Reykjavík is the capital city of Iceland and it is the center of life in Iceland. The capital and the surrounding suburbs are home to approximately 60% of Iceland’s population. Reykjavík is full of life! And this post will help you to find some of the best things to do in Reykjavík. From the best museums, the the best city walks and eating the best food, use our list of things to do in Reykjavík to plan your own Icelandic vacation.
Reykjavík is a cool city. This hip city is young, yet full of history. Some of the things to do in Reykjavík are polar opposites. These juxtapositions makes for a fun day that will be interesting to any traveler. You can eat gourmet meals or street hot dogs. Then, you can learn about the history of the Vikings or the many penises that make up the world. Next, you can sort through a giant thrift sale or spend hundreds of dollars on an Icelandic wool sweater. Whatever you decide to do in Reykjavík, it will make a great addition to your Icelandic vacation. All of these things to do in Reykjavík are in the city center and can all be walked to – no car or bus needed.
Is Reykjavík worth visiting?
First, let us say that Iceland is without a doubt worth visiting. Especially for nature lovers like us. There are so many natural wonders in Iceland which make a trip to Iceland AWEsome. And if you’re visiting Iceland, chances are it’s because you are a lover of nature.
Next, let us say that Reykjavík is a metropolitan town but it is much smaller than other capital cities like London or Paris. So if you’re expecting to stay in town and be entertained for days, you’ll probably be disappointed. However there is plenty to do in Reykjavík to fill a day or two.
So if you’re visiting Iceland because you love to be surrounded by the beauty of the wilderness, you may be underwhelmed by Reykjavík. We sure were. However, is Reykjavík worth visiting? Yes. Because it is a great base camp for your southern Iceland adventures. And because it is a beautiful city that you may as well explore. When in Iceland, right?
When To Visit?
So now that you’ve decided to visit Reykjavík, when is the best time to visit? Honestly, since Reykjavík is a big city, you’ll be able to find something to do year round in Reykjavík.
If you’re visiting Iceland in the winter, Reykjavík is the place to be. Many roads in Iceland close in the winter and Reykjavík will give you the greatest access to the tourist destinations still available to you.
However, we hate the cold so we think the best time to visit Reykjavík is in the summer months (June-August). While you can visit year round, the summer months will give you the freedom to wander the city on foot (without freezing) and you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful outdoor activities to the fullest.
How Long to Stay in Reykjavík?
While Reykjavík should definitely be a stop on your Iceland vacation, you don’t need much time to see it all. A half day in Reykjavík can give you a good sense of the city. And two days in Reykjavík will allow you to see everything the city has to offer. We think one day in Reykjavík would have been the perfect amount of time.
Things to do in Reykjavík
Hallgrímskirkja Church
Time: 15 minutes | Cost: FREE to see and enter
Hallgrímskirkja Church sits atop a hill in the center of Reykjavík. This active church is one of the most commonly recognized landmarks in Reykjavík. The church was commissioned in 1937 to be designed by Gudjón Samúelsson. The church was completed in 1940 and has since been a cultural landmark for Iceland. The church’s design is based off of the columnar basalt rocks that can be found throughout Iceland. While seeing the church from the outside is one of the most popular things to do in Reykjavík, don’t forget to go inside. If you are lucky, you can catch an organist practicing on the massive pipe organ inside or get tickets to an upcoming concert. On your way out of the church, don’t forget to see the statue of Leif Erickson out front.
For a fee, you can also go to the top of the observation tower in the church steeple to see a 360 degree view of Reykjavík.
Harpa Concert Hall
Time: 15 minutes | Cost: FREE to wander
Wander around the beautiful Harpa concert hall. You can even attend a concert or event if you are visiting Reykjavík at the right time. But what is really special about Harpa is the beautiful architecture.
Einar Jónsson Sculpture Park
Time: 20 minutes | Cost: FREE
Just around the corner from Hallgrímskirkja is the Einar Jónsson Museum. While the museum has an entrance fee that we weren’t willing to pay, the sculpture gardens behind the museum are free and filled with beautiful sculptures. This is a super quiet spot amidst the popular tourist section of town. It is great place to snack on your Icelandic treats or sip your morning coffee.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum (AKA Penis Museum)
Time: 30 minutes | Cost: 2500 ISK/person
Penises in jars. Yup, you read that right. This is a museum filled to the hilt (pun intended) with penises preserved in jars and casts of penises. From the large blue whale and elephant penises to tiny elf penises to the silver casts of the silver medaling Icelandic Olympic team, this museum mixes the biological and ridiculous.
The Sun Voyager Sculpture
Time: 15 minutes | Cost: FREE
Wander along the Reykjavík shoreline to see this sculpture. While the sculpture looks like a Viking ship, it is actually an “ode to the sun” and is designed to be visited at sunset. Kiddos will love visiting this sculpture as you can play all over it.
The National Museum of Iceland
Time: 3 hours | Cost: 2500 ISK/adult
This was a fascinating museum. If you can swing it, we think this should be one of the first things to do in Reykjavík and in Iceland. The information in this museum gives you such a great understanding for the rest of your Icelandic vacation.
The National Museum of Iceland is two floors of exhibits that span Iceland’s human history. It is fascinating to learn how Iceland’s culture was so influenced by Europe, yet completely cut off from European influence in other ways. See the museum for the full story.
The Saga Museum
Time: 2 hours | Cost: 3000 ISK/adult
The Saga Museum seems to be the less refined brother of the National Museum of Iceland. And that’s not a bad thing. This museum focuses on the Viking history of Iceland and includes some wax statues and even a fun photo booth at the end. While we liked the National Museum, kiddos and people who need a bit more interactivity will appreciate the Saga Museum.
