Reykjavik Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Reykjavik
Harpa which includes modern architecture and general coastal views
Reykjavik showing mountains, a city and a coastal town
Harpa showing modern architecture and interior views
Reykjavik featuring heritage architecture, street scenes and a house

Before seeing Iceland’s volcanoes, discover the culture of the world’s most northerly capital, a city of geothermal pools, colourful houses and museums.

While Reykjavík is a gateway to Iceland’s legendary countryside, the city is also proof that Iceland is not only a land of glaciers and volcanoes. This small capital city has a proud and ancient history, some of Europe’s most colourful streets and a rich local culture that has produced many world-famous artists. Go ahead and book tours of Iceland’s fiery inland, but don’t forget to reserve a few days to explore Reykjavík’s many attractions as well.

Start out by riding an elevator up into the city’s highest building, the austere bell tower of Hallgrimskirkja. Look out over the city and the harbour beyond it. On a sunny day, head out to Reykjavík Harbour to board a whale-watching ship. On a cold day, warm up in one of the city’s seven geothermal springs, which include Laugardalslaug and Arbaejarlaug.

Learn Reykjavík’s long history in its many museums. See one of Iceland’s earliest ruins at the Reykjavík City Museum, where you will find the remains of a 9th-century Viking longhouse. Brush up on more modern Icelandic history at the National Museum of Iceland or the Saga Museum, which exhibits wax figures in a water tank beneath the ultramodern Perlan.

Sample an Icelandic specialty like putrefied shark at a local restaurant. Not all the food is so unusual: try a staple of contemporary Reykjavik fast food, the Icelandic hotdog. Afterward, visit a music venue to hear a band from the city that has produced rock stars like Björk and Sigur Rós.

As with any Arctic destination, one of Reykjavík’s greatest attractions is its night sky. Between the months of October and March, the aurora borealis (northern lights) paints the sky with incredible colours. Grótta Lighthouse, Hlfómskálagarður and Öskjuhlíð Hill are some of the city’s best aurora borealis vantage points.

To maximize your time in Reykjavík, visit in mid-June, when the sun is up for 21 hours every day. This will let you fit in a full day of natural exploration and still have enough time to discover the city’s cultural and historical attractions when you get back.

Where to stay in Reykjavik

Reykjavik showing interior views, a church or cathedral and religious elements

Downtown Reykjavik

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Reykjavik, Hallgrimskirkja and National Gallery of Iceland are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Reykjavik
Reykjavik featuring fashion and shopping

Laugardalur

5/5(1 area review)

Laugardalur is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool or Laugavegur.

Laugardalur
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Háaleiti

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

When in Háaleiti, you can plan a visit to Kringlan Shopping Mall and Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Háaleiti
Reykjavik Harbour featuring general coastal views, a sunset and a bay or harbour

Vesturbær

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

The abundant dining options and waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Vesturbær. A stop by Reykjavik Harbour or Landakotskirkja might round out your trip.

Vesturbær
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Hlíðar

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

Though Hlíðar may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Reykjavik Harbour and Perlan.

Hlíðar
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Holt

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Holt and surrounding area, you can visit Reykjavik Harbour and Laugavegur.

Holt
Fosshotel Reykjavik

Fosshotel Reykjavik

4 out of 5
Þórunnartún 1 - Höfðatorg, Reykjavik
The price is AU$461 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
AU$461
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Reykjavik. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"My only complaint with the property was the lack of central air conditioning. You would think that wouldn’t be a problem in Iceland but we were on the 7th floor and it was hot inside our room. There was a small window that we opened but it didn’t really help. The hotel is convenient to the waterfront ..."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Fosshotel Reykjavik
CityHub Reykjavik

CityHub Reykjavik

3 out of 5
46 Hverfisgata, Reykjavik, Reykjavíkurborg
The price is AU$273 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
AU$273
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Reykjavik. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Reykjavik Harbour and Hallgrimskirkja ...
9/10 Wonderful! (207 reviews)
"First time that i stayed in a pod design. It was perfect for what i wanted; i only wanted a bed for one night before heading north. Bed was super comfy. Shared bathroom was clean and functional. Will stay again."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

CityHub Reykjavik
KEX Hostel and Hotel Reykjavik

KEX Hostel and Hotel Reykjavik

2 out of 5
28 Skúlagata, Reykjavik, Capital Region
The price is AU$209 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
AU$209
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hostel in Reykjavik. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (643 reviews)
"Would stay again"

Reviewed on 28 Jul. 2025

KEX Hostel and Hotel Reykjavik
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Reykjavik Residence Hotel

Reykjavik Residence Hotel

4 out of 5
Vatnsstígur 2, Reykjavik, Capital Region
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Reykjavik. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,984 reviews)
"Very comfortable, large room. Very friendly, helpful staff. Hotel is in a perfect location in the middle of the city within a 15/20 minute walk of many highlights, restaurants and the harbor. The breakfast basket and daily sourdough bread were amazing."

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2025

Reykjavik Residence Hotel
Stay Apartments Bolholt

Stay Apartments Bolholt

3 out of 5
Bolholt 6, Reykjavik
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in Reykjavik. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Reykjavik Harbour and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,139 reviews)
무료 주차 가능한 작은 스튜디오
"무료 주차가능한 레이카비크 외곽 아파트지만 30분 정도 걸으면 시내로 갈 수 있음."

Reviewed on 29 Jul. 2025

Stay Apartments Bolholt
Black Pearl Luxury Apartments

Black Pearl Luxury Apartments

4.5 out of 5
Tryggvagata 18A, 102, Reykjavik
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Reykjavik. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (621 reviews)
"Highly recommend The Black Pearl for so many reasons. This was one of the few places that would work for our family of 4. The kids are now adults and one is very very tall so a sofa bed wouldn’t work. The apartment we stayed in was one of the best we’ve used. Check in was a breeze, and we lucked ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jul. 2025

Black Pearl Luxury Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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