Reykjavik attractions & sightseeing

23x Things to do in Reykjavik Iceland - Highlights & Sightseeing

What to do in Reykjavik and Iceland? Sightseeing Reykjavik Top 10, an overview of tourist attractions, highlights, landmarks and best activities. What are the best things to do in Reykjavík and Iceland?

Reykjavik sightseeing - 23x Places to visit in Reykjavík

The Icelandic capital of Reykjavik has a lot of character and is known for its many colors, museums, buildings, nature and beautiful surroundings, which ensures that you will have no trouble entertaining yourself for several days in Reykjavík. During your visit to the capital of Iceland, it is useful to consult the top 23 of the best Reykjavík sightseeing, activities, highlights, landmarks and tourist attractions below, so that you won't miss any important place of interest. Click on one of these must see attractions for more information about these unique sights and activities. The best things to do in Reykjavik and the surroundings of Iceland:

1. Hallgrimskirka, thé Reykjavik landmark

^{The statue of Leiff Eriksson in front of the church in Reykjavík}

^{The church is the must-see highlight of the Icelandic capital}

At the top of the list 'Best things to do in Reykjavik' is the Hallgrimskirkja. This Reykjavík Church is the tallest church building in Iceland and was built between 1945 and 1986. This Reykjavik landmark is 74.5 meters high and it is the most famous symbol of Reykjavík due to its visible location from all over the city. The church is open almost every day. Tip: You can also climb the tower for a nice view over Reykjavík center. The Lutheran church is named after the cleric Hallgrímur Pétursson who is considered to be the country's hymn writer because of his Passíusálmar. The architect is Guðjón Samúelsson and was inspired by the basalt parts of the landscape that can be found in Iceland. The unique church was seen as a mix of styles during its construction and is without a doubt one of the most important Reykjavik sights. The interior of the church is very modest, but the eye-catcher is the organ with 5275 pipes.

In front of the church is a statue of Leiff Eriksson, the son of Erik the Red and believed to have been the first European settler to have been in North America over 500 years before Columbus. The statue was donated by the United States in 1930 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Alþingi (Icelandic Parliament).

2. Perlan, a unique highlight

^{Perlan, one of Reykjavik's newest landmarks}

^{In the Perlan you have a beautiful panorama}

Perlan - Wonders of Iceland - is a versatile and unique landmark in Iceland. The first thing you notice is the glass dome of this Reykjavik attraction. This dome stands between six large tanks, in one of which hot water is stored for Reykjavik city by means of geothermal energy. The sixth tank has been turned into a museum. The creation of the beautiful landscape is presented in the museum. The unique flora and fauna comes to the fore here. You can also stand on the platform on top of the tanks and then you have a very nice view over the city of Reykjavik where you can take great pictures.

The Perlan museum also contains a replica of a 100-meter long ice cave and a nature exhibition with stuffed animals and explanations about the origin of the volcanic landscape (including a lava show) and glaciers. A 360 degree restaurant has been created in the glass dome where you can enjoy a meal or a drink. This panorama restaurant is an experience in itself. Inside is also a planetarium where beautiful images of the Northern Lights can be seen. In the summer you can go further down with a zipline from the Perlan. You can also visit this attraction on a rainy day (Tip: book your Perlan tickets online).

3. Harpa, eye-catcher of Reykjavík

^{Harpa, the concert hall is a unique sight}

^{Visit special architecture and landmarks in Iceland}

The Harpa should not be missing on the list of Reykjavik sightseeing. Harpa is a very large concert hall and convention center located on the harbor of Reykjavik. The concert hall has 1800 seats and the building was designed by Henning Larsen. This is a Danish architect and this was in collaboration with Olafur Eliasson. Construction started in 2006, but in 2006 and 2007 the credit crisis brought construction to a standstill. Nevertheless, the decision was made to complete this and the opening concert took place on May 4, 2011.

