Published by | 03 February 2025 | 5 minutes to read
In case you're still undecided about your holiday, we thought we'd suggest a few must-sees in Reykjavik, Iceland. As you continue reading, in addition to the locations, you'll find little tips on how to become a local and enjoy your stay to the fullest!
Reykjavik is definitely a fascinating place and one of the best European cities to visit. Of course, it all depends on the length of your stay, the season you visit and your interests, but we're sure that by following our ranking, you'll be busy for a few days!
The church of Hallgrímskirkja is one of the city's most famous tourist and religious landmarks. With a truly unique architectural style, it is impressive how simple it really is inside. In fact, most visitors reserve a few hours and visit this place for a special feature: they can climb to the top of the church tower and see the wonder of the city and the landscape in 360°. Although it was completed in 1986, Hallgrímskirkja is equipped with a lift, so there is no need to worry about steps.
The church is open from 10 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. except on holidays or Sundays during mass. The cost to visit is €8 for adults and a few euros for the under-16s. Children under 7, on the other hand, visit free of charge.
A Small TIP: In front of the church, exactly as soon as you cross the street, you can visit a small free museum, the Einar Jónsson Museum in which sculptures and works from Icelandic mythology and history are exhibited.
The Sòlfar, as it is called in Icelandic, is a steel sculpture that resembles a Viking boat and is situated in a crazy location. On the waterfront of Reykjavik, it is often recognised as a symbol of freedom and hope, but also of adventure and discovery. Thanks to the changing climate, the material gives the sculpture an ever-changing appearance, both in terms of light and its colour, which changes according to the weather and the time of day. One of its great qualities is precisely this, everyone will see their own work of art. The visit is free and from there it is also possible to observe the Mount Esja. Pe can also visit a lesser known but equally interesting sculpture: the 'Partnership', located a little further on.
Another must-see in the city is certainly this interesting structure. Just a few steps away from the Sun Voyager and the city centre is the Harpa Concert Hall and here too, light plays a starring role, always giving its windows a different look. This concert hall has won several awards for its interesting architecture and can be visited free of charge. On the fourth floor there is a restaurant 'La Primavera' open for dinner from Thursday to Saturday. Concert-goers can check the concert dates on the official website: (https://www.harpa.is/en/whats-on)
TYPE: a short walk from the Harpa, you can visit the yellow lighthouse Ingòlfsgarour.
There are many museums to visit in Reykjavik. But since we have just finished our visit to the Harpa Concert Hall, we just hop on a bus to visit the Perlan. Located on the highest hill of the city, it therefore has a breathtaking view. Inside you can discover the wonder of nature and the Icelandic landscape, with its volcanoes, ice tunnels and the lights of the Aurora Borealis show called Arora. If the time of year you visit does not allow you to witness the actual show, this is no small consolation.
GOOD TO KNOW: The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is ideal for spending a few hours indoors on a winter's day.
You can't check in at the airport if you haven't had a swim in the geothermal pools. One of the best locations is definitely the Sky Lagoon, 10 minutes from the centre. Thanks to the view of the coast, it is a magical place.
GOOD TO KNOW: Entrance tickets include the 7-step spa ritual, towels etc., but unfortunately children under 12 are not allowed.
In Reykjavik it is also possible to visit the local swimming pools, which are generally equipped with indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam baths and children's areas. They are generally open from early morning until late evening (22:00). The average price is €8 for adults and €1.50 for children over 5 years old.
If you are fond of walking and relaxing days, we recommend visiting the centre and its two main streets Skòlavoroustìgur and Laugavegur. Laugavegur is in fact the main shopping street, where you can find local shops, souvenir shops and small restaurants.
Skòlavoroustìgur on the other hand, also called Rainbow street, leads directly to the Hallgrimskirkja church and here too you can find bars, restaurants and typical shops.
