Hallgrímskirkja
Landmark Lutheran church designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, begun in 1945 and consecrated in 1986, with a 74.5-metre tower whose observation deck overlooks Reykjavik's colourful rooftops, the bay and Mount Esja.
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About Reykjavik
Reykjavik is a small, walkable capital on the south-west coast of Iceland with a colourful old centre around Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, the Harpa concert hall on the harbour and the Hallgrímskirkja tower above the town. Highlights are the Settlement Exhibition and the National Museum, the Sun Voyager sculpture, the Perlan glass dome, whale watching from the Old Harbour and the city's geothermal swimming pools such as Laugardalslaug. The city is also the starting point for Golden Circle, South Coast and northern lights tours. English is spoken everywhere and cards are accepted almost universally, but prices are among the highest in Europe.
- Capital
- Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and of the Capital Region
- Largest city
- Reykjavik
- Population
- ~140,000 city (~240,000 Greater Reykjavik capital area)
- Languages
- Icelandic, English widely spoken
- Currency
- Icelandic króna
- Time zone
- GMT (UTC+0, no daylight saving time)
Explore Reykjavik by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Reykjavik
The 21 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Harpa Concert Hall
Concert hall and conference centre on the harbour, opened in 2011, with a glass facade designed by artist Ólafur Elíasson and home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera.
Perlan
Glass dome on top of six former hot water tanks on Öskjuhlíð hill housing the Wonders of Iceland exhibition, a 100-metre artificial ice cave, a planetarium show and a 360-degree viewing deck.
Settlement Exhibition (Landnámssýningin)
Underground museum built around the excavated ruins of a 10th-century longhouse, with interactive displays on the first settlers of Reykjavik and a layer of volcanic tephra dated to about 871.
National Museum of Iceland
Iceland's main cultural history museum, whose permanent exhibition 'Making of a Nation' follows the country from the Settlement Age to the present through more than 2,000 objects.
Sun Voyager (Sólfar)
Stainless steel sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason on the seafront in the shape of a Viking ship, installed in 1990, with views across Faxaflói bay to Mount Esja.
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Reykjavik Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Reykjavik, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Reykjavik
- Days 1-2Reykjavik city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Reykjavik
- Days 1-3Reykjavik comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Reykjavik, departure
Where to stay in Reykjavik
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget ISK 17,500 (~$140)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range ISK 48,000 (~$384)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury ISK 122,000+ (~$976+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
The Reykjavik EDITION
Five-star design hotel beside Harpa concert hall with a rooftop bar and harbour views.
Check rates on Booking.comCanopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre
Contemporary four-star hotel in the shopping and nightlife quarter close to Hallgrimskirkja.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Borg
Art Deco hotel opened in 1930 facing Austurvöllur square and the Parliament.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Holt
Boutique hotel known for its collection of Icelandic art and a quiet residential setting.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Reykjavik
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Dill
One-Michelin-star New Nordic restaurant on Laugavegur, also holding a Michelin Green Star, built around seasonal Icelandic produce.
ÓX
Michelin-starred 17-seat chef's counter off Laugavegur serving a tasting menu of Icelandic ingredients.
Matur og Drykkur
Grandi Harbour restaurant with a Michelin recommendation that reinterprets old Icelandic recipes in a former fish-processing building.
Grillmarkaðurinn (Grill Market)
Central restaurant focused on grilled Icelandic lamb, beef and fish, set in a room of lava rock, wood and sheepskin.
Fiskmarkaðurinn (Fish Market)
Seafood restaurant in the old town combining Icelandic fish with Japanese and Nordic techniques, known for its sushi bar.
Kol
Bistro near Hallgrímskirkja serving modern Icelandic dishes and cocktails in a warm, dark-wood room.
