So you're heading to Iceland's capital and wondering about the top things to do in Reykjavik? Good call. Having lived here three years and hosted countless visitors, I've seen travelers make the same mistakes: spending too much time hunting Northern Lights tours or missing out on authentic local gems while stuck in tourist traps. This guide cuts through the noise to give you exactly what works – tried-and-tested activities with practical details most blogs gloss over. I'll even share where I take my own friends when they visit.
Essential Cultural Experiences in Downtown Reykjavik
First things first: Reykjavik's charm lies in its compact downtown. Skip the hop-on buses – everything worth seeing is walkable. Don't make my friend Dave's mistake of spending $75 on a guided walk when these spots connect naturally.
Hallgrímskirkja Church and Tower
Address: Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 Reykjavik
Hours: 9:00-21:00 daily (summer), 10:00-17:00 (winter)
Tower admission: 1,000 ISK (~$7.50) – pay at ground floor desk
Pro tip: Go at 10:30 AM before cruise crowds arrive. The elevator ride takes 30 seconds, but the 360° view? Unreal. You'll see colorful rooftops, Mount Esja, and on clear days, Snæfellsjökull glacier. Personally though, the concrete interior feels a bit cold for my taste.
| Attraction | Walking Time from Hallgrímskirkja | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Voyager Sculpture | 12 minutes downhill | Free • Best at sunset • Coastal path access |
| Harpa Concert Hall | 15 minutes | Free entry • Glass architecture • Café with harbor views |
| Reykjavik Art Museum | 18 minutes | 1,900 ISK (~$14) • Three locations • Focus on Icelandic artists |
Local Pool Culture (Skip the Blue Lagoon Crowds)
Visiting Blue Lagoon requires booking weeks ahead ($80+), a 50-minute drive, and battling selfie sticks. For authentic Icelandic life, hit a neighborhood sundlaug (pool). Here's why locals prefer these:
- Laugardalslaug: Olympic-sized pool, steam rooms, hot pots 600 ISK ($4.50)
- Sundhöllin: Historic downtown location (10 min walk from Hallgrímskirkja) 1,150 ISK ($8)
- Mandatory showering: Staff will stop you if you skip the pre-soap rinse – no exceptions!
Eating Your Way Through Reykjavik
Icelandic cuisine isn't just fermented shark (though try it once for bragging rights). The real gems combine fresh seafood with New Nordic flair. After 30+ restaurant testing sessions – some delicious, some overpriced disappointments – here's where you should actually spend your króna.
| Restaurant | Must-Order Dish | Price Range | Reservation Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur | Classic lamb hot dog with crispy onions | 650 ISK ($5) | No (line moves fast) |
| Seabaron (Sægreifinn) | Lobster soup or whale skewer (controversial but traditional) | 2,500-4,000 ISK ($18-30) | Lunch: No • Dinner: Yes |
| Matur og Drykkur | Cod head "doughnuts" (trust me) | 7,900 ISK ($60) tasting menu | Essential – book 3 weeks out |
Budget Eats That Don't Taste Cheap
Reykjavik dining can bankrupt you fast. These spots deliver flavor without the financial pain:
- Noodle Station: Vietnamese pho refills for 1,690 ISK ($13) – perfect after pub crawls
- Brauð & Co: Cinnamon rolls so good you'll queue in rain (opens 6:30 AM)
- Kolon: Shared plates under 2,500 ISK ($19) – try the lamb tartare
Unique Things to Do in Reykjavik Beyond the Brochures
Want to escape the Instagram herds? These local-approved activities reveal Reykjavik's quirky soul.
Volcano House Documentary Experience
Address: Tryggvagata 11 • Entry: 2,990 ISK ($22) • Shows: Every hour from 10 AM
Watch eruption footage in a cozy theater with actual lava rocks to touch. Sounds nerdy? Maybe, but I've gone four times. The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull film explains why your flight got canceled.
Flea Market Treasures at Kolaportið
Hours: Sat-Sun 11:00-17:00 • Location: Geirsgata 9
Haggle for wool sweaters ($80 vs $200 in tourist shops), vintage vinyl, or shark jerky. Go hungry – the food section serves réttur (traditional stew) for 1,200 ISK ($9). Warning: The fermented skate aroma takes getting used to!
