By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 6th January 2024 | Updated: 13th December 2024
Is Reykjavík worth visiting? Well, Reykjavík is often the starting point for many travelling to Iceland and one that makes you want to come back for more.
The capital of Iceland, Reykjavík or ‘Smokey Bay’ is the home of long weekends, sun-worshipping locals and the best hot dogs in the whole of Iceland! Why wouldn’t you want to visit, especially during the Midnight Sun or the long Arctic winter, with the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights? (You can see them from the city centre, which we did during our first trip to Iceland in December!)
So, here is why Reykjavík is worth visiting and our best things to do in Reykjavík.
Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:
Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com
Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com
Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com
Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide & Viator
Currency Conversion: We recommend Wise
Travel Insurance: World Nomads
Is Reykjavík worth visiting?
Is Reykjavík worth visiting in spring?
Spring is a shoulder season meaning cheaper accommodation costs and fewer tourists to contend with, so a great time to visit Reykjavík, (this is the time of year we visited during our second trip to Iceland). Puffins, as well as other birdlife, also start to come back to Iceland as well so taking a day trip along the south coast is a great option to go and witness these little birds.
Events and festivals in Reykjavík in spring
February in Reykjavík is time for the Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival, where art installations, made from lights, are exhibited throughout the city centre alongside a Museum Night and Pool Night, for late opening and free admissions to the city museums and swimming pools.
March / April is time for Easter celebrations throughout Reykjavík, including Bolludagur / Bun Day, (induldgent cream filled buns are eaten this day), Sprengidagur / Explosion Day, (nothing quite that drastic but instead a day where the locals will pig out on food before Lent), and parades on Ash Wednesday or Öskudagur.
Is Reykjavík worth visiting in summer?
Summer is when the warmest weather of the year hits Reykjavik, which can of course mean more tourists and locals enjoying the nearly 24 hours of daylight, but don’t let that put you off, it is a great time to visit the city. Whale watching season starts late spring into summer so you can hop aboard a boat from Reykjavik and head out to spot some of them, and, waterfalls are in full flow in the summer, making it the best time of year to visit elsewhere in Iceland too, so great for day trips from Reykjavík.
Events and festivals in Reykjavík in summer
Reykjavík Arts Festival is held for the first couple of weeks of June, (with concerts, orchestras and art exhibitions), ending on Icelandic National Day on the 17th of June, then followed by the Reykjavík Fringe Festival,( a comedy, theatre and circus festival). Early August is the time for Reykjavík Pride.
Is Reykjavík worth visiting in autumn?
Autumn is a great time to visit Reykjavík as it is another shoulder season in Iceland, so again fewer tourists and cheaper prices, but this time with milder weather than that in the spring.
Events and festivals in Reykjavík in autumn
Reykjavík Jazz Festival is held towards the end of August, followed by a Culture Night in the city where there is free admission to museums across the city. September is then time for the Rettir when sheep are rounded up from across Iceland.
Is Reykjavík worth visiting in winter?
100% yes, Reykjavík in winter is like nothing else, with fairy lights filling the streets with a warm glow, markets and festivals to visit, heartwarming food to try and even the chance to see the Northern Lights. If the weather isn’t playing ball, then Reykjavík is also home to numerous art galleries and museums that you can visit.
Events and festivals in Reykjavík in winter
October is the time for the Reykjavík International Film Festival, November brings the famous Iceland Airwaves music festival to the country, whereas December and January bring Christmas and New Year, which are a pretty big deal to Icelanders. With markets, Yule Lad walks and plenty of traditional food to go along with it all.
Top 5 Things To Do In Reykjavík
There are a number of sights you just have to see when in Reykjavík. From the wonderful street art to the modern architecture of all the things to do in Reykjavík in winter, make sure you get to some of these;
1. Visit Hallgrímskirkja
Inspired by basalt columns that can be seen all over the country, (most notable at Reynisfjara Beach and Svartifoss), Hallgrímskirkja is an architectural marvel at the heart of Reykjavík. As well as the beautiful exterior you can also get to the top of the Hallgrímskirkja and see the colourful rooftops of the city and beyond.
