Reykjavík, Iceland: travel guide
A colourful harbour capital with bold architecture and Golden Circle trips
Iceland's capital and largest city, home to about two-thirds of the national population.
About Reykjavík
Reykjavík is Iceland's capital, a small, colourful city set on the coast beneath distant mountains. The skyline is marked by the tall Hallgrímskirkja church, and the harbour is home to the glass-fronted Harpa concert hall.
Things to do in Reykjavík include walking the old town and harbour, visiting its museums, enjoying the café and live music scene and soaking in a geothermal pool. The city is also the launch point for day trips along the Golden Circle and the South Coast, and for whale watching and northern lights tours in the right season.
Reykjavík suits first-time visitors to Iceland and short city breaks. Summer has very long daylight, while winter brings the chance of northern lights and a cosy atmosphere.
- Country
- Iceland
- Currency
- ISK
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Reykjavik
- Nearest airport
- REK
Last updated
Top places to visit in Reykjavík
Hallgrímskirkja
landmark · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Iceland's largest church, a 74.5 m expressionist Lutheran landmark inspired by basalt columns; take the lift up the tower for the best city view.
Harpa Concert Hall
architecture · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Award-winning glass concert hall and conference centre on the waterfront, its honeycomb facade designed with artist Olafur Eliasson.
Perlan
exhibition · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Glass dome atop Öskjuhlíð hill housing the "Wonders of Iceland" exhibition with a real ice cave, planetarium and a 360° observation deck.
Sun Voyager (Sólfar)
sculpture · 4.5 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A steel sculpture of a stylised Viking ship by Jón Gunnar Árnason on the Sæbraut seafront, an ode to discovery and a favourite sunset spot.
National Museum of Iceland
history · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The country's principal museum, tracing Icelandic history from the settlement to today through the "Making of a Nation" exhibition.
Reykjavík Maritime Museum
maritime · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Harbourside museum on Iceland's fishing and seafaring heritage, including the coastguard vessel Óðinn from the Cod Wars.
Whales of Iceland
wildlife · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Europe's largest whale exhibition, with 23 life-size models of the whales found in Icelandic waters.
Laugardalslaug Thermal Pool
thermal · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Reykjavík's largest geothermal swimming complex with hot pots, a 50 m pool and water slides — a slice of everyday Icelandic bathing culture.
Aurora Reykjavík
aurora · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The Northern Lights Center: an interactive exhibition explaining the aurora with a photo studio and forecasting tips.
Árbær Open Air Museum
open-air-museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An open-air folk museum of relocated historic Reykjavík houses, showing town and turf-house life across the centuries.
Reykjavík Botanical Garden
garden · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Free outdoor botanical garden in Laugardalur with around 5,000 plant species and a family park and zoo next door.
Reykjavík Old Harbour
waterfront · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Working harbour turned tourist quarter with whale-watching and puffin boats, fish restaurants and the Grandi food and design district.
Things to do
- Reykjavík Whale Watching Wildlife · 3 h · from ISK 12,900 per person
- Golden Circle Day Tour Sightseeing · 9 h · from ISK 10,900 per person
- South Coast & Waterfalls Tour Sightseeing · 11 h · from ISK 14,900 per person
- Northern Lights Bus Tour Nature · 3.5 h · from ISK 8,900 per person
- Silfra Snorkelling Water Sports · 3 h · from ISK 19,900 per person
- Reykjavík Food Walk Food · 3.5 h · from ISK 18,900 per person
- Puffin Watching Express Wildlife · 1.5 h · from ISK 8,500 per person
Day trips and tours
- Golden Circle Classic 8.5 h · from ISK 10,900
- South Coast & Jökulsárlón 14 h · from ISK 24,900
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula 11 h · from ISK 15,900
Where to stay in Reykjavík
- Miðborg (101 Downtown) about ISK 35,000 per night
The historic heart of Reykjavík — walkable to cafés, museums, Hallgrímskirkja and the harbour; the best all-round base.
- Laugavegur & Hlemmur about ISK 32,000 per night
Reykjavík's main shopping and nightlife strip with design shops, bars and the Hlemmur food hall.
- Old Harbour & Grandi about ISK 34,000 per night
Waterfront quarter for whale and puffin tours, seafood and the Grandi design district.
