Skip to main content

The world’s most northerly capital city, Reykjavik moves to the beat of its own drum with a lively arts scene and streets oozing creativity. While many visitors move on to the wild landscape outside the city, stop for a while and explore the museums, food halls, breweries and unique sights of Reykjavik.
An aerial picture of Hallgrymskirkja and Reykjavík downtown on a summer day
Best time to visit
All year round
Coordinates
64.1417° N - 21.9266° W

Things to Do in Reykjavík

Walks and Trails

You won’t find skyscrapers in the centre of Reykjavik, but rather a cluster of red-roofed, colourful buildings housing shops, restaurants, bars and cafés. On the central shopping street of Laugavegur, souvenir shops sell puffin-themed trinkets and chunky knitwear for cold days.

The best way to explore this area is on foot, strolling up the photogenic Rainbow Road to Hallgrímskirkja – the striking modern church in the centre of town. If you don’t fancy walking, the Reykjavik sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus hits all the major sights of the city, from the hilltop Perlan to the old harbour and Hallgrímskirkja.

At sunset, one of the best places for a walk is along the waterfront, where the Sun Voyager sculpture stands against a steely sea and seems to glow in the golden light.

You can walk the length of the seafront and discover Reykjavik’s old harbour, where seafood restaurants await and boats leave for tours of Faxaflói Bay.

Walking tours with a local guide are a great way to get under the skin of the city and learn something new, like the myths and legends of Iceland or all about Reykjavik’s famous cat population that stalks through the central streets.

An abstract metal sculpture of a Viking boat situated beside the sea

Adventures in and Around Reykjavík

Staying in the city doesn’t mean missing out on Iceland’s famously rugged scenery. From the outskirts of Reykjavik, you can take an ATV tour of the surrounding wilderness. Spend an hour bumping across river beds, summiting a mountain and stopping at a beautiful lake.

The weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, especially in the autumn and winter months. Luckily, if you find yourself on a rainy day in Reykjavik, there’s still plenty to keep you occupied. Perhaps test your Sherlock Holmes levels of deduction in one of the Escape Rooms, perfect for families and groups of friends.

Seeing Iceland’s iconic scenery, from the snowy expanse of glaciers to the rugged lava plains of isolated peninsulas, doesn’t mean getting stuck in a blizzard or caught in the rain, even if a storm is predicted. FlyOver Iceland in the new Grandi Harbour development is an interactive experience that sees you suspended above the island, soaring over land, sea and ice. It is an indoor experience, so it doesn’t matter what the weather is like outside.

"Harpa Conference Hall's gleaming glass facade, viewed from the sea, accompanied by a large ship and several smaller boats in the foreground.

Wildlife and Waves

From the old harbour, boats putter out to spot whales breaching the surface of Faxaflói Bay all year. Whale watching is one of the most popular Reykjavik tours and you can combine a trip to see these majestic creatures out at sea with puffin spotting on the Puffin Express boat. Back on dry land, learn everything there is to know about orcas, humpbacks and minke whales at the Whales of Iceland experience.

Seeing the city from the sea shows you another angle to Reykjavik’s beauty, with Esja Mountain looming in the background. Boat tours offer sea-angling experiences to catch fish in the wild Atlantic or the more sedate option of a Northern Lights boat tour after dark. You have a better chance of spotting the other-worldly green lights twisting and turning against the night sky when out at sea, away from the city lights. Perhaps add some context to your boat trips with a visit to Reykjavik’s Maritime Museum and explore Iceland’s centuries-old relationship with the sea.

Thúfa hill in the Old Harbor, featuring a round green landscape with a small wooden shed at its peak.

Restoration and Relaxation

Slowing down and taking a few hours to unwind is essential to any holiday – no matter how adventurous you are. At the edge of the Reykjavik map, a fifteen-minute drive from the city centre, you’ll find the Sky Lagoon. This is where you can embrace the Icelandic tradition of outdoor bathing without leaving the capital. Surrounded by black lava stone, this naturally warmed geothermal pool juts out over the Atlantic Ocean, so you can watch the waves as you bathe in the hot tub-like water. It has only been open since 2021, but the Sky Lagoon is fast becoming one of the most popular Reykjavik attractions.

"Assortment of pastries displayed in a store window, set against the backdrop of graffiti-covered walls.

Food and Drink

Reykjavik’s restaurants cater for all budgets, serving hearty Icelandic fare like soup in bread bowls, roast lamb and fish sizzling amid potatoes in cast-iron pans. Within the city centre, you can choose between buzzing food halls serving good value street food or upmarket restaurants showing off the length and breadth of Iceland’s natural larder.

The area around Laugavegur is also the epicentre of Reykjavik’s nightlife, where pubs serve local craft beer and cocktails are served in magic surrounds at the city’s Ice Bar.

If you want to experience Reykjavik’s food and drink scene with the insights of a local, there are plenty of food tours and guided pub crawls. You can learn about the distinctive taste of Arctic lamb and hear about how beer was banned in Iceland until the 1980s while enjoying some of the iconic dishes and drinks of the island.