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Getting around Reykjavik
Reykjavik is compact and walkable, with Strætó buses connecting the wider capital area. Most visitors walk around the centre, use buses or taxis for the pools, Perlan and Laugardalur, and rent a car or join tours for day trips. There is no metro or train.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in ISK, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ISK 8,000 (~$64) | ISK 25,000 (~$200) | ISK 55,000 (~$440) |
| Food (per day) | ISK 6,000 (~$48) | ISK 12,000 (~$96) | ISK 30,000 (~$240) |
| Transportation | ISK 2,000 (~$16) | ISK 3,000 (~$24) | ISK 12,000 (~$96) |
| Activities | ISK 1,500 (~$12) | ISK 8,000 (~$64) | ISK 25,000 (~$200) |
| Daily total | ISK 17,500 (~$140) | ISK 48,000 (~$384) | ISK 122,000+ (~$976+) |
Best time to visit Reykjavik
Weather through the year in Reykjavik
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C.
Visit June to August for long days and easy day trips, or September to March for northern lights and cheaper rooms; pack waterproof layers in every season.
Summer highs are about 11-14°C with nearly 21 hours of daylight around the June solstice and no true darkness; winter hovers around 0°C with about 4 hours of daylight in late December, strong wind and frequent rain or sleet. The aurora season runs roughly September to mid-April on clear, dark nights. Reykjavik Culture Night (Menningarnótt) is held in August and the Iceland Airwaves music festival in November.
Essential travel tips
- Cards and mobile payment are accepted almost everywhere, even for small purchases; carry little or no cash
- Shower naked with soap before entering any geothermal pool; this is mandatory and enforced
- Buy food at Bónus or Krónan supermarkets and use lunch specials to save money; alcohol is sold in shops only at Vínbúðin
- Consider the Reykjavík City Card (ISK 5,500 for 24 hours, ISK 7,700 for 48 hours, ISK 9,500 for 72 hours) if visiting several museums and pools, since it also covers Strætó buses and the Viðey ferry
- Tap water is excellent; carry a refillable bottle instead of buying bottled water
Safety information
Reykjavik is one of the safest capitals in the world; violent crime is rare and petty theft is the main concern, mostly bags left unattended in bars, cars and at tourist sites.
Check road conditions at road.is and weather warnings at vedur.is before any trip outside the city; register travel plans and read alerts at safetravel.is.
Never leave valuables visible in a parked car, particularly at trailheads and tourist car parks.
Public transport and the city centre are safe at night, though central bars on Friday and Saturday nights can be rowdy after midnight.
Winter pavements are icy from November to March; wear shoes with grip and treat strong wind warnings seriously, since car doors can be torn off in gusts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Reykjavik?
Iceland follows Schengen rules but is not in the EU. EU/EEA citizens need only a national ID card; visitors from the US, UK, Canada and Australia can stay up to 90 days in 180 days without a visa. Check utl.is and your government's travel advice, because the EU Entry/Exit System and ETIAS rules are being introduced.
How many days do you need in Reykjavik?
Two days cover the old town, Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa and a geothermal pool; four to five days add the Golden Circle, a South Coast day trip and whale watching.
Is Reykjavik expensive?
Yes. A budget traveller needs about ISK 17,500 (~$140) a day, mid-range about ISK 48,000 (~$384). Free sights such as Hallgrímskirkja's nave, Harpa's public areas, the Sun Voyager and Nauthólsvík in summer help keep costs down.
How do I get from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik?
The Flybus and Airport Direct coaches take about 45-50 minutes and cost roughly ISK 4,000-4,500 (~$32-36) one way; a taxi costs roughly ISK 25,000-30,000 (~$200-240). Confirm current fares at re.is.
What is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
June to August for midnight sun, whale watching and easy day trips; September to March for northern lights; shoulder months have lower prices and fewer crowds.
What currency does Reykjavik use?
Icelandic króna (ISK). About ISK 125 equals $1.00 in this guide. Cards and mobile payment are accepted almost everywhere, and cash is rarely needed.