If you have a long weekend in Iceland or just a layover in Reykjavik, here are 7 things to do in Reykjavik!

7 things to do in Reykjavik

1 Hallgrimskirkja

This famous church (as shown in the main picture) is in the centre of Reykjavik and on a hill. This means it’s one of the main landmarks for orientating yourself when walking around.

Peaking over the top of the bright buildings in Reykjavik.

It also means that you get a fantastic view from the top of the tower and hence it was our first stop to take in the view across the city.

View from the top – everything is laid out in front of you!

To get to the tower you buy a ticket from the gift shop and take the elevator up – some more stairs take you to the view points – it’s windy and cold up there!

I like this shot from the bottom up – the architecture is meant to replicate the natural forms of the volcanic rock seen in Iceland.

The inside of the church is quite plain – in line with Lutheran traditions – but still beautiful in its architecture – light and bright.

Another shot from below – the windows at the top of the tower are where you view out on all sides.

2 Solfar (Sun Voyager)

As Hallsgrimskirkja is at the centre of the town you just walk down the road towards the harbour to find the Sun Voyager sculpture:

Me in front of the sculpture embracing my Viking heritage!

The Sun Voyager or Solfar was created by Jón Gunnar Arnason. It’s not meant to be a Viking boat but a dreamboat – an ode to the sun.

It’s meant to ‘contain the promise of undiscovered territory, a dream of hope, progress and freedom’ – sounds pretty similar to how the Vikings regarded their boats!

Profile view across the harbour to the mountains in the distance.

3 Spot street art

Walking back through Reykjavik you come across the colourful houses and lots of different street art:

This house is decorated by an art collective.

Fisherman’s friend!

I love how this one shows movement!

4 Harfnarhûs (modern art museum)

Reykjavik has lots of museums to check out and there is a museum pass that gets access to most. However we just wanted to check out the modern art museum so we headed to Harfnarhûs, which is currently showing the Making of Erró – an example of European pop art.

Erros used collage a lot and was the first artist to create collage paintings.

Juxaposing cartoons and other motifs – Erró would produce a collage first before reproducing it in paint.

Using day to day items to create faces.

In the downstairs gallery was an amazing 3 dimensional exhibition of Monika Grzymala: Envoi.

This black tape was matrix like – sinister and intriguing, almost alive!

Cling film wrap was a little more sedate…

Kate through the clingfilm!

Upstairs was another exhibit inspired by children – they encouraged playing – we liked the swing!

Instructions on how to build the perfect sandcastle!

Kindergarten or the evolution of art?!

I think museums are a great way to spend time when the weather is not great out, so find one to while away some time!

5 Harpa concert hall

Harpa is an amazing architectural gem – and even better it lights up at night!

The pattern of the lights is continually changing.

Situated by the harbour side Harpa is a concert and exhibition hall and it also has some public cafes and bars.

The windows are different and unique with coloured panes scattered randomly

Close up of the inside of the windows

The main wall by the staircase – you can just see the outside lights

So pretty

Definitely a place for a selfie!

6 Shopping on Skólavördustigur

There are lots of shops in the centre of Reykjavik and Skólavördustigur is another street that heads off from Hallsgrimskirkja.

Kate being my model on the street.

The one thing that is typically Icelandic is the Icelandic wool jumper and Kate was on a mission to find a souvenir:

Modelling a blue one in the wool shop

This guy was sitting outside the shop we eventually found a jumper in!

Kate in her final purchase! There were plenty of traditional and more modern jumpers and Kate and an American lady were trying them all on before deciding on which to get!

One good tip to note is that you can claim VAT back on all purchases – so keep that receipt and do it at the airport!

7 Night out drinking on Laugavegur

After our Northern Lights tour we were a bit hyper (on coffee and sugar from our snacks!) that we decided to get dropped off in town to sample the famous Icelandic night life (it was also Saturday night!)

Perhaps this refers to the hangover?

We started with Bakkus bar – a small cosy bar with a lounge vibe and plenty of candles:

Interesting decor…

Here we tried the local liquor (flavoured schnapps) and followed up with Icelandic beer

Hmm a well deserved Viking beer!

All the bars on Laugavegur are close together – so it’s a case of walking down and deciding which has space or the right vibe you are looking for.

We then headed to the famous Kaffibarinn, which is where the night usually keeps going…

Picture from the Kaffibarinn website.

Kaffibarinn has dance floor and DJs. We were there quite early for an Icelandic night out – before midnight – which meant that it was easy to get in….

We ended up chatting to some locals in the back bar and they said that they wouldn’t usually be out that early except they had been to a birthday dinner and just stayed out after. Things don’t really get going until 1 or 2 am as most Icelanders stay at home to drink (it wasn’t cheap!). We only stayed til 1.30 and then got an expensive taxi back to our hotel in Hafnarfjordur.

If you have longer than a day in Reykjavik you should definitely check out some other activities – the Northern Lights are amazing if you are there in the winter, the Blue Lagoon is handy for the airport (you can pop in on your way there or back) and the Golden Circle tour is a full day activity that gets you out into nature!

