The 11 essential things to do in Reykjavik

Are you going to stay in Iceland or make a stopover? So don't pass by the capital! Discover our must-sees to visit Reykjavik!

Iceland essentially attracts travellers in search of breathtaking landscapes. And whether in the summer or in the winter, everyone finds his account. Volcanoes, geysers, hot water sources, mountains, glaciers, beaches of all colors... everything is gathered to spend a pleasant stay. It may be that your stay in Iceland is summed up in a simple step, on your way to more west lands. Icelandair, in particular, offers stopovers on the way to America. Do not hesitate to stop two or three days, you will be able to enjoy it to discover the capital and its region.

Here, in our opinion, the must-see or do in Reykjavik!

1. The historic centre of Reykjavik

What to do in the centre of Reykjavik? Start with an immersion in the historic centre and its pretty old houses. Adalstraeti Street Aðalstræti) is required with the oldest building in the capital, dating from 1752. It now hosts a designer shop and exhibitions on past life.

Fly the pedestrian streets, Skolavordustigur and Laugavegur, with their pretty shops and good restaurants. Enjoy your shopping, buy a beautiful Icelandic sweater or a lava bead necklace, created by a local craftsman. Visit the Tjörnin Lake District, a surprising pond in the heart of the city. Many administrative and cultural buildings have settled on its shores.

2. La Marina

Visiting Reykjavik is also strolling around the Marina.

Start your walk at the Sólfar level, beautiful sculpture representing a viking boat skeleton. The artist Jón Gunnar Àrnason designed it as an ode to the sun and the journey. Walk to Harpa, a futuristic building with a concert hall and an exhibition centre. You will be struck by its architecture and the changing reflections of glass panels, which cover the steel structure. Do not hesitate to enter, you can visit freely, but you can also join a paid guided tour. A panoramic bar and restaurant will give you the opportunity to admire Reykjavik from above.

Finish your walk on the old fishing port, most of which have been converted to museums.

3. Hallgrimskirkja Church

We see his arrow from a distance when we go up Skolavordustigur Street. This Lutheran church, built between 1945 and 1986, recalls the basaltic organ, whose Icelandic landscape is enamelled. The sober interior surprises when you expect to enter a cathedral. However, you can have the chance to attend a rehearsal or concert on the great Klais organ and its 5,275 pipes. A pay lift takes you to the bell tower, from which you will have a dive view of the city centre.

4. Icelandic specialties

It is impossible to visit Reykjavik without tasting local specialties. They turn around fish of course, but with very specific recipes. You will then be able to taste:

• Des fish, like the cod (mork), the salmon or herring, but also the knight's omble or raie.
• Dude Hákarl. You will not find any more typical, but hang yourself, because it is a fermented shark, or even more... Think of accompanying it with local life water, the brennivin. In moderation, of course! You can do it at the Icelandic bar _(Islenskibarin)_Or at Café Loki.
• A lamb soup (Kjötsúpa), traditional recipe with local lambs and vegetables (rutabagas, potatoes, cabbage, carrots). The best thing is to taste it with a soup wagon (Súpu vagninn), like that usually parked place Ingólfstorg or coffee Súfistinn.
• Or again skyr, local yogurt.

5. A thermal bath

Would you like to meet Icelanders during your visit to Reykjavik? The best place to tie conversation is certainly the pool, in summer and in winter! A true institution in Iceland, the swimming pool is as much a place of exchange and conviviality as a means of relaxation.

There are several in Reykjavik, powered by thermal waters. The oldest, Sundhöllin, was built in 1937 and is close to Laugavegur shopping street in the city centre. If you are with family, take the bus and go to Lágafellslaug or Sundlaug Kópavogs. They are ideal for children – and the largest. For an unforgettable experience, offer a bath accompanied by care to the famous Lagon Bleu located approximately 50 kilometres from the capital.