Hotels
- Hótel Reykjavík Centrum 4-star · ISK 28,000 to ISK 55,000 per night
- Hótel Borg 4-star · ISK 45,000 to ISK 110,000 per night
- Loft HI Hostel ISK 8,000 to ISK 26,000 per night
- Fosshótel Reykjavík 4-star · ISK 26,000 to ISK 52,000 per night
- Kex Hostel ISK 7,500 to ISK 28,000 per night
- Grand Hótel Reykjavík 4-star · ISK 24,000 to ISK 50,000 per night
Where to eat
- Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur Icelandic, Street Food, Fast Food · about ISK 900 per person
- Sægreifinn (Sea Baron) Seafood, Icelandic · about ISK 2,800 per person
- Grillmarkaðurinn Icelandic, Grill, Nordic · about ISK 12,000 per person
- Dill Restaurant New Nordic, Icelandic, Fine Dining · about ISK 20,000 per person
- Fiskfélagið (Fish Company) Seafood, Icelandic, International · about ISK 11,000 per person
- Kaffi Loki Icelandic, Café, Traditional · about ISK 3,200 per person
- Messinn Seafood, Icelandic · about ISK 5,500 per person
- Icelandic Street Food Icelandic, Soup, Street Food · about ISK 2,200 per person
Getting to Reykjavík
Airport: Reykjavík (RKV), Reykjavík (KEF)
How visitors arrive in Reykjavík
- Fly into Keflavík (KEF) then Flybus By air from Keflavík · common
International flights land at Keflavík, about 50 km away; the Flybus coach meets arrivals and runs to the BSÍ terminal in Reykjavík. Source: kefairport.com
- Long-distance bus or Ring Road By road from Iceland regions · possible
Strætó long-distance buses and the Ring Road bring people from the north, west and south. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry via Seyðisfjörður By ferry from Denmark · possible
No ferry reaches Reykjavík; the Smyril Line ferry from Denmark lands at Seyðisfjörður in the east, from where you travel on by road. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport coaches from Keflavík
Reykjavík Excursions and Gray Line run coaches between Keflavík International Airport (KEF) and Reykjavik; Strætó also serves the airport. Source: icelandia.com
- Taxi from Keflavík
Taxi companies including Hreyfill-Bæjarleiðir and Hopp work from the airport. Keflavík is some distance from the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Rental car via Reykjanesbraut
Road 40 (Reykjanesbraut) links Keflavík airport to the capital, and rental agencies are widespread. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Domestic flights to Reykjavík Airport
Reykjavík Airport (RKV) sits beside the city centre and handles domestic flights plus Greenland and Faroe Islands services. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Uber and Lyft are not available in Reykjavik. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
Strætó runs the city and regional buses, with Hlemmur and Lækjartorg as central interchanges and Mjódd as the terminal for longer routes.
- Car Rental Self useful for some trips
Rental companies operate across Reykjavík, and a car is mainly useful for exploring the countryside, since buses and walking cover the city itself.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Rental-car damage over-charging
Car rental desks
Some smaller rental firms invoice for pre-existing scratches, gravel chips or "sand and ash" damage after you return the car.
How to avoid it: Photograph the car in detail at pickup and drop-off, decline unnecessary add-ons, and consider gravel/SAAP insurance from a reputable firm.
Dynamic currency conversion (DCC)
Shops, restaurants, ATMs
Card terminals offer to charge you in your home currency (INR/USD) at a poor built-in exchange rate.
How to avoid it: Always choose to pay in Icelandic króna (ISK); your own bank's rate is better.
Unlicensed "cheap" tour resellers
Online / social media
Fake or unlicensed operators advertise very cheap Golden Circle or Northern Lights tours and then cancel or fail to deliver.
How to avoid it: Book through established operators or your hotel; check the operator has a Vakinn quality mark and real reviews.
Best time to visit Reykjavík
- Jan 2°C
- Feb 2°C
- Mar 2°C
- Apr 5°C
- May 8°C
- Jun 11°C
- Jul 13°C
- Aug 13°C
- Sep 10°C
- Oct 6°C
- Nov 3°C
- Dec 2°C
More in Iceland
Frequently asked questions about Reykjavík
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Reykjavík?
- The highest-rated places in our Reykjavík guide are Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall, Laugardalslaug Thermal Pool, Árbær Open Air Museum, Reykjavík Botanical Garden.
- Where should I stay in Reykjavík?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Reykjavík: Miðborg (101 Downtown), Laugavegur & Hlemmur, Old Harbour & Grandi.
- How do I get around Reykjavík?
- Ways to get around Reykjavík covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Reykjavík?
- Scams reported to us for Reykjavík include Rental-car damage over-charging; Dynamic currency conversion (DCC); Unlicensed "cheap" tour resellers. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Reykjavík?
- Average daytime highs in Reykjavík run from 2°C in Jan to 13°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Reykjavík?
- The nearest airport to Reykjavík has the code REK.