15 must-see tourist spots in Reykjavik! Stroll through the beautiful streets of Scandinavia

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is the northernmost capital in the world and the political and economic center of the country. 60% of the Icelandic population lives in Reykjavik. Reykjavik is a very tourist-friendly city, with tourist attractions compactly located, so most of them can be traveled by foot or bus.

Reykjavik is a beautiful, laid-back city lined with colorful, cute houses. We will introduce 15 carefully selected tourist spots full of Reykjavik's charm.

1. Hallgrimskirkja

A must-see tourist spot in Reykjavik is Hallgrimskirkja. It is the tallest building in Iceland and a landmark of the capital city, Reykjavik. Its towering presence is outstanding! You can see it from anywhere in the city.

Hallgrimskirkja is a Protestant church that took 41 years to build. It is 74.5 meters tall, and you can take an elevator to the observation deck on the top floor. From the observation deck, you can see the whole city of Reykjavik, it is a tourist attraction that many tourists visit.

The statue in front of the church is a bronze statue of Leif Eriksson, a Viking who discovered North America before Columbus. Hallgrimskirkja was selected as one of the top 50 strangest buildings in the world in 2014, and it is attracting attention as an interesting piece of architecture. It is a must-see tourist spot in Reykjavik, so don't forget to visit!

2. Einar Josson Art Museum

The next recommended Reykjavik tourist spot that you should definitely stop by after Hallgrimskirkja is the Einar Jóson Museum. It is located right next to the Hallgrimskirkja Church, a landmark of Reykjavik.

This is a museum that exhibits the works of Einar Jóson, an Icelandic sculptor who was active in the early 20th century. Many of the sculptures are interesting and wonderful. Jóson's room is reproduced on the second floor. Photography is not allowed inside the museum, but postcards of his works are available for purchase.

Admission to the garden is free. It is a sculpture garden with 26 bronze statues on display, so you can enjoy Jóson's works without entering the museum! If you are sightseeing in Reykjavik, be sure to stop by!

3. Reykjavik Harbour

Reykjavik was once a city that flourished through shipping and fishing. Reykjavik Port is now called Old Harbor and is the departure point for various tours as a sightseeing boat dock, and is a tourist spot in Reykjavik that is always crowded with tourists.

There are many restaurants and cafes in the area, from which you can view the port and the sea. The meals and sweets you can enjoy while looking at the beautiful scenery are exceptional. There are also shops and souvenir stores, so you can enjoy shopping!

Whale-watching boats, an activity that is very popular with tourists, depart from Reykjavik Port every day. It is also a good idea to join a tour where you can see humpback whales, minke whales, and dolphins.

4. Sun Voyager

The Sun Voyager can be found walking along the promenade called the Sculpture and Coastal Promenade from Reykjavik Harbor. This art piece, also known as Solfar, is a modern sculpture in the shape of a Viking ship that is popular with tourists.

This sculpture won the city's competition to commemorate Reykjavik's 200th anniversary and is the city's most popular art piece. Made of stainless steel, the sculpture is bathed in orange at dawn and dusk, making it very beautiful and recommended. If you are visiting Reykjavik, be sure to check out the work.

5. Reykjavik Maritime Museum

Iceland is known as a country that prospered through fishing and is the land of the Vikings. Reykjavik Maritime Museum is a tourist spot in Reykjavik where you can learn about Iceland's history related to the sea, including fishing and shipping.

From rowboats to the latest ships are on display. Videos are also shown, so you can learn about the history of fishing. Take a guided tour and see the interior of the Icelandic coast guard ship Odine.

Reykjavik Maritime Museum also teaches about the history of the construction of Reykjavik Port. There is a coffee shop inside, and since it faces Reykjavik Port, there are many restaurants and cafes in the area, so you can take a break between sightseeing. Be sure to visit this tourist spot to learn about the history of fishing, which is essential to Iceland!

6. Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre

As you walk east along the coast from the quaint old Reykjavik harbor, you will come across a strikingly innovative building in the modern landscape known as New Harbor. This is the Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre.

It was designed by Henning Larsen, a famous Danish architect known as the "Master of Light". In 2013, it won an award for outstanding contemporary architecture in Europe.

The design, which combines 10,000 glass panels in a geometric pattern, is very beautiful and is also known as Reykjavik's modern landmark. It is now a standard tourist spot in Reykjavik, attracting many tourists. Harpa is beautiful not only inside but also outside. There are also cafes and restaurants, so it's a good idea to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the building after touring the inside!

7. Reykjavik 871±2

The unusually named Reykjavik 871±2 is a museum that preserves and displays the remains of the first settlers in Iceland. The number "871±2" represents the estimated year that the remains were excavated.

The remains were discovered while the hotel was under construction. Some parts are preserved behind glass, but you can also see the remains preserved in their original form and learn about Reykjavik's history from the Viking era to the present. Why not stop by as a tourist spot to learn about Reykjavik's history?

8. National Museum of Iceland

The National Museum of Iceland is a large three-story building next to the University of Iceland, beside Lake Tjörnin, a famous tourist spot in Reykjavik. It is located about a five-minute walk from the center of Reykjavik.

