10 ESSENTIAL PLACES TO SEE IN REYKJAVIK

Send

This list of places to see in Reykjavik It will help you prepare a visit to the capital of Iceland and start to know one of the most impressive countries in the world.
Although it is true that to this small and cold city, most travelers do not spend much time and only use it as a gateway and exit or to make a circular route through the country, it is interesting to spend at least one day in it to have A first contact with the country and its people, try the best local cuisine and make an excursion to the wonders that are nearby, although it does not have as many points of interest as other European cities.

Based on the time we spent in the city during our trip to Iceland in 14 days for free, we have made a list of what we think are, the 10 places to visit in Reykjavik essential. We start!

1. Hallgrímskirkja

Hallgrímskirkja is one of the most amazing churches we have seen in the world and one of the must-see places in Reykjavik. This huge church of more than 74 meters high, is also the tallest building in Iceland and stands out for its architecture inspired by the basalt columns of this land of fire and ice.
Admission is free, although it should be noted that the interior is quite sober and the highlight is a large pipe organ. Despite this, it is worth going up by elevator to the top of the church to have fantastic views of the city.
Right in front of the church is the statue Leif Eriksson, son of Erik the Red and a gift from the United States to the Icelandic people.
Visiting hours: every day from 9am to 9pm from May to September. The rest of the year closes at 5pm

Hallgrímskirkja

2. Traveler of the Sun

One of our favorite places and another one of the places to visit in Reykjavik, is the sculpture of the Sun Traveler or Sólfar. This sculpture built to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the city is at the end of a beautiful walk from the Old Port, on the seafront.
Built in steel, it represents the skeleton of a Viking ship and symbolizes a trip to the sun, hope and eternity, as well as being a magnificent place to relax by the Atlantic Ocean, with the snow-capped mountains in the background.

The Sun Traveler

3. Old Port, one of places to see in Reykjavik

The old port is one of the areas with more atmosphere of the city, where the old wooden houses of the fishermen have become restaurants. In addition to trying the local cuisine based on fresh fish and seafood, stroll along the docks and see the boat traffic, it is from this area where you can book this excursion to see puffins, one of the icons of the island.
If your visit coincides with Saturday or Sunday, keep in mind that during the weekend, the Kolaportid market is set up here, with stalls selling wool clothes to good local food.
And if you're hungry, a curious place near the port is the Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a very famous hot dog stand thanks to the visit of Bill Clinton and the one they say, has the best hot dogs in Iceland.

Puerto Viejo, one of the places to see in Reykjavik

Recommended travel cards
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.

4. Laugavegur

Austurstraeti, Laekjargata and Skolavordustigur are some of the streets to walk in Reykjavik, although the main and best known shopping street is Laugavegur.
This street, in addition to restaurants and bars, is full of clothing stores, especially for outdoor activities and extreme sports, as well as a souvenir shop. If you want to buy something, keep in mind that the quality of the clothes is very high, as are their prices.

Reykjavik Streets

5. Perlan

Perlan or La Perla, is a building of more than 25 meters, located on a hill and another of the places to see in Reykjavik. Although it is a bit far from the center, the panoramic views of the city from its fourth floor and its surroundings, makes it worth visiting and spend some time enjoying the place.
The most curious thing is the pearl-shaped structure of the building that surprises and even more when it is known that for years, it has served as hot water storage for the city.
You can book the ticket in advance from this page.
A good option to reach all the interesting points of the city and to know its history with the comments recorded in Spanish is to book the Reykjavik tourist bus.

Our recommended hotel in Reykjavik
Guesthouse Aurora, located in a quiet neighborhood, just 400 meters from Laugavegur shopping street, is our recommended city accommodation. In addition to a good quality / price ratio, you can park near the guesthouse for free and have a good breakfast included in the room price.

6. Austurvóllur Square

When the sun rises, the terraces of the bars of the Austurvóllur Square are filled with local people to have a beer or eat something, or just lie on the grass. The square, the oldest and another of the essential places to visit in ReykjavikIt is surrounded by colorful wooden houses and several important buildings in the city such as the Parliament of Iceland and the Lutheran Cathedral, in addition to the center, the Statue of Jon Sigurdsson.

Austurvollur Square

7. Lake Tjörn

Another of the places to visit in Reykjavik in one day is the beautiful Lake Tjörn, surrounded by beautiful colorful houses. This haven of peace located near the center of the city, is perfect for a long and quiet walk while watching different bird species move around the pond.
Near the lake there are also some important buildings in the city such as the National Gallery, the Town Hall or the Fríkirkjan Protestant church.

Tjorn Lake

8. Höfði House

If you continue walking along the promenade after seeing the sculpture of the Traveler of the Sun, you will reach Höfði, a beautiful house that has great historical importance when a meeting of the Ronald Reagan presidents of the United States and Mikhail Gorbachev of the former USSR in 1986 to end the cold war. Although it cannot be visited inside, the wooden house surrounded by a beautiful environment places it among the places to see in Reykjavik.

9. Harpa

Located on the seafront, between the Old Port and the sculpture of the Traveler of the Sun, the Harpa stands out for its impressive facade formed by a network of glass hexagons. This building with magnificent acoustics is a concert and conference center of the city.

Harpa, one of the places to visit in Reykjavik

10. Excursions in Reykjavik

In addition to all these places to see in Reykjavik, one of the best things if you are staying several days in the city, is to do some of the best day trips from Reykjavik, most recommended:

Golden Circle: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir geysers are three of Iceland's jewels. Although you can visit by bus, it is advisable to rent a car or book this excursion through the Golden Circle for a day.
The blue Lagoon: Enjoying a hot spring bath in the pools of the famous Laguna Azul spa, is one of the best things to do in Iceland.
Located about 70 kilometers from Reykjavik, if you do not have a car, you can take a bus from the BSI station or an excursion at an agency in the city.
Jökulsárlón glacier lake: This lake full of small icebergs is one of the most photographed in the world and one of the wonders of Iceland. If you don't have a car, you can book book this day tour here.
Northern Lights: One of the most impressive natural phenomena in the world, the Northern Lights, can be seen in Iceland from the end of August to mid-April. Keep in mind that no one can ensure you see an aurora, although Iceland and near Reykjavik, is one of the best places to enjoy them.
To be able to see them, they can appear at any time from dusk to dawn, in addition to having a clear sky, you have to leave the city to get away from light pollution. A good option is to check this website that offers predictions.
If you do not have a car you can book this Northern Lights tour with a guide in Spanish.
Whale Watching: One of the experiences we remember most about our trip to Iceland was the first time we saw whales in their natural habitat. Although we saw them near Húsavík, from Reykjavik you can also book a boat trip to see humpback whales.
Game of Thrones: Some of the scenes of the famous series Game of Thrones, especially those that refer to the northern kingdom and lands beyond the Wall, are filmed in Iceland.
In Reykjavik you can book a tour of all these locations and feel for a moment that you are one of the Stark House of Winterfell.
8 day circuit: A more comfortable option to get to know the country is to book this 8-day tour of the best of Iceland with a guide in Spanish.