Best 11 Things to Do in Reykjavik

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I took my first trip to Iceland’s beautiful capital Reykjavik in December 2021. The second I left, I knew it was somewhere I had to go back to!

Although I’d done plenty of research into the city beforehand and it fully lived up to my expectations in some ways (for example, I knew it was going to be expensive!), I was completely unprepared for how pretty it was.

The streets were clean, the architecture was fascinating, and some of the viewpoints were stunning. Coupled with the Christmas lights scattered around the city courtesy of visiting Iceland in winter, it was like a fairytale.

Plus there are a lot of great things to do in Reykjavik.

We spent many days exploring the streets, getting lost in the alleyways, marvelling at the buildings, and exploring a lot of the city’s great museums.

From its vibrant nightlife to its stunning nature, Reykjavik is a city that you won’t want to miss. There’s something for everyone in Reykjavik.

So, whether you’re a culture vulture or a party animal, you’ll have a great time here. There’s something for everyone in this amazing city!

What is Reykjavik best known for?

So, first things first, what is the great city mostly known for? Reykjavik is often used as a stopping point or people use it as a base for those wishing to visit other parts of Iceland.

And, I’m not going to deny that that country’s natural landscapes are beautiful, but definitely don’t skip the capital.

The dramatic church is probably the city’s most well-known landmark and for good reason – it’s very impressive.

But, there are plenty of other attractions too, such as the Perlan (a fascinating museum with incredible views of the city) and the Harpa Concert Hall (an iconic building which is lit up at night).

If you’re interested in learning about Icelandic culture, then you can’t miss out on the city’s museums. But we’ll cover more of those later in that article.

The best things to do in Reykjavik

So, if you’re ready to brave the cold (if you visit in winter that is), embrace the unpredictable weather, and marvel at the fascinating Scandinavian history, then head to the most northerly capital in the world. 

Here are the best things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland.

1. Climb to the top of Hallgrímskirkja

Let’s start with the church that the city is known for! Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church that was built in the 1940s and towers over the city at 74 meters tall.

It’s the symbol of the city and you’ve most likely seen it before on posters or in pictures. It’s definitely, one of the best things to do in Reykjavik.

The design of the church is rather curious. The famous volcanic basalt columns that you can find along the Icelandic coast are one of the things that inspired the design. And when you look at the church, you can definitely see the resemblance.

Going inside the church is free but climbing the towers – where you’ll see those impressive views – will cost you a fee. This is about 1000 ISK, which isn’t expensive either by Icelandic standards.

It’s definitely worth taking a look inside, as the view from the top of the tower is incredible.

2. Visit Harpa Concert Hall

Harpa is an incredible concert hall and conference centre that was opened in 2011. The building itself is quite striking. Its jagged glass facade reflects the light in different ways depending on the time of day.

It’s particularly beautiful when it’s lit up at night – definitely worth a look! When I saw it, it was at dusk and the purple hue from the sky made the whole building look spectacular.

3. Admire the Sun Voyager

If you take a walk along the seafront, you’ll eventually come across the sculpture known as Sun Voyager.

It’s a beautiful stainless steel boat skeleton that was designed by Jón Gunnar Árnason and symbolises the Icelandic people’s relationship with the sea.

A very popular spot for both tourists and locals alike, it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset too – one of my favourite things to see in Reykjavik.

4. Visit the Reykjavík Maritime Museum

If you want to learn more about Iceland’s relationship with the sea, then make sure to visit the Reykjavík Maritime Museum.

One of the top things to see in Reykjavik, it’s housed in an old warehouse that was built in 1915.

The museum covers everything from Icelandic maritime history to modern-day fishing and whaling. You can even go on a boat tour from the harbour that departs right next to the museum!

5. Explore Perlan

Perlan is a museum and observation deck that offers incredible views of the city. It’s located on top of Öskjuhlíð hill, which is one of the highest points in Reykjavik.

The museum itself covers the history of Icelandic natural resources, such as geothermal energy and glaciers. Plus, the views from the observation deck are worth the visit.

On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Snæfellsnes peninsula – one of the most beautiful places in Iceland.

And, if you visit during the winter, you might even be able to see the Northern Lights!

6. Visit the Whales of Iceland

I’ve always had somewhat of a fascination with whales. I think they’re beautiful creatures and real gentle giants of the ocean (well, some of them anyway!).

One day, I’ll head back to Cancun to go swimming with whale sharks and return to Iceland to go whale watching, but, one of the best things to do in Reykjavik is to visit the Whales of Iceland museum.

This is the largest whale exhibition in Europe and has life-sized models of different types of whales.

My favourite part was the blue whale – the largest animal on Earth! If you want to learn more about these incredible creatures, then this is the place to go.

7. Go to Árbæjarsafn

You just can’t visit a country in Scandinavia and not see an elaborate open-air museum. And Reykjavik is no exception.

While visiting Reykjavik, you have to visit Árbæjarsafn. This is an outdoor museum that covers the history of Reykjavik from the 18th century onwards. It reminded me of a very similar, and equally impressive museum that I saw during a few days in Oslo and another that I saw in Stockholm

You can see how people used to live in Icelandic turf houses and there are also several old farmhouses on site. There’s an old schoolhouse, which has been turned into a museum about Icelandic children’s toys and games and there’s even an old doctor’s office!

The museum intends to give visitors an understanding of the city’s earliest inhabitants’ daily lives. It does this brilliantly and is one of the most fascinating and best things to do in Reykjavik.

8. Visit Viðey Island

A little off the shore of the capital, but close enough to still be included in the Iceland city card, Viðey Island is one of the best places to go for a day trip from Reykjavik.

Located in Kollafjörður Bay, it takes around 15-20 minutes to get there by ferry and once you’re on the island, you can explore at your own pace.

Several walking trails take you around the island and past some of its main attractions. These include the Viðeyjarstofa visitor centre, which was once a schoolhouse, and one of Yoko Ono’s art installations.

The island is home to many different bird species, so it’s an ideal place to visit if you’re keen on nature. The views from the island are also incredible, making it the perfect place to enjoy a picnic on a sunny day.

9. Explore Reykjavik’s Nightlife

This certainly surprises some visitors to the capital, but Reykjavik is renowned for its nightlife! There are many bars and clubs located in the city centre that stay open until the early hours of the morning.

You can find everything from live music venues to hipster bars and, if you’re looking for somewhere to dance the night away, there are also several nightclubs. Just be sure to wrap up warm if you’re heading out in the winter!

10. Visit the Blue Lagoon

Okay, I admit it. The Blue Lagoon isn’t actually in Reykjavik. But as most visitors arrive in the capital via Keflavík Airport, then the Blue Lagoon is an ideal stop either on your way to or from the airport. There is a bus that goes directly there from either way, so it’s ideal.

Plus, the Blue Lagoon is pretty much on everyone’s Iceland bucket list! And for good reason. The water is a beautiful blue colour and is rich in minerals, making it perfect for your skin.

You can spend a few hours relaxing in the lagoon, enjoying the views. If you want, you can even buy a drink and enjoy it in the water. Just be sure to book your ticket in advance as it gets pretty busy, especially in the summer months.

11. Go on a few Day Trips

Last but not least, one of the best things to do in Reykjavik is to take day trips to the country’s beautiful natural wonders.

Iceland has some of the most incredible landscapes in the world. There are several different day trips that you can take from Reykjavik to see them.

Some of the most popular include the Golden Circle, which takes you to Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir geothermal area.

Or, for something a little different, you could take a trip to the South Coast to see the black sand beaches and the glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Reykjavik…

Reykjavik is a city that has something for everyone. So, whether you’re visiting Reykjavik in search of culture, nightlife or natural beauty, you’ll certainly find it. Just be sure to add it to your bucket list!

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