See HallgrímskirkjaMust-See SightsPaidHallgrimskirkja's concrete tower dominates the Reykjavik skyline. The church itself is free to enter; the tower lift is ticketed and gives a good view over the colourful rooftops.0 Add to listSee HallgrímskirkjaMust-See SightsPaidHallgrimskirkja's concrete tower dominates the Reykjavik skyline. The church itself is free to enter; the tower lift is ticketed and gives a good view over the colourful rooftops.0 Add to list
Visit Harpa Concert HallMust-See SightsHarpa's glass-panel exterior is distinctive from the harbour walk and worth a close look. The lobby is open to the public; guided tours and performances are ticketed.0 Add to listVisit Harpa Concert HallMust-See SightsHarpa's glass-panel exterior is distinctive from the harbour walk and worth a close look. The lobby is open to the public; guided tours and performances are ticketed.0 Add to list
Photograph the Sun Voyager SculptureMust-See SightsThe Sun Voyager steel sculpture sits on the coastal path between Harpa and the Hofdi House. Easy to reach on foot and a quick stop with a view back towards the mountains.0 Add to listPhotograph the Sun Voyager SculptureMust-See SightsThe Sun Voyager steel sculpture sits on the coastal path between Harpa and the Hofdi House. Easy to reach on foot and a quick stop with a view back towards the mountains.0 Add to list
Walk Reykjavik's Old HarbourMust-See SightsReykjavik's old harbour is a short walk from the centre and has restaurants, whale-watching departures and a working fishing dock. A relaxed area for a morning walk or an afternoon stop.0 Add to listWalk Reykjavik's Old HarbourMust-See SightsReykjavik's old harbour is a short walk from the centre and has restaurants, whale-watching departures and a working fishing dock. A relaxed area for a morning walk or an afternoon stop.0 Add to list
Soak in the Blue LagoonMust-See SightsDay Trip · Paid · Check AccessThe Blue Lagoon is 40km from Reykjavik, near Keflavik airport - often easy to stop on arrival or departure. Entry is ticketed and should be booked well in advance; walk-ins are rarely possible.0 Add to listSoak in the Blue LagoonMust-See SightsDay Trip · Paid · Check AccessThe Blue Lagoon is 40km from Reykjavik, near Keflavik airport - often easy to stop on arrival or departure. Entry is ticketed and should be booked well in advance; walk-ins are rarely possible.0 Add to list
Tour the Golden CircleMust-See SightsDay Trip · Check AccessThe Golden Circle route covers Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall - about 300km of driving. A standard full-day trip from Reykjavik, best done by rental car or organised tour.0 Add to listTour the Golden CircleMust-See SightsDay Trip · Check AccessThe Golden Circle route covers Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall - about 300km of driving. A standard full-day trip from Reykjavik, best done by rental car or organised tour.0 Add to list
Take in Views From Perlan's Glass DomeMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidPerlan sits on a hill just south of the centre with a glass dome, a 360-degree viewing deck and a glacier and northern lights exhibition inside. Ticketed; the outdoor deck is free.0 Add to listTake in Views From Perlan's Glass DomeMust-See SightsWith KidsPaidPerlan sits on a hill just south of the centre with a glass dome, a 360-degree viewing deck and a glacier and northern lights exhibition inside. Ticketed; the outdoor deck is free.0 Add to list
Order a Pylsa With Everything at Baejarins BeztuLocal FoodLocal RitualsBaejarins Beztu is a small hot-dog stand near the harbour that's been there since 1937. Order one 'with everything' (pylsa med ollu) and get mustard, sweet mustard, remoulade, raw onion and crispy onion. Cheap, quick and easy.0 Add to listOrder a Pylsa With Everything at Baejarins BeztuLocal FoodLocal RitualsBaejarins Beztu is a small hot-dog stand near the harbour that's been there since 1937. Order one 'with everything' (pylsa med ollu) and get mustard, sweet mustard, remoulade, raw onion and crispy onion. Cheap, quick and easy.0 Add to list
Soak at a Local Reykjavik Pool (Nude Shower First)Fun Side QuestsLocal RitualsPaidVesturbaejarlaug is a local neighbourhood pool used by actual Reykjavik residents rather than tourists. Shower fully nude before entering the pool - this is the rule everywhere in Iceland and an attendant will send you back if you skip it.0 Add to listSoak at a Local Reykjavik Pool (Nude Shower First)Fun Side QuestsLocal RitualsPaidVesturbaejarlaug is a local neighbourhood pool used by actual Reykjavik residents rather than tourists. Shower fully nude before entering the pool - this is the rule everywhere in Iceland and an attendant will send you back if you skip it.0 Add to list
Dare the Fermented SharkLocal FoodHakarl is fermented Greenlandic shark, cured for months and served in tiny cubes. Available at the Kolaportid flea market on weekends. It smells strongly of ammonia; try a piece and move on quickly.0 Add to listDare the Fermented SharkLocal FoodHakarl is fermented Greenlandic shark, cured for months and served in tiny cubes. Available at the Kolaportid flea market on weekends. It smells strongly of ammonia; try a piece and move on quickly.0 Add to list
Dig Through KolaportidFun Side QuestsKolaportid is Reykjavik's weekend flea market in an old customs warehouse near the harbour. Mix of secondhand clothes, old vinyl, Icelandic wool and cheap local snacks. Open Saturday and Sunday only.0 Add to listDig Through KolaportidFun Side QuestsKolaportid is Reykjavik's weekend flea market in an old customs warehouse near the harbour. Mix of secondhand clothes, old vinyl, Icelandic wool and cheap local snacks. Open Saturday and Sunday only.0 Add to list