Feed the Birds at Tjörnin Pond
Time: 15 minutes | Cost: FREE
Bring your old bread to feed the birds at Tjörnin Pond. The ducks and Whooper swans here are used to being fed so they seem to be pretty nice. We’re used to seeing territorial devil swans so this was fun to just people watch as small children hand feed these immense birds. Kiddos will LOVE this.
Even if you don’t feed the birds, make sure to walk around the beautiful pond to take in the gardens that surround it.
Enjoy The Nightlife??
Time: whatever you can handle | Cost: Drinks are expensive by American standards!
So every post about Iceland that we read before visiting Iceland raved about the Reykjavík nightlife and said experiencing it was one of the best things to do in Reykjavík. However, we found it to be more of a laid back bar crawl type scene. So while there are some really cool bars in Reykjavík to explore, we thought nightlife was a strong word.
We visited during COVID, so maybe that affected it. But after 9 PM, the streets get really quiet as everyone makes their way into a bar for a drink. You’ll see people moving from bar to bar throughout the night but we thought the night felt more laid back than Laugavegur Street (the main street) during the day. So if you’re looking to people watch (like we were) stick to the daylight.
Reykjavík Walking Tour
Time: 2 hours of walking | Cost: FREE
There are tons of walking tours of Reykjavík available for a fee. And there are even regularly scheduled free walking tours (where you are expected to tip the guide). However, we’ve put together this map of our favorite route through downtown Reykjavík so that you can do your own self guided tour. This will take you to several of the things to do in Reykjavík that we’ve listed above as well as just some cool buildings to see like the Parliament Building and Government House, which are around the lake. We assume you’ll want some great pictures of Hallgrimskirkja so we’ve started the tour there as the early bird gets the best photos. But if you are not an early riser, consider ending your walking tour here around dinner time and you’ll also get great photos.
Kolaportid Flea Market
Time: 30 minutes | Cost: FREE to wander
This flea market is open on weekends in Reykjavík. It contains the oddest assortment of used doodads and new whatchamacallits. From touristy wool sweaters to antique bicycles to used Spanish books, you will find the collection of items for sale here entertaining. Even if you don’t find anything to buy.
Reykjavík Maritime Museum
Time: 2 hours | Cost: 1950 ISK/adult
Explore the maritime museum along the docks of Reykjavík. This museum will teach you the importance of the fishing industry to Iceland. After visiting, make sure to grab some fish for dinner at the nearby restaurants.
Things to Eat in Reykjavík
What good is a list of things to do in Reykjavík if we don’t include some must-try foods for your time in the capital. Keep reading for the list of iconic Reykjavík food.
Braud & Co. Pastries
Bread, bread, and more bread. The smell of bread baking will draw you in from blocks away. Which may also be where the line for this iconic bread shop starts. While you’ll have to wait in line some time to get a treat, these homemade pastries and breads are worth the wait just to see the look of jealousy in everyone else’s eyes as you trail delicious scents behind you.
Relative Cost: Cheap
Saegreifinn Lobster Soup
Warm up on the wharf with the famous lobster soup. It is fantastic. This restaurant is right off of the fishing docks and the fish are so fresh, that they aren’t even cooked yet. You choose your fish on a stick from a cooler and they grill it up for you.
Cost: ~$25/person
Baejarins Beztu Pylsur Hot Dog Stand
For lunch, consider trying a hot dog with the works from this famous street food vendor. This is the hot dog to try in Reykjavík and Iceland. The works gets you onions, fried onions, ketchup, sweet mustard, relish and mayonnaise. While this list of ingredients may sound familiar, I assure you none of the staple American condiments resemble their American counterparts.
While everyone raves about this hot dog, it was honestly the worst meal we had in Iceland. Though it was the cheapest. The Icelandic hot dog is different from the American counterparts but not really any better. And while the sauce combination wasn’t as disgusting as it would have been if they used the American versions of the sauces, it still wasn’t good. While this is our opinion of the famous hot dog, we still want to mention it to give you the chance to try it!
Cost: 450 ISK
Fermented Shark
While you may think that all Icelanders eat fermented shark, the reality is, this old Icelandic dish is hard to find in Iceland. But Reykjavík is one of the place where you can get it. We tried the Icelandic sampler platter at Cafe Loki and it included this fermented shark.
The shark tasted… not that bad. Which is one of the best reviews for the shark out there 😉 It’s chewy, like tofu and tastes vinegar-ish. Honestly, it wasn’t bad. Neither of us spit it out or wanted to puke. It typically comes with Brennivín, which is more disgusting than the shark. You’re meant to wash down the shark with this Icelandic schnapps. Only problem, is then you feel like you’ll puke up both the lighter fluid posing as a drink and the not as terrible as it sounds shark. There’s our honest review but don’t let that stop you from trying it.
Cost: $25 – typically part of a sampler platter
Sjavargrillid For Fancy Diner
This is one of the most popular spots in Reykjavík for a high quality seafood dinner. Translated to “Seafood Grill”, Sjavargrillid has an amazing menu, including several multi-course options. This was our final meal in Iceland and it was amazing.
Cost: ~$80-100/person
We hope this list of things to do in Reykjavík has helped you to plan your own vacation to Iceland! If you have any questions or want to see how we fit Reykjavík into our Iceland itinerary, check out our other posts on Iceland here or leave a comment below.
