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The soaring concrete church that crowns the city, its façade modelled on Iceland's basalt columns — take the lift up the 74-metre tower for the best view over Reykjavík's coloured rooftops to the sea and mountains. The symbol of the city, visible from everywhere; free to enter, small charge for the tower.
Head out from the Old Harbour into the bay in search of minke and humpback whales, dolphins and, in summer, comical puffins on the cliffs — the waters off Reykjavík are among the most reliable in Europe. A thrilling few hours on the water; dress warm, it's cold out there even in July.
A stunning geothermal lagoon on the edge of the city, with an infinity edge that melts into the North Atlantic and a seven-step 'ritual' of sauna, cold plunge and scrub. Closer and more atmospheric than the famous Blue Lagoon out by the airport; go at sunset, drink in hand, sea before you.
The main street and the beating heart of downtown — a colourful strip of design shops, woollen-sweater stores, record shops, cafés, bars and street art, buzzing day and night. Stroll it end to end, dip into the side streets, and you've seen the best of the little city on foot.
From September to April, on a clear dark night, the aurora may ripple green and violet across the sky — chase them on a guided minibus tour out of the city light, or simply look up from a dark spot like Grótta. Never guaranteed, always magical; the winter's great prize.
A dazzling glass concert hall on the waterfront, its honeycomb façade of coloured panels shimmering with the light and sea — free to wander inside, and a hub for concerts and the city's music scene. Architecture worth a look in its own right; catch a performance, or just admire the glass at dusk.
A gleaming steel sculpture on the seafront, like a Viking longship rendered as a skeleton of ribs, pointing out across the bay to the mountains beyond. A short, lovely stroll along the waterfront from downtown, and the city's favourite photo; ethereal in the low northern light.
The heart of Icelandic life isn't a bar, it's the local swimming pool — a warm outdoor geothermal bath and a row of hot-pots to soak and gossip in, whatever the weather. Laugardalslaug is the biggest; cheap, wonderful, and the most authentic thing you can do. Shower naked first — it's the rule.
A striking glass dome atop hot-water tanks on a wooded hill, housing a superb nature museum — a real indoor ice cave, a planetarium northern-lights show, and a 360° observation deck over the whole city and bay. A brilliant rainy-day option and a great primer on Iceland's wild landscapes.
For its size, Reykjavík parties hard — the weekend 'djammið' is a crawl of the packed bars and clubs along Laugavegur that runs till 5am, fuelled by a famously fun, friendly crowd. Start late (Icelanders pre-drink at home, as bars are pricey), and hop from bar to bar with the flow.
The national fast food and a beloved ritual — a lamb-and-pork hot dog 'með öllu' (with everything: crispy and raw onions, ketchup, sweet mustard and remoulade) from a harbourside stand, for a fraction of the price of anything else in this pricey city. Cheap, delicious, and quintessentially Reykjavík.
The old fishing warehouses of Grandi have become the city's coolest quarter — a buzzing food hall of local street eats, an ice-cream maker, craft-beer taprooms, design studios and the striking Marshall House art space. The tastiest, most creative corner of Reykjavík, right by the harbour.
The street of Skólavörðustígur, painted in a permanent rainbow up towards Hallgrímskirkja, is the city's most photographed spot and the pride of famously open-minded Reykjavík. Wander the pretty streets of coloured corrugated-iron houses around it — the postcard heart of the little capital.
Beyond the hot dog, Iceland eats surprisingly well — melt-in-the-mouth lamb raised wild on the hills, the freshest cod and langoustine, skyr yoghurt, and rye bread baked in geothermal ground. Splurge on a tasting menu of new Nordic cooking, or brave the fermented shark if you dare.
A pretty, free botanic garden in the Laugardalur valley — a surprising oasis of northern flora, ponds and a lovely café greenhouse, next to the big pool and a small family zoo. A gentle, green couple of hours away from the downtown bustle, and lovely on one of the long summer evenings.
Prices are relative to Iceland, a expensive country.
The heart of 101
The centreThe compact, colourful downtown — the Laugavegur shopping street, Hallgrímskirkja on its hill, and almost all the bars, restaurants and nightlife packed into a few walkable blocks. The obvious and best base: you can walk everywhere and roll home from the bars, though it's the priciest and liveliest-at-weekends part of town.
What’s here
Harbour & foodie
4 min · 1 kmThe revitalised working harbour and the Grandi warehouse district beside it — whale- and puffin-watching boats, a food hall, design shops, museums and some of the city's best restaurants. A short walk from downtown, with a salty, creative buzz; a lovely, slightly quieter base right on the water.
What’s here
Pools, park & value
8 min · 3 kmThe green valley east of the centre — the city's biggest geothermal pool, the botanic garden, a small zoo and sports grounds, with family-friendly, better-value hotels. Calmer and more local, a 10-minute drive or bus from downtown; where to stay for space, quiet and a soak with the Reykjavíkers.
What’s here
Worth knowing: Reykjavík is tiny and walkable, but the wonders are outside it — you'll want day tours or a rental car for the Golden Circle, the south coast and the lagoons. The 'beach' is a geothermal pool; the sea here is for whales, not swimming. Winter days are very short, summer nights barely dark.
Day tour away
Iceland's classic day loop — the continental rift and old parliament site of Þingvellir, the spouting Strokkur geyser, and the thundering two-tier Gullfoss waterfall. The essential first taste of the country's raw geology, all within a few hours' drive of the city; easy to self-drive or tour.
Car or coach tour
45 min away
The world-famous milky-blue geothermal spa set in a black lava field near the airport — silica mud masks, a swim-up bar and steam rising into the cold air. Pricey and busy, so book ahead; many do it on the way to or from the airport. The Sky Lagoon in town is a cheaper alternative.
Car or bus
Day tour away
A jaw-dropping day east along the coast — the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss (walk behind it) and Skógafoss, the black-sand beach and basalt stacks of Reynisfjara, and glacier tongues creeping down the mountains. Iceland's greatest hits on one long, unforgettable drive.
Car or coach tour
Day tour away
Often called 'Iceland in miniature' — a peninsula north of the city with a glacier-capped volcano, black beaches, fishing villages, lava fields and the much-photographed Kirkjufell mountain. Wilder and less crowded than the Golden Circle; a superb full-day escape.
Car or coach tour
Best time to go
June to August — the mild, endlessly light summer (near-midnight sun), when the roads and highlands open up.
Cheapest: The shoulder months (May, September) balance decent weather with lower prices; deep winter is cheapest and best for the northern lights, if you brave the dark and cold.
Pick your dates above and we’ll tell you exactly what the weather does then.
August
13° / 8°C
A little rain
Good time to goReykjavík is the improbable little capital at the top of the world — a colourful, creative, high-latitude town of corrugated-iron houses, geothermal swimming pools and a bar-and-music scene far bigger than its size, wrapped in mountains and sea. Most come to use it as base camp for Iceland's otherworldly nature — the waterfalls, geysers, glaciers and, in winter, the northern lights, all a short drive away — but the city itself is warm, quirky and worth a couple of days. Expensive, but unlike anywhere else.
First things first
Tap the day you arrive.
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Last updated 4 August 2026. Cities are refreshed, not written once.