Iceland is one of the most popular tourist destinations as of late, and I’ve been there twice. I’ve been to Reykjavik in the winter (late November) and in the summer (right after the summer solstice). Granted, the magic and beauty of Iceland are mostly found outside of its enchanting capital city. However, I do recommend that any tourists visiting Iceland spend some time in Reykjavik during their visit. There’s a lot to see and do (and eat and drink!) in this town – so here are my top 7 things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland!

7. Visit quirky local artisan shops & buy cool stuff

Reykjavik has a great design scene and there are a ton of cool local shops where local artists sell their wares. Supporting local artisans is one of the ways that you can “give back” and fight the specter of overtourism. Iceland has a huge problem with overtourism, so consider offsetting your visit by supporting the local arts with a purchase. Plus, you’ll get a pretty sweet souvenir to bring home with you. It’s a win-win!

At Kirsuberjatred (Vesturgata 4) you’ll find original pieces by 11 local women artisans for purchase. This includes fishskin leather goods, pottery, jewelry and more.

My favorite shop, however, was fóa (formerly located at Laugavegur 2). It had a great balance of trendy and artsy but thoughtful things that you can bring home. Unfortunately, fóa closed in November 2018 due to skyrocketing rents in the city. The space it occupied is still vacant.

But – fret not! Rebekka from fóa actually gave me amazing referrals for you, dear readers, if you would like to buy real Icelandic products from local artisans. They are:

A store I really enjoy is Skúmaskot, they are sort of along the lines of fóa, selling beautiful pieces by Icelandic designers. A few artists still sell their wares at Kolaportið, the only real flea market in Iceland and they could definitely do with some support as well. There are also very many beautiful jewellers (orri finn and aurum for example) that are still running stores downtown.

I would also recommend ceramic shops! There are lots of them dotted around downtown esp. on Skólavörðustígur that are absolutely beautiful…[Jackie’s note: Maybe also get coffee and a pastry at Mokka Kaffi in the morning near here too – a cafe in Reykjavik that’s been open since 1958!]

…Rammagerðin and Epal, larger and more established stores…sell mass-produced trinkets but also have some high-end local art.

Rebekka – assistant store manager at fóa for the 5 years it was open

A more traditional option is buying an authentic knitted Icelandic sweater (known as a lopapeysa) from the Handknitting Association of Iceland (Skolavoerdustigur 19). These are NOT cheap, but the quality of the pieces is undeniable. If you don’t need a sweater but just want some warm gloves or a hat, they have those too (I have 2 pairs of gloves). Plus, you can be assured that it’ll be the warmest sweater, gloves, or hat that you own!

6. Visit Hallgrímskirkja and go to the top

Towering over the statue of Leif Eriksson is the unmissable Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s most iconic church. A Lutheran church, Hallgrímskirkja took 41 years to build (from 1945 to 1986). The church is named for the 17th Century famous Icelandic clergyman and poet Hallgrímur Petersson.

The church is home to a pretty epic organ (made by a German organ builder) and it has an elevator that takes you to the top of the tower. Tickets to the elevator are 1000 ISK (about $8 USD) per person. At the top, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city and beyond. The view alone is worth a visit. Being a Protestant church, the church is otherwise pretty plain inside (very Scandinavian), but beautiful.

Here are the church and tower hours:
Winter (October – April): 9 am – 5 pm, tower open 9 am – 4:30 pm.
Summer (May – September): 9 am – 9 pm, tower open 9 am – 8:30 pm.

5. Take a walking tour of the city

We began our last trip to Reykjavik this way and I think it’s probably the best way to get acquainted with the city in a short amount of time. We did this walking tour with I Heart Reykjavik‘s Auður. She took us on an informative stroll, starting at the Hallgrimskirkja.

We explored the sculpture garden next to the church (the Einar Jónsson Sculpture Garden) and made our way around town. The tour also featured some street art, which we love (you’ll recall that we loved the street art tour we did in Valparaiso, Chile). The cost of the tour now begins at 35,000 ISK (about $280 USD) for a group of up to 12 people. They no longer offer the option of paying per person (which is what we did) so if you have a small group, you may want to consider other options.

I love doing a walking tour to get my bearings and give some context to my surroundings. Plus, it’s a great way to burn off calories (see #1 of my Top 7 Things To Do in Reykjavik below!). 😉

We also got a mini history lesson and visited some important sights during our tour, making it a great mix of culture and history.

4. Visit the Sun Voyager monument and tour the Harpa Concert Hall

Sun Voyager is one of the most iconic sculptures and representations of Reykjavik and pays homage to the Viking culture and history of the city. It sits on the seafront along a busy road (there’s a big sidewalk, don’t worry). The backdrop is a beautiful mountain across the water, so it’s pretty majestic if you ask me.