2. Take In The Harpa Concert Hall
Another modern architectural delight in Reykjavík is Harpa. This stunning building is somewhere you can easily wander around for a couple of hours, marvelling at not only the building but the views too. Watch for Harpa at night as it lights up to show the northern lights.
3. Find Sólfarið The Sun Voyager
Visiting the Sólfarið or Sun Voyager is a must on many travellers bucket lists and you can see why. This huge stainless-steel sculpture of a boat by Jón Gunnar Árnason sits beside the sea looking out to the ocean and mountains beyond. It is thought that the Sun Voyager is a Viking boat, however, it is actually a dreamboat and an ode to the sun, dreaming of hope, progress and freedom. Kind of poetic don’t you think?
4. Visit Tjörnin
The lake by the city hall is always filled with life. Not often a place visitors to Reykjavík go, but The Pond is beautiful throughout the year, covered in snow and frost or teaming with summer birdlife.
5. Explore The Street Art & Sculptures
Of all the things to do in Reykjavík in winter, this is one we didn’t think we would find… Throughout the capital, there is colourful street art and unique sculptures. You literally can’t walk down a road in the centre without coming across some kind of mind-blowing artwork, or stunning sculptures!
Top Places To Eat In Reykjavík
Iceland might not be known for its food, but if anywhere has a vast amount of fresh seafood to choose from as well as the odd hot dog here or there, it is the capital Reykjavík. (Another reason as to why Reykjavik is worth visiting if you ask us!) For a good mix of real Icelandic grub you should try out these places;
📍 Sky Bar – Sky Bar at the top of Center Hotel Arnarhvoll has wonderful fresh food, including the catch of the day and seasonal fruits and veggies. It also has the most incredible views over the bay to the mountains beyond. You can also see the northern lights from the bar in winter if you’re really lucky!
📍 Lækjarbrekka – If it is your first time in Iceland then getting the traditional Icelandic tasting platter is a must! It may not be to everyone’s taste, (it does include fermented shark, which comes out in a sealed pot as it does have quite a pungent smell…), but if you want a taste of what the locals eat then you have to try it.
📍 The Hot Dog Stand on Austurstræi – When in Iceland you have to try a hot dog. One of the best places to get one is from a small window on Austurstræi with a flashing hot dog sign. Ask for the classic ‘one with everything’ hot dog. It is full of mustard, remoulade, ketchup, crunchy and raw onions… the one and only hot dog you should try in Iceland!
Planning your own trip to Iceland? Be sure to download Wise by far the best currency conversion app around. We use it daily living on the border of two countries and it is a game changer when travelling!
Top Tours & Day Trips from Reykjavík
There are numerous different things to do in Reykjavík in winter, but there are also loads of amazing tours and experiences to have outside of the city too. Here are some of our favourites that we would highly recommend doing.
The Golden Circle
This typical tourist sightseeing route that has to be done at least once when visiting Iceland. The Golden Circle route consists of three incredible locations in southwest Iceland, that are easily reachable from Reykjavík in under 2 hours, Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss waterfall.
Þingvellir National Park is the location of Iceland’s first Parliament, which started back in 930 AD. It is also where you can see the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly pulling apart from each other creating deep cracks and fissures in the ground.
The Geysir Geothermal area of Haukadalur is filled with moon-like landscapes and steam flowing out of cracks and vents in the ground as well as the famous erupting geyser Strokkur. The original erupting geyser, Geysir, no longer erupts but Strokkur explodes out of the earth shooting boiling water 30 metres into the air roughly every 10 minutes… roughly!
