Gateway to geysers, glaciers and the northern lights
Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital, small, colourful and creative. It is the base for the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon and south coast waterfalls. Winter brings northern lights, while summer gives nearly endless daylight.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A towering concrete church inspired by basalt columns, the city's landmark. A lift climbs the tower for wide views.
Entering is free; a tower ticket is a few dollars.
A classic loop of Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. Thingvellir sits on the rift between two tectonic plates.
Free to visit the sites; guided tours are about 60 to 120 USD.
A geothermal spa with milky blue water in a lava field. It is easy to visit on the way to or from the airport.
Official site lists entry from ISK 11,990, 2026.
A glass-clad concert hall on the harbour with a honeycomb facade. Its lobby is free to wander.
Free to enter; concerts are ticketed.
The working harbour with seafood restaurants, museums and boat tours. Whale watching trips leave from here.
Three-hour standard boat cruise ticket.
A day along the south coast to Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls and Reynisfjara black beach. Glaciers loom inland.
Free to visit sites; guided tours are about 90 to 150 USD.
A steel sculpture of a dreamlike ship on the seafront path. Mount Esja rises behind it.
Free.
Evening tours drive away from city lights to hunt the aurora. Sightings depend on clear skies and solar activity.
Rough 2026 range.
A nature museum in a glass dome on hot water tanks, with an indoor ice cave. The deck gives 360 degree views.
Paid entry; see the official site.
An oceanside geothermal lagoon a short drive from the center. It has an infinity edge and a sauna ritual.
Rough 2026 range depending on package.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one in the city, day two the Golden Circle, day three the Blue Lagoon and Perlan.
Lava fields, a glacier volcano and Kirkjufell mountain.
118 mi · Car or tour, about 2.5 hours each way
Icebergs and Diamond Beach.
230 mi · Long day tour, about 5 hours each way
Lava fields, geothermal areas and sea cliffs, though some areas may be closed due to volcanic activity.
25 mi · Car about 45 minutes
Dramatic island with puffins and the story of the 1973 eruption.
81 mi · Car and ferry, about 3 hours
Walk along volcanic black sand beaches, basalt sea stacks, and behind the tumbling waterfall of Seljalandsfoss.
112 mi · Guided day excursion or rental car via Route 1 in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Iceland in miniature, featuring the iconic conical peak of Mount Kirkjufell, seal beaches, and coastal lava fields.
99 mi · Guided coach tour or rental car via Route 54 in about 2 hours.
Best: June to August, or September to March for auroras. Summer for daylight and hiking, winter for northern lights.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
A Saturday in late August (August 21 in 2027)
Free concerts and open houses ending in fireworks.
Early November
Music festival spread across city venues.
August
A colourful parade and city festival.
August
A city run with a fun run for families.
February
Light art and cultural events in the dark season.
June 17
Independence celebration with parades, street theater, accordion music, and brass bands around Austurvöllur square.
Iceland is at US State Department Level 1 (normal precautions); weather, roads and waves are the real risks.
The center is small and easy to explore on foot.
Straeto buses cover the capital area, paid with the Klappid app or card; countryside needs tours or a car.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, nightlife
Walk to bars, restaurants and tour pickups.
Best for: shopping
The main shopping street and cafes.
Best for: budget, food
Bus hub with a food hall.
Best for: first-timers, nightlife
Walkable to shops, restaurants and the harbour.
Best for: couples, foodies
Close to Harpa and whale watching boats.
Best for: drivers, quiet
Small town nearby with cheaper stays.
| Main airport | Keflavik International Airport (KEF), 31 mi from the center |
| To the center | Take the Flybus or a shared shuttle, about 45 to 50 minutes. |
| Around town | Walk the center, then join tours or rent a car for the countryside. |
| Ride apps | Hopp, Hreyfill taxis, Hreyfill Taxi app, BSR Taxi, Uber is not operational; local taxi apps apply. |
Hearty lamb and vegetable soup.
Thick cultured dairy, like strained yogurt.
Icelandic hot dog with crispy onions.
Kjotsupa, a hearty traditional stew.
Cod and Arctic char are widely served.
A local favourite, order it with everything.
An acquired taste for the brave.
Lamb-based hot dog served on a steamed bun with raw onions, crispy fried onions, sweet mustard, and remoulade.
Comforting fish stew made of boiled cod or haddock mashed with potatoes, onions, butter, milk, and baked with cheese.
| Plugs | Type C and F, 230 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tipping is not expected; service is included. |
| Payments | Cards and phone payments are used for almost everything. |
| Etiquette | Shower without swimwear before entering pools, it is required. Stay on marked paths to protect moss. |
Norse settlers arrived around 874, and tradition names Ingolfur Arnarson as the first to farm here. Iceland's parliament, the Althing, met at Thingvellir from 930. Reykjavik grew into a trading town in the 18th century. It became capital of the independent republic in 1944.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.