Everything you need to know about Reykjavik

Related tours

A large white off-road vehicle visible through the opening of an ice cave in Iceland, with icy formations, snow-covered landscape, and clear skies in the background.
10 hours

South Coast & Ice Cave offbeat adventure

Join our South Coast Iceland Super Jeep Tour to explore stunning waterfalls, black sand beaches, and a magical glacier ice cave. Travel in comfort and style in our luxury Super Jeep with a small group for a more personal experience.

From €307/person
Three people riding snowmobiles on an Icelandic glacier, dressed in winter gear, with snowy terrain and clear skies in the background.
10 hours

Golden Circle Super Jeep and Snowmobile Tour

Experience Iceland’s top attractions in an exciting way! Explore the famous Golden Circle in a luxury Super Jeep, then venture onto Langjökull, the country’s second-largest glacier, for an exhilarating snowmobile ride.

From €401/person
Hiker  standing at a viewpoint, gazing down at the expansive valley below.
2 hours

The Volcanic Trails

Unveil Iceland's wild beauty on a 7-day trek through Vatnajökull National Park. Traverse moss, waterfalls, canyons, and deserts. An untamed Icelandic odyssey.

From €2,071/person
Group of tourists in orange jackets exploring a stunning blue ice cave with intricate ceiling patterns.
10.5 hours

South Coast & Askur Ice Cave in a Mountain Truck

Experience the mesmerizing Askur Ice Cave on the Myrdalsjökull glacier. This adventure includes a scenic South Coast tour with stops at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, followed by an exhilarating mountain truck ride to the cave. Perfect for families and adventure seekers alike!

From €238/person
A super-jeep in the Icelandic Highlands
10 hours

Þórsmörk - Valley of Thor Super Jeep Tour

Join an extraordinary adventure through Iceland's rugged landscapes with our exclusive Þórsmörk Super Jeep Tour. Explore the Valley of Thor in style, led by expert guides who know every inch of this stunning terrain.

From €307/person
Group of hikers walking on the snow towards a mountain in Greenland
5 days

Mt Gunnbjörn, the Highest Peak in Greenland

Are you dreaming of an Arctic adventure of a lifetime? This 5-day tour has you scaling the highest peak of the Arctic (3694 m/12120 ft). Mt. Gunnbjörn has been called the 8th continental peak due to its massive size, and it beckons climbers from around the world. On the east coast, where towering mountains rise from the Greenland icecap, the conditions are pristine and similar to those in Antarctica. There’s nothing quite like challenging yourself to climb in one of the most isolated areas of the north, with the fresh Arctic air and stark white snow. An experienced and qualified guide will lead the group, keeping participants safe and informed. This is not a trek for a beginner as the hike is considered strenuous, and participants should have mountain climbing experience and be prepared to camp for four nights. Mt. Gunnbjörn is easily accessible on a ski plane from Iceland. Once in the Watkins Mountains, we set up a comfortable base camp at the foot of the mountain. To make the summit day more manageable, we establish one camp on the way to the summit. The climb can be done on snowshoes, with the last part done on crampons.

A Hiker crossing the Vatnajökull Glacier in the south coast of Iceland.
9 days

Vatnajökull Glacier Expedition

Cross the largest glacier in Europe during this perfect combination of adventure, stunning nature and physical challenge. This is a dream tour for outdoor enthusiasts! Crossing the mighty Vatnajökull ice cap should be on the list for every ambitious adventurer. You can expect a strenuous 9-day tour with 7-9 hours of walking per day for a total distance of 110-130 km (68-81 mi). A professionally qualified guide will lead the group (4-12 participants). On the vast ice, you will battle conditions ranging from extreme colds and strong wind to extreme heat when the sun comes out and bounces off the snow. This trek combines camping and mountain huts and is not intended for beginner climbers.

From €4,436/person
Hop on - Hop off bus in front of Hallgrímsirkja Curch in downtown Reykjavík.
2 days

Hop On - Hop Off - City Sightseeing 48 hours

Delve deep into the heart of Reykjavík with our 48-hour City Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off bus pass. This extended pass offers you the freedom to explore Reykjavík's modern vibe and its proximity to nature at your own pace, with plenty of time to discover all the hidden gems of this magical city.

€43
Save 15%
From €37/person
Hop on - hop off red bus in front of Harpa Conference Centre in Reykjavík, Iceland.
1 day

Hop On - Hop Off - City Sightseeing 24 hours

Take a bus tour with City Sightseeing and explore Reykjavík at your leisure, with the opportunity to hop on and off at conveniently located bus stops.

€37
Save 15%
From €31/person
Group of people gathered around a erupting geysir in Iceland.
8 hours

The Golden Circle & Hop On Hop Off - Combo Deal

Experience the best of Iceland's natural wonders and the charm of its capital city with our Golden Circle & City Sightseeing combo. This tour combines an insightful 8-hour journey through the iconic Golden Circle, with a visit to the Fridheimar Tomato Greenhouse along the way, and additionally, the flexibility of exploring Reykjavík at your own pace on the Hop On Hop Off bus.

From €108/person

Sign up for our newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive tips, personalized travel advice, and early-bird offers on unique experiences!

  • Exclusive Insights
  • Tailored Travel Tips
  • Early Access to Offers