8 Things To Do in Reykjavik, Iceland

Did you know Reykjavik is a Guinness World Record holder? That’s right, with a latitude of 64°08′ N the Icelandic metropolis holds the title of the most northerly city, and the northernmost national capital in the world. And with more people exploring Iceland than ever — according to Bloomberg, the tiny island received 2.2 million visitors in 2023 and expects to welcome up to 2.5 million visitors in 2026 —, Reykjavik is becoming a hot ticket destination for fans of walkable cities, innovative restaurants and outdoor adventures.

Ready to take the plunge and plan a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice? My husband and I recently returned from a week-long jaunt in Iceland, and I’m ready to shout my love for Reykjavik from the rooftops. Here are eight of my recommendations for visiting Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city.  

Go on a Tour

Whether they go by bus, boat, helicopter or foot, visitors will find no shortage of exciting ways to explore colorful Reykjavik. From tried-and-true favorites like food tours and whale watching to niche experiences like cat walks (more on cats later) and outings discussing local myths and lore, there’s a city tour fit for every type of traveler.

During our time in Iceland, we signed up for two tours: the Reykjavik Food Tour by Wake Up Reykjavik and the Reykjavik Folklore Tour by Your Friend in Reykjavik. Both were excellent. We kicked off our eight-day stay with the food tour which acted as the perfect way to familiarize ourselves with the city as it began at the famous Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center (Harpa) and ended at the Instagrammable Hallgrímskirkja. The food tour made six stops in total, and we sampled a variety of foods including traditional seafood dishes, the famous Baejarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog and, my personal favorite, rye bread ice cream from Café Loki. 

For fans of the strange and unusual, I can’t recommend the Reykjavik Folklore Tour enough. This tour begins at the centrally located Ingólfur Square and explores some of the oldest parts of the city including City Hall, Hólavallagarður cemetery and Alþingisgarðurinn (Old Parliament’s garden). As for our experience, we trekked on with glee as Stefán, our quirky guide, shared tales of Icelandic magic, Norse mythology and elven customs. I still can’t get over necropants, seriously, look it up.

See the Sights

While sunshine can be a rarity depending on the time of year, what Reykjavik lacks in vitamin D it makes up for with vibrant murals and intriguing architecture. From the harbor to touristy Rainbow Street, the city is filled with so many iconic sights that are worthy of a visit. Here are a few of my recommendations. 

Situated near the coast, visitors will want to be sure to include a stop at Harpa, a gorgeous steel framework building decorated with geometric-shaped glass panels that sparkle in the light. The inside of this unique building is just as beautiful as the outside, and as a fan of “The Bachelor,” I had to take a peek to survey the scene where all the drama of Clayton’s season went down — if you know, you know. For more sightseeing fun, visitors can head further east along Saebraut to Sun Voyager, a sizeable stainless-steel sculpture that doubles as an iconic selfie spot. While many believe Sun Voyager to represent a Viking ship, locals say it was actually designed as an ode to the sun, symbolizing light and hope.

South of Sun Voyager is Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s famous shopping street where travelers will find no shortage of cutesy shops, trendy restaurants and cozy cafes to explore. Laugavegur is also known for its brightly painted buildings with some of the most notable being Kiki Queer Bar and Mjuk Iceland with their eye-catching rainbow and black and white facades, respectively. A block south of Laugavegur is Rainbow Street, a pride mural turned permanent fixture where visitors snap photos and marvel at the view of Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s iconic 244-foot-tall church.

Buy Local Souvenirs

Shops, shops, shops. Whether they’re on the hunt for an authentic lopapeysa (Icelandic sweater), locally made chocolate, souvenirs like keychains and magnets or Icelandic art to bring back home, travelers will find an abundance of well-stocked stores ready to meet their every retail need in Reykjavik.

During our time in the city, Jake and I loved popping into the various shops scattered throughout the downtown area, and we came home with plenty of goodies as evidence of our travels. While prices are higher than what one might find in the states or more affordable destinations, we were happy to see many of the goods were made and designed in Iceland, helping us to justify the steep price tags. Those hoping to shop ‘til they drop will want to explore areas like Austurstraeti, Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur as they play host to many of the tourist-centric establishments.

Eat Delicious Food

I’m saying it right now, Reykjavik is an underrated foodie destination. From the ice cream and the pastries to the fish and even the hot dogs, everything I ate in Iceland, well, minus Hákarl (fermented shark), was a dream. And while I can’t say for sure why the food was so scrumptious, it’s safe to assume the freshness of the ingredients played a part, as, despite being located on a remote island, many eateries are committed to serving local products like veggies, meats and even spices.

In addition to the quality of the food, I was impressed by the variety Reykjavik presents to visitors with unique dishes not commonly found in the states like lamb, reindeer, puffin and even horse. And while the thought of chowing down on these unlikely proteins might sound intimidating, I encourage travelers to keep an open mind as I feel confident Icelanders have nailed them all.

