Reykjavik Bucket List
The world's northernmost capital rests on the Arctic Circle, a colorful small city heated by geothermal hot water, with Viking history, and some of the most surreal landscapes on the doorstep. Reykjavik has a population of 140,000 and is a metropolis in terms of cultural life but a village in terms of size. Despite the cold, it's mild. Despite its isolation, it's cosmopolitan. But you come here not for the city but for the short drives. You can literally walk between tectonic plates, hike on a glacier, stand behind a waterfall, and soak in a hot spring all in a day's drive in a landscape of black, red, and green that was used to train the Apollo astronauts. This is a surreal landscape of myth and legend, where the 'hidden people' still rule, that will amaze you every hour you drive. Meanwhile back in Reykjavik, the music savvy coffee drinking locals stay out till the weekends looking for the kind of fun that conserves heat in these long, dark winters. The place is jumping from Thursday night till Sunday evening when much of the population seems to be in the bars. This is a high-priced destination that is worth every cent. There are only two seasons. The warm season (although it never gets much above 15 degrees) is June to August where the midnight sun gives almost daylight 24/7. The low season is October to March when you will be wowed by the Northern Lights. The best time to go is thus May/September when prices are lower, the light glows, and darkness falls.
Why Reykjavik belongs on your bucket list
The church was designed to resemble the basalt columns that are commonly found around Iceland. It stands 74.5 meters tall in Reykjavik. The views from the tower are amazing as you can see the multicolored corrugated iron roofs of Reykjavik reaching out to the shoreline. It took 41 years to completely build the church (1945-1986). There are more than 5275 pipes within the pipe organ which sounds fantastic during the many concerts held inside.
When to go
The Northern Lights are visible in Reykjavik and the capital area from September through March, as long as the skies are clear and the nights are dark. What causes this extraordinary light display is still a mystery. To increase your chances, keep an eye on the aurora forecast at the Icelandic Met Office's website, drive out of the city to escape light pollution, and look up. There are also guided tours with cozy blankets and hot chocolate week promising to take you to the best spots. It is an otherworldly feeling to witness the spectacle move over the entire sky in swirling curtains of green, purple, and white.
Must-visit places in Reykjavik
Hallgrimskirkja
Covering a distance of 300 kilometers in a day might not sound like a relaxing vacation activity, but when the journey takes you past three of the most spectacular natural wonders in a country renowned for its natural beauty, it’s easy to see why so many people sign up for this trip. Þingvellir National Park is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are literally tearing the Earth apart, creating a series of gashes and cracks in the land. The Geysir Geothermal Area is home to a hot spring that shoots boiling water high into the air every few minutes while Gullfoss thunders in two stages into a canyon over a hundred meters deep. You’ll know you’re getting close to the waterfall when you see a rainbow in the mist.
Northern Lights
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most visited attraction, and it remains a must-do experience. The 38-degree water is a magical milky blue and you can have an in-water massage, a floating yoga class, a silica face mask and even a smoothie from the in-water bar. However, if you prefer a less crowded and more intimate experience, the new Sky Lagoon on the edge of Reykjavik has a seven-step spa ritual, an infinity pool with equally fabulous ocean views, and it’s not as visited as the Blue Lagoon.
Golden Circle
The Perlan Museum is situated on the former Reykjavik hot water storage tanks at the summit of Oskjuhlid Hill, the vast indoor ice cave feels as real as the true thing, and a planetarium plays live-action simulations of the Northern Lights. Interactive displays showcase Icelandic nature’s dramatic effects of glaciers, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the ocean life in the seas surrounding the island nation. Last but not least, the rotating glass dome offers citywide views. The museum tells the distinctive geological history of the region; it is the perfect primer for the real marvels on tap.
Blue Lagoon / Sky Lagoon
The dramatic concert hall stands on Reykjavík's waterfront. Olafur Eliasson designed the glass facade, with its geometric panels of shimmering color, to emulate the basalt rock formed by lava cooling rapidly as it splashes into the sea. The architects were Henning Larsen. The colors change with the light and weather, so building looks different at every hour of every day. You don’t even need to have a ticket for one of the many concerts performed by the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra inside – just go to the lobby, where the cafe has one of the best views in the city, of the mountains and the sea.
