12 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik, Iceland: Northern Lights, Culture & Nature

Towering 74.5 metres above the city, Hallgrimskirkja is the landmark that defines the Reykjavik skyline and the first thing on most visitors' lists of things to do in Reykjavik. Designed by architect Gudjon Samuelsson and inspired by the basalt column formations of Svartifoss waterfall, this Expressionist Lutheran church took 41 years to build (1945-1986). The soaring concrete facade looks like a cascade of frozen lava columns - divisive when it was first proposed, now universally beloved.

Entering the church is free and the interior is striking in its simplicity - clean white walls, a vaulted ceiling, and a massive 5,275-pipe organ by Johannes Klais that fills the nave. But the main draw is the observation deck at the top. For ISK 1,200 (~€8), you take a lift to the top of the tower for a 360-degree panorama of the colourful corrugated-iron rooftops, Mount Esja across the bay, and on clear days, Snaefellsjokull glacier to the northwest. In front of the church stands a bronze statue of Leifur Eiriksson (Leif Erikson), a gift from the United States in 1930.

Pro Tip: Come before 10:00 to skip the tower queue, especially in summer. The tower is even more atmospheric at dusk when the low Icelandic sun paints the mountains gold. Free organ concerts are held on Sundays at 12:00 - worth timing your visit around.

Sitting at the edge of the Old Harbour, Harpa is a masterpiece of modern architecture and one of the most visually stunning Reykjavik attractions. Designed by Henning Larsen Architects in collaboration with artist Olafur Eliasson, the building's facade is a honeycomb of multi-coloured glass panels that shift in colour with the Arctic light - it looks completely different at sunrise, midday, and under the winter Northern Lights. Harpa won the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture (Mies van der Rohe Award) in 2013.

Inside, Harpa serves as the home of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera. Even if you do not attend a performance, the building is free to enter and explore. The ground-floor lobby offers sweeping harbour views through the glass walls, a shop selling Icelandic design, and a cafe. Guided architecture tours run daily at 15:30 (ISK 2,750/~€18). Check the events calendar for everything from classical concerts to indie gigs - this is the cultural heartbeat of the city.

Pro Tip: Visit at sunset (or sunrise in summer) when the glass facade becomes a kaleidoscope. The terrace outside facing the harbour is one of the best photo spots in Reykjavik, especially with Mount Esja in the background.

The Blue Lagoon is not technically in Reykjavik - it sits on the Reykjanes Peninsula about 50 km from the city and 20 km from Keflavik Airport - but it is on virtually every visitor's Reykjavik itinerary and impossible to leave off any list of things to do in Reykjavik. The milky-blue geothermal waters sit at a constant 37-40°C, rich in silica and minerals, surrounded by a surreal landscape of black lava fields and rising steam.

The Comfort package starts at ISK 12,990 (~€87) and includes entry, a silica mud mask, a towel, and a drink of your choice at the in-water bar. The Premium package (ISK 16,990/~€113) adds a bathrobe, slippers, and a second mask. Booking in advance is essential as the lagoon operates on timed entry slots that regularly sell out, sometimes weeks ahead in summer. The on-site Lava Restaurant serves excellent Icelandic cuisine if you want to make a half-day of it.

Pro Tip: Schedule the Blue Lagoon on your arrival or departure day since it is between Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik. The 08:00 slot is cheapest, least crowded, and magical in winter when you soak in the dark under the stars. Leave your hair conditioner on during bathing - the silica-rich water can dry it out.

Seeing the Northern Lights dancing across the Arctic sky is one of the most unforgettable things to do in Reykjavik. The aurora season runs from September through March, with the darkest months (October to February) offering the best chances. Tours depart from Reykjavik most evenings and drive to locations away from the city's light pollution where conditions are optimal - the exact spot changes nightly based on cloud cover and aurora forecasts.

Standard bus tours cost ISK 7,000-10,000 (~€47-67) and last 3-4 hours, while small-group super-jeep tours run ISK 15,000-25,000 (~€100-167) and venture further into remote landscapes. Most operators offer free rebooking if the aurora does not appear or conditions cancel the trip. You can also try spotting them independently from Grotta lighthouse on the western tip of Reykjavik (free, no tour needed) or from the Seltjarnarnes peninsula on clear nights.

Pro Tip: Check the Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast (vedur.is) and cloud cover map before booking. A rating of 3+ on the 0-9 scale with clear skies gives decent odds. Dress in multiple layers, bring hand warmers, and set your camera to manual mode with a long exposure (10-15 seconds, wide aperture, high ISO) for the best aurora photos.

