Here are some tips for things to see and do in Reykjavik. The Icelandic capital is the city for those who like good food, an exciting cultural life and dramatic nature that sneaks up on you. We have visited Reykjavik together once and I (Helena) have visited Iceland four or five times before that. One of those times I actually spent a whole year in Iceland, so Iceland is very close to my heart.
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What is there to see and do in Reykjavik?
We've blogged about Reykjavik before, but we've never before collected all our tips in one post. So here is the blog post for those who want tips on things to see and do in Reykjavik, the northernmost capital of the world. We have gathered tips on things to do in the city centre, as well as excursions you can do with Reykjavik as a base.
1. visit Hallgrimskirkja
The famous Hallgrimskirkja church took 41 years to complete, and the mighty building is now visible throughout the city. The church tower is 74.5 metres high, making it the second tallest building in the country. For a small fee, you can take the lift to the top of the church tower for a fantastic view of Reykjavik.
2. Check out the Harpa Concert Hall
The Harpa Concert Hall houses the Icelandic Philharmonic Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera, and hosts a wide variety of concerts. Construction of the spectacular building began in 2007, but due to the economic crisis it took until 2011 to hold its inaugural concert. As well as listening to music, there are restaurants and guided tours are organised.
3. shopping
For shopping in Reykjavik, head to the central street Laugavegur, where you'll find lots of small shops selling clothes, shoes and jewellery. You'll find a lot of indigenous designs and products made from local natural materials. Just outside the centre there are also several larger shopping centres, such as Kringlan and Smáralind, which are easily accessible by bus.
4. Try Icelandic specialities
When you're in Iceland, you'll want to try different Icelandic specialities. In addition to fish and lamb, there is a chance to experience specialities such as whale meat or puffin. Iceland is also known for its "brennivín", commonly known as the Black Death, and for liquorice in chocolate. You can also buy the Icelandic milk product 'skýr' in the shops. If you're visiting in February and are feeling a bit under the weather, you might be invited to a 'Þorrablót', where people eat a lot of different things.
5. Go to a fish restaurant
When you're in Iceland, of course you should eat fish. There are plenty of good restaurants, and many are also creative and innovative. Our absolute favourite is Fish Market, a high-class restaurant run by Icelandic celebrity chef Hrefna Rósa Sætran. The restaurant focuses on seafood and offers local ingredients prepared with influences from Asia and elsewhere. For the best experience, order the restaurant's tasting menu.
Another favourite is Fish Company, located in a cool renovated building near Reykjavik harbour. This restaurant also serves seafood and some other specialities such as lamb. The best part is that the dishes symbolise different places in the world, and you can order tasting menus where you travel around Iceland or the world through the food.
In February or March, the Food and Fun festival is also organised, when international chefs come to Iceland to cook with Icelandic ingredients.
6. party
Reykjavik is a relatively small city, which is perfect for bars, restaurants and nightlife. The clubs are close together, and since most don't charge admission, it's easy to do a nightclub tour and go from one club to another.
7. Check out the mushroom museum
The Icelandic Phallological Museum is located in the centre of Reykjavik and contains a collection of over 200 penises from almost every mammal in Iceland, including humans. The penises are either stuffed or in alcohol, and are carefully labelled with species and other relevant facts.
This is probably one of the strangest museums we have ever visited, but in its own way it is interesting to come here. Not least, you are fascinated by the founder's enthusiasm. And yes, the museum attracts so many tourists that it is now located on Reykjavik's most central street.
8. Swimming in the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most famous geothermal bath, attracting huge numbers of tourists every year. But even though it can feel like a tourist trap, it's still well worth a visit. Located less than an hour from Reykjavik by car or bus, the Blue Lagoon offers warm baths and the opportunity for sauna and spa treatments. It doesn't matter if it's cold and chilly outside, it's almost even more cosy to crawl into the bath.
9. ride an Icelandic horse
Riding an Icelandic horse is a fantastic way to experience Icelandic nature. There are several different horse riding tour organisers, and they can often pick you up at your hotel in Reykjavik. For example, the company Fire horses horse riding in Hveragerði, which is a half-hour drive from Reykjavik.
Be sure to book a tour that takes you out to all the hot springs, which are bubbling and fizzing everywhere. If you're a novice rider, a half-day tour may be sufficient. For experienced riders, longer tours are also available.
10. take the Golden Circle tour
The Golden Circle is a classic day trip starting from Reykjavik. The tour, which can be done by bus or car, usually includes the three most popular sights: Geysir, Þingvellir and Gullfoss. The Geysir geyser is located together with the Strokkur geyser in a geothermally active area in Haukadalur.
Þingvellir National Park is both the site that marks the point where the continental plates meet, and the site of Iceland's first parliament, the Alltinget. Gullfoss is Iceland's largest waterfall and falls in two stages, first 11 metres and then 21 metres, into a 30-metre deep and 2.5-kilometre long crevice.
11. go whale watching
In the sea off Iceland, you can see powerful aquatic mammals such as humpback whales, sperm whales, blue whales, dolphins and orcas. Húsavík, located in the northern part of Iceland, is best known for its excellent whale watching. However, whale watching is also possible in Reykjavik.
