10 Best Things To Do In Reykjavik, Iceland

Welcome to the best things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland!

Iceland’s capital is one of my favorite cities I’ve visited.

It’s a big enough city to have nice amenities and places to eat, while still holding a lot of charm.

Iceland really mixes the old-world with the modern SO well, and Reykjavik is a perfect example of that.

So, here are the best things to do in Reykjavik.

Let’s dive in.

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Reykjavik Essentials

Top Experiences & Tours In Reykjavik

Where To Stay In Reykjavik

How To Get Around Reykjavik

Reykjavik is fairly small and walkable, and parking can be a bit of a hassle.

However, if you plan on heading out on any adventures (which I highly recommend you do!) you’ll definitely want a car.

There is no Uber in Iceland, and cabs are very expensive.

Make sure to reserve your rental car in advance on RentalCars.com.

Short on time? I recommend booking a South Coast Full Day Tour by Minibus!

1. Explore Downtown

Reykjavik’s downtown is highly walkable, and packed with restaurants and shops to check out.

Many of these can be found on one of the oldest streets in Reykjavik, Laugavegur.

Laugavegur is considered downtown Reykjavik’s Main Street, and holds much of the city’s best shopping, dining, and nightlife.

I recommend grabbing breakfast at a nearby cafe, then spending the morning exploring the eclectic stores and colorful street art.

Nightlife

If you’re looking for nightlife, you’ll find that Reykjavik has a vibrant scene for such a small city.

Bars and clubs are open until 5:00 am on weekends!

And everything is centrally located, so it’s super easy to bar hop.

Shopping

if you want to pick up an iconic Icelandic sweater, you must visit the Handknitting Association of Iceland shop.

Some stores will sell mass-produced products with a high markup to unsuspecting tourists. That’s why it’s important to check where products are made before you buy.

However, everything at the Handknitting Association of Iceland is locally made. So I think it’s really worth supporting!

Pro tip: While you may get sticker shock looking at price tags, remember that sticker prices in Iceland include sales tax.

And as a tourist, you can receive a tax refund at the airport. So keep that in mind when picking up souvenirs!

Museums

Reykjavik is full of interesting museums, perfect for spending a rainy day.

To learn more about Iceland’s fascinating history, visit the National Museum Of Iceland.

Or, take a trip to the quirky Icelandic Phallological Museum.

Yes, it’s a penis museum.

2. Visit Hallgrímskirkja

One of the most iconic buildings in Reykjavik is the church Hallgrímskirkja.

At 245 feet tall, this unique architectural masterpiece towers above the surrounding city.

Located at the top is an observation deck that boasts amazing, 360 degree views of the city and harbor.

You can take an elevator to the top, which costs $9 for adults, and $1 for children.

3. Tour Harpa

Speaking of architectural masterpieces, the next best thing to do in Reykjavik is tour Harpa Concert Hall.

The building’s striking exterior is made completely of glass, which reflects Iceland’s beautiful landscape off of its wild geometric design.

Harpa is home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera, and holds events often.

However, it’s completely free to go inside and walk around.

If you love design and architecture, I really recommend taking a peek inside this impressive structure.

4. Admire the Sun Voyager

Just a few steps from Harpa, you’ll find yourself on Reykjavik’s waterfront.

Taking a sunset stroll on the waterfront is one of my favorite things to do in the city.

One of the most famous sights to see here is the Sun Voyager sculpture.

This large metal sculpture by Icelandic artist Jón Gunnar Árnason resembles a Viking long-ship.

Árnason intended it to convey the dream of hope, progress, freedom, and undiscovered territory.

Which means it’s a must-visit as a traveler!

Related: Art Instagram Captions

5. Eat your way through town

While Iceland as a country may not be known for its food, Reykjavik is certainly a hot spot for some delicious dining.

My husband and I had some of the food we’d ever eaten when we stumbled across Kröns Street Food.

Owned and operated solely by a talented chef and his lovely girlfriend, the food was next-level delicious.

It was so good, we literally ate there five times on our trip. Not kidding.

So, definitely eat there while you’re in the city!

Of course, the famous Icelandic hot dog is another thing to try. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (“The City’s Best Hotdog”) is THE spot to try it, with a long line at all hours of the day.

One of the most popular breakfast spots is the bakery and cafe Sandholt. Also be prepared for a wait there.

A traditional Icelandic food you have to try is skyr. It’s very similar to Greek yogurt, and has been eaten in Iceland for over 1,000 years.

You’ll probably also hear a lot about fermented shark.

We didn’t end up trying it, as locals assured us it was disgusting- but if you’re feeling extra adventurous!

6. Stroll the Old Harbour

Exploring the Old Harbour offers a peek into traditional Icelandic culture.

This historic district was the heart of Reykjavik in the early 20th century, when much of the city’s commerce revolved around the fishing industry.

Nowadays, the colorful old fishing sheds are home to cafes, bars, restaurants, galleries, and souvenir shops.

The harbor also serves as a jumping off point for many cruises and tours, such as puffin and whale watching.

I recommend grabbing dinner here, and watching the sun set over the harbor.

7. Soak in the Blue Lagoon

One of the most iconic activities in Iceland, visiting the Blue Lagoon is definitely one of the best things to do in Reykjavik.

Okay, it’s not in Reykjavik, but it’s only a 45 minute drive away. And it’s totally worth the visit!

It’s gotten a reputation for being more touristy, but don’t let that deter you.

It will feel that way as you first enter the facilities and wait in line, but after that it’s sooo nice.

The facilities themselves are very clean and modern.

And once you’re in the lagoon, there’s plenty of room for everyone to spread out, and the atmosphere is very relaxing.

Here, the water is geothermally heated to the perfect temperature, and the silica and other minerals in the water are said to be great for your skin.

Also, each reservation includes a complimentary first drink and a mud mask, which is a nice touch.

We ended our trip with a visit to the Blue Lagoon, and it was exactly what we needed after a week of living in a van and non-stop hiking.

Pro tip: LADIES! I HIGHLY recommend tying your hair up into a high bun! Or else, the silica in the water will make your hair extremely knotty and you will be untangling your hair for days lol.

8. Drive the Golden Circle

If you don’t have time to drive the full Ring Road, fret not. You can still see some really beautiful places by visiting the Golden Circle.

This short road trip makes for a wonderful day trip from Reykjavik.

You can take one of many tours that leave from the city, or easily drive yourself.

Some of the highlights here include Thingvellir National Park, the waterfall Gullfoss, and the geyser Strokkur.

9. Stay in a glass cabin

You’ve probably seen the Panorama Glass Lodge all over Instagram. These beautiful all-glass huts are complete with private hot tubs and stunning views for days.

And they’re only a 1 hr 40 minute drive away, which is perfect to tack onto a weekend in Reykjavik itinerary.

Can you think of any better way to watch the northern lights or the midnight sun from your own cozy bed?

Unfortunately, these cabins are in high demand, and book out pretty quickly. So if you want to stay here, snag a reservation as early as you can.

Panorama Glass Lodge reservations: panoramaglasslodge.com

10. Visit Fagradalsfjall

Fagradalsfjall is the volcano that started erupting in March 2021, and has been been going ever since!

The coolest part is that it’s only an hour away from Reykjavik, and it’s quite safe to visit.

Seriously, how many places in the world can you get up close and personal with an erupting volcano?

I think that definitely makes it one of the best things to do in Reykjavik, and totally worth the visit while you’re in town.

Pro tip: The conditions, trails, and best viewpoints are continuously changing, so make sure to check safetravel.is/eruption-in-reykjanes for up-to-date information.

Posted By: Arabella · In: europe, iceland, travel