Smart Self-Managed Tours

City guide · Iceland

Reykjavik

A photograph of Reykjavik
Photograph · Hedwig Storch · CC BY-SA 3.0

Reykjavík's old centre lies between Tjörnin and the harbour, with Hallgrímskirkja rising uphill to the east. Museums and waterfront architecture extend along the shore, while Laugardalur and outer neighbourhoods sit beyond the compact core. The Golden Circle, Reykjanes peninsula and south coast are regional routes outside Reykjavík itself. Weather and daylight can change how much of even a short urban route is practical.

Practical information
Language spoken
Icelandic
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+354
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Icelandic króna (ISK)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Cold mains water is the normal drinking supply

Turn this list into a plan

Set your days, your pace and the hours you actually want to be out. The planner works around closing days and travel time, and leaves room to eat.

Plan Reykjavik

Planning a visit

Suggested stay
Not recorded
Getting around
Walking and Strætó bus
  1. January: recurring difficult conditions
  2. February: recurring difficult conditions
  3. March: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  4. April: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  5. May: good time to visit
  6. June: best time to visit
  7. July: best time to visit
  8. August: best time to visit
  9. September: good time to visit — current month
  10. October: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  11. November: viable with meaningful trade-offs
  12. December: recurring difficult conditions
  • Best time
  • Good time
  • Viable with trade-offs
  • Difficult conditions

Sources

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

Filter the list

11 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 3 Museums 20 Places of worship 5 Nature sites 11 Viewpoints 3 Food and drink 0 Markets and shopping 1 Entertainment 1 Nightlife 0 Family attractions 2 Art and culture 5 Activities 2

Typical visit duration

Up to 1 hour 10 1 to 2 hours 1

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Tjornin Pond Tjornin Pond
    01 2 hours

    Tjornin Pond

    Tjörnin

    Tjörnin is a prominent pond in central Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The local name Tjörnin translates to the pond or the lake in Icelandic.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  2. Klambratún Klambratún
    02 1 hour

    Klambratún

    Klambratún is a public green space in central Reykjavík, used for everyday recreation, walking and time outdoors.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  3. Nauthólsvík Nauthólsvík
    03 1 hour

    Nauthólsvík

    Ylströndin í Nauthólsvík

    Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach is a purpose-built bathing beach on Reykjavík’s coast. Its lagoon uses geothermal heating to make seawater suitable for beach-style recreation despite Iceland’s cool climate, creating a distinctive combination of open coast and warm water.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  4. Reykjavík Park and Zoo Reykjavík Park and Zoo
    04 1 hour

    Reykjavík Park and Zoo

    Fjölskyldu- og húsdýragarðurinn

    Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo, known locally as Fjölskyldu- og húsdýragarðurinn, is a family-oriented attraction in Iceland's capital. The facility combines recreational parkland with animal exhibits featuring domestic and farm animals typical to Icelandic rural life.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  5. Reykjavík Botanic Garden Reykjavík Botanic Garden
    05 1 hour

    Reykjavík Botanic Garden

    Grasagarður Reykjavíkur

    Grasagarður Reykjavíkur, the Reykjavik Botanical Garden, is a municipal botanical garden in the Laugardalur valley of Iceland’s capital. It is both a calm green space and a living collection designed for education, research, and recreation.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  6. Rauðhólar Rauðhólar
    06 1 hour

    Rauðhólar

    Rauðhólar is a cluster of distinctive red pseudocraters located on the southeastern outskirts of Reykjavík, Iceland.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  7. Eiðsgrandi
    07 1 hour

    Eiðsgrandi

    Eiði Coastal Path is an open shoreline walking area in the Reykjavík region. The route brings visitors close to North Atlantic water, broad skies, and the rugged coastal character associated with Iceland.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  8. Akurey Akurey
    08 1 hour

    Akurey

    Akurey is a small island located in Kollafjörður fjord near Reykjavik, Iceland. Known locally as Akurey, this uninhabited island serves as an important seabird habitat, particularly for puffins during breeding season.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  9. Arnarhóll Arnarhóll
    09 1 hour

    Arnarhóll

    Arnarhóll is a prominent hill in central Reykjavik, Iceland, offering elevated views across the city centre and surrounding harbour area. The grassy mound rises near the intersection of major streets and serves as an open public space.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  10. Víðistaðatún
    10 1 hour

    Víðistaðatún

    Víðistaðatún is an outdoor sculpture park and public green space in the Reykjavik area. Its appeal comes from encountering art in an open landscape rather than inside a museum.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
  11. Hellisgerði Hellisgerði
    11 1 hour

    Hellisgerði

    Hellisgerði is a public park situated in the Hafnarfjörður area near Reykjavík, Iceland. The park is known for its association with local folklore, particularly beliefs surrounding elves and hidden folk in Icelandic tradition.

    • Must see
    • Nature site

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

How the city is laid out

Walk the old centre, Tjörnin and the harbour as one compact circuit, allowing for the climb toward Hallgrímskirkja. Place Laugardalur or an outer museum in a second block reached by bus. Do not count a Golden Circle, Reykjanes or south-coast tour as spare time around Reykjavík: each leaves the urban area and is vulnerable to road and weather conditions.

Checked 2026-08-26

Getting around

Central Reykjavík is primarily explored on foot, with Strætó buses linking Laugardalur, outer districts and transfer points. The city has no urban rail network, so a missed bus can materially change an outer-neighbourhood plan. Consult Strætó's current timetable and ticket information before boarding. Regional tours and airport journeys are separate services and should not be inferred from the city-bus route map.

Checked 2026-08-26

Common questions

How many days should I spend in Reykjavik?

No official city-wide duration is recorded. Give the old centre, harbour and central museums priority, then add Laugardalur or an outer district. Regional Iceland routes require additional time beyond the Reykjavík visit.

How should I organise sightseeing in Reykjavik?

Make one walking circuit around Tjörnin, the old centre and harbour, with Hallgrímskirkja on the uphill side. Use a separate bus-led block for Laugardalur or an outer museum.

How do I get around Reykjavik?

Walk through central Reykjavík and use Strætó for districts beyond the core. Check the current bus timetable and ticket instructions directly, since there is no urban train alternative when a connection is missed.

Can I explore Reykjavik mainly on foot?

The old centre, harbour and major central landmarks form a manageable walk. Laugardalur and outer neighbourhoods are better reached by bus, especially when wind, rain, snow or limited daylight affects the route.

Which Reykjavik trips need separate planning?

The Golden Circle, Reykjanes peninsula and south coast are separate regional journeys. Check road conditions, daylight, pickup arrangements and the return plan rather than attaching one to a central sightseeing schedule.