Reykjavik is the capital and largest city of Iceland, and as the main international gateway into the country it welcomes a huge number of visitors each year. It’s easy to see why – Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, geothermal areas, lava fields and glaciers draw travellers from all over the world. Whether you’re visiting Iceland or simply stopping over, here is our pick of the top things to do in Reykjavik.
Laugavegur Street
Start your visit with Laugavegur, one of Iceland’s oldest streets. Its name means “wash road” and dates back to the days when women in Reykjavik walked this route to reach the hot springs where they washed their laundry.
You won’t see anyone carrying laundry along Laugavegur today, instead you will find a mix of cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, colourful houses, boutiques and souvenir shops.
While you’re here, try one of the local restaurants on Laugavegur or the surrounding streets. Popular Icelandic foods to look out for include traditional rye bread (Rúgbrauð) baked in geothermal heat, Icelandic yoghurt (Skyr), seafood chowder, and a wide range of fresh seafood dishes.
The Rainbow Street
From Laugavegur, turn onto Skólavörðustígur to reach one of Reykjavik’s most recognisable attractions, often referred to as Rainbow Street. The street is painted in bright rainbow colours as a show of support for Iceland’s LGBT community and has become a popular spot for photos and a colourful walk towards Hallgrímskirkja.
Hallgrímskirkja Church
Continue along Rainbow Street to reach one of Reykjavik’s most prominent landmarks: Hallgrímskirkja Church. Construction began in 1945 and took 41 years to complete, with the church finally finished in 1986. Standing 74.5 metres tall, it is the second‑tallest building in Iceland.
Visitors can take a lift to the viewing deck in the church tower for a small fee, where you’ll find some of the best panoramic views over Reykjavik and the surrounding landscape.
Statue of Ingólfur Arnarson
Arnarhóll is a small grassy hill located between Hverfisgata and the waterfront. At the top, you’ll find a statue of Ingólfr Arnarson, the first permanent Norse settler of Iceland. The sculpture depicts Ingólfr standing beside the mast of his ship, holding a shield and a spear.
It’s worth walking up Arnarhóll Hill for the views alone, with a great outlook towards Harpa Concert Hall and the Old Harbour.
Harpa concert hall
Another prominent landmark in Reykjavik is Harpa, the city’s concert hall and conference centre. It is home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, the Icelandic Opera and the Reykjavík Big Band.
Harpa is known for its striking architecture, with a coloured glass façade inspired by the Northern Lights and Iceland’s basalt landscapes. The building stands on the waterfront beside the Old Harbour, making it a scenic stop whether you’re attending a performance or simply admiring the design from outside.
Reykjavik Old Harbour and Whale Watching
Reykjavik Old Harbour (often simply called Reykjavik Harbour) is a natural harbour on the city’s waterfront. Many of its colourful buildings were originally constructed for the fishing industry between 1913 and 1917. Today, several of these historic structures have been repurposed into cafés, museums and souvenir shops. Old Harbour is a nice place to wander, grab food, or join whale‑watching tours.
If you’re considering a boat tour to see whales or puffins, this is where most excursions depart. The Old Harbour is the main starting point for whale watching tours, with several operators offering trips throughout the year.
Sculpture and Shore Walk
If the weather is good, we recommend walking from Harpa towards Kirkjusandur beach along the Sculpture and Shore Walk. This waterfront path offers lovely views of the Reykjavik cityscape and is an easy, scenic stroll.
Along the way, you’ll come across the Sun Voyager, a large steel sculpture set beside the sea. Resembling a Viking ship, is a very popular photo spot in Reykjavik.
Lake Tjörnin
Lake Tjörnin (often called Pond Tjörnin or simply Reykjavik City Pond) is a shallow lake in the heart of Reykjavik. It’s a lovely place for a gentle walk, with sculptures dotted around the water, plenty of local birdlife to watch, and green spaces where you can sit and relax.
If you’re visiting in the colder months, the scenery changes completely. Instead of grassy areas, the pond often freezes over, and ice skating on Tjörnin becomes a popular winter activity.
The lake is home to many species of birds, mostly ducks, geese and swans. Watching and feeding them has long been a popular pastime, and locals even jokingly refer to Tjörnin as “the biggest bread soup in the world”. However, it’s best to avoid feeding bread to the birds, as it pollutes the water and attracts seagulls.
There are several sculptures around the lake. I particularly liked the mermaid sculpture sitting in the pond, while our boys’ favourite was the Monument to the Unknown Bureaucrat.