Harpa's glass building is a beautiful design, in which the starting points of the design are light, color and natural phenomena. Harpa is an old Icelandic word and is a month in the old Nordic calendar. Harpa is located in the north of Reykjavik near the old harbor of the city. Within a 10-minute walk you are there from the center and the highlight will immediately stand out because of the shiny colored glasses; the surrounding water gives an even more sparkling effect. A quick look inside the building is already worth visiting this tourist attraction and attending a concert is of course the highlight (official website).

4. Sun Voyager

^{Sightseeing Reykjavik: 'Sun Voyager' artwork}

^{A relaxing coastal walk}

About 500 meters further from the beautiful Harpa concert hall is a striking piece of art on the coast: the Sun Voyager. This landmark looks like a Viking ship and many people also think this because of the Icelandic Viking history, but this must represent a dream ship. It is made of stainless steel and pays tribute to the sun. The artwork represents hope, freedom and progress. The Sun Voyager is located close to the center on the waterfront promenade and provides beautiful photos due to the reflection during sunset. It;s on of the best free things to see in Reykjavik. Between the Sun Voyager and the historic Höfði House you can also take a relaxing coastal walk where you will encounter some works of art.

5. Places to visit: the colorful Laugavegur

^{Things to do: the lively shopping area around Laugavegur}

^{Reykjavik Places of Interest: Colorful facades in Laugavegurr}

Laugavegur is the pleasant part of town to walk around, because here is the popular and eponymous shopping street for shopping and buying souvenirs. Here you will also find atmospheric restaurants and bars. Laugavegur also has many side streets where more shops, restaurants, terraces and art studios can be found. Laugavegur is known for the colored and painted houses that really give the shopping street its own character. There are also many hotels nearby, putting all the shopping and dining options within easy reach.

6. Things to do in winter: Spotting the Northern Lights

^{On an excursion to admire the Northern Lights}

^{The Northern Lights over Reykjavik Iceland}

Firstly, in the city there is Aurora Reykjavik, a museum dedicated to the Northern Lights. There is a Northern Lights theater, background information and you can experience the Northern Lights with VR glasses. You will also learn how to take the best photos to capture the natural phenomenon (more info and tickets).

Of course the highlight is a Northern Lights tour where you will leave the city (downtown is a lot of light pollution). This can be done with a walking tour, but I reommend you make it more comfortable by booking this Northern Lights bus tour or even do this tour Northern Lights by boat. Between October and March you have the best chance of spotting the Northern Lights. This could even be done in September and April. The best chance, however, is in the middle of winter, when the nights are longer and less water vapor is clouding the sky due to the icy cold. It is even said that in Reykjavík you could see the Northern Lights 280 days a year.

7. Walking around Lake Tjörnin & Austurvöllur Square

^{Art at Lake Tjörnin, Reykjavik Iceland's Lake}

^{Plenty of water birds in front of the town hall}

In the capital you can relax around Lake Tjörnin where many water birds can be spotted. At the lake you can also view the town hall. In this town hall you will find a beautiful 3D model of Iceland and public toilets. In the winter you can even skate on the lake and in the summer it is wonderful to walk along the beautiful works of art that are located around the lake.

From the town hall you walk to the square Austurvöllur, the square where the parliament building (Alþingi) from 1881 is located and is the heart of 'Old Reykjavik'. Next to the parliament building is a modest church, the Dómkirkja. Also in the center of the square is the statue of Jón Sigurdsson, an Icelandic hero as he led the campaign for Icelandic independence. From Austurvöllur Square, you then walk to Reykjavik's oldest street, Aðalstræti. On this street, at number Aðalstræti 10, you will find Reykjavík's oldest building (built in 1762). This building can now be visited as a museum in combination with the adjacent The Settlement Exhibition.

Tip: A fun way to discover this part of Reykjavik downtown is with this Free Walking Tour, where a guide takes you through the old part of the capital.

8. Reykjavík City Museum: The Settlement Exhibition

^{The Settlement Exhibition in Reykjavik}

^{Aðalstræti 10, the old building in Reykjavik center}

The Settlement Exhibition is a Reykjavik tourist attraction that deals with the origins of Iceland and the first people to settle here. This location is part of the Reykjavik City Museum which is partly underground. If you only want to visit a single museum in Reykjavík, this museum and the Perlan are my recommendations. In the modern museum you can see remains of a farm from the 10th century and constructions from the Viking era. Using good multimedia you will find out what life was like then and there is a lot on display so that you can almost get a sense of what it was like in Iceland at the time. A visit to the Settlement Exhibition is included in the Reykjavik City Card otherwise you pay 2900 ISK (about 19 dollar/euro). The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 Ppm.