Day Trips Worth Leaving Reykjavik For
While Reykjavik has endless things to do, these three excursions deliver maximum wow for minimal logistics.
| Destination | Why It Beats Standard Tours | DIY Cost Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Circle | Skip Thingvellir crowds at 3 PM • Gullfoss waterfall back path access | Rent Kia Rio: $70/day vs $120 group tour |
| Reykjanes Peninsula | Fagradalsfjall volcano hike (check activity status) • Bridge Between Continents photo op | Free geothermal areas • Blue Lagoon alternative: Sky Lagoon ($60) |
| Whale Watching | Elding tours have marine biologists onboard • 97% sighting rate May-Aug | Book direct: 11,900 ISK ($88) vs hotel markup at $130 |
Realtime Costs: What You'll Actually Spend
Let's cut through vague "expensive destination" warnings. Here's exactly what cash you need for key Reykjavik activities:
- Average museum entry: 1,500-2,500 ISK ($11-19)
- Craft beer at Microbar: 1,400 ISK ($10.50) for 0.4L
- CityWalk Free Walking Tour (tips expected): 2,000 ISK ($15) recommended
- Bus fare: 550 ISK ($4) – use Straeto.is app
- Parking downtown: 350 ISK/hour ($2.60) – avoid by walking
Weather-Proofing Your Reykjavik Adventures
Icelandic weather changes faster than WiFi passwords. Don't let rain ruin your plans – here's my battle-tested strategy:
When the Sky Opens Up
- Perlan Museum: Indoor glacier exhibit with real ice cave (entrance: 3,900 ISK/$29)
- Reykjavik Roasters: Specialty coffee refuge with board games
- Lucky Records: Browse vinyl while listening to live Icelandic bands
Midnight Sun & Northern Lights Timing
Planning things to do in Reykjavik? Calendar matters:
- June 21 (Summer Solstice): Sunset at 12:03 AM – hike Grótta lighthouse at "night"
- October-March: Northern Lights hunting – check auroraforecast.is
- Pro tip: Full moon washes out auroras – book moonless week if possible
Reykjavik Nightlife: More Than Just Expensive Beer
Yes, pints cost $12. But Reykjavik parties like no other city on earth. Thursday through Saturday, Laugavegur street transforms into the "rúntur" (pub crawl route). My preferred timeline:
- 21:00: Start at Kaldi Bar (happy hour until 22:00)
- 23:00: Live music at Gaukurinn (punk/rock focus)
- 01:00: Dancing at Paloma (techno) or B5 (hip-hop)
- 03:30: Hot dogs at Bæjarins Beztu – you'll need it
Things to Do in Reykjavik With Kids
Traveling with mini-humans? These spots save parental sanity:
| Activity | Age Sweet Spot | Kid Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Whales of Iceland Museum | 5-12 years | Touchscreen games • Life-sized models • Cafe with high chairs |
| Family Park & Zoo | 2-8 years | Icelandic farm animals • Rides cost extra • Indoor play area |
| Laugardalur Pool Complex | All ages | Water slides • Geothermal hot pots for adults • Lockers 400 ISK |
FAQs: Real Answers About Reykjavik Activities
Q: How many days do I need for things to do in Reykjavik?
A: 2 full days covers essentials; 4 days adds day trips comfortably. Don't try cramming Golden Circle + downtown in one day – you'll regret it.
Q: Is Reykjavik walkable?
A: Absolutely. Downtown diameter is just 2km. But sidewalks can be icy October-April – pack microspikes.
Q: What's overrated?
A: The Penis Museum (unless you really need that selfie with whale specimens) and expensive helicopter tours when landscapes shine ground-level.
Q: Can I see Northern Lights from Reykjavik?
A: Yes with strong KP index, but light pollution hurts visibility. Better to drive 15 minutes to Grótta or Heiðmörk park.
Q: Best souvenir to bring home?
A: Handknit lopapeysa sweater (expect $200+), licorice chocolate, or volcanic salt. Avoid plastic Viking helmets – they scream "tourist trap".
Final Piece of Local Wisdom
The secret to enjoying things to do in Reykjavik isn't checklist tourism. Slow down. Chat with baristas. Soak longer in hot pots. Last Tuesday, I skipped Hallgrímskirkja for a coffee at Reykjavik Roasters, ended up discussing elf folklore with an 80-year-old local. That unexpected moment beats any tower view. So sure, hit the highlights – but leave room for Reykjavik's magic to find you.
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