Reykjavík is always different. If you visit it in summer, you will experience the sun that never sets. If you come in winter like us, it’s like from a snowy fairytale. You can notice the darkness in the photos yourself. Most of them were photographed at lunch time. But even in this darkness, the city has its charm. It is cold but friendly at the same time. In the article “Top ++ things to see in Reykjavík”, we have listedthe most interesting places for you.
Our Iceland vlog
1. Hallgrímskirkja
Probably the first monument that comes to mind when Reykjavík is mentioned. This massive church is visible from almost everywhere in the city. The architecture of the church resembles basalt columns that you can see often in Iceland. Architect Gudjon Samuelsson was inspired by the beautiful Svartifoss waterfall when designing this building.
The church has a height of 74.5 m. You can visit its interior free of charge. From May to September, the church is open from 09:00 to 21:00. The rest of the year you can visit it between 09:00 and 17:00. The church is also proud of its tower, from which you can enjoy amazing views of the entire city. It closes 30 minutes before opening hours. There is an entrance fee of 900ISK (approx. €6) to the tower. Current information can be found HERE.
2. Laugavegur
Laugavegur is the oldest street in Reykjavík. Its name can be translated as “water way”. This is the path women used to go to the hot springs to wash their clothes. Today, the street boasts many shops and bars. During Pride, you can find colorful flags in almost every window here. If you are here, do not forget to explore the surrounding streets. Street art is at every corner.
3. The Sun Voyager
And from the busy streets of the city we go to a slightly calmer promenade by the sea. It is here that you can come across this fascinating sculpture. It resembles a Viking ship. But in fact it represents a kind of “Dream Ship”. A dream of freedom, hope, progress. You can take the most beautiful photos here during sunset.
4. Harpa
The Harpa building is located just a short distance from the sculpture “The Sun Voayger”. It is a kind of conference and concert hall at the same time. It is this building that hides a piece of history. Its construction began in 2007. When the financial crisis came in 2008, the whole island fell into debt. The money was missing. Locals considered whether to leave the building unfinished. However, that would be a kind of reminder of their failure. Finally, the construction was completed. Current events can be found on the official website.
5. Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
This small stand is considered one of the best “restaurants” in the city. They make the best hot dogs in the entire country. Of course, we had to taste them. You can get one hot dog here for less than €3. And how did they taste? Honestly, nothing extra. A regular hot dog. We already had better hot dogs in Slovakia. You can choose from 3 types of sauces and you can also add crispy onions. Definitely stop by!
You cannot miss this pond. It is located just a short distance from the city center. It stretches all the way to the domestic airport. In fact, it consists of up to 5 lakes. It is a very pleasant environment for walks or walking pets. Locals call it a “pond”, although officially it is a lake. The reason is the very shallow water depth.
7. Neighbourhood of the Gods
The Neighborhood of the Gods is known mainly because of the names of its streets. They bear the names of the great Nordic gods. You will find 15 streets with names such as Odin, Freyja, , Thor, Baldur or Loki. The authorities tried to rename this neighborhood to Asgard (one of the 9 worlds of Norse mythology), but failed. The neighborhood is also full of street art.
Since we were only in Reykjavík for a short time, we didn’t have time to see everything we wanted. But we want to share the following places with you as well.
8. Geotermal beach Nauthólsvík
Did you know that some streets in the city are heated? In winter, you won’t find any dangerous ice on them. But that’s not the only thing Icelanders use geothermal energy for. You can find a heated beach in Reykjavík! You read that right. The water in the sea here has a pleasant 18-19 degrees in the summer. You will also find smaller warm pools here. In summer, admission is free. In winter it’s 700ISK (approx. 5€). Current information can be found HERE.
9. Pozorovanie veľrýbWhale watching
This is an activity that we recommend trying especially in the summer months. It is between April and September / October that you have the best chance of seeing a whale just a short distance from the city of Reykjavík. You can choose from hundreds of different tours that offer various “whale watching tours”.
10. Nightlife
Reykjavík is known for its lively nightlife. You can experience the best nightlife on the famous Laugavegur shopping street. The great thing is that you can find all the most popular places in close proximity. You won’t experience a huge party here like in other big cities. Nightlife here has a slightly different atmosphere. The great thing is that there is no entrance fee anywhere. But you will pay a little more for alcohol than in Slovakia.
11. Perlan Museum
This museum boasts an artificially constructed ice cave. It is the only indoor ice cave in the world with a length of up to 100m. You can even watch a 360-degree projection of the Northern Lights at the local planetarium! Here you will also learn about lava, volcanoes and earthquakes. Perlan is a great place for all enthusiasts of Iceland’s wild nature. You can find the price list and opening hours on the official website.
