Reykjavik travel guide
Capital Region / Southwest Iceland, Iceland
About Reykjavik
Welcome to Reykjavíkurborg – Iceland’s smiling capital set on the edge of the Atlantic.
What makes this city truly stand out is that it was officially founded in 1786 when a royal Danish decree granted Reykjavík a permanent trading charter – the only Icelandic town to hold on to that privilege forever. Yet the story began much earlier: according to the 9th‑century Landnámabók, the Norse chieftain Ingólfur Arnarson set foot here around 874 AD, casting his high‑seat pillars into the bay and letting the gods decide where he would settle – a legendary “pillars‑in‑the‑bay” episode that still echoes in street names and local lore.
A tradition that keeps the city’s pulse lively is the “New Year’s fireworks frenzy.” From 28 December to 6 January Icelandic law lets anyone buy and set off fireworks, and Reykjavík’s streets, rooftops and harbor glow with private pyrotechnic displays that paint the night sky in a dazzling, community‑wide celebration. It’s a reminder that, despite its small‑town origins, the capital loves to throw a big, inclusive party – a perfect time to join locals for a hot cocoa in one of the city’s many geothermal pools and then step outside for the spectacular show.
No visit is complete without standing beneath the soaring spires of Hallgrímskirkja. This landmark, inspired by basalt lava flows, dominates the skyline and offers a high‑elevator ride to a panoramic deck where the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay and the colorful rooftops spread out below. From here you can spot everything from the modern glass façade of Harpa Concert Hall to the historic old harbour where British and American forces once anchored during World War II. Whether you’re snapping photos, sipping a locally‑roasted coffee at the café below, or simply soaking in the view, Hallgrímskirkja captures Reykjavík’s blend of rugged nature, deep history, and forward‑thinking spirit.
Top attractions in Reykjavik
Kort af Elliðaárdal
Göngu og hjólastígar
Kort af göngu- og hjólastígum
Öskjuhlíðin
Map of Öskjuhlíð
Nauthólsvík
Kort af Elliðaárdal
Elliðaárdalur
Map of Elliðaárdalur
Þorsteinn Erlingsson
Skúli Magnússon
Þvottalaugar
Borgarholt
Information on Borgarholt
Sólfar
The stainless‑steel hull of the Sun Voyager gnaws at the horizon as if it were a real longship about to set sail, its sleek, aluminum spar jutting upward like a spear of light caught in an eternal sunrise. At 18 metres long and 5 metres high, the sculpture leans forward on a circular granite base, its “prow” pointing…
Fossvogur
Gróðurfar
Ísaldarminjar
Gönguleiðir á Þverfellshorn
Gönguleiðir á Þverfellshorn
Gönguleiðir á Þverfellshorn
Tröllafoss
Selavík
Félag Múslima á Íslandi
One-day walking route in Reykjavik
Classic Reykjavik in one day — a 7–8 hour walking + short-ride route that hits the city’s signature sights: the towering Hallgrímskirkja, the waterfront sculptures and Harpa concert hall, the engaging Whales of Iceland exhibit and Aurora Reykjavik, the Settlement Exhibition in the old town, the peaceful Tjörnin pond and Town Hall, finishing with panoramic views and the Perlan museum. Good…
- Sólfar – Walk to the Sun Voyager (Sólfar) sculpture on the waterfront. Great photo opportunity; best at sunrise or sunset but pleasant any time. Expect wind — dress warmly. 15–25 minutes including walk/photos.
- Reykjavík 871±2 – Settlement Exhibition (Reykjavík 871±2) — archaeological museum built over a Viking-age longhouse. Timed entry is often used; allow 45–60 minutes to see the multimedia displays and ruins beneath the museum.
Facts about Reykjavik
- World's northernmost capital of a sovereign state At latitude about 64°08′ N, Reykjavík is the northernmost capital of an independent sovereign state in the world.
- Viking-era settlement origin According to tradition recorded in the Landnámabók, Ingólfur Arnarson established the first permanent Norse settlement at Reykjavík around AD 874.
- Official founding in 1786 Reykjavík was officially founded as a trading town in 1786 when Denmark granted it a permanent trading charter, a date now regarded as the city's founding year.
- Geothermal city Volcanic activity supplies geothermal district heating that heats roughly 90% of buildings and powers public pools, snow-melting pavements, and other city systems.
- UNESCO literary and manuscript heritage Reykjavík is a UNESCO City of Literature (2011) and hosts the Arnamagnæan manuscript collection, which is listed in UNESCO's Memory of the World.
- Stage for Cold War diplomacy Höfði House in Reykjavík was the site of the 1986 Reykjavík Summit where Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met in a pivotal Cold War negotiation.
- City airport inside urban area Reykjavík Airport sits within the city limits and handles domestic and short-haul flights, a location that has been controversial since the 1960s due to its central urban footprint.
- Explosive New Year tradition Icelandic law allows the purchase and use of fireworks between 28 December and 6 January, leading to spectacular city-wide fireworks displays every New Year's Eve.
- Late beer legalisation Beer was legally banned in Iceland until 1 March 1989, a quirky fact often recalled about Reykjavík's modern drinking culture.
- Rapidly diversifying population By 2024 immigrants of the first and second generation made up about 24.6% of Reykjavík's population, reflecting fast-growing diversity over recent decades.
Explore Reykjavik with the GuideX app
Audio stories for every place, an interactive map and personal walking routes. Free to download on iOS and Android.