Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, a sleepy yet colourful and creative city, surrounded by wild landscapes. Although it’s a small city, there is no shortage of things to do. This blog post includes the top 13 things that should not be missed when visiting.
Table of Contents
Getting to Reykjavik
Iceland’s main airport is called Keflavik (KEF), only a 45-min drive from the city centre. Buses run from the airport to the centre, and taxis and car hire are available. Unfortunately, Iceland does not have a train line system.
Hallgrimskirjka
The Hallgrimskirkja is one of Reykjavik’s top sights and is also the tallest church in Iceland. The design was influenced by the unique Icelandic landscapes, from its glaciers to volcanos. I would recommend walking up the church tower to enjoy incredible views over the city. The church is free to enter and admission to the tower is 1000 ISK per adult. This is roughly about £6.
Harpa Concert Hall
The Harpa Concert Hall is on the waterfront, just on the outskirts of the main city area. This is where you can watch the Icelandic Orchestra and Opera perform. Even if you do not plan on watching a concert, the building is beautiful, with the front of the hall covered with a vibrant glass facade.
Sun Voyager Sculpture
The Sun Voyager is a steel sculpture also located on the waterfront. The Icelandic sculptor, Jon Gunnar Arnason created the Sun Voyager in 1990. Many think that the sculpture resembles a Viking ship, but it was in fact designed as an ode to the sun. This is a great spot to watch a sunrise or sunset. If you walk along the seafront you can’t miss this incredible sculpture.
Hofdi House
Hofdi is a white building along the waterfront in Reykavik. This building is full of history and is where the former President of Russia, Mikhail Gorbachev and President of the US, Ronald Reagen met to end the Cold War in 1986.
Stroll along the waterfront
Taking a walk along the waterfront was one of my favourite things to do in Reykavik. You can enjoy views over the Atlantic ocean and spot Mount Esja in the distance. This is where you will pass some of the sights mentioned above like the Sun Sculpture, Harpa Concert Hall and Hofdi House. If you fancy doing something a little different you can hire electric scooters to explore. Simply download the app ‘hopp’, find the nearest scooters to your location, scan, pay, and have a laugh.
Flyover Iceland experience
Flyover Iceland is a motion ride that takes you on a Birdseye view over some of the most scenic spots in Iceland. You fly over mountains, glaciers, volcanos and the ocean. This is a cool attraction especially if you have some free time in the city.
Hunt for the Northern lights
Although I’d recommend getting away from light pollution, it is possible to see the Northern lights on a clear night from Reykjavik. One of the best spots is the Grotta lighthouse area, which is mentioned a few points further down.
Enjoy a drink during happy hour
Iceland is known for being expensive, but most bars offer a happy hour where drinks are a little cheaper. The times for happy hour can vary everywhere so it’s worth having a look first. There is an app that I used called ‘Appy Hour’ which shows some of the bars that offer happy hour and their times.
Try some local cuisine
To me, there is no better way to explore a new country than to try some of the local cuisine and delicacies. This is something that I do everywhere I go. Icelandic cuisine usually includes lamb dishes, meat or fish soup, skyr, rye bread, and hot dogs! But there are some slightly more controversial cuisines that have been eaten in Iceland for centuries, such as Puffin and fermented Shark.
Grotta Lighthouse
Grotta Lighthouse is situated about a 10-minute drive outside of Reykjavik, on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula. It is possible to walk there following the shoreline, but the easiest way is to drive or hop on the bus. You can walk out to the lighthouse but you have to watch the tide times as it cuts the lighthouse off. During the summer season, birds nest here which means certain areas are blocked off. This is a great spot to glimpse the Northern lights in the winter months.
Visit some of the cities museums
Although your time in Reykjavik may be limited or you plan on doing trips, the city has many museums filled with history.
The settlement exhibition – This is the only museum I visited on the trip, but it was great. The museum is underground and built around an open excavation from the Viking age.
Perlan – A dome-shaped building on top of a hill just on the outskirts of the city. The museum is full of nature exhibitions including an indoor ice cave. This museum offers great views of the city, especially on a clear day.
Saga Museum – The Saga Museum gives you a guide through the history of Iceland and about the country’s first settlers, it helps create a picture of what life once looked like in Iceland.
Visit the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is not in the city but about a 45-min drive outside, close to the airport, making it a great way to start or end your trip in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located in a lava field, and one of the most popular places in Iceland, for good reason. Although it can get very busy, there is such a relaxing feel and the surrounding landscape is incredible. You have to book tickets in advance, this can be done online. There are different packages available but the cheapest is the ‘Comfort package’ that gives entry to the lagoon, 1 face mask and 1 complimentary drink from the swim-up bar, this is 8,490 ISK (about £50). There are buses that operate from the city to the Blue Lagoon and from the main airport.
Take day trips
Although Reykjavik is a great city, Iceland is all about the wild scenery and incredible nature! If you are staying in the city and don’t fancy hiring a car, the best way to see the country is by booking day trips. There are a number of companies that offer day trips to some of the best sights, most leaving from the city and many offering pick-up points from your hotel. One of the popular tours is to the Golden Circle (visiting Geysir hot springs, Pingvellir National Park and Gullfoss waterfall), Northern light hunting and adventure trips like Glacier hikes or snowmobiling. You can find information on tours and trips at the visitor information centres, by booking online or directly with companies. If you prefer to explore on your own there are plenty of car hire options available from the city centre.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Language in Iceland: Icelandic (English is widely spoken in most places)
Currency: Icelandic Krona
When to go: If you want to witness the Northern Lights, the best time for this is usually late September to March. If you want slightly warmer weather and more daylight, you should visit during the summer months when they experience the Midnight Sun.
Visitor Card: Like many countries in Europe, Reykavik offers City Cards. It offers free entry to many of the museums and local swimming pools, unlimited travel around the city, and discounts on various tours. They have different cards to suit everyone and various durations.
FACT: Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost Capital city.
Thanks for reading, Megan x
