Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is the capital and largest city (by far) in Iceland. First settled around 870 AD, the word Reykjavik gets its name from Norse words meaning “smoke” and "bay," which could refer to volcanic activity or the hot springs that are active in the area. Today there are nearly 400,000 people living in Iceland, with 140,000 living in the city and almost 250,000 living in the Capital Region, or Greater Reykjavik areas. The rest of the island is much less densely populated, due to the lack of natural resources, harsh terrain and weather, and coverage of much of the land by glaciers. Much of the interior is mountainous and many of the roads there are unpaved.

There’s a lot to do in Reykjavik, as you’d expect from the only sizable city in the country. If you are looking for something in Iceland, it can probably be found here.

The Ring Road is, literally, Iceland's number one road. Road 1 circumnavigates the entire island relatively close to the coast the entire way, connecting the capital and the only international airport at Keflavik with most of the famous and popular destinations in Iceland. The 828 mile (1,332 km) route is paved the whole way and is the best way to see Iceland. It is also one of THE best drives in the world, rivaling the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland.

The Golden Circle is a popular loop beginning and ending in Reykjavik that encompasses many of the best sights and natural beauties within a day’s drive of the capital. The length of the route is about 190 miles (300 km), but we recommend at least two days to take the time to get out and enjoy the sights.

On the Golden Circle, you can see the waterfalls Gullfoss and Faxi, the Secret Lagoon, the Kerid Crater, Thingvellir National Park, and the Geysir Geothermal Area. There are plenty of other noteworthy things to do and places to see within driving distance of the capital, including the world famous Blue Lagoon.

Where to Go and What to Do

The Grasagarður Botanical Garden is the official, and free, garden of Reykjavik, though it is not the only garden in the city. It sits centrally in the Laugardalur district, a space in the city set apart for sport, exercise, gardens, dog parks, and other similar areas and activities. Though small compared to other major botanical centers in the large cities of other countries, Grasagarður harbors over 3,000 species of plants and flowers and is surprisingly colorful and abundant for a place with such temperamental and chilly weather.

Relatively speaking, Harpa Concert Hall is an infant attraction in a place that has had permanent residents since at least the 800s AD. Finished in 2011, Harpa is the premier music venue in Iceland and has been the recipient of awards for its architecture, use of acoustic technology, and even its ventilation. It isn’t bad on the eyes either, if you’re into that kind of architecture. There are constant events and festivals in its many rooms and its conference center, and it is free to enter if you want to take a look around.

The Hallgrimskirkja is unique among churches as it is among words. Named for the Icelandic cleric and poet Hallgrímur Pétursson, the building was completed in 1986 and houses an impressive pipe organ, and has bells that toll the time to the surrounding city. It is one of the tallest buildings in Iceland, and situated as it is on a hill is a local landmark by which visitors can navigate around the city center.

There is a real dearth of museums in the city, more than can be visited on a short trip. We shall list several of the more popular entities here, but there are plenty more and of varied interests.

1. Perlan - In English this words means pearl, and it is well named for the conspicuous glass dome that adorns the top of its frame. Comprised of six water heating tanks, Perlan has a distinct look. The tanks have been partially transitioned into the bones of a natural history museum, though four of the tanks still heat water. One houses an ice cave and the last is now a planetarium.

2. National Museum of Iceland - Exactly what it sounds like, the NM of I explores the culture and history of the country at a shallow level over the course of its existence, painting broad strokes for visitors. Definitely worth a visit, if you are looking to get a sense of Iceland’s place in the world, this is a good place to start.

3. Reykjavik Maritime Museum - This relatively youthful organization educates visitors on the much older maritime practices of the island of Iceland in what used to be a fish freezing facility. Focused on the seabound activities that have consumed Icelandic attention for centuries, like fishing, whaling, and sailing in general, the Maritime Museum is a must-see for anyone looking to delve into Iceland’s past in a meaningful way.

