Reykjavik City Guide

Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, has an interesting natural setting alongside its rich cultural heritage. The city exists close to the Atlantic Ocean and has volcanic surroundings, complete with Mount Esja in the background. Its powerfully complex scenery means that there is plenty to see on your city break away. Diversely, Reykjavik is also famous for its culture, and the city contains an array of attractions, ensuring that every tourist is able to enjoy a well-rounded holiday.

Sightseeing in Reykjavik

Hafnarfjordur (Harbour-fjord) is the ideal place to visit in order to get a feel for Reykjavik’s unique setting.  You can head to the ‘Town in the Lava’, which is situated at the top of the Burfell lava formation. The site has gained its name following an eruption that took place 7,000 years ago. The harbour is also a great place for delving deep into Icelandic culture – spots worth visiting are the sculpture garden in Vidistadir and an archaeological site that dates back to pre-Lutheran times.

To continue a cultural trip around Reykjavik, you can also visit Hallgrimskirkja, the Church of Hallgrimur. This is the highest structure within Reykjavik, and the imposing building can be seen throughout the city. The church was built in the 1940s and has an interesting exterior that is reminiscent of melting lava. People who visit the church also enjoy climbing to the top to enjoy panoramic views across the entirety of Reykjavik.

Things to do

Due to its volcanic surroundings, Iceland has geothermal swimming pools and hot tubs. The Heita Potturinns (hot pools) in Reykjavik are all naturally heated, which is said to have great health benefits as a result of the mineral-rich waters. The largest pool is Laugardalslaug which is 50m in length, has a curved waterslide and five hot pots complete with different temperatures. If you are visiting Reykjavik for a week or two, you can purchase a weekly ticket which gains you access to all the pools within the city.

Diving is also a great activity to take part in while away in Reykjavik. You may not think that Iceland is ideal for such underwater activities, but professional scuba drivers can guide you through the clear waters where there is visibility of up to 100m. A great place to explore is Silfra, which is an undersea rift between tectonic plates.

A walk around Perlan (The Pearl) will ensure that you have fond memories of your trip in Reykjavik. The landscaped gardens take you to the top of Oskjuhid Hill, allowing you to enjoy expansive views across the greenery.  The gardens are also home to the architectural wonder – The Pearl – a glass structure housing a revolving restaurant, which sits on top of hot water tanks. The fourth level of the building also allows you to enjoy great views across the rest of Reykjavik.

5 Day Weather Forecast for Reykjavik

Today	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday
Partly Cloudy 10°/3°	Partly Cloudy 14°/3°	Partly Cloudy 12°/5°	Partly Cloudy 12°/6°	Chance of Rain 11°/6°