9. National Museum of Iceland

^{Visiting Iceland's National Museum}

^{Thjodminjasafn museum of Iceland}

The National Museum of Iceland is also known as Thjodminjasafn. Here you can learn more about the history of Icelandic culture. What is on display here are 2000 archaeological finds and thousands of photos. This will take you through all the periods using topics such as lifestyle, traditions and the history of Iceland. Many objects come from the Viking era and you get a clear picture of the history of Iceland. Admission to the three-storey museum is 2,500 ISK (about 18 dollar/euro (book your tickets online), but is also included in the discounted Reykjavik City Card:

10. Things to Do in Reykjavik: Whale Watching

^{Whale watching from the capital of Iceland}

^{Reykjavik Things to Do: The Whale Watching Tour}

Firstly, near the harbor there is an exhibition about whales in Iceland called 'Whales of Iceland'. There are 23 life-size scale models on display here and an interesting film that will help you learn more about these whales (info and tickets).

In addition, it's really interesting to do a boat trip where you go whale watching (book your whale watching tour here). This is possible all year round, but is most recommended between May and October. You will encounter minke whales, porpoises and dolphins here. An experienced guide will accompany you and you will usually be given warm overalls. Whale watching in Iceland's waters is an activity that the true nature lover won't want to miss.

Book Whale watching tour

Another fun activity for animal lovers is a boat excursion (more info about puffin tours) to spot puffins at the seaside cliffs, this is possible only in the breeding season from May to August.

11. Special activities: FlyOver Iceland

^{FlyOver Iceland near the Old Port}

^{What to do in Reykjavik: A unique experience in Iceland}

FlyOver Iceland is one of the newest attractions in Reykjavik and an absolute must do to end your holiday or even more highly recommended when you visit Reykjavik with children. With a small group you take a seat in a moving chair and you fly over the amazing landscapes of Iceland with all kinds of special effects such as wind, fog and scent. The total experience of FlyOver Iceland divided into three rooms takes half an hour and as a highlight you take the unforgettable eight-minute flight where you get to know Iceland from its most beautiful side. Maybe not the cheapest attraction, but definitely worth the money (Tip: Due to limited capacity, it is recommended to book your timeslot in advance).

12. To do: Excursions in Iceland

Reykjavik is the perfect base for day trips to discover other parts of Iceland. Consider, for example, excursions to the popular Golden Circle, an excursion to the southern part, peninsula Snaefellsnes and the Blue Lagoon. This Blue Lagoon is located in the southwest and was created from geothermal heated water. The color of the water is a beautiful blue and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Iceland. A day trip to the Golden Circle is a real must-see with highlights such as waterfalls, geysers and volcanic craters. Snaefellsnes Peninsula is also well worth a visit, as you will find rugged and uninhabited landscapes here. Actually, your Reykjavik city trip is not complete without planning at least three days for day trips in the area. This article provides tips for the 12 best excursions from Reykjavik.

13. Icelandic Phallus Museum

^{The Phallus Museum, a unique attraction}

You don't come across this museum every day, because here you see penises of all kinds of animal species. In fact, the Phallological Museum is the only penis museum in the world. It has a collection of over 280 penises (partly in spirits and partly penis bones) consisting of the land and sea creatures of Iceland (including giant whale penises) and various well-known animal species outside of Iceland. There is a lot of information provided which will certainly make it educational. The entrance is 3000 ISK (about 20 dollar/euro) and the museum is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm (website).

14. Þúfa and the Old Port of Reykjavik

^{Þúfa, the special viewpoint at the harbor}

^{Visiting the Port of Iceland's Capital}

Be sure to take a walk through the old harbor of Reykjavik which is located in the area behind the Harpa concert hall. It is a lively area with, among other things, many colorful fishing boats and the place from which whale tours depart. Around the harbor you will find several shops and restaurants in old renovated fishermen's huts to have a drink with a view of the old harbour, but also some interesting museums such as the maritime museum, the Saga museum and the new Lava Show Experience (more info and bookings).

