Most visitors to Iceland use Reykjavík as a stopover to other destinations in the country. But, Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and it is full of beautiful art, interesting architecture, and tons of culture! You’ll likely have to stop through Reykjavík at some point in your trip to Iceland, so why not see what the city has to offer?
Take a look at these 22 stunning photos of Reykjavík to see why we think it’s worth a visit!
Visit Hallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja Church is impossible to miss as it has a 74-meter tower soaring into the sky. It’s so tall that you can see it from almost anywhere in the city. It’s one of the most unique pieces of architecture in the entire country, especially since it took 41 years to build, so we definitely recommend a visit!
Thanks to its height, you can get a great view of Reykjavík from the top. You have to pay to head to the viewing platform but it’s definitely worth it. You will get a 360-degree view of the city, one of the best ways to really appreciate the interesting architecture throughout.
This church is still in operation, so just remember to be respectful if you visit. If you aren’t interested in mass services, try to avoid going on Sundays as the tower will be closed.
Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall
Another piece of impressive architecture in Reykjavík is the Harpa Concert Hall. It’s a relatively new building as it was completed in 2011, so it reflects a more modern look. If you enjoy opera or classical music and want to see the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra or the Icelandic Opera, this is the place to do it.
Even if you don’t want to see a live performance, you can still visit this stunning concert hall. Pop into the café, restaurant or shop and explore. There is even a free exhibition about Iceland that you can enjoy inside!
The Harpa Concert Hall is also located in the fish packing district, which may not sound like the best place to visit, but it is! This district is where old fishing factories used to exist. Today, there are tons of restaurants, breweries, shops, and cafes for you to explore!
Höfði lighthouse
Reykjavík is located on the coast of Iceland. As a result, there are tons of cute lighthouses around. However, one of our favorites is a relatively new, yellow lighthouse that overlooks Faxaflói Bay and Mt. Esja. This new lighthouse replaced an older one that was blocked by high-rises in the area. The Höfði lighthouse cost almost a million dollars, so it’s worth a visit to see where the money went.
See the Northern Lights
Reykjavík is the northernmost national capital city in the world, so it’s one of the best places to see the Northern Lights! This stunning natural phenomenon is sure to leave you breathless and most nights, you can even see them from downtown Reykjavík! However, getting away from the city lights will give you an even better view. We recommend travelling a bit further out to the coast at Seltjarnarnes where you’re sure to get an uninterrupted view of the Northern Lights above the water.
It’s important to remember that you can only see the Northern Lights in Reykjavík from late August to early May, so plan your trip accordingly! You don’t want to miss this natural phenomenon.
Go on a whale watching Reykjavík tour
Many people flock to Iceland to get a peek at the wildlife in and surrounding the country. Some of the best animals to see are whales! Most whale-watching tours leave from the old harbour in Reykjavík, so head down to the pier and hop on a boat. Most cities only offer whale watching tours for a certain period, but you can go on a whale watching tour at any time of the year in Reykjavík. Many tour operators even guarantee that you will see a whale or you can take another tour!
You will usually see many different whales, for example, humpbacks and minke whales and your tour. You may even see porpoises and dolphins along the way! If that isn’t enough to entice you, the boat ride itself is beautiful as well. You will get a great view of Reykjavík on your way back. It’s one of the best ways to really appreciate its mountainous backdrop.
Take a stroll through Downtown Reykjavík
One of the best ways to truly see a city is to take a walk around it. You can explore on your own and admire Reykjavík’s colorful buildings and intricate architecture. Or you can take one of the city’s many free walking tours. These walking tours are typically put on by locals, so you’ll really get a feel for the city. While they are free tours, it’s always a good idea to tip your tour guide if you can! If you do explore on your own, don’t worry about getting lost. Reykjavík is one of Europe’s smallest capital cities and there are only 200,000 residents, so you can comfortably walk around most of the city.
Admire the art
Reykjavík is full of talented artists and sculptors. One of the most well-known sculptures in Iceland is the Sun Voyager. It was built by Jon Gunnar Arnason as an ode to the sun. He says it symbolizes light and hope, which you can really see if you visit around sunset. This stunning metal sculpture is near Harpa Concert Hall, so you can easily walk over and admire it.
However, If the weather isn’t great, popping into one of Reykjavík’s many art galleries is a great way to spend your day! For instance, Kling & Bang is one of our favorites as it consists of art from ten different artists, making it a super unique gallery. If modern art is more your thing, the Icelandic Modern Art Museum is excellent!
In conclusion, Reykjavík doesn’t just have to be the city you fly in or out of. It’s definitely worth a visit on its own!