10 Places to Visit in Reykjavík, Iceland
I went to Iceland for the first time in February 2022. My main goal was to witness the northern lights but I was also drawn to the diversity and lively cultural scene in Reykjavík. I was there for a few days at the beginning and at the end of my Iceland trip, a total of 3 days, but feel like it was enough time to experience some the best museums, architectural monuments, and visit a handful of local artisans’ shops. Here’s my very condensed list below.
Rainbow Street
Address: Skólavörðustígur 101, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
I love public artwork, whether its murals on buildings or streets, I’m usually seeking it out on my trips. This street art was created in 2015 in celebration of Reykjavík Pride Week and has remained a beautiful city landmark ever since.
The Rainbow Street is a welcome pop of color in the dreary winter time and brought on all the feels and lots of good vibes.
2. Brauð & Co
Website: https://www.braudogco.is/
Absolutely delicious fresh baked organic breads and pastries. I got several types of savory breads which hit the spot on a cold February morning with a steaming cup of coffee.
Can’t miss it with the colorful murals on the front of the building. The bakery has five locations, this location is on Frakkastígur 101 Reykjavík.
3. Harpa
Website: https://harpa.is/en/about-harpa
Harpa is one of Reykjavík’s most striking landmarks and a centre of cultural and social life in the very heart of the city. Harpa is a tourist destination and an award-winning work of art that has been visited by millions of people since opening in 2011.
Stunning architecture by Danish firm Henning Larsen Architects and Batteríið Architects.
4. Rammagerdin
Website: https://rammagerdin.com/
A ecclectic gift shop that emphasizes Icelandic design and crafts. It was founded in 1940 and has for decades traded in woolen goods and clothing made from Icelandic wool. Even today, the main emphasis is on selling designs and crafts from hundreds of people all over the country.
Handcrafted wooden Freyja statue.
5. Fischer
Website: https://www.fischersund.com/en-us
Fischer is a family-run business that harnesses a collective of artisans at the intersection of scent, shop, gallery and art. The team includes Jonsi (of acclaimed Sigur Ros Icelandic band), Lilja, Inga Birgis, Rosa and their partners Sindri and Kjartan. The brand lives in an experiential shop in downtown Reykjavik. I am obsessed with their incense.
All the ingredients they use for their perfumes and other carefully curated collection use plants native to Iceland.
6. 12 Tónar
Website: https://12tonar.company.site/
This is a great stop for vinyl collectors and has a huge selection of imported and Icelandic music. It is also a record label. Has been a landmark for 30+ years.
Vinyl Nils Frahm Encores 2 on Erased Tapes Records 2019. Olafur Arnalds and Nils Frahm Life Story and Love and Glory 2015 also on Erased Tapes Records.
7. Hafnarhús
Website: https://listasafnreykjavikur.is/en/hafnarhus
Postmodernist art lovers dream! Hafnarhús permanently exhibits the work of one of Iceland’s postmodern artistic heroes, Erró, the country’s most famous contemporary artist. Born Guðmundur Guðmundsson (1932) in Ólafsvík, Erró began his career at the School of Fine Arts in Reykjavík. He later continued his studies at the Florence Academy of Arts in Italy and the Oslo Academy of Arts in Norway. For most of his life, Erró resided in France, Thailand and the Spanish island, Formentera.
8. Perlan Wonders of Iceland
Website: https://www.perlan.is/
Wonderful immersive exhibits on the geological and biological wonders of Iceland. You can watch an IMAX movie experiencing the northern lights and also go inside a man-made ice cave. They also have a beautiful cafe on the top floor with a fantastic panoramic views of Reykjavík.
9. Hallgrimskirkja
Website: https://www.hallgrimskirkja.is/
Hallgrímskirkja is the largest church in Iceland and the tallest building rises over the capital Reykjavík. The tower is 73 meters high and there you can enjoy a view of the city, the blue channel and the mountain range around it. Hallgrímskirkja is Iceland's most visited tourist destination. The construction of Hallgrímskirkja began in 1945 and in 1948 the basement of the choir was consecrated as a church hall. Mass was held there until a new church hall was opened in the south wing of the tower in 1974. The church itself was then consecrated on October 26, 1986, the day before Hallgrímur Pétursson's 312th anniversary, the same year that Reykjavík celebrated its 200th anniversary.
10. Blue Lagoon
Website: https://www.bluelagoon.com
Founded in 1992 to unlock the benefits of geothermal seawater, Blue Lagoon Iceland was named one of 25 wonders of the world by National Geographic, propelling the majestic, healing waters into the upper echelons of global travel destinations. The package that I got included 3 different types of mud masks and a drink of my choice at one of their pool bars.