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Reykjavik
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Reykjavík combines Icelandic history, Hallgrímskirkja, coastal walks, museums, geothermal culture and access to dramatic landscapes beyond the capital.

Harbour, Heat and Open Skies

Reykjavík sits on Iceland’s southwest coast, where the North Atlantic meets a landscape shaped by lava, glaciers and geothermal forces. The capital is compact by international standards, with the old harbour, colourful central streets and many principal sights within walking distance. Waterfront paths reveal views towards Mount Esja, while nearby geothermal pools remain part of everyday life rather than merely a visitor attraction. The city’s low-rise streets, corrugated-metal houses and brightly painted façades give it a distinctive visual character beneath long summer daylight and winter skies.
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Culture in a Compact Capital

The city’s cultural centre stretches around Austurvöllur, the old harbour and streets such as Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur. The National Museum of Iceland and Reykjavík Art Museum provide context for the country’s settlement and artistic life, while Harpa Concert Hall brings music and performance to the waterfront. Hallgrímskirkja rises above the centre as Reykjavík’s most recognisable landmark, its modern form inspired by Iceland’s volcanic landscapes. Cafés, bookshops, independent design studios and restaurants lend the centre an active but unhurried rhythm.

Gateway to Iceland’s Wider Landscapes

Reykjavík works both as a destination and as a base for exploring southwest Iceland. The nearby Reykjanes Peninsula, Þingvellir National Park, the geothermal area around Geysir and the waterfalls of the south coast lie beyond the city and require organised transport or independent travel. Within Reykjavík itself, however, the pleasures are more intimate: swimming in a neighbourhood pool, watching boats leave the harbour, browsing local design and experiencing how Icelandic cultural life adapts to a demanding northern environment.

When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?

Best: June–August · 13–14°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January445
February437
March431
April725
May1013
June (best)137
July (best)147
August (best)147
September117
October77
November47
December325

Getting to and around Reykjavik

How to get there

Most international visitors arrive at Keflavík International Airport, roughly 50 kilometres southwest of Reykjavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Airport buses, taxis and pre-arranged transfers connect the airport with the capital; Keflavík is not within Reykjavík itself. Reykjavík Domestic Airport, close to the city centre, handles domestic flights and some regional services, including connections to destinations such as Akureyri and the Westman Islands. Long-distance buses link Reykjavík with other Icelandic towns, while Route 1 provides road access around the country. There is no passenger railway network, so journeys beyond the capital rely on roads, buses, domestic flights or organised excursions.

Transportation

Central Reykjavík is compact and straightforward to explore on foot, particularly around Laugavegur, Austurvöllur, the old harbour and Hallgrímskirkja. Strætó buses serve the capital area and neighbouring municipalities, although routes and frequency vary by location and time. Taxis are available, but fares can be high by international standards. Cycling is possible in warmer months, though wind, rain and uneven weather require preparation. A hired car is useful for travelling beyond the city but is often unnecessary in the centre, where parking can be limited and some streets prioritise pedestrians. Weather should always be considered when planning journeys.

Best attractions in Reykjavik

Reykjavík’s principal attractions are close enough to connect in a series of walks. Hallgrímskirkja, the city’s tall Lutheran church, offers a striking introduction to Icelandic modern architecture and views over the centre. At the old harbour, the National Maritime Museum explores the country’s dependence on the sea, while Reykjavík’s contemporary cultural life is represented by Harpa Concert Hall and the Reykjavík Art Museum, whose venues include Hafnarhús near the waterfront. The National Museum of Iceland traces settlement, religion and daily life through archaeological objects and historic artefacts. Along the shore, the Sun Voyager sculpture provides a memorable meeting point beside the sea, with Mount Esja across the bay. Perlan, set on Öskjuhlíð hill, presents exhibitions about Iceland’s glaciers, volcanoes and natural environment. Neighbourhood swimming pools, especially Sundhöllin, offer a less formal but deeply local way to experience the capital.

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Best landmarks in Reykjavik

Hallgrímskirkja is Reykjavík’s defining landmark, its concrete vertical form designed by Guðjón Samúelsson and associated with the basalt formations and broad geological forces of Iceland. On the waterfront, Harpa Concert Hall is distinguished by its geometric glass façade, a contemporary civic building that reflects shifting light from the sea and sky. The Sun Voyager, Jón Gunnar Árnason’s stainless-steel sculpture, resembles a Viking ship but is conceived as a dream vessel and symbol of hope. Austurvöllur, the square beside Alþingishúsið and Reykjavík Cathedral, forms a historic civic focus. The Parliament House dates from the nineteenth century, while nearby streets preserve early urban buildings in timber and corrugated metal. Perlan, built over geothermal water-storage tanks on Öskjuhlíð, represents the practical infrastructure that has helped shape the modern city as much as its public architecture.

