Top things to do in Reykjavík
Attractions, tours, and activities in Reykjavík
Recommended museums in Reykjavík
Where to find art and culture in Reykjavík
Reykjavík: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Reykjavík
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Vesturbær
0.4 miles from downtown
Well-heeled Vesturbær is made for lazy afternoons. Once home to fishermen’s cottages, its quiet streets now house families and students. Join locals for a dip and some friendly gossip at Vesturbæjarlaug swimming pool. At Eiðsgrandi, take a seafront stroll and suck in fresh salty air. Then, sweeten things up with homemade ice cream at Valdís.
Places to stay from $58 a night
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Reykjavík 101
In downtown
“101” is Iceland’s hippest postcode. It’s peopled by artsy, woollen-capped clans and Macbook-toting media tribes. Cruise the Skólavörðustígur–Klapparstígur–Laugavegur triangle of streets for everything from saké bars to second-hand shops. Sip a latte in retro art-café Mokka, or sink craft brews in casual Kaldi Bar. Congrats, you’re officially cool!
Places to stay from $26 a night
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Reykjavík East
1.5 miles from downtown
The city’s first suburbs slowly popped up here in the 1940s. Today, the area fizzles with life. At Reykjavík Zoo, giddy kids line up to see cute Icelandic horses and reindeers up close. In Kringlan Mall, check out trendy weather-proof threads at 66°North. Then saunter down Laugalækur Street to peruse artisan food shops like the Sausage Company.
Places to stay from $21 a night
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Reykjavík South-East
4.7 miles from downtown
When Reykjavík rapidly grew after WWII, modern flats replaced this area’s old farm houses. Today, some buildings carry murals by Icelandic artists Erró and Sara Riel. At Árbær Museum, quaint grass-roof cottages and actors in folk dress recreate the old world. In Elliðaárdalur Park, you can pick wild berries to the sound of gushing waterfalls.
Places to stay from $50 a night
About Reykjavík
Including tips for the best time to visit Reykjavík
The world's northernmost capital is packed with history, culture, and Icelandic charm. Reykjavik's compact city center makes it easy to explore all of its streets lined with colorful houses, cozy cafes, and great restaurants serving up local favorites like kjötsúpa – a lamb soup with vegetables and herbs.
You can explore the city's Viking past at The Settlement Exhibition, where ancient ruins meet digital technology. Other main sights include the enormous Hallgrímskirkja Church and the National Museum, which tells the story of the country's history and unique culture.
Tons of excursions depart from the city, so travelers can experience the natural wonders beyond the capital, including the famous geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, ice caves, geysers, and waterfalls.
Lots of travelers stop for a dip in the nearby Blue Lagoon on their way to or from the airport in Keflavik, about 30 miles out of Reykjavik.
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| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.05 |
| Language | Icelandic |
| Average weekend price | $145 per night |
| Average weekday price | $141 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Reykjavík
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Reykjavík
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The Pearl
1.4 miles from downtown
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Laugavegur Shopping Street
0.9 miles from downtown
Reykjavík reviews
What other travelers say about Reykjavík
This is our second time to Reykjavik.
July 1, 2022
This is our second time to Reykjavik. I love this city so much. The people are so nice, the city is easily walkable, the art museums, the cultural institutions, the Harpa concert hall (amazing!), the closeness to the bay, the city bus system, everything. It was easy to catch a bus to the Golden Circle Tour and the Blue Lagoon. Though it is cold - you have to be prepared for that! - the city is just wonderful and I cannot wait to go back!
The free walking tour with Erik is awesome.
June 30, 2022
The free walking tour with Erik is awesome. Be sure to tip!! Overall it’s a wonderful but crazy expensive city. Be sure to visit Sky Lagoon. And our birthday dinner at The Food Cellar was the best chef’s dinner we’ve ever had. 😊
Reykjavik was a very friendly city to visit.
June 30, 2022
Reykjavik was a very friendly city to visit. It is amazingly clean. Very walking friendly city. Went to Reykjavik street food and it was great. Loved walking along the water front. It was very windy so make sure to bundle up.
It is a pleasant city with many natural parks, though...
June 30, 2022
It is a pleasant city with many natural parks, though overpriced for the low quality of its infrastructure. Chile probably has similar natural charms in type and scale, and is more appropriately priced and has a better quality tourist and city infrastructure.
Reykjavik is a low density, nature rich city with ease of...
June 28, 2022
Reykjavik is a low density, nature rich city with ease of walking and access to shops and restaurants nearby. It gets a bad rap for being expensive. While not cheap, we managed as a family of four to average $8 for simple breakfasts (rolls cheese, meat with cappuccino), $10 lunches (pizza, sandwiches, drinks) and $20 dinners (sit down restaurants). The golden circle tour with our car rental had minimum costs. We drove two days and gas was $30. The city sites like the famous church, downtown walking were free and the local thermal baths frequented by average people were $8 per person (a great alternative to the expensive lagoon). We stayed in a guesthouse in central Reykjavik with 4 beds, a kitchen and dining area, private bath, and our own private entrance for $160 a night in June. Bring your own eyewear to sleep as the sun is out all the time. 2 days and 2 nights in Reykjavik between 4 adults ran us roughly $170 per person all inclusive.
We loved our Golden Circle tour--we saw so much of the...
June 28, 2022
We loved our Golden Circle tour--we saw so much of the Island. The Blue Lagoon was great. This tour is worth the cost, especially if you have a short stay. Downtown is fun and funky. We tried the famous Icelandic hotdog which was tasty. Viet Noodles has amazing Pho and the chef and much of the staff are Vietnamese. We also had some great burgers at funky place, Le Kock, near our hotel. They also have some good beers on tap and games you can play at your table. There is a bakery right next door called Deig that has great doughnuts.
Popular places to stay in Reykjavík
Stay in some of the best accommodations Reykjavík has to offer
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Hotel Phoenix Reykjavík 101, Reykjavík
From $366 per night
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Black Pearl Apartment Hotel Reykjavík 101, Reykjavík
From $459 per night
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Baldursbrá Apartment Laugavegur Reykjavík 101, Reykjavík
From $217 per night
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