Visit the Punk Museum in a ToiletFun Side QuestsPaidThe Icelandic Punk Museum is in a converted underground public toilet in the centre of Reykjavik. Small, chaotic and very much in the spirit of the genre. Takes about 30 minutes.0 Add to listVisit the Punk Museum in a ToiletFun Side QuestsPaidThe Icelandic Punk Museum is in a converted underground public toilet in the centre of Reykjavik. Small, chaotic and very much in the spirit of the genre. Takes about 30 minutes.0 Add to list
Find a Boulder the Road Swerved AroundFun Side QuestsIceland genuinely routes roads around large rocks believed to be elf homes (huldufolk). You can find examples around the country, including near Reykjavik. Worth asking a local to point one out rather than hunting blindly.0 Add to listFind a Boulder the Road Swerved AroundFun Side QuestsIceland genuinely routes roads around large rocks believed to be elf homes (huldufolk). You can find examples around the country, including near Reykjavik. Worth asking a local to point one out rather than hunting blindly.0 Add to list
Visit the Fischersund Perfume ShopFun Side QuestsFischersund is a small perfume studio and shop in central Reykjavik run by the circle around the band Of Monsters and Men. Each scent has a specific story; the space doubles as a gallery. Quick and worth a stop.0 Add to listVisit the Fischersund Perfume ShopFun Side QuestsFischersund is a small perfume studio and shop in central Reykjavik run by the circle around the band Of Monsters and Men. Each scent has a specific story; the space doubles as a gallery. Quick and worth a stop.0 Add to list
Lap Tjörnin Pond With the LocalsActiveLocal RitualsTjornin is the central pond in Reykjavik with a flat 1.4km path around it - an easy morning run past the City Hall and colourful houses. Short enough to do multiple laps.0 Add to listLap Tjörnin Pond With the LocalsActiveLocal RitualsTjornin is the central pond in Reykjavik with a flat 1.4km path around it - an easy morning run past the City Hall and colourful houses. Short enough to do multiple laps.0 Add to list
Walk to Grótta Lighthouse at Low TideActiveLocal RitualsCheck Access · Spring · SummerThe Grótta lighthouse is at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, about 8km from the centre. The path out is easy; check the tides first because the final spit floods at high water and can strand walkers. There's a small geothermal foot bath at the end.0 Add to listWalk to Grótta Lighthouse at Low TideActiveLocal RitualsCheck Access · Spring · SummerThe Grótta lighthouse is at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, about 8km from the centre. The path out is easy; check the tides first because the final spit floods at high water and can strand walkers. There's a small geothermal foot bath at the end.0 Add to list
Swim the Geothermal Beach at NauthólsvíkActiveLocal RitualsWith KidsPaid · Check Access · SummerNauthólsvík is a man-made geothermal beach on the south coast of Reykjavik where warm water is piped into a lagoon next to the cold sea. Free from mid-May to mid-August; outside those dates a small fee applies. Water temperature is around 15-20°C.0 Add to listSwim the Geothermal Beach at NauthólsvíkActiveLocal RitualsWith KidsPaid · Check Access · SummerNauthólsvík is a man-made geothermal beach on the south coast of Reykjavik where warm water is piped into a lagoon next to the cold sea. Free from mid-May to mid-August; outside those dates a small fee applies. Water temperature is around 15-20°C.0 Add to list
Meet the Seals at Reykjavík Family ParkActiveWith KidsPaidReykjavik Family Park and Zoo is a small zoo with Icelandic animals - seals, arctic foxes, reindeer, sheep - plus a small funfair area. Modest by international standards but good for young kids and a low-key morning.0 Add to listMeet the Seals at Reykjavík Family ParkActiveWith KidsPaidReykjavik Family Park and Zoo is a small zoo with Icelandic animals - seals, arctic foxes, reindeer, sheep - plus a small funfair area. Modest by international standards but good for young kids and a low-key morning.0 Add to list
Stand Under a Life-Size Blue WhaleFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidWhales of Iceland near the old harbour has 23 full-size whale models to walk under, including a blue whale. A good wet-weather option for kids; free guided tours usually run late morning - check the current schedule.0 Add to listStand Under a Life-Size Blue WhaleFun Side QuestsWith KidsPaidWhales of Iceland near the old harbour has 23 full-size whale models to walk under, including a blue whale. A good wet-weather option for kids; free guided tours usually run late morning - check the current schedule.0 Add to list
Feed the Birds at Tjörnin PondFun Side QuestsWith KidsTjornin pond in central Reykjavik has a dense population of ducks, swans and geese. The city asks people to bring oats or seeds rather than bread. Easy with small kids; a five-minute detour from the city centre.0 Add to listFeed the Birds at Tjörnin PondFun Side QuestsWith KidsTjornin pond in central Reykjavik has a dense population of ducks, swans and geese. The city asks people to bring oats or seeds rather than bread. Easy with small kids; a five-minute detour from the city centre.0 Add to list