Another interesting one is a stone from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, placed here as a pledge of peace.
Next to the lake you’ll find Reykjavik City Hall, which houses a Visitors Centre and an impressive 3D map of Iceland.
We also wandered over to Hallargarðurinn, a small but charming park nearby, where we enjoyed the greenery, art sculptures and the elegant houses surrounding the space.
Seltjarnarnes Peninsula and Grotta Lighthouse
Next on our list of top things to do in Reykjavik is visiting Grótta Lighthouse on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. It’s a bit too far to walk from the city centre, so if you have a car, park at the designated “Parking at the Lighthouse” area and follow the Sculpture and Shore Walk. Yes, it’s the same coastal path that leads all the way from Reykjavik Old Harbour, past Harpa and the Sun Voyager.
During low tide, you can even walk across the sand to reach Grótta Lighthouse on foot.
Seltjarnarnes Peninsula is a popular spot for watching the northern lights. We visited in summer, when it never gets fully dark, so it wasn’t the right season for aurora viewing. But if you’re travelling to Iceland between September and March, we’d recommend joining one of the popular northern lights tours:
Museums
Reykjavik has many interesting museums and exhibitions, so if you’re staying a little longer, it’s well worth visiting a few.
Learn about the history and legends of the northern lights at Aurora Reykjavík: The Northern Lights Exhibition.
Explore Iceland’s past at the National Museum of Iceland or discover the country’s maritime heritage at the Reykjavík Maritime Museum.
Step into the Viking Age at The Settlement Exhibition of Reykjavík City Museum or at Saga Museum.
For something more unusual, you can visit The Icelandic Phallological Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of penises and penile specimens.
Learn about Reykjavik’s local history in the Árbær Open Air Museum, where historic buildings and exhibits bring the city’s past to life.
Where to Eat in Reykjavik
Reykjavik has plenty of relaxed, affordable places to eat, especially if you explore beyond the busiest tourist streets. Around Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur you’ll find cafés, bakeries and casual spots serving fresh fish, soups and pastries. The Grandi harbour area is another good option, with places offering fish and chips, seafood soups and simple Icelandic dishes in a laid‑back setting.
Reykjavik also has several food halls, such as Hlemmur Mathöll and Grandi Mathöll. There you can try different Icelandic dishes without committing to a full restaurant meal.
Best Day Trips from Reykjavik
It goes without saying that Iceland draws visitors not for its city sightseeing alone, but for its extraordinary nature and outdoor experiences. So after spending a day or two exploring Reykjavik, it’s time to venture further and discover more of what Iceland has to offer.
One of the advantages of basing yourself in Reykjavik is how many incredible places lie within easy reach of the city. To round off our guide to the top things to do in Reykjavik, here are our recommended day trips:
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland is known for its striking landscapes and diverse natural sights. There’s a lot to see and do here – from mountains and volcanoes to waterfalls, scenic beaches and dramatic cliffs – making it one of the most rewarding day trips from Reykjavik.
Read our post on the Perfect Day Trip to Snaefellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik for more details on what to see and do in this popular destination.
The Golden Circle
One of the most classic day trips from Reykjavik is The Golden Circle. Rent a car in the city and follow this 300 km route, which can easily be completed in a single day.
Some of the highlights of The Golden Circle route include the famous Gullfoss Waterfall, the Geysir Geothermal Area and the Kerið Crater.
Reynisfjara Beach
Reynisfjara Beach lies about 190 km from Reykjavik, which can feel like a long drive to tackle in a single day. But if you don’t mind the distance, the trip is absolutely worth it.
On the way, be sure to stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, as well as the Dyrhólaey peninsula for its dramatic coastal views.
Planning a longer adventure? Continue with our guide to a 10‑Day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary.
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Reykjavik is such a great city! We liked the Icelandic Phallological Museum so much that we wrote a blogpost about it!
We haven’t been ourselves, but seeing the pics in the Internet I believe this museum is worth a dedicated blog post 🙂
I love that the Unknown Bureaucrat finally gets some recognition! I’m with your boys…that’s a really cool sculpture
I agree, the sculpture is awesome 🙂
Oh, this brought me back! I love Iceland and Reykjavik is such a cool city to explore.
I actually thought I didn’t do too bad till you started mentioning museums. Didn’t get to visit one. Though we did think about the Phallological one for a while. I enjoyed its Harbour, cute houses and street art. I also gave going out to the lighthouse to see the Northern lights a go, but no success. Plenty to do in my next trip.