Completely on the other side side of the harbor you will find a striking green hill, Þúfa. This is a work of art from 2013 which consists of 4500 tons of gravel. On top of the hill is a traditional hut in which fish used to be dried. From the top you have a magnificent view of the old harbour. On the way back you can stop in the harbor at 'OmNom Chocolate', this chocolate factory and ice cream shop is renowned for its excellent and creatively presented ice creams.

15. Saga Museum

^{The Saga Museum, the wax museum}

In the Saga museum, history is brought to life in a fun way with wax statues. Here you will receive an audio guide that leads you through the well set up museum. Hear stories (sagas) about Iceland's origin and colonization. The lifelike wax figures provide more empathy. Nice bonus is that in the museum you can dress up as Viking and take funny pictures. Admission to the museum is 3600 ISK (approximately 24 dollar/euro), open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (official website).

16. Hot Springs: Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon

^{Blue Lagoon, a top attraction in Iceland}

^{Come relax in the hot springs of Blue Lagoon}

One of Iceland's most popular attractions is the Blue Lagoon (more info & tickets including transfer). Located 39 kilometers from Reykjavík, these beautiful geothermal baths are easily accessible on a day trip. On the one hand, this is too commercial an attraction, on the other hand, a must-do on the bucket list for many tourists.

A cheaper alternative is the Sky Lagoon, these pools are just a few miles from Reykjavik and have only been open a few years. Here you have great sea views while relaxing in a geothermal bath. The advantage of the Sky lagoon is that it is cheaper and faster to reach from the capital (you can book tickets here including a transfer). During your visit to the Sky Lagoon you can also follow a 7-step cleansing ritual (more info and bookings Sky Lagoon).

17. Reykjavik City Museum: Maritime Museum

This is a museum about the Icelandic shipping and it is located in a former fish factory in the old harbor of Reykjavík. It was established in 2005 and is one of the locations of the Reykjavik City Museum. It focuses on 150 years of fishing history in Iceland; besides tourism, the main driver of the Icelandic economy. The museum follows the entire route from fishing at sea to processing on land. Another part of the maritime museum is about the Coast Guard.

This museum is also included in the Reykjavik City Card, otherwise you pay 2350 ISK (about 16 dollar/euro). Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

^{Visiting Reykjavik's Maritime Museum}

^{Höfði House, a historical place of interest in Iceland}

18. Höfði House: Historic Highlight

Höfði House once hosted a historic meeting between US President Reagan and Russian President Gorbachev. This is where the Cold War ended. It is a white wooden villa which you can only see from the outside and at the house you will also see a statue with information and memorial plaques. For foreign tourists, it is also called Reagan-Gorbachev House.

19. What to do in Reykjavík: Ferry to Videy Island

^{What to do in Reykjavík: Ferry to Videy Island}

^{The Peace Tower on Videy Island}

What to do near the capital? From Reykjavík you can take the ferry to Videy Island. The island consists of two parts that are connected by a spit of land. The island is about 1.7 km² in size and is a remnant of an extinct volcano. You are on the island within 15 minutes by boat. The Imagine Peace Tower can be seen here and this is a memorial to John Lennon from his widow Yoko Ono. The monument consists of a tall tower of light on which is projected “Imagine Peace” in 24 languages. On the island you will also find beautiful walking routes, many bird species and a beautiful view of the city (The Imagine Peace Tower is illuminated on: October 9 – December 8, December 21 – 31, February 18 and March 20 – 27. With this Videy island tour it is then possible to visit the illuminated Imagine Peace Tower up close)

Visitor info: The ferry runs 8x a day (see schedule) during the summer season and costs 2100 ISK (about 14 euros). The ferry to Videy Island is included in the Reykjavik City Card.

