Reykjaviks sevärdheter - stadsvandring på egen hand

Reykjavik's sights, what are they? When we were in Reykjavik recently, we had a hectic schedule, and yet we decided to embark on our own little city walk one of the mornings.... before the programme started! Or rather, our friend Christian from Matochresebloggen managed to lure us along... Did we find any interesting sights in Reykjavik?

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Discovering the sights of Reykjavik on your own

If you want to see the sights of Reykjavik on your own, you can find various maps online to follow. We started at our hotel, Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, and first walked to the statue Sunrise by the water. Then we walked approximately as the map shows.

To be honest, it was probably more like quirky in real life, but it looks better to show the map without that messy zigzagging we did from time to time. Anyway, we managed to do this city walk in the morning, before we went on a boat trip to the island of Viðey.

READ MORE: 14 things to see and do in Reykjavik
READ MORE: Facts about Iceland - 30 things you (might) not have known

Solar journey

Our first destination on the city tour was the sculpture Sun Voyage (Sólfar in Icelandic and Sun Voyager in English). The sculpture was created in 1986 by artist Jón Gunnar Árnason. Really cool actually where it stands facing the sea!

Harpa Concert Hall

From Solfärd we proceeded to Harpa concert hall which houses the Icelandic Philharmonic Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera. Construction began in 2007, but the economic crisis made the completion of the concert hall uncertain. After government intervention, construction was completed and the inaugural concert was held in 2011. It now hosts concerts and conferences, and offers restaurants and guided tours. We have to say, it's a cool building!

The old harbour

A little further away is the old harbour, which is quite charming with its colourful houses. It was from here that we later took the boat to Viðey, and there are also several ships that can take you on whale watching tours. Peter also remembers having lunch at one of these restaurants when we were here in 2012!

Lækjartorg

Lækjartorg is a square in the centre of Reykjavik, where Bankastræti, Lækjargata and Austurstræti streets meet. The house in the picture is one of the government buildings. As usual, all houses in Iceland are so small and cosy!

Austurvöllur

We walked on to another square, called Austurvöllur. Apparently people like to hang out here in the summer, but on an early cold morning in March we were alone with a statue of Jón Sigurðsson, who once led Iceland's freedom movement.

Lake Tjörnin

When you are in Reykjavik, you should of course also check out Lake Tjörnin! It's a great place to walk around and is also home to Reykjavik City Hall, the Reykjavik Free Church and several museums, such as the Art Museum. Listasafn. The lake also contains lots of swans.

Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja is perhaps the most visible of Reykjavik's sights, rising high above the city. The church has a highest peak of 74.5 metres, making it the second highest building in the country. The church looks really powerful as it rises towards the sky.

We've visited the inside of the church before, and didn't think the interior was that remarkable, but for a small fee you could take the lift up to the tower where you had a magnificent view of the city. The church, named after the Icelandic priest and hymn writer Hallgrímur Pétursson, took 41 years to complete. Construction began in 1945 and was completed in 1986.

In front of the church stands a statue of the explorer Leif Eriksson, son of Erik Röde and probably the first European to land in North America. The statue is older than the church itself and was a gift from the USA to celebrate the millennium of the Alltinget in 1930.

Laugavegur

Last but not least, we have to mention Laugavegur. This street is a must to visit in Reykjavik, but on the other hand, you're not likely to miss it. Laugavegur is Reykjavik's biggest shopping street, but also its biggest nightclub street. Most things happen here! There is also a lot of fun street art to check out.

More sights in Reykjavik

In addition to the sights we have mentioned, it may be interesting to visit the dome-shaped building. Perlan, which can also be considered one of Reykjavik's attractions. When I (Helena) was there a long time ago, the place offered a restaurant and a view, but now there is also a museum called "Wonders of Iceland" with a planetarium. Here are also suggestions for some exciting excursions in the neighbourhood of Reykjavik:

Blue Lagoon - lovely geothermal hot tub
Gullfoss waterfall
The geysers Strokkur and Geysir
Þingvellir National Park
Boat trip to the island of Viðey
Riding an Icelandic horse

Where to stay in Reykjavik?

There are of course many hotels in Reykjavik, many of which are centrally located. During this trip we stayed at Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, which is about 15-20 minutes walking distance from the centre of Reykjavik. We stayed here really well, and we were also happy with the breakfast. If the room looks a bit small, it is because it is a single room. Those who had booked for us had happened to book two single rooms instead of a double room, but when you are in love you choose to sleep together anyway ...!

