Sights · Our pick in Reykjavík
Hallgrímskirkja
Tower 73 m
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Manuelarosi · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsPhoto Credit
Image courtesy of © Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 3
About Hallgrímskirkja
Hallgrímskirkja, at Hallgrímstorg 1, is Iceland’s largest church and the tallest building over the capital; its tower, 73 metres high, looks over the city, the bay and the ring of mountains, in the church’s words. The state architect Guðjón Samúelsson began designing it in 1937, using Icelandic models and materials, and it was consecrated in 1986, celebrating its 40th anniversary in October 2026. It is named after the hymn poet Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614–1674), author of the Passion Hymns. The Klais concert organ, inaugurated in December 1992, has 72 stops and 5,275 pipes, stands 15 metres high and weighs about 25 tonnes. In winter the church opens 10:00–17:00, last entry to the tower 16:45, with changes for services and concerts.
Why it's on our list
- Tower 73 m
- Klais organ, 5,275 pipes
- Open 10–17 in winter
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Hallgrímskirkja before you go.
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to Hallgrímskirkja, as the crow flies.
- Sand Hotel350 m4 min walk
- Ion City400 m5 min walk
- Hotel Holt400 m5 min walk
- Thingholt by Center Hotels650 m8 min walk
- 101 Hotel700 m8 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from Hallgrímskirkja are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 14 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest bus terminals
- BSÍ bus terminalBus600 m8 min walk
- HlemmurBus650 m8 min walk
Key sights
- Harpa1.0 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- National Museum1.0 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Perlan1.6 kmWalk 20 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 8 min
- Sky Lagoon3.0 kmWalk 37 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Keflavík Airport38 kmCar or taxi 81 min
Bus terminals
- BSÍ bus terminal600 mWalk 8 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Hlemmur650 mWalk 8 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min