4. Whales of Iceland - Covers exactly the material you would think it does. Proponents of the wellbeing of these and other marine creatures, Whales of Iceland seeks to educate visitors not only on the historic importance of whales to the island country, but also on how people impact the whales of our oceans today.

5. Phallological Museum - The pointed nature of this organization may not be, strictly speaking, family friendly. It is noteworthy, however, and you may see some advertisement around Reykjavik.

6. Saga Museum - This museum covers the early history of Iceland from its discovery and settlement through the 16th century.

7. Reykjavik Art Museum - The largest museum of any kind in Iceland, the Art Museum has a bit of an advantage in that it is actually three locations, not one. Fear not, you still only need one ticket to visit all three.

Another quintessential Icelandic activity is whale watching, which can be done directly from Reykjavik. The admirable switch of industry from the hunting of whales to the observance of them has been greatly successful, and whale watching can also be done in Husavik and Akureyri, in northern Iceland. Whaling has gone through periods where it has been alternatively banned and allowed over the past fifty years, but regardless of the year the practice has greatly diminished in the modern era. You would be hard pressed to find whale meat in a store, though you can find it in several restaurants.

There is only one company in Iceland that hunts whales and there are numerous restrictions in place around the practice. Much of the eating meat of the whales thus caught is sent to Japan for consumption, while the rest is sold in Iceland, mostly to tourists in restaurants. Whale watching, on the other hand, is on the rise.

You can find over a dozen companies offering whale watching tours on the docks of Reykjavik Bay, to the north of Hallgrimskirkja. The cost will depend on the time of year, type and length of tour, and age of the tourist, but you can anticipate spending at least $50 per person, and possibly more. Sightings are not guaranteed as you are looking for living, wild animals, but they are likely. Many of the companies offering tours have been in business for years and even decades, and know where to find whales, porpoises, puffins, and more in the waters around the city.

Sport

Reykjavik is home to quite a few notable CrossFit athletes, and CrossFit gyms. The Gilded Gosling’s favorite, Anníe Þórisdóttir, co-owns CrossFit Reykjavik, a large and excellently equipped gym close to downtown. CrossFit Katla is another notable team in the city with a gym that you can visit, and even drop in at to get a workout in. Other popular individuals from Iceland include Katrín Davíðsdóttir, Björgvin Guðmundsson, and Sara Sigmundsdóttir.

Soccer is as popular in Iceland as anywhere else in the world. The top division of men’s soccer is branded as the “Besta deild karla”, which translates in English to “Men’s Best Division“. Rather on the nose, but Icelandic people are fairly direct, so there you go.

Reykjavik has several professional, or semi-professional depending on the player in question, soccer teams. While the sport is just as popular as anywhere else, there just isn’t as much money on the table. Popular Reykjavik teams include Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, abbreviated KR for everyone’s sanity, and Knattspyrnufélagið Þróttur, also called Throttur. As you would expect, there are quite a few teams located in and around the capital, as most people in the country live there and most of the infrastructure is there as well. There are teams playing in the top division across the country in places like Grindavik and Akureyri.

Strongman is a sport with a smaller following than soccer, but which has been gaining popularity worldwide in the last 20 years. With big names and bigger men and women competing in primetime television, and being promoted on Instagram and TikTok, Strongman is flexing its metaphorical muscles and becoming a real powerhouse in the world of strength sports.

The biggest of them all, Hafþór Björnsson, resides in and runs a gym in Reykjavik. Known for his acting in the television show The Game of Thrones, Björnsson is a perfect spokesperson for a a sport inclined to favor larger men and women. Thor’s Power Gym is open to the public during certain hours and you can purchase a day pass to work out there, as well as peruse the shop which has Thor merchandise.

Food

Hot dogs, pylsur, are the surprise star of the menu in Iceland, though if you have traveled in any of the Nordic countries, perhaps it will not be so surprising. In a land where little grows and fishing is one of the largest and most important industries, the people of Iceland have turned to an imported animal to provide a unique twist to the all American summer food. Lamb hot dogs are a specialty in Iceland, and they are delicious.

