The Northernmost capital city of the world lives on the South West coast of Iceland. Reykjavik, which translates to ‘smokey bay’, is a beautifully modern city with a strong culture and a cool vibe. Whilst it is known as an expensive destination, it is truly worth the expense but a trip doesn’t need to break the bank as there are so many ways to enjoy your time in the city.
Reykjavik has just over 120,000 inhabitants but whilst the population may be small, the city has big character. The city has a great deal of modern influence with unique architecture, colourful homes and a thriving nightlife scene. Iceland’s capital is also constantly reinventing itself whilst retaining the country’s beautiful, historical ties. Not only is the city a pleasure to explore but Reykjavik is a launchpad to Iceland’s beauty and some of the world’s natural wonders.
Visit Hallgrímskirkja
The Hallgrímskirkja is a Church of Iceland which stands proudly overlooking the city of Reykjavik. It is the tallest church in Iceland and can be seen from every corner of the city. The design of the church was inspired by volcanoes and echoes the shape of cooling lava. When the architect originally proposed the blueprint, eyebrows were raised but it is now one of the city’s famous landmarks and a must-see for travellers. Despite its grand exterior, the interior is rather simple but the star attraction is the view. An elevator travels through the bell tower taking visitors to an open-air observation deck with unparalleled views of the city.
Hours: 12:00-15:00. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Price: Adult 1000ISK and children 100ISK
Wander through the street art scene
Reykjavik is a sea of creativity with urban graffiti and impressive wall murals around the city. The artists of Iceland love street art as they can branch outside of the control and restrictions of the country’s museums and galleries. Downtown Reykjavik, in particular, is home to a lot of street art and it is relished by the community. The art, like the city itself, is constantly reinvented with something new to see on a frequent basis. In the last few years, the city has received several large wall murals authorised in collaboration with the music festival Iceland Airwaves and with the contemporary initiative Urban Nation of Berlin.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Discover the National Museum of Iceland
The National Museum of Iceland is the place to go if you want to experience the in-depth history and culture of the country. With exhibitions from the Viking-era to modern-day Iceland, a full timeline of life in the land of fire and ice is available to explore. You will hear unbelievable tales of pride, resilience and love as well as learning about Mother Nature and her erupting effects on the country. Icelanders did an incredible job of preserving their history over time and you can find remarkable testimonials from Icelanders of the past. The museum is interactive and entertaining making it perfect for families.
Hours: Daily 10:00-17:00 except Monday’s September to April
Price: Adults 2000ISK and children free.
Swim at Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach
Beaches are often associated with hot sunny days but in Iceland, any day is perfect. It is a local tradition to swim and many Icelander’s go for a swim on a daily basis, regardless of the weather. The seawater and its chill are said to cleanse the soul and extend youth. However, the chill is not for everyone and the beach also boasts a warm lagoon, two pools and a sauna which are very popular with both locals and travellers. The lagoon makes swimming in the North Atlantic ocean available to everyone all year round.
Hours: Daily 10:00-19:00 (shorter hours operate in Winter)
Price: Free
Photograph The Sun Voyager
The Sun Voyager is Iceland’s most famous sculpture and is a beautiful waterfront addition. The sculpture was the winning piece selected to celebrate the city of Reykjavik’s 200 year anniversary. Whilst many travellers believe it represents a Viking ship which would be relevant to Iceland, the sculpture is actually a dream boat and an ode to the sun. With the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, The Sun Voyager is a perfect photo opportunity at sunset in particular.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Enjoy some Icelandic fish and chips
Whilst fish and chips is popular in the UK, Iceland has the winning dish and truly gives other versions a run for their money. Iceland will serve you up some of the freshest, most beautiful fish serving it with their signature potatoes. Icelandic fishing occurs in the Arctic and the North Atlantic oceans, some of the cleanest in the world, making their catches a higher quality. Whilst commonly served with ketchup or tartare sauce, Iceland serves their signature sauce Skyronnes as a condiment instead which is made from skyr. Served up with roasted potatoes instead of fried, Iceland’s fish and chips are incredibly moreish and will make your mouth water.
Hours: Dependent on vendor
Price: Dependent on vendor
Travel back in time at the Settlement Exhibition
The Settlement Exhibition is built around one of the oldest archaeological sites in iceland and based on archaeological excavations in the city centre. Between 2001 and 2002, a 10th century Viking longhouse and other Settlement-era discoveries were unearthed. With a combination of archaeology and technological wizardry, The Settlement Exhibition provides a glimpse into early Icelandic life. The exhibition is an incredible journey through Viking history but not only is the exhibition fascinating to discover, it is also interactive making for an educational and entertaining visit.
