The building was designed by Gudjon Samuelsson and opened in 1986. Samuelsson is one of Iceland’s most well-known architects, and the church houses the largest concert organ in Iceland at 50 feet (15 meters) tall with 5,275 pipes and a weight of 25 tons.
Also, take note of the beautiful entrance door and glass art designed by artist Leifur Breidfjord.
In front of the church is a statue of Icelandic voyager Leif Eriksson, the first European to set foot in North America, more than 500 years before Christopher Columbus.
8. Things To See in Reykjavik: Explore by Foot
Many of the best places to see in Reykjavik can be found simply by walking, which is one of the advantages of having a small capital city.
From Hallgrimskirkja church, you’ll want to explore the nearby streets of Reykjavik’s city center. These are best explored on foot or by bike.
To truly soak up the culture, you’ll want to make sure to visit the main shopping streets, Laugavegur, Bankastraeti, Austurstraeti, Laekjargata, and Skolavordustigur. These are all easily accessible in the central area of Reykjavik.
We heartily recommend the many outdoor clothing chains selling extreme wear and outdoor gear if shopping is your thing. You can find such companies as 66° North, Zo-On, and Ice Wear in this area.
You’ll also find many small boutiques selling goods with fashionable Icelandic designs.
Aside from the shopping, there are numerous other neighborhoods in Reykjavik that are worth exploring.
The neighborhood Thingholtin is a good example. These are the residential streets between Hallgrimskirkja Church and Tjornin, a well-known lake in Reykjavik.
There you can find the “Neighborhood of the Gods” where the names of the streets in this derive from the Old Norse religion. You can find Odin’s Street (Odinsgata), Thor’s Street (Thorsgata), Loki’s Path (Lokastigur), Freya’s Street (Freyjugata), and several others.
You’ll also find colorful houses, beautiful gardens, and plenty of street art and will most likely bump into one of the resident cats (cats are common pets in central Reykjavik).
Reykjavik’s city lake (Reykjavikurtjorn, or Tjornin for short) is popular with travelers, especially bird enthusiasts. The area is home to a bevy of swans and a raft of ducks.
In winter, the lake sometimes freezes, allowing people to cross on foot, ice skate, or even make a slippery football field. Above the nice houses by the lake, lies the oldest cemetery in Reykjavik.
Next to the lake is Reykjavik City Hall and a large and informative 3D map of Iceland. South of Tjornin, one will find the Nordic House and the University of Iceland.
The Nordic House is Reykjavik’s only building designed by an internationally famous architect, Finnish-born Alvar Aalto. You’ll often find exhibitions and live music at The Nordic House, as well as a cozy café with views of the nearby lake.
Further south, you’ll come to the sea, where you can walk along Aegissida street and enjoy the stunning views ocean with Bessastadir, the presidential residence, seen from across the bay. Sunsets are particularly spectacular from here.
Traveling east and you’ll pass the domestic airport. Continuing this way, you’ll head towards Nautholsvik beach and the forested Oskjuhlid hill. From here, there’s an excellent vantage point of the city from the top of the Perlan museum viewing platform.
Alternatively, you could head further west towards Grotta. This area boasts a lighthouse, beach, and scenic foot bath called Kvika.
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Austurvollur Square is just north of Lake Tjornin and is an excellent spot to gather with friends and family.
It’s a popular spot if you’re looking for things to do in Reykjavik in the summer. People come here to drink beer and sunbathe when the midnight sun is out in force. The city holds concerts and public gatherings in this square during national celebrations.
When people are upset about political events, they also come to Austurvollur Square to protest the Icelandic parliament, located just by the square.
Cafes and shops line one side of the square, and just behind the parliament building is Reykjavik’s oldest church, Domkirkjan.
While strolling the city streets, why not head towards the picturesque Old Harbor? Here, you can learn about Iceland’s marine life and even book a whale-watching trip.
If you’re staying in Reykjavik over a weekend, you could also visit the city’s flea market, Kolaportid. This is an eclectic marketplace where you can buy a lopapeysa, a hand-knitted wool sweater that makes for a great souvenir.
The flea market is located by Reykjavik harbor and has many interesting items for sale, including several local delicacies. The atmosphere is lively, and you can find good bargains between 11 AM and 5 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
A little further along in the Old Harbor, you can find Grandi, Reykjavik’s fish-packing district. Old fishing factories and boat repair shacks have been turned into trendy shops, cafes, start-up companies, museums, restaurants, and breweries.
Grandi is an example of the city’s ever-changing face. While here, stop at Valdis for one of the best ice creams in town or have a locally brewed beer at Bryggjan Brewery.
You could also check out the Marshall House, the Whales of Iceland Museum, or the Aurora Reykjavik Museum. Look out for the stunning street art on Vesturgata and visit the grassy hill, Thufa, an outdoor art piece by Olof Nordal.
If you’d rather have a little help exploring Reykjavik, go on a 3-hour guided walking tour to explore this colorful and quirky city.