Built on top of six enormous former hot water tanks on Oskjuhlid hill, Perlan ("The Pearl") is one of the most distinctive buildings in Reykjavik and houses a world-class nature exhibition. The Wonders of Iceland exhibition takes you through the country's geology and natural phenomena using immersive technology - including a real indoor ice cave made from recycled ice and snow, a planetarium showing Northern Lights films, and interactive displays on volcanoes, glaciers, and marine life.

The observation deck on the fourth floor offers a free 360-degree panoramic view of Reykjavik, the mountains, and the ocean (you only need a ticket for the exhibitions). Full exhibition entry costs ISK 4,900 (~€33) for adults and ISK 2,200 (~€15) for children 6-17. The planetarium show alone is ISK 2,490 (~€17). Perlan also houses a fine-dining restaurant under the glass dome with rotating views - a great spot for a special dinner. Allow at least 2 hours for the full exhibition.

Pro Tip: The indoor ice cave is kept at -10°C so wear warm layers even in summer. The free observation deck is especially beautiful at sunset. Walk up through Oskjuhlid forest from the south side for a pleasant 15-minute forest trail before reaching Perlan.

Standing on the waterfront promenade Saebraut, the Sun Voyager (Solfarid) is a gleaming stainless steel sculpture by Jon Gunnar Arnason that has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Reykjavik. Unveiled in 1990, the piece resembles a Viking longship skeleton pointing north across the bay toward Mount Esja - though the artist described it as a dreamboat and an ode to the sun, not a literal ship. It is one of the most photographed things to do in Reykjavik and completely free to visit.

The sculpture catches light differently throughout the day, which is part of its genius. At sunrise or sunset it glows golden, and in winter the Northern Lights can occasionally be seen directly behind it - a photographer's dream shot. The seafront path in both directions is perfect for a stroll; heading east takes you toward Harpa Concert Hall and the harbour, while heading west leads to Grotta lighthouse.

Pro Tip: Come at sunset for the best photos - the sculpture faces north-northwest, so on summer evenings the sun sets behind Mount Esja directly in the sculpture's line of sight. In winter, arrive around midday when the low sun creates golden reflections on the steel.

The Golden Circle is a 300 km loop from Reykjavik that passes through three of Iceland's most spectacular natural sites, and it is the single most popular day trip in the country. Thingvellir National Park is where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates visibly drift apart - you can walk between the continents in a rift valley that also served as the site of Iceland's Viking-age parliament (Althingi) from 930 AD. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Next is the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur geyser erupts a column of boiling water 20-30 metres into the air every 5-10 minutes. Finally, Gullfoss ("Golden Waterfall") thunders down two tiers into a 32-metre-deep canyon in a display of raw natural power that will leave you speechless. Self-driving the Golden Circle takes 5-7 hours with stops. Guided bus tours cost ISK 8,000-12,000 (~€53-80) and typically run 8-9 hours, while small-group or super-jeep tours with extras like Silfra snorkelling or Fontana geothermal baths cost ISK 18,000-35,000 (~€120-233).

Pro Tip: If driving yourself, leave Reykjavik by 08:00 and do the loop counter-clockwise (Thingvellir first) to stay ahead of the tour buses. Bring a waterproof jacket for Gullfoss - the spray reaches the viewing platform. In winter, the roads are paved and ploughed but studded tyres or a 4WD are recommended.

Reykjavik's Old Harbour (Grandi) has transformed from a working fishing port into one of the most vibrant parts of the city, and a whale watching tour departing from its docks is one of the top things to do in Reykjavik. Faxafloi Bay is home to minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Sighting rates run around 95-99% in summer (June-August) and 80-90% in winter.

Operators like Elding and Special Tours run 3-hour classic whale watching tours from ISK 12,990 (~€87), while express RIB boat tours take 1-2 hours for ISK 17,990 (~€120) with a more thrilling ride. Puffin watching tours (mid-April to mid-August) visit Akurey and Lundey islands and cost ISK 6,990 (~€47). On land, the harbour area rewards a good explore - the Whales of Iceland exhibition (ISK 3,500/~€23) features life-size whale models, the Marshall House hosts contemporary art galleries, and the Grandi Matholl food hall serves everything from fresh lobster soup to craft beer.

Pro Tip: Book the early morning departure (typically 09:00) for calmer seas and fewer boats. Take seasickness tablets 30 minutes before departure even if you normally do well on water - Faxafloi can be choppy. Dress in warm layers and borrow the overalls offered by the boat operators; it is significantly colder on the water.