Hours: Weekdays 10:00-17:00 and weekends 09:00-18:00
Price: Adults 1740ISK and children free.
Chase the Northern Lights
A natural wonder and one of the most beautiful things in the sky is the breathtaking aurora borealis. The Northern Lights, as it is known, is the result of solar particles entering the earth’s magnetic field at high atmosphere and ionising. They appear as dancing lights in the sky which vary in colour. Usually, the light appears green but a spectrum of other colours can also be seen. Iceland is ideally located to witness the spectacular show and chasing the lights is a popular activity with visitors to Iceland. While a visual is sadly not guaranteed, those who are lucky to witness it are awestruck.
Hours: Best viewed at night September to April
Price: Viewing is free but tours and excursions come at a charge subject to vendor
Cross over to Viðey Island
Viðey Island is an uninhabited area just off the coast of Reykjavik. Although the island was inhabited at one point, it is now deserted and very few buildings remain there. The island is a popular visit for its natural beauty and the artworks erected there. It is the location of the Imagine Peace Tower which is a tribute to the late John Lennon designed by Yoko Ono. The tower is intended to share the couple’s vision of a world free of war and united by love. The tower is lit at certain times of the year such as Lennon’s birthday and significant events. Ono is a regular visitor to Iceland and often attends lighting ceremonies.
Hours: Ferry runs daily in Summer 10:15-17:15 and weekends in Winter 13:15-15:15
Price: Free but ferry will cost 1650ISK adults, 825ISK children and under 6’s free
Explore the Golden Circle
Iceland is full of stunning locations but none are as incredible as The Golden Circle. The Golden Circle consists of three beautiful locations in South West Iceland; Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and Gulfoss Waterfall. All three sites are as unique as they are spectacular. Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of natural beauty with dramatic geology and is situated in the rift valley between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Geysir Geothermal Area is a hub of volcanic activity with intense steam, bubbling hot spots and fascinating geysers which erupt approximately every 10 minutes throwing boiling water 20 to 40 metres in the air. Then the final stop of The Golden Circle is the magnificent Gulfoss Waterfall. The powerful water tumbles down two drops and on sunny days, rainbows arise in the spray. The photo opportunities here are incredible. The Golden Circle is such a beautiful area, especially covered in a layer of snow, and you will be fascinated with everything the area has to offer.
Hours: Access 24/7 but tours run during the day
Price: Access is free but tours and excursions are subject to vendor
Watch whales and puffins
Some of the world’s most magnificent creatures can be found just off the coast of Iceland. Whales and puffins are the easiest to be found with incredible whales breaching from the ocean and adorable puffins swooping down from the cliffs. Boat tours are an unforgettable experience where you get up close to amazing wildlife. They take you to small islands off the coast of Reykjavik where puffins inhabit and stunning bays to spot some whales. These creatures are impressive and exciting to see in the wild.
Hours: Subject to vendor
Price: Subject to vendor
Relax in the Blue Lagoon
Whilst technically not in Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon Iceland is undoubtedly the most visited located in Iceland and the majority of connections are from Reykjavik. One of the 25 wonders of the world, Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa with milky-blue water which is unlike anything else on Earth. The lagoon stands out amongst the surrounding black lava fields and is one of the most photographed places in the world. The warm seawater is rich with minerals such as silica that do wonders for your skin. With on-site bars, silica mask stations and additional spa treatments on offer, it is easy to enjoy a full day of relaxation at this incredible location.
Hours: Hours vary depending on time of yeat but approximate times are 08:00-22:00
Prices: Dependent on package. Prices from 5900ISK. Treatments are an additional extra.
Reykjavik is a truly diverse city with so much to offer. Whether you are travelling as a backpacker, couple or family, there is a lot for you to enjoy. Whilst the city can be expensive, there are plenty of things to do and places to explore within a budget. However, if you are happy to pay the price tag, there is also a lot of luxury to be found amongst Iceland’s experiences. With peculiar museums, quirky food and stunning natural wonders, a trip to Reykjavik will be one of the most beautiful and unique trips you will ever take. From the welcoming, comforting vibe of the city to the outstanding, jaw-dropping locations, you will fall in love with Iceland and its capital city of Reykjavik.
