Reykjavík
Northern Lights. Camera. Action!
Experience the thrill of watching the Aurora Borealis come to life
Top Reykjavík Museums
Lava, life and more in Reykjavík
Icelandic Nature at its Best
Explore Iceland's unique landscapes
Popular activities in Reykjavík
Planning your Reykjavík visit
Language
Icelandic
Currency
Icelandic króna (kr)
Dialing code
+354
Time zone
Greenwich Mean Time Zone (UTC)
Weather and when to go
Iceland is as dramatic in the dead of winter as it is at the height of summer, with tours to the highlights operating all year round. Either way, you’ll want to pack lots of warm clothes. If you’re going to Iceland for walking and hiking, July and August are the best times to visit, thanks to the midnight sun and (slightly) warmer weather. If you’re seeking the stunning celestial lightshow of the Aurora Borealis, visit in February, March, September and October.
Food and drink
Iceland's food may not sound so tempting to those not used to it. From Hákarl (shark) to Súrir hrútspungar (sour ram's testicles) and the stinky Harðfiskur (dried fish), there are local snacks galore to test your tastebuds. Luckily Reykjavík has plenty of more familiar cuisines on offer as well. Don’t miss the smoked salmon, it’s otherworldly. To keep things cheap, shop at Bonus supermarkets and try the hot dogs - they’re world class!
Out of town
For such a small city, Reykjavík has a really big nightlife scene that’s largely focused around the shopping streets Laugavegur, Hverfisgata and Austurstræti. The best thing is, there’s rarely a dress code and there are hardly ever any lines outside the bars and clubs! It’s no secret that going out in Iceland is expensive, but to save a few króna, download the Reykjavík Appy Hour app, which will tell you all the happy hour specials around the Icelandic capital.
What to do in Reykjavík for 3 days
South Iceland Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Tour
Get off the grid and explore South Iceland's epic scenery, including Skógafoss waterfall, the village of Vík, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and more, all with a local guide. You’ll board a coach and travel through mind-blowing lunar landscapes that have to be seen to be believed, plus get amazing views of the famous and unpronounceable Eyjafjallajökull volcano. This trip includes return transport to and from Reykjavík.
Puffin watching
Iceland’s native puffins are waiting to be snapped through your zoom lenses on this adventurous guided tour out to either Akurey or Lundey Island, depending on the tides. Keep your eyes and your borrowed binoculars peeled for puffins, as well as other native birds like Icelandic eider ducks and arctic terns. Rest assured – your captain is a pro at finding all the best photo spots and navigating those rocky shores.
Old Reykyavík
Stroll the streets of brightly painted wooden houses and corrugated iron, and make your way to Austurvöllur Square (locally known as 'The Square'). A public green since 1930, a statue of Jón Sigurðsson (1811-1879), a hero of Iceland's independence movement, watches over the hubbub at the surrounding bars and cafes. When you're full of people-watching and pricey beers, take a stroll around Lake Tjörnin, just one block away.
Hallgrímskirkja church
Hallgrímskirkja church is easy to find: it towers over Reykjavík and is visible from almost every angle of the city. This 74.5m Expressionist building is the largest church in the country and has an enormous 25-tonne organ with more than 5,000 pipes. It’s named after religious poet and pastor Hallgrímur Pétursson, author of the Passíusálmar (The Passion Hymns). You’ve never heard of it, but it’s famous in Iceland!