The final destination on the route is Gullfoss. This astounding waterfall is part of the Hvítá river, it is a mighty and fast-moving waterfall that disappears into a deep ravine throwing up a thick white mist and masses of rainbows! The entire Golden Circle Route is truly an incredible landscape you will never want to leave.
Book The Golden Circle here!
The Blue Lagoon
Another one to tick off the tourist bucket list is, of course, the Blue Lagoon. With its milky blue warming waters and silica gel face masks, it’s often a place to go before or after a flight out of Keflavík, on the midnight sun nights or the northern lights filled skies. It is a place to be visited once on a trip to Iceland but there are plenty of other hot springs (that are much cheaper and less touristy) throughout the area/country.
Book your Blue Lagoon tour here!
Iceland’s South Coast
Crashing waves on black sand beaches, thundering waterfalls along the Ring Road and maybe even a puffin or two, visiting the south coast of Iceland is one of the best trips to take from Reykjavík. It can get a little busy with tourists visiting the beaches and main town of the area Vík, but boy are the views and surroundings worth it! If you are visiting Iceland for the first time then we would highly recommend doing this day trip.
Book the south coast of Iceland tour here!
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
If you want a completely different vibe from the capital and have either done the Golden Circle or want some time away from the tourists, then head off to Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This area is somewhat off the beaten track for tourists, but it is full to the brim with beautiful coastal communities, incredible lava field landscapes and a glacier-topped mountain. You can easily hire a car for a day trip out there, (or make it into a couple of days trip!) or you can opt to hop on a tour of the peninsula with a company from Reykjavík.
Book a tour to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula here!
Where to stay in Reykjavík
During our various trips to Reykjavík, we have stayed in 2 out of the 3 HI Iceland Reykjavík hostels, Downtown and Loft. If you’re after a more city centre heart of the action vibe go for Loft, but if you are wanting more peace and quiet yet still within walking distance to all the attractions head to Downtown.
We have also stayed at the Centre Hotel Arnarhvoll, which not only has the best fish dishes in all of Reykjavík but the most incredible views from the Sky Bar Restaurant. (Definitely up there on our list of things to do in Reykjavík in winter!).
Check out Hostelworld for the HI Hostel accommodation options or Booking.com for more options in Reykjavík city centre.
Is Reykjavík worth visiting? Best things to do in Reykjavík FAQs
How to get to Reykjavík
Getting to Iceland is really easy, simply fly into Keflavik airport, the main international arrival airport. From there the best way to get into Reykjavík, if you haven’t hired a car, is by bus or taxi, but be aware this could be quite expensive compared with taking the bus. If you are hiring a car, all the rental companies are located in the airport parking, (which isn’t very big), so you won’t have to walk miles to find your vehicle.
How to get from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik
If you are taking public transport then take the Flybus from Keflavík to Reykjavík city centre, as they are timed to arrive and depart in line with the flight schedule for the day, (this takes roughly 45 minutes and costs from 3900 Icelandic Krona, tickets of which can be bought in the airport).
How to get around Reykjavík
Getting around Reykjavík is really easy on foot as it is quite small, so you won’t need a vehicle unless you plan on taking your own day trips out of the city. If you would rather not make your own way, then there are numerous options for day trips with local tour companies, most of which will be available through your hotel. We even had a northern lights wake-up call at one of our hotels so you could get ready to get out on the road with the minibus!
How many days do you need in Reykjavik? Is Reykjavik worth a stopover?
You only need a couple of days exploring Reykjavík as the city is quite small in comparison to other capitals around the world. With just two days you will definitely be able to see the main sights, (the cathedral, Harpa etc), as well as some of the lesser known areas, (along the Harbour), and of course stop for a few local brews or a hot dog or two!
Is Reykjavik a good city break?
Reykjavík is a great location for a city break, with numerous historic sights to see, museums to visit and plenty of options for day trips from the city as well. Reykjavík is also a great place to experience some incredible food in Iceland, from the traditional local platters, (we’re talking dried fish, sheep’s head and fermented shark – yes we have tried the shark, and yes it was as bad as it sounds!), to high-end restaurants overlooking the city in rooftop bars and restaurants.