20. Grotta Lighthouse

^{Activities: Take a trip to the Grotta Lighthouse}

^{What to do in Iceland: Spot the Northern Lights}

Grotta Lighthouse is the lighthouse of Reykjavik. From the center you can take a nice 5 km walk along the coast and then you will arrive at this lighthouse. The smell of seaweed greets you. In the late evening, this area can also be an ideal place to spot the Northern Lights. The lighthouse is located in the northwest of the capital and is 23 meters high. Tip: It is recommended to go here at low tide, as you can only enter the last bit to the lighthouse at low tide.

21. Traditional Food & Hákarl Challenge

^{Do you dare? Hákarl with a glass of Brennivín}

^{Must do: eat a hotdog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur}

Although this is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Iceland, it has excellent traditional cuisine. Eating out isn't cheap in Reykjavik, but the cuisine is based entirely on ingredients the island has to offer. First of all, there are excellent lamb dishes (including the famous lamb soup); because the sheep have been able to graze freely on the island, this lamb is of excellent quality. The other food source is, of course, seafood, with cod, herring and artcic char being common fish caught in the cold Arctic waters. This gives you plenty of choice from excellent fish restaurants. However, due to the Icelandic soil, the supply of vegetables is limited. Furthermore, Reykjavik's oldest hot dog stand, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, has gained cult status; according to the residents of Reykjavík, these are the tastiest hot dogs out there and by default there is a long queue for this hot dog stall.

In addition, there are also a number of rarer (and equally controversial) dishes that are still served in a surprising number of restaurants. Think of puffin, minke whale, reindeer and horse meat. Several restaurants offer 7-course tasting menus to taste these kinds of dishes (Sæta Svínið is an attractive restaurant to do this and Tapas Barinn serves Icelandic tapas dishes in its own way). Slightly less appealing, but very traditional, are the following dishes: Svið (boiled sheep's head) and Hákarl (fermented shark). As a preservation method, it was previously discovered that a shark became edible if it was first fermented underground for a few weeks and then dried. The result is a very pungent ammonia smell and taste. In some traditional restaurants such as Café Loki, this Hákarl is still served in combination with a glass of Brennivín, the local strong alcohol to wash away the taste. Will you do this Hákarl Challenge?

22. Relax in Laugardalur Park

^{What to see in Reykjavik: Family Park and Zoo}

^{On the left in the photo the Laugardalslaug thermal pool}

Want to do something active in Reykjavik? In the Laugardalur Park you can do a lot of sports and recreation. For example, you can go to the Laugardalslaug, Reykjavik's largest pool with geothermal heated water. Visiting swimming pools is a favorite activity of Icelanders and you can enjoy the pools here among the locals. Also adjacent to this park is the free botanical garden with a large collection of subarctic plants. Also next door is the Family Park and Zoo (included in the Reykjavik City Card, otherwise 980 ISK entrance). This zoo has mostly farm and native animals and some attractions for children.

23. Visit more museums in Reykjavik

^{Árbaer, visit the open-air museum near Reijkjavik}

^{The punk museum in an underground toilet}

If you're going to visit Reykjavik, it's hard to miss going to a museum (tip: many museums are included in the Reykjavik City Card). Reykjavik is truly an extensive museum city and in addition to the museums already mentioned there is also the Árbaer Open Air Museum, also part of the Reykjavik City Museum. This museum, which is located in the open air just outside the city, gives visitors an insight into the past times of living and life in Reykjavík. You see houses from that time with many objects in them that give you an image of that time. In Icelandic this museum is also called Arbaejarsafn.

For the art lover, you also have the National Gallery of Iceland. Here are works of art by well-known artists from Iceland that support the culture. Another art museum is the Reykjavík Art Museum. This museum consists of three locations: main location Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn. You will mainly find contemporary art here.

In the old town is also the Punk Museum, the special location is in a former public toilet and is dedicated to punk music in Iceland. The Culture House, on the other hand, is a very varied museum with an art gallery, archives, library and collections brought together from different museums. At the Einar Jónsson Museum you will come across a lot of sculpture, which are largely in the beautiful and free garden that you can walk through if you have just visited the Hallgrímskirkja. Finally, you have the Photography Museum that also belongs to the Reykjavik City Museums.