Top 10 things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland's cosmopolitan capital

Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital city, brims with striking architecture, vibrant street art and excellent museums showcasing everything from Iceland’s Viking history to the science behind the country's glaciers, volcanoes and the Northern Lights. It also boasts a thriving culinary scene, with a plethora of fabulous restaurants, eclectic street food halls, cosy cafes and buzzing bars. And, while there’s plenty to see and do in the city itself, Reykjavik doubles up as a launchpad for adventures further afield, with the natural wonders of the Golden Circle, South Coast and Snæfellsnes Peninsula all within easy reach. Without further ado, here are our top 10 things to see and do in Reykjavik, Iceland's cosmopolitan capital.

1. Marvel at Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja church, Reykjavik, Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja

In a city of predominantly low-rise buildings, the 74.5-metre-tall Hallgrimskirkja dominates the Reykjavik skyline with its distinctive, rocket-shaped tower. Built between 1945 and 1986, its concrete facade is inspired by the volcanic basalt columns found throughout Iceland. Inside, it’s flooded with natural light, with high ceilings and stripped-back, minimalist decor (besides a remarkable, 5275-pipe organ) rooted in Gothic tradition. For a small fee, you can take the lift up to the top for superb panoramic views overlooking Reykjavik and out towards the looming mountains on the horizon.

2. Enjoy a geothermal soak at the Sky Lagoon

Sky Lagoon, Iceland

Sky Lagoon

Just a 10-minute drive from downtown Reykjavik in the neighbouring municipality of Kopavogur is the Sky Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most impressive geothermal spas. It’s built into a cliff-edge directly overlooking the sea, while the lagoon itself is flanked by turf-carpeted volcanic rock walls that create an almost mystical ambience. As well as relaxing in the lagoon, perhaps enjoying a drink or two from the swim-up bar, you can experience a rejuvenating seven-step Icelandic wellness ritual which includes a sauna, a cold mist, a body scrub and a steam room.

3. Admire the street art

Mural of puffin and polar bear in Reykjavik, Iceland

Polar bear and puffin mural on Ingólfstorg Square

While strolling the streets of Reykjavik, you’ll come across an array of colourful murals adorning the sides of buildings, providing a stream of unique photo opportunities. The city’s urban art scene began to take off in the early 1990s, but what began as sporadic clusters of largely unauthorised graffiti has transformed over the decades into a more regulated and celebrated form of artistic expression. The Wall Poetry project in 2015-2016, held in collaboration between the Iceland Airwaves music festival and Berlin-based art institution Urban Nation, was a significant marker in the evolution of Reykjavik’s street art scene, inviting international artists to paint their own designs in several prominent locations around the city. To this day, there are new murals popping up all the time.

4. See the Northern Lights

Northern Lights in Reykjavik, Iceland

Northern Lights in Reykjavik

Reykjavik lies at 64°N, comfortably within the auroral oval – the zone between roughly 60-75°N where the Northern Lights are most frequently seen. They are visible here on clear nights any time between mid-August and late April; outside of this period, the nights are too bright for the aurora to shine through. While a guided tour can help maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights by taking you away from the light pollution of the city to dark sky spots with optimal viewing conditions, it’s often possible to see them without leaving Reykjavik. Down by the waterfront, near Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager monument, is a good place to do so, facing directly out to sea with a clear view of the northern horizon. Or, if you have a hire car, take a 10-minute drive to Grotta Lighthouse at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula. Sometimes, when the Northern Lights are particularly strong, you can see them just by looking up at the night sky from practically anywhere in the city.

5. Grab yourself a delicious pastry from Braud & Co.

Braud & Co bakery, Reykjavik, Iceland

Braud & Co., Frakkastigur 16

No trip to Reykjavik is complete without stopping by Braud & Co., perhaps the most renowned bakery in Iceland – the flagship branch of which can be found at Frakkastígur 16. It’s practically impossible to miss, given the brightly coloured mural that wraps around its exterior. Much like in other Nordic countries, delicious pastries are a big thing here – unsurprisingly, considering Iceland’s long-standing ties with Denmark over the centuries. The cinnamon rolls (snúður) at Braud & Co. in particular are simply irresistible.

6. Check out Harpa Concert Hall

Harpa Concert Hall, Reykjavik, Iceland

Harpa Concert Hall

Harpa Concert Hall takes pride of place on Reykjavik’s waterfront, where it has stood as one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks since its grand opening in 2011. This gleaming architectural marvel is comprised of thousands of interlinked honeycomb-shaped glass panels, reflecting and refracting the sunlight to create a dynamic kaleidoscope of colours. It’s equally impressive on the outside as it is on the inside. All throughout the year, it hosts a diverse programme of concerts, theatre productions, comedy performances and other cultural events.

7. Visit Perlan Museum

Perlan Museum, Reykjavik, Iceland

This dome-shaped museum at the top of Öskjuhlíð Hill provides a richly informative insight into the natural history of Iceland through a series of immersive exhibitions. Here, you can learn all about the volcanic forces which have shaped Iceland over the millennia, walk through a 100-metre-long ice cave, witness the power of an indoor geyser, and watch a fascinating show about the Northern Lights in Iceland’s only planetarium. Perlan also has its own restaurant where you can have lunch in a 360-degree rotating glass dome with views over Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains.

8. Join a whale watching excursion

Whale watching in Reykjavik, Iceland

Whale watching tour from Reykjavik

Whale watching tours depart from the Old Harbour all year round, offering the chance to spot the likes of humpbacks, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. More rarely, you may even be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of an orca, fin whale or blue whale. April to September is generally considered the peak season for whale watching in Reykjavik, when the weather is milder and the waters of Faxaflói Bay are especially rich with marine life.

9. Take a day trip to the Golden Circle

Geysir Geothermal Area, Golden Circle, Iceland

Strokkur geyser

A day trip from Reykjavik to the Golden Circle is a fantastic way to get a feel for Iceland’s epic, otherworldly nature – whether you decide to join an organised excursion or drive independently. It combines three main attractions: Thingvellir National Park (where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates diverge along a spectacular rift valley), Geysir Geothermal Area (where the Earth’ surface is pierced by explosive geysers, fumaroles and bubbling mudpots) and Gullfoss waterfall (one of Iceland’s most majestic waterfalls). In addition to these well-known sights, it’s also worth making a stop at Kerid Crater, a 6,500-year-old cone volcano filled with an emerald-green crater lake. And if you fancy a geothermal soak, there’s no shortage of options, including Laugarvatn Fontana, Secret Lagoon and the brand new Laugaras Lagoon.

10. Stroll around Lake Tjörnin

Lake Tjörnin, Reykjavik, Iceland

Lake Tjörnin

Lake Tjörnin, locally known as ‘The Pond’, is a delightful place for a leisurely stroll and a spot of birdwatching. This tranquil urban oasis is actually part of a series of five bodies of water that extend from downtown Reykjavik to the Vatnsmýri wetland area near the domestic airport. Its western shore is lined by a series of colourful, corrugated-iron houses, while its eastern side is punctuated by a picturesque white-and-green Lutheran church and the National Gallery of Iceland. At its northern end, meanwhile, you’ll find the Reykjavik City Hall, which appears to be floating on the lake itself. Inside, it houses a large 3D map of Iceland. In winter, Tjörnin often freezes over (except for one geothermally heated corner), transforming into a thick sheet of ice which you can walk and skate on. 

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