Should you stay in Reykjavik the whole time?
Definitely not! If you come to Iceland and only visit Reykjavík then you are doing yourself out of experiencing one of the most incredible countries. Yes, you can stay in Reykjavík for your trip but be sure to take day trips out to the nearby south coast, Golden Circle and Snaefellsnes Peninsula if you do.
Best time to visit Reykjavik
We have visited Iceland, and of course, Reykjavík in both the winter and the spring, (going into the summer), and both were great. Reykjavík is wonderful to visit during the winter, often with a dusting of snow and with numerous winter festivals held across the city, including wonderful Christmas Markets, and of course the opportunity to see the Northern Lights. Spring is another great time to visit Reykjavík with the city waking up from the long winter, with warmer weather and longer days, but still with a chance to see the Northern Lights.
Is Reykjavík expensive?
Reykjavík isn’t the cheapest of capital cities to visit… But that being said, if you plan your time wisely, take full advantage of any tour offers that you find and utilise your feet, not a vehicle, then Reykjavík isn’t much more expensive than any other European capital city. Of all the things to do in Reykjavík, it’s the alcohol that will get you in price…!
When is it winter in Reykjavík & does it snow in Reykjavík?
Winter in Reykjavík falls from October through to March each year, with snow likely to fall during this time. January is often the peak time for snow in the capital, but you can also see snow outside of the winter times depending on how cold and heavy the snowfall was for the season.
How cold does Reykjavík get in winter?
During the winter Reykjavík averages around 1 degree Celsius but can drop as low as -10 degrees Celsius. The summer in comparison averages around 12 degrees Celsius, with a max of 25 degrees Celsius.
What about the short winter days in Reykjavík?
The shortest day of the year in Reykjavík falls on December 21st with only about 4 hours of daylight around, perfect for trying to spot the elusive Northern Lights! Around this, the days are longer, until reaching Midnight Sun around the middle of June.
Can you see the northern lights in Reykjavík?
Yes, you can! We had been told that it is possible on particularly dark and clear nights, i.e. no moon and no clouds, and we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights dancing above the Harpa Concert Hall from the balcony of our hotel.
What is Reykjavik famous for?
Reykjavík is famous for not only being the most northerly capital in the world but also one of the greenest and safest cities in the world.
How touristy is Reykjavik?
Reykjavík is fairly touristy but not nearly as much as other capital cities, most likely due to the fact that Iceland is quite an expensive country to visit which does put some people off, but also as although there might be a lot of tourists visiting the city, they are more often than not out on day trips / tours during the day, making the city seem quieter. That being said, Friday nights in Reykjavík centre may lead you to think otherwise!
Is Reykjavik safe?
Reykjavík, and Iceland in general, is very safe for tourists. When we have visited, in both the winter and spring / summer months, we have never felt unsafe anywhere we visited both in the city and out along the Ring Road. Everyone is extremely friendly, willing to help and more than happy to share what they love about their home.
Reykjavík Tours
Tours are a great way to see more of the capital of Iceland as well, from the foodie tours to the art tours, there is bound to be something that intrigues you. There are also countless tours from Reykjavík along the south coast of Iceland and along the Golden Circle which are well worth doing, especially if it is your first time in Iceland.
Conclusion: Is Reykjavík worth visiting? Best things to do in Reykjavík
So here is our guide on the best things to do in Reykjavik and why Reykjavik is worth visiting. From sightseeing to eating local food, taking in the art and culture to incredible day trips along the coast, Reykjavik is an incredible place to visit.
Be sure to check out our other Iceland posts for even more tips and suggestions!
All Our Iceland Content
Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:
📍 Why Is Iceland So Expensive: How To Have An Affordable Iceland Trip
📍 The Perfect 1 Week Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.