Iceland
Reykjavík
Spend one to two days: the old center and harbor on foot, a lagoon soak, and a half-day out to Þingvellir. Below: 4 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot, plus how Reykjavík fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Jun – Sep
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- September
4 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 3 Eat · 1 Drink
Iceland Ring Road
from our route notes
14°C / 57°F avg high
2°C / 36°F avg high
about 181 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Reykjavík
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Reykjavík across Skólavörðuholt, Miðborg and Harbor. 2 of them are free.
Photo: Steinninn · CC BY 4.0SeeHallgrímskirkja
Concrete church inspired by basalt columns, with a tower lift over the rooftops.
Tip Buy tower tickets inside; closed during services.
Photo: Helmut Seger · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeNational Museum of Iceland
Settlement-to-today history of Iceland in one clear permanent exhibit.
Tip Allow 90 minutes for the main exhibition.
Photo: olga cargnino · GoogleSeeHarpa
Concert hall with a glass facade by Olafur Eliasson on the harbor.
Tip Free to walk in; climb to upper floors for harbor views.
Photo: Pygarian Nox · GoogleSeeSun Voyager
Steel ship sculpture on the waterfront facing Mount Esja.
Tip Best at sunset in winter or late evening in summer.
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Reykjavík in Kópavogur.
Photo: Laurenmcl · CC BY-SA 4.0DoSky Lagoon
Oceanfront geothermal lagoon with a seven-step sauna ritual.
Tip Book time slots ahead; sunset slots go first.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Reykjavík.
Photo: Christian M · GoogleOutdoorsÞingvellir National Park
Rift valley between continents and site of Iceland's first parliament in 930.
Tip Walk Almannagjá; book Silfra snorkeling ahead.
Eat
3 places to eat across Miðborg and Old Harbour, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Jóhann Heiðar Árnason · CC BY-SA 3.0EatBæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Harbor hot-dog stand open since 1937.
Tip Order 'eina með öllu' – one with everything.
Photo: vamsi C · GoogleEatSægreifinn (The Sea Baron)
Old harbor fish shack known for lobster soup and fish skewers.
Tip Get the lobster soup.
Photo: Brauð & Co · GoogleEatBrauð & Co.
Bakery with a painted facade, famous for cinnamon snails.
Tip Arrive early for warm cinnamon buns.
Drink
1 bar or café in Laugavegur for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: Kaldi Bar/Café · GoogleDrinkKaldi Bar
Laugavegur bar pouring Kaldi beer from northern Iceland.
Tip Happy hour helps with Iceland prices.
How to fit Reykjavík into a trip
Reykjavík is stop 1 of 4 on our Iceland Ring Road route. Follow it as-is or lift Reykjavík into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 4
Iceland Ring Road
Waterfalls, black sand & glacier lagoons
- Trip length
- 10 days
- Best season
- Jun – Sep
- Pace
- moderate
- Next: Vík
Getting here and onward
- Reykjavík to VíkVík is about 165 km / 103 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Reykjavík month by month
Average daily highs run from 2°C / 36°F in January to 14°C / 57°F in July. September is the wettest month, with about 181 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan2° / 36°F average high
- Feb3° / 37°F average high
- Mar3° / 38°F average high
- Apr6° / 42°F average high
- May9° / 48°F average high
- Jun12° / 54°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul14° / 57°F average high, in our recommended season
- Aug14° / 56°F average high, in our recommended season
- Sep10° / 51°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct7° / 44°F average high
- Nov4° / 39°F average high
- Dec3° / 37°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Reykjavík weather and the best time to visit →
Near Reykjavík
3 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.
Reykjavík questions, answered
How many days do you need in Reykjavík?
Our route notes suggest 1–2 days in Reykjavík. On our Iceland Ring Road route it is stop 1 of 4 in a 10-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 10 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Reykjavík best known for?
Spend one to two days: the old center and harbor on foot, a lagoon soak, and a half-day out to Þingvellir. Standouts on our list: Hallgrímskirkja (Concrete church inspired by basalt columns, with a tower lift over the rooftops); National Museum of Iceland (Settlement-to-today history of Iceland in one clear permanent exhibit); Harpa (Concert hall with a glass facade by Olafur Eliasson on the harbor).
When is the best time to visit Reykjavík?
Our Iceland Ring Road route is best Jun – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (14°C / 57°F), the coolest in January (2°C / 36°F) and the most rain in September (about 181 mm).
What are the best things to do in Reykjavík?
Start with Hallgrímskirkja, National Museum of Iceland, Harpa, Sun Voyager and Sky Lagoon. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 3 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Reykjavík?
Our picks: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (Miðborg); Sægreifinn (The Sea Baron) (Old Harbour); Brauð & Co. (Miðborg). Order 'eina með öllu' – one with everything (Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur).
What is near Reykjavík?
The closest destinations in our guides are Vík (about 165 km / 103 mi), Jökulsárlón (about 277 km / 172 mi) and Mývatn (about 284 km / 177 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Reykjavík with your crew
Open the Iceland Ring Road route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.