Comments

Travelerette says

30 March 2016 at 9:44 pm

I had no idea that Iceland was so colorful! I loved those adorable houses and the concert hall at night. Thanks for sharing!

Christine Krzyszton says

30 March 2016 at 11:34 pm

Very nice post. I have been and enjoyed it but you really did it well. Thanks for the great photos and the great descriptions. Loved the street art!

Kate says

31 March 2016 at 4:58 am

I loved Iceland and you picked out some really great spots. I'm desperate to go back because we missed going up to the top of Hallgrimskirkja (we didn't realise you could!)

Kerri McConnel says

31 March 2016 at 6:40 am

I really must get myself to Iceland. Seems to be THE place to go right now. And the flavoured schnaps and Icelandic beer sounds like just my thing.

Authentic Food Quest says

31 March 2016 at 6:43 am

I've read many posts about Rejkavik, but have never seen such amazing pictures. Love the Tower and the architecture. …and really like the idea of the swings in the museum. Can't wait to visit soon.

Hannah Rollings says

31 March 2016 at 7:29 am

Wow, it looks like such a vibrant city. I'd love to visit in winter. Thanks for the tips!

Katie Hughes says

31 March 2016 at 10:46 am

Thanks Travelerette – there is plenty to see!

Katie Hughes says

31 March 2016 at 10:47 am

Thanks Christine, street art is one of my favourite things to photograph wherever I am – I have loads just from my neighbourhood in London!

Katie Hughes says

31 March 2016 at 10:48 am

Oh no! At least you have an excuse to go back now! 🙂

Katie Hughes says

31 March 2016 at 10:48 am

Glad to inspire you Kerri!

Katie Hughes says

31 March 2016 at 10:49 am

Ah thanks so much Authentic Food Quest, I actually had my new camera out for the first time, so the photos are a mixture of iPhone and Sony (maybe you can spot the difference?!)

Katie Hughes says

31 March 2016 at 10:50 am

Thanks Hannah, winter is pretty (and the main reason for going then was for the Northern Lights), but its also very cold! I'd love to go back in the Summer too 🙂

Samantha Applewhaite says

31 March 2016 at 11:07 am

Nice post! My friend is heading to Iceland in the Fall. I will certainly pass this blog post on to her to help her plan for her trip! 🙂

Katie Hughes says

31 March 2016 at 11:15 am

Thanks Samantha, she should check out my Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon posts too!

Jo says

31 March 2016 at 6:06 pm

Blue lagoon and northern lights are HIGH on my list. They are pushing Iceland on top of my bucket list 🙂 I would love to visit someday – I am guessing lights would fade a bit post july 2016 (solar max). Did you hear anything concrete about it there?

Live Learn Venture says

31 March 2016 at 11:11 pm

I really hope to visit Iceland someday, the views look so gorgeous. Thanks for the info.

Danielle Desir says

1 April 2016 at 3:25 am

Really liked the Solfar profile view. I just added a few more things to my itinerary.

Katie Hughes says

12 April 2016 at 12:43 pm

No problem Hannah, I hope you get to visit and take plenty of warm clothes if you go in Winter!!

Katie Hughes says

12 April 2016 at 12:45 pm

The main reason to visit in Winter is to get the lights at their best view, however you should get similar exposures either side of the solar max – so next Winter should work too! They didn't dwell on this when we were there and you may have a more difficult time in the future as the solar activity cycles lower, thanks for the question though, had me digging through my university knowledge to answer!!

Katie Hughes says

12 April 2016 at 12:45 pm

It's truly stunning, I hope you get to go at some point!

Katie Hughes says

12 April 2016 at 12:46 pm

There's tonnes of cool things you'll run into in Reykjavik, I hope you have a good time!

Sonali Chauhan says

1 July 2016 at 9:54 am

Hi Admin,

Thanks for sharing this wonderful post about things to do in reykjavik. Well this list can become more long with thing to do in reykjavik but you have mention most interesting thing to in reykjavik.

- Katie Hughes says
  
  3 July 2016 at 6:36 pm
  
  Thanks Sonali!
  
Danielle Des says

22 July 2016 at 1:08 am

I just came back from Iceland in May and it looks so different in the winter! The views from the church and snow covered everywhere is so different from the almost midnight sun I experienced.

- Katie Hughes says
  
  22 July 2016 at 6:35 am
  
  I’d love to go back to witness that too Danielle – but my first priority was the northern lights!
  
Jollies and Jaunts says

9 November 2016 at 6:58 pm

I’ve been twice now but never made it to the modern art museum so will add that to the list if we go back. I’d also recommend the Saga Museum – a good rainy day activity!

- Katie Hughes says
  
  10 November 2016 at 11:02 am
  
  Ooh thanks for the tip Jollies and Jaunts, inside activities are the best when its cold and snowy outside!
  
Mark says

2 March 2017 at 12:23 pm

Great Post! Thank you for your sharing!