6. Meet the whales

Iceland is one of the countries that continue to allow whale hunting. It is essentially a matter of perpetuating an ancestral tradition. However, this practice tends to be increasingly regulated and is in net decline. Iceland prefers to move towards the creation of observation zones of these cetaceans. From Reykjavik, excursions take you to Faxaflói Bay or from the old port. You can watch humpback whales or minke whales, white beak dolphins and porpoises.

7. Museums

What to do in Reykjavik when it rains? Visit a museum, of course! Here, the choice is particularly wide and proper to satisfy all curiosities:

• The National Museum of Iceland or the Sagas Museumto learn more about the history and formation of Icelandic identity.
• The Whale Museum or the maritime museum, both located in the renovated area of the port, on the Marina.
• The Punk museum, to extend back into the atmosphere of the 1980s.
• Without forgetting culture house, the phallus museum or the Árbær outdoor museum, a little away from the city.

8. The dome of Perlan

Reykjavik is supplied with hot water by six tanks perched on a hill. The city had the idea of crowning them with a dome, which became one of the city’s attractions. One of the tanks was converted to a natural science museum: Wonders of Island. The visit also includes a walk in a 100 m long ice cave and explanations on glaciers.

Think about taking hot clothes, the temperature can go down to -10° in the tunnel! To comfort you, finish your visit to the bar or restaurant, located at the top of the Dome. From the panoramic terrace you will have a 360° view of Reykjavik and its region.

9. The street art circuit

When you visit Reykjavik, you must know that its charm comes from its very colourful houses. The capital, however, does not stand there and regularly commissioned artists to decorate its walls and buildings.

Several routes allow you to discover large frescoes, often linked to Icelandic culture. Sara Riel, the local artist, dotted the streets of the centre of psychedelic works inspired by nature. The Wall Poetry follows the course of the festival Iceland Airwaves . You can admire the Arabs of Caratoes, the lovers of D*FACE, the cosmonaute of DEIH XLF and many more.

10. The Northern Lights

Who did not dream of witnessing a boreal aurora? This phenomenon, which is observed only in the north of our hemisphere, is the subject of real “hunts”. It is possible to observe this in the Reykjavik region, when all conditions are met: clear sky and no light pollution.

It is between September and March that you have the most chance to observe one. The best thing is to get away from the capital to enjoy a very black sky. To ensure your chances, don’t hesitate to join an organized tour. You will be accompanied by specialists who will find the best observation posts.

11. Nightlife

What to do in Reykjavik to meet the premises? If you like to party and enjoy the good beers, go to Laugavegur Street and its surroundings in the evening. This is where most of the bars and discotheques in the capital are concentrated. Many of them offer musical shows, free or at a modest price, especially on weekends. You will be able to engage in conversations, applaud the musicians, discover specialties from bar to bar. The party usually starts around midnight to end around 5am.

How to get to Reykjavik?

By plane from France

The aircraft is the fastest way to reach Reykjavik. Icelandair and Transavia provide direct flights from France, approximately 3:30 a.m. Many other companies offer the journey with one or two stopovers. Do not hesitate to use the flight comparison Ulysses to choose the cheapest or best flight for your stay dates. Reykjavik International Airport – Keflavik – is located approximately 50 kilometres from the capital.

To move and reach Reykjavik, you can rent a car from your arrival at the airport or take one of the buses of the companies specializing in the transfer (Gray Line, Flybus, Airport Direct). Most will take you to your hotel with an extra charge.

By ferry from Denmark

If you don’t want to fly, you can take a ferry from Hirshals, Denmark. The crossing lasts three days and you will arrive at Seydisfjordur, east of the island. To go to Hirtshals, you have the choice between the bus or train, or a combination of both. Count between 9pm and 4pm to make the trip.

Where to stay in Reykjavik?

To visit Reykjavik, the best thing is to sleep in the city centre or in a neighborhood served by the buses. The neighbourhoods of 101 Reykjavik and Tjörnin Lake are particularly pleasant. You will also find hotels in the Laugardalur district, near swimming pools, museums and greenery parks. You have the choice between some 60 hotels, as well as many apartments or guest rooms, which you will find by consulting a Compare hotels online.