With windswept national parks and sheer Northern Lights abounding, this place in Iceland is worth a visit. Iceland's capital and largest city, Reykjavik, is where most of the country's people live. It is situated on the Faxaflói Bay coast in the country’s southwest. Reykjavik is a tiny city with a little more than 120,000 residents. It is a pleasure to travel to the capital as there are a lot of places to see and things to do in Reykjavik. With its distinctive culture and breathtaking natural beauty, Reykjavik has much to offer everyone, regardless of your interests in history, culture, nature, or even if you simply want to take in the starry night sky.
Top Places to Visit in Reykjavik
- Hallgrimskirja
- Sun Voyager
- Harpa
- Blue Lagoon
- Settlement Exhibition
- Hallgrimskirkja
The most famous tourist place to visit in Reykjavik would be by far the iconic landmark, Hallgrimskirkja. The basalt columns prevalent in Iceland's nature served as the inspiration for the distinctive construction of this Lutheran church. For breathtaking vistas of the entire city, ascend to the top of the church. From a distance, Hallgrimskirkja appears as a huge spacecraft ready for launch. The church is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson, the Icelandic poet and cleric, author of the Passion Hymns.
Things to do in Hallgrímskirkja
- Explore the Church’s interior to find it as impressive as the exterior. Beautiful stained-glass windows and sculptures surround the chapel. There is also a pipe organ that is one of the largest in Iceland
- Enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the city, the surrounding mountains, and the Faxaflói Bay
- The Sun Voyager
Located in front of Hallgrímskirkja church, the Sun Voyager is a gleaming steel sculpture that has become one of the famous Reykjavik’s tourist spots. The artwork is a depiction of a Viking ship and is meant to signify hope, discovery, and the future. A popular spot for visitors to take pictures, Sun Voyager is especially stunning at sunset. The Sun Voyager is the winning piece of a competition event held for outdoor sculpture.
Things to do at the Sun Voyager
- It is a great spot to meditate, sit or lie down since the Sun Voyager is meant to be a peaceful sculpture, to evoke positive vibes
- Spend some time reflecting upon your aspirations. The Sun Voyager is said to represent the future, exploration, and hope mankind cherishes
- Harpa
One of the city’s most striking landmarks and among the places to visit in Reykjavík, Harpa is a centre of cultural and social life located at the city centre. Tourists throng in droves to this destination, an award-winning work of art standing since 2011. Harpa hosts regular concerts throughout the year by famous music troupes such as the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Reykjavík Big Band, and Icelandic Opera. The other performers include the Múlinn Jazz Club and the Classical Sundays Series.
Things to do in Harpa
- At Harpa, you can immerse yourself in a variety of performances, from classical music and jazz to rock
- Take a guided tour through the building and learn about Harpa’s architecture and history
- Attend Upptaktinn, the children’s annual music awards, and interact with Maximus Musikus, the musical mouse
- Blue Lagoon
One of the top things to do for tourists in Reykjavik is relaxing in the public thermal pools. The 17 pools located around the city are filled with natural geothermal water peculiar to Iceland. The hot pools in Reykjavik serve as social hubs and offer an all-natural kind of rehabilitation for the body, mind, and spirit. If you have time, be sure to take a day trip to the Blue Lagoon for the ultimate thermal pool experience.
Things to do at Blue Lagoon
- The crystal blue waters of the Blue Lagoon, which are abundant in silica and other minerals, offer several health benefits
- Get a massage. The Blue Lagoon also provides a variety of massage therapies, which is a wonderful way to unwind and indulge oneself
- Enjoy the human-made waterfall, relaxation cave, in-water bar, etc
- The Settlement Exhibition
The Settlement Exhibition is a museum the Reykjavik tourist must visit to learn about the chronicled history of the country's initial settlers. The exhibition offers a fascinating look into Iceland's early past and is located in a house with a grass roof constructed in the 18th century. The exhibition focuses on the remains of a hall from the Settlement Age, or the second half of the 9th century when Nordic settlers migrated across the North Atlantic.
Things to do at the Settlement Exhibition
- Marvel at the remains of a Viking-age longhouse that still appears in prime condition
- Admire the collection of artefacts from the Viking age, including tools, weapons, jewellery, and other objects that were used by the first settlers
Best Time to Visit Reykjavik
The best time to visit Reykjavik depends on your personal choice. Reykjavik can be crowded as many festivals take place in summer (June to August). The weather starts to unwind in the spring (April to May), making it ideal to enjoy the outdoors. To see the Northern Lights, the best time to visit is in the fall (September to October). If you want to go skiing, snowboarding, or enjoy a snowy Christmas, winter (November to March) is the perfect time.
Travel Insurance for Reykjavik
Travel insurance is a must if you require an Icelandic Schengen visa. Travel insurance is optional if you do not need a visa, but strongly recommended as medical expenses can be costly for visitors in Iceland, especially since you will be responsible for paying for any prescribed medications. Moreover, buying travel insurance policy allows you to enjoy your time as a Reykjavik tourist free from worrying over fund shortages in the event of unforeseen situations such as delays, losses, etc.