Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and the biggest city. Majority of Iceland’s population lives in the capital area (Reykjavík and surrounding towns: Seltjarnarnes, Mosfellsbær, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður and Garðabær). Reykjavík is a vibrant city with various events and cultural offerings, such as concerts, museums, nightlife and entertainment.
Things To Do & See
There is no shortage of things to see and do in Reykjavík, from landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa to food tours and concerts. Regardless of the season and whether you are travelling in a group or alone, Reykjavík has a lot to offer.
With The Reykjavík City Card, you get free entry to a great selection of museums and galleries, all swimming pools in Reykjavík, and free unlimited travel by bus within the Reykjavik Capital Area. In addition, the card also gives discounts on various tours, in shops, and on services.
There are numerous green areas in Reykjavík worth exploring, such as Heiðmörk, Öskjuhlíð and Vatnsmýri.
Reykjavík Tours & Activities
There are enough options for day tours and activities in and around Reykjavík. You could explore beautiful natural surroundings on the edge of the capital area on a riding tour, go whale watching or take the taste buds on a tour of Icelandic culinary highlights.
Museums & Exhibitions
Reykjavík has a wide range of museums, covering art, history and nature. See what is below the surface of the culture, art and nature by visiting the galleries, history and nature museums.
At Árbær Open Air Museum, you can get a glimpse of the past and see how Icelanders lived in old times. Reykjavík’s early history comes to life through a series of restored homes where you can encounter people dressed up to fit the times, grazing animals and traditional crafts. Exhibitions and guided tours reveal how Reykjavík transformed from a few scattered farms into a vibrant capital city.
Reykjavík Art Museum is a vibrant and progressive museum with three locations in the city: Hafnarhús, Kjarvalsstaðir, and Ásmundarsafn. The Reykjavík Art Museum regularly holds exhibitions of works by three of Iceland’s most well-known artists: Erró, Kjarval, and Ásmundur Sveinsson.
Reykjavík Maritime Museum has a permanent exhibition entitled Fish & folk – 150 years of fisheries. The exhibition is designed to deepen the visitor experience through rich visuals and interactivity. The museum also has temporary exhibitions in the Engine Room and the Pier Room, in addition to its floating exhibits: the Coast Guard vessel Óðinn and the tugboat Magni, which are tied up at the Museum Pier.
The National Museum displays objects that provide insight into Icelandic cultural history – displays that encourage visitors to dwell on the past, present and future. The museum aims to nurture knowledge and innovation while maintaining a wide perspective and sense of community.
Festivals & Events
The biggest annual festival in Reykjavík and whole Iceland is Culture Night in late August, with celebrations in the streets, museums, businesses and residential gardents. The second biggest annual festival is also in August, Reykjavík Pride, a colourful event bringing tens of thousands of people to the city centre to show solidarity with the LGBTQ community and have fun. Other festivals of note are Iceland Airwaves music festival in November and Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF) in September – October. Most months, there are some festivals, bigger and smaller, although summer is more lively in this regards and with more happenings outdoors.
Food & Drink
Reykjavík has a great range of restaurants & bars to choose from, whether you are looking for fish, meat or vegan options. From fast food to fine dining you will not be able to resist grabbing a hot dog or an elegant fish dish, or tasting one of our many delicious local beers! We have covered different aspects of food and drink in Iceland, including fast food and Icelandic food as well as the cost of meals in Iceland.
Traditional food in Iceland includes dairy product skyr, laufabrauð (e. leaf-bread) around Christmas, pastries like kleinur and of course various fish and lamb dishes, most notably lamb meat soup (íslensk kjötsúpa) and mashed fish (plokkfiskur).