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Neighbourhoods in Reykjavik

Best restaurants in Reykjavik

Reykjavík’s food culture reflects Iceland’s island geography, fishing heritage and access to clean geothermal water and pastureland. Menus may feature cod, haddock, Arctic char, lamb, dairy products and seasonal vegetables, while rye bread, skyr and kleinur remain familiar parts of Icelandic eating. Traditional dishes such as plokkfiskur, a fish and potato preparation, appear alongside modern interpretations in the city’s restaurants. The old harbour has a concentration of seafood dining, while the central streets around Laugavegur and Hverfisgata offer cafés, bakeries, casual international food and contemporary Icelandic cooking. Food halls and market-style venues provide an approachable way to sample several styles, and Kolaportið is associated with local products and traditional foods when operating. Coffee shops are central to Reykjavík’s social rhythm, particularly during the darker months, while geothermal pools often sit close to simple everyday cafés.

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Best bars in Reykjavik

Reykjavík’s evening life is concentrated in the compact centre, particularly around Laugavegur, Bankastræti and the streets leading towards the old harbour. Cafés and relaxed bars develop into busier late-night venues, with independent cocktail bars, beer rooms and places featuring live music sharing the same walkable area. The city’s nightlife is known for late starts, especially at weekends, while smaller cultural venues host concerts, literary events, theatre and Icelandic music performances. Harpa provides a more formal programme of orchestral music, opera and touring acts, and the city’s museums sometimes offer evening events. Outside the centre, nightlife is quieter and more local, with neighbourhood pools and restaurants carrying much of the social life. Visitors should expect changing conditions and check current venue information, as opening patterns and cultural programmes vary seasonally.

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Best nightclubs in Reykjavik

Reykjavík’s evening life is concentrated in the compact centre, particularly around Laugavegur, Bankastræti and the streets leading towards the old harbour. Cafés and relaxed bars develop into busier late-night venues, with independent cocktail bars, beer rooms and places featuring live music sharing the same walkable area. The city’s nightlife is known for late starts, especially at weekends, while smaller cultural venues host concerts, literary events, theatre and Icelandic music performances. Harpa provides a more formal programme of orchestral music, opera and touring acts, and the city’s museums sometimes offer evening events. Outside the centre, nightlife is quieter and more local, with neighbourhood pools and restaurants carrying much of the social life. Visitors should expect changing conditions and check current venue information, as opening patterns and cultural programmes vary seasonally.

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Best shops in Reykjavik

Central Reykjavík provides the country’s richest concentration of shopping, with Laugavegur forming the main commercial spine and Skólavörðustígur linking it to Hallgrímskirkja. Independent boutiques and design shops showcase Icelandic knitwear, wool garments, ceramics, jewellery and contemporary Nordic interiors, while specialist food shops sell liquorice, chocolate, dried fish and other local products. The old harbour area combines design-led retail with galleries and maritime surroundings. Kolaportið, close to the harbour, is Reykjavík’s best-known indoor flea market and offers second-hand goods, regional foods and traditional Icelandic specialities when open. Kringlan and Smáralind, in the wider capital area, provide larger-scale shopping, though they are less central to the historic visitor experience. Prices can be high, so shoppers should distinguish locally made products from imported souvenirs and check composition labels on woollen goods.

