Reykjavik sits on a bay, with the Esjan mountain range across the water and a hill close to the center that looks over the whole city. Start at Perlan, on the city’s highest hill, for the 360° view from its dome deck. Then take in Hallgrímskirkja at the top of Skólavörðustígur and Harpa at the old harbour. A short ferry ride to Viðey Island fills another outing.
At a glance
- Top sights to see first: Perlan, Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, Viðey
- Ferry to Viðey: short ferry ride
- Whale watching tour: 3-3.5 hours on the water
- Northern lights cruise: 2 hours
- Golden Circle first stop (Þingvellir National Park): 45-minute drive
- Peak season for whale watching: April to October
What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?
Perlan
Perlan stands at Öskjuhlíð, 105 Reykjavík, on the city’s highest hill. The observation deck around the dome gives a 360° panoramic view over Reykjavík.
The hill is close to the center, so it fits easily into a city day. Pick a clear day for the deck, since the view is the reason to go up.
Hallgrímskirkja and Skólavörðustígur
Hallgrímskirkja is at Hallgrímstorg, 101 Reykjavík. The Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum and its garden sit at the southwest corner of the square. Skólavörðustígur leads up to the church and is one of the city’s liveliest streets, with cafés, shops and galleries.
Walk up Skólavörðustígur to reach Hallgrímskirkja. The street is one of the city’s liveliest, with cafés, shops and galleries on the way. The cafés, shops and galleries on the way make a good stop before the square.
Harpa
Harpa is on the waterfront in the heart of downtown, at the old harbour, with the address Austurbakka 2, 101 Reykjavík. It offers panoramic views of Faxaflói Bay and the Esjan mountain range.
The old harbour is next door, so Harpa pairs naturally with the attractions of that area.
Viðey Island
Viðey is an island within the city limits, reached by a short ferry ride. It has the Imagine Peace Tower by Yoko Ono, lit annually in memory of John Lennon, and Áfangar by Richard Serra, large basalt stones with texts forming a circle around the island. Viðeyjarstofa, built in 1755, is one of the oldest stone houses in Iceland.
The island is known for its birdlife, so bring layers and give yourself time to walk the circle of stones.
The Old Harbour and Grandi
The area has the Sjóminjasafnið maritime museum and Whales of Iceland. Other attractions here include whale watching, FlyOver Iceland, Lava Show, Aurora Reykjavík and the Saga Museum.
Tour boats leave from the old harbour, so the area suits a day that mixes a museum with time on the water. Skip the indoor attractions on a clear afternoon and spend it outside.
Grótta and Seltjarnarnes
Grótta, on Seltjarnarnes, has black beaches, birdlife and northern lights. Bakkatjörn is a popular place for birdwatching, and Nesstofa is one of Iceland’s oldest stone houses.
Grótta has low light pollution, which makes it a good spot after dark when the northern lights are out. Skip it if you only want city sights.
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik for sightseeing?
January has a high of 38°F (3°C) and less than an hour of sunshine a day, so sightseeing happens in short daylight and on 15 rainy days. By April the high reaches 44°F (7°C), the rainy days drop to 12, and sunshine climbs to 5.5 hours a day. Whale watching peaks from April to October, which makes April the point where the city walk and the boat tour both work.
Beaches and outdoor things to do in Reykjavik
Grótta has black beaches, with birdlife nearby at Bakkatjörn. Its low light pollution makes it a good place for the night sky, as is Reynisvatn.
Visitors can explore parks, go hiking and unwind in geothermal pools. The Reykjavík Botanic Garden is easy to reach and known for its birdlife. Gálgahraun and Búrfellsgjá are dramatic lava formations a short distance from the city centre, so wear shoes with grip. Horse farms sit just outside the city and riding tours are popular. The ski areas at Bláfjöll and Skálafell are about 30 minutes from the center.
On the water, Reykjavík Sailors runs whale watching, northern lights, puffin and sea angling tours. The whale watching tour spends 3-3.5 hours on the water, and the northern lights cruise lasts 2 hours. Special Tours leaves from the old harbour with whale watching, puffin watching, sea angling and RIB speedboat tours, and its puffin tours take about 1 hour in total.
Day trips from Reykjavik
The Golden Circle is the sightseeing tour that visitors take most, stopping at Þingvellir National Park, Geysir hot springs and Gullfoss. Its first stop, Þingvellir, is a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík. A Golden Circle and Sky Lagoon day tour combines Geysir, waterfalls and Þingvellir with a lagoon bath.
- Þingvellir National Park: 45-minute drive · first stop on the Golden Circle · for a short outing with a car
- Golden Circle tour: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss · guided tour · for a full day of sights
- Golden Circle and Sky Lagoon: Geysir, waterfalls, Þingvellir and a lagoon bath · day tour · for those who want a soak at the end
With a car and little time, Þingvellir alone is within reach. Without a car, a day tour covers all three stops.
What to eat in Reykjavik
Restaurants in Reykjavík come in all sizes and types, and the city centre holds most of the licences. The city centre is the hub of public life, with its shops, restaurants and art galleries, and it holds more than half of the category 2 restaurant licences and more than three quarters of the category 3 licences. Staying or sightseeing downtown puts most of the choices within a short walk, and the cafés on Skólavörðustígur are an easy place for a stop.
Things to do in Reykjavik at night
The northern lights cruise from Reykjavik lasts 2 hours, and Grótta and Reynisvatn have the low light pollution for watching the night sky. The city counts 74 annual festivals.
Iceland Airwaves, the largest music festival held in Iceland each year, is a three-day music celebration.
Things to do in Reykjavik with kids
Geothermal pools offer a warm place to unwind, and horse farms just outside the city run riding tours.
Boat trips come in different lengths.
Sources
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- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
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