A few notable eateries I recommend travelers add to their foodie wish lists include Café Loki, DEIG workshop (the Crème brûlée doughnut is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life), Fjallkonan, Messinn Seafood Restaurant, Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, Vegan World Peace, Braud & Co and Íslenski barinn.

Photograph Colorful Murals

Reykjavik is quite charming, and, as a lover of public art, I found the city’s collection of vibrant murals to add to its appeal. If they keep their eyes open, travelers will find beautiful paintings in the most unexpected of places from alleyways and buildings to garages and fences — so many surfaces act as canvases, instantly adding a pop of color to any dreary day. In fact, Reykjavik is home to so many large-scale murals, graffiti and street art that a quick Google search reveals countless guides designed to help point art aficionados in the right direction. Alternatively, if they don’t want to go the self-guided route, tour operators like Your Friend in Reykjavik host daily street art walking tours in the city center.

While I won’t claim to have seen them all, a few of my favorite murals we stumbled upon during our time in the city included a painting of Baktus the famous Austurstraeti cat located in the alleyway behind American Bar, a piece titled “Masquerade” on Aegisgata 7 near the harbor, the Super Mario Bros Wall Mural on Hringbraut 79 and a mural depicting how to tie a necktie on 34 Laugavegur.  

Pet the Cats

As the owners of two black cats, Jake and I are proud cat people. As such, we were excited to learn just how much the people of Reykjavik, and Iceland in general, love cats, especially black cats, as locals grew up hearing tales of the fierce Yule Cat, a character from Icelandic folklore that eats children who don’t receive new clothes for Christmas. Whether they’re trying to stay in the Yule Cat’s good graces or not, it’s clear the people of Reykjavik have a strong affinity for cats, and, if travelers keep their eyes peeled, they’ll notice feline friends hiding in plain sight throughout the city.

In Iceland, cats are valued furballs of society and, whether they’re cuddled up in cafes and shops or surveying their domain from fence posts and porches, many residents offer them food, water and plenty of love making them friendly and trusting of humans. Travelers looking to get their feline fix while on vacation will be happy to learn most cats are open to a few pets and some might even let them hold them. For some quality kitty time, visitors can stop by Kattakaffihúsið — Reykjavik’s cat cafe — partake in a guided cat-focused walking tour or track down some of the legendary downtown cats like Baktus and Ófelía who hang out at local stores.

Visit a Museum

Whether they’re looking for a way to kill time on a rainy afternoon or are in the mood to learn something new, Reykjavik is home to several interesting museums. From historical fun dating back to the time of the Vikings and information about the region’s natural wonders to artsy displays and odes to the downright weird (I’m looking at you, Icelandic Phallological Museum), Reykjavik’s collection of museums is suited to pique the interest of most any traveler. While there are many more exhibits than what’s listed here, a few top contenders include the National Museum of Iceland, Saga Museum, The Settlement Exhibition, The Icelandic Punk Museum, Aurora Reykjavik, the Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús and the Reykjavík Maritime Museum. 

During our time in Iceland, we visited Perlan and Whales of Iceland, two other popular museums, and found both to be engaging and informative. At Perlan, Reykjavik’s natural history museum, we found ourselves wow-ed by immersive aurora and volcano shows before stepping foot into the museum’s man-made indoor ice cave which spans 328 feet and features 350 tons of snow imported from the Blue Mountains. After exploring the cave’s winding tunnels, and the rest of the museum’s exhibits, we wrapped up our visit with treats from the Ice Cream Parlour which we enjoyed atop Perlan’s 365-degree observation deck on the fourth floor.

At Whales of Iceland, we found ourselves captivated by the sheer size of some of Iceland’s gentlest giants as we walked beneath 23 life-size models of various whale species found in local waters. From the majestic blue whale and spectacular sperm whale to the fabled narwhal and fierce orca, this stop opened our eyes to the beauty of these impressive creatures. Each display included a series of facts about the corresponding whale and a showing of the award-winning documentary “Sonic Sea” made the visit even more informative.

Hunt the Aurora

For many, a winter visit to Iceland is fueled by lower prices, a love for snowy adventures and the chance to witness the aurora borealis, an elusive natural phenomenon where curtains of light sparkle and dance in the night sky. Only observable from late September through early April, Iceland is one of the best destinations in the world to watch this impressive display, and, during the strongest of solar flareups, the lights are so powerful they can even be seen from Reykjavik.

Those hoping to see the aurora while staying in Reykjavik are likely to be referred to one place: the Grotta Lighthouse. A favorite among locals and the Internet alike, this nature reserve on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula boasts wide-open skies and dark conditions, plus, it’s less than 10 minutes from downtown! After a series of cloudy nights, Jake and I were seriously starting to doubt our chances of witnessing the northern lights at all, but then, midway through our trip, the sky cleared up, and this spot did not disappoint.

While the Grotta Lighthouse is among the most popular places to go aurora hunting, we also had luck at Perlan and on the outskirts of town near Helgafell on 36. As an added hot tip, travelers hoping to track down the aurora will want to keep up with NOAA’s Aurora – 30 Minute Forecast or download an app like Hello Aurora for a little extra help.