How to travel to Reykjavik?

The fastest and easiest way to get to Reykjavik is of course to fly. I've actually taken the boat once too, but it goes from Hirtshals in Denmark and you end up in Seyðisfjörður at the other end of Iceland, so you need to have plenty of time if you're travelling that way!

Several different airlines fly to Reykjavik, and we flew with Icelandair. On the way there we travelled on a regular economy ticket, and on the way home we went business class. Both journeys were excellent, but of course the return journey was the most comfortable! Above all, we enjoyed the lovely lounge in Keflavik, where we had breakfast before travelling home.

The journey home was also unusually comfortable. We were served breakfast number two (!) and watched the film "Crazy Rich Asians". We were home in no time!

14 Comments

Add yours →

Lena - good for the soul says:

Wow, there sure seems to be a lot to see. I liked that sculpture. Beautiful in its simplicity!

Hug Lena

13 March 2019 - 6:20

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I also like the sculpture! 🙂
  
  13 March 2019 - 13:48
  
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Of course, it's fun to explore cities and their attractions on your own, although a good guide can be invaluable.
Solfärd was a really cool piece of art and the concert hall looks really cool.

13 March 2019 - 8:49

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We also like guided tours iofs! But if you don't have one, it's nice to look around on your own 🙂.
  
  13 March 2019 - 13:49
  
Ditte says:

Great fun to see more of Reykjavik and getting around on foot means that you usually see and experience more and completely different things than if you are transported. Thanks for the tour with nice pictures.
Iceland is still a blank slate for us, but who knows....
Staying in a good, central location and travelling comfortably is important to me, as is having access to a lounge if you are waiting.
(If you have a VISA premium card or similar, you have access to many lounges around the world even if you don't fly business. Recommended! )

13 March 2019 - 9:47

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thanks for the tip on the VISA premium card! I know nothing about that ...
  
  13 March 2019 - 13:50
  
Ama de casa says:

Well, it's clear. When you have a hectic programme, you have to fill it up a little more of course 😉 A lovely walk through the city, lucky that you were fooled on it. I would probably have refused there in the morning, then changed my mind immediately and joined in. Do not want to miss anything 🙂
(My spontaneous reaction is often "no way"! and then change my mind. For example, when we swam with sharks or flew one of those old, open double-winged small aeroplanes. I really don't regret changing my mind - amazing experience and obviously I survived too 😉 )

13 March 2019 - 10:31

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Haha, yes a little like that! Liiite tempting to say no, but so ... you do not want to miss anything! 🙂 Really do not regret!!! But sharks or scary aeroplanes, that's a slightly different division ... might have said no, at least to the sharks 😉.
  
  13 March 2019 - 13:52
  
Anette says:

I haven't been keeping up with you lately. Are you travelling or is this from a previous trip?

A lot to see anyway. Iceland is another place I haven't been, yet.
We'll see if it happens. Otherwise, I'll have to settle for following you, which isn't too bad either.

13 March 2019 - 11:23

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We are home now, but we were in Reykjavik last weekend!
  
  13 March 2019 - 13:53
  
Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

So nice to have a moment to yourself. Just to walk around and take in the city. The sunrise was really cool. Have you had time to land after all the recent trips? I read something about a cold and how is Peter's knee? Nice Wednesday for you! ?

13 March 2019 - 11:42

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thanks for asking! The cold is stubborn actually, even though I've been resting, but it's slowly getting better! Peter is also better, but is on medication. Wishing you a continued gin week!
  
  13 March 2019 - 13:55
  
  - Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:
    
    Get well soon!
    
    14 March 2019 - 9:15
    
Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

The picture of Solfärd is so delicious! Reykjavik is high on my list of places to visit and I get very eager to pack my camera and go there when I read this. 🙂

15 March 2019 - 22:23

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Weekend cities in Europe - 10 big cities to visit | FREEDOMtravel

Reykjavik sights - self-guided city tour

Discovering the sights of Reykjavik on your own

Solar journey

Harpa Concert Hall

The old harbour

Lækjartorg

Austurvöllur

Lake Tjörnin

Hallgrimskirkja

Laugavegur

More sights in Reykjavik

Where to stay in Reykjavik?

How to travel to Reykjavik?

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14 Comments

Lena - good for the soul says:

Helena says:

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Anette says:

Helena says:

Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

Helena says:

Maria/ Magnolia Magis says:

Ann-Louise Paulsson says:

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