of the best free things to do in Reykjavík. You can use Reykjavík as a springboard to the head-spinning landscapes that make Iceland so captivating. All that fresh air and nature come free of charge. Pack according to the weather and you won’t be put off by a little rain, or wind... From the center of the city, it takes mere minutes by car to enter surroundings completely different to Reykjavík’s urban landscape – or any landscape, for that matter.
Iceland’s seasonal highlights
During the summer you can marvel at Iceland’s near 24-hour daylight – also known as the midnight sun – right in the capital. Not only is it a wonderful free experience in itself, but the longer days mean you can tick off even more activities while staying in Iceland.
And do we even need to mention: when it’s dark, look up! Nature’s finest light show is free to observe, and you’ll have the best chance of spotting the aurora during Iceland’s winter months. In fact, you can often see the northern lights in Reykjavík.
There are wonderful high-profile lagoons in and around Reykjavík (like the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon) but local pools offer a more economical way to take advantage of Iceland’s abundant geothermal water. There’s also a beach here. It’s true! Nauthólsvík is a beach (free admission) with a large hot-pot on the shore (payment required for using the hot-pot). In addition, warm water is pumped into an artificial lagoon on the sand, and the outcome is a refreshing swimming area averaging 15-19°C (59-66°F) in summer.
Hiking hotspots
Just outside the capital, there are several spots to visit for hiking near the city, an ideal free activity to introduce you to Iceland’s magnificent landscapes.
While it’s not in Reykjavík, one of the capital’s most beloved free activities is not too far away – reached by driving about 50km (31 miles) to the town of Hveragerði. The geothermal river Varmá, in Reykjadalur valley, can be reached by an uphill hike (around 45-60 minutes each way) from a car park and trailhead near the town. It’s a popular destination, with visitors enjoying the novelty of bathing in a ‘hot river’. You can move to different spots to find your optimum water temperature (the further upstream, the warmer the water). There are limited facilities here, BYO towel!
You can also visit Úlfarsfell, a small mountain west of Reykjavík (the drive to reach the parking lot here should take around 12 minutes from the city center) for a hike that will get you a panoramic view over the capital and probably a slight sweat from the effort.
Hiking to the top of the 914-meter (2999ft) mountain Esja (also known as Esjan) is another popular way to gain big city vistas and earn some local kudos. Do a little homework before you undertake this – and always check the weather forecast before setting out.
Heiðmörk is the largest outdoor area in the vicinity of Reykjavík, home to walking, cycling, and horseback-riding trails. It’s a lovely place to see the fall colors, and take part in seasonal activities like berry-picking between mid-August and mid-September. Access points to Heiðmörk nature reserve are numerous (a car or bike is useful to get here). Especially recommended are Rauðhólar (‘Red Hills’), a cluster of lava hills ranging in color from scarlet to crimson. The trip to Rauðhólar is around 15 minutes by car from downtown Reykjavík. Another interesting spot for a fantastic yet easy hike is the Búrfellsgjá lava channel.
Parks and gardens
Visiting the city’s many parks and green spaces is another excellent free activity in Reykjavík. These spaces are especially pretty dressed in white in winter, and in spring when the first blossoms bloom. In summer, when the sun is out, these are where you’ll find the locals soaking up any and all vitamin D.
The Laugardalur neighborhood is popular for all sorts of free and low-cost outdoor activities. It’s home to sports facilities such as Reykjavík’s largest swimming pool complex (Laugardalslaug) and the main football pitch (called Laugardalsvöllur). The main campsite for the city is here too, and a family-focused HI hostel.
Fun fact: Laugardalur means ‘hot spring valley’. The name stems from the fact that until the 1930s, women used to wash laundry in the area’s hot springs. You’ll see a few statues in the park commemorating this. The local women who came here to do laundry walked along Laugavegur, which is how Reykjavík’s main street got its name.
Within the area are the shady paths of the Botanical Garden (Grasagarðurinn) – look out for free guided walks in summer, and stop for a coffee at the garden bistro Flóran.
Should you fancy some lovely natural surroundings for a quiet and contemplative walk (or run) with the calming hum of a small river flowing by, we have the place for you. It’s called Elliðaárdalur and is among the best-kept secrets of Reykjavík and its surroundings.
This lush and lovely oasis within the city’s limits is a valley (dalur in Icelandic) through which the Elliðaá river runs, complete with a network of paved paths which makes access easy for everyone. There’s a large play area for kids, too, close to the cafe in the redeveloped power station area (Ellíðaárstöð). Getting there is a 15-minute drive from downtown Reykjavík. Buses can also take you there.
Some more spots worth a visit include:
Grótta lighthouse, and the paths in the area, perfect for a stroll or cycle, or for watching the northern lights in the darker months. It lies at the western tip of the city, and enjoys great views of Esja mountain.
Öskjuhlíð, a small central hill that’s home to Perlan museum. It’s a favorite woodland area for walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
Klambratún is a favorite neighborhood park not far from downtown, where you’ll find a branch of the Reykjavík art museum, plus playground, frisbee field, and more.
Viðey is a unique option – a small island accessible for walks and calmness, especially in the summer. It’s accessed by a short ferry ride (operating weekends only in winter). The island is home to the Imagine Peace Tower, designed by Yoko Ono as a tribute to her late husband John Lennon.
Whether you’re getting food or taking public transport, your visit to the city will have a few costs that you can’t avoid. However, we’ve got some tips to help you save while you’re in Reykjavík.
Don’t buy bottled water. Drink tap water – it’s second to none. Bring (or buy) a reusable bottle and refill it from cold-water taps everywhere for free.
Cook your own meals. If you’re staying somewhere with kitchen facilities, consider cooking your own meals to save some money. Supermarkets like Bónus (look for the iconic pink pig) and Krónan offer lower prices compared to other stores. Don’t buy supplies at 24-hour convenience stores like 10-11, you’ll pay considerably more than you should.
Don’t rely on taxis. Strætó buses, walking, or renting a bike/scooter are great ways to get around the city for cheaper than via taxi.
Get a Reykjavík City Card. If you plan to visit a number of museums, consider buying the Reykjavík City Card, which gives you free or discounted entry to many museums and attractions like the National Gallery of Iceland, the National Museum of Iceland, and branches of the Reykjavík Art Museum. It also includes free entry to local pools, and free local bus rides, so it’s ideal for making the most of Reykjavík on a budget. You can buy a card to cover 24, 48 or 72 hours.
Make the most of discounts. Icelandic Coupons is an app that helps you find affordable deals across Iceland when dining, drinking, and shopping, as well as discounts on tours, entry to lagoons, and more.
Whether you’re a culture vulture or have a love for the great outdoors, you definitely won’t be short of finding free things to do in Reykjavík.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our capital so you can experience our attractions and activities for yourself. Get inspired by reading our full guide to Reykjavík, or find out more about the best time to visit Iceland for you.