Right down the road from Sun Voyager is an even more impressive sight – the Harpa Concert Hall. With its incredible stained glass and architecture, this building is truly breathtaking. Try to go on a sunny day for the full effect of the stained glass. You can roam around the interior of the building without a guide, so take your time checking it out!

3. Go to a local “hot pot” or to the Blue Lagoon

I know. I’m going to get a ton of crap from people about recommending that you go to the Blue Lagoon. Obviously, this list of Top 7 Things To do in Reykjavik would not be complete without a reference to the Blue Lagoon. Yes, it’s extremely touristy. It’s man-made. It’s expensive. But it’s still damn cool. If you want to experience Icelandic hot springs and you have the budget for it, the Blue Lagoon is still a pretty cool place to visit.

If you don’t have the budget for the Blue Lagoon or want to do something a bit more local/less touristy, you can visit a local “hot pot” – the hot springs that are found around the city where locals go to soak up the hot water and gossip. I actually did a hot pot (Laugardalur Swimming Pool) on my first trip to Reykjavik, back in November 2009, and finally got to go to the Blue Lagoon in June/July 2015.

I preferred the Blue Lagoon, tourists and all.

Here’s what you need to know about visiting the Blue Lagoon or the hot pots:

1. You must shower completely naked before entering. No exceptions. So, get comfortable with being completely nude in (same-sex) public.
2. You also have to wash your hair. Don’t go if you want to keep your blow-out!
3. Wear a bathing suit that you’re okay with stinking like sulfur after.
4. Eat before or after you go, but don’t buy food there. It’s not worth the price.

2. Have a drink at Kol and stroll the Laugavegur

We really loved stopping at Kol for a drink when we were in town. It was recommended to us by a friend, and it did not disappoint. It’s a craft cocktail bar but there’s also a full restaurant here. But, we didn’t try the food so I can’t recommend it for food based on any personal experience.

I really think that Kol will make my list of the top things to do in Reykjavik for any future trips. It was super solid, the bartenders were skilled and friendly, and it had a great vibe.

Strolling along the Laugavegur, you’ll find some of the best little shops and experience Reykjavik as a semi-local. You can also duck into the Cintamani shop off of Laugavegur (which is an Icelandic sports and outerwear brand)(Bankastræti 7a) and take the slide down (which is still fun if you’re over 30)! If you didn’t pack clothing that’s warm enough, you can get really high-quality performance gear here or at 66 North.

And finally, the #1 thing of my Top 7 Things to do in Reykjavik is….

(drumroll please)

1. Enjoy the local cuisine!

There’s food in Reykjavik for every budget. Promise me that you won’t spend every meal eating the food you bought at the supermarket and cooking in your AirBnB/hostel? Try to spend at least one meal actually enjoying the local cuisine, cooked by a local. Please!

Icelandic food is delicious and trying the local cuisine is a major part of what makes travel amazing. It truly is #1 of the Top 7 Things To Do in Reykjavik. If you have a favorite that I didn’t cover here, drop me a comment and tell me about it!

Here are some dining options for you, for every pocketbook:

$ – Budget: Get some delicious, iconic Icelandic hotdogs at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. Head to my blog post to find out more about it!

$$ – Mid-range: Have a delicious pastry breakfast (with a side of skyr, of course!) or lunch at Sandhølt Bakery. Or, get some fish stew with a beer and catch some music at Hressingarskálinn.

$$$ – Fancy-ish: Have a nice, long, leisurely lunch at Snaps Bistro.

I got a delicious fish dish, as did hubs. The prices are a little higher than you’d expect to spend for a regular lunch, but it’s great for a little midday treat. We saw a lot of business lunches in progress while we sat in the back corner booth. We loved having that table – it was great people watching!

Or, try a local tapas restaurant (which features small bites of smoked puffin, lobster tails, and Icelandic lamb) at Tapas Barinn.

We found that this was a great way to sample some local delicacies, while not fully committing to a giant portion of anything.

$$$$ – Fancy: I have heard that the food at Kol is good, although I can’t personally recommend it. Additionally, another really popular and well-rated restaurant on the fancier/pricier side is Fiskmarkaðurinn.

$$$$$ – Extra Fancy: Splurge on an extravagant dinner by doing the tasting menu with wine pairings at the Michelin-star rated restaurant Dill. Check out the whole blog post I made on it for full information.

I hope you enjoyed my top 7 things to do in Reykjavik. Now, go forth and conquer it like a Viking!

If I have missed anything that’s killer (I understand there are new food halls there now – would love to check them out!) please feel free to drop me an email or a comment (see my Contact page for more info). Let’s chat about it. 🙂

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