The Capital city of Iceland, Reykjavik, is the perfect place if you want to have the ability to stay in one location, take trips out to see parts of the country, and then come back to check out some of the amazing restaurants and bars in the evening.
Reykjavik
© @ReykjavikExcursions
© @ReykjavikExcursions
A word from our travel specialist
Reykjavík may be one of the world’s smallest capitals, but it packs a serious punch. Between its colourful rooftops and dramatic volcanic backdrops, you’ll find a city buzzing with creativity, from street art and live music to geothermal spas and cutting-edge Nordic cuisine.
Start your day with a dip in the iconic Blue Lagoon, wander past the striking silhouette of Hallgrímskirkja, and end it with fresh seafood and craft cocktails as the Northern Lights flicker overhead. It’s a place where glaciers and galleries go hand in hand, and where Arctic wild meets urban cool.
Lucy
Nordic Experience Curator
Iceland.is
Reykjavik, Designed Around You
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and perhaps where most of the action happens when it comes to hustle and bustle of restaurants, bars, cafes, and concert venues.
Despite being a small city there is plenty to keep you occupied – whether you might be opting to stay based there and travel out to see the sights or if you want to spend a couple of nights immersed in the city’s cultures before heading more off the beaten track.
Reykjavik
From foodie hotspots to street art walks and midnight concerts—Reykjavík is a city that shapes itself around you.
Icelandic Aurora Self Drive
Iceland in the Autumn months is one of the best times to visit the country – with the midnight sun finally setting the colours on the horizon begin to...
Reykjavik & Akureyri
This year-round suggested itinerary has you visit the two main cities in Iceland – its capital Reykjavik and then the country’s second city Akureyri which...Where to Stay: Handpicked for You
Reykjavík offers a vibrant hotel scene, and we’ve picked out our favourites—from harbourfront suites to artist-owned boutique stays right in the city’s cultural core.
The Reykjavik Addition
5-star luxury hotel, explore the Blue Lagoon, and see the Northern Lights
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon
Luxury subterranean spa, Michelin-starred dining and private lagoon
Apotek Hotel
Overlooking Austurvöllur Square, a great place for harbourside walks
Sand Hotel
A peaceful relaxing retreat from the bustling activity of the city centre
Hotel Borg
Art deco interiors, sophisticated comfort, with views over ReykjavikThe Guidebook
Explore Reykjavik
Despite feeling quite small there is a lot to discover in Reykjavik whether it is visiting the incredible architecture of the Harpa events centre (and perhaps catching a performance there), or Hallgrímskirkja
The city offers a wealth of fascinating places to eat and also has a huge choice of vegan restaurants too – then there are the cafes, bars, record shops, and music venues – there is always some music being performed somewhere here!
If you are aiming for a more relaxing city escape then you can discover the brand new Sky Lagoon or head to the local pools dotted around the city for a more authentic experience.
Getting There
There are many flights to and from Iceland all year round. International flights arrive at Keflavík International Airport, just to the south of the city. There are no railways in Iceland but the city centre does have bus services as well as taxis – it takes about forty minutes to travel from the airport to the city.
Climate
Despite its name, Iceland is not necessarily that cold. Winter temperatures are an average of 3.6°C, and summer temperatures average around 15°C. In the summertime, you can enjoy long, extended hours of sunshine and in the wintertime, the nights can get dark enough for you to see the Northern Lights as long as you are away from light pollution!
Geography
Iceland is world-famous for its geology and geography. With huge mountain ranges and an active geothermal country with many geysers, hot springs and volcanic formations to be found – it is a breath-taking landscape for those after an adventure.
Iceland offers some of the best waterfalls in Europe, such as the Dettifoss regarded as the most powerful waterfall in the whole of Europe.
With a latitude of 64° north, Reykjavik offers a perfect base from which to embark on a Northern Lights adventure.
Shared Experiences
From Our Customers
I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.
Rosie
Off the Map Travel was great! Alex helped us plan the most amazing 10 day honeymoon to Iceland. He gave us great recommendations and was so patient with us during the planning process!
Tori
The best travel experience ever on every level you can think of during a Lapland expedition (food, activities, timings, accommodation, transport, service, equipment…). I highly recommend Off The Map Travel for their outstanding level of professionalism and detail oriented mindset!
Sophie & Guy
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
Karen
We originally hired Off the Map Travel in 2020 to set up a trip to see the Northern Lights. That didn’t happen, thanks to COVID. But, we persisted and in March of 2023, we took a 16-day trip that included both Iceland and Norway. IT WAS MAGICAL! Off the Map took care of everything! We were pampered at every stage of our trip. The people they hired and the activities they planned added up to a trip that will set the standard for any we’ll ever take in the future. Alex and his team were fabulous! We recommend them without restraint!
Jim & Kris
I used OTMT to organise a holiday to see the Northern Lights for my partner’s 50th birthday. They took the time to understand my priorities, the kinds of places we like to stay and the things we like to do. They recommended a fabulous itinerary in Norway centred around the Lyngen Experience Lodge. The holiday itself lived up to expectations and I have no hesitation in recommending OTMT. They listened carefully during the planning and delivered the perfect present for my partner.
Alex