Laugavegur is the beating heart of Reykjavik and the oldest shopping street in the city, dating back to 1885 when it served as the path to the hot springs in Laugardalur where locals washed their laundry. Today it is a colourful strip of independent boutiques, Icelandic design shops, vintage stores, bookshops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. For Reykjavik sightseeing on foot, this is where you start and where you will keep returning.

Browse Icelandic wool sweaters (lopapeysa) at Handknitting Association of Iceland (Skolavordustigur 19), pick up design souvenirs at Kraum or Fischer, and fuel up with a pylsur (Icelandic hot dog) from Baejarins Beztu - the famous harbour-side stand operating since 1937. The street extends into Bankastraeti and Austurstraeti toward the harbour. Side streets like Hverfisgata and Skolavordustigur hold galleries, record shops, and some of the best restaurants in the city. The nightlife scene is concentrated here too - Reykjavik's legendary weekend bar crawl ("rúntur") takes over from around 23:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.

Pro Tip: Pick up a lopapeysa (traditional Icelandic wool sweater) at the Handknitting Association rather than tourist shops - prices are fair and the quality is guaranteed. For lunch, grab a seat at Baejarins Beztu and order "eina med ollu" (one with everything) - mustard, remoulade, raw onion, and crispy fried onion.

Tjornin ("The Pond") is a serene lake right in the centre of Reykjavik that serves as the city's green lung and one of the most pleasant spots for a stroll at any time of year. Over 40 species of birds nest here, including Arctic terns, greylag geese, eider ducks, and whooper swans - making it something of an urban birdwatching paradise. In winter, part of the lake freezes over and locals (and visitors) ice skate on it.

On the north shore sits Reykjavik City Hall (Radhusid), a modernist building partly extending over the water. Inside is a free exhibition and a large 3D topographical map of Iceland that is worth a quick visit - it gives excellent context for planning day trips. The surrounding Hljomskalagarour park has walking paths, sculptures, and benches. The National Gallery of Iceland is a short walk south, and the residential streets around the pond are some of the most photogenic in the city with traditional corrugated-iron houses in every colour.

Pro Tip: Walk the full loop around Tjornin (about 1.5 km) for a peaceful 20-minute break between sightseeing. In June and July, bring bread to feed the ducklings (wholemeal only, please). The 3D Iceland map inside City Hall is free and gives a brilliant sense of the country's geography before you head on day trips.

If you want to understand Iceland's extraordinary story from Viking settlement to modern independence, the National Museum of Iceland (Thjodminjasafn Islands) is a must. The permanent exhibition "Making of a Nation" traces 1,200 years of Icelandic history through over 2,000 artefacts, starting with a 10th-century Viking longboat and an original copy of the medieval Sagas, through the centuries of Norwegian and Danish rule, to the country's 1944 independence.

The highlight is the Valthjofsstadir church door from around 1200 AD, an intricately carved Romanesque masterpiece depicting a knight fighting a dragon - one of Iceland's most treasured artefacts. The museum also covers modern Icelandic culture, DNA research, and rotating temporary exhibitions. Admission is ISK 2,500 (~€17) for adults, free for under-18s. Allow 1.5-2 hours. The museum is housed in a handsome building on Sudurgata in the Vesturbjaer neighbourhood, a short walk from the University of Iceland campus.

Pro Tip: Visit on a rainy or windy day (you will get one) - it is the perfect indoor activity. Free guided tours in English run on select days; check the museum website for the current schedule. The cafe on the ground floor is a quiet spot for coffee and cake away from the tourist crowds.

Reykjavik has one of the most vibrant street art scenes of any small city in the world, with murals covering building facades across the downtown area. The tradition took off with the Wall Poetry project and Iceland Airwaves festival commissions, and today works by Icelandic and international artists transform blank walls into large-scale artworks. You will stumble across them constantly while walking, but a dedicated street art walk is one of the most rewarding free things to do in Reykjavik.

Key murals include the rainbow street painting on Skolavordustigur (permanently painted since 2020), the monumental works on Laugavegur and Hverfisgata, and several striking pieces around Grandi and the harbour area. The style ranges from photorealistic portraits to abstract geometric designs and political commentary. Self-guided walks take about 1-2 hours; I Love Reykjavik and the Reykjavik Grapevine publish updated street art maps. Guided walking tours focusing on street art and design run for ISK 5,000-7,000 (~€33-47) and typically last 2 hours.

Pro Tip: Start at the rainbow-painted Skolavordustigur and zigzag your way down through the side streets toward the harbour. New murals appear regularly, so even repeat visitors will find fresh pieces. The area around Hverfisgata between Laugavegur and the harbour has the highest concentration - walk slowly and look up.