It displays many valuable art pieces, crafts, and cultural heritage, so much so that it is said that "you should start here to learn about Iceland." You can view exhibits that explain the history of Ireland in chronological order, and it is said to be a worthwhile museum.　

There is also a cozy cafe and museum shop, so you can take a break between sightseeing and looking for souvenirs, making it a recommended tourist spot in Reykjavik.

9. Lake Tchernin

Lake Tjörnin is a small lake in the center of Reykjavik. The surrounding area is the political center of Reykjavik, with many government buildings such as Reykjavik City Hall and the Parliament Building.

Lake Tjörnin is also a tourist attraction in Reykjavik. There are many sights to see in the area, including interesting bronze statues and objects! It is recommended to spend your time having lunch while sitting on a bench and looking at the beautiful lakeside scenery in between sightseeing in the city. When sightseeing in the city, don't forget to take a walk around the lake!

In addition, since many wild birds such as ducks, geese, and swans live in Lake Tjörnin, warm water flows into the lake to keep it from freezing even in winter.

10. Hofdi House

Hofdi House is a guesthouse located on the seafront in the north of Reykjavik. It is a cute white house built in 1909 by the French consulate, but it became famous overnight when a historic meeting took place here.

This was the Reykjavik Summit, a meeting held in 1986 between the two leaders, US President Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev, in an attempt to end the Cold War. Reykjavik was chosen as the exact midpoint between the US and Russia.

It is not open to the public, but tourists drop by to see the building that was the stage for this history. It is now a standard tourist spot in the city! If you are sightseeing in the city, be sure to stop by.

11. Perlan

Perlan is a popular tourist spot in Reykjavik. It is a dome-shaped glass structure located on a hill in Reykjavik. Perlan means "pearl" in Icelandic.

Perlan is a hot water supply facility that stores hot water sent from a geothermal power plant and supplies it to each home in Reykjavik. There are more than 150 shops and restaurants inside the facility, making it one of the largest in Iceland. There is also a large supermarket, and it is frequented by locals as well as tourists.

The revolving observation restaurant in the dome on the top floor is known for rotating once every two hours and is said to be one of the best restaurants in Iceland. At the end of a day's sightseeing, you can enjoy the night view of Reykjavik while feasting on the finest cuisine. If you have the budget, this is a must-visit!

12. Arbaer Open Air Museum

Arbaer Open Air Museum is an open-air museum that recreates old Icelandic farms and squares. More than 20 historical buildings from all over Iceland have been relocated here.

Guides dressed in traditional Icelandic costumes live in fully furnished houses, giving visitors a glimpse into the life of Icelanders in the past. It is popular with tourists as it is interesting and entertaining. The best season to visit is from June to August when all the houses can be freely visited. The pancakes at the museum cafe are said to be the best in Reykjavik.

Arbaer Open Air Museum can be accessed by city bus from the center of Reykjavik. If you get tired of walking around Reykjavik, why not take a bus to Arbaer?

13. Laugardalslaug

A unique tourist spot we recommend for sightseeing in Reykjavik is the pool! It may seem surprising, but Icelanders love pools! There are seven pools in the city of Reykjavik alone. Most of them are outdoor pools, but they are heated using geothermal energy, so you can enjoy them not only in summer but also in winter.

Laugardalslaug is the largest pool in Reykjavik and is a popular pool in a convenient location. There is a children's pool, a large water slide, and a sauna. There are also five jacuzzis set at water temperatures between 38 and 45 degrees, so you can feel like you are in a hot spring!

The locker rooms are also clean and have a reputation for being easy to use. You can play to your heart's content in the pool or relax in the jacuzzi. Why not try a heated pool experience at Laugardalslaug, which is very popular among locals and tourists, as a memory of your trip?

14. Laugavegur

Laugavegur is Reykjavik's main street, located down the hill from Hallgrimskirkja. Lined with stylish cafes, restaurants, and shops, it is always bustling with locals and tourists.
It is the perfect place for shopping, with everything from souvenirs for tourists to Nordic goods and Icelandic-brand clothing. You can also enjoy window shopping while looking at the colorful cityscape unique to Reykjavik.

If you are sightseeing in Reykjavik, you will naturally pass by Laugavegur. Don't just pass by, but be sure to take a look inside the shops. You might find a bargain!

15. Cora Porti's Flea Market

Korra Portið Flea Market is open only on weekends near Reykjavik Harbor. It is the largest flea market in Iceland and a popular spot for tourists visiting Reykjavik.

A wide variety of items are sold here, including second-hand clothes, used records, books, and toys, and it is especially recommended for those looking to get their hands on Icelandic wool products! There are also stalls selling traditional Icelandic cuisine and food, so it's a great place to try some local flavors!

It's right next to a famous tourist spot known as "the best hot dog shop in Iceland," so if you're visiting Reykjavik on the weekend, be sure to stop by!

Summary of recommended sightseeing spots in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe city, perfect for sightseeing. With stylish buildings, sculptures, and objects to enjoy, you won't get bored just walking around. There are many ways to enjoy the city, such as learning about Iceland's history at museums, relaxing at Lake Tjörtnin, a popular local recreation area, and splashing around in the heated swimming pool. Why not visit Reykjavik, a vibrant city with bright, colorful streets, even though it is located in Northern Europe, where the daylight hours are short?