12 of the best · Reykjavík, Iceland
Hallgrímskirkja and its tower, Harpa on the harbour, Perlan on Öskjuhlíð, the museums of Grandi, the National Museum, Árbær and Viðey, and whale watching from the Old Harbour.
Our 12 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Reykjavík.
Tower 73 m
The largest church in Iceland, rising 73 metres over the city: climb the tower for the view, and hear the great Klais organ.
Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 ReykjavíkExplore View on map
Opened in 2011
The glass concert hall on the harbour, home of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, opened in 2011.
Austurbakki 2, 101 ReykjavíkExplore View on map
On Öskjuhlíð
The nature museum on Öskjuhlíð hill: an ice cave, a bird cliff, a volcano show, a northern-lights planetarium and the view.
Öskjuhlíð, 105 ReykjavíkExplore View on map
In-depth stories behind the list.
The back story
Hallgrímskirkja on its hill, Harpa on the harbour, Perlan on Öskjuhlíð and the sagas in the museums: how to read the world’s northernmost capital.
The great buildings.
Tower 73 m
The largest church in Iceland, rising 73 metres over the city: climb the tower for the view, and hear the great Klais organ.
Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 ReykjavíkExplore View on map
Opened in 2011
The glass concert hall on the harbour, home of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, opened in 2011.
Austurbakki 2, 101 ReykjavíkExplore View on map
On Öskjuhlíð
The nature museum on Öskjuhlíð hill: an ice cave, a bird cliff, a volcano show, a northern-lights planetarium and the view.
Öskjuhlíð, 105 ReykjavíkExplore View on map
Sagas, whales and the northern lights.
Reykjavík City Museum
Old Reykjavík rebuilt in a green valley: turf houses, town houses and a Christmas programme in Advent.
The northern lights
Iceland’s first northern-lights museum, at Grandi: exhibition, 360° VR and cinema.
Daily 9:00–18:30
A flying ride over Iceland’s landscapes, at Fiskislóð on Grandi.
Fiskislóð 43, 101 ReykjavíkExplore View on map
Making of a Nation
The nation’s story from the settlement to today, in the permanent exhibition “Making of a Nation”.
Viðey.
By ferry
The island in the bay, a short ferry ride away, with Richard Serra’s Milestones and the Imagine Peace Tower.
Whales and the aurora.
From the Old Harbour
Whale watching, puffins in season and northern-lights cruises from the Old Harbour, with a family-run company of 25 years.
Ægisgarður 5c, 101 ReykjavíkExplore View on map
19 of the best Restaurants
6 of the best Cafés
6 of the best Bars
15 of the best Hotels20 of the best Arts & Culture
6 of the best Outdoors6 of the best Walks
11 of the best Shopping
9 of the best Health5 of the best Property5 of the best Developments6 of the best Driving & Tours10 of the best Getting Around