7. Book Local Reykjavik Activities To Fill Your Day
Reykjavik is a city of pleasant surprises. You can discover many of its hidden treasures on your own, or you can take advantage of it as the starting point for several guided tours.
In addition to everything in the city, there are many things to do near Reykjavik on a half-day or full-day tour.
If exploring by foot isn’t for you, take a scenic helicopter ride over the city where you make a sightseeing stop on top of one of its surrounding mountains, Mt. Esjan, for unparalleled views.
Other popular tours in and around the city include whale watching and puffin tours or horseback riding tours.
The most commonly sighted whales in the Faxafloi Bay next to Reykjavik are minke whales, humpbacks, porpoises, and dolphins.
Another option is to visit Videy, the most famous island off the Reykjavik shore. Videy is home to the Yoko Ono Imagine Peace Tower, a memorial to John Lennon.
Various seabirds also frequent the shore and the islands, such as gannets, gulls, cormorants, the arctic tern, and of course, the puffins (though only in summertime). There’s no shortage of things to do around Reykjavik!
6. Experience Reykjavik’s Nightlife
When looking for what to do in Reykjavik, don’t forget to add activities after nightfall. Depending on who you ask, Reykjavik’s nightlife is either famous or infamous.
People party into the early hours, and after the bars and clubs close, the streets will still be full of party people, either trying to find their way home, have a quick bite, or look for an after-party.
When looking for things to do in Reykjavik at night, keep in mind several bars and cafes offer live music at night. The city bustles with all sorts of other live entertainment, be it stand-up comedy, theatre, opera, jazz, drag shows, cabaret performances, or musicals.
From Sunday to Thursday, many venues are open until 1 AM, but on Friday and Saturday nights, many stay open until 5 AM. The drinks can be expensive but read see article to find cheap beer during happy hour at various bars. The Craft beer scene in Iceland is also pretty big, and you can find the best bars producing craft beer here.
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Tjarnarbio, located next to City Hall, is an excellent venue for theatre, music, and dance performances.
Bio Paradis is the city’s art cinema, often screening classic Icelandic films with English subtitles and weekly party screenings of international classics.
There is one film festival held in Reykjavik every year, the Reykjavik International Film Festival (September/October). Go here to find out more about festivals in Iceland.
Besides these regular events, there are endless amounts of one-off nights out.
5. Try the Local Cuisine in Reykjavik
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Benreis.
Reykjavik has some genuinely outstanding local and international cuisine. Why not make one of your activities in Reykjavik exploring the food scene?
You can find restaurants that specialize in local seafood or grilled meats. Besides Icelandic restaurants, there are also excellent Thai, Italian, Indian, Mexican and Japanese restaurants to be found within the city.
To taste the best of Icelandic cuisine, go on a Reykjavik food walk and savor some of the country’s most delicious delicacies.
Local cuisine focuses heavily on seafood and lamb. You can never go wrong by ordering the fish of the day in one of Reykjavik’s restaurants.
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Tom Bennett.
If you’re into trying unusual foods, why not check out some traditional Icelandic cuisines such as sour ram’s testicles or sheep’s head?
The most notorious food in Iceland is probably the fermented shark. You’ll want to wash the shark down with a shot of Brennivin, Iceland’s “black death” schnapps. This combination is often seen as a rite of passage or proof of strength and is a popular dare for Icelanders with foreign visitors.
You can find some fermented shark meat in the flea market Kolaportid, which is open every weekend.
Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by the Blanz.
Most people you’ll meet on your travels in Reykjavik will recommend having an Icelandic hot dog.
The hot dog stand Baejarins Beztu (“The Town’s Best”), near Reykjavik harbor, has a reputation for selling the most delicious hot dogs in Iceland.
There’s usually a long line there, particularly in the afternoon and on weekends, but most foreign visitors claim these sausages to be the best in the world. Just ask President Bill Clinton or Kim Kardashian, two of the stand’s best-known guests.
The classic option is to get “eina med ollu” or “one with everything.” This order includes a remoulade (a mayonnaise-based sauce), sweet mustard, ketchup, and a mix of crunchy and raw onions.
Whatever your preferences, this is the place to go if you like a good hot dog, and it won’t break the bank.
As for good cafes and coffee shops in Iceland, there are far too many to list them all.
A few to check out include Cafe Loki for traditional Icelandic food, Grai Kotturinn for a cozy atmosphere, Kaffibrennslan for people-watching, and Babalu for a drink on the balcony.
Or you could try the Cuckoo’s Nest for weekend brunch, Svarta Kaffid for the tasty soup served in a bread bowl, Peterson Suite or Loft Hostel for the views, or Reykjavik Roasters for some of the best coffee in town.
Your trip wouldn’t be complete without trying fresh cinnamon buns from Braud&Co bakery.
4. Visit the Harpa Concert Hall and Old Harbor
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall is an impressive glass building near the old harbor of Reykjavik.