12. Take a trip to VIÐEY or the Westman Islands
Located just outside Reykjavik, the uninhabited island of Viðey is easily reached by a short boat journey. In the summer, you can come here just to go bird watching, have a picnic or just enjoy the scenery. There is also the famous 'Imagine Peace Tower', designed by Yoko Ono, and a restaurant.
The Västmanna Islands are a group of islands located south of the mainland, with the inhabited island of Hemön. Here you can see the island's volcano and experience the beautiful nature. You can get here either by domestic flight from Reykjavik or by ferry from Landeyjahöfn on the south coast.
13. Rent a car and travel around
If you have the time, it's exciting to rent a car and set off on your own exploration for more to see and do in Iceland. One option is to drive the entire Ring Road around Iceland, but allow at least a week for this tour to be enjoyable. If you have less time, you can make various detours from Reykjavik, such as around the Golden Circle, to Ísafjörður or to the beautiful Jökulsárlón.
14. Learn some Icelandic
What else is there to do in Reykjavik? Why not take the opportunity to learn some Icelandic while you're there? Words left over from the Viking Age are often similar between Swedish and Icelandic even today, such as borð (table), hús (house) and hestur (horse).
When it comes to new words, Icelandic has refrained from borrowing words and has instead made its own constructions, such as sjónvarp ('sight-throwing', i.e. TV), sálfræði ('soul knowledge', i.e. psychology) and myndavél ('picture machine', i.e. camera). Pretty clever, isn't it?
Living in Reykjavik
There are plenty of hotels in Reykjavik. Our best advice is to choose a central location so that you can easily get to and from attractions and restaurants yourself. We have stayed at Fosshotell Lindwhich was relatively simple, but in a good location. We have also stayed at nice Hilton Reykjavik Nordica is approximately 15-20 minutes' walk from the centre of Reykjavik.
Travelling to Reykjavik
By far the most common and fastest way to get to Reykjavik is by air. You land at Keflavik International Airport, which is about 30 miles west of Reykjavik. From here, airport buses run into Reykjavik.
Another way to get to Iceland is to travel by ferry, which you can do with the company Smyril Line. However, the ferry does not dock in Reykjavik but in Seyðisfjörður, in the eastern part of Iceland.
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Reiselinda says:
Every time I read a post about Iceland. I get the urge to go there again! Checked off some of the points last time, but thought, for example, the bus ride around the Golden Circle gave too little time at each stop. I also want to see more of Iceland than Reykjavik!
30 October 2018 - 8:37
Helena says:
There is a lot to see in Iceland! And not least the nature around the country! 🙂
30 October 2018 - 18:19
Ama de casa says:
Wow! It certainly did not look like that at the Blue Lagoon when we were there in 1986. Then there were not even public showers (was quite "sticky" the rest of the day when we went around) and we only saw one other person who a little ghostly came out of the fog... 🙂 ).
Iceland is truly a fascinating country!
30 October 2018 - 9:59
Helena says:
The Blue Lagoon has probably evolved a lot. I was there for the first time in 1992. Then there were showers ;), but it was far from as developed as today.
30 October 2018 - 18:21
Eva/Living like Eva says:
If you count 1990's visits (golden circle, horses & parties), I have now (2018) ticked everything on your list except the Snopp Museum and the Westman Islands... although I swapped the Blue Lagoon for Myvatn Naturbad in the north. I don't feel like I missed anything vital, haha!
30 October 2018 - 10:26
Helena says:
Haha, ok 😉 The Westman Islands are nice, but sure, it sounds like you got most of it! 🙂
30 October 2018 - 18:21
GeddFish says:
Thank you for a proper review of Iceland! It is one of my dream destinations. Let's see if it becomes a reality at some point. Tomorrow I'll be exploring another place I've never been to before. Sometimes everything is a coincidence.
Not bad with the "flying carpet" or something like that 😀.
30 October 2018 - 15:13
Helena says:
Wow, where are you going tomorrow? I'll have to check in with you 😉 Iceland is worth seeing if you get the chance!
30 October 2018 - 18:22
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
We have thought about a tour with a rental car, but it looks like it will not be in spring or early summer either.
Iceland has so much to see that it's a shame to just stay around Reykjavik.
Many good tips!
30 October 2018 - 16:43
Helena says:
Iceland is still there, even if you go there at a later date! 🙂
30 October 2018 - 18:23
Ann-Louise says:
I am so keen to go to Iceland and Reykjavik. Hope hope hope that it can happen next year maybe.
30 October 2018 - 17:21
Helena says:
Hope you get away! Iceland is magical 🙂
30 October 2018 - 18:23
Husis blog says:
This is really a country my owners want to visit. I have self-awareness so I will not go there but I hope my owners will go there at some point. So this was a very interesting post for the owners who will now start following your links, thank you!
30 October 2018 - 20:32
BP says:
Now I've read about Iceland hor er, Husbilen Ellen and Mia's Mix, and I'm still not keen. Partly because of the weather, the selection or rather the range of restaurants / bars outside Reykjavik and not least the price level. Even Mia, who liked Iceland, was shocked by the price level.
30 October 2018 - 21:21
diana's dreams says:
Many great tips, my brothers and I are planning a weekend there in the future.
31 October 2018 - 7:52
Lena - good for the soul says:
Hehe, it was an odd museum!
Iceland has long been on my wish list. Let's see when it happens.
Hug Lena
04 November 2018 - 10:46