Perlan Museum
The main shopping and dining street of Reykjavik is situated between the city center and Hlemmur Square. Here you will find wool shops where you can purchase an authentic lopapeysa sweater, bookstores, design boutiques, and restaurants serving a variety of foods from traditional lamb soup to New Nordic cuisine (Icelanders publish more books per capita than any other country). Hidden down side streets are some of the city's best bars and cafes while the street itself turns into a pub crawl every weekend.
Harpa Concert Hall
One of the most photographed landmarks in the city, this stainless steel sculpture in the shape of a Viking ship is said to represent “the promise of undiscovered territory,” facing northward toward the majestic Mount Esja which is situated just across the water. Designed by the late Jon Gunnar Arnason, who dubbed it “a dream boat, an ode to the sun,” the sculpture was first installed at this spot temporarily in 1990 before being permanently erected in 1996. at sunset, the ship glows as light reflects off its polished steel surface.
Laugavegur
Located in Reykjavik's old harbor, this food hall features long wooden communal tables and over a dozen vendors selling everything from gourmet hot dogs and burgers to vegan Mexican cuisine, locally made gin, and street food from around the world. Traditional Icelandic skyr for dessert is a must - try it in soft-serve form topped with fruity syrups. Take a long walk around the scenic harbor to burn off a few of the extra calories.
Sun Voyager
During summer (June to August) is when the most variety of whales can be seen. But in other months, the tour may also enables visitors to see the Northern Lights on the return trip. Several operators at the harbor have daily trips, interestingly, the three-hour cruise with mountains tumbling into the sea on all sides may actually be more memorable than the specific whale spotting.
Grandi Food Hall (Matholl)
Let's Talk Budget Let’s face it Iceland is expensive a meal in a restaurant will cost you between $30 and $50, a beer between $10 and $12, and gasoline is out of this world. But hey, it’s not all bad, shopping at Bonus Supermarkets will save you a lot of money and if your accommodation has kitchen facilities even better. Cook your own meals. Good news, tap water is free and some of the cleanest in the world.
Whale Watching
If you wish to see more than just Reykjavik, renting a car would be a good option. Ring Road (Route 1) goes around the whole island. During winter months, it’s a good idea to rent a 4WD car. It’s a good idea to check road.is on a daily basis for road conditions. During summer months, a normal car is fine.
Reykjavik insider tips
- Budget Reality: Iceland is a pricey destination. A meal in a restaurant costs between $30 and $50. A beer costs between $10 and $12. Gasoline is also expensive. However, you can save money by shopping at Bonus Supermarkets. It is a good idea to cook your own food in your accommodation. Tap water is free and some of the cleanest in the world.
- Driving: If you want to see more than just Reykjavik, it is a good idea to rent a car. Ring Road (Route 1) goes around the entire island. In the winter months, it is a good idea to rent a 4WD car. It is a good idea to check road.is daily for road conditions. In the summer months, a normal car is sufficient.
- Hot Pot Culture: Every neighborhood has a hot pot pool where people swim, relax, and meet friends. Vesturbaejarlaug and Sundholl Reykjavikur are two hot pot pools that people love to go to. It is cheap to enter a hot pot pool. However, it is a requirement to wash yourself before entering the hot pot pool. It is customary to be naked in the shower area.
- Layering: If you want to survive Reykjavik's unpredictable weather, it is a good idea to wear layers. Reykjavik's weather can change hourly. A waterproof and windproof outer shell is a must. "There is no such thing as bad weather in Iceland; only bad clothing."
- Tap Water: Hot water smells like sulfur. This is normal. It is geothermal water. Cold water is safe to drink. It is glacier water, some of the cleanest in the world.
- Cashless Society: Iceland is a cashless society. Cards can be used for even the smallest purchase. You won't need Icelandic Kronur in cash for anything.
Save your Reykjavik bucket list
Discover these locations in a Reel? Triply finds every place and shows you a map of them all.
Get on the App Store