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Reykjavik essentials

Currency and Payment
Iceland uses the Icelandic króna, written as ISK or kr. Card payments and contactless transactions are widely used in Reykjavík, including in many cafés, shops, swimming pools and transport settings, and visitors will usually find major international cards accepted. Carrying a small amount of cash can still be practical for occasional smaller purchases or unexpected payment requirements. ATMs are available in the city, although international banks may apply their own fees or foreign-exchange charges. Iceland is expensive for many visitors, so checking the total displayed amount and choosing to pay in Icelandic króna rather than a home-currency conversion can help avoid unfavourable exchange rates.
Safety
Reykjavík is generally easy to navigate, but ordinary precautions remain important: keep valuables secure in crowded places, take care around traffic and avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas after drinking. Weather is a more significant practical concern than urban dangers. Wind, icy pavements, sudden rain and limited winter daylight can make seemingly short journeys difficult, while coastal paths and lava landscapes require care. Beyond the city, never underestimate Icelandic conditions; check forecasts and road information before driving or joining an outdoor activity. Follow local warnings around the sea, geothermal areas and changing mountain weather rather than relying on appearance alone.
Emergency Situations
Call 112 for police, fire and ambulance services in Iceland. The number connects callers to the national emergency response system, and assistance may be available in English. Give the location clearly, especially when outside the urban centre, and follow the operator’s instructions. Reykjavík has hospitals, medical centres and pharmacies, but routine healthcare access may require contact with the relevant service or travel insurer. European visitors should carry their European Health Insurance Card where applicable, while travellers from elsewhere should have appropriate insurance. For outdoor incidents, avoid moving an injured person unnecessarily unless there is immediate danger and provide precise information about the route or surroundings.
Do's and Don'ts
Remove shoes when entering a private home if invited, keep voices moderate in shared spaces and follow the rules of public swimming pools, where showering before entering the water is expected. Respect churches, museums and memorials by observing photography notices and avoiding disruptive behaviour. Tipping is not a fixed obligation in Iceland, as service charges and wages are generally reflected in prices, though a discretionary tip may be appreciated for exceptional service. Do not walk onto fragile moss or ignore barriers around geothermal features, cliffs and beaches. In conversation, avoid treating Icelandic nature as risk-free simply because access appears easy.
Local Tips
A first visit benefits from combining the central sights with an ordinary neighbourhood swimming pool, where hot tubs and communal bathing are part of local culture. The old harbour is a useful orientation point, while streets rising towards Hallgrímskirkja reveal independent design shops, cafés and residential architecture. Kolaportið is particularly useful for browsing Icelandic food and second-hand goods when open, and the National Museum provides context before wider sightseeing. For day trips, allow flexibility rather than packing the itinerary tightly, since wind, snow and road conditions can affect travel even when the city centre appears calm.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHalló[HAH-loh]
GoodbyeBless[bles]
YesJá[ya]
NoNei[nay]
Please/You're welcomeGjörðu svo vel[GYOR-thu svo vel]
Thank youTakk[tahk]
Excuse me/SorryFyrirgefðu[FEER-ir-gef-thu]
How are you?Hvað segirðu gott?[kvath SEY-ir-thu got]
Fine. And you?Fínt. En þú?[feent. en thu]
Do you speak English?Talar þú ensku?[TAH-lar thu ENSK-u]
I don't understandÉg skil ekki[yeg skil EHK-ki]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseÉg myndi vilja sjá matseðilinn, takk[yeg MUN-dee VIL-ya syow MATH-se-thil-inn, tahk]
I don't eat meatÉg borða ekki kjöt[yeg BOR-tha EHK-ki chyot]
Cheers!Skál![skowl]
I would like to pay, pleaseÉg myndi vilja greiða, takk[yeg MUN-dee VIL-ya gray-tha, tahk]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjálp![HYAULP]
Go away!Farðu í burtu![far-thu ih BUR-too]
Call the Police!Hringdu í lögregluna![hring-thu ih LOG-ray-loo-na]
Call a doctor!Hringdu í lækninn![hring-thu ih lighk-nin]
I'm lostÉg er týndur[yeg er teen-thur]
I'm illÉg er veikur[yeg er vay-kur]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ég myndi vilja kaupa...[yeg MUN-dee VIL-ya KOW-pa]
I'm just lookingÉg er bara að skoða[yeg er BA-ra ath SKO-tha]
How much is it?Hvað kostar það?[kvath KOS-tar thah]
That's too expensiveÞað er of dýrt[thath er ov DEER-t]
Can you lower the price?Getur þú lækkað verðið?[GHE-tur thu ligh-KATH VER-thith]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hvað er klukkan?[kvath er KLOO-kahn]
It's one o'clockKlukkan er eitt[KLOO-kahn er eyt]
Half past (10)Hálf tíu[howlf tee-oo]
MorningMorgunn[mor-gun]
AfternoonSíðdegis[seed-thay-iss]
EveningKvöld[kwuld]
YesterdayÍ gær[ee gai]
TodayÍ dag[ee thak]
TomorrowÁ morgun[ow mor-gun]
1Einn[ayth]
2Tveir[tayr]
3þrír[threer]
4Fjórir[fyow-rir]
5Fimm[fim]
6Sex[sehx]
7Sjö[syow]
8Átta[ow-tha]
9Níu[nyew]
10Tíu[tee-oo]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Hvar er ...?[kvar er]
What's the address?Hvað er heimilisfangið?[kvath er HAY-mil-is-fang-ith]
Can you show me (on the map)?Getur þú sýnt mér (á kortinu)?[GHE-tur thu seent mair (ow KOR-tinu)]
When's the next (bus)?Hvenær fer næsta (strætisvagn)?[kven-ayr fer NIE-sta (strait-is-vahn)]
A ticket (to ....)Einn miða (til ....)[ayth MI-tha (til)]

History of Reykjavik

Settlement at Reykjavík Farm

According to the medieval Landnámabók, or Book of Settlements, Ingólfur Arnarson established his farm at Reykjavík around 874, traditionally regarded as Iceland’s first permanent Norse settlement. The name refers to the steam rising from nearby geothermal areas, an early indication of the region’s volcanic character. Settlement also involved the wider interaction of Norse settlers and the people who were already connected to the North Atlantic world, including those of Gaelic background. For centuries Reykjavík remained a rural farm rather than an urban centre. Its sheltered bay, freshwater resources and proximity to fertile coastal land eventually helped it develop a more important economic role.

