Compact, colourful and surrounded by extraordinary landscapes, Reykjavik combines contemporary city life with a strong connection to Iceland’s Viking heritage and natural wonders. The Icelandic capital is home to striking architecture, museums, galleries, a lively arts and music scene and plenty of places to experience local food and culture.
Things to Do in Reykjavik, Iceland
@ Visit Reykjavik
Take in the Views from Hallgrímskirkja
One of Reykjavik’s most recognisable landmarks, Hallgrímskirkja rises above the city with its distinctive architecture.
As Reykjavik’s tallest building, the church is also a great place to take in sweeping views across the capital and its surroundings, helping you get a sense of the city before exploring its streets on foot.
@ Visit Reykjavik
Walk Along Reykjavik’s Waterfront
Head towards the water to see two of the city’s standout landmarks.
Harpa Concert Hall is an impressive glass and steel building inspired by Iceland’s crystalline basalt formations. Home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, it hosts a range of cultural events and performances.
Continue along the waterfront to The Sun Voyager, a striking sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason. Resembling a Viking ship, the sculpture symbolises hope and exploration and provides another connection to Iceland’s maritime and Viking heritage.
Iceland.is
Discover Reykjavik’s Art and Culture
For a closer look at Icelandic creativity, visit the Reykjavik Art Museum. Spread across three locations in the city, the museum features contemporary and historical exhibitions, including work by Icelandic artists.
You can also visit Perlan, an innovative glass-domed attraction with exhibitions exploring Icelandic geology and natural history, alongside impressive views over Reykjavik.
For a taste of everyday city life, wander along Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s vibrant main shopping street. Boutique shops, cafés and restaurants make it an easy place to spend an afternoon exploring.
Venture Around the Golden Circle
Some of Iceland’s most famous landscapes can be experienced on the Golden Circle, a popular route from Reykjavik.
Highlights include Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area, bringing together dramatic scenery and geothermal activity in one of Iceland’s best-known day trips.
@ Blue Lagoon Iceland
Relax at the Blue Lagoon
For a slower-paced experience outside the capital, visit the Blue Lagoon.
Located in a lava field around 40 minutes from Reykjavik, this famous geothermal spa offers the chance to unwind in warm waters surrounded by Iceland’s distinctive volcanic landscape.
Where to Eat in Reykjavik
Reykjavik’s food scene ranges from contemporary Nordic dining to relaxed local favourites.
Dill Restaurant focuses on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and contemporary Nordic cuisine, while Matur og Drykkur serves traditional Icelandic dishes with a modern twist.
For something more casual, Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur is a local institution known for its Icelandic hot dogs. Coffee lovers can stop at Reykjavik Roasters for speciality coffee and freshly baked pastries, while Kaffibarinn offers coffee, cocktails and Icelandic craft beers.
@ Iceland Luxury Adventure
Getting Around Reykjavik
Many of Reykjavik’s main attractions are within walking distance, making the city straightforward to explore on foot.
Buses cover much of the city, while cycling is another active option. Ferries leave the Old Harbour for nearby islands, including Videy Island and puffin-populated Lundey Island.
If you plan to explore Iceland’s surrounding countryside independently, renting a car can also give you more flexibility.
Plan Your Reykjavik Holiday with Off the Map Travel
From Reykjavik’s waterfront landmarks and creative culture to geothermal lagoons and extraordinary Icelandic landscapes, there is plenty to discover. Explore Reykjavik with Off the Map Travel and start planning an Iceland holiday shaped around the experiences you want to enjoy.
What an amazing trip we are having. It is incredible. Many many thanks for arranging such an incredible trip.
Giles
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
Amy planned a fantastic trip! Everything was very well-thought out. All transfers went smoothly, accommodations were amazing, great restaurant recommendations and the tours were once-in-a-lifetime, can’t book it yourself off the internet experiences. The guides were all fantastic. Communications were prompt and everything worked exactly the way it was supposed to. What a pleasure! Already working on our next trip.
Anonymous
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
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
Kristen
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
Andrew
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
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
We did! Everything was truly wonderful! I think the Holman Husky Lodge was our favourite place. Beautiful accommodations, but best of all, wonderful people! Everyone was so friendly and accommodating, excellent food, we really enjoyed our time there. We also greatly enjoyed Bergen! Opus XVI was beautiful and we loved being able to walk to restaurants and bars and take in the sights. All of our drivers were punctual and friendly. The itinerary was full but not overfull.
Thank you so much! It was an epic trip, we are taking home wonderful memories!
Shelly
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!
Russell Snook
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
George
We – the whole family – loved the whole journey!!
The accommodations, the activities and especially the great people – thank you very much for this fantastic organisation !!!
Barbara