Not only used in hot dogs, the use of lamb as a food source is widespread. Sheep are ubiquitous in Iceland, and there are warnings on the road and at car rental companies about watching out for the wooly quadrupeds. Wool is a staple material in Iceland, and lamb cooked in various ways can be found in every town of size.

Toppings are a little different in Reykjavik. Often you will find a sweet, brown mustard and a mayonnaise sauce called remoulade, and ketchup is available as well for the more traditional hot dog connoisseur. Onions, both raw and fried, are also common.

Hákarl is another Icelandic specialty. Fermented sleeper shark that has been left to dry for a few months and that has a strong ammonia flavor is not as appealing to many people as hot dogs, though. Much like the Jeppson's Malört of Chicago, Hákarl has a strong, passionate, and small following among its proponents in Iceland.

If ammonia shark is not to your liking, whale is still served in some places in Iceland. Certainly not something that is available just anywhere; it can also be found served alongside puffin, which we find off-putting, but it is available.

Braud & Co is the one place you simply must go when in Reykjavik if you are looking for breakfast or rolls of any kind. The cinnamon rolls there are simply magisterial, and there are various kinds. Best of all, in a city where everything is expensive, Braud is relatively cheap. You will not find a better roll anywhere in the world, and you would be hard pressed to find one cheaper. There are nine Braud locations to choose from.

Reykjavik Roasters makes the best coffee in Iceland, hands down. The espresso is delicious, not too bland, and not too bitter. The mochas especially are our favorite drink, and outside of Central America, we have not had better. There are three locations in downtown Reykjavik.

Money

All of Iceland deals in the Icelandic kroner. This trades at a low value compared to the US dollar, around $0.007 at the time of this writing. Translating prices into other currencies can therefore be arduous, so have a smartphone handy to do the calculation for you quickly.

All things are expensive in Reykjavik, as in all Iceland; the price demanded by such a beautiful yet distant and desolate location. While the volcanic activity, island life, oceans, mountains, hot springs, and glaciers make the country a wonderful place to visit, they all combine to make it difficult to cultivate, grow, or build anything of lasting value in an industrial sense. Many modern amenities need to be imported, adding to the cost and the prices paid by both visitors and residents.

It is not too expensive to visit, though. If you are traveling on a budget, as most people are, you need to be wise with your money. You will almost certainly be driving in and around Reykjavik, even if you are not leaving the city. We will address public transportation below. Gasoline(petrol) and diesel prices are some of the highest in the world. At the time of this writing the price of gas in Iceland was 321 ISK per liter. That translates to $2.33 per liter, or $8.82 per gallon. You’ll want to put the car into Eco mode and forgo Sport mode to save yourself at the pump.

Food will be a consideration as well. If you are looking to eat out, there are plenty of local options in the city, outside of the tourist destinations, where you can save your wallet from the tourist tax imposed on every high traffic area in the world. Even in the popular districts, there will be smaller places selling an Icelandic specialty. hot dogs. If you are camping or looking to stock up on a few meals and snacks, grocery stores Kronan, Bonus, Hagkaup, and Netto will serve well and have comparable prices to each other. These places are where the locals stock their pantries, so they will be the most reasonably priced in the city. There are no Walmarts, Starbucks, or McDonalds in Iceland these days, though there is one Costco in Reykjavik.

Here is a map of noteworthy places to visit in Reykjavik

Where to Stay

Accommodations in Reykjavik are pretty easy to find. Just use our handy map below!

In all seriousness, there are plenty of hotels to choose from, hostels, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnbs. Iceland can be an expensive place to visit, but it is also one of the safest places in terms of crime, so there are very few areas to avoid. Prices tend to rise severely as the date you want approaches, so make reservations ahead of time.