It’s worth visiting this iconic building for its architecture alone, as you’ll be able to admire it both from the outside and inside and get some great pictures.
Be sure to check out what’s happening in the Harpa Concert Hall during your stay in Reykjavik. You might be able to see the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra during a rehearsal or attend a concert with some of Iceland’s most famous bands.
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Several multicultural celebrations occur in the building, and at night, it’s lit up with moving LED artwork by Olafur Eliasson.
The lights on the facade of the building are sometimes used interactively. At different times, people have been able to control the lights by playing a light organ, splashing the color of their choice on the hall through their phone, or playing the computer game Pong using the building as a monitor.
3. Immerse Yourself in Icelandic Art and Culture
It’s not just in Harpa and the local live performances that you can find Reykjavik’s art scene. Take your pick of museums, galleries, outdoor sculptures, and street art, which are all widely available.
The sculpture, Sun Voyager (pictured above), is a popular attraction nestled along the seaside. It’s close to Harpa Concert Hall and has a fantastic view of Mt Esja.
If you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll likely be able to spot several other sculptures around town.
The two largest sculpture museums are the Einar Jonsson Museum (next to Hallgrimskirkja Church) and Asmundur Museum in Laugardalur recreational area.
You can find a few smaller sculpture museums around town as well.
You could also take a stroll down Grandi and visit the outdoor sculpture, Thufa. This is a green circular hill that you can walk to the top of and get great views facing Harpa Concert Hall.
There are dozens of art museums and smaller art galleries. The largest ones are the Reykjavik Art Gallery, Kjarval Museum, and the National Gallery of Iceland.
The newest member of this institutional family is the Marshall House. Smaller venues include Mengi, Berg Contemporary, i8, Art Gallery 101, ART67 Gallery, Gallery Fold, and Gallery List, just to name a few.
Fantastic street art has been blossoming in recent years, with mesmerizing artwork adorning buildings all over town.
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Whether it’s the history and culture you’re looking for or simply knowledge about Iceland’s rich nature and wildlife, you can choose between several historical museums. The Saga Museum, the National Museum of Iceland, and the Arbaer Open Air Museum are popular.
Visit the Maritime Museum, the Whales of Iceland Museum, or learn about the Northern lights at Aurora Reykjavik.
2. Explore the Public Gardens and Parks
There are numerous green areas and parks you can visit in Reykjavik. While most people know of the natural sites outside the city, these parks are an excellent example of lesser-known Reykjavik tourist attractions.
Public gardens in the city include Hallargardur and Hljomskalagardur, by Lake Tjornin, and Klambratun/Miklatun, which surround the Kjarvalsstadir Art Museum.
These are popular areas for outdoor games throughout the summertime.
Another popular destination all year round is Grotta, with its iconic lighthouse and views over Faxafloi bay and Reykjavik’s signature mountain Esjan and Snaefellsjokull glacier on clear days.
You can even find an artificial, thermal foot bath (Kvika) among the rocks by the seashore, making this the perfect spot to keep your feet warm while sipping on a drink (BYO) and watching the northern lights.
If you want to submerge yourself in water inside the city limits (but still maintain a view towards the ocean), head towards Nautholsvik beach.
There’s a warm wading pool by the sand and a warm tub by the sea. If you’re brave enough, you can go for a swim in the ocean. The heat at Nautholsvik beach comes from Iceland’s hot springs. Iceland’s most famous hot spring can be found at the Geyser geothermal area on the Golden Circle.
Changing facilities and a cafe serving light snacks and drinks are on-site.
Next to Nautholsvik is Oskjuhlid hill, where you can walk among the remains of old bunkers, found between two forest trails.
Then there’s Ellidaardalur, in the middle of the city, where you can fish or have a picnic by a small waterfall. Ellidaardalur is popular with locals who go jogging or cycling through this inner-city paradise.
Venture a little further out of town into Reykjavik’s outskirts, and you’ll find Raudholar (Red Hills) and the nature reserve, Heidmork. The red and black hills of Raudholar have beautiful color contrasts, and you can go on a volcanic landscape horse riding tour through this beautiful area all year round.
Heidmork is a nature reserve filled with greenery, caves, and secluded BBQ picnic areas.
To reach Heidmork or Raudholar, you need to take a bus from downtown, rent a car, or go on a long bike ride.
1. A Reykjavik Must-See: The Northern Lights
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Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights, and they’re certainly one of the things to see in Iceland that everyone wants to experience. Take a northern lights tour to hunt this natural phenomenon with the help of an experienced guide.
You may be able to spot them from downtown Reykjavik, but the best place to see them within the city limits is by the seaside at Seltjarnarnes, a township just outside Reykjavik.
There, you’ll be away from the street lights and be able to take in the full majesty of the experience.
For the best chance to see the northern lights in Iceland, get as far away as possible from the city’s light pollution and look to the north.
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