Reykjavik Holidays from £378

Reykjavik Travel Guide

Surrounded by national parks with epic waterfalls and glaciers, Iceland’s capital also offers art, history and a cosmopolitan café culture.

Explore Downtown Reykjavik on foot to soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city. From edgy street art to Viking history, old and new blend together to create fascinating travel itineraries. Along the way, try Icelandic lamb and fresh fish dishes at cosy cafés that create the ideal environment for socialising with the locals. 

Day trips are almost otherworldly, with the mighty waterfalls and volcanic craters of the scenic Golden Circle. Visit Reykjavik between September and March to see the Northern Lights. April to September is whale watching season and summer delivers the midnight sun along with the Reykjavik Jazz Festival.

Things to do in Reykjavik

Start with bird’s-eye views from the tower of Hallgrimskirkja Church. Located in the heart of the city, the concrete structure is an active parish church and a national sanctuary. From here, set out on foot to discover the main shopping streets. Pedestrianised Laugavegur is one of the city’s oldest, with hotels and bars wedged between vintage stores and gift shops.

Admire iconic objects at the National Museum of Iceland, including Viking swords and Icelandic photographic history. The Reykjavik Maritime Museum tells the story of the country’s seafaring heritage with model ships and fishing artifacts. At the Árbær Open Air Museum, explore around 20 buildings highlighting village and farm life through history.

The biggest nature museum in Iceland, Perlan sits on the city’s highest hill and is framed by woodland. Discover the indoor ice cave and dine up high under the glass dome with sweeping views. Watch the Áróra planetarium show to experience the Northern Lights, and the Lava Show for insight into geological marvels.

Outdoor activities in Reykjavik

Rejuvenate with a soak in one of Reykjavik’s geothermal swimming pools. Many are located in complexes with water slides and hot tubs. Hiking is a popular summer activity, especially along the trails of Mount Esja and the solfatara fields of Krýsuvík. Traverse the boardwalk through bubbling geothermal hot springs with signage explaining geological facts.

Join a boat tour of Faxaflói Bay to get up close to whales. The natural habitat is home to minke whales, humpback whales and white-beaked dolphins. Drive or take a guided tour to Thingvellir National Park and hike between walls of basalt rocks in the spectacular Almannagjá gorge. On a trip to the Golden Circle Route, gaze at gorgeous Gullfoss Waterfall and gasp at the active geyser, Strokkur.

Dining and nightlife in Reykjavik

From authentic lamb soup to fermented shark, Reykjavik serves up traditional dishes with fresh produce across the city. However, international flavours also take centre stage at food halls such as Hlemmur Mathöll where you can choose dishes from French, Vietnamese and Italian vendors. Stroll around the lively Reykjavik Old Harbour and you might spot dolphins while dining at an array of charming restaurants.

The downtown area is the place to be for dining at elegant venues before a night out on the town at cocktail bars and clubs. Check the schedule at Harpa concert hall for big-name concerts. Time your trip with the annual Winter Lights Festival and Culture Night for evening celebrations. On clear winter nights, settle in at areas including Borgarhold Church Hill and Reynisvatn Lake to watch the dancing Northern Lights.

Getting around Reykjavik

Fly into Keflavik Airport and rent a car or take a taxi, private shuttle or public bus into town, which is about 45 minutes away. Consider getting a Reykjavik City Card for unlimited travel on the city’s bus network, along with free entry to museums and galleries. The most popular way to get around is on foot in the compact city, and electric scooters are available for rent.