Reykjavik is Iceland's capital and northernmost capital city of a sovereign state, set on the Faxaflói bay with mountains and glaciers on the horizon. Known for the Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall, geothermal swimming pools and a compact, colourful old town, it is the base for the Golden Circle, the South Coast and northern lights tours.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Reykjavik.
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1
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.
Tip: The church is free to enter; only the tower lift carries a fee (ISK 1,500). · Visit early or late in the day to avoid cruise-ship and coach crowds. · Choose a clear day for the tower, as cloud and rain remove the views. · Check the schedule before going, as sightseeing pauses during services and concerts. · Walk up Skólavörðustígur for the best approach view of the facade.
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2
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.
Tip: Public areas are free; walk in to see the foyer and facade up close. · Book concert tickets in advance through the Harpa box office for popular events. · Photograph the exterior at golden hour from the harbour edge. · Guided tours run seasonally; check the schedule and book ahead in summer. · Combine with the Old Harbour and the Sun Voyager sculpture, a short walk away.
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3
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.
Tip: Choose the ticket package that matches your interests; the Wonders of Iceland ticket includes the ice cave and deck. · Book the planetarium show time in advance in peak season. · Go on a clear afternoon or at sunset for the best deck views. · Allow time for a walk through the Öskjuhlíð woods to or from Nauthólsvík. · Check bus routes on straeto.is for the current service to the hill.
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4
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.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning to avoid tour-group crowds · Free entry for ages 0-17 and with the Reykjavik City Card · Allow 45-60 minutes; the hall is compact · Low lighting: use night mode for photos of the ruins · Combine with the nearby Tjörnin pond and Austurvöllur square
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5
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.
Tip: Entry is free for visitors under 18; students and seniors pay a reduced fee. · Use the audio guide for extra detail on key objects. · Allow at least two hours to cover the permanent exhibition. · Check winter opening days, as the museum closes on Mondays in the low season. · Pair with a stroll around Tjörnin pond, about 15 minutes away on foot.
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6
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.
Tip: Free and open at all hours; no tickets needed · Visit near sunrise or sunset for the best light · Midday tour-bus stops are the busiest time · Walk from Harpa along the seafront path, about 10 minutes · Dress for wind: the waterfront is exposed
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7
Reykjavik Art Museum (Hafnarhús)
Contemporary art museum in a converted 1930s harbour warehouse, holding the large collection of the artist Erró alongside changing exhibitions of Icelandic and international art.
Tip: The ISK 2,550 ticket is valid 24 hours at Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn · Free for under 18; students pay ISK 1,550 · Weekday afternoons are generally quieter · Check current exhibitions on listasafnreykjavikur.is · Pair with a walk along the Old Harbour
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8
Kjarvalsstaðir
Art museum in Klambratún park devoted to the painter Jóhannes S. Kjarval and to modern Icelandic art, part of the Reykjavik Art Museum.
Tip: The ticket is shared across the three Reykjavik Art Museum sites; ask about validity before buying. · Entry is free for visitors under 18 and discounted for students. · Check current exhibitions on listasafnreykjavikur.is before going. · Combine the visit with a walk or picnic in Klambratún park in summer.
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9
Whales of Iceland
Exhibition hall near the Old Harbour with 23 life-size whale models representing the species recorded in Icelandic waters, with an audio guide and live guided tours.
Tip: Time arrival for a guided tour at 11:00 or 15:00 · Family ticket is ISK 8,000; under 7 enter free · Closed 25 December · Good wet-weather option; fully indoors · Visit before or after a whale watching trip to recognise species
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10
Reykjavik Maritime Museum (Víkin)
Museum on the Old Harbour about Icelandic fishing and seafaring history, including the trawler Óðinn, a former coast guard vessel that visitors can tour.
Tip: Free for ages 0-17 and with the Reykjavik City Card · Join the Óðinn guided tour for the ship interior · Weekday mornings are quieter · Combine with the Whales of Iceland exhibition nearby · Allow 1-1.5 hours
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Museums
National Museum of Iceland
Permanent exhibition 'Making of a Nation' on Iceland from the Settlement Age to the present, on Suðurgata.
Settlement Exhibition
Underground museum around the ruins of a 10th-century longhouse at Aðalstræti 16.
Reykjavik Art Museum
Three buildings (Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir and Ásmundarsafn) on one 24-hour ticket of ISK 2,550 (~$20).
Reykjavik Maritime Museum
Fishing and seafaring history on the Old Harbour, including the coast guard vessel Óðinn.
Árbær Open Air Museum
Relocated historic buildings showing life in Reykjavik from the 18th to the 20th century.
Whales of Iceland
Life-size models of the whale species found around Iceland.
Perlan
Wonders of Iceland exhibition with an artificial ice cave and observation deck.
Landmarks_and_architecture
Hallgrímskirkja
Landmark church of 1945-86 with a 74.5-metre tower observation deck.
Harpa Concert Hall
Glass-faceted concert hall opened in 2011 on the harbour.
Sun Voyager
Steel sculpture of a Viking ship on the seafront, installed in 1990.
Tjörnin and City Hall
City-centre pond with the modern City Hall (Ráðhús) and a relief map of Iceland.
Nature_and_wellness
Laugardalslaug
The largest geothermal swimming complex in the city.
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Sandy beach with a heated sea lagoon and hot tubs.
Viðey Island
Island reached by ferry with walking paths, art and the Imagine Peace Tower.
Sky Lagoon
Ocean-edge geothermal lagoon with a seven-step ritual in Kópavogur.
Experiences_and_neighbourhoods
Reykjavik Old Harbour
Whale watching and puffin tour departures, seafood restaurants and museums.
Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur
Main shopping street and the rainbow street leading to Hallgrímskirkja.
FlyOver Iceland
Flying-theatre film ride over Icelandic landscapes.
Aurora Reykjavik
Northern lights centre with a film and exhibition on the aurora.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums open daily around 10:00-17:00; some close one weekday in winter. Churches, parks, the Sun Voyager and the Old Harbour are open at all hours. Hours change by season, so confirm each venue's website.
- Fees
- Hallgrímskirkja tower ISK 1,500 (~$12); Settlement Exhibition about ISK 3,000 (~$24); National Museum ISK 3,300 (~$26); Reykjavik Art Museum ISK 2,550 (~$20) for three buildings; Whales of Iceland ISK 4,000 (~$32); Perlan about ISK 4,500-6,500 (~$36-52); Viðey ferry about ISK 2,500 (~$20). Prices change; confirm before travelling.
- Getting Around
- The centre is walkable. Strætó buses (straeto.is) serve Perlan, Laugardalur, Árbær and Grandi; the Viðey ferry leaves from Skarfabakki.
- Reservations
- Book Perlan, Sky Lagoon, FlyOver Iceland, whale watching and the Viðey ferry in advance in summer and for evening or winter slots; Hallgrímskirkja tower tickets cannot be booked in advance.
- Payment
- Cards and mobile payment are accepted almost everywhere; cash is rarely needed.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
The Reykjavík City Card (ISK 5,500 for 24 hours, ISK 7,700 for 48 hours, ISK 9,500 for 72 hours) covers entry to many museums, thermal pools and Strætó buses and the Viðey ferry; it pays off only with several visits per day.
Shower naked with soap before entering any geothermal pool; staff enforce the rule.
Combine Whales of Iceland, Aurora Reykjavik, FlyOver Iceland and the Maritime Museum in one Grandi morning, as they are within a few minutes' walk of each other.
The Imagine Peace Tower is lit 9 October to 8 December, 21-31 December, 18 February and 20-27 March; ferry evening departures should be booked ahead.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free things to do in Reykjavik?
Hallgrímskirkja's nave, Harpa's public areas, the Sun Voyager, Tjörnin pond, Öskjuhlíð trails and Nauthólsvík beach in summer are all free.
How much does it cost to go up Hallgrímskirkja tower?
The adult tower ticket is ISK 1,500 (~$12), with ISK 200 (~$2) for children aged 7-16; tickets are sold in the church shop and cannot be booked in advance.
Is the Reykjavik City Card worth it?
It costs ISK 5,500 for 24 hours and gives entry to many museums and pools plus Strætó buses and the Viðey ferry; it is worth it only if you visit several paid venues in a day.