Trade and the Danish Monopoly

From the seventeenth century, Reykjavík’s development was shaped by Iceland’s position within the Danish monarchy and by regulated trade. The Danish trade monopoly restricted commercial exchange, yet Reykjavík gradually became an important location for administration, fishing and commerce in the southwest. In 1752, Skúli Magnússon, often called the Father of Reykjavík, supported manufacturing initiatives intended to strengthen Iceland’s economy. Although many of these ventures struggled, they encouraged settlement and practical urban growth. Warehouses, workshops and harbour activity began to give the area a more recognisable town character, replacing the earlier dominance of scattered farms.

A Town Charter in 1786

Reykjavík received an official town charter in 1786, marking a decisive step in its transformation into Iceland’s principal urban settlement. The new town was small, but its administrative importance increased as institutions and commercial activity concentrated there. Reykjavík became the seat of Iceland’s bishop in 1801, and the Alþingi, Iceland’s historic national assembly, was restored in 1845 as a consultative body under Danish rule. The city’s modern centre began to take shape around streets, harbour facilities and public buildings. Reykjavík’s growth was still modest, but its political and economic influence was becoming increasingly national.

National Revival and Home Rule

During the nineteenth century, Icelandic nationalism gathered strength, encouraged by efforts to preserve the Icelandic language and cultural identity while seeking greater political autonomy. Reykjavík became the focus of newspapers, education, commerce and public debate. Iceland gained limited home rule in 1904, with Reykjavík serving as the centre of the new ministerial administration. Urban expansion accelerated as fishing, trade and services developed, and the population increasingly moved from rural districts towards the capital. Buildings from this period, together with the street plan around the centre, reflect the gradual emergence of a modern Icelandic civic culture.

War, Independence and Urban Growth

British forces occupied Iceland in 1940 during the Second World War, followed by American forces, bringing major economic activity and infrastructure development to Reykjavík. The wartime presence helped accelerate modernisation, although it also altered the city’s social and physical landscape. On 17 June 1944, Iceland became a republic, and Reykjavík hosted the national celebrations. Post-war prosperity, mechanised fishing and expanding public services transformed the capital from a small town into the country’s dominant urban centre. New housing districts spread beyond the historic core, while the population and administrative importance of Reykjavík continued to grow.

The Contemporary Capital

Since the mid-twentieth century, Reykjavík has developed as Iceland’s political, cultural and economic centre while retaining a close relationship with the sea and surrounding volcanic terrain. The city’s museums, universities, music venues and design businesses have strengthened its cultural profile, while geothermal heating and public swimming pools remain practical expressions of Iceland’s natural resources. The 2008 financial crisis brought a period of economic and political upheaval, followed by recovery and renewed international tourism. Today, Reykjavík combines a compact historic centre with modern suburbs, a busy harbour and a population shaped by both Icelandic traditions and international connections.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Reykjavik

Discover Reykjavik with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and activities.

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  • Detailed descriptions, images, and local tips for each location
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  • Maps and contact details for seamless navigation
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  • History of Reykjavik and travel essentials
  • 'Near me' feature to find nearby attractions and amenities
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As a traveler heading to Reykjavik, Evendo is your ultimate companion to make the most of your trip. This free app-based travel guide offers detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Reykjavik. Imagine effortlessly planning your visit to iconic sites like the Hallgrímskirkja Church and the Harpa Concert Hall, or exploring the charm of the Old Harbour and the beauty of Tjörnin Lake.

With Evendo, you can discover top-rated restaurants such as Dill, renowned for its New Nordic cuisine, or enjoy local favorites at the cozy Café Loki. The app not only provides rich descriptions, images, and local tips but also includes maps and contact details to help you navigate the city seamlessly. Whether you're looking to book a whale-watching tour, visit the Blue Lagoon, or experience Reykjavik's vibrant nightlife at places like Kaffibarinn, Evendo has it all in one place.

No more hassle of searching for what to do, where to go, and how to get there—Evendo simplifies your travel experience by allowing you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. With features like the 'Near me' function, curated local tips, and travel essentials, you can explore Reykjavik like a true local. Download Evendo today and unlock